Setting the stage for Revelation’s final prophecies!

[Claude Jacques]

Look at our world today—wars, turmoil in the Middle East, growing deception, and increasing hostility toward biblical truth. These events are probably setting the stage for Revelation’s final prophecies! Before God's terrifying future judgment falls, three angels will deliver heaven's urgent warnings to humanity: to warn the world of the Antichrist's deadly deception and the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ.

 

[bobinfaith]

"Look at our world today—wars, turmoil in the Middle East, growing deception, and increasing hostility toward biblical truth. These events are probably setting the stage for Revelation’s final prophecies!"

Good morning, Claude Jacques;

I heard the same thing back in the early 1980s following the hostages in Iran, 1979. I was 22 and the Bible was foreign to me so it did bring about doubt and fear.

The one thing I didn't know then was that God was in control, despite the ongoings in our world. 47 years later I've learned the Christian faith is not moved because God is indeed in control.

Therefore we are not to fear for God is with us reference Isaiah 41:10. It's a command but we're also commanded to share the love and hope of the Gospel and future to others who don't know any better.

God bless you, Claude.

Bob

 

[by grace]

I HAVE NO DOUBT WE ARE IN THE END TIMES... what i dont know is how far no man does . but things are escalating at a rapid pace the middle east is feuding. why they dont come together and put Iran in its place is beyond me.. why Saudi aribia is not strong enough the squash the attacks is beyond me .. the wars and rumors of wars are increasing france is burning who next . we do know on the wars it reads the end is not yet . we are to watch imo the way to watch to be ready.. is have your life right with God. perilous times are here one thing we cant do is make prediction what and when the next step is

 

[David]

Look at our world today—wars, turmoil in the Middle East, growing deception, and increasing hostility toward biblical truth. These events are probably setting the stage for Revelation’s final prophecies! Before God's terrifying future judgment falls, three angels will deliver heaven's urgent warnings to humanity: to warn the world of the Antichrist's deadly deception and the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ.

There is some good biblical teaching in this message, especially concerning God's judgment, the warning against worshiping the beast, and the encouragement given to those who remain faithful to Jesus Christ. However, I have concerns about several interpretations that are presented as biblical facts when Scripture does not actually say these things.

For example, you identify the great harlot of Revelation 17 as the Roman Catholic Church. I certainly believe there are serious false teachings within Catholicism that contradict God's Word, but where does Revelation 17 specifically identify this woman as the Roman Catholic Church? We must be careful not to confuse our interpretation of prophecy with what Scripture actually reveals.

You also state that one Babylon is destroyed at the beginning of a seven-year tribulation and another at the end, and that the Antichrist will destroy an ecumenical religious system at the midpoint. Where does Scripture establish that exact sequence of events? Revelation 17 and 18 describe Babylon's judgment, but they do not explicitly provide the timetable you presented.

Another concern is your statement that the church has nothing to worry about because believers will be raptured before the tribulation. Jesus said in Matthew 24:29-31, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days", and then described His coming and the gathering of His elect. Paul also connects our gathering to Christ with His coming in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, warning believers not to be deceived concerning the timing. These passages deserve careful consideration before declaring that the church cannot experience the tribulation.

You also connect Nimrod with the building of the Tower of Babel. Genesis 10:8-10 identifies Nimrod with Babel, but Genesis 11 never states that he personally directed the construction of the tower. That may be someone's interpretation, but we should not present it as something Scripture explicitly teaches.

My concern is not with your warning about coming judgment. Revelation 14:9-11 gives a very serious warning, and people need to hear it. My concern is that throughout the message, biblical statements are mixed with interpretations and assumptions without clearly distinguishing between them.

Second Timothy 2:15 tells us to be "rightly dividing the word of truth." And 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

When teaching God's Word, especially a book like Revelation, we need to be careful not to go beyond what is written. If Scripture says something clearly, we should teach it boldly. But where Scripture is silent or an interpretation is uncertain, we should be equally honest about that.

The authority is not in our interpretation of prophecy. The authority is in what God has actually said in His Word.

 

[David]

I HAVE NO DOUBT WE ARE IN THE END TIMES... what i dont know is how far no man does . but things are escalating at a rapid pace the middle east is feuding. why they dont come together and put Iran in its place is beyond me.. why Saudi aribia is not strong enough the squash the attacks is beyond me .. the wars and rumors of wars are increasing france is burning who next . we do know on the wars it reads the end is not yet . we are to watch imo the way to watch to be ready.. is have your life right with God. perilous times are here one thing we cant do is make prediction what and when the next step is

I agree with you, and I think you made a very good point about being ready. When we look at everything happening in the world today, it's hard not to wonder just how close we might be to the Lord's return. There certainly is a lot of unrest, and things seem to be changing so quickly.

But I especially agree with what you said about not trying to predict when things will happen. Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:6, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."

I think those last few words are worth remembering, "but the end is not yet." We can watch what's happening around us without trying to make every world event fit into a particular prophecy.

And I really like what you said about having our lives right with God. That's what matters most. Jesus said in Matthew 24:44, "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

I believe that's the best way to look at it. Stay close to the Lord, remain faithful to His Word, and keep sharing the gospel while we still have the opportunity.

One thing we can both agree on is that every passing day brings us one day closer to seeing our Lord. And what a wonderful day that will be!

 

[by grace]

The authority is not in our interpretation of prophecy. The authority is in what God has actually said in His Word.

i do agree with you me personally i hold to pretrib paul wrote God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation . me personally i do not find the Church after the 3rd chapter in rev.

saying all that we really cant pin point the time. so we must live like that day could be at any moment. i got booted out of a forum because a mod/admin held to after trib rapture and i disagreed with her .once again me personally dont see God people experiencing the wrath that will be poured out

 

[by grace]

One thing we can both agree on is that every passing day brings us one day closer to seeing our Lord. And what a wonderful day that will be!

yuppers and that we can take to the bank

 

[David]

i do agree with you me personally i hold to pretrib paul wrote God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation . me personally i do not find the Church after the 3rd chapter in rev.

saying all that we really cant pin point the time. so we must live like that day could be at any moment. i got booted out of a forum because a mod/admin held to after trib rapture and i disagreed with her .once again me personally dont see God people experiencing the wrath that will be poured out

I agree with you that God has not appointed His people to wrath, as Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:9. That's a wonderful promise, and something every believer can take comfort in. I also agree that we cannot pinpoint when Christ will return, so we should always be watching and living in a way that honors Him.

I understand why you hold to a pretribulation rapture, and I certainly respect your right to examine Scripture and come to that understanding. I think Christians can discuss these things without allowing our differences to divide us. It's unfortunate that you were removed from another forum simply because you disagreed about the timing of the rapture.

You also mentioned that you don't find the Church after Revelation 3. You're right that the word "church" doesn't appear again until Revelation 22:16. But I do find it interesting that Revelation still speaks of people who belong to Jesus. Revelation 7:14 describes those who came out of great tribulation and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 12:17 speaks of those who have the testimony of Jesus Christ, and Revelation 14:12 speaks of the saints who keep God's commandments and have faith in Jesus.

Of course, those passages don't specifically call these believers the Church, but neither do they tell us they cannot be part of it. So I think we need to be careful about drawing conclusions based simply on the absence of the word.

I also believe there's an important distinction between experiencing tribulation and experiencing God's wrath. Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." God's people have always experienced persecution and suffering, but that doesn't mean they are under His wrath.

Whatever the timing of these events turns out to be, I think we can agree on what matters most. Jesus Christ is coming again, His promises are certain, and we should be ready whenever that day comes. That's something we can rejoice in.

 

[by grace]

I also believe there's an important distinction between experiencing tribulation and experiencing God's wrath. Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." God's people have always experienced persecution and suffering, but that doesn't mean they are under His wrath.

yes there will be tribulation ..but were speaking of the great tribulation what is the reason of the great tribulation reward or punishment ? it sure aint a reward . He will judge the unbelieving, godless inhabitants of the earth. i fail to see why a Child of God would be put through wanting rocks to fall on us.. seeking to die but cant

3And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 7And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

paul termed this the mystery of iniquity

2 Thessalonians 2
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.


And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:, the antichrist will be in power but he will not be revealed till we the Church is took out of the way.

i dont spend every moment i have studying Bible prophecy , i enjoy David jeremiad he does a great teaching on end times.. how ever i use this phrase that a older bro in the Lord use to say.. i hold to the pan millennium teaching .live your life for the Lord it will all pan out, as long as i am living in the light the darkness can not over take me

 

[David]

yes there will be tribulation ..but were speaking of the great tribulation what is the reason of the great tribulation reward or punishment ? it sure aint a reward . He will judge the unbelieving, godless inhabitants of the earth. i fail to see why a Child of God would be put through wanting rocks to fall on us.. seeking to die but cant

3And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 7And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

paul termed this the mystery of iniquity

2 Thessalonians 2
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.


And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:, the antichrist will be in power but he will not be revealed till we the Church is took out of the way.

i dont spend every moment i have studying Bible prophecy , i enjoy David jeremiad he does a great teaching on end times.. how ever i use this phrase that a older bro in the Lord use to say.. i hold to the pan millennium teaching .live your life for the Lord it will all pan out, as long as i am living in the light the darkness can not over take me

I understand what you're saying, brother, and I agree that the Great Tribulation is certainly no reward. God's judgment upon the wicked is a serious matter, and Scripture clearly tells us that God has not appointed His children to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

But I believe we need to distinguish between suffering persecution and experiencing God's wrath. They are not the same thing.

You mentioned Revelation 9:4-6, where people are tormented and seek death but cannot find it. Notice that verse 4 specifically excludes those who have God's seal in their foreheads. Revelation 7:3-8 identifies 144,000 servants of God sealed from the tribes of Israel. So even during these terrible judgments, God makes a distinction between those He has sealed and those upon whom that particular judgment falls.

However, that passage does not tell us that the church was removed from the earth before these events.

Concerning 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul does speak about the mystery of iniquity and the one who restrains. But where does Paul identify that restrainer as the church? And where does he say the church must be removed before the Antichrist can be revealed?

In fact, notice what Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3:

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him..."

Then he warns them not to be deceived concerning that day, saying:

"For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."

That is something we need to take seriously when discussing the timing of Christ's return and our gathering together unto Him.

Jesus also said in Matthew 24:29-31 that immediately after the tribulation, the Son of man would appear and send His angels to gather His elect.

Now, I understand there are different interpretations about who those elect are, but we cannot simply assume they exclude the church without establishing that from Scripture.

My point is not that Christians are appointed to God's wrath. Scripture plainly says otherwise. My point is that we should not confuse God's wrath with the persecution and tribulation Jesus warned His followers they would face.

And I had to smile at your "pan millennium" comment! I understand what you mean. Whatever happens, the Lord will fulfill every word He has spoken.

I agree that our priority should be living faithfully for Christ and being ready for His return. But I also believe we should be careful not to promise Christians an escape from something Scripture has not explicitly promised they will escape.

Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

I'd rather be prepared to endure whatever comes than build my confidence on an interpretation that may not be correct.

God bless you, brother.

 

[by grace]

Concerning 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul does speak about the mystery of iniquity and the one who restrains. But where does Paul identify that restrainer as the church? And where does he say the church must be removed before the Antichrist can be revealed?

iam not going to keep going back and forth as per the restrainer on He who will let i should have said the Holy spirit ,,but when the Holy spirit is no longer heere the church will have been took out. the spirit lives in us . the spirit of anti christ is around and there are many . but the man of sin will not be revealed untill the Church is out of here. the great tribulation is not fun and games especially last half,


as per my interpretation i feel confident enough to stand on it have a good day