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Revelation Chapter 13
Studying and praying is the key to understanding any scripture.
Relying on church tradition is not always the best thing to do because they may
be going by what their elders told them and not be studying the scripture for
themselves. We have available more manuscripts, people that have a biblical
knowledge of Greek and Hebrew and other sources but even those must be studied
with prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Another factor to consider is
that like the book of Daniel, Revelation is a sealed book only to be revealed at
the right time. When the time is right we will begin to understand it more and
more. Maybe now is that time, who knows.
Remember it is the one book of the bible that promises a blessing to those who
not only read it but keep the words written within it. How can we keep something
we don’t understand? It is meant to be understood or else that promise of
blessing would not be there but I believe as the end times draw near, we will
understand this book as each day grows closer to the fulfillment.
Many Middle Age churches may not have had a clue as to how to learn from the
Holy Spirit. Many times we do make the mistake of interpreting scriptures in the
light of events happening in the time period in which we live. For instance,
before 1948 many references to Israel would be hard to understand and that is
why so many great theologians thought that Israel meant the church since
national Israel was not in existence. That was a huge mistake. When we read of
Babylon we assume it is another city besides Babylon because Babylon does not
exist. So many think Mystery Babylon is the United States for instance. That
could be but do we know for sure? Israel exists now when it did not exist for
almost 2000 years, why not Babylon?
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out
of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and
upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
We know this is not Satan because he is represented by the dragon that
gives his power to this beast. I believe this beast is the anti-christ who arose
in chapter 4 as the white horse rider going forth to conquer. By this time, the
middle of the tribulation he gains even more power and is given power by Satan.
Since the sea usually represents a sea of people or the sea of humanity. When we
read Daniel we see that beasts in that book represent kingdoms. For instance the
lion represented Babylon, the bear Medo-Persia, the leopard was the Grecian
Empire, and the fierce great and terrible beast was the Roman Empire. Since the
anti-christ is pictured as a beast, he is the head of an empire attempting to
control the whole world and almost succeeds in doing so. A great false religion
or a great whore rides this beast and helps the beast gain power. The beast and
the 10 kings then hate the whore and burn her with fire. We will be studying
that in chapter 17 in more detail.
Evil rulers before this beast are like forerunners or hints of the last final
master of iniquity who arises among the sea of people and he will attempt to
deceive with signs and lying wonders.
This is why it is important to avoid idolizing a human being, man or woman even
if they appear to be great. This idolatry will lead us into deception. We must
respect our leaders but that is all. We must never think of them so high that we
lose our sense of right and wrong. God's word must be taken above their words.
Even with our pastors, leaders and such today, we must measure what they say by
the word of God and watch their fruits. We do not have to be the accuser of the
brethren and nitpick on every mistake they make but if we give ourselves to
prayer and the study of the word avoiding any desire to listen to gossip, we
will know their fruits whether they are good or evil. If we find ourselves
looking to them a little too much or when they say something clearly opposite of
God's word and we think within ourselves well, if they said that, it must be
true, we are in trouble.
Look at the people who followed Jim Jones who claimed to speak for God. There
were many hints that would clearly show a true bible believer that this man was
false.
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet
were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon
gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
This beast had features similar to all the beasts mentioned in Daniel so
he has to be the one who controls the area that was once controlled by those
beasts. The lion was Babylon, the bear was the Persian and the leopard was
Greece under Alexander the Great. When he died it separated into four sections
in which four generals were ruling over them. These divisions was Greece,
Turkey, Syria and Egypt. Since the future anti-christ has to come from one of
those divisions, we know he is called the king of the north from studying Daniel
so one assumption is that he comes from Syria, directly north of Israel. He is
also called the king of Babylon so it is believed by some that Babylon is
rebuilt and he rules from there until the middle of the tribulation where he
sets up headquarters in Jerusalem, defiles the temple and breaks the covenant
with the Jews causing them to flee to the wilderness.
Ten horns with crowns would certainly represent kingdoms that the anti-christ
has taken over or used subtlety to get them to relinquish their power and give
their power to him.
Notice the ten kings are already in existence before the rise of the anti-christ.
The image that King Nebuchadnezzar saw is what we need to look at again along
with Daniel’s other visions of Gentile world powers.
The fact that this beast has control over ten kingdoms lead some to believe that
he does not have dominion over the entire world but probably would have if Jesus
did not return in time. Yet there are plenty of scriptures that indicate that he
does have worldwide power. In the days of the Roman Empire, they were the last
empire that came close to ruling the entire known world. That was the whole
world to those people who lived then. America was not known as yet. So perhaps
the whole world means the region of the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece
and Rome. We see though that even if he doesn't control America, the way the
world revolves around whoever is the most powerful shows us that it will
influence the entire world as we know it.
The United States is the greatest world power right now so this is not us. We
have never controlled the territory that is represented by those kings. Yet so
many think America is the Great Whore that we will study later. Also so many are
predicting our demise in one hour. I am not yet in agreement with that
interpretation but I'm open to it. We shall see. I do know that unless we have a
national repentance, we are in trouble.
When this beast arises, I can't see a powerful America standing by and letting
it happen unless we have either become so weak that we have no power to stop it,
those in power at the time refuse to get involved, or we are so deceived that we
send our armies to help this man. Another thought is that we do not exist at
this time and the modern day prophets are right when they say American will be
destroyed. We may be destroyed as a country by this time. We do not have to be
destroyed spiritually if we stay in the right place with God and not be moved
away. We do not have to understand all these things perfectly to have our sins
forgiven and have the Holy Spirit within us. All we have to do is repent of sin
and believe the gospel.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his
deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Some think this means that the anti-christ will be killed but rise from
the dead mocking the resurrection of Jesus. This could be but if the anti-christ
is the beast, he has seven heads but only one is wounded. If the seven heads
represent seven kingdoms then that one head has to be one of the kingdoms or
perhaps one of the kingdoms that once existed but was destroyed yet returns in
the latter days. Perhaps Babylon being rebuilt would be one of this heads
wounded but coming back into existence. There is another verse in this chapter
than leans toward the beast being wounded and healed. We will read more about
Babylon in further chapters.
Here is some verses in chapter 17 about this:
Rev 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will
tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which
hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the
bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall
wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of
the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven
mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other
is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
The seven kingdoms were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medio-Persia, Greece
and Rome and latter day revised Rome. Five of these are fallen. Egypt, Assyria,
Babylon, Medio-Persia, Greece. The one that existed in John’s day was Rome and
one is yet to come. Egypt exists but not as an empire. They will always be a
base kingdom and very small as prophesied in the book of Ezekiel. The ten kings
will come from the Roman Empire territory but will not be revived but revised in
the latter days of the tribulation or just before it. One of these heads is what
is wounded, not the anti-christ although I’m not saying this anti-christ will
not be wounded and brought back to life, I just do not see it in these
scriptures for it says only one of the heads is wounded on that beast. The
wounded head just might be Babylon that was destroyed but brought back to life
for latter day fulfillment of prophecy. However, since the favored
interpretation is the literal head of the anti-christ being wounded and he was
resurrected, I'm not going to oppose it but if it doesn't happen that way, it
doesn't mean he is not the anti-christ. Another thought is that Jesus is
the resurrection and the life and it looks like He is the only one besides God
the Father that could raise the dead.
Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and
is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
This beast has seven heads. These represent Gentile powers that have
ruled Israel at one time or another. Five kingdoms have fallen, the 10 kings are
the revised Roman Empire that will form in Europe or the territory that once was
part of the Old Roman Empire, and then we will see the beast or anti-christ
coming as the 8th kingdom being the revised Grecian Empire.
The first mountain kingdom is Egypt. Egypt was once a kingdom and
the first to oppress Israel. It will be one of the four divisions of Greece
under the anti-christ in the latter days.
The second mountain kingdom is Assyria. It destroyed the northern
kingdom of Israel in the days where Israel and Judah were divided after the
death of Solomon.
Babylon was the third world kingdom to oppress Israel. This area would be
modern day Iraq. We read of this in the book of Daniel represented by a lion and
a head of gold.
The fourth mountain kingdom is Medo-Persia. This is modern day Iran. This
kingdom defeated Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland.
Symbolized by the arms and breast of silver on the image in the book of Daniel.
It is also symbolized by the bear.
Greece was the next kingdom that was divided into four divisions. This is
symbolized by belly and thighs of brass and by a leopard in another vision and
also a he goat with a notable horn between his eyes in Daniel 8. That horn was
Alexander the Great. When that horn was broken off (When Alexander died) four
other horns or divisions came in its place. A man that is fierce and a
forerunner of the Antichrist comes from one of those divisions also called the
little horn.
Dan 8:20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media
and Persia.
Dan 8:21 And the rough goat is the king of Greece: and the great horn that is
between his eyes is the first king.
Dan 8:22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms
shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
Dan 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are
come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark
sentences, shall stand up.
Dan 8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall
destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the
mighty and the holy people.
The verse that says, “The latter time of their kingdom” shows us this kingdom
will be revived and a fierce king understanding dark sentences shall stand up
similar to the man that already lived just after the days of Daniel. This is the
future anti-christ who will be worse than all before him. Notice that this man
will make the economy good.
The sixth mountain kingdom is Rome. That one was symbolized by iron in
the image of Daniel chapter 2 and a not descriptive beast.
The seventh will be revised Rome symbolized by the toes on the image part
clay and part iron. The anti-christ will come as the 8th world Gentile
kingdom to oppress Israel and revive the latter day Grecian Empire. The ten
horns or ten kings are rulers over the revised Roman Empire and the Anti-christ
is over the revised Grecian Empire. Rome will never be headed by one man
as we see in Daniel’s image.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have
received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
So whoever is here at that time and I hope none of us are around, we can
look for Babylon to be rebuilt or else a man that everyone looks to as a leader,
gets killed and then resurrected probably by the false prophet that is coming
later.
When comparing Daniel's visions with these visions we see that the 10 kingdoms
form first before the rise of this wicked one who we call the anti-christ. Anti
could mean more than against Christ, it could mean in place of Christ or as a
false representation of Him. Daniel writes of 10 horns but three broken off when
the little horn arises in its place. It may be that this anti-christ will subdue
three kingdoms among those 10. Three may try to resist him. I can't see any
Muslim nations willingly giving their power to any other nation. Perhaps those
three are Muslim.
Rev 13:4 And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast:
and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to
make war with him?
He probably will appear on the scene as a great person who cares for the poor
and will have programs in place to do those kinds of things. It is wonderful to
have in place food programs and things to feed the hungry. We should all be
concerned about the poor. A word of caution however, there are some that do good
works to be seen of men and to gain power over men. Look at the politicians that
use the poor and promise them things to get their votes. I am afraid I don’t
trust in anyone that comes out of nowhere and causes everyone to be enamored
with him promising all the good stuff and promotes class envy and such.
Jim Jones started out as one who helped the poor. That was the way he gained the
confidence of his followers. He pretended to care about them in order to deceive
them.
WATCH.
God gave us His written word sent down to us through centuries of wars,
deception, apostasy and even book burnings. Yet it survived I believe by the
power of God. There may be a few translation errors here and there but the
faithful men did a good job and did their best to translate the bible into a
language all could understand. If we forsake that and take the word of man
either equal to or above that word, it is to our own peril. Not being deceived
by those that have free givaway programs is, I believe, why Jesus may have said,
to labor not for the meat that perishes.
John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye
seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves,
and were filled.
Joh 6:27 Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for
him hath God the Father sealed.
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and
blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his
name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
When we reject the truth and refuse to repent and believe the word of
Jesus Christ, we open ourselves us to deception. We will believe a lie if we
reject the truth first. This is why so many will be deceived and believe this
deceiver. Jesus warned the Jews when He walked the earth:
John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another
shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Why did so many follow after Hitler shouting in the streets giving
praise to his name? They were deceived. The days of Hitler will be mild compared
to the days of the great tribulation.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to
overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and
nations.
We see here that he was given power over all nations but again it could
be only the nations that were ruled by those ten kings that were once part of
the old Roman Empire territory. For a season power was given to him even to
overcome and kill the believers in Jesus Christ. This anti-christ is constantly
at war with nations so he will not gain full power until it gets close to the
end of the tribulation because he is always at war with someone to the north of
him probably Russia.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names
are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world.
All those who belong to Jesus Christ will not worship this beast.
I don't believe our names were in this book from the foundation but the
plan of God was to save mankind by His Son's death and resurrection from the
foundation of the world. Our names are written in that book the moment we are
born again by the spirit of God. If we go back into sin and start to reject the
word of God, then our names can be blotted out. Those who have not been saved or
born again by this time period will be deceived by this anti-christ.
The blood of Jesus not only cleanses us from all sin but will keep us from being
deceived. Our free will is never taken from us though. We can choose to be
deceived if we willfully stop following Jesus Christ and choose rather to escape
suffering, loss of jobs, etc and take the mark of the beast.
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Notice those words. “If any man have an ear, let him hear.” We’ve heard
these words before but with something added. In each letter to the church Christ
says, “He that hath ear let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.” Now
we see that the “what the spirit says to the churches” is not longer there.
Could it be because the church is not there and is with the Lord before this
event occurs?
Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that
killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and
the faith of the saints.
Why would this be called the patience and faith of the saints. God is
showing us here that the power of the anti-christ is limited. It is only for a
short time. Read the back of this book and we see that the Lord wins in the long
run. If they kill, they will be killed. They will reap what they sow.
Here are different names for the anti-christ in the bible:
1. Anti-christ – 1 John 2:18,22, 4:3 and 2 John 7
2. The Assyrian – Isaiah 10: 20-27; 30:18-33 and 31:4-32:20. Micah 5: 3-15.
These prophecies are directed against the Assyrian king in the days of the
prophets but a study of them reveals that they have a latter-day fulfillment as
will.
3. The king of Babylon Isaiah 14:4. This was a partial fulfillment with the
overthrow of old Babylon by the Medes and Persians. Isaiah 13:17. The complete
fulfillment is in the latter days during the reign of Antichrist.
4. The Spoiler and extortioner
5. Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Ezekiel 38, 39 to be fulfilled at
Armageddon.
6. The Little Horn. Daniel 7:8, 24; 8:9,23
7. The prince that shall come Daniel 9: 26,27
8. The king of the north, Daniel 11: 36-45 This is the king of the Syrian
division of the old Grecian Empire. He does not come from Russia because the
anti-christ will be upset by tidings from the north that takes his attention
away from pursuing Israel. Dan 11:44
9. A king of fierce countenance Daniel 8:23
10. The man of sin 2 thessanlonians 2: 1-12
11. The son of perdition. Same as above.
One forerunner of the Anti-christ was a man named Antiochus Epiphanes. He was on
his way from Rome when his father, Seleucus IV died. Another who had poisoned
the king had already declared himself king as had several others, but Antiochus
came home peaceably and using flattery obtained the kingdom. By flattery he got
assistance from others and courted their favor. He flattered the Romans and sent
ambassadors to them and paid them tribute. He flattered the Syrians, gaining
their favor and took the throne with their backing. He was considered a vile
person because he was every man’s companion. He pretended to be everyone’s
friend. He also was said to have set up an abomination of desolation in the
temple. Daniel 11: 31 like the anti-christ does in Daniel 12:11. Talk about
patterns, coincidences and double prophetic meanings. Wow.
This may be a hint of how the future anti-christ will act.
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he
had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
He will appear to be a gentle lamb that would harm no one but will speak
the deception of Satan. This person will arise for the purpose of getting people
to worship this beast. He probably will be the religious type of deceiver and
lead in worship.
The anti-christ appears to be a political leader while this false prophet will
be the religious leader. I don’t want to offend any Catholics here but I want to
cover all bases in this study. Some people think this religious leader is the
pope of Rome who will help the anti-christ come to power. Some believe the pope
is the anti-christ but some think he is only the false prophet.
There was an old prophecy back in 1148. The Archbishop Malachy of Ireland’s
prophecies were written before his death in 1148. He predicted that 112 Popes
would rule over the Roman Catholic Church after Pope Clandestine who reigned in
1143 to 1144. Malachy lived in the time of Religious fear when believers thought
the end of the world was near, his prophecies predicted the end of the world
would arrive with the second coming of Christ around the year 2000. He also said
the last four pontiffs would be anti-popes that would seek to destroy religion
rather than to preserve it. According to Malachy the last pontiff will rule
during a time of persecution, great Tribulation, followed by the destruction of
Rome and the last judgment.
Ratzinger became pope number 111 after that prophecy was given. So the next one
112 should be the false prophet that helps the anti-christ become an object of
worship if this man’s prophecy is true. I’m not going to say that it is or is
not. I just don’t know.
If we get more popes after Pope Benedict and then another one, then we will know
that prophecy was false. I did notice that Pope John Paul and this pope is not
as closed minded toward other religions as previous popes so perhaps that is
what is meant when the writer thought they would destroy religion rather than
preserve it. Perhaps in order to win the world, they compromise their Catholic
faith. Who knows? Even if this prophecy comes to pass that does not mean that
the one who did the prophecy had the correct faith or anything. He spoke this on
his death bed. Some people can give prophecies without being perfect or have
perfect doctrinal views.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him,
and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast,
whose deadly wound was healed.
We studied about the two witnesses in previous chapters. Notice the two
witnesses did these kinds of miracles too so not all that do miracles are false.
Perhaps like Moses did miracles and then the magicians tried to copy the
miracles is similar to what happens here. The two witnesses did miracles and so
does the anti-christ and false prophet.
Now we see the possibility that the anti-christ or first beast indeed was killed
and resurrected because it refers to him having a deadly wound that was healed
yet verse 3 on this subject said that only one head was wounded. This really
makes an interesting discussion and further study.
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down
from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
As much as I like to see miracles, we must not base our faith and
doctrine upon them but upon the Lord Jesus Christ. All true miracles from God
will exalt Jesus Christ and bring people to Him. It is puffs up some man or
woman, we have a right to use caution before believing all they say.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those
miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that
dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the
wound by a sword, and did live.
So whether this image is some Babylonian image of an old city that was revived
again or the anti-christ himself that was wounded and then healed, we can only
speculate. Perhaps both are pictured here. It doesn’t have to be one or the
other. One of the heads is most probably Babylon that was destroyed and then is
rebuilt. The anti-christ is also called the king of Babylon so it could happen
both ways.
We are never to follow miracles. The bibles says that signs shall follow them
that believe but we are not to follow the signs and idolize the one doing
miracles. All believers are equal and God can use the least one of us to heal
the sick. It doesn't have to be a popular faith healer.
I don't care if we see a rock shaped like Mary with tears, we are to follow
Jesus and believe the word, not some sign. We are not to run after miracles. If
we do see a miracle and it causes us to worship an image or follow a false
doctrine that miracle was not of God.
Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that
the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not
worship the image of the beast should be killed.
This reminds us of the story in Daniel when old king Nebuchadnezzar made
that image for all to worship. Those that refused were to be thrown into a fiery
furnace.
Here we see the present day rise in image worship develop into full blown
idolatry. When evil leaders both past and present erect statues of themselves,
it was a foretaste of what is coming. Remember when our troops knocked down the
image of Saddan Hussein?
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free
and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the
name of the beast, or the number of his name.
He may have gotten this idea after hearing of the 144000 Jews sealed to
escape the trumpet judgments. This man wants to copy all that God has done
before him in order to deceive. Remember the words of Jesus, if any man comes in
his own name, they will believe him especially if they first reject the real
true Christ.
How many of us even now will vote for someone who promises a good economy even
if the person stands for evil? For a while the economy will prosper under this
man just like it did under Hitler. It all looks good at first, just enough to
deceive. The teachings of Jesus really prepare us for all these things. I quoted
one above about meat that perishes. We should never vote our pocketbooks.
Those that get through this without taking this mark will have loved not their
lives unto death. John said, love not the world nor the things in the world. We
may have to choose between earthly [possessions or eternal life.
During the persecutions by the Roman church in the Middle ages and even later by
some Protestant (church and state) people, dissenters were often robbed of their
jobs, homes and possessions by disagreeing with the church so-called. They had
to choose between losing their homes or losing their souls by staying in a
church that had long since gone into apostasy. Both Protestants and Catholics
were guilty of leading people into apostasy.
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number
of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred
threescore and six.
The number of God is seven and means completion or perfection. Man
cannot come close to the number of God. Nations have a name and often a symbol
representing that name. The kingdom of the beast will have a name that we do not
know as yet, a symbol and a number. Many speculate on the number but I will not
go into that because I just don't have a clue what 666 could mean.
We saw the Soviet Union symbolized by a sickle. We surely remember seeing the
Nazi symbol. The symbol of the United States is an eagle. Some believe the anti-christ's
identity will not be revealed until after the church leaves. Others believe just
the opposite; that the church will not be raptured until he is revealed. Most
will not know who he is during the first half of the tribulation but will find
out during the second half.
To follow this beast is to insure the eternal loss of one's soul for eternity.
To choose to receive temporary comfort of a home, a job and security and partake
of the mark of this beast is to insure an eternity in hell. Our only guarantee
and safety is to be safe in Jesus Christ. God provided for us a way out. He
provided a savior from the foundation of the world. To completely trust in Him
is to be safe.
Whether or not we believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church or we do
not believe it that, does not matter really for we will need to be ready and
walking in our love for Jesus Christ to be able to make it in the rapture or
make it through the tribulation period.
We must be walking in the spirit and walking in the love of God to insure our
safety. We can't expect to make the rapture if we are half-hearted, backslidden
and a lover of the things of this world. The same would be true if we go through
the tribulation period. We have to be ready.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think
not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler
over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so
doing.
Mat 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his
goods.
Mat 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth
his coming;
Mat 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink
with the drunken;
Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for
him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the
hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Revelation 14
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