Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Pt. 3 - The Slow Motion Replay

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VIDEO: WHY I BELIEVE IN A PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE - PART 3: THE SLOW MOTION REPLAY

First, scripture:
“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. 4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. 7When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. 8And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. 12And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven."  Revelation 11:3-13

Some see this an an example of a mid-trib Rapture, using the two witnesses as examples of what will be happening in the rest of the world at this moment in time, but if that is the case, then where are the references to every other believer being raptured at that time?  There aren't any.  

Here we have a major event. These two witnesses cause a worldwide drought, turn fresh water in to blood, and cause all kinds of plagues to inflict those who have not accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah. The Antichrist, now possessed by the Devil himself, is allowed by God to kill these two men and the Antichrist now becomes a 'god' to those who have been deceived and who will look to anyone else but Yeshua as their 'savior.' The world rejoices to the point of giving gifts to one another in celebration of the deaths of these two men who they blame for causing such suffering in the world. The world is so depraved at this point, that the corpses of these two men are left on the ground to rot.

Something happens three and a half days later that causes the unbelieving world to acknowledge God for who He is. The two witnesses return to life and God audibly calls them back to heaven, rising up to heaven just like Jesus did... on a cloud. If this truly is the rapture, why is there no mention of any other believer being raptured at this time? The reason there is no mention of the billions of Christians being raptured is because the two witnesses are the only ones who will be rising up to heaven during this mid-trib event. God wants the focus to be on the two witnesses at this moment in time. Why?

When the Rapture takes place, most people will refuse to believe that it has anything to do with God. Unbelievers will use their human intellect to devise a whole host of theories to explain away the disappearances. Some may blame aliens, some may say that our universe may have momentarily made contact with a parallel universe, some may say that the earth purged itself of excess humans to protect itself, some may say that those individuals who disappeared evolved to a higher form of consciousness... the list goes on and on. Most will do anything to reject the fact that Jesus came to retrieve His "bride" and whisk her to safety before the horror of what was about to happen on earth.

The Slow Motion Replay

So here we have a population that has devised theories about the disappearances and have rejected the notion of a "rapture." As the two witnesses do their thing, more and more people will begin to focus on them. It will take three and a half years before every individual in the world finally focuses their full attention on these two witnesses and call for their deaths. So what happens next? Well, if they don't want to believe that Yeshua raptured true born-again believers in the blink of an eye, then perhaps they'll believe what is about to happen in full view of the entire population of the planet.

The two men are raised back to life... right before their eyes! No quick disappearance for these two.  God is going to show the world that it was He that caused the disappearances 3.5 years beforehand and He's going to give the world a slow motion replay using these two men now standing before them. God then audibly... AUDIBLY... calls them back to heaven!  Everyone hears Him speak the words! Then these men don't just disappear like the millions that were raptured... no. They rise up to heaven in a cloud, just like Jesus did. Then, to put an exclamation point on the end of this event, God causes an earthquake that topples one tenth of Jerusalem and kills exactly 7,000 people. Do the people react as they did before, when the rapture happened? No. The scripture shared at the beginning of this article says that "the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven." Some will truly repent and believe, but most will go back to life as usual once the experience has worn off.

God, throughout the entire Tribulation period, continues to give unbelievers the opportunity to repent and be forgiven, believe and be saved. It's kicked off by the Rapture and is followed by the seven seal judgments and trumpet judgments. After that, the two witnesses are raised back to life, are called by God Himself, and rise to heaven in view of the entire population of the planet (via media of course). Then the seventh trumpet sounds, there is silence in heaven for about half an hour, and the Great Tribulation begins, with the release of the seven bowl judgments over the next 3.5 years. After all this, most will continue to reject God and even look up and shake their fist at Him in defiance, blaspheming the God of heaven.

This, in addition to the other reasons I've given in my two previous articles, is why I believe in a pre-trib Rapture.

If you would like to read the other three articles in this series, please click on the links below:

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 1: The 24 Elders

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 2: Noah, Lot And Rabbit Holes

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 4: The Apostasy, Or Falling Away

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 5: The First Resurrection

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 6: The Bridegroom

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 7: Timing Is Everything

If you would like to read a more detailed article written about the two witnesses, please click here.

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

TRIBULATIONHARVEST.NET

The Third Temple And Zion

Could the Third Temple be constructed in an area other than the Temple Mount?

Before I share my thoughts on this subject, let me first lay some groundwork. It's safe to say that most Jews have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Messiah (Mashiach), and because of that, they believe that there are two different outcomes in biblical prophecy concerning His arrival. In one scenario, scripture describes Him humbly entering Jerusalem on a donkey. In the second scenario, scripture describes Him arriving triumphantly in the sky on a cloud. In order to bring some sort of sense to what seems to them to be conflicting scripture, many Jews see these as two separate but linked prophecies. They believe that their Messiah will arrive in one of these two ways, but they don't know exactly which prophecy will be fulfilled. Many Jews believe that these two prophecies hinge on the status of the Third Temple (Third Bet-Hamikdash) at the time of the Messiah's arrival.

The Jews also have the same issue with the scriptures that describe the Third Temple as they do with the scriptures describing the arrival of the Messiah. To the Jews, there seems to be a conflict in scripture, and the way to reconcile that is for the Jews to believe that God will choose which prophecy will be fulfilled. Many Jews believe that if they build the Third Temple, then the Messiah will return triumphantly. If they do not build it before the Messiah's return, then the Messiah will return as a meek and gentle ruler on a donkey and, as Messiah, will order the Jewish nation to build the Third Temple. The Jews are so conditioned to understanding God's interaction with them through the physical Temple, that they don't recognize that these scriptures relate to a more personal relationship. An actual physical presence of the Messiah outside the confines of a man made temple. That is one of the reasons they rejected Jesus as their Messiah. They either didn't understand the scriptures or they were so entrenched in tradition that they ignored scripture in favor of their own traditions, which they made equal with scripture, and completely missed who Jesus was.

There was a recent article published entitled, "Holy Alter Constructed For The Third Jewish Temple." This article explains that the alter of burnt offerings has been completed and that everything is ready for the rebuilding of the Third Temple right here and right now. There are just two obstacles preventing this, one of which is the right to free and unencumbered access to the Temple Mount. This is where we take a turn and head down another path.

I've read a book entitled, "Temple" by Robert Cornuke. It deals with old and new discoveries about the placement of the First and Second temples. The author discusses his belief that the First and Second Temples weren't constructed on the Temple Mount, but in the lower part of Jerusalem known as the City of David. That idea made my mind swim with questions and possibilities that I had never entertained before. The author quotes scripture that describe where the First Temple (Solomon's Temple) was to be placed (Here's a hint: It wasn't built in the area commonly known as the Temple Mount). The Second Temple was then built upon the site where the First Temple had been. The Second Temple (Herod's Temple) was the one that was standing when Jesus was here on earth. The Romans, in 70 AD, destroyed the Second Temple, leaving no visible traces of it behind. What were Jesus' prophetic words when discussing the Second Temple? 

"And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things?  Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Matthew 24:2

I've underlined those words because they're very important... not one stone would be left upon another... they would all be thrown down. Certainly Jesus didn't mean there wouldn't be any stones left stacked one upon another, did He? Maybe just a few? Maybe 50? 20? 7? 2? If we take Jesus' word as truth, there would be none. NONE! If that is the case, how do you explain the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem? How can it be part of the Second Temple if Jesus himself stated that "There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down"? Either Jesus was a false Prophet, or the Western Wall isn't part of the Second Temple. That's when I began to understand that the Jews have been worshiping and preparing to build their Third Temple on the wrong plot of land!

How could they (and we) get it so wrong? Well, we need to remember that the Jews were absent from the land for hundreds of years (generations upon generations). The Romans had undertaken the destruction of the Second Temple and in doing so, utterly destroyed any visible trace of where it had been built. They had done such a thorough job of dismantling the Temple and using the raw materials for other building projects, that there was no trace above ground (hint) of where the Temples may have been located. Also add to that the ravages of time upon the land where wind, rain and overgrowth had stripped the land of any discernible signs of where the Temple had once stood, and we can understand why the Jews, upon their return to the land so many generations later, had difficulty pinpointing exactly where the Temples had once stood.  

After investigating the lay of the land, the Jews eventually arrived at a list of four possible areas where they believed the Temples may have been located. It was more of an educated guess and not based on scripture or physical evidence. Some time later, the words of one highly respected religious leader put the seal of approval on the Temple Mount. His word was so respected and his conviction so strong, that the Temple Mount officially became recognized as the place where the Temples had once stood, even though they had no proof to make that claim. It seemed the most "logical" choice at that time because they believed the large stone wall (the Western Wall or Wailing Wall) was so grand that it must have been part of the Second Temple. What they didn't (and still don't) realize was that the place they deemed holy was actually a place built by their oppressors. It is not part of the Second Temple. Not even close! When you find out what the "Wailing Wall" really is, your mind will be blown. I know mine was. Want to know what it is? Read the book...lol. If I told you what it was, then I'd have to spend a long time explaining what the book seems to do so well.

I'm also not going to venture into a deep explanation of all the other scripture references and archaeological discoveries that have been made to support the idea that the First and Second Temples were actually located in the city of David, a name which is synonymous with Jerusalem. That would take up too much time, making this article far too long, and it would rob Robert Cornuke of the opportunity of sharing his discoveries through the book he worked on so diligently.

I know that some of you may be asking, "But isn't Zion Jerusalem?" Jerusalem and the City of David are synonymous. David captured Jerusalem by capturing it's seat of power ("the castle of Zion" 1Chronicles 11:5), which came to be known as the city of David. The Jerusalem that we know of today didn't exist at that time.  The city of David (or Jerusalem) expanded in the 8th century BC under the rule of King Hezekiah, making it necessary to build a protective wall around the area which expanded to the hill west of the city. This is the area we now call the Old City. The "city of David" and "Jerusalem" were one in the same. Time passed and the population shifted. Unfortunately, by medieval times, the original area known as the city of David was left abandoned while "Jerusalem" remained. This may be how it erroneously became known as two distinct cities, but that is historically and biblically inaccurate. "Jerusalem" is the city of David. Where does the bible state that Zion is located? Look here...

"And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.  5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither.  Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David." 1Chronicles 11:4-5

"And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither; thinking, David cannot come hither.  7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David."  2 Samuel 5:6-7

"Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared unto David his father in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." 2Chronicles 3:1

These scriptures can be confusing if you don't realize that the words "city of David" and "Jerusalem" are interchangeable.  They mean the same thing. So, where is Zion? Zion is within the original boundaries of the city of David. Zion is where the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite was. It was never within the boundaries of modern Jerusalem, it has always been and always will be within the original boundaries of the city of David. 

Because the location of Zion was lost to history, modern historians eventually started a new tradition that was going to become just as entrenched in the Jewish psyche as the Temple Mount would become. They moved Zion from the city of David, to the southern portion of the "Western Hill," which is called Zion to this day. They did this for no apparent scriptural or historical reason.

The Temple Mount has been burned into the minds and hearts of the Jewish nation as being the place where the Temples were built in the past. It is a religious tradition that is deeply ingrained, so much so that even the rest of the world has been convinced that it must be true. If the author of "Temple" is correct, as many Christians, scholars and archaeologists believe that he is, then the Third Temple should be built in the city of David, just below the heights of Jerusalem.

It seems impossible that the Jews would ever accept an alternate place to build the Third Temple, but then again we believe in biblical prophecy which states that the Third Temple will be built at the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation. With the tensions on the Temple Mount, how can this be accomplished? I don't believe that the Muslims will agree to allow the Jews to build on the Temple Mount (besides, it wouldn't technically fit there anyway). What I think will happen is that the Third Temple will be built where it belongs, in the city of David.  

Much needs to happen before the Jews would even consider such a thing. The Jews would have to be willing to let go of their long held belief that the Temple Mount was the site of the two previous Temples. They would have to be willing to look at the evidence unearthed by archaeologists in the city of David who have excavated much of the evidence needed to prove that the previous Temples were located on that very site (Again, you'll need to read the book to find out exactly what they've discovered and they've discovered so much more since the book was written). They would need to cede the fact that Zion is not where recent historical tradition says it is and would then need to re-designate the city of David as Zion in total agreement with scripture. I believe that once the Jewish people have grasped the truth and have come to terms with the error of their long held traditions concerning such matters, it will be only a matter of time before they abandon the Temple Mount in favor of the city of David and commence major work on excavating the site and begining actual construction of the Third Temple.  
It could happen at any time. The Temple instruments, robes, high priest crown, menorah, trumpets, alters, etc... are ready to go once the Third Temple has been built. There are only two things standing in the way. 

The first is access to the Temple Mount. It's my humble opinion that God has placed this stumbling block before them because this is not where He wants the Third Temple built. I also believe that eventually the Jews will understand that the Third Temple needs to be constructed in the city of David.

The second thing standing in the way, is the the need for the ashes of a red heifer. The waters of purification need to be made from these ashes, and as far as I am aware, a red heifer has not been born that meets their strict requirements, although they're currently in the process of trying to breed a red heifer without spot or blemish. We have seen in the past how archaeologists have discovered items pertaining to the Second Temple. I'm referring to the anointing oil (made from trees that no longer exist and an oil thought to be lost forever) and the blue dye used for the priest's robes. You can read about those amazing discoveries here. Could the ashes of the red heifer be hiding in a cave waiting for the Lord to direct someone there to discover them just as they discovered the anointing oil and the blue die? As the previous link proves, it can happen.

HEADLINE UPDATE: Temple Institute Announces Birth Of Red Heifer

Zion, the city of David, the original place of the two previous Temples... who will bring this new revelation to the Jews in a way that will cause them to finally see the truth and change their minds? Could it be the one who is prophesied to enter the world stage at this critical time in earth history? Could it be the one who brokers a peace agreement with Israel and her neighbors? Could it be the one who born again believers know by the names "Antichrist" and "Beast?" It's possible. Satan knows where the previous temples were located. He could easily influence events and use the Antichrist to solve the most pressing problem in the Middle East today. Imagine being the "one" who brought peace to the Middle East by convincing the Jews to abandon their claim to the Temple Mount in favor of building the Third Temple in the city of David. The Muslims would have their Temple Mount and the Jews would have their Third Temple. Both would be indebted to such a man. 

One thing is sure, God will allow the Jews to fulfill their desire to build the Temple. It must be there as end-time prophecy unfolds. It is the same Temple that the Antichrist will defile 3.5 years into the brokered 7-year peace agreement (the first half of the Tribulation), which will usher in the next 3.5 years of what is known in biblical prophecy as the Great Tribulation.

That is a part of history that we will not be witnesses to when it happens. If you believe, as I do, in a pre-Tribulation Rapture, then we'll be gone before the building of the Temple even begins. That'll be a story best told by those who are left behind and who live through that part of biblical history.

I know you have questions and you have your own personal ingrained beliefs that seem to be in direct conflict to what I am sharing. All I can ask is that you read the book. Get it from the library, borrow it from a friend or purchase a copy for yourself. Then pray and ask the Lord to open your mind and your heart to the possibility that the Temple Mount is not the area where the first two Temples were built. God bless!

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

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The Demise of Damascus

The demise of Damascus is prophesied in Isaiah 17:1 "The burden against Damascus. 'Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.'" (KJV)

This prophecy has not yet been fulfilled (as of the date and time), and it makes one wonder how the Lord will bring about the destruction of Damascus. 

Damascus, the center of terrorist activity in the region; the nation that has provided terrorist organizations protection, financing and weapons. The blast of a nuclear weapon would destroy Damascus, the capital of Syria, and make it a "ruinous heap" as the prophecy has foretold.

The question I would then ask is this: Would the use of a nuclear weapon, and the destruction of Damascus, bring about a quick response from Arab countries and Russia, resulting in the war of Gog and Magog? This is also part of biblical prophecy and can be found in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Although the attacking forces will come against Israel from all sides, God intervenes and brings about the end of the war supernaturally. This attack will devastate the military forces of Israel's enemies.

Once this happens, the surrounding Arab countries will have no defense against Israel's military might, which could usher in the Tribulation through brokering a 7-year peace treaty. Yes, this could be the incident that finally brings some peace to the region. Could this be what prophecy states as a time of "peace and safety" for Israel? Will this allow Israel to finally feel it can rest and not have to be on constant guard against the enemies that surrounded her in the past?

One thing is certain. Syria would need to commit a crime against Israel that is far worse than the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 in order for Israel to even consider the nuclear option. The attack form Syria on Israel would have to be so heinous (biological weapons?) that she would feel that her future existence was in jeopardy, and therefore would feel compelled to choose the nuclear option. Israel will not go down without a full-on fight to the death. 

Whether or not this biblical prophecy is fulfilled during the church age (before the Rapture), I still eagerly await the Lord's return for His bride... us. What a glorious day that will be. Praise God, who was, and is, and is to come!

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

TRIBULATIONHARVEST.NET

Why I Believe President Obama Is NOT The Antichrist

There are Christians who are absolutely convinced that President Obama is the Antichrist.  I am not one of them.  Although I have never given this theory any serious consideration, I have decided to take another look at this issue.  I will try to approach the subject with an open mind and see whether my personal feelings on the issue were blinding me to the truth, or whether I was correct in my convictions.  I'm going to delve into this and learn along with you.  Here we go.

Where did Barack Obama come from?

The Antichrist will supposedly come from a country that was part of the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. Gabriel states that following the death of Alexander, the empire will be divided into four parts. From one of those four parts, the Antichrist will arise:

“And the shaggy goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.  ²²And as for that being broken, and four stood up in its place; four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in its power.  ²³And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have come to the full, a king, fierce of face, and skilled at intrigues, shall stand up. ²⁴And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power. And he shall destroy marvelously, and shall prosper and work, and destroy the mighty and the holy people.”  (Dan 8:21-24  MKJV)

“And they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with it?”  (Rev 13:4 MKJV) 

Most say that Obama was born in Hawaii, but some remain steadfast claiming that he was born in Kenya.  We know that Hawaii wasn’t part of the Greek Empire, but was Kenya?  No, it wasn’t.  Neither was it a part of the Roman Empire.

Antichrist’s birthplace: X

Is Obama a peaceful conqueror?

The Antichrist will show up on the scene as a peacemaker.  The first seal shows him appearing on the scene riding a white horse and with a bow in his hand.  He comes to conquer the world by peaceful means, hence no arrows.

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures like a sound of thunder, saying, Come and see. ²And I saw. And behold a white horse! And he sitting on it had a bow. And a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer.”  (Rev. 6:1-2 MKJV)

Although Obama campaigned on a platform of hope and change and even though he received the Nobel Peace Prize, he hasn't made it a priority to conquer through peaceful measures.  He’s done exactly the opposite.  We are involved militarily in more countries than ever before and the use of armed drones has multiplied under Obama’s watch.  This is a man with a quiver filled with arrows who conquered through military might and not through peaceful actions.

Obama the peacemaker:  X

The Mahdi has arrived… or is that the Messiah?

The Antichrist would have to deceive many into believing that he is a representation of all religions.  He would have to deceive many into believing that all the religions of the world were just a part of a larger fabric of who God is.  He would need to be charismatic and energetic, handsome and trustworthy, humble yet strong in character.  He must be someone who both Jewish and Muslim alike will accept as the fulfillment of their faith’s prophecies.

The Jewish nation is looking for a man sent by God to be king of Israel, ushering in peace forever.  The Muslim nations are looking for their Mahdi who will come and rule the world through Islam.  This charismatic man will not only deceive those who believe in the Messiah and the Mahdi, but he will also deceive those of other religions as well into believing that he is the manifestation of their god’s promise of peace on earth.

I have a theory.  If the Antichrist is going to lead both the Jewish and Muslim crowd, he would need to come from both cultures.  I believe that the Antichrist will be both Jewish and Muslim (Jewish from his mother’s side, which by tradition would make him a Jew; Muslim from his father’s side, which by tradition would make him a Muslim). 

And where would Christianity fit into all of this?  If the bride of Christ has been raptured by this point, many of those remaining “christians” would be deceived into believing that this was the return of Jesus (especially if the pope was the false prophet).  With everything Christians and Muslims know about Obama, do we honestly believe that the majority of the world would consider him the incarnation of the Messiah/Mahdi?  Not likely.

He’ll be seen as the Messiah/Mahdi:  X

Antichrist revealed!
That’s kind of a misleading headline.  Actually, we can’t be certain of who the Antichrist is until the signing of the peace agreement between Israel and her enemies.  Only then can we be positive.

Example:  Many Christians believed that one of two individuals would be elected as pope because they had the name “Peter” in their name (Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Bertone and Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson).  This is in regard to the Malachy prophecy about the 112th pope who would be known as  Petrus Romanus.  I even saw a YouTube video where an individual said he had a dream and that he was led by God to believe that  Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson would become the new pope.  He was so convinced of this that he made a video and put it out on YouTube.  Needless to say, he was utterly confused when the election didn't pan out the way he thought it would.  

So, what happened?  A cardinal that came out of nowhere (as far as the rest of the world was concerned) was elected to the position.  Although he came in second to Pope Benedict in the last conclave, there was no expectation that he would be considered this time around because of his age.  Here, Christians were looking for a clear indication that Petrus Romanus had been elected.  Clearly, they didn’t get what they had expected.

Looking at that example, the same can probably be said about the Antichrist.  We can point our fingers at individuals who exhibit anti-Christ like behavior, but until the peace treaty is signed, we can’t be sure WHO the Antichrist is.  After all, the Antichrist won’t arrive on the scene in such a way that people will call him “Antichrist.”  No.  He will arrive on the scene in such a way that people will call him their “savior.”  Whatever happens, I don’t believe that the Antichrist will be identified until he comes from behind the scenes of peace negotiations and is found to have brokered a peace between Israel and her enemies.

Answer this next question truthfully.  Is it possible that Obama is NOT the Antichrist and that his anti-Christ like behavior is being used by the enemy to divert our attention away from someone else rising to power in some European nation?  Here’s another question.  Do you honestly think that the Antichrist would appear in such a way that it would be easy to identify him?

Antichrist revealed:  X

The Bottom Line
We can play with his name (Baraq “o” bama = Lightning from high places), we can talk about attributes he has (attributes that will only be exhibited by the Antichrist during the “Great Tribulation” period and not at this point in history), we can talk about his false Christianity and his Muslim background, but we’re just being lead around by the nose when we focus on those things.  Those are the shiny baubles being presented by the enemy that are meant to divert our attention.  The truth lies much deeper.

We need to stop trying to fit Obama into biblical prophecy concerning the Antichrist and allow prophecy to point us in the right direction.  Prophecy is our compass and it points to the one who will deceive the nations. 

There are some Christians who believe that they have an “in” with God and they are among the few who know who the Antichrist really is.  To those who think that way, I must humbly rebuke you.  You are allowing yourselves to be deceived by the enemy and you are deceiving others with your videos and blogs.  I ask you to repent!  

Take the time to think things through instead of trying to find a way to pin biblical prophecy on to anything that remotely looks appealing.  I've seen biblical prophecy twisted to the point where it's being used to validate an idea that has nothing to do with the scripture being used.  Stop it!

I hope that this article has been a blessing to someone out there.  Please consider watching the video below.  God bless!

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

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And They Have Divided Up MY Land

I've been thinking more about the situation with Israel concerning the circumstances that could lead to the building of the third Temple in Jerusalem. 

We know that the Temple will be rebuilt in the end times:

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. (2 Thess. 2:3-4)

Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. ²Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months. (Rev. 11:1-2)

We also know that Jerusalem will be divided:

For behold, in those days and at that time, When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, ²I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.  Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land. (Joel 3:1-2)

So here is my question: 

With the leadership of the soon-to-be-revealed Antichrist, will Israel and the Arab nations come to an agreement that the Palestinians will be given possession of East Jerusalem in exchange for unrestricted access to half of the Temple Mount where the Jews will build the Third Temple?

Artwork:  Temple - http://www.forest-of-lebanon.com/2012/02/temples-in-jerusalem/

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The Two Witnesses - Moses? Elijah? Enoch?

Shortly after the Rapture and the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and her enemies, two Witnesses will appear in Jerusalem who will preach the word of God and proclaim Jesus as Messiah.  

The following scripture is a little lengthy, so I've broken it down into bite sized pieces.

Rev. 11:3-5  “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” ⁴These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. ⁵And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way.”

These two men will suddenly appear on the scene in Jerusalem. They will begin proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and prophesy for 1260 days. You would be right if you said that 1260 isn’t exactly 3½ years… or would you? The Jewish calendar is made up of 12 months, each having 30 days. Their calendar is not like ours. Their year has 360 days, not 365.  So, 42 months (3½ years) x 30 days per month = 1260 days. This scripture also shows us that the two witnesses will be invincible, for the duration of their appointed time on earth.

Rev. 11:6  “These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.”

As the scripture states, they will be able to prevent rain from falling for 3½ years and will be able to turn water into blood and cause all kinds of plagues on the earth as often as they want. Add this to the seven seal judgments. Think about it. One third of the earth’s fresh water sources are poisoned by a meteor strike, the two witnesses prevent rain from falling, and they will be able to turn fresh water into blood. Can you imagine the thirst this would cause worldwide? The lack of rain will devastate the world’s production of food and will play havoc with the world’s ecosystem. You can see why almost everyone on the earth will want these two men dead after a 3½ years of drought.

Rev. 11:7  “When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.”

We see that after 3½ years, the Antichrist (possessed by Satan) will be allowed by God to kill the two witnesses. There is a reason why God allows them to be killed:

Rev. 11:8-10  "And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. ⁹Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. ¹⁰And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.”

Imagine, the two men who have struck the earth with plagues, killed men with fire from their mouths, turned fresh water into blood and have caused a drought for 1260 days are finally dead! Rain once again begins to fall as the human race begins to rejoice and have hope that things are finally going to get better. Their ‘savior’ has finally defeated these two men! Not only are they celebrating their deaths, but they leave their corpses out in the street, in plain view of everyone. One thing about a party though... it always has to end.

Artwork
godsoutreachministryint.org/

Rev. 11:11-13 "But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. ¹²And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. ¹³And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”

After 3½ days of laying dead on the ground in full view of the television and web cast audience, God breaths life back into their bodies. Can you imagine the fear that strikes the heart of everyone who sees these two men stand on their feet!  But that’s just the beginning. God speaks in a voice that everyone can hear! He speaks to the two Witnesses and says, “Come up here.” Then, in full view of everyone present and everyone watching the live feed on their television, computer, iPad and cell phone, a cloud forms around and under the two Witnesses and lifts them up to heaven!

As if that wasn't enough, while everyone is panicking and trying process all that’s just happened, there is a terrible earthquake that destroys a tenth of Jerusalem and kills seven thousand people. Those who survive this event begin giving glory to God.

NOW BEGS THE QUESTION: "WHO ARE THESE TWO WITNESSES?"

Let me state that we are not told by God who the two witness are. Though their true identity will not be known until their arrival, the Two Witnesses have the same authority demonstrated by two Old Testament prophets: Moses and Elijah. Could these two be the olive trees and lampstands that are before the Lord of the earth? Let’s dig a little deeper.

Who were two people who appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Olives? Moses and Elijah. These were not “spirits” of dead men, they were alive and in a physical form and appeared standing with Jesus. In fact, Peter wanted to construct three tents (one for each of them), so that they could have shelter and a resting place.

Let’s go one step further. The witnesses have the power to turn water to blood and cause all kinds of plagues. If you've ever read Exodus or watched “The Ten Commandments” on television, you know that this description fits only one person: Moses.

The witnesses will be able to stop the rain for 3½ years. If you read 1 Kings chapters 17 and 18, you’ll see that this has happened before, and who was it that prayed that it wouldn't rain for three and one half years? The same person that appeared before Jesus along with Moses... Elijah.

Some say that Moses could not be one of the two witnesses, since it's appointed for a man to die once and then judgment. Although Elijah didn't die (he was taken up to heaven in bodily form in a chariot of fire), Moses did die. The only other person in the bible who is said not to have died was the prophet Enoch.  

Gen 5:21-24  “And Enoch lived sixty-five years and fathered Methuselah. ²²And Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he fathered Methuselah. And he fathered sons and daughters.  ²³And all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.  ²⁴And Enoch walked with God, and then he was not, for God took him.”

Heb 11:5  “By faith Enoch was translated so as not to see death, and he was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” 

Enoch was a prophet as well:

Jude 1:14-15  “And Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied to these, saying, 'Behold, the Lord came with myriads of His saints, ¹⁵to do judgment against all, and to rebuke all the ungodly of them concerning all their ungodly works which they ungodly did, and concerning all the hard things ungodly sinners spoke against Him.'”

So we have three potential candidates for the role of "Witness" during the first half of the Tribulation. At first I was totally convinced that it would be Elijah and Moses, since the power given to the two Witnesses reflects the power given to Elijah and Moses when they were alive here on earth, but then I realized that if the OT saints are going to be part of the Rapture, Moses will have received his new glorified body at the resurrection of the saints, so he will not have a body that can be destroyed by death. If OT saints are NOT part of this resurrection (and instead will be resurrected at the end of Christ's millennial reign), the fact that he's already died once would exclude him from being one of the two witnesses, because it's appointed for a man to die ONCE and then judgment. Then again, God can do whatever He wants, right?  LOL

If Moses is out of the equation, then that just leaves Elijah and Enoch, two men who have never tasted death. How perfect is THAT plan! The two who have never tasted death will experience death when they are struck down by Satan, who will be possessing the body of the Antichrist at that time. Then 3.5 days later, they will be resurrected and finally be given their immortal and incorruptible bodies as they are lifted back up to heaven.

What a great and memorable day that will be, especially for those born again believers who are alive and witnessing this miracle. What an encouragement it will be for those Christians who are enduring the Tribulation. And this encouragement comes just before the most horrific attack on the church since it was formed on the day of Pentecost. How many of our brothers and sisters will go to their death with the confidence of their salvation not only because of what they know through the Word of God, but because they have also witnessed the resurrection of the two Witnesses!

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Slavery and Christianity

The claim is often made that the Bible approves of slavery, implicating God as its supporter, since rules governing slavery can be found in the both the Old and New Testament. Since virtually everyone agrees that forced, involuntary servitude is morally wrong, how can Christians justify the Bible's apparent support of slavery?

First, we must recognize that the Bible does not say God supports slavery. In fact, the slavery described in the Old Testament was quite different from the kind of slavery we think of today - in which people are captured and sold as slaves.

According to Old Testament law, anyone caught selling another person into slavery was to be executed:

"He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death."  Exodus 21:16

What the Old Testament Says About Slavery

So, obviously, slavery during Old Testament times was not what we commonly recognize as slavery, such as that practiced in the 17th century Americas, when Africans were captured and forcibly brought to work on plantations. Unlike our modern government welfare programs, there was no safety-net for ancient Middle Easterners who could not provide a living for themselves. In ancient Israel, people who could not provide for themselves or their families sold them into slavery so they would not die of starvation or exposure. In this way, a person would receive food and housing in exchange for labor.

So, although there are rules about slavery in the Bible, those rules exist to protect the slave. Injuring or killing slaves was punishable - up to death of the offending party.

“If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished."  Exodus 21:20

"If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye. And if he knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let him go free on account of his tooth." Exodus 21:26-27

Hebrews were commanded…

Not to make their slave work on the Sabbath

"Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.”  Exodus 23:12

Not to slander a slave

“Do not slander a slave to his master, Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.”  Proverbs 30:10

Not to have sex with another man's slave

“Now if a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave acquired for another man, but who has in no way been redeemed nor given her freedom, there shall be punishment; they shall not, however, be put to death, because she was not free.” Leviticus 19:20

Not to return an escaped slave

"You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you."  Deuteronomy 23:15

Not to enslave his fellow countryman, even if he owed him money, but was to have him work as a hired worker, and he was to be released in 7 years or in the year of jubilee (which occurred every 50 years), whichever came first.

"If a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to you that he sells himself to you, you shall not subject him to a slave's service. 'He shall be with you as a hired man, as if he were a sojourner; he shall serve with you until the year of jubilee. 'He shall then go out from you, he and his sons with him, and shall go back to his family, that he may return to the property of his forefathers. 'For they are My servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt; they are not to be sold in a slave sale. 'You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God."  Leviticus 25:39-43

"If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment."  Exodus 21:2

In fact, the slave owner was encouraged to "pamper his slave"

"He who pampers his slave from childhood will in the end find him to be a son."  Proverbs 29:21

What The New Testament Says About Slavery

Since many of the early Christians were slaves to Romans, they were encouraged to become free if possible, but not worry about it if not possible.

“Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”  1 Corinthians 7:21-23

The Roman empire practiced involuntary slavery, so rules were established for Christians who were subject to this slavery or held slaves prior to becoming Christians. The rules established for slaves were similar to those established for other Christians with regard to being subject to governing authorities.

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:1-8

Slaves were told to be obedient to their master and serve them sincerely, as if serving the Lord Himself.

“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.”  Ephesians 6:5-8

“Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”  Colossians 3:22-25

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,”  1 Peter 2:18-21

Paul instructed slaves to serve with honor, so that Christianity would not be looked down upon.

“All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.”  1 Timothy 6:1-2

As with slaves, instructions were given to their masters as to how they were to treat their slaves. For example, they were:

Not to be threatened

“And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”  Ephesians 6:9

Treated with justice and fairness

“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”  Colossians 4:1

There is an interesting letter in the New Testament that gives some insight into the problems encountered in the early Christian church regarding the issue of slavery.  Paul, the author of the letter, is writing from a Roman prison awaiting trial. 

“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,”   Philemon 1:1

He is writing to Philemon, who runs a local Christian church out of his house (since Christianity was highly persecuted at this point in time).

“and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:”  Philemon 1:2

Philemon, we find out, is the master of the slave Onesimus, who has escaped but has been converted to Christianity by Paul.

“I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.”   Philemon 1:10-11

In the letter, Paul indicates that he is sending Onesimus back to Philemon 

“I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;”  Philemon 1:12-13

However, Paul says that he has confidence that Philemon will "do what is proper"… 

“Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus…”  Philemon 1:8-9

…although Paul wants him to do it by his "own free will"

“but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.  Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.”  Philemon 1:14-21

Even so, Paul indicates that Onesimus would be a great aid in helping him spread the gospel. 

“I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;”  Philemon 1:12-13

Paul ends the letter by saying that he has "confidence in your obedience" and indicates that he knows Philemon "will do even more than what I say." 

“Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.”  Philemon 1:21-22

Although Paul did not directly order Philemon to release Onesimus from slavery, it would have been difficult to come away with any other conclusion from his letter.

Contrary to the claims of many skeptics, the New Testament proclaims that all people are equal in the eyes of God - even slaves:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:28

“knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.  And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”  Ephesians 6:8-9

“a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”  Colossians 3:11

Conclusion

The idea that God or Christianity encourages or approves of slavery is shown to be false. In fact, anybody who was caught selling another person into slavery was to be executed. However, since voluntary slavery was widely practiced during biblical times, the Bible proscribes laws to protect the lives and health of slaves. Paul, the author of many of the New Testament writings, virtually ordered the Christian Philemon to release his Christian slave from his service to "do what is proper.”  In addition, numerous verses from the New Testament show that God values slaves as much as any free person and is not partial to anyone's standing before other people.

Source:  godandscience.org/

Artwork:  Artist Unknown 

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