Category: Tribulation seven-years / Daniel’s 70th week / Jacob’s trouble

A Papal Prophecy? #12

Monday, March 11, 2013

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6 KJV).

The recent resignation of Benedict XVI as pope is being greatly discussed within “Christian” circles in light of eschatology. Are we seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled today, or is this simply the (usual) failure to “rightly divide the word of truth?”

It is the usual failure to “rightly divide the word of truth!”

Bible study—especially eschatology (study of “end times”)—is usually very burdensome for most because they do not study God’s Word, God’s way. If each Bible verse is not left in its proper place on the Bible timeline, then we will confuse prophecy with mystery, Israel with the Body of Christ, and the Second Coming of Christ with the rapture. Sadly, these distinctions are often ignored, so heresies spring up (preterism—the belief that all Bible prophecy was already fulfilled; replacement theology—the belief system that the Body of Christ has replaced Israel; mid- (or post)-Tribulation rapture—the belief that the Body of Christ will endure some or all of the seven-year Tribulation; et cetera).

Today’s Scripture explains that the antichrist will not be revealed until after the Church the Body of Christ is removed. “And now ye know what withholdeth [the Dispensation of Grace, the Church the Body of Christ] that he [the antichrist] might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way [raptured]” (2 Thessalonians 2:6,7). As long as our Dispensation of Grace is operating, we, the Body of Christ, will remain on earth. When no one else wants to trust Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, the Body of Christ will be complete, it will be removed from earth via the rapture, and brought into the heavenly places. Israel’s program can then resume.

No Bible prophecy is being fulfilled today; otherwise our mystery program is over. To say that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled today is to invite the heresies— “follow Israel’s Scriptures,” “look for her signs of the times,” et cetera. We are living in a time period completely removed from Israel’s prophetic program….

A Papal Prophecy? #11

Sunday, March 10, 2013

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6 KJV).

The recent resignation of Benedict XVI as pope is being greatly discussed within “Christian” circles in light of eschatology. Are we seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled today, or is this simply the (usual) failure to “rightly divide the word of truth?”

According to 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Thessalonians 3:2,3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:3-6, these believers were enduring intense persecution. Furthermore, heresy had slipped into their assembly. False teachers were corrupting these believers, causing them to believe that their suffering was the result of them missing the rapture and now living in the wrath of the Tribulation. Hence, Paul wrote the second chapter of 2 Thessalonians to delineate the distinction between Israel’s prophetic program and our mystery program. Most of today’s professing church is totally ignorant of that chapter!

Bible prophecy is often confusing to people because they do not understand the dispensational layout of the Bible. In fact, Bible prophecy is impossible for many to grasp because they do not approach God’s Word, God’s way. Christendom’s negligence to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) causes even true, Holy Spirit-indwelt believers to confuse Israel’s program with our program as members of the Church the Body of Christ. Today, some professing Christians are terrified of accepting “the mark of the beast,” scared to death of God’s wrath during the Tribulation. Others point to current world events and exclaim, “Look, Bible prophecy is being fulfilled!” Beloved, if we claim that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled today, we are just as guilty of perverting God’s Word as the false teachers in Thessalonica.

As long as our mystery program—“which was kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25) is operating—Israel’s prophetic program—“that which God hath spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21)—cannot be fulfilled. God is not fulfilling prophecy today: He is forming the Church the Body of Christ, something His prophets never spoke about, something He never revealed until the Apostle Paul’s salvation and ministry….

A Papal Prophecy? #10

Saturday, March 9, 2013

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6 KJV).

The recent resignation of Benedict XVI as pope is being greatly discussed within “Christian” circles in light of eschatology. Are we seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled today, or is this simply the (usual) failure to “rightly divide the word of truth?”

Firstly, why is the antichrist in Scripture?

3. To demonstrate that, in the end, God is far wiser and far more powerful than Satan and sinful man whom he controls.

The antichrist will be permitted to rule the world during the seven-year Tribulation. This ruthless, bloodthirsty dictator will persecute and execute anyone who defies him. He will swell with pride, operating under the impression that he is God, that he is invincible, that he can do whatever he wants and no one can stop him. This attitude is present in Satan and sinful mankind. The antichrist, like King Nebuchadnezzar, will learn “the hard way:” “The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will… and those that walk in pride he is able to abase” (Daniel 4:32,37).

When the seven years of Tribulation expire, Jesus Christ will return to earth (His Second Coming), “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). He will “consume [the antichrist] with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:8,9). John affirms this in Revelation 19:11-21.

Until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming, Satan’s evil world system will continue to dominate, as it has for 6,000 years. That policy of evil will finally reach a culmination when the antichrist is revealed (today’s Scripture). But, the wise God of the Bible is prepared, and the pages of Scripture record both Satan’s battle plans and God’s counterattack military strategies. In the end, the antichrist and Satan are forever deposed from ruling over creation!

A Papal Prophecy? #7

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6 KJV).

The recent resignation of Benedict XVI as pope is being greatly discussed within “Christian” circles in light of eschatology. Are we seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled today, or is this simply the (usual) failure to “rightly divide the word of truth?”

Firstly, why is the antichrist in Scripture?

2. To deal with the nation Israel: to separate the believing Jews from the unbelieving Jews.

When the antichrist is assassinated by sword halfway through the seven-year Tribulation (Zechariah 11:15-17; Revelation 13:3-5,12,14), his soul will go to hell and remain there; however, Satan will heal that physical body, and re-animate it via devil possession (!). This is the antichrist’s transformation from “the man of sin” to the even more nefarious, “son of perdition [damnation]” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

John explains in Revelation 17:8: “The beast [antichrist] 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.” The antichrist “was” (alive) “and is not” (killed); he “was” (alive), “is not” (dead), “and yet is” (alive).

This “resurrection” will cause the whole world to worship the antichrist (Satan) (Revelation 13:3-18), albeit believing Israel will not. Their refusal of the antichrist’s mark and/or number and/or name will cause them to be destitute of food, clothing, and shelter, and eventually they will be imprisoned (Revelation 13:16-18; cf. Matthew 25:31-46).

As in Christ’s day (Matthew 13:37-43), during the Tribulation, many Jews will claim to be following JEHOVAH. Jews who accept the antichrist will be exposed as Satan’s counterfeit Jews (Hebrews 10:25-39; 1 John 2:18,19; 1 John 4:1-4). Believing Jews will prove their faith by rejecting the antichrist and his religion, and suffering the penalty—being beheaded (Revelation 20:4; cf. Revelation 6:9-11). Hence, James writes of believing Jews visiting “the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27), and Peter mentions “suffering as a Christian” (1 Peter 4:12-19; 1 Peter 5:6-9).

A Papal Prophecy? #5

Monday, March 4, 2013

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6 KJV).

The recent resignation of Benedict XVI as pope is being greatly discussed within “Christian” circles in light of eschatology. Are we seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled today, or is this simply the (usual) failure to “rightly divide the word of truth?”

Firstly, why is the antichrist in Scripture?

2. To deal with the nation Israel: to separate the believing Jews from the unbelieving Jews.

Most Jews today are lost, spiritually blinded, and ignorant of Jesus Christ: they reject the New Testament Scriptures, so they are still waiting for their Messiah to come (the first time) as promised in the Old Testament Scriptures. Israel has already rejected the authentic Messiah (the Lord Jesus) as fraudulent; in the future, the antichrist (the counterfeit Messiah) will come, and ironically, Israel will accept him as genuine. Jesus Christ warned Israel: “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” (John 5:43). Jesus is referring to the antichrist!

As in biblical times, the nation Israel today still longs for peace in her Promised Land, for the Arabs, the Palestinians, and their sympathizers still relentlessly hassle her, hoping to “drive [her] into the sea” and possess her God-given land (Psalm 83:1-18). The Jews long for their Messiah to come and rescue them, and usher in that peaceful kingdom promised by the Old Testament prophets so long ago.

One day, the antichrist will come “peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries… and such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries” (Daniel 11:21,32). The smooth-talking, double-talking antichrist will promise Israel a peace treaty, just like the Old Testament spoke of (Jesus) Christ’s peaceful kingdom. “He [the antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week” (Daniel 9:27). Halfway through that seven-year Tribulation period, the antichrist will betray Israel’s trust, and he will side with Israel’s enemies by killing those (believing Jews) who refuse to worship him as God (Revelation 13:5-10,15; Revelation 17:12-14). This persecution will sort believing Jews from unbelieving Jews.

A Papal Prophecy? #4

Sunday, March 3, 2013

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6 KJV).

The recent resignation of Benedict XVI as pope is being greatly discussed within “Christian” circles in light of eschatology. Are we seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled today, or is this simply the (usual) failure to “rightly divide the word of truth?”

Firstly, why is the antichrist in Scripture?

1. To be a literal, spiritual, and physical counterfeit Jesus Christ: he is anti(against)-Christ, the ultimate embodiment of Satan’s lie policy aimed at destroying God purpose and plan for creation.

God’s purpose and plan for creation is to exalt His Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:9,10; Colossians 1:13-20). However, Satan desires that worship, and sinful mankind under his influence joins him in “changing the truth of God into a lie, and worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever” (Romans 1:25). This lie program encompasses everything that Satan has done these last 6,000 years. However, there will be one world ruler who will be the culmination of Satan’s evil world system and his policy of evil—the antichrist.

The antichrist will “oppose and exalt 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” (2 Thessalonians 2:4; cf. Daniel 11:36,37; Revelation 13:5-18). Just as Jesus Christ claimed to be God, the antichrist will claim to be God and desire worship that only God deserves.

Additionally, the antichrist’s “coming is after the working of Satan with power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish…” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Just as Jesus Christ performed miracles, the antichrist’s devilish regime will produce supernatural phenomena, causing the antichrist (and thus Satan) to be worshipped (Revelation 13:5-18). Even as Jesus Christ was resurrected, the antichrist will be assassinated and “resurrected” (Zechariah 11:15-17; Revelation 13:1-4,12). No wonder Jesus described the Tribulation as, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).

There is more….

A Papal Prophecy? #3

Saturday, March 2, 2013

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6 KJV).

The recent resignation of Benedict XVI as pope is being greatly discussed within “Christian” circles in light of eschatology. Are we seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled today, or is this simply the (usual) failure to “rightly divide the word of truth?”

Firstly, why is the antichrist in Scripture?

1. To be a literal, spiritual, and physical counterfeit Jesus Christ: he is anti(against)-Christ, the ultimate embodiment of Satan’s lie policy aimed at destroying God purpose and plan for creation.

Satan desires worship that only the God of the Bible deserves (Matthew 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8). Before his fall from heaven, Lucifer declared, “I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). Ezekiel 28:17a says to Lucifer, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty;” his sin was pride (1 Timothy 3:6). Satan wants all of creation to ignore Jesus Christ, and worship everything else—him, mankind, nature, and so on.

Daniel 11:21 introduces us to the coming world ruler, the antichrist, the personification of Satan’s rebellion: “And in his [the antichrist’s predecessor’s] estate shall stand up a vile person [the antichrist], to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.” When he is to be “revealed in his time” (today’s Scripture), the antichrist will assume his office of global domination by deception and smooth talking—he is a classic politician!

Daniel 9:27 continues: “And he [the antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [seven-year Tribulation]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease….”

The antichrist will mimic Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ’s kingdom is one of peace; the antichrist will speak peace unto Israel by making a seven-year peace treaty. In the middle of that week, the antichrist will turn on Israel, he will desecrate Israel’s newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, and he will institute a religion that worships himself (Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:5-18): like Jesus Christ claimed to be God, so will the antichrist. The counterfeits continue….

A Papal Prophecy? #1

Thursday, February 28, 2013

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6 KJV).

Today’s resignation of Benedict XVI as pope is being greatly discussed within “Christian” circles in light of eschatology. Are we seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled today, or is this simply the (usual) failure to “rightly divide the word of truth?”

Ever since the Bible—especially the book of the Revelation—was completed nearly 2,000 years ago, many have offered wild speculations regarding the identity of the antichrist. Before we attempt to tackle the issue of who he is, let us first ask and answer, “Exactly what is the antichrist and why is he even in the Bible?” The books of Daniel, 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation deal with him in detail more than any other Bible books, although brief, implicit references to him can be found elsewhere in the Old and New Testament Scriptures (Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah, the Four Gospels, 1 John, et al.).

In the next several studies, we aim to look at some of the most important Bible passages regarding the antichrist. There is much ignorance about him, his purpose, his plan, his origin, his reign, and his inauguration. We want to set aside our denominational biases, and the secular input from the lost Bible critics who sell their alleged “prophetic” books and television programs, and we desire to simply see what God’s Word actually says about this man, the “antichrist.” By the way, today’s Scripture is excerpted from a passage (verses 3-12) that provides one of the most graphic portraits of him found in the Holy Bible.

Firstly, we can briefly list at least three reasons why the antichrist is in Scripture:

  1. To be a literal, spiritual, and physical counterfeit Jesus Christ: he is anti(against)-Christ, the ultimate embodiment of Satan’s lie policy aimed at destroying God purpose and plan for creation.
  2. To deal with the nation Israel: to separate the believing Jews from the unbelieving Jews.
  3. To demonstrate that, in the end, God is far wiser and far more powerful than Satan and sinful man whom he controls.

Let us examine these three points in greater detail….

We have recently uploaded to YouTube the final part of 3 home Bible study videos that introduce dispensational Bible study, and specifically Pauline dispensationalism. Click here to watch it.

Replacement Terminology Theology #6

Sunday, February 10, 2013

“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:5,6 KJV).

Satan deceptively employs terms that the Bible uses—”God,” “Lord,” “Jesus,” “Christ”—but he does not always apply them to the same individuals the Bible does. What ingenuity!

Have you ever called a religious leader “reverend?” What about “father” and “monsignor” (pronounced mon-seen-your)?

The title “reverend” is only found once in the King James Bible, and it applies to the true and living God, not some fallible, sinful man! Psalm 111:9 says: “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.”

The term “monsignor” is French for… perhaps you guessed it… “my lord!” Although “lord” itself is not an evil word, using it for a religious leader is blasphemous. No church leader is our “lord.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ forbade His disciples to call religious leaders “father,” for they had one Father—His heavenly Father (Matthew 23:9). Interestingly, in ancient Israel, a Jewish man asked a younger man, an apostate Levitical priest, to be unto him “a father and a priest”—he agreed too (Judges 17:7-13). Would you call a younger man “father?!” It was clearly used in a spiritual sense, not a physical one. Furthermore, “Holy Father” is a title of Father God (John 17:11), so why is this the pope’s title? Even the term “pope” is derived from the Latin papas, meaning… what else?… “father!”

Why is this serious?

The Holy Bible speaks of a future time—the seven-year Tribulation—when religious deception will be at an all-time high (Matthew 24:24). We can see the world preparing for it even today: the confounding of Bible terms and applying them to Satan’s counterfeits (see today’s Scripture). Modern “bibles” and many so-called “Bible-believing” churches and “godly” church leaders are paving the way for the antichrist’s satanic, one-world religion. Beware!

The End of the World? #4

Sunday, December 30, 2012

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36 KJV).

We take the remainder of the year to contemplate the term “the end of the world.”

When the Bible speaks of “the end of the world” such as in Matthew 13:39,49; Matthew 24:3; and Hebrews 9:26, it refers to the future destruction of the underlying (satanic) world system that governs earth and its realms. The rebellious, anti-God attitude that operates in Satan is quite evident in the spheres of education, politics, society, religion, and economics: hence, “this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4), to which “world” we Christians should not be conformed (Romans 12:2). Remember, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 19:36).

After our Dispensation of Grace closes (rapture), our planet will experience seven years of Tribulation, which Christ will end with His Second Coming. Jesus Christ will then bind Satan in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years, removing him from earth, so that God’s earthly kingdom can be established and accomplished throughout that millennium (Revelation 20:1-7). It will be the end of this present world—Satan’s evil world system—and the beginning of God’s authority and righteousness reigning on earth, which is called “the world to come” in Matthew 12:32, Mark 10:30, Luke 18:30, Hebrews 2:5, and Hebrews 6:5. However, that world to come—Christ’s reign on earth—will be interrupted.

In Matthew 28:20, our Lord told His eleven disciples, “…Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” That world is the world to come, which will one day replace this present evil world. That “end of the world”—compare verse 19 to Daniel 7:13,14 and 1 Corinthians 15:24,25—is the end of Christ’s earthly reign (the conclusion of the aforementioned 1,000 years). The world that Christ will establish will exist for 1,000 years, ending when God makes a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 20:1-21:1). Then, Christ will again reign, this time forever (Daniel 2:44; Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15).

Indeed, the definition of the term “world” in “end of the world” makes a “world” of difference in Scripture! 🙂