"TRIBULATION" in Bible Discussions

 
  • Richard H Priday - In Reply - 2 days ago
    Concluding thoughts

    Look at earlier postings about ideas related to genetic DNA manipulation to render someone not human and therefore unredeemable. This would explain the wholesale destruction of all men except for Noah and his immediate family who was said to be "perfect" in his generations. ( Gen. 6:9). This would almost certainly have a primary reference to his genetic line not being contaminated with the sons of the giants or "men of renown" mentioned in Genesis 6:4. Christ came to redeem men not hybrid creatures and naturally angels that fell would also be unredeemable. Whether this business would be sold as an "evolutionary leap" or promise immortality or both is uncertain; but the "strong delusion" ultimately is sent by God; therefore men will worship the Beast and of course Satan who empowers him. The idea of rebellion comes to mind with what Cain did; and the original concept of the tower of Babel will come to its fruition "bringing the whole world together" in unity; so to speak.

    The Tribulation likely begins with one man controlling all of the earth's wealth. That is seen in prophecies in Daniel 11:38 and prophecies such as him "dividing the land for gain" ( Daniel 11:39). See also Habukkuk 2:9 and the whole chapter there to see the consolidation of wealth. Despite his control of the 10 nation beast empire; we see in Revelation that the nations from the east and north amass to go after him. (sixth trumpet starting Revelation 9:13.) Therefore, he may have control over everyone economically but nations will still fight him. By Armageddon in Meddigo at least it appears all are damned after they are enticed to gather by the 3 demons from the frog like spirits coming from the "unholy" trinity. After fighting each other they turn and fight Christ which of course is futile. THose in the Ezekiel 38 campaign however have one sixth remain; I am guessing some don't have the mark and make it into the Millennium. I may discuss that later.
  • Richard H Priday - 3 days ago
    More speculation on the Mark of the Beast

    I heard some years ago that a Pope predicted that the Antichrist would espouse solar power and be an environmentalist; probably Ratzinger but I am having trouble finding the quote. There are many other interesting statments about dangers of humanism and such that that Pope did say; which I agree with despite disagreeing with Catholic theology. In any event; in light of the prophecy in Revelation 16:10-11 and the first bowl being a blister from the sun; I am postulating that the mark could be empowered from solar energy. That would explain the devastation of the darkness on the land that would put an end to any sort of communication the chip would offer (if that is the mark).

    It is clear now that all medical records could be for a person in such a database; but I believe that there will be a genetic change to the DNA of the beast as part of what makes a person unredeemable. Also I would expect some sort of "high" similar to a drug that electric impulses or some magnetic energy would give to someone that would give them an addictive high. No doubt any food will be in short supply the entire 2nd half of the Tribulation; so these people will be doped up somehow. Once this feeling is suddenly cut off; that will allow the level of desperation to escalate to where the demons released in Revelation 16:13 will have total control.

    We need only to see the rapid decline from the first seal when people will have some sort of false worldwide peace the end of the Tribulation to see how fast men can fall. This can in some ways be compared to the time of Creation and the original fall of man until today; or even how fast people went from Palm Sunday and adoration of Christ to the behaviors less than a week later at the Crucifixion. There is no peace for the wicked at any time as stated several times in Isaiah; and repeated as to no desire for peace in many other verses. Luke 3:7 was in Christ's time but applies today.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    More on the Tribulation

    And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. ( John 8:35).

    When we consider the state of the human soul as well as the angelic realm we realize that access to the heavenly abode is only for those who kept their first estate; as opposed to those mentioned in Jude 6 who fell away after Lucifer's deception. Such is the case as well for men; unregenerate men are truly slaves to sin ( Romans 6:20). We find that our freedom indeed puts us into bondage while being a servant of Christ brings victory.

    It is tempting to include some verses from secular songs which at least admit to the dazzling display that Satan appearing as an angel of light uses to delude the masses. ( 2 Cor. 11:14). Since he can no longer magnify God's name; Satan and his minions can only appeal to the nature of man; as he did when influencing Peter to speak as he did about Christ ( Matthew 16:23). Men's thoughts are on self preservation; not sacrificial love. We want to keep close those who are closest to us; which isn't necessarily wrong in itself but is if God is subservient; thus we hate our lives and keep it ( John 12:25). Hence is the paradox of living in Christ and it will come to it's fullest realization during the fires of the Tribulation. It is hard to comprehend just how powerful the delusion will be mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:11. GOD sends the strong delusion! As stated previously; the trumpet judgments still won't deter the world of it's sins; and in Revelation 9:14-21 after the 200,000,000 demon horde kill one third of all of the earth people STILL won't stop their abominable acts. Keep in mind this is well after the sixth SEAL where people at that time are still hiding in caves and fully aware of God and Christ on their thrones beginning judgment ( Rev. 6:16-17).

    This of course will lead to the delusion mentioned in Psalm 2 and Revelation 19 where men come together at Armageddon and eventually try to fight God.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    The Tribulation: A general overview of events

    John 5:43 seems to allude of the Antichrist who comes "in his own name". This substitute or opposing Christ to the genuine Savior will; as Revelation states be worshipped ultimately by ALL whose names are NOT written in the book of life from before the foundation of the world ( Rev. 13:8). Whatever "quality" of life will be enjoyed by those taking the infamous mark of the beast it certainly won't be worth it considering eternal torment in hell to follow. I can envision it being much like a drug addict who is little more than skin and bones because they are so intoxicated with their "fix" that their whole self has turned from natural bahaviors taking care of themselves. The Tribulation may begin for those enjoying the benefits of the Babylon system for the first half of the event as what seems like a long party. Hence we see fornications; murders; idol worship and other abominations endure until the fifth trumpet judgment. At that point the wicked get a foretaste of sufferings to come; which I suspect Antichrist who arises immediately after will say he has put to an end after the 5 months; and also he will demonstrate immortality by the apparently miraculous revival from a deadly wound (see Zech. 11:17; ( Rev. 13:3). He also will give himself credit no doubt for killing the 2 witnesses which the world will celebrate; but their Resurrection will clue those in who are of God that the game is soon up and to run for their lives.

    God has demonstrated throughout scripture that he has an end game in mind once sin reaches a certain level. We can see this as early as Genesis 15;16 with the iniquity of the Amorites. God has dealt with the United States for hundreds of years and for us to think we are exempt from the fate of everyone else is folly. When we consider how many hundreds of millions of abortions and other killings occur with the principle of Genesis 9:5; it is no wonder billions will die.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Part 2 on Tribulation and trials to come

    The Laodicean church is what many consider to typify the last stages or phase of church history. It is clear from that passage that only a few there are worthy; as we see in Revelation 3:4 with the church of Sardis as well. The general state is one of a pitiful state of spiritual poverty which the outer adornment; much like the Pharisees cleaning the outer parts of their vessels which appear to be showing opulence. Matthew 25:9 reminds me of those who need to pay the price for receiving the refreshing of the Holy Spirit as it will be with the fiery trial and mass martyrdom of the Tribulation. I see this as an example of those who have patiently waited for the Lord and now receive their reward because of enduring much as Lot did until the Lord rescued him from the disaster to come (see 2 Tim. 4:8). Those who are in a Laodicean church aren't putting themselves or anyone else into persecution as all those who are godly in Christ Jesus suffer ( 2 Tim. 3:12). Whether they are truly saved or not ultimately will be determined by God; I tend to see the Rapture as a reward issue but if I'm wrong then rewards will be lost for those backslidden ( Rev. 3:11); and it is certain many aren't truly saved now but many will wake up on the other side of the rapture; whether left behind people who professed Christ beforehand or new converts.

    As to the second part of my study on the Jews suffering Tribulation first; we can of course see that pattern in many Old Testament passages as well as the many wars in history; the most obvious recent one of worldwide significance being World War two. This current Hamas battle also started with an attack causing suffering to Jews. These verses would show the military campaigns that will occur prior to Armageddon as well when God finally defends His people ( Zech. 14:2) and then the nations are dealt with. The various judgments will be centered on Israel as well.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Romans 2:9 states: There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile..

    (NIV); but says tribulation and anguish in the KJV. There is another verse stating that judgment begins at the house of God. ( 1 Peter 4:17).

    Just as not all Israel is Israel ( Romans 9:6); not all the "professing" church is the possessing church; that is possessing the Holy Spirit and true salvation. Jesus made that perfectly clear to those who thought because they were the physical descendants of Abraham that gave them some sort of benefit were sadly mistaken ( John 8:39-44). Those who had seen Christ; knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet rejected Him would in fact be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah in their punishment. ( Matt. 11:21-24). We see similar warnings for those who have knowledge of the truth and become reprobate; in that it would be better not to have known it in the first place ( 2 Peter 2:21).

    Testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith is sadly lacking today among professing believers; or we would see a reality check in the fruits of many lives. ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We can glibly see this example as a carnal bunch of people and think that being steeped in our own religious training or theology that we are automatically exempt from this test. I have said before that there are dangers in any extreme that is lacking the balancing attribute; such as with loving people and warning them of judgment to come ( John 16:8). We see in the Ephesian church everything being done properly but their first love somehow becoming distant in their hearts. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:6; love rejoices in the truth. The basic fact that man's heart is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) and that our sin makes us enemies of God ( James 4:4) means that there is a wall between opposing parties and yes God is angry with the wicked (i.e. us) every day. ( Psalm 7:11). Having our heads in the sand doesn't help anyone.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:29-52 Recap. (2 of 2)

    v.30 "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

    The sign of the Son of man appearing in heaven is distinct as the Son of man appearing in the clouds of heaven. In the first it is what the Spirit raises aloft. The bow in heaven declares what Isaiah referred in 59:19. The war in heaven has its consequence on earth. In the preceding verse full armor of God is referred to and we can understand the connection it has with the vision of St John,"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."(Re.6:2). The Spirit is referring to the bow in heaven. It has a bearing on Noah as well as for us."When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."

    The second part deals with the Son of man appearing in heaven to collect his saints. These are in a series after their order."even so in Christ shall all be made alive./ But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming./Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."(1 Co.15:22-24). Remember that God is the God of the living.

    " And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.:(v.31)

    It is to this these verses refer, "I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree."(Re.7:1) For the left out church time has come to redeem itself and through much tribulation. And a remnant of the Jews shall be saved.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:29-51 Recap (1 of 2)

    v.29 "and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." In Re. Ch.12 we see the reason why."And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,/And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven."(Re.12:7-8) Jesus had warned, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."(12:28) This war result in Satan cast down. "for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."(Re.12:12b.) Jesus ses it happening." And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."( Luke 10:18) These seventy other disciples indicate the latter end of 'everlasting gospel' mentioned in Re.14:6-8). Jesus is on the earth and yet he see what must yet happen! In the passage one angel speaks 'his hour of judgment is come. In the next verse the second angel announces, "Babylon is fallen' which in chapters 17 and 18 are in detail shown. To our intent and purpose the discourse of Jesus in vv.29-51 cover Babylon, both Jews and the Gentiles. vv.16-20 owe to the Roman army almost at the doors.(v.33)

    "'This generation shall not pass' refer to the generation of Jesus Christ. (Matt.1:1) It covers both Abraham and David. Son of Abraham sets him as the Word become flesh. (Before Abraham was, I am- John 8:58) We shall explain the shortening of Great tribulation from this logos aspect. Heaven and earth is set in terms of time on a single scale of Alpha Omega aspect. "that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.(2 Pe.3:8) As the lord from heaven Jesus sends the twelve disciples must integrate the everlasting gospel preached by the 70 other disciples as well. The war in heaven casts out Satan to the earth and he knows 'that he hath but a short time.'. Great tribulation is on reconstituted time vv.21-22
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:27-28 (2 of 2) "Coming of the Son"

    "so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

    Jesus refers to his coming at the end of v.28. The Spirit inserts the outbreak of the Tribulation which has been going before we have in v.30 "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven." This narrative mode of Parenthesis we have seen in other places, for example in the vision of Daniel, we have one week isolated from the Seventy Weeks. (9:24-27). We shall come to that anon.

    The point is the east and west mentioned in v.27 is with reference of cardinal direction while Judgment in the Spirit's parlance is with regards to divine Judgment. Pride of Satan said,"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north."(Is.14:13). God raises the Gentile nations from the north to punish Israel. (Je.1:14). "The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" who would kill the two witnesses, spiritually is labeled as the son of perdition. The lament over the king of Tyre sets him as another son of perdition. "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God." (Ez.28:13-15)"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." The fallen man is a son of perdition and king of Tyre and so many of his ilk belong to the Gentile nations. Pride is the DNA of the beast while Jesus revealed humility and faith proved he was the Son of God.

    "But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" (8:23-27)When Jesus stilled the storm it was a proof that the Lord has set his throne over the floods."So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."(Is.59:19) This is the sign Jesus is referring to.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:27-28 "As the lightening cometh" (1 of 2)

    "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be./For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together."

    The disciples of Jesus asked the question, which is in three parts. "Tell us, when shall these things be?"The first part we have covered already. From 'the books opened and the judgment was set' in the night vision of Daniel has a bearing on the great tribulation and it is also set on a reconstituted time. Now we shall look at "what shall be the sign of thy coming" For the final part of " the end of the world?" we have a parable in the following chapter.

    The second Temple of Jerusalem faced the east, the prince mentioned in the vision of Ezekiel on leaving the east gate has to be shut. So we are not looking at the Son of man but Jesus Christ as the Lord from heaven. In Malachi his coming leads to the day of his coming. "And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts./But who may abide the day of his coming?" (Mal.3:1-2)

    What do we make of lighting, which in the vision of St John is associated with the throne of God?"And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices."(Re.4:5) From Re.10:4 we shall infer that thunderings and voices refer to gospel preached.

    "And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not." What contained in the little book was judgment remained to be executed."But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."

    East west mentioned in the first part refers to the destruction of Jerusalem AD70.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:30-31 "The Sign" (2 of 2)

    "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory./ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

    The elect includes both the nation of Israel and the Gentile nations. Daniel the Seer belongs to the former. He also was curious as the disciple to know the end times. But the Angel of the Lord did not dilate much on the topic. Instead he said, "But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."(Dan.12:13) When Jesus went in Spirit to the souls in prison he surely was one among many saints in the OT period. They are witnesses to the gospel below the earth. There is a cloud of witnesses which Daniel had seen in the night vision, " and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." (7:10). The Spirit refers to the judgment with regards to the beast, to which he is also a witness. The beast referred in terms of the times of the Gentiles is shown as emerging from the bottomless pit. " the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."(Re.11:7). In Re. Ch.13:1 "and saw a beast rise up out of the sea." This beast emerges in the vision of Daniel rises from the sea. ("And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another." Dan.7:3). In this context what Jesus refers here is a sign. " When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)/Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains."(vv.15-16)

    This background helps us to place the great tribulation mentioned in v.21
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:21-22 "Since the beginning" (1 0f 2)

    " For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be./And except those days should be shortened,"

    Ch.24 is a treatise of human sorrows on account of sin. Given that Jesus gave this discourse after sharing his coming passion and death to his disciples (20:17-20) we are to treat the main elements ,-the elect, the nation of Israel and the Gentile nations owing their origin from the beginning. The events shall be played out from the worlds,- heaven. the earth and below which are held together by Jesus Christ. (Col.1:16-18)

    Jesus refers to the great tribulation that shall come upon all by the same rationale that sin entered the world through one man.(Ro.5:12) sorrows consequently shall visit upon all. However "but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."(24:22). The Vision of the Woman clothed with the Son gives us additional clues as to how. The Man child is caught up to the throne of God. He is collectively called the elect shall be delivered from the great tribulation since he is to rule all nations 'with a rod of iron'. The left-out church has a place prepared for her. "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." 1260 is a number a tag the Spirit uses to delineate 'the shortening of days'. Thus the duration of earthly ministry of Jesus is used to distinguish it from the position of the Son in heaven and below the earth.

    This constituted time shall also shall explain Jesus Christ in Spirit visiting souls in prison."By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;"(1 Pe.3:19) This has a great bearing on the manner the earth helping her with the persecution.(Re.12:13-16).It will suffice to say God sits enthroned upon the floods (Ps.29:10).
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:8 "For the elect sake"

    " All these are the beginning of sorrows"

    One peculiar characteristic of this chapter is beginning of sorrows have different emphases and signs for nations and for the elect When Jesus sent the twelve he warned them of sorrows that shall visit them. Wherever they were rejected they were to shake the dust off their feet for a witness.(10:14-15) Here is what we are interested in.(vv.17-22) Not only cities they were to beware of men. "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death./ And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (vv.18-22). In 24:23 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Jesus isolated their case separate from the sorrows that shall come upon globally. They also have a label: the church of Philadelphia covers them. "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (3:10)

    Second feature of this chapter is of the great tribulation. Time is shortened or reconstituted time, which is the parlance of the Spirit to make it bearable. We have an example in the world of the flesh. Jacob's love for Rachel made seven years pass like a few days. (Ge.29:20). Here s another where the world of the Spirit also takes a hand. " And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him./And being in an agony (Jesus) he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground" Luke 22:44-45). The world of the Spirit comes to rescue. Jesus shall help those in need though for others it is a great tribulation. "Such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be
  • Richard H Priday - 3 weeks ago
    The Tribulation: Final reckoning.

    In my last post I discussed what could be described as the lust of the eyes in 1 John 2:16 along with the lust of the flesh. The last part of the verse is involved with the pride of life. That certainly could cover covetousness; greed and materialism. There are two things to watch for here beyond our own hearts; there is the endless routine of daily activities; buying; selling; marrying and given in marriage which are said to characterize a day when the Lord arrives suddenly (see Matthew 24:38). There is nothing wrong with such activities; as we are told to be productive on earth as well as to be fruitful and multiply. But it is making this the whole meaning of our existence which is dangerous; rather than giving thanks for all blessings the Lord has and realizing that He "gives and takes away." ( Job 1:21). Keep in mind that came from Job AFTER his first wave of devastating losses.

    The second thing is the spiritual forces in the demonic realm that are constantly seeking to drive us away from our steadfastness in Christ and be rendered ineffective at spiritual warfare. Please understand carefully what I am about to say-a TRUE believer ALWAYS recognizes the Lord's presence (His sheep hear His voice: ( John 10:27). Other spirits can overwhelm us with desire or temptation but they give themselves away because of the cost involved in following; they are found through wisdom as promoting sin and rebellion as we are exhorted in ( Proverbs 5:1-3 and sequential verses).

    When we see the end result of demonic persuasion in Revelation 16:13 leading men to Armageddon a few chapters later we realize along with the Mark of the Beast that no one who is a nonbeliever will follow the Lord; all will follow Antichrist ( Revelation 13:8). The enemy if he cannot kill us physically or spiritually can certainly render us ineffective and trap us in sin if we are not careful. He will steal and destroy if he can't kill if God allows.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Re.11:13 Judgment

    "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." (v.13)

    At the same hour refers to the hour Jesus spoke about at the night he was taken in. ( Luke 22:53)It is the power of darkness that caused the nation of Israel reject the true Light and the time of the Gentiles before the Son appeared in mid-air to collect. "and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory./ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."(24:30-31)

    The ministry of the two witnesses has the same duration as the day decreed for the Son. John the Baptist was sent according to the Scriptures as a voice preparing the way. "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts./But who may abide the day of his coming? "(Mal.3:1-2) Purifiers work refers to the great tribulation. The script for the day of his coming consists of several phases which is clearly laid out in Matt.3:13. "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

    The chaff shall be cast to the winds. (the imposter church), purging his floor is the earth(*the left behind church), and it leads to the unquenchable fire. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."(Re.20:10). * Cf the vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun and she is sent to a place prepared for her. "(12:14)
  • Richard H Priday - 1 month ago
    Reading the Word (part 3)

    The fear of the Lord. With my scripture memory still lacking I will cite the verse "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" and then ask the readers to discover how many times that is mentioned and perhaps do a further study on the subject. Today's sermon was from 1 Peter specifically in verse 17 discussing how as believers we should have fear that in general isn't with terror but at times if we have sin in our lives it probably some of that should shake us up. The story of Ananias and Sapphira was examined as to the reaction of the church afterwards and the Holy fear and terror invoked ( Acts 5:1-11).

    It is easy for us to sit in our comfy place and read about destruction of whole cities or the future Tribulation and not have it speak to us. Some want to symbolize some of the literal statements of judgment; but I am not focusing on that. We can look at events in the far past and future as so remote from us that we don't sense the relevance; specifically it's prompting us to get busy spreading the Gospel and keep ourselves unspotted from the world. ( James 1:27). With so many trying to predict the time the Lord is coming back and put together all the puzzle pieces can ignore the many CONDITIONAL promises which are just as true. Specific behaviors good or bad bear certain fruits as well as resulting in blessing or cursing. I have seen this true in at least one case warning a person about continuing in certain behavior (in that case I believe it was followed by a mental breakdown). We can't be sure when we will reap what we sow; it is for sure in final judgment. This seems very cut and dry; for instance verses talking about the insanity of a foolish man committing adultery. Proverbs 22:14 brings the point out that men who follow God escape these traps but the wicked are caught in their own traps that they try to ensnare others ( Psalm 141:10 also found in Proverbs and no doubt other Psalms).

    More in part 4
  • Richard H Priday - 1 month ago
    On Christian music and idolotry:

    The second and third lines in Chris Tomlin's song "Good Good Father" state:

    But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night

    And You tell me that You're pleased and that I'm never alone

    David Crowder's song "He really loves us" has this in the third line

    "There is no judgment"

    And Danny Gokey's song "Love God Love People" says at the end of the fourth stanza

    "Love God and love People" (no brainer).

    Finally there is the song "What would Jesus do" states in the 11th Stanza

    "What would Jesus do

    He would love first..etc."

    The first question here is what is God's love? There is nothing in any of these songs that show any differentiation of God's love from that of man. Assuming that God never has anything negative to say goes against the verses that state God chastises anone He loves and we are illegitimate sons otherwise (see Hebrews 12:6; 12:8). To say there is no judgment is only true as to a believer's standing at the Bema Seat Judgment and missing the Great White Throne condemnation. We are judged according to 2 Corinthians 5:10 and be judged as to works done for Him; good or bad. If we aren't one of His own we are judged and condemned already ( John 3:18).

    No one should argue as to a Christian demonstrating love and patience; but that doesn't mean that we should stand for hypocrisy within the House of God; or societal evils such as abortion without sounding the trumpet as a watchman to avoid the condemnation warned of in Ezekiel 3:18. But such exhortations seem to be missing entirely in today's Christian songs; whether it is warning of the deceptiveness of Satan or sin itself; or the Tribulation to come or hell itself without repentance. Anyone on this forum who wishes to rebut that statement let me know; perhaps there are some independent artists I should be made aware of that I haven't heard lately.

    Thus; artists are idolized saying what people want to hear and are "Christian" by name only.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 month ago
    Witnessing today in today's culture: Introduction

    Today people are often identified by their political affiliation or the community that they identify as "politically correct". In reality this often makes a particular sin the sum of their identity (such as those in the pro choice or same sex attraction crowd.) We don't see such titles given for individuals committing such activities in scripture; where infanticide was performed by those who would identify as idol worshippers (Molech worshippers for example); or sodomites would often be classified by their social status as to who was the perpetrator and who was the victim of such atrocities in the time of Christ. 1 Kings 14:24 talks in general about sodomites and the abominations that they were involved with; and it seems that they did live in the same area as we see with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah thousands of years before Christ.

    We need to take heart; as we see in the story of Jonah that even the most wicked people can repent. Today it seems mainly with individuals who are "detransitioning" for instance that the Lord indeed can change people; and when we see legislation against preaching such truths those who used to live that lifestyle of course are most affected. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 identifies those now sanctified as believers who used to live sinful lifestyles. While it is true that there are particular sins; such as shedding of innocent blood that God particularly hates ( Proverbs 6:16-19); all sin leads to death. Clearly at this point the world doesn't celebrate someone who identifies themselves as a thief; extortioner; murderer and some other things but we should expect that it will once we get to the Tribulation or perhaps sooner when "anyone who kills you will think that they are doing God a favor." ( John 16:2).

    We need also to get beyond the stereotypes the world is giving us of those in the LGBTQ+. Some are conservatives and some liberal politically for instance. More later.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Bible Study- Is.2:1 Conclusion

    "The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem."(v.1)

    The prophet tells us specifically that the word concerns Judah and Jerusalem. Nevertheless we do not take it at face value. The Spirit invites us to compare spiritual with spiritual. Let us compare the first chapter and it says itis a vision a burden. ("The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz"-Is.1:1) It is similar with the Revelation, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, ...and signified it by his angel unto his servant John." (Re.1:1)The messages to the seven churches is of the same value as the vision of Isaiah and in chapter what Isaiah says in the key verse is equivalent to this verse "I, John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation.(1:9) Thus God places a burden on Isaiah which by repeating in the next chapter places it as the testimony of Jesus Christ,- ("Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ,-1:2) The key verse is the testimony of the Son.

    We have also another example in the book of Daniel. Compare the v.1 from ch.7 and ch.8. One is from the Father and the second is from the Son, and the tag Three tells it all. "In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first." (Dan.8:1) Literal meanings give us only in part and it is not the truth. "In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon" in 7:1 was not for the sake of glorifying the king of Babylon but to tells us from his authority came from. The Spirit has warned of the glory factor in the God document. "

    I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."(Is.42:8)

    Coming back to Isaiah we have the glory of God expressed in terms of the Law, which is the truth. I am the truth". So we need look at the truth expressing 'that God may be all in all."
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Ep.2:14-18 "Middle Wall of Partition" (2 of 2)

    Here we shall look at Ze.3:1-3

    "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him./And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"

    The High Priest Joshua represents the High Priest of our Profession. Joshua, God our deliverance is a Hebrew variant of the name Jesus. (He.3:1). Satan is resisting the man as he did with Michael over the body of Moses.(Jude.v.9). Jesus did no sin and knew no evil so Ministry of reconciliation here as a substitutional symbol.

    "is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" refers to the great tribulation and the 144,000 representing the 12 tribes so martyrdom does not distinguish between the Jews and the Gentiles.

    "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel./And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment./And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments." (vv. 3-5) Here are two verse for meditation:

    I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."(Is.61:10)

    "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."(Is.61:3)
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    John10:11-13 "Wolf is coming, wolf is coming"

    Before we examine the middle section of this discourse, we have had the sheepfold covering both worlds of the Spirit and of the body.It was set as a parable.'This parable spake Jesus unto them'(v.6)

    Here we have Jesus as "I am the life" and he presents life abundant, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." In the previous post "Not by the door" the conflict of the shepherd with the thieves robbers owe to the war in heaven so St Paul warns,"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light../Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Co.11:14-15)Gnosticism was already at work along with Judaizers in the early church and the message to the church of Philadelphia carried warnings. "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (Re.3:10). According to Min-Max mode of narrating the Spirit sets the hour of temptation, coming from Imperial Rome.It also overarches to the great tribulation of latter days. When Jesus was taken in he told his captors, "but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." ( Luke 22:53)

    It is to this hour we are coming. The wolves were about. "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep."(10:12) Historically the open door that Jesus set for the church did not drew the sheep to Jesus Christ but to embrace the pagan Rome entirely. The hireling come under many labels, let the sheep scatter. So when Constantine I called the council of Nicea he organized the Council along the lines of the Roman Senate. His foremost concern was to keep his empire from splitting than the correct doctrine.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Re.3:7-8 "Open door"

    "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door,"

    Here Jesus spells out to the church at Philadelphia what he means by works. Jesus in his majesty refers to the word of my patience. One we can speak with authority. He is shown having the key of David. It is a hint to the church his message is as the king of kings so the temporal powers cannot prevail upon them. "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).Persecution of the church from the Jewish brethren (synagogue of Satan), as as from the Imperial Rome must be set in context of his words of comfort. Jesus addresses them of an open door set before them. It is open and in the context of his assertion,"I am the way" we can rest assured that the door shall never be closed since it is according to the Scriptures. His usage, "Behold" also helps us understand he is the Word become flesh and he is now speaking as the overcomer. What he has opened no power on earth shall close it. He is the Savior of the world.

    "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

    While speaking of patience we have another word of comfort, "In your patience possess ye your souls."( Luke 21:19) Of what worth is your soul and what does the earthly tabernacle signify for you are pendent upon patience which as made manifest in Jesus Christ. It is part of works while you are dead in Christ and abide in him. This is Christian Living. There is no cultural osmosis with the world required. It is a simple question whether one takes the open door. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture./The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life."
  • Oseas - In Reply - 1 month ago
    Greetings Chris

    As you and all can see, Satan contamined and corrupted the environment of the heavenly place established by my GOD here, in fact the environment of the first heavenly place, the first Covenant, the Old Testament, and the Jews of the synagogue of Satan, the killers of the prophets of GOD, yeah, by these disguised Jews GOD's Name was forbidden(by breaking the 3rd Commandment,thus the use of HaShem in substitute), yeah, HaShem, another name of Devil to substitute, to replace the true name of GOD,whose NAME they never wanted to hear speaking.

    HaShem and the gold calf are the same, idolatry and sorcery of the Jews of the synagogue of Satan

    Stephen in His preaching to the Jews said unto them: Acts 7:53-58

    53 Israel have received the law by the disposition of angels, and they have not kept it.

    54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

    55 But Stephen,being full of the Holy Spirit,looked up stedfastly into heaven,and saw the glory of GOD,and JESUS standing on the right hand of GOD,(not on the right hand of HaShen, Jehovah, Adonai, YHWH, Yahveh, or other DEMONS)

    56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of GOD.

    57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

    58 And cast Stephen out of the city, and stoned him:

    After their hardness and impenitent heart treasured up unto themselves wrath in this Day of wrath and revelation of the righteous Judgment of GOD;

    6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds

    But after their hardness and impenitent heart, they treasured up unto themselves wrath against this Day of wrath and revelation of the righteous Judgment of GOD; Unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the Truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

    Get ready
  • Richard H Priday - 1 month ago
    Comparing evolution with Christ and rebirth

    Intro. Many dive into the concept of evolution focusing on the history of men and animals; plants and all other things in creation but spend little time oon the future scriptural statements and its implications in having new bodies and eventually a new heaven and earth. Rebirth; of course begins at its "conception" when someone is born again ( John 3:16). This truth was emphasized with Christ's comments in Luke 5:23 and Matthew 9:5. Man's soul is part of God's creation but of course with human eyes we cannot perceive things clearly; and of course physical healings alone go against the 2nd law of thermodynamics which states things are in a perpetual state of decay which is of course as believers should understand an effect of the fall from the beginning.

    Doubless Antichrist as the "self made man" who also will proclaim some novel form of divinity will be on display as a so called "evolutionary leap" for men to follow (doubtless accompanied by the infamous mark of the beast which will give some sort of promise of immortality it would seem to emulate the apparently "miraculous" restoration from assassination which he has).

    Anyone with a pea sized brain of reason at that point could see that man's so called progress to a more "advanced species" has been; to say the least disastrous even ignoring all the past generations with the horror that will be occurring in the Tribulation.

    Only man could be deluded enough to worship a created being over God and in the end attempt to fight God influenced by his "spirit brothers" that thrust him forth (the emissaries mentioned coming from the frog like demonic utterances and of course led by Satan; the Antichrist and False Prophet to their doom).

    We need to remember that man made assumptions about so called "cave men" being of little intelligence goes against historical findings; and that the flood was a real event worldwide due to the utter depravity tied in with Genesis 6.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Esther, the Book of

    The book is an allegory of the church, which is personified in Esther, an orphan raised to exalted position and whose faith with works saves an entire nation from destruction. Mordecai is a type of Apostle who 'For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."(2 Co.11:2)

    Every believer who comes the Lord is an orphan in the sense he has rejected the hold of flesh and blood in order to do the will of God.(Matt.12:48-50). When Esther prepares herself to present herself unrequested into the presence of the king she risked certain death, But her faith with works made her acceptable to Christ. Prior to the great tribulation the left out church (The woman in the wilderness in Re.12) will stand in the breach and shall be sealed in place of the twelve tribes (Re.7:3-14)
  • Thedorse - 1 month ago
    Jesus told the Woman by the Well when she said We Worship in the Mountains and You Worship at Jerusalem. Basically He said, Throw that mess out the back door, throw Religion and Theology, Isms, Doctrines, man-made theories down the drain. And just Worship God in Spirit and Truth this is Whom He is seeking. Why does Man try to complicate things a child can understand. You can read this Bible to a Child and they will tell you what it says. But a Adult will have 10 different opinions. In Revelations 3 Vs. 7 - 10 . : Jesus said I open doors no Man can shut and shut doors no Man can open. He speaks of a Great Tribulation that will come upon not Europe, the Middle East, Israel but the whole World. And the Church at Philadelphia ( our time frame ) has been found faithful. And before all of the Events of the Plagues , Vials, Bowls, calamities even begin in the Book of Revelations. God tells the Church at Philadelphia He has set a Open Door for Them. A Escape Hatch, a Red Sea miracle. And what is that door ? It's called The Rapture. Its amazing to Me how little The Rapture is even being Preached about . I have a Message on Our Channel " Biscoe House of Mercy YouTube" titled " I Still Believe in The Rapture" . I would encourage People to watch it . Not because I'm on it . But because there's so much Scripture and Word Involved there. Line upon Line Precept Upon Precept Word upon Word.

    Reverend Michael Ray Dorsey
  • Oseas - 1 month ago
    There were many Jewish people in the Church of Rome,and the Apostle Paul in his universal epistle to the Church of Rome, he wrote: Romans 2:5-16:

    5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the Day of WRATH and revelation of the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT of GOD;

    6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

    7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, ETERNAL LIFE:

    8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, INDIGNATION and WRATH,

    9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew FIRST, and also of the Gentile;

    10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew FIRST, and also to the Gentile:

    11 For there is no respect of persons with GOD

    12 For as many as have sinned WITHOUT Law(the Gentiles)shall also perish without Law: and as many as have sinned in the Law(the Jews) shall be Judged by the Law;

    13 (For not the hearers of the Law are just before GOD, but the doers of the Law shall be justified.

    14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the Law, do by nature the things contained in the Law, these, having not the Law, are a Law unto themselves:

    15 Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts(Hallelujah!!), their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another-)

    16 In the Day when GOD shall Judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (The Day arrived-Woe of the inhabiters of the Earth)

    The Word is GOD, self-executing
  • Richard H Priday - In Reply - 1 month ago
    1 Timothy 5:21 seems to answer that question regarding the "elect angels". I don't believe any elect beings can ultimately fall; but in the case of the angels they saw heaven and were present when the worlds were created as the verses in Job indicate when all the sons of glory shouted for joy. This begs the question of course did God foresee all those who would fall and call the remaining the elect; or were they predestined to go that way? I would say both as God certainly is unlimited. Seeing everything as the angels did there could be no further remedy unlike mortal man who has never seen God or only what they learned starting in Eden. Seeing heaven as Lucifer did and more importantly the proper praise of God's holiness in the beginning also would have made it clear what worshiping a created being would imply. This is similar to the logic I apply to the Tribulation at least from the sixth seal on there is no more need to tell anyone that Christ is Lord as they will hide from the face of God and Christ at His right hand ( Revelation 6:16 imperfectly translated by me).

    Clearly of course God's predestined plan from before the foundation of the world for our salvation (I'll let you find the verse) shows that God knew what was going to occur. This doesn't give us a pleasant feeling; and we should be reminded the dirge said related to Lucifer's fall in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. Once the angels saw all these things there was no need for validation of who God was; and there was also no further remedy-they were forever to be out of the favor of God with the ultimate destiny of hell (which was created for the Devil and his angels).

    This should be a sobering reminder to man that there is a point beyond redemption once we have tasted heavenly things as Hebrews and literally hundreds of other scriptures point out in warnings of reprobate individuals and those who at first glance appear to be saved who fall away. There is a book of all living and of life.
  • Bennymkje - 2 months ago
    Re.2:17 "A new name" (2 of 2)

    To quote 'we are looking at the name from the standpoint of God. He named the heaven, the earth and so on. So holiness of God as testified by his Son reflects on the name he acquired above every other name.' In the Book of Genesis' after making Adam a living soul God brings his creation to Adam. "And whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof."(Ge.2:19) As mentioned earlier the Spirit presents from the standpoint of the Father and the last book is about the fulfillment of the will of his Father. He is in his majesty and he promises the churches as an overcomer.

    Jesus Christ was the Word become flesh and he overcame the world."In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."( John 16:33). So holiness of God, "Be ye holy for I am holy" is the characteristic of the holiness where his grace and truth rounds off each one. The name of the Father is written on His servants. The first fruits, " having his Father's name written in their foreheads.: have their new song. What Jesus Christ promised is the seal of righteousness like the amulet, "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death;"(The Song 8:6; Re.14:1-3)

    Genesis began with, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." and the same after Jesus Christ has fulfilled the divine Will is seen from the POV of the church. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth." It is not God but John is recording it.
  • Oseas - 2 months ago
    Think it well - Matthew 24:

    15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

    21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be(combined with Daniel 12:1-3 and Revelation 12:7-12).

    22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved( Romans 9:28): but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

    23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ ( John 5:43-47), or there; BELIEVE IT NOT.

    24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets( Isaiah 9:15-16 combined with Revelation 12:3-4), and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. - 25 Behold, I have told you before.

    There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


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