September 2017 - Page 7 of 7

The Rapture and Israels Future

May 19, 2020September 5, 2017 by Jana Wagner

by Michael C. Wells

The Rapture and Israel's Future At the end of World War II, the community of nations was appalled at the genocide that had occurred during the war. Approximately six million Jews had been exterminated during Hitler’s reign of terror. This caused the United Nations to issue a resolution calling for the resettling of the Jewish people back to Palestine. At this time, the British controlled this territory, and were willing to give it to the new Jewish nation. In 1948, the new state of Israel was formed and speculation of fulfilled prophecy went rampant through the Christian community.

It was widely believed that when Israel became a nation again, the rapture and Second Coming of Jesus would soon follow. Was this new floundering nation, called Israel, truly the fulfillment of Bible prophecy? And if so, what is delaying Jesus from coming to get His people? After all, it has been over fifty years since the Jewish nation was set up. We can also ask the question, How will Jesus come back? Will the righteous be secretly raptured away or will the Second Coming be an event of which all are aware.

In this book, we are going to take a trip through Bible prophecy to find the answers to all these questions and many more. We will investigate Bible truth and discard speculation. How important is it that we do this? The Apostle Paul wrote that if we do not seek the truth and hold to it, God will allow us to believe lies, because we did not love the truth. (II Thessalonians 2: 11, 12.) Since none of us would like to be found in this condition, do you think it wise to investigate God’s truth? Jesus said this about the Word of God; “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17: 17. By knowing the truth of God’s Word, we can be sanctified, or set apart from the rest of the world and their false ideas.

Did you know that over one quarter of the Bible speaks of future events? One of the most prominent prophecies is the Second Coming of Christ. Directly or indirectly it is mentioned in 1845 texts in the Old and New Testaments. In the New Testament, it is mentioned 318 times and is the main theme in seventeen Old Testament books. (See Rapture! Is it for Real?, by Ralph Blodgett.) Obviously, this is a very important topic. The Lord gave us all of this information so that we could study and find out about this momentous event.

With so much information, why are there so many different theories about Christ’s second coming? Paul said, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” II Timothy 4: 3,4. Instead of studying out these prophecies, scripture by scripture, people find it much easier to listen and just believe the teachers of today. In Acts 17, we find a group of people who are commended for their actions. Instead of just listening to what Paul said and accepting it as the truth, they “searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” We are told that we must actively search the Word of God to find the truth. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2: 14.

The Rapture Theory

One of the principal beliefs of today is the rapture. There are at least five major views about the rapture, but all have some things in common. All believe that Jesus will come to gather His people in the clouds. All believe that this gathering will be a secret (those who are not raptured will not be aware of it until after it has taken place). All believe that the rapture and Second Coming are two different events, and all believe that after the rapture, Jesus will come again and set up a 1000 year millennium of peace on the earth. At this point, the views start to differ.

Some believe that between the rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus there will be a seven- year period of tribulation. Others believe that it will only be three and a half years. The partial rapture theory contends that there will be multiple “raptures.” Most believe that the rapture will take place before the tribulation. Yet others grapple with the idea that they might have to go through some of the tribulation, while others believe they will experience it all. The most widely believed theory on the rapture is this: After the saints have been mysteriously “snatched” away, the Holy Spirit withdraws His influence and the wickedness of man turns the world into chaos. At this time the antichrist appears and causes the great tribulation. He forces people to take his mark and for seven, three and a half, or ten years (depending on which theory you want to believe) he reigns terror on the earth. During this time, Israel will be converted and at the end of this time, Jesus will return with His saints and rescue all who have turned to Him during this time of trouble, and He will then establish a “Millennial Kingdom” of 1000 years.

What we all want to know is the answer to this simple question. What does the Bible really say about the rapture and Second Coming of Christ? How will it all happen? We do not have to guess. God has given ample evidence of the events to happen. We can know exactly what will occur, but we cannot know exactly when it will occur. We can know by the signs of the times that His coming is near, “but of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Matthew 24: 36. God has given us this knowledge through His Word so that we can be “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2: 13.

The Rapture and Bible Prophecy

In order to understand this subject, we first need to know where the rapture theory came from. The origins of this theory are rooted in the prophecies of Daniel 9, and so we will begin with an in- depth study of that prophecy.

We first notice that this prophecy is a portion of the 2300- day prophecy that Daniel was given in chapter eight. Daniel is desperately trying to understand the vision given him, but he proclaims in Daniel 8: 27, “And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.” For sometime he plead with the Lord to understand this vision, and, one day, as he was confessing his sins and the sins of Israel, he is sent an answer through the angel, Gabriel. Gabriel showed that the 2300- day prophecy and the seventy week prophecy for Israel started at the same time. Gabriel said, “At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision [of the 2300 days]: Seventy weeks are determined [or in literal Hebrew, “cut off” from the 2300 days] for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.” Daniel 9: 23,24. Seventy weeks are given here, not sixty- nine or sixty- eight, but seventy. This is one complete time frame. It cannot be divided.

Prophetic Time

Notice that this period of time is set aside for the people of Daniel and his holy city. Daniel was a Jew, so this prophecy is specifically about the Jewish people and their holy city Jerusalem. In Daniel 9: 25, we are told when this prophecy will begin. “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.” The command to “restore and build Jerusalem” is the beginning point of this time prophecy. Let’s first look at what is called “prophetic time.”

When the Israelites rebelled against God in the wilderness, he sentenced them to wander in the wilderness for as many days as they had taken to investigate the land of Canaan. He then used this as a rule for prophetic timekeeping. “After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know My breach of promise [rejection].” Numbers 14: 34 KJV. The Israelite spies had investigated the land of Canaan for forty days and now each of those days was counted as a year. They were to wander the wilderness for forty years. We can see this same principle applied in Ezekiel 4: 6. So in Bible prophecy, a day equals one year.

1 See Ezra 1: 1- 4 2 2 See Ezra 6: 1- 12 3 3 According to the cuneiform tablets from Ur of the Chaldees and a papyrus discovered at Elephantine, Artaxerxes succeeded Xerxes to the throne in December, 465 B. C.. His “ascension year” according to the Jewish reckoning would be from December, 465 B. C., to the next Jewish new year in the fall of 464 B. C.. The decree was given in his seventh year which would bring the date from the fall of 458 to the fall of 457 B. C., the date of this important decree recorded in Ezra 7: 1- 26.

In Daniel 9, a seventy- week time period is given. In order to determine for how many years this vision will be applied, the weeks must be calculated in days. Seven days to a week multiplied by seventy equals 490 days. A day for a year brings the figure to 490 years. Now that we have the length of time, all we have to do is find the beginning date of the prophecy. Here are some key words that we must look at to determine the proper date. “Know therefore and understand , that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem . . . .” First, we must find the command that not only causes Jerusalem to be rebuilt but also institutes the restoration of civil and religious authority for Jerusalem. Both must take place in order for it to be the correct beginning date for this prophecy.

The events that lead to the re- building and restoration of Jerusalem are described in the book of Ezra. Three decrees were given, and are recorded in this book, but only one decreed both the rebuilding and the restoration of the city and thus meets the criteria given in this prophecy. The three decrees came from Cyrus, Darius, and Artexerxes. Although Cyrus gave his decree in 537 B. C. 1 , there was no restoration of power to the government of Israel. The second decree by Darius in 520 B. C. 2 saw the construction of the temple, but again, Jerusalem was not “restored.” It was not until the third decree that Jerusalem saw the full fulfillment of these commands. In 457 B. C. 3 , King Artaxerxes gave the final command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. The temple was built and the articles of the temple were restored to it. “Magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the region” (Ezra 7: 25) were again set up in Israel. The Jews were once again given civil and religious power and able to execute judgement on those who broke the law. (See Ezra 7: 26.)

The Anointed One

This time period had paramount importance in the events of history. What was prophesied to happen at this time would change the course of history for the entire world. In Daniel 9: 25, we see that the first sixty- nine weeks (483 days/ years) were to continue “until Messiah the Prince.” Figuring from 457 B. C., 483 years would bring us to the year 27 A. D. (accounting for the fact that there was no zero year between B. C. and A. D.). What significant event happened that year? Through historical records we can find that this year coincides with the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar of which it says in Luke 3: 21,22, “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased. ’” The baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of His ministry, and the Father’s acceptance of Him as the “anointed one” or Messiah. Peter confirms this when he preached on “how God anointed [confirmed Him as Messiah] Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10: 38.

Jesus is Messiah the Prince. He is the “Prince of Life” and the “Prince of the kings of the earth,” a “Prince and Saviour” and “Prince of Peace.” Acts 3: 15; Revelation 1: 5; Acts 5: 31; Isaiah 9: 6. As we look back in Daniel 9: 26, we see that after the seven weeks and sixty two weeks (483 years), “Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself.” (The term “cut off” means “to sever or to die.” (See Isaiah 58: 3.) Jesus became our Sacrifice. He died for the sins of the whole world. Paul confirms this when he states; “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” I Corinthians 15: 3.

When did this event happen? According to the scriptures, it happened in the middle of the seventieth week. “Then He shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Daniel 9: 27. Jesus brought an end to animal sacrifices which became meaningless. He had become the ultimate sacrifice. “But this Man [Jesus], after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Now where there is remission of these [sins], there is no longer an offering for sin.” Hebrews 10: 12,18. In the middle of this last week (seven years) of the prophecy, Jesus fulfilled His commission. Jesus was baptized in the fall of 27 A. D. and was crucified in the spring of 31 A. D, exactly three and a half years into the last week of this prophecy.

It is the last week, or seven years, of this prophecy that the supporters of the rapture theory place far into the future. They attribute the events of this last week to the antichrist and seven years of tribulation. They say that it is the antichrist that makes a covenant with many for one week! But wait a minute. How could such a thing be? Didn’t we see earlier that this vision was one continual prophecy, and there could be no separation of time? And what would we do with this last seven years if it did not apply to Jesus and His sacrifice? Did or will the antichrist die for anyone? How could this possibly apply to him? Is it not an abomination to apply this wonderful prophecy that predicts the first coming and suffering of our Lord and Saviour to the antichrist?

One Final Chance

Yet some might ask, “How did Jesus fulfill the last three and a half years of this prophecy if He went to heaven?” We are told that He would “confirm a covenant with many [the Jews] for one week [seven years].” Yet, He died, rose and ascended to heaven before the end of the last week. Let us see how He accomplished this. Before leaving for heaven permanently, Jesus spent forty days with His disciples giving them instructions. He helped them to understand the Scriptures and showed what they said about His suffering and what must take place afterward. “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem .” Luke 24: 46,47. He then gave them the great commission. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19,20.

Jesus gave His disciples the authority to finish the covenant to the Jews. He told His disciples to begin in Jerusalem and finish the work and complete the prophecy. They tirelessly worked for their people for the next three and a half years. In 34 A. D., the martyrdom of Stephen and the persecution of the church ended this time period. (See Acts 6– 8.) The new Christian church was scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, then to the world. “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” Acts 8: 4. The time for the Jews “to finish the transgression,” put away sin, and humble themselves before God had past. The seventy- week prophecy of Daniel had come to a close. As a nation, God had turned His back on them as they had continually done to Him. Jesus prophesied about this in Matthew 21: 43. “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”

The prophecy of Daniel 9 is so complete, that it even foretells the destruction of Jerusalem. In verse 26, it tells how the “people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This obviously is not speaking of the coming of the Messiah, for the prophecy has already spoken of His coming and suffering. This is speaking of the one who would destroy Jerusalem and the temple. History describes the terror that was wrought in Jerusalem, in 70 A. D., when Titus, the Roman commander attacked the city, killing thousands and not leaving “one stone on another” in the magnificent temple. The end of Jerusalem was “with a flood.” Great desolation was administered to the people of Israel “till the end of the war.” Jesus prophesied about this when He wept over Jerusalem. He said, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that makes for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19: 42– 44.

A Secret Rapture?

So when will the rapture happen and doesn’t the Bible speak of a tribulation? The word “rapture” will not be found in your Bible. It is a term, which simply means, “to be caught up.” When you are excited about a project that you are doing, you might say that your spirit is “raptured.” Scientists who wait for years for spacecraft to get to other planets in our solar system (such as Voyager I and II) are “raptured” with excitement when the event occurs. They are “caught up” in the excitement of the moment. This term has been applied to our deliverance from this world when we will be “caught up” to Jesus in the clouds. I Thessalonians 4: 17 says, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

This text is often used as a proof text for a secret rapture. Let’s look carefully at this scripture, and the ones that proceed it, to see if the Bible supports this view of how the Second Coming will occur. In I Thessalonians 4: 16 we read, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” Does this verse describe a silent or secret event? Jesus will come with a shout , and will speak with the authority and power of an archangel. He will come with the blowing of the trumpet of God. No one should miss this occurrence. In fact, the Apostle John writes straight from the revelation of Jesus, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him. . . .” Revelation 1: 7. How can this be a secret coming when “every eye will see Him”?

Also notice that not one of God’s faithful people will be left behind. “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” Mark 13: 26,27. Every eye will see Him, and He will come with great power. Those who are not ready for the King of kings to come will watch the great coming of Christ and will see this “rapture” of His people floating up to meet Him in the air. What an event! Wouldn’t you like to be one of those who meet Jesus in the air? You can be a part of this exciting event. Whether dead or alive at Jesus’ coming, if we are one of His, we will be lifted up to be with Him at the wonderful resurrection of His elect. The dead will be given new glorious, uncorrupted, physical bodies and be caught up to Jesus, and we who are alive will be given the same and will meet them in the air.

You see, the resurrection, rapture and Second Coming of Christ are all the same event. Listen to what Paul said: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [died]. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming . Then comes the end , when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.” “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” I Corinthians 15: 20– 24,51,53.

With Flaming Fire

We should also notice some of the events that will transpire when Jesus comes to “rapture” His people. “Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation [affliction] those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels , in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.” II Thess.1: 6– 10.

On the day He comes in the clouds to “catch up” His people to Himself, Jesus will, with flaming fire, destroy all who are not His true people. It will be on that Day that His people are delivered from this earth that He will destroy the earth with fire. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night [not secretly or silently, but unsuspectingly], in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” II Peter 3: 10.

Jesus tells us that His coming will be as it was in the days of Noah. Now how was it in the days of Noah? Were some people rescued in the ark and some went on living on the earth after the great flood? “Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth . The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man . All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive .” Gen. 7: 17– 23.

Second Chance to be Saved?

Nothing was left alive when the flood came upon the earth. All died. Only those who were in the ark were saved. There was no second chance. Once the door was shut by the Lord Himself (see Genesis 7: 16), no one could reopen it to get in. Their time was up. They had rejected their opportunity to be saved from the waters, and now it was forever too late. And so it will be in that great day when Jesus comes to receive His people to Himself. “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24: 37– 39. The antediluvian world was not prepared for the great event of which they had been warned repeatedly for 120 years. How long have we been warned about the soon coming of Jesus? Have we become complacent about studying our Bibles to find out how Jesus will come?

Some Taken, Others Left

You might be asking, “What about the passages that talk about some being taken and some being left behind? Doesn’t that indicate that there are some who will still be alive on the earth after Jesus comes for His people? And what about all the Israelites who are supposed to be converted after the secret rapture? Won’t there be 144,000 Jews saved?” Let’s first look at those passages that seem to suggest a “second chance.” We will first look in Matthew 24: 40,41, which is speaking of the coming of Jesus, “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.” This seems to suggest that some will be left wondering where the others went, yet that is not what it says. Look further on to the next few scriptures. “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.” vs. 42– 44.

Jesus is giving a command for us to watch. “Pay attention to the prophecies and get a clear understanding of what will actually occur at My coming,” He urges. If you knew that a thief was coming, would you still sleep soundly, or would you be watching for his invasion into your home? “Therefore you also be ready,” Jesus exclaims. There is not a “second chance” to save your home from a thief once he has robbed you, and there will not be second chance when Jesus comes for His people. What, then, does it mean when it says “one will be taken and one will be left?”

The question really is how will they be left? Look how Luke records this same event. “I tell you, in that night there will be two men [people] in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” Luke 17: 34– 36. Jesus has told His disciples that some would be taken and some would be left, and they were confused, too. So they asked Jesus to explain what He meant. “And they answered and said to Him, ‘Where, Lord? ’ So He said to them, ‘Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together. ’” Luke 17: 37.

Where will these people be left? When you see the birds flying over them, you will find them. How will they be left? Dead! They will become the supper of the birds. They will be left, but they won’t be saying, “Oh, I missed the rapture, now I will turn my life over to Christ so I can go with Him when He comes again.” No. They will be saying to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand.” Revelation 6: 16,17.

Two Great Suppers

There are two great suppers spoken about in the Bible. They are both found in the book of Revelation. The one you and I want to be part of is the marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19: 9 says, “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” But the other supper is for the eagles and the vultures. John said, “Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, ‘Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great. ’” Revelation 19: 17,18. Here we are given a choice to have supper with our Lord and Saviour, or to be the supper for the birds. Jesus is giving us that call right now. “Behold,” He says, “I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3: 20, KJV.

Rejected!

As we noticed earlier in this book, when the Jews rejected Christ as the Messiah, they gave up their position as God’s chosen people. God does not force anyone to accept Him and obey Him, yet there are always consequences if we do not. After their captivity into Babylon, Israel as a nation was given 490 years to see the gravity of their continued rejection of God and His laws. The prophecy of Daniel 9 was their last chance, as a nation, to be the people to carry forth His righteousness. When, at the end of this time, Israel had crucified Christ and then persecuted His church, God took away their “most favored nation” status. Paul writes, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2: 28, 29.

God wants us all to be Jews in the heart. Spiritual Jews. A spiritual Jew is one who loves the Lord with all his heart, mind, and soul. He is one who keeps God’s commandments out of love for God, not because of the consequences if he does not. He shows that he is one of God’s children by his actions, not by his birthright. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs— heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8: 14,16,17. The Holy Spirit in our lives proves that we are truly God’s people, spiritual Jews, and that we will be claimed as the children of Israel (children of God).

Only those who are God’s in the Spirit will be considered part of Israel. Those who were part of literal Israel have been severed from the true Vine and must be grafted back on by obedience to His word. This is the only way any of us can be part of the true Israel, that Israel which will inherit the kingdom of God. No one who is just a literal Jew has rights to the kingdom unless, like everyone else, he becomes a spiritual Jew, also. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed , and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3: 26– 29.

No Place in Prophecy

Physical Israel, in Palestine, has no special part in last day prophecy. They gave up their right to be God’s chosen nation. In Ezekiel 36 is found a prophecy about spiritual Israel, not physical Israel. (This does not refer to a nation who has rejected the Saviour of the world.) First God says He will gather them from among nations. This is exactly what He will do when He comes to redeem His people at His Coming. Notice that He says “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgements, and do them.” Ezekiel 36: 25– 27.

The Israelis of today do not fit this prophecy. Yes, they have gathered themselves out of other nations, but have their hearts been made clean? Have they started worshipping the Saviour who gave His life for them? Do they today walk in His judgements and keep the commandments of God, or do they still hang on to the “traditions of their fathers?” Jesus reproved the religious leaders of His day for this very thing. (See Mark 7: 6– 13.) In Ezekiel 38: 8,11,14, the Lord says “in the latter days” Israel will live in peace and safety, “having neither bars nor gates, and will not be plundered nor will any go against them,” yet as we look at modern Israel today, we find strife and contention between Israel and many of the nations around her. We do not see peace in the land of Israel or a people living in safety. Obviously, this prophecy is not speaking of the modern day Israel of today but of Spiritual Israel who God is preparing for Himself when He comes in the clouds of heaven.

Will there be many literal Jews in the kingdom of heaven? Certainly, yes! Will there be a time after the rapture/ Second Coming for them to be saved? No! Who are these 144,000 “Israelites” in Revelation 7? Verse 4 gives the answer. “And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.” These were those who had become “spiritual Jews” in Christ. These are the ones who, in faith, looked to Jesus for their strength, not to any genealogy. Also notice that the tribes listed in Revelation 7 are not even the original tribes. (See Genesis 49.)

These twelve tribes represent the whole of spiritual Israel. They are those who will go through a time of trouble such as no man has ever seen. They represent the last of God’s people who will be left alive at the Second Coming of Jesus. They will be virgins in their faith, for they will know the Lord and their doctrines will be as pure as a virgin before she is wed. They will be those who “follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” They will stand for truth and righteousness and have a love for the Lord, which will have no boundaries. Their eyes will be fixed upon His goodness and in their mouths no lies, no hatred, no deceit, and no guile will be found. They will portray the character of Jesus perfectly with love, sympathy, kindness, and pity for all they meet. They will not think more of themselves than others, but will work tirelessly for all they encounter. And these last spiritual Jews, these representatives of God’s true Israel will sing a song that no one else can sing, for only they have gone through the special experience which has prepared them to sing it. (See Revelation 14: 1– 5.)

Earth’s Final Generation

God’s people in the last days are truly blessed among all generations, for they will be the ultimate witnesses for God and His Son. They will suffer for Jesus as He suffered (I Peter 2: 21) and will lay their lives on the line for Him. (Revelation 12: 11.) Those who are still alive at His Coming will see the glory of His appearance, and those who have died for His namesake will be honored to be first to meet Him in the sky. He will appear as He left. In a cloud, He will be found. The angels asked the disciples why they stared at the sky when Jesus floated away into a cloud. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven, this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1: 11. Jesus points out in three of the four gospels that He will appear in the clouds . He will not touch this earth when He is revealed to receive His people. Every eye will see Him, and those who are not ready will mourn for they know that they are lost. (Revelation 1: 7.)

Two Great Harvests

The great harvest is about to take place. The book of Revelation speaks of this in chapter 14. Here again, we see Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven. “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to Him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” Revelation 14: 14– 20, KJV.

As we look at the harvest time of the earth, when Jesus will come to claim all who are His, we see that there are two harvests. In the first, Christ uses His sickle to harvest His precious elect. This is the redemption of God’s people. They are gathered to Him who sits on the cloud, to be with Him forever. (John 14: 2 ,3.) But the other harvest is with fire. This harvest will see the destruction of all that are on the earth. This harvest is the gathering of the tares who are bundled together for burning (See the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13: 24– 30), for this angel has power over fire.

As we meet Christ in the air, we are transported to heaven (John 14: 2,3) to reign with Him as priests and kings for one thousand years. (Revelation 20: 4.) During this time, the earth is laid waste from the consuming fire that proceeds from the Lord at His Coming. It is not until after the thousand years have expired that Jesus brings His people back and executes the final judgement upon the wicked. It is then that the earth will be renewed to a glory that has not been seen since the fall of Adam.

Will You Be Disappointed?

Our time grows short on this earth. Jesus said that we could see the time of His Coming by looking at the signs of the times. Many will be disappointed at the Coming of Christ, because they have placed their hopes in men rather than God. Some will sincerely believe that they are firmly in God’s hand while living out a life not congruent with His law. Many will believe that they have plenty of time to get ready, because they trust in a false theory that teaches two chances for salvation. But the truth of God’s Word is clear. When Jesus comes for His people, His true Israel, He will come with power and authority. He will receive all His people, both dead and alive, and they will meet Him in the clouds of heaven. He will cleanse the earth with fire from the brightness of His coming (II Thessalonians 2: 8), and “by fire and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many.” Isaiah 66: 16.

We must today seek out God’s truth if we are to be prepared for His soon coming. He says, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29: 13. With the “winds of doctrines” that are ever flying about, we must set our hearts and minds on His truth. Paul gives us warning when he said, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2: 8. What we believe has a vast impact on how we follow Christ. It becomes imperative that we know His truth so that we will not be deceived with the rest of the world. (Revelation 12: 9.) Jesus said before He comes back, truth will lie so close to error that, if possible, even the very elect will be deceived. (Matthew 24: 24.) Our only safety is to receive a love for His truth and daily seek for it as hidden treasure. As we examine ourselves to see whether we are truly in the faith, we must ask ourselves this question. When Jesus calls His saints to Himself, will I be found among them?

Source:

Blodgett, Ralph H., Rapture! Is it for Real?
All Bible references are taken from the New King James Bible unless otherwise indicated.

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The End of War and Injustice

May 19, 2020September 5, 2017 by Jana Wagner

By Michael C. Wells

The End of War and Injustice Throughout history, one of the prominent activities of nations has been conquest and war. Men have desired power over their fellow men since Cain, the first son of Adam, slew his brother, out of jealousy. He desired the blessing that his brother received from God, but was not willing to follow the conditions of obedience and humility that God required. His selfishness caused him to hate his brother and eventually to kill him. One day, he, and all who treat others unjustly, will face the judgment of God, Who will set up His court to try all that have dwelt on the earth.

A grand judgment is being held as you read this book. The magnificence of this court is only surpassed by the glory and majesty of the Judge. Daniel records this in Daniel 7: 9,10. “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him, a thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.” This judgment will put an end to all the injustice man has done to his fellow man. Why, then, did God allow these things to take place in the beginning? Where did this controversy start, and why is there so much injustice and war in the world today? These are legitimate questions. The Bible tells us all about the origin of the greatest war ever fought anywhere.

The Origin of Suffering

It all began before the earth was created. In the heavenly courts, next to the throne of God, stood an angel who possessed great beauty and wisdom. He was a leader of angels and the “covering cherub.” He stood with his wings spread over the heavenly throne where the Lord God sat. Ezekiel 28: 14 describes him this way: “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of the fiery stones.” The God of heaven had established this angel in a position of great honor in His kingdom. He had created him to be one of the leading angels in heaven. God had created him for service and praise. “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created . . .” verses 12, 15. This angel’s name was Lucifer. Not only was he intelligent and beautiful, but he could sing like no other.

Unfortunately, terrible changes started to occur in Lucifer. He became dissatisfied with his position. As the covering cherub, Lucifer could go no higher. He stood next to God, but he was not satisfied. He wanted to be part of the inner circle. He wanted to become “as God,” to be part of the counsel with Christ. Lucifer became jealous of Christ and the relationship He had with the Father and believed that he was just as qualified to give counsel as Christ. His dissatisfaction led him to murmur about his misfortune to some of his fellow angels, causing them to doubt God’s fairness. It is inconceivable that a created being, like Lucifer, would exalt himself above his Creator, yet that is exactly what he tried to do.

Isaiah 14: 12– 14 describes this sad event. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. ’”

Using the King of Tyre to represent Lucifer, Ezekiel writes of his fall: “Because your heart is lifted up, and you say, ‘I am a God, I sit in the seat of gods, in the midst of the seas, ’ yet you are a man, and not a God, though you set your heart as the heart of a God . . . there is no secret that can be hidden from you! With your wisdom and your understanding you have gained riches for yourself, and gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; by your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up. . . . You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you.” Ezekiel 28: 2– 5,15– 17.

The first war did not start here on planet Earth, as many people believe, but originated in heaven. As Lucifer (now called Satan, which means deceiver and accuser) rallied his angels to battle for his so called “rights,” Michael (which means “one who is like God,” or another name for Christ), and His angels fought against this once glorious angel. “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and His angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12: 7– 9.

Satan’s Plan for Our Earth

Satan lost the first battle and was cast out of heaven to the earth. His mission ever since has been to turn the people of this earth against the God of heaven, by convincing them, with his deceitful lies, that God is unjust and unfair. In Revelation it is written, “therefore rejoice, O heaven, and you who dwell in them!” But to the earth, John the Revelator warns, “woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12: 12. If mankind had heeded the warning God gave to them in the beginning, if they had recognized the immense fairness of God, and how His truth brings happiness, they would never have fallen to the deceit of Satan. Yet, even to this day, mankind has a hard time believing God and His infinite wisdom.

Rebellion spread across the earth as Satan went forth to deceive the nations. He encouraged pride in the hearts of men and caused them to covet wealth and power. God’s people were even snared in the traps of Satan as he used lust to cause the downfall of the sons of God. We can read in Genesis 6 how the sons of God looked upon the beauty of the daughters of Cain and took them as wives. No doubt they thought they could convert them to God’s way, yet just the opposite happened. Soon God’s people were becoming as corrupt as the descendants of Cain. The “thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6: 5. They became so wicked that God decided that the only way to purify the earth was to destroy it with water. God started over with mankind, but found again that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Jeremiah 17: 9.

The result of the first sin in heaven was the spread of greed, pride and selfishness. This resulted in war, poverty and the suppression of people. Kings were set who ruled without mercy or compassion. Misery became the handmaiden of injustice, and poverty the result of war.

Maybe you wonder why God allowed such things to take place? Why didn’t God just wipe Satan from existence? We can turn that question around and look at it from a different perspective. Why doesn’t God just wipe us out of existence as soon as we sin? God made provision for the sinner through Christ, His Son. It is written that He was “slain from the foundations of the world.” (Revelation 13: 8.) He made that same provision for Satan. God could have stopped him anytime, but that would have given weight to the allegations of the adversary. Satan was alleging that the God of heaven was unfair, a dictator who set up unjust laws that need not be followed. If God had disposed of the devil immediately, the angels of heaven would not have followed God out of love and admiration, but out of fear of the penalty of disobedience. He had to let sin come to full fruition before the entire universe could see where Satan’s doctrine would lead, and the true nature of sin. Satan could have turned from his course, back toward God and forgiveness, but instead he turned his heart inward and rejected the counsel of the Holy Spirit to repent and be forgiven. Now the last stronghold of sympathy for Satan is confined to this earth. Except for the inhabitants of our earth, the whole universe has seen his true character.

Satan set himself on a path to bring pain and suffering to all mankind. He used wars of his own creation, in which he controlled all sides, in order to fulfill his mission— the greatest amount of suffering for the greatest number. He is out to destroy you and me by deception and enticement into sin. When he had accomplished the seduction of Eve in the garden, and Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, because they rejected God’s law of love, Satan devoted his life to bringing misery and hatred to all of their off- spring.

God Reveals His Plan

God, on the other hand, had a plan to bring Satan and sin to an end. He saw far into the future and developed a plan to bring salvation to everyone who would receive the free gift He was to offer. He saw the rise and fall of nations, and the course that each man would take. He gives us free choice to live as we want, but He is ever at hand to guide and lead if we will submit to His will. He wants to bring happiness and peace to those who will allow Him to work in their lives.

Since God knows the end from the beginning, He sent a prophecy to His servant Daniel, to explain His ultimate plan. In Daniel 7, we see four beasts coming out of the sea, one like a lion, one like a bear, another like a leopard, and the last, a beast too hideous for Daniel to describe.

As we begin to study this prophecy, we must remember that prophecy is given in signs and symbols. Revelation 1: 1 says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.”

Notice that these beasts come from the sea. Since many terms are symbolic, we must look for the meaning of each symbol in the Bible, for the Bible interprets itself. What does water represent in Bible prophecy? Revelation 17: 15 says, “Then he said to me, ‘The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are people, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” Here we see that water represents many nations and languages that have come together, a continent of many different countries with multitudes of people. So then, these beasts were to arise from an already populated area.

These beasts represent kingdoms according to Daniel 7: 23. “Thus he said, ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. ’”

In Daniel 2, we see the same kingdoms depicted in the dream, of the image, of King Nebuchadnezzar. Just as Babylon was symbolized by the head of gold, so this first beast, a lion, also represents Babylon. (If you research the history of Babylon, you will find that this symbol is very appropriate, for they often used lions to represent themselves.) The second beast that came from this same region, and that conquered Babylon, was Medo- Persia. It is represented by a bear, because of its slow, but powerful, army. It crushed Babylon, in 539 BC, when Belshazzar, then Emperor of Babylon, defied and mocked the God of heaven. God sent a prophecy, the handwriting on the wall, to show him his soon coming demise. That very night Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Mede became conqueror of the most powerful kingdom in the known world. In Daniel 7: 5, we see that the bear is lifted up on one side. This represents the predominant authority of the Persian part of the alliance over the Medes. The Persian Empire went forward and conquered all the territory of Babylon, including Lydia and Egypt. The three ribs, in the mouth of the bear, depict these three territories.

God continued His prophecy of war and conquest in verse 6. Daniel saw that another great warrior was to arise from this region who would conquer so quickly that he was represented as a leopard. A leopard is known for its sleekness and speed as well as its great agility and strength in the attack. This describes the conqueror of the Persian Empire to the letter. Almost everyone has heard of Alexander the Great. At age 33, Alexander had conquered not only the territory that Persia had obtained but had also expanded his territory into Europe. His kingdom was divided when, after a successful campaign, he indulged too heavily in alcohol, at a wedding, and died. His kingdom was divided into four sections and became weak after a time. The four heads represent the four kingdoms of divided Greece.

The Dreadful and Terrible Beast

After the Grecian Empire, God shows Daniel a kingdom so vicious, so terrifying, so malevolent, that no beast could adequately describe it. The fourth beast was a “dreadful and terrible” beast, “exceedingly strong.” “It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.” Daniel 7: 7. As we look at history, it is not hard to figure out what kingdom enslaved Greece and the rest of the world. It brought in what we call the “Iron Age.” It was the Roman Empire.

Rome did indeed trample the known world into residue under its feet. Rome built roads all over the empire so that its armies could move more freely and quickly. It devoured and fed on the spoils of other nations, and it became the master of the world. From 168 BC to 476 AD Rome held the world in the palm of its hand. It became wealthy from the tribute that it received from other nations.

Rome was originally set up as a republic, with a senate and court system similar to ours in the United States, but eventually it became a dictatorship. The freedoms of the Roman citizens were taken away gradually until only a word of condemnation could cause one the loss of his life. Greed took hold of the empire and it became the most brutal and cruel monarchy the world has ever known, even to this day.

Rome is known for the development of methods of torture. The cross was one of its crowning achievements. Men could remain alive for days under this form of excruciating torture. During Nero’s reign, Christians were made into living candles and set on fire to give light for the arena. People were slaughtered by the sword and by animals, for the enjoyment of the people. Barbarism knew no limits.

When Rome began to fall in 351 A. D., the kingdom was eventually divided into ten kingdoms. The ten horns of this beast represented ten tribes or kingdoms. These kingdoms became what we know today as Europe. They were the Franks (France), Anglo- Saxons (England), Alemanni (Germany), Suevi (Portugal), Visigoths (Spain), Burgundians (Southern France), Lombards (Switzerland), Ostrogoths (the area of Greece and also moved to conquer Italy), Heruli (Italy), and the Vandels (Northern Africa).

In Daniel 7: 8, 20, 24, we see a little horn (kingdom) who destroys three of the original kingdoms. This was done when the Heruli, Ostrogoths, and the Vandels were eliminated. This little horn power was to speak “great words against the Most High” and “persecute the saints of the Most High.” Daniel 7: 25. This is a religious power that will try to bring the whole world under its authority, dictating religious values and worship under penalty of death! (See Revelation 13: 4– 8,15.) This power has been around for many centuries, and is emerging again, not only as a religious power, but with quite a lot of political leverage, also.

We can see by looking at identifying marks of the little horn in Daniel 7 and the beast in Revelation 13 that these are the same power. We already notice that in Daniel 7: 25, the little horn speaks pompous (blasphemous) words against the Most High. In Revelation 13: 6, we see the beast also has a mouth that speaks blasphemy. Both the little horn and the beast also persecute the saints (Daniel 7: 25; Revelation 13: 7) and both continue for 1260 years.

In Bible prophecy, a day equals a year. (See Numbers 14: 34 and Ezekiel 4: 6.) When the Bible speaks of a time (one year), times (two years), and half a time (half a year) it is speaking of three and a half years. In the Bible times a year was 360 days. So by using this criteria, we can multiply 3 ½ by 360 and we get 1260 days. A day for a year brings us to 1260 years. In Revelation 13: 5, we have 42 months. By using this same rule and multiplying 42 by 360, the answer again is 1260. So in both Daniel and Revelation we can find several identifying marks that show that this is the same power.

It is the grievous sins of this power that will bring great judgment on its head. It has a blasphemous name on its head (Revelation 13: 1). The Bible definition for blasphemy is to claim to forgive sin, and to claim to be equal with or to be God. Jesus made these claims (which was His right as Sovereign of the universe) in Mark 2: 7 and John 8: 58, but for a earthly power or man to make such a claim will bring great judgment to him. We already saw that he would persecute (kill) the saints (God’s people), and that he would cause the world to “marvel and follow the beast.” “So they worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying ‘Who is like the Beast? Who is able to make war with him? ’” Revelation 13: 3,4. Can you imagine God not judging such a power with the ultimate sentence? “God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies.” Naham 1: 2.

How Will You Be Judged?

God is sitting up a judgment and declares that this message should be proclaimed to all the world. “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come and worship Him who made heaven and the earth, the sea and springs of waters.” Revelation 14: 7. In Daniel 7: 26, we see that when the court is seated, this little horn power (or beast power as described in Revelation 13) will have its dominion taken away and will be consumed and destroyed forever. All who have followed this false religious power will pay the price with him. This little horn (or anti- christ) is the earthly agent of Satan who comes with the power of Satan, yet God is setting up a judgment that will bring him to utter ruin. How do we avoid this condemnation and the destruction that will follow? What exactly will be the evidence presented in this judgment, for or against us? It will be the very thoughts we have thought, the deeds we have done, and God will judge our hearts.

God Himself is the judge, not any human being. We are never to judge the motives of a person. This is left to God alone. Paul writes about this very subject: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts . Then one’s praise will come from God.” “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” I Corinthian 4: 5; Romans 14: 10. When we judge our brother, we are actually judging ourselves. “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment.” “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 12: 36; 7: 1– 3,5.

Judgment of the motives belongs to God. We cannot read the heart as God does. We may think that the people around us have rejected God and His counsel, yet, only God truly knows the heart of another. We are here to give encouragement and support to those who are suffering under the attacks of Satan. “Your words are to soothe, not harass. Let your hearts be filled with love for souls. With a deep, tender interest, work for those around you. If you see one making a mistake, go to him in the way Christ has pointed out in His Word, and see if you cannot talk the matter over with Christlike tenderness. Pray with him, and believe that the Saviour will show the way out of the difficulty.” Evangelism, 637, by Ellen G. White.

Yet this does not discount the fact that you and I will one day be judged by the God of heaven. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” II Corinthians 5: 10. This judgment will take place in the heavenly courts, as we read in Daniel 7: 9,10. As the angels gather around, the books are brought out (the Book of Remembrance and the Book of Life) and the Ancient of Days is seated along with the rest of the court.

The Law of Liberty

God’s court of justice is a court of law. The government of God is based around a system of immutable laws that govern the conduct of each person in His kingdom. These laws cannot be changed. They are perpetual; they do not end. These same laws will be the standard by which we will be judged in the judgment. This is called the law of liberty. This does not mean we have liberty to break God’s law, but that we are freed, or given liberty, from sin when we keep God’s law. In James 2: 8– 12, we are shown that this law of liberty spoken of is none other than the Ten Commandments. God says through James: “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he is guilty of all. . . . So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”

God is ever so fair in His judgments. That is why only He can be our Judge. “There is one Lawgiver and Judge, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?” James 4: 12 NAB. Jesus warns us not to fear man, for what can man do to us if we are the Lord’s? “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10: 28. Only the Lord has power over our eternal destiny. Only He can give us eternal life or eternal death. The price for sin, which is death, must be paid either by ourselves or by the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross. Jesus will stand up as the Defense Attorney for all those who have been faithful. He will bring His blood before the Father as the price that was paid for the sins of each person who has given himself or herself fully to Him.

This, then, will be the theme of the judgment. Have our sins been covered with the blood of Jesus? Have we allowed Him to take our lives and shape them? Are we overcoming sin by the blood of the Lamb of God? “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Romans 6: 23; I John 1: 7.

Man has a duty to perform before the judgment closes. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring ever work into the judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12: 13,14. Jesus will bring every work into judgment, whether good or bad. The kingdoms, we read about in Daniel 7, will all be judged by the standard of the Royal Law, the Ten Commandments.

The wicked will receive their just reward from heaven. As we read in Revelation 20: 12,13, “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works .” The cases of each person will be brought before God’s throne and all will receive their sentence. The ungodly will pay with their lives for the misdeeds that they participated in on this earth. “Then Death and Hades [the grave] were cast into the lake of fire, this is the second [and final] death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20: 15.

God shows Daniel that when the little horn, the religious power which thinks “to change times and law,” puts forth its power to persecute God’s people for the last time, God will bring it to its knees. Judgment will be executed against the wicked and the righteous will be delivered by the power of the Lamb from the hands of injustice and persecution. Jesus will stand up and gather His people to Himself.

More Than a Profession

Obviously, Jesus will not defend those who do not love Him and follow Him, but what about those who claim to be His people? Jesus warned us that not all who claim to be His people will be saved. Look at what He says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, ’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your Name? ’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matthew 7: 21– 23.

In the judgment, it is not enough to invoke the name of Jesus, we must do His will and obey His commandments. Satan’s agents will use “power, signs, and lying wonders,” but Jesus says that this is not a sign that we are His people. The only true test of fellowship with Him, the only standard to be used in the judgment, will be whether we keep His commandments out of a true love for Him. Those who do not will be told, “Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

With our cases soon to come up for judgment, how are we to prepare? Paul says, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?— unless you are disqualified.” II Corinthians 13: 5. Every one of us must give an account of ourselves to God at the day of final judgment. God has been keeping a record of each person’s life. This information will be used in the judgment to see whether we truly are one of God’s people. Our recorded life will be put into contrast with God’s law. It will not only show those things we have done in the body, but also if we have let Jesus cover our sins with His blood. It will show whether we have overcome sin in our lives through the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Those who have overcome will have their sins blotted from the books. Those who have not overcome, who only have a profession of faith and not the corresponding works, will be blotted out of the Book of Life. “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness, which he has done, shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.” “And the Lord said to Moses, whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.” “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Ezekiel 18: 24; Exodus 32: 33; Ezekiel 18: 21,22; Revelation 3: 5.

Salvation is a free gift, yet we cannot receive it unless we come to Jesus, as He requires, not as we think is appropriate. God makes the rules, not us. He requires the combination of faith and works to prove we are truly His people. Have you given everything over to Him? Are you holding back part of your heart that is reserved for sin? Sin is the transgression [breaking] of God’s law. (I John 3: 4.) If we have not given all to the Lord, our whole heart, mind, and soul, we have given nothing at all. We cannot be partially God’s and partially of the world. We cannot let our ideas and desires dictate to us the path we will follow, for that path will lead to destruction. God is bringing an end to war and injustice, and the case of each human being alive today will very soon be brought to final judgment. Will you give all to Jesus today? Will you submit to His authority and work with His grace to transform your life? Will Jesus say to you in the judgment, “Well done faithful servant,” or will He say, “Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness”? The court is being seated and the Ancient of Days is ready to look through the books to see who will be called by His Name. Where will you be found?

Sources:

Grosboll, John, God Predicts Your Future.
Popovic, John, Alexander the Great— From history to eternity.
White, E. G., Patriarchs and Prophets.
White, E. G., Evangelism.

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The Beast’s Mark

May 19, 2020September 5, 2017 by Jana Wagner

by Michael C. Wells

The Beast's Mark Have you ever wondered why so many people today are fearful of the future? Many are afraid because of a prophecy in Revelation that warns the world about a dreaded mark that every person will receive if they follow the “beast.” The penalty for receiving this mark is death! Is it no wonder people are scared to receive it and want to avoid it at all cost? Yet today, society is so complacent about the book of Revelation that many preachers are teaching that it doesn’t apply to Christians at all, but only to those who will be left here to face the wrath of God. Is this what the Bible says? Why would Jesus spend His time giving a personal prophecy about these end times if it didn’t apply to you and me?

Unfortunately, people are easily deceived into believing doctrines that make them feel safe and secure. Paul tells us to watch out for such doctrines, “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety! ’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape [destruction].” I Thessalonians 5:3. If I came running into you’re house screaming “Fire! Fire!” would you be alarmed and take action, or would you just let yourself die in the fire? But so many times when we hear a warning from the Bible, we dismiss it as not important or not being applicable to us.

John the Revelator writes concerning this mark, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14: 9- 11. What a warning! I don’t think there is anyone who wants to receive the mark of the beast.

What is this mark and how do we avoid receiving it?

What is this mark and how do we avoid receiving it? That is the question at hand. In order to answer that question, we must look at what this mark entails. Notice that this beast is involved in worship. “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him. ’ All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13: 4,8. Therefore, this must be a religious power. Only religious organizations are involved in invoking the worship of someone.

He is also involved in civil authority and government. He will be involved in the persecution and killing of those who oppose him. He will use his agents to do his work for him while he sits behind the scenes and reaps the results. “It was granted to him [the first beast] to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. And he [the second beast] exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13: 7, 12, 15- 17.

This power will subjugate the people of the earth to do his will. He will cause them to worship him, which is against God’s law. Therefore, he will teach the people of the earth to break God’s law! This is not just speaking about those who do not believe in God, but also those who profess to be His people. Could you receive the mark of the beast and still think you are following God? Jesus said many would have this experience. We read in Matthew 7: 21- 23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ (notice that they are acknowledging Jesus as Lord. These are professed Christians), shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, ’ have we not prophesied in Your name, cast our demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

These people really thought they were Christians. They thought they were “filled with the Holy Spirit,” but they had not searched hard enough for God’s will and were not willing to submit fully to His law. Jesus says to them “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do the things which I say?” Luke 6: 46. They are lawbreakers. They are those who claim that God’s law is not binding on Christians today. Someone might say, “Doesn’t the Bible say we live under grace and not the law? That we live by the Spirit of the law, not by the letter?” The answer is yes! But what does it mean to live under grace? If you were a murderer in prison on death row waiting to be executed, and the warden gave you a pardon and freed you, you would have just moved from condemnation to grace. Now that you are under grace do you have the right to go out and kill someone again? Does grace give you the authority to break the law or are you still required to keep it?

You see how simple it is. This is the spirit of the law, that you keep it out of gratitude for your life and because it is right in the sight of God. It shows where our loyalties lie, and how our character is formed. It is an outward sign of an inward change. The letter of the law brings condemnation, because we are keeping it solely out of the fear of the punishment for breaking it. The letter of the law kills not because the commandments are wrong or bad, but because a book with words in it can not make a change in us if we do not apply it to our lives. Children who obey their parents exclusively out of fear of punishment may well break the laws of the land, because they were not instilled with a love for truth and righteousness. We must keep God’s law, because we love Jesus and we want to obey Him, otherwise, we are doing it out of “works” and not “faith.” Jesus came to set us free from condemnation by His great sacrifice of His life on the cross, one of the worse forms of torture ever devised by man.

He gave us His pardon (grace) from the sentence of death that hung over our heads, yet He did not say “go and sin as much as you want,” but “Go, sin no more.” John 8: 11. He wants to help us overcome sin by writing His laws on our hearts and establishing them in our minds (Hebrews 10: 16), not by doing away with them. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” and He said, “I do not change.” Hebrews 13: 8; Malachi 3: 6.

What is Sin?

What is sin anyway? “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness (or transgression of the law), and sin is lawlessness.” I John 3: 4. So sin is breaking God’s Ten Commandment law. James 2: 10 speaks to this when he quotes from the Ten Commandments and declares “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one, he is guilty of all.” Every person has committed sin in his or her life. Paul exclaims, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 3: 23; 6: 23. That is why we need Jesus. Someone had to pay the penalty for our sin, and if not ourselves, someone else had to die for the wickedness that we have committed. Jesus made that sacrifice for you and me so that we might have life. It is a free gift, but we have a part to play in receiving it.

We know that the beast power in Revelation 13: 1- 10 is the antichrist power because it says, “he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God,” Revelation 13: 6. In two other places in the Bible the antichrist power is also described, first in Daniel 7 where the antichrist power is described as the “little horn.” We know that this is the antichrist power, because it says, “he shall speak great words against the Most High,” Daniel 7: 25. Then in II Thessalonians 2: 3 where the antichrist power is described as the “man of sin.” We know that here, Paul is talking about the antichrist power because he says concerning this “man of sin” that he “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, [among God’s professed people, the professed church of God] showing himself that he is God.” II Thessalonians 2: 4, Concerning the antichrist power, Paul shows us that he teaches people to break God’s law: “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” II Thessalonians 2: 8.

In fact, not only will this beast power break God’s law, but he will also think to change God’s law. Can you imagine someone thinking that they could get away with changing God’s law? No way, you might say! But look at Bible prophecy and again notice that this is the same power. It has all the same identifying marks as those we find in Revelation 13 and II Thessalonians, “he shall speak pompous (great, blasphemous) words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law . Then the saints shall be given into his hand (to be persecuted) for a time and times and half a time.” Daniel 7:25.

Paul says that this “man of sin” or beast power was already working in his day, he said, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.” II Thessalonians 2:7. Paul also makes it clear that this power will continue until Jesus returns to this world again and that it will then be destroyed: “And then shall the lawless one be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” II Thessalonians 2: 8. Peter tells us from where this power will come. He points specifically to where the “man of sin” power will emerge. “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way the truth will be blasphemed.” II Peter 2:1,2. Where does Peter say he will arise? Right among the believers of Christ! This man of sin will come out of the early church and will use his false doctrines to contaminate the pure doctrine of Jesus. He will introduce false teachings and deceptive lies to turn people from the true worship of God, to a false worship of man, and most of the people will put up with it! (See II Corinthians 11:3,4).

Obviously, if this beast power (better known as the antichrist) was alive in Paul’s day, and he is still work today, this cannot be speaking of an individual man, but a system of religion. Notice how long this system was to persecute the saints. “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty- two months. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” “Then the saints shall be given into his hands for a time, times, and half a time.” Revelation 13:5,7; Daniel 7:25. We have two prophecies that deal with time here. Because this is the same power that is being described in both Daniel and Revelation, the time prophecies both deal with this same “beast/ little horn” power.

The Bible gives two examples of prophecies dealing with time. One is in Ezekiel 4: 4- 6, and the other is in Numbers 14: 34, which says, “According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear you guilt one year, namely forty year, and you shall know My rejection.” So the Lord uses a day to equal a year in Bible prophecies. In Revelation and in Daniel we see two time prophecies, one for forty- two months, and the other for a “time, times, and half a time.” A “time” represents one year, so “times” would speak of two years, and, of course, half a time would be a half a year. The total years mentioned here would be three and a half years. Since a day equals a year in Bible prophecy, we must convert these years and months into days.

First let’s calculate the months of Revelation. Forty- two multiplied by 30 days for each month (the Bible specifies 30 days for one month see Genesis 7: 11; 8: 3, 4) will give us a total of 1260 days, which would convert to 1260 years. Now the 3½ years multiplied by 360 would again give us 1260 days/ years. Again we see that still another characteristic of this beast/ little horn power is the same. If this power will be around for at least 1260 years, these prophecies cannot be speaking of a person, but a religious power that will endure for a long time.

Now notice what will happen to this power. “And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.” This beast was to be “mortally wounded.” If you are mortally wounded it means that you are close to death. The King James Bible translates this term as “wounded to death.” This beast, or religious power, was to be wounded so bad (lost so much power and prestige) that all the world will believe that it was to become extinct, yet its “deadly wound was healed.”

This antichrist power was to arise out of the fourth beast in Daniel 7. A beast represents a kingdom or empire. “The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.” Daniel 7: 23. Out of this fourth kingdom will arise ten horns. A horn also represents a kingdom. “The ten horns are ten kings (kingdoms) who shall arise from this kingdom” (verse 24). So ten other kings, or kingdoms will come up out of this fourth beast.

Notice that another “horn” or kingdom will also arise. “And another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings,” Daniel 7: 24. This kingdom will arise after the other ten kingdoms have been established and will be different than the rest. Yet this power will be a persecuting power. It subdues three of the kingdoms, or in other words, he destroys them. “I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots . And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man (there will be a man at the head of this power), and a mouth speaking pompous words,” Daniel 7: 8. “And the ten horns were on its head (the head of the fourth beast), and the other horn which came up, before which three fell , namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. I watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom” (Daniel 17: 20- 22).

Identifying marks of the “little horn” from Daniel 7

Here are some identifying marks of this “little horn” that are found here in Daniel 7.

It arose out of the fourth beast. Verses 7,8
It arose after the ten horns. Verse 24
It arose among or in the same geographical area of the ten horns. Verse 8
It was “different” from the other horns. Verse 24
It destroyed three of the other horns Verses 8,20,24
Its appearance was greater than the other horns (meaning it became more prominent). Verse 20
It speaks pompous (blasphemous) against the Most High. Verse 25
Thought to change times and God’s law. Verse 25
Would have temporal power (civil govern mental authority) for 1260 years. Verse 25
Would persecute God’s people (true Christians). Verse 25
A man would be at the head of this power. Verse 24, 25.

In our booklet, The End of War and Injustice, we examined the four beasts of Daniel 7: 3- 7, showing that they represent four world empires. These consisted of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and the fourth was Rome. Notice that this little horn power comes out of the fourth kingdom (Rome). Also notice that it comes up after the ten kingdoms that split off and divided the Roman Empire. So we can say that this little horn power, which is diverse from the rest of the kingdoms, takes its power from Rome. This is made clear when we take the prophecies of Revelation and combine them with Daniel. This beast in Revelation 13 takes its power from the dragon and is a composite of all the beasts of Daniel 7. “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” Revelation 13:2.

Clearly, we can see this is like no other beast on the face of the earth. If this beast really existed, some carnival or circus would be making big money showing it off. No, this beast represents the characteristics of each of the following beasts before it. This was a swift power like a leopard. A leopard is so fast that it can chase down its prey quickly. It also has great agility to get out of scrapes. This beast power has these same abilities to be able to survive through varying situations. It also has feet like a bear. A bear’s feet are big, strong and very sure- footed. He really can put some weight behind him when he “puts his foot down.” So it is with this beast power. He has authority and power to actuate his policies and doctrines. He has the weight of political and religious power behind him. Remember that we notice earlier that he would be involved in worship (or religion). The beast speaks as the lion of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar. He speaks pompous words as the king of Babylon did. Check out the words of King Nebuchadnezzar in defiance to God, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” Daniel 4: 30.

As King Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself and did not give God the glory for what he had, so does the beast or Revelation 13. It is common among rulers, kings, and religious leaders to forget where their sovereignty came from. Daniel reminds the king of Babylon in Daniel 2: 20,21, “Daniel answered and said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

Finally, let’s investigate the power base of this beast. He receives his power, authority, and throne from the dragon. Who does this dragon represent? “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12: 9. Ultimately, it is Satan who gives this beast his authority. But does this dragon also represent an earthly power, too? In Revelation 12, we find the prophecy of Jesus’ birth and the oppression that the “dragon” gave Him at His birth, What tyrannical power tried to destroy the Christ child at birth? It was Rome, of course. The Roman soldiers, under the direction of Herod the Great, killed all the children of Bethlehem up to the age of two years old. It was also the Roman Empire, through its despotic and cruel leaders, who pursued and tried to destroy the early church through murder and torture.

We can see that the dragon not only symbolizes Satan but also denotes Pagan Rome. So from Rome, this beast receives power and authority (muscle to enforce its will) to rule over all the people of the world. It also receives its “throne” from the Roman Empire. It is always so interesting how God presents His truth so clearly, leaving nothing to speculation. In 532 A. D., the Roman Emperor Justinian made a decree to force everyone to submit to the papacy. The historian says, “By an edict which he issued to unite all men in one faith, whether Jews, Gentiles or Christians, such as did not, in the term of three months, embrace and profess the Catholic faith, were declared infamous, and as, such, excluded from all employments both civil and military, rendered incapable of leaving anything by will, and their estates confiscated, whether real or personal. These were convincing arguments of the truth of the Catholic faith; but many, however, withstood them; and against such as did, the imperial edict was executed with the utmost rigor. Great numbers were driven from their habitations with their wives and children, stripped and naked.” Bower, The History of the Popes, vol. 1 p. In 533 A. D Justinian exalted the papacy as “the head of all the holy churches.” Croly The Apocalypse of St. John pages 167, 168. But this could not be put into effect as long as the Arian nations did not acknowledge it. The kingdom of Odoacer which had ruled Italy had already been destroyed in 493 A. D. and his people universally massacred (Italy and Her Invaders, book IV chap VI) In 533 A. D Justinian sent his armies to conquer the Vandals in Northern Africa. When this was accomplished by his general Belisarius in 534, “Impatient to abolish the temporal and spiritual tyranny of the Vandals, he proceeded, without delay, to the full establishment of the Catholic Church. . . .Arian worship was suppressed, the Donatist meetings were proscribed;” Gibbon Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire chapter 12) As soon as this was done, Justinian turned his arms against the East Goths (Ostrogoths) in Italy itself who also were Arian Christians and not Catholic. In March of A. D 538, for the first time Rome was delivered completely from the rule of the Ostrogothic kingdom, “They (the Ostrogoths) had lost their king (an inconsiderable loss), their capital, their treasures, the provinces from Sicily to the Alps, and the military force of two hundred thousand barbarians, magnificently equipped with horses and arms.” (Gibbon Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire chapters 41, 43) The historian Milman in History of Latin Christianity book 3 chapter 4 states it like this, “The conquest of Italy by the Greeks was, to a great extent at least, the work of the Catholic clergy… The overthrow of the Gothic kingdom was to Italy an unmitigated evil… In their overthrow began the fatal policy of the Roman see… which never would permit a powerful native kingdom to unite Italy, or a very large part of it, under one dominion. Whatever it may have been to Christendom, the papacy has been the eternal, implacable foe of Italian independence and Italian unity; and to the welfare of Italy.” Emphasis supplied. So A. D. 538 is the year that marks not only the destruction of the kingdom of the east Goths but, the true date which marks the establishment of the independent temporal authority of the papacy and the exercise of such authority as a world power.

Characteristics of the “Beast” of Revelation 13

Let’s list some of the characteristics of the “beast” of Revelation 13 and see if there are not a lot of similarities to the little horn in Daniel.

He receives his power, seat, and authority from the pagan Roman empire. Verse 2. Arises among the ten horns on the fourth beast Daniel 7: 8
Speaks blasphemy (pompous words) against God and His tabernacle (His church). Verses 5,6 Speaks great things or pompous words against the Most High Daniel 7:25
Is a superpower- has authority over all nations Revelation 13: 7
His appearance is greater than his fellows Daniel 7: 20
Is not only a superpower (see #4 above) but is a religious power because it is worshiped. Revelation 13: 4, 8, 12; the little horn is different from the other horns Daniel 7:24
Receives a deadly wound that was later healed. Verse 3 6. Persecutes the saints of the Most High (people of God). Verse 7 also Daniel 7:25
It is a worldwide religious and political power that the whole world will follow and worship in one form or another. Verse 3,4,8
Will continue for forty- two months (1260 years). Verse 5; also Daniel 7: 25
Will be led into captivity at the end of the 1260- year period. Verse 10
Has a man at its head that has a number of 666. Verse 18

After examining all of the identifying attributes of this power, it is not hard to figure out whom it designates. God makes sure that we can identify who the beast is, for He does not want us to be deceived. If we know just a little bit of history it certainly appears that the little horn/beast power cannot apply to any other power than the papacy. But let us go through the identifying marks in Revelation 13 again and see if every single one is an exact fit- if even one identifying mark did not fit then we would know that we have made a mistake because it is impossible for God to lie.

Did the papacy receive its power, seat (throne) and authority from the Pagan Roman Empire? We will give the answer from a Catholic source. “Long ages ago, when Rome, through the neglect of the Western emperors, was left to the mercy of the barbarous hordes, the Romans turned to one figure for aid and protection, and asked him to rule them; . . . and thus. . .commenced the temporal sovereignty of the popes. And meekly stepping to the throne of Caesar, the vicar of Christ took up the scepter to which the emperors and kings of Europe were to bow in reverence through so many ages.” –James P. Conroy, American Catholic Quarterly Review, April 1911.
Does the papacy have a “blasphemous name?” The Jewish definition of blasphemy in the days of Christ was when a man claimed to be able to forgive sins (Matthew 9) and when a man claimed to be God (John 10). The name will be discussed under item 10 below.
Has the papacy spoken great words (pompous words Daniel 7: 20, 25) against the Most High (against God). Again, let us look at the official Catholic teachings. The Council of Trent defines papal power thus: “We define that the Holy Apostolic See and Roman Pontiff holds the primacy over the whole world.” –Labbe and Cossart (A. C.), The Most Holy Councils, Vol. XIII, col. 1167.
When the triple crown is placed on the head of a new pope at his “coronation” ceremony, the ritual prescribes the following declaration by the officiating cardinal: “Receive the tiara adorned with three crowns, and know that thou art the Father of Princes and Kings, Ruler of the World, the Vicar of Our Savior Jesus Christ.” National Catholic Almanac
The New Catechism, under the section of the pope, states: “The pope takes the place of Jesus Christ on earth… He is the infallible ruler, the founder of dogmas, the author of and the judge of councils; the universal ruler of truth, the arbiter, the judge of all, being judged by no one, God himself on earth.”
Does the Papacy fit the prophecy that it would “speak pompous words”? Again, let the record speak for itself.
In an encyclical letter by Pope Leo XIII, on June 20, 1894 (notice, this is NOT that long ago, this was not during the Dark Ages, but was an official statement by a pope that ended his pontifical reign in this very century- 1903), he stated: “We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.” This is in the official records and can be checked out by any caring student. Could more pompous words be spoken? What else could possibly be said to more accurately fit the description? Moreover, the pope is declared to be infallible when speaking ex-cathedra according to Vatican Council I in 1870, again, not that long ago.
Is the papacy a superpower with influence over all the nations of the earth? Anybody that listens to the news or reads the news knows the answer to this question.
Nobody of any belief would argue against the papacy being a religious power that is worshiped.
Did the papacy at one time receive a deadly wound that today has been healed? In 1798, Napoleon’s general, Berthier, captured the pope and removed him to prison, where he died and for a short time there was no papacy. At that time much of the world believed the papacy was finished and would never hold temporal power over the earth again. Yet in 1929, Pope Pius XI signed the Treaty of the Lateran with Mussolini, whereby Vatican City was established and the papacy now had back its temporal governing power. The deadly wound was healed and Bible prophecy claimed that after this all the world would marvel and follow and worship this power (Revelation 13: 3, 4, 8)
Has the papacy persecuted the saints of the Most High? In the massacre of St. Bartholemew alone most of 100,000 Protestants were slain. That the Catholic Church hunted down, tortured, and burned people at the stake throughout the Middle Ages hardly even needs to be said. That is common history. In one sweep in the year 1208, a crusade organized by Pope Innocent III crushed out the lives of approximately one million Waldenses and Albigenses in upper Italy and lower France. Was it their crime? They were teaching and disseminating copies of the Scriptures to people throughout Europe in their own language.
Estimates range from the most conservative figure of around 50,000,000 upwards to much larger numbers of martyrs who lost their lives during the Dark Ages at the hands of the Catholic Church during the years of its supremacy.
Does the prophecy fit? Again, history speaks for itself. As even the Roman Catholic paper, the Western Watchman, declared, “The church has persecuted, only a tyro (one uninformed in church history) will deny that.”- December 24, 1909.
Is the papacy a worldwide religious and political power that people from every country all over the world are worshipping today? Anyone who has traveled the world knows that this is the case.
Did the papacy continue as a religious and political (civil) power that is as a union of church and state through the dark ages for 1260 years? It did. Beginning with its acquirement of independent civil authority for the first time in 538 1260 years last until 1798, the very year that the pope was taken prisoner and the papacy ceased to exist for a short time.
Does the papacy have a man at its head who has the number 666? We noticed that the little horn (papacy) would “intend to change times and law.” This has been one of the primary doctrines of the Roman Pontiff and the Catholic Church. And by changing God’s law, it gives credence to their suggestion that the pope has all power and authority. “The Pope can modify [change] the Divine Law.” Lucius Ferraris, Ecclesiastical Dictionary. They claim that the ability to change God’s law is their mark of authority. For instance, if you look in the Catechism, you will find the second commandment has been removed, relating to graven images and bowing down to them, and the tenth commandment split into two commandments. Mary is referred to as a Mediatrix (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1994 p 252), but, the Bible says, “For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man, Christ Jesus.” I Timothy 2: 5.

The one commandment that God said to remember, the Catholic Church has disregarded, and they have convinced the rest of the world to follow suit. Through reasoning and human philosophy, men have rejected the one commandment that was to give men rest. They have profaned and polluted that commandment which was meant to give life and happiness. It was to be a sign between God and us to identify us as His people. “Moreover I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. Hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I an the Lord your God.” Ezekiel 20: 12,20.

The papacy claims the authority to change God’s law, especially this very commandment about worship. “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of Solemn rest, a holy convocation [worship day]. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.” Leviticus 23: 3. If God set a day aside for worship, does any man have the right to decide that any other day is just as acceptable? Who is God and who is the created being? Yet the papacy has claimed the authority to switch days for God’s day of rest and worship.

They even claim that by doing this, and the world following its lead, that it is the Mark of their authority. “Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change [of the Sabbath to Sunday] was her act . . . and the act is a mark of the ecclesiastical power.” – From the office of Cardinal Gibbons, through Chancellor H. F. Thomas, November 11, 1895. The Roman Church derides Protestants for claiming to believe in the Bible while keeping Sunday as their “Sabbath.” “If Protestants would follow the Bible, they should worship God on the Sabbath Day [Saturday]. In keeping the Sunday they are following a law of the Catholic Church.” Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal in a letter dated February 10, 1920.

Yet in another bold statement, a priest says, “Prove to me from the Bible alone that I am bound to keep Sunday holy. There is no such law in the Bible. It is a law of the holy Catholic Church alone. The Bible says, ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. ’ The Catholic Church says, no. By my divine power I abolish the Sabbath day and command you to keep holy the first day of the week. And lo! The entire civilized world bows down in reverent obedience to the command of the Holy Catholic Church.”- Priest Thomas Enright, CSSR, President of Redemptorist College, Kansas City, Mo., in a lecture at Hartford, Kansas, February 22, 1884, and the American Sentinel, a New York Roman Catholic journal in June 1893, page 173.

Who will you worship?

It is evident from these statements that the issue of worship will be over who is God. The Lord of the heavens has given His “mark” or “sign,” which is the Sabbath Day. Only God can make a day holy, and only God can sanctify it. Only God has the ability to work miracles in the lives of people, and only God can sanctify a people for Himself. God’s sign is His commandments and specifically His Sabbath. The Beast’s Mark is the counterfeit worship day- Sunday. “Sunday is our mark of authority… The Church is above the Bible, and the transference of the Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.” The Catholic record, London, Ontario, Canada, September 1, 1923. In the last generation, all, who continue to worship the beast by honoring his “mark” of authority (Sunday worship) after they have seen the truth, will receive of the plagues, the unmixed wrath of God. “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice (this is so important that the Lord is having His messenger shout out this last day warning), ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead (has allowed himself to be deceived into believing the lie) or on his hand (performs this form of worship for fear of his life and livelihood), he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the lamb.” Revelation 14: 9,10.

This is a life and death message to the world. Wake Up! Search the scriptures and find the truth, God says to His people. Maybe for years you have believed false doctrines and have lived up to all the light (truth) you knew. Now that God has opened your eyes to more Biblical wisdom, will you turn away and shut your mind and heart away from His righteousness? “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” Matthew 6: 33 Jesus commands. Those in past times were destroyed because they did not have a love for the truth. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4: 6. And all who reject His knowledge today will also be rejected by Him. “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” II Thessalonians 2: 11,12.

God is not a God of force. He will not force you to love Him, to follow Him, or to receive the gifts that He wants so badly to give to you. Yet He cannot allow this world to continue forever in sin and degradation. He is working to create for Himself a people who will be loyal to Him in all that He says. All, who will not follow Him and allow Him to remove sin (the breaking of His Ten Commandments I John 3: 4; James 2: 10- 12) from their hearts, will be die in their sins. All who are not willing to listen to His counsel and truth will be given over to the adversary and will be allowed to believe the lies of the devil. God will eventually fully withdraw His Holy Spirit from working on the hearts of those who continue in rebellion. They will fall into strong delusions, that they may be condemned because of their love for sinful pleasure and disobedience to His law.

The mark of the beast is not an outward mark that all can see, but an inward mark of a deceptive thought process and a corrupted heart. Just as God’s sign will be written on our hearts and minds, the Beast’s mark will be written on the hearts and minds of all who follow his doctrines and theology. These will have their place in the lake of fire along with the devil, the beast, and the false prophet. See Revelation 20: 10,15.

This is an urgent message to the world! God is exerting untold energy in the attempt to turn mankind from their sinful path and bring them to a condition of salvation. God is calling you and me today. He is long suffering, but cannot wait forever for us. He is giving us that chance today. What will be your decision? Do you love Jesus more than the customs of this world? Paul said, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” “ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he shall reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Colossians 2: 8; Galatians 6: 7,8.

Do not deceive yourselves today thinking that God’s Sabbath is not important. We will be keeping His Sabbath in the new heavens and earth (Isaiah 66: 22,23). His Sabbath is an everlasting covenant which can never be changed (Exodus 31: 12- 18), because God Himself wrote it with His own finger. There is an over abundance of evidence that all the apostles kept the Sabbath, and neither Jesus or any of His apostles ever commanded or kept Sunday as a holy day. This would have gone directly against the prophecy of Revelation 13. Who are God’s last day people? “Here is the patience (steadfastness) of the saints (God’s people); here are those who keep the commandments of God (including the Sabbath commandment) and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14: 12. Who are called blessed and will enter into New Jerusalem? “Blessed are those who do his commandment, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14.

Here is the bottom line for each of us. If God says one thing, and we believe another, who should change his mind, God or us? The question is over who will be God! Who are we truly worshipping when we break His Sabbath and worship on the day that has only human authority as a day of worship? Who has the right to change God’s law? God said “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of my mouth,” Psalms 89: 34 and “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4: 4. God sends this last day warning to all his people because He loves them and does not want to see them destroyed. When Sunday worship is set up as a law under penalty of death, the mark of the beast will be enforced. Which side will you be found on in these last days of Bible prophecy. When the roll is called up in heaven, will you truly be found there? Will you today devote your life to God and obey His voice? Will you let Him give you His special sign? Will you worship the Lord your God on His Sabbath day as He has asked and avoid receiving the mark that brings death and destruction? The decision is in your hands.

Sources:

Beyond Pitcairn, Harvestime Books.
Wilkinson, B. G., Truth Triumphant.
J. T. C., Smokescreens.
White, E. G., Great Controversy.
Grosboll, John J., God Predicts Your Future.
The Bulwark, Oct. 1922, pg. 104.
The Great Encyclical Letters of Leo XIII, pg. 304.
Philippe Labbe and Gabriel Cossart, The Most Holy Councils, vol. 13, col. 1167, on “The Council of Trent.
Lucius Ferraris, Ecclesiastical Dictionary.
From the office of Cardinal Gibbons, through Chancellor H. F. Thomas, November 11, 1895.
Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal in a letter dated February 10, 1920.
Priest Thomas Enright, CSSR, President of Redemptorist College, Kansas City, Mo., in a lecture at Hartford, Kansas, February 22, 1884, and the American Sentinel, a New York Roman Catholic Journal in June 1893, page 173.
The Catholic Record, London, Ontario, Canada, September 1, 1923.

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