To my dear brother in Christ;
Circumstances of late have led me to drive by your home regularly, and I have seen your sign declaring that Jesus may come today. It is precious to know of someone that counts their faith so dear to them: your sign shows a dedicated love for our savior, but also a concern for those who are as yet unsaved, since our time is growing short. How could we Christians hide such vital truth? God would have it for all of mankind to be saved (I Tim. 2:4).
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. –III John 4
God expects us to walk in the truth, for our own best welfare eternally. God’s Word is the truth (John 17:17), and He has preserved it for us faithfully in the King James Bible alone. A sure foundation of truth is essential for living the Christian life, and only the KJV has it. This is not the topic focus here, but it is the ground upon which God has mercifully shown me to stand, while so many others are locked in confusion. Suffice it to say, that Bible versions other than the KJV are not even taken from the same manuscripts, and are far inferior both in quality and quantity. We may go over this more deeply another time, but for now just remember that when Bible revision began in earnest, the only point made for doing so was that the KJV needed to have its language updated. Simple comparisons of the KJV with modern versions readily show that this is not the case: new versions have added to, taken away from, and greatly altered the message God intended us to have. But let us now move on to the focal topic…
The sign you have displayed, which shows that Jesus may come today, is not the message found in God’s Word. During my teen years in church, the topic of Jesus’ 2nd coming didn’t receive great attention. It was generally considered to be uncertain or unknowable, and therefore wasn’t often addressed. Over the years, however, the most popular view brought forth has been that of an unknowable, any-moment, pre-tribulation rapture of Christians (the word rapture itself doesn’t appear in the Bible, but it seems an acceptable descriptive of I Thess. 4:17). This view was what I had held to myself, but largely upon the basis that so many others promoted it.
God has dealt very patiently and wonderfully with His servant. In the course of leading my life, He has enabled me to study His Word through the Holy Spirit alone (I John 2:27), and to at least become somewhat exempt from the corrupted Bible teachings of men- even if they were well meaning (I had used the NASV for about 17 years, before coming back to the KJV). This happened to the apostle Paul, as he reflects in Galatians 1:10-18;
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
In other words, as a Pharisee, Paul knew the scriptures- but this “knowledge” led him into persecuting the real church of Christ! Paul had been interpreting God’s Word according to the understanding of men. Paul therefore was led to spend 3 years apart, and to be taught by God directly. Believe me, I am no Paul, but the Lord essentially led me in the same way, though I had not even seen the Biblical correlation at that time. My focus became to read, reread, and to reread again the Word of God. It was a kind of “soaking” in God’s Word, without deliberate memorization. Yet I was also somewhat put off toward any study of the rapture, or the last tribulation period, because so much was being said already; and who could really know it? This attitude actually only reflected my past teachings, though. In truth, the timing of the rapture seemed to be considered of little importance. What I discovered, though, was far different…
As I read through the Bible, I was amazed at how forthright it was regarding the topic of Jesus’ return, also called the “day of the Lord” in numerous places: God wants us to know what will happen. I also found that the timing of this event is vital, and it could make an eternity of difference! There is a reason why Satan has promoted the lie of an unknowable, any-moment, pre-tribulation rapture; it is meant for the destruction of believers, and to bring the world under the reign of antichrist, who the world will receive as God himself. If we are expecting Christ, but then the antichrist comes instead, believers will declare allegiance to the very one we were warned about. God also enabled me to study, and to correlate with scripture, many of the plans being made by those seeking to bring about world government.
In this letter, it is not my intention to go over the many mishandled prophecies we have all been subjected to. Neither will I go over different aspects of the very man-made plans to bring about what will ultimately be Satan’s kingdom for just over 3.5 years. Rather than study the vast number of truth counterfeits, we’ll look instead at only the real truth, as found in the scriptures: that message shows that the rapture of the church, and the judgment surrounding the battle of Armageddon, happen on the same day.
God has already given to us examples of how He handles the judgment of the wicked, and the rescue of His own people, and Jesus alludes to them in Luke 17:26-37;
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.27) They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.28) Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 ) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.31) In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.32) Remember Lot’s wife.33) Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34) I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35) Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.36) Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, 37) Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
So we can see that just as God dealt with us in the days of Noah, and Lot, it will be just the same; God will bring His rescue, and His judgment, on the same day (v.30), and likely within the same hour. The pre-tribulation rapture view tells us that the rapture and judgment will be separated by years! During the days of Jesus’ flesh, He tells us directly that it will all be on the same day. The “rapture” is alluded to in verses 34-36, Jesus referring to those raptured as being “taken.” When the disciples ask Him where they will be taken to, He answers, “Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.” This answer (v.37) describes carrion birds circling over the dead bodies which will be at Armageddon (Rev. 16:16): the rescue of God’s few remaining children, and His judgment of the wicked, will happen on the same day in close succession.
Another component of typical rapture teaching is that the timing of it is unknowable. Such a teaching contradicts the message of scripture. While the specific time might be hidden, God’s children of that last generation will know the end is at hand. When the disciples asked Jesus about the end times, the Lord gave them extensive responses, such as are found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17 & 21; it sounds like God wanted us to know at least the “season” of the end when it came, if not the very specific day & hour.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. –Matthew 24:32-36
A diligent watching seems to be for awareness, and readiness, which we find listed in Matthew 24:42-46, 25:1-13, Mark 13:33-37, and Luke 21:36;
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. –Luke 21:36
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. –Rev. 3:2 & 3
The books of I & II Thessalonians also give insight into the timing of the end. Most know that I Thessalonians 4:13-18 is our scriptural “rapture” reference, but it is really only a part of a larger passage, going through verse 5:8 or so…
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. BUT of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. –I Thess. 4:13-5:8
So we see here also that Christians of that last generation will know that the time is at hand; the “day of the Lord”, and the rapture, will occur on the same day. I have put verses 5:4-6 in bold type for emphasis. This phrase, the day of the Lord, ought to be an eternal comfort to believers, but it will not be a temporally joyous day for the earth! Scriptures such as Joel 1:15 & Amos 5:18 tell us that this day will be one of darkness, and not light; it is the day of God’s wrath, and vengeance.
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. –Luke 21:22
And so God continues this line of communication to the Thessalonians in the second letter, 2nd chapter, verses 1-13; but especially 1-6…
NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. –II Thess. 2:1-6
Chapter 2 verse 1 begins by reassuring the Thessalonians that the day of Christ is not soon at hand, and we have already seen that this day will not be a pleasant one here on earth. So how will we know when the time has come? There will be a departure from saving faith in Christ, called “a falling away”; and then the antichrist (man of sin) will be revealed (bold type added for emphasis in scripture). The world at large will not think ill of the antichrist, but will in fact embrace him as God. He will come to bring apparent peace to the earth (Daniel 8:25, I Thess. 5:3), and will deceive almost everyone- including nearly all professing Christians!
The book of Revelation also follows the sequence of events leading up to the end. We may take the “7 trumpets” of chapters 8 & 9 as events coming prior to the rise of antichrist. The timing of these events, and exactly what they involve, can’t be fully known with great certainty (II Peter 1:20). But one important correlation I have seen in my “watching,” can be found in chapter 9:13-19. This seems to show a nuclear World War, killing a third of mankind in an hour! When I studied the plans of those trying to take over the world, their plans are to do this through the use of 3 World Wars (see in a letter by Albert Pike, 1871). The first 2 have gone off as planned, and their agendas have been fulfilled. It will be after this WWIII that the antichrist shall come into view, as God himself, poised to save the world from utter destruction…
Chapter 13 really begins the accounting of the reign of the antichrist, or “the beast.” We find in 13:7, 14:13, 16:15, & 18:4 that there are still believers present in the world, and that men may still choose to repent before they are judged. Now let me focus on 16:13-16;
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
We see here that the “great day of God” is being led up to, and that believers are still here.
Chapters 17 & 18 deal with specifics concerning MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT (17:4), and then events resume in chapter 19…
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God…And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. –Revelation 19:6-9, 11-15
Satan has worked hard to undermine solid Biblical teaching. This theory of an unknowable, any-moment, pre-tribulation rapture began about 1833 in England through a preacher named Darby. Later, this teaching was promoted in America through a very questionable preacher named Scofield, who gave us his personal thoughts in The Scofield Reference Bible. He never should have done this in anything more than a commentary, but today there are millions that hold to his views as if they are holy writ.
This corrupted teaching is comfortable for most, and therefore popular. It tends to show the period around the rapture as one of great revival, and of ingathering for the church. God’s Word, however, doesn’t show this; neither by direct teaching, or template model. Only 8 were saved in Noah’s day, in a world of possibly several billion. God would have spared Sodom & Gomorrah, with the surrounding cities, had there been even just 10 righteous persons! And so it will be for these end times, as well. When Jesus said that only few would be saved, He meant it!
Great changes have been made to the real words of God through Bible revision. I want to leave you with one example, so you may understand the gravity of even small changes. Look at this account from the King James Bible, Revelation 7:9, 13 & 14;
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands…And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
As you can see, this multitude could include any believer throughout history, and is verified in Acts 14:22. Now look at this same passage in Today’s New International Version;
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands… Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes-who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
By the addition of one word, THE, meaning has been changed! I did embolden this word in the text, for emphasis. The TNIV identifies this multitude as if they were saved only in one specific time period, the last one, rather than throughout all history. That one little word puts the tribulation period of the last days into an entirely different perspective than what God wanted us to have! I hope you can see that the changes being made to the Word of God are indeed serious business. Key words providing doctrine and warning are being re-written for our demise.
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. –Revelation 22:18 & 19
Study the Word. Pray for wisdom, and insight. These end times are a period of almost unimaginable deception, and I do urge you to be watchful.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. –I Peter 5:8
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. –John 16:33
P.S: As the Lord has been revealing truths to me over the years, I would like to share with you an insight, believer to believer. True Christians know that their salvation lies in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and not in their own good works (Titus 3:5-7). It is also true that even the righteous scarcely be saved (I Peter 4:18)! I therefore questioned the Lord about this “falling away,” and why it still appears that there are quite a few genuine believers left. He answered that the rise of antichrist will be a time of separating sheep & goats. He later showed me a scriptural correlation. We know that God gave us Revelation through John, and we find in 13:18 the number of the beast, 666. Now look at the gospel of John 6:66; From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Amazing! II Thess. 2:10-12 sheds further light on how/why this could happen. Let us regard these truths with soberness.
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. –Luke 16:10
In other words, as a Pharisee, Paul knew the scriptures- but this “knowledge” led him into persecuting the real church of Christ! Paul had been interpreting God’s Word according to the understanding of men. Paul therefore was led to spend 3 years apart, and to be taught by God directly. Believe me, I am no Paul, but the Lord essentially led me in the same way, though I had not even seen the Biblical correlation at that time. My focus became to read, reread, and to reread again the Word of God. It was a kind of “soaking” in God’s Word, without deliberate memorization. Yet I was also somewhat put off toward any study of the rapture, or the last tribulation period, because so much was being said already; and who could really know it? This attitude actually only reflected my past teachings, though. In truth, the timing of the rapture seemed to be considered of little importance. What I discovered, though, was far different…
As I read through the Bible, I was amazed at how forthright it was regarding the topic of Jesus’ return, also called the “day of the Lord” in numerous places: God wants us to know what will happen. I also found that the timing of this event is vital, and it could make an eternity of difference! There is a reason why Satan has promoted the lie of an unknowable, any-moment, pre-tribulation rapture; it is meant for the destruction of believers, and to bring the world under the reign of antichrist, who the world will receive as God himself. If we are expecting Christ, but then the antichrist comes instead, believers will declare allegiance to the very one we were warned about. God also enabled me to study, and to correlate with scripture, many of the plans being made by those seeking to bring about world government.
In this letter, it is not my intention to go over the many mishandled prophecies we have all been subjected to. Neither will I go over different aspects of the very man-made plans to bring about what will ultimately be Satan’s kingdom for just over 3.5 years. Rather than study the vast number of truth counterfeits, we’ll look instead at only the real truth, as found in the scriptures: that message shows that the rapture of the church, and the judgment surrounding the battle of Armageddon, happen on the same day.
God has already given to us examples of how He handles the judgment of the wicked, and the rescue of His own people, and Jesus alludes to them in Luke 17:26-37;
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.27) They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.28) Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 ) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.31) In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.32) Remember Lot’s wife.33) Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34) I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35) Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.36) Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, 37) Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
So we can see that just as God dealt with us in the days of Noah, and Lot, it will be just the same; God will bring His rescue, and His judgment, on the same day (v.30), and likely within the same hour. The pre-tribulation rapture view tells us that the rapture and judgment will be separated by years! During the days of Jesus’ flesh, He tells us directly that it will all be on the same day. The “rapture” is alluded to in verses 34-36, Jesus referring to those raptured as being “taken.” When the disciples ask Him where they will be taken to, He answers, “Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.” This answer (v.37) describes carrion birds circling over the dead bodies which will be at Armageddon (Rev. 16:16): the rescue of God’s few remaining children, and His judgment of the wicked, will happen on the same day in close succession.
Another component of typical rapture teaching is that the timing of it is unknowable. Such a teaching contradicts the message of scripture. While the specific time might be hidden, God’s children of that last generation will know the end is at hand. When the disciples asked Jesus about the end times, the Lord gave them extensive responses, such as are found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17 & 21; it sounds like God wanted us to know at least the “season” of the end when it came, if not the very specific day & hour.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. –Matthew 24:32-36
A diligent watching seems to be for awareness, and readiness, which we find listed in Matthew 24:42-46, 25:1-13, Mark 13:33-37, and Luke 21:36;
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. –Luke 21:36
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. –Rev. 3:2 & 3
The books of I & II Thessalonians also give insight into the timing of the end. Most know that I Thessalonians 4:13-18 is our scriptural “rapture” reference, but it is really only a part of a larger passage, going through verse 5:8 or so…
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. BUT of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. –I Thess. 4:13-5:8
So we see here also that Christians of that last generation will know that the time is at hand; the “day of the Lord”, and the rapture, will occur on the same day. I have put verses 5:4-6 in bold type for emphasis. This phrase, the day of the Lord, ought to be an eternal comfort to believers, but it will not be a temporally joyous day for the earth! Scriptures such as Joel 1:15 & Amos 5:18 tell us that this day will be one of darkness, and not light; it is the day of God’s wrath, and vengeance.
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. –Luke 21:22
And so God continues this line of communication to the Thessalonians in the second letter, 2nd chapter, verses 1-13; but especially 1-6…
NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. –II Thess. 2:1-6
Chapter 2 verse 1 begins by reassuring the Thessalonians that the day of Christ is not soon at hand, and we have already seen that this day will not be a pleasant one here on earth. So how will we know when the time has come? There will be a departure from saving faith in Christ, called “a falling away”; and then the antichrist (man of sin) will be revealed (bold type added for emphasis in scripture). The world at large will not think ill of the antichrist, but will in fact embrace him as God. He will come to bring apparent peace to the earth (Daniel 8:25, I Thess. 5:3), and will deceive almost everyone- including nearly all professing Christians!
The book of Revelation also follows the sequence of events leading up to the end. We may take the “7 trumpets” of chapters 8 & 9 as events coming prior to the rise of antichrist. The timing of these events, and exactly what they involve, can’t be fully known with great certainty (II Peter 1:20). But one important correlation I have seen in my “watching,” can be found in chapter 9:13-19. This seems to show a nuclear World War, killing a third of mankind in an hour! When I studied the plans of those trying to take over the world, their plans are to do this through the use of 3 World Wars (see in a letter by Albert Pike, 1871). The first 2 have gone off as planned, and their agendas have been fulfilled. It will be after this WWIII that the antichrist shall come into view, as God himself, poised to save the world from utter destruction…
Chapter 13 really begins the accounting of the reign of the antichrist, or “the beast.” We find in 13:7, 14:13, 16:15, & 18:4 that there are still believers present in the world, and that men may still choose to repent before they are judged. Now let me focus on 16:13-16;
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
We see here that the “great day of God” is being led up to, and that believers are still here.
Chapters 17 & 18 deal with specifics concerning MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT (17:4), and then events resume in chapter 19…
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God…And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. –Revelation 19:6-9, 11-15
Satan has worked hard to undermine solid Biblical teaching. This theory of an unknowable, any-moment, pre-tribulation rapture began about 1833 in England through a preacher named Darby. Later, this teaching was promoted in America through a very questionable preacher named Scofield, who gave us his personal thoughts in The Scofield Reference Bible. He never should have done this in anything more than a commentary, but today there are millions that hold to his views as if they are holy writ.
This corrupted teaching is comfortable for most, and therefore popular. It tends to show the period around the rapture as one of great revival, and of ingathering for the church. God’s Word, however, doesn’t show this; neither by direct teaching, or template model. Only 8 were saved in Noah’s day, in a world of possibly several billion. God would have spared Sodom & Gomorrah, with the surrounding cities, had there been even just 10 righteous persons! And so it will be for these end times, as well. When Jesus said that only few would be saved, He meant it!
Great changes have been made to the real words of God through Bible revision. I want to leave you with one example, so you may understand the gravity of even small changes. Look at this account from the King James Bible, Revelation 7:9, 13 & 14;
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands…And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
As you can see, this multitude could include any believer throughout history, and is verified in Acts 14:22. Now look at this same passage in Today’s New International Version;
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands… Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes-who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
By the addition of one word, THE, meaning has been changed! I did embolden this word in the text, for emphasis. The TNIV identifies this multitude as if they were saved only in one specific time period, the last one, rather than throughout all history. That one little word puts the tribulation period of the last days into an entirely different perspective than what God wanted us to have! I hope you can see that the changes being made to the Word of God are indeed serious business. Key words providing doctrine and warning are being re-written for our demise.
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. –Revelation 22:18 & 19
Study the Word. Pray for wisdom, and insight. These end times are a period of almost unimaginable deception, and I do urge you to be watchful.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. –I Peter 5:8
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. –John 16:33
P.S: As the Lord has been revealing truths to me over the years, I would like to share with you an insight, believer to believer. True Christians know that their salvation lies in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and not in their own good works (Titus 3:5-7). It is also true that even the righteous scarcely be saved (I Peter 4:18)! I therefore questioned the Lord about this “falling away,” and why it still appears that there are quite a few genuine believers left. He answered that the rise of antichrist will be a time of separating sheep & goats. He later showed me a scriptural correlation. We know that God gave us Revelation through John, and we find in 13:18 the number of the beast, 666. Now look at the gospel of John 6:66; From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Amazing! II Thess. 2:10-12 sheds further light on how/why this could happen. Let us regard these truths with soberness.
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. –Luke 16:10
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