The Battle Of Gog And Magog May Be Close At Hand

The battle of Gog and Magog.  It's a prophecy thousands of years in the making. Could the fulfillment of this prophecy be close at hand?  Why do I ask?  There is news today (February 17, 2015) of a force of fighters advancing on the Golan Heights.  This fighting force is said to be comprised of approximately 2,000 Hezbollah fighters and an equal number of Afghan and Pakistani Shiites.  They are being accompanied by Syrian tanks.  That's 4,000+ fighters in total.

First we have to discuss Damascus
Syria is in more desperate trouble than it's ever been.  The government backed military continues to battle the "rebels."  The Iranian High Command is based in Syria (not as far a reach as it would be from Iran) and is doing whatever it can to advance it's goal of the complete destruction of Israel.  You may ask why that should matter.  It matters because there is another prophecy... one that hasn't received as much attention as the Gog and Magog prophecy.  It's a prophecy mentioned very briefly in Isaiah 17:1.  It says: "The burden against Damascus. "Behold, Damascus will cease from [being] a city, And it will be a ruinous heap." I've written about this prophecy in a previous blog post.  It's a prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled, but one that we can see is close at hand.  Iran has a strong presence in Syria. Iran is also working toward creating nuclear weapons and ways to deliver that nuclear payload to the heart of Israel and the United States.  

Let's get hypothetical here for a moment.  What could bring the total destruction of Damascus?  A nuclear weapon fired by Israel.  What would make Israel fire a nuclear weapon at Damascus?  Surely it wouldn't be the attack on it's own soil by its enemies using conventional weapons.  Israel has shown great restraint in keeping its nuclear arsenal under control and I believe they will continue to show such restraint. We know that when Iran develops it's first nuclear weapon, they're going to want to be sure that it gets to it's target, Israel (probably Tel Aviv).  I don't think a missile strike is going to do it.  Iran will have Israel's Iron Dome defense system to deal with.  The only way they're going to get a nuclear missile through Israel's defense system is to overwhelm it by firing volley after volley, hundreds upon hundreds, of conventional missile at the country, hoping to either sneak the nuclear armed missile through or to wait until the Iron Domes stock of defensive intercepting missiles has been depleted.  Another option would be to transport the nuclear weapon through Syria in a vehicle, driving right into Israel's back yard where they can detonate it at will.  

So, who will Israel target for this act of terrorism and war?  Who will Israel target for immediate retaliation?  It will most likely be the country through which most terrorist activities have been sanctioned and funded.  It will most likely be the country through which Israel's enemies were able to launch their attack.  It will most likely be the country with the oldest surviving city in the Middle East... Syria.  More specifically, a city that has survived war after war but has been prophesied to be utterly destroyed...Damascus, Syria's capital.  Syria has been the main hot bed of terrorism in the Middle East and I believe it's demise will come at the hands of the Israelis in retaliation for it's complicity in Iran's attack on Israel.  The prophecy in Isaiah 17:1 will be fulfilled.

Before we get to the war of Gog and Magog, we need to briefly touch on what I believe to be a highly unlikely scenario.  That other scenario would entertain the thought that Damascus would remain unscathed until the war of Gog and Magog.  That could then be the point where Israel fires a nuclear weapon at the capital of Syria.  I don't see this being the case, because if Israel is going to be able to fire off that missile, then they would most likely be able to fire many more, defending itself and winning the war. I believe something is going to happen that prevents Israel from using her nuclear arsenal so that God will intervene to protect them and to display His power for the world to see. That's why I believe that the destruction of Damascus is going to happen before, and be the catalyst for, the war of Ezekiel 38 and 39.

The war of Gog and Magog
On the heels of that fulfilled prophecy, the world will see another biblical prophecy fulfilled... the war of Gog and Magog as described in Isaiah 38 and 39. What could fire up the other Arab countries enough to bring them together once again to destroy a shared enemy?  The destruction of Damascus.  The other Arab nations will boil with anger and this defensive move by Israel will be the catalyst to form a coalition whose sole purpose will be to wipe Israel off the map.  Russia will be dragged into the mix, which may cause the United States to sit this one out.  It's also possible that terrorist attacks may occupy America at this point in time.  

Once Israel uses a nuclear weapon, any last shred of support from the world will drop away, leaving Israel alone to fight it's own battles.  But we know that Israel is not alone, now don't we?  Finally, when Israel has no one to depend on, God steps in.  

The world will witness what happens when God's people are faced with annihilation.  He will deliver them in that hour and everyone will know that the Judeo-Christian God truly exists.

To get to that point, we have to remain vigilant and continue to be patient as the time approaches for the fulfillment of these prophecies.  I don't know about you, but an advance on the boarder of Israel by 4,000 armed forces along with Syrian tanks is enough to get me to sit up and take notice.  It's just one more piece of the puzzle that brings these prophecies closer to fulfillment.  As we are well aware, it only takes a moment for a powder keg to ignite in the Middle East.

I had always wondered if we would be here to witness the destruction of Damascus and the war of Gog and Magog.  I still wonder, because Yeshua could come at any time to snatch His bride away.  I just have more hope now that the rapture will occur after these incidents.  I have that hope because I'm beginning to believe that He will need us here to be part of that great spiritual awakening, that revival, that will occur as the world witnesses biblical prophecy unfolding and witnesses God's intervention on Israel's behalf.  

Oh what a day that will be if the Lord will tarry and we'll be able to turn to our friends, our family, our neighbors, our co-workers and the stranger on the street and bring them the salvation message of Yeshua!  May it be God's will.


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And God Will Send Them A Strong Delusion

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VIDEO: AND GOD WILL SEND THEM A STRONG DELUSION

As the millennial reign of Christ approaches, so do the ominous hoof beats of the coming Tribulation. Biblical prophecy makes it clear that God's going to send a powerful delusion upon an unrepentant population. (2 Thess. 2:8-12)

Ever since sin entered the garden, mankind has chosen self over God. It's the result of our fallen nature. The desire to live our own lives apart from God is just as strong today as it was in the beginning, the evidence of which we can find in the myriad of false religions and belief systems in the world. We have Wicca, Scientology, Humanism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Universalism, Rastafarianism, Agnosticism, Atheism, Islam, etc... Mankind's attempt to bring meaning to their lives apart from the One True God continues to occupy the minds of the majority of the population as they spend their time fulfilling their own desires and seeking their own "truth"... a truth that fits their own individual moral code. Christians know there is only one "truth," and that is Jesus. 

What happens when an individual, group, city, nation or worldwide population becomes stiff necked, hard-hearted, and turn their backs on God, choosing instead to satisfy their own fleshly desires and worship their own false gods? The bible is full of examples of the consequences of these actions. Here are just a few you may be familiar with:

- The fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3)

- The great worldwide flood. (Genesis 6-7)

- The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and their inhabitants. (Genesis 19:1-25)

- The fall of Nineveh (Nahum 1-3)

- 40 Years of God's people wandering in the desert, denying an entire generation entrance into the promised land. (Numbers 14)

... and numerous incidences of God's chosen being taken into captivity.

After these judgments, mankind, as a whole, has still refused to repent. Lessons learned are soon forgotten as time passes and memories fade, taking what was once a mighty work of God and diminishing it to the point where it's seen as just an old fable. So here we are today, in what people would like to believe is a more enlightened age. As mankind continues to push God away, they are unwittingly setting themselves up for the consequences to follow, just as those who have lived before us have done. This time, the consequences will involve falling under a strong delusion that God's going to send during the Tribulation.

What exactly is the definition of a delusion?

Strong's: Delusion(4106) plané Error, delusion, deception

Oxford Dictionary: "an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument..."

Cambridge Dictionary: "something a person believes and wants to be true, when it is actually not true"

Mirriam Webster: "something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated"

Some of the consequences of this "delusion" will be:

- Being ensnared by a one world religion and one world government/economic system

- Receiving the mark of the Beast, which will mean declaring themselves an enemy of God, suffering God's wrath during the Tribulation, and sealing their ultimate fate.

- Being deceived into believing that Christians are the enemy and participating in the worldwide persecution and execution of born-again believers.

So, who exactly are these people who will fall under this strong deceptive influence? Read Romans 1:18-32, John 8:42-47, and 2 Thess. 2:8-12. As you can see, mankind hasn't changed throughout the course of human history. Mankind's increase in knowledge has allowed us to invent new and convenient ways to sin, but our sin nature has not changed. Sin also challenges born-again believers, who continue to live in these fleshly tents and experience daily battles.

Man's heart is wicked, God's word tells us so (Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:19). Being under the influence of this strong delusion will cause reason and sound logic to fly out the window. As a result, most, if not all, will never experience a repentant heart as they endure the judgments of God during the Tribulation. No. Instead of coming to God on their knees, they will do just the opposite. They will shake their fists at God, curse Him, and reject Him. (Rev. 16:8-11)

God will be sending this strong delusion at a time when born-again believers have already been raptured, rescued in the blink of an eye from the 7-year Tribulation to come. Those remaining on the earth will be in one of two groups:

- Those who repent and believe (yes, it is still possible to become a born-again believer during the Tribulation).

- Those who will continue to reject God.

Unfortunately, with the Holy Spirit no longer holding back the full force of evil in the world after the rapture, Christians during this time will suffer worldwide persecution. That would include the United States as well. Even now, Christians are being persecuted all over the world. Even in the United States, bible believing Christians are being classified as radicals and possible terrorists. We are in the first stages of worsening persecution.

During the Tribulation, those living under this strong delusion will honestly believe that they are performing a beneficial act for the good of mankind and world peace by persecuting, incarcerating, torturing and killing those that they deem "intolerant," "racist," "judgmental," "divisive," "dangerous," "phobic," and, believe it or not, "delusional." But that's not all. Sin's ferocity, no longer restrained, will be multiplied many times over. If the unsaved are willing to try and beat down the doors of the Supreme Court, riot and burn down and destroy neighborhoods, physically attack and "cancel" those who disagree with them, and label truth as lie while ignoring or distorting the evidence, as we've witnessed in recent history, if they snap at a moment's notice and verbally and/or physically attack someone who doesn't support their cause to murder babies in the wombs of their mothers, if they are willing to flaunt their hatred by holding up and effigy of a president's bloody, severed head, if they can go on television or stand on their soap box in public to incite groups of other individuals to harass law abiding citizens, if they can call for the death of those who don't agree with their sinful beliefs, if they can do all this and more in the name of what they deem is "right" in their eyes at this moment in history, then when the full force of sin is released, the harassing, beating, torturing and killing of Christians will become the answer to their "prayers." 

This strong delusion will help the Antichrist affirm his position as the head of the New World Order, a one world government. Those unsaved individuals who are under this strong delusion will see the Antichrist as mankind's savior, during a time of economic and social upheaval. When the Antichrist is killed and then "resurrected" a few days later during the middle of the Tribulation and at the start of the Great Tribulation, he will secure his place as their temporary "god." 

To recap:

- Biblical prophecy reveals that God is going to send a strong worldwide delusion during the Tribulation.

- This delusion will affect everyone who is not a true born-again believer.

- Those under this delusion will eagerly and willingly take the mark of the Beast and even worship him and his image.

- Christians will be persecuted and martyred by those who believe they are actually doing what is right in their eyes.

- Biblical history reveals a multitude of examples of God's righteous judgments against a wicked, rebellious and unrepentant individual, group, city, nation and world population.

- This delusion will help cement the position of the Antichrist as the head of the one world government and as mankind's "savior."

- This is just the precursor to their eventual defeat and eternal punishment.

Don't leave yourself open to this delusion. Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!  

All scripture, unless otherwise noted, is quoted from the New American Standard Bible

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Some Good News About The Tribulation

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Yeah, you read that right. I just finished an article for my blog and while searching the scriptures, I found a nugget… a big fat nugget. I thought you might want to know about it, so here we go!

I found this nugget while reading chapters 13 & 14 in the book of Revelation.  Here is the scripture for those of you who aren’t running to get your bible or clicking on your desktop icon to pull up your favorite bible software. I apologize in advance for copying chapter 13 in its entirety, but I wanted to put the underlined portion of scripture in context. You can just read the underlined portion if you prefer, because that’s the portion I’ll be referring to.

Chapter 13 (KJV)

¹And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. ²And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. ³And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. ⁴And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? ⁵And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. ⁶And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. ⁷And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. ⁸And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. ⁹If any man have an ear, let him hear. ¹⁰He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. ¹¹And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. ¹²And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. ¹³And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, ¹⁴And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. ¹⁵And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. ¹⁶And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: ¹⁷And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. ¹⁸Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

So we see here a picture of the Beast and the False Prophet in the last half of the Tribulation, which is known as the Great Tribulation. He orders an image of the Beast to be made. He then “gives life” to this image so that it speaks. This image demands to be worshiped, using death as a punishment for disobedience. Everyone is then commanded to receive the mark of the beast in their forehead or right hand. Anyone who refuses this mark will be prohibited from purchasing or selling anything.

You may be asking yourself where the good news is in all of this. Hold on, it’s coming. It’s found in Revelation 14.

Chapter 14 (KJV)

¹And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. ²And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: ³And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. ⁴These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. ⁵And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. ⁶And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, ⁷Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. ⁸And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. ⁹And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, ¹⁰The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: ¹¹And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. ¹²Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. ¹³And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them…

Did you see it? The good news? For those of you who missed it, here it is:

Our loved ones and friends who remain after the Rapture will be given absolute 100% proof that God exists, thus giving them another chance to repent! 

Chapter 13 describes what’s going to happen, but chapter 14 lets us know that God is going to send angels to shout with a loud voice warning the inhabitants of the earth to fear God and give Him glory! Read the underlined portion of chapter 14 again. These are the words that will be heard by everyone on the earth at this point and time in the Tribulation. They’re encouraged to give their lives to God and to reject the mark of the Beast and to refrain from worshiping the Beast. 

How do I know that what is written about in Chapter 14 will take place before, or just as, the mark of the Beast and the worship of his image is made mandatory as described in chapter 13? If that wasn't the case, then the warning would be moot.

Chapter 13 reveals to us what Satan’s plan will be, but chapter 14 shows us that God has a plan to warn everyone on the planet before these new laws can be instituted by the Beast.

So there it is. Take comfort in knowing that even when we’re gone, the Lord has prepared so much for those who remain here on the earth during that time of Tribulation. He has prepared the two Witnesses, the 144,000 Messianic Jews, and he will send angels to audibly warn the entire population of the planet against worshiping the Beast and taking his mark.

Thank you, Lord God, for tempering Your anger during the Tribulation and allowing those who are lost opportunity upon opportunity to repent during this time of Tribulation. May all glory and honor be to You Lord God, forever and ever!  Amen!

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Are Atheists And Agnostics Really Looking For Proof Of God's Existence?

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Are Atheists and Agnostics really looking for proof of the existence of God?  That’s a question that recently popped into my mind. I've had discussions with Atheists and Agnostics in the past and have found that no matter what answer I gave them, they seemed to twist the scripture shared with them or just balked at my response. It got to the point where I realized that I could not convince them of anything; that they needed to step out in faith or they would be lost forever. I left it at that and although I stopped “casting my pearls,” I was always available if they wanted to talk about the Lord.

I find myself pondering the question of whether they were really and truly looking for “proof,” or if their sole purpose was to deny Christ no matter what evidence they were given of His existence. I decided to refer back to the word of God and find examples of those who denied Jesus’ authority even though they were staring in the face of undeniable proof that He was indeed the Son of God.  Here is what I found.

The Good Shepherd and the hireling

“Truly, truly, I say to you, He who does not enter into the sheepfold by the door, but going up by another way, that one is a thief and a robber. ²But he who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³The doorkeeper opens to him, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him. For they know his voice. ⁵And they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. ⁶Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they did not understand what it was which He spoke to them. ⁷Then Jesus said to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹I am the door. If anyone enters in by Me, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ¹¹I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. ¹²But he who is a hireling and not the shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. And the wolf catches them and scatters the sheep. ¹³The hireling flees, because he is a hireling and does not care for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the Good Shepherd, and I know those that are Mine, and I am known by those who are Mine. ¹⁵Even as the Father knows Me, I also know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. ¹⁶And I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I must also lead those, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd. ¹⁷Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I might take it again. ¹⁸No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down from Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. I have received this commandment from My Father.” ¹⁹Then a division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. ²⁰And many of them said, ‘He has a demon and is insane. Why do you hear him?’ ²¹Others said, ‘These are not words of one who has been possessed by a demon. A demon is not able to open the eyes of blind ones.’ (John 10:1-21 MKJV)

Here we have Jesus openly declaring that he’s the Good Shepherd, acknowledging that He lays down His life for His sheep and takes up His life by His own authority and that God is His Father. To some, these were just the words of a demon possessed man; to others they were words of truth because they knew that Jesus had healed the blind. Jesus’ mention of the “hirelings” must have infuriated the Pharisees. Jesus said, “But he who is a hireling and not the shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. And the wolf catches them and scatters the sheep. ¹³The hireling flees, because he is a hireling and does not care for the sheep.” (John 10:12-13 MKJV)

Wow! Here is an example of what Jesus was talking about.

First, the miracle. 

“Then they took away the stone where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴²And I know that You hear Me always, but because of the people who stand by I said it, so that they may believe that You have sent Me.’ ⁴³And saying these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, Here! Outside!’ ⁴⁴And he who had died came out, bound hand and foot with sheets, and his face was bound with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Untie him and let him go!’ ⁴⁵Then many of the Jews who came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on Him. ⁴⁶But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. (John 11:41-46 NKJV)

As we see in this portion of scripture, while some who had witnessed this miracle repented and accepted Jesus as their Messiah, others refused to believe and went straight to the Pharisees to report what they had witnessed. 

Next, the hirelings and the wolf

Then the chief priests and Pharisees gathered a Sanhedrin, and said, ‘What can we do? For this man does many miracles. ⁴⁸If we let him alone this way, all will believe on him. And the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.’ ⁴⁹And one of them, Caiaphas, being the high priest of that year, said to them, ‘You do not know anything at all, ⁵⁰nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation perish.’ ⁵¹And he did not speak this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; ⁵²and not for that nation only, but also that He should gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. ⁵³Then from that day they took counsel together that they might kill Him. (John 11:47-53)

Even the Pharisees, knowing what Jesus had done, refused to accept Him as their Messiah and, instead, worried more about what could possibly happen in the physical instead of realizing the blessing of witnessing prophecy being fulfilled right before their eyes. By operating in the physical, they rejected the power of God in favor of appeasing the wolf (the Romans). These “hirelings” were so concerned about their own lives that they were willing to run away from the Good Shepherd and the flock He was gathering. Their solution was to throw the Good Shepherd to the wolf and allow the Good Shepherd’s flock to be scattered.

Let’s look at some other examples of people rejecting the truth even when they were staring proof in the face.

As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a dumb man, who had been demon-possessed. ³³And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb one spoke. And multitudes marveled, saying, Never was it seen like this in Israel! ³⁴But the Pharisees said, He throws out demons by the ruler of the demons. (Matthew 9:32-34 MKJV)

The Pharisees can’t deny that the healing took place because they themselves were witnesses of the miracle, but they chose to reject proof of Jesus’ authority on earth and instead said that he casts out demons with the power of Satan.  Proof rejected!

Cities denounced

Then He began to upbraid the cities in which most of His mighty works were done, because they did not repent. ^21’Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful acts which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes! ²²But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. ²³And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to the heaven, shall be brought down to hell. For if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.’ (Matthew 11:20-24 MKJV)

Jesus performed miracles in Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum and although they witnessed these miracles, they still refused to accept Jesus as their Messiah.  Proof rejected!

Healing a man’s withered hand

And when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. ¹⁰And behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbaths? This so that they might accuse Him. ¹¹And He said to them, What man among you will be, who will have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the sabbaths, will he not lay hold on it and lift it out? ¹²How much better is a man then than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. ¹³Then He said to the man, Stretch out your hand. And he stretched it out, and it was restored whole like the other. ¹⁴Then the Pharisees went out and held council against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.  (Matthew 12:9-14 MKJV)

Again, Jesus performs a miracle, but instead of throwing themselves at Jesus’ feet, the Pharisees rejected the Good Shepherd and plotted ways they would destroy Him and His ministry.  Proof rejected!

Just as He was rejected by those who witnessed these miracles first hand, so He has been rejected by the majority of people who have lived on this planet since that time. 

You may say, ‘This is a new generation. If Jesus were to create signs and wonders again, everyone will repent, right?’ Well, let’s look to the book of Revelation to see what God has to say about that.

God warns the remaining population of the planet

And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those dwelling on the earth, even to every nation and kindred and tongue and people, ⁷saying with a great voice, Fear God and give glory to Him! For the hour of His judgment has come. And worship Him who made the heaven and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. ⁸And another angel followed, saying, The great city, Babylon, has fallen, has fallen; because of the wine of the anger of her fornication; she has made all nations to drink. ⁹And a third angel followed them, saying with a great voice, If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark in his forehead or in his hand, ¹⁰he also will drink of the wine of the anger of God, having been mixed undiluted in the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented by fire and brimstone before the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. ¹¹And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. And they have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.  (Rev. 14:6-11 MKJV)

There is now no doubt that God is who He says He is. Everyone on the planet hears the words of the angels of God and know that God truly exists. They’re told to repent and are warned not to take the mark of the beast or to worship the image of the beast. They can no longer deny God’s existence, so how does the population respond? We have to turn back to scripture.

Was the proof accepted? From what we read in the following portions of scripture, it was indeed accepted, but what will those living on the earth do with that “revelation?”

And the fourth angel poured out his vial onto the sun. And it was given to him to burn men with fire. ⁹And men were burned with great heat. And they blasphemed the name of God, He having authority over these plagues. And they did not repent in order to give Him glory.  (Rev. 16:8-8 MKJV)

They recognize that God has authority over the plagues and they blaspheme His name. Proof accepted… God rejected!

And the fifth angel poured out his vial on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom became darkened. And they gnawed their tongues from the pain. ¹¹And they blasphemed the God of Heaven because of their pains and their sores. And they did not repent of their deeds. (Rev. 16:10-11 MKJV)

Again, they blaspheme God and refuse to repent. Proof accepted… God rejected!

So my question remains. Are Atheists and Agnostics really looking for proof of God’s existence, and if offered that proof, are they willing to accept it? By looking at human behavior through scripture, we can see that visible proof of God’s existence doesn't lead to belief if someone has set their mind and heart against God. As we see through God’s word, many times the proof is rejected. So when dealing with an Atheist or Agnostic, the first question to be asked of them is, “Do you really seek proof or have you already set your heart and mind against accepting anything that God wants to show you?” I don’t know if they can honestly answer that question, but it’s a start.

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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!!!

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Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Pt. 1 - The 24 Elders

READ THE BLOG OR WATCH THE VIDEO!!!

VIDEO: WHY I BELIEVE IN A PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE - PART 1: THE 24 ELDERS

In chapter 4 of Revelation, John is taken in spirit to heaven where, among other things, he sees 24 thrones circling the throne of God. On these thrones sit 24 elders. They are each in white robes and have crowns upon their heads.     

Let's quickly refresh our memory by reading this short portion of scripture:  

1After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things." 2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 3And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.

4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothes in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. 5Out from the throne come flashes of lightening and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;

The verses that follow continue to describe the throne room of God. We pick it back up from verse 9, where it states...

⁹And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11'Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created.'" (Revelation 4:1-5, 9-11 NASB)

This part of John’s vision is significant for the following reasons:

Although we cannot positively identify who these 24 elders are, what we can be sure of is that they have already been given their robes and have received their crowns; something that happens AFTER the rapture of the bride of Christ.

Another very important point often overlooked by many is that in all the descriptions of the throne of God in the OT, never is there any mention of these 24 thrones or 24 elders. Why? Because they did not exist at that point in time. The church has not been raptured, so the thrones and elders are absent from the throne room of God in the OT accounts of the throne of God.

These 24 elders cannot be heavenly beings, since there is no record of heavenly beings receiving any type of crown. 

Here are the words of Dr. H.A. Ironside that I found very helpful:

But now the fourth verse brings before us a sight never beheld in heaven on any previous occasion: twenty-four thrones (not merely “seats”) surrounding the central throne, and upon them twenty-four elders seated with victors’ crowns (not diadems) upon their heads, and clothed in priestly robes of purest white. Who are these favored ones gathered around the glorious central Being? I do not think we need be in any doubt as to their identity, if we compare Scripture with Scripture and distrust our own imagination, which can but lead us astray.

In I Chronicles, chapter 24, we read of something very similar; and again I would remind you that many of John’s first readers were Hebrews, thoroughly familiar with the Old Testament. Can we question for a moment that every Jewish believer would instantly remember the twenty-four elders appointed by King David to represent the entire Levitical priesthood? He divided the priests into twenty-four courses, each course to serve for two weeks at a time in the temple which Solomon was to build. The same arrangement was in force when our Lord’s forerunner was announced.  Zacharias was “of the course of Abiah,” the eighth in order (Luke 1:5).  The priests were many thousands in number; they could not all come together at one time, but when the twenty-four elders met in the temple precincts in Jerusalem, the whole priestly house was represented. And this is the explanation, I submit, of the symbol here. The elders in heaven represent the whole heavenly priesthood – that is, all the redeemed who have died in the past, or who shall be living at the Lord’s return. In vision they were seen – not as a multitudinous host of millions of saved worshipers, but just twenty-four elders, symbolizing the entire company. The church of the present age and Old Testament saints are alike included. All are priests. All worship. There were twelve patriarchs in Israel, and twelve apostles introducing the new dispensation. The two together would give the complete four and twenty.

Then, observe further: these persons are not angels. They are redeemed men who have overcome in the conflict with Satan and the world, for they wear victors’ wreaths upon their brows. Angels are never said to be “crowned,” nor have they known redemption.

There are two kinds of crowns mentioned in this book:

- The victor’s crown (Stephanos)

- The ruler’s crown (Diadem)

The former is the word here used. It refers to the wreath, of laurel or of pine, bound about the brow of the victor in the Greek games; it is the same word so often used in the New Testament when reward for service is the theme.

And now, note carefully: no saints will ever be crowned until the apostle Paul receives that crown of righteousness which the Lord revealed to him as his reward. In II Timothy 4:8, he says: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love (or, have loved) His appearing.”

The expression “at that day” refers to the day of Christ, when He shall come for His own, and they will all be manifested before His judgment-seat. He says: “Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

Surely it follows then that no rewards are given out till He returns for His saints. Therefore there can be no crowned elders in heaven till after the rapture… I trust it is clear to all that the elders are the heavenly saints, surrounding the Lord in glory, God the Son sitting on the central throne.

Again, to be sure that I'm being clear about this... if we take scripture at face value, the Rapture takes place before the Tribulation and the outpouring of God's wrath because scripture shows that the 24 Elders have already received their reward... a reward that's bestowed upon them before the Tribulation judgments are even mentioned. 

You can read the other parts of this series by clicking on one of the articles below:

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

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 3: The Slow Motion Replay

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 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!!!

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BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

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Acknowledgements:  Image - www.pawcreek.org/