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.

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BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

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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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What Is The Mark Of The Beast?

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VIDEO: WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST???

Most Christians and many non-Christians have heard about the "Mark of the Beast," but what exactly is it and why is taking this mark detrimental to our spiritual welfare? Let's begin by answering the first half of this question.

What Is The Mark Of The Beast?

Many believe that this mark isn't a mark at all. Many believe that it is a technology based system that will be tied in to a database that will have access to an individual's financial information, medical information, employment information, firearm registrations, social media accounts, etc... and that a simple scan of an individual's eye, hand or implantable device will give the host access to the individual's personal information. Many individuals have their finger scanned in order to clock in and out of work every day. It's a cool piece of technology that actually scans the blood vessels beneath the skin, but some would prefer not to use this device since it is set up to scan a finger on an individual's right hand.

Then there are the implantable chips.  We've all seen the picture. This, too, is seen as something to be avoided, since it is recommended that it be implanted in the skin between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand (standard placement for uniformity purposes and for ease of use if you're going to use it to control personal devices like the lock to your front door).  

What does scripture say about the mark of the Beast? “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”  (Rev. 13:16-18)

It appears, in my opinion, that since the mark can be either the "name of the Beast or the number of his name," it most likely is referring to an actual mark that is placed on the forehead or right hand of an individual who has decided to receive it of his/her own free will. Whether it's visible or not is the question, but from my understanding of scripture, it doesn't seem like it has anything to do with an implantable microchip or the scanning of the blood vessels beneath the skin of your right hand. Of course, those technologies weren't around at that time, but if you read on, you'll see my reasoning as to why implanted chips aren't the way to go in this coming worldwide system.

Sometimes we as Christians read too much into what God is trying to convey to us through scripture. Admit it, sometimes we make it more complicated than what it should be. Could we be complicating this issue by making the mark into something it's not? Let me give you an example as to how simple this "mark of the Beast" system could actually be.

Just picture this scenario. The mark of the Beast has now become mandatory. No one can buy or sell without it. You were warned by Christians before the Rapture not to take the mark if it was ever offered to you because it would mean an automatic ticket to hell if you took it. As a new born again believer, you have quietly refused to receive the mark. The mark had been optional for a little while, so you've decided to just go about your day hoping no one would notice that you hadn't received yours. 

Since the Rapture and the judgments handed out by God during the first half of the Tribulation, many things have been difficult to come by. You go to the government-run store to try to stock up on some much needed items. You approach the checkout and place the items on the belt. You feel relieved that in a few minutes you'll be on your way home. Unbeknownst to you, the mark has now become mandatory. You must show your mark before receiving any services. The clerk greets you and quickly glances at your forehead to see if you have the mandatory mark. Not seeing one, the clerk then says, "Excuse me, may I just see the back of your right hand so that I can begin scanning your items?" You hesitantly present your hand to the clerk, at which point the clerk can clearly see that you do not have the mark. "I'm sorry, the mark is now mandatory and it's against the law and store policy for me to scan your order if you don't have the mark. I can hold these items for you if you would like to go to the in-store processing center and receive your mark." Of course, at this point, if you refuse, you will probably be turned over to the government goons who are approaching the register while this whole situation was transpiring.

Simple, right? This system requires no hand scan, no implanted microchip, no retina scan...  just one human visually inspecting your right hand and forehead for the visible mark. Understand, for the worldwide system to work as flawlessly as possible, the system has to be as simple as possible. This human visual inspection works whether the individual is making their purchase utilizing cash, credit, checks, bitcoins, precious metals, SDR's, or whatever the physical or electronic currency the world will be using during the Tribulation. Human visual inspection works here in the states and in every other country in the world. It bridges all nationalities and all languages. One world government security forces will also be able to check you for your loyalty mark on the streets at a moment's notice just by looking at your face or asking to see your hand.

This marking system could also work with an invisible ink tattoo that is only visible under ultraviolet light. People get invisible tattoos all the time. The only piece of equipment that would be needed at the point of sale or for security forces on the street, would be an ultraviolet light. They're plentiful, inexpensive and portable. Just install them at each register and you're good to go. One world security forces could also use portable ultraviolet units light to illuminate your mark as well. It's an inexpensive system that can be set up worldwide, just as the visible tattoo mark, albeit, the visible mark doesn't require any additional equipment to see it, like the invisible ink tattoo would.

So when it comes to new technology, born again believers need to remain level headed and not allow these things to freak us out. It just makes us look bad. Remember, the "mark of the Beast" is the personal mark of the Antichrist and will be used by him to weed out the enemies of this new world system. I don't believe it has anything to do with the implanting of a microchip. It is a mark that has yet to be revealed and won't be revealed until the Antichrist is in control.

We need to use wisdom. We must be careful not to perpetuate the idea that technology involving the right hand is innately evil. That would be false. We do, however, need to be aware that although this new technology isn't the actual "mark of the Beast," it does add to the desensitizing of the public concerning the insertion into the body of the latest technology. It also encourages them to accept inclusion in the herd mentality.

What's So Bad About Receiving The Mark Of The Beast?

In order to save some time, let me direct you to another article I wrote about just that very thing. You can read that article by clicking HERE. Let me just briefly explain that those who do receive the "mark of the Beast" will suffer the wrath of God during the Tribulation while born again believers, although they do suffer, they will not experience many of the judgments that God will mete out during this time. Receiving the mark also automatically puts you on the losing side. At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will return as King of Kings and Lord of lords... as the Lion of Judah, and all those who have opposed Him and have received the mark of loyalty to the Beast will be defeated.

Please take the time to leave a comment and to share this article with others who may be interested in it's content. 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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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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God's Second And Third Trumpet Judgments: Missiles? Meteors? Or...?

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VIDEO: GOD'S SECOND AND THIRD TRUMPET JUDGMENTS: MISSILES? METEORS? OR...?

I am aware that there has been debate among born again believers as to what the objects are that descend upon the earth at the time of the second and third trumpet judgments.  

The Second Trumpet Judgment

Rev. 8:8-9  ″The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, ⁹and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.”

The Third Trumpet Judgment

Rev. 8:10-11  ″The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. ¹¹The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.”

What is this object?

Some say that this is a description of a nuclear weapon while others say that this is most likely a description of a Near Earth Objects (NEO's), like meteors. In order to satisfy my curiosity, I decided to compare the two and find out for myself which object was most likely the one described by John in Revelation. Let's look at a very brief description of both of these types of objects.

The stages of a nuclear missile launch

• When a nuclear missile is launched, its fuel is ignited and it ascends upward. 
• The fuel is depleted in all stages before perigee, which means that the missile is still ascending at the time the fiery engines fall silent.  
• The payload is then propelled by a much smaller fuel source to guide it to it's destination and align it above it's target.  
• The warhead is then released and is almost in free-fall as it descends.
• Upon reentry, the heat shield encapsulating the warhead glows brightly.
• Once reentry is made, the weapon is either triggered in the upper atmosphere (creating an IMP) or is detonated just above the ground.

The stages of an impact by a Near Earth Object (NEO) 

As an NEO enters Earth's atmosphere, the friction begins to burn off the outer layers of the object.  You can see this with the naked eye as this process lights up the sky. The object leaves a trail of fire and smoke as it plunges toward it's final destination.  It will either burn up and/or explode in the atmosphere, or it will continue burning until it makes impact.  This size of such objects varies, but these NEO's can be massive! The color of the object can give us clues as to what the NEO is mainly comprised of, but there is no telling what this object is specifically made of unless it leaves traces that can be tested.

Now, let's look at those two scriptures again:

The first one describes the object as: "...something like a great mountain burning with fire..."

The second one describes the object as: "...a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch..."

If you compare the two objects, the nuclear warhead and the NEO, then it seems that the latter would best describe what the writer is seeing. 

Why I believe it's NOT a nuclear warhead, but is, instead, an NEO

• The nuclear warhead is nowhere near the size of a mountain, but NEO's come in all shapes and sizes. There certainly are asteroids/comets that are as huge as a mountain.
• When something is "burning with fire" or "burning like a torch," it's producing not only flame, but smoke. Although the heat shield of a warhead would glow as the warhead enters the atmosphere, it would not be producing smoke. What would? An NEO entering our atmosphere.
• John also knows the difference between something that is smoking and burning (like a torch), as opposed to something that is glowing hot (like a heat shield). This example can be found in Revelation when he is describing Jesus' appearance ("His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace..." Revelation 1:15a). So the objects that John saw falling from the sky weren't glowing hot, they were on fire.

Why I believe it's a NEO

• The objects were burning with fire, with one of the objects being described as burning like a torch.  This would signify flame and smoke, both of which are the result of a NEO entering earth's atmosphere.

Now, other scripture in Revelation speak about judgments being released "in the air."  This could be determined to be a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere or, as history has shown us time and time again, it could be a NEO explosion in the atmosphere, releasing something toxic to humans.

So, that's my take on the subject.  I have avoided going to any other web site to review what their thoughts are because I didn't want my own thoughts on the matter to be influenced by other people's opinions.  I'm sure there are many others who have put more time and effort in seeking the answers to the same question than I have.

Please comment below.  I'd be very interested in hearing what your opinion is.

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Left Behind: I'm In The Minority Report

!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!  I have briefly described scenes in the movie in order to offer up my opinion.

As many of you may have already noticed, the film, "Left Behind: The End Begins," stirred up a lot of controversy among Christians. First there was the controversy between those who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, those who believe in a mid-tribulation rapture and those who believe in a post-tribulation rapture.  Then there was the controversy between those Christians who liked the film and those who expected more. I will not attempt to address the former controversy in this post (I'm saving that for another time), but will instead attempt to address the latter.

As we all know, opinions are mainly subjective. In this case, either you liked the film, "Left Behind: The End Begins," or you did not.  I've read film-goers' positive and negative responses as well as online reviews from established Christian web sites and I can't seem to agree with the negativity that has been circulating throughout parts of the Christian community regarding this film.

Let's address some of the negative comments you may have heard about this film.

#1 This new film is not like the books or the original movie.

Since this is a "reboot" of the Left Behind series, complaints about straying from the original storyline found in the books and the original movie just don't seem to make sense to me. It's a reboot, not a remake. If anyone is going to see this film expecting to see an updated version of the original movie from opening title to closing credits or that it tells the story of the first book from cover to cover, then let me tell you that you will be disappointed.  

Star Trek had a "reboot." Among the changes made was the addition of Spock's romantic relationship with Uhura, Capt. Pike's altered future (he's alive and well), and the destruction of Spock's home world of Vulcan. This wasn't part of the original series or the original theatrical releases that resulted from the popularity of the series, but it didn't deter many people from going to see this film. The same should be true about the new Left Behind film. The changes in the storyline should not deter people from seeing this film. Here are a few of the changes that have been made:

• Hattie isn't the ditsy blond from the books
• Rayford's indiscretions are noticed by his daughter earlier on in the time line. 
• Raymie is raptured in Chloe's presence.
• Buck has use of his personal satellite phone on the plane.
• Characters on the plane actually have a story line and aren't just there to take up space.
• The film focuses only on the day of the rapture, beginning with Chloe's arrival at the airport as she returns home for her dad's birthday, and concluding with the dramatic landing of Rayford's aircraft.

I could go on, but I believe the point has been made. This is a REBOOT, not a remake of the original story line.  There is no mention of a Tribulation Force at the end of the movie, only the ominous statement by Chloe that this was just the beginning of what is to come.

#2 Christians are portrayed as lunatics.

A woman in the movie approaches Buck in the airport terminal and immediately begins to bible bash him. We all know the type. These people lack wisdom and humility and tend to be very judgmental. What I'm trying to say is that these people are real and their behavior, although well meaning I'm sure, is overbearing and just pushes people further away from Jesus. It may be difficult to watch a Christian movie that has a character that makes us cringe, but it's a part of our Christian culture and we can't run away from it. We can't shove it in a closet and pretend it doesn't exist. We have to own it. It's real. The film makers understand this and put it right out there for everyone to see right from the start. This scene not only instructs Christians how NOT to witness to unbelievers, but also helps us to understand how many non-believers view Christians. The film makers show empathy toward unbelievers who have had to deal with people like this in the past (which may have helped push them further from making a decision for Christ). This is a teaching moment, people!  

In another scene, as Chloe describes this incident at the airport to her mother, she lets slip that she believes the woman at the airport is just as crazy as her mother. Her mother is wounded, which makes Chloe regret her choice of words. Her mother tries to share God's word with her, to prepare her for what's coming, but before she can, Chloe makes an abrupt departure. Another missed opportunity to share God's word on wide screen? Some may see it that way. I just don't happen to agree with them. I'll explain why in the next section.

#3 The name of Jesus is never spoken and scripture is sorely lacking. It's a watered down version of the book meant to appeal to the widest Christian audience possible.

How many people know what Christians are going to say before they say it? How many unsaved know that we're going to tell them that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one goes to the Father except through Him... or that Jesus shed His blood for them to cover a multitude of sins... or that they need to be born again to enter the kingdom of God? How many of them have heard those words from church, on television, in secular movies, in soup kitchens, and yes, even at church? Yes, the words are out there, but the unsaved aren't falling to their knees in droves. They remain on the broad and easy path that leads to their destruction. The film makers decided to take a different direction. Gone is the in-your-face preaching that would drive many of the unsaved away from this movie, and in it's place is a real life example of what life is for many people.  

What do I mean by that? Here is Irene. She's the mother of Chloe and Raymie and is wife to her pilot husband Rayford. A year prior to the events of the movie, she became a born again believer in Christ. During the past year she's quoted all the scripture and shared her faith with her reluctant family, yet they still do not believe. Her daughter even goes so far as to say that her mother "drank the Kool-Aid." So what does Irene do? She doesn't press. She lives her life as a faithful Christian woman and surrounds herself and her family with symbols of her faith. She tries not to push them away from the truth, but attempts to gently draw them to Jesus by setting an example for them. Yes, she still tries to share her faith with them because she loves them and longs for their salvation as well, but she also knows that she can't go too far because that will just drive them further away from the truth. You can see that when Chloe comes home and Irene places her gardening gloves on top of her bible. She doesn't want to push.

We see Irene's faith by the jewelry she wears, the bible on the table (mentioned above), mention of her church attendance, the little reading nook she has set up with a pillow that says Pray and subtle artwork of Jesus on the cross.  Many people would look at this as a way to plug Christianity into a movie that has no Christian underpinning, but I disagree. I see the little nook she has set up, the one Chloe glimpses at as she searches the house for her raptured mother, as a subtle message. What is that message? Get alone with God, no matter where it is. Get to some small, quiet, private place where you can be alone with Him. Pray and confess your sins. Repent and give your life to Jesus. That's what I took away from that ever-so-short glimpse of Irene's little nook.

So, scripture doesn't play a major role in the movie, but Irene's faith does. That reflects real life. I don't beat my friends and family over the head with scripture. They know what I'm about and they've heard me say it all. How I live my life is my testimony to those who refuse to repent and believe. That's what this movie is to me... real life. It doesn't beat you over the head with something you already know. As a side note, scripture is presented on screen at the end of the movie before the credits roll. The closing credits roll with the beautiful voice of Jordan Sparks as she gives us her rendition of the song, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready."  

Some people want to draw a line in the sand with a detailed list of examples of what a Christian movie should contain. If it doesn't meet their demands, it's deemed a poor example of Christian film making and they automatically give it a thumbs down. I have to honestly disagree with that. There are Christian films that are made solely for Christian audiences and then there are those rare Christian films whose main purpose is to reach out to the unsaved. I believe that "Left Behind: The End Begins" is an example of the latter.  

The conversation, the questions and the scripture all come after watching this film, when you and those who have seen the film begin to share your thoughts. This film is a door that starts the conversation moving in God's direction. It's like handing a tract to someone. First they look at the cover and then they read what's inside. Look at the film as the tract cover that invites the one receiving it to want to read more. What's inside that tract is what we share when the movie's over. It's not the film's responsibility to witness to the lost, it's ours.  

Invite someone to watch the movie with you. They won't feel as if they're being force fed scripture, which may allow them to open up and begin asking those questions that they've been dwelling on for awhile.

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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Is The "Sinner's Prayer" Biblical???

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VIDEO: IS THE "SINNER'S PRAYER" BIBLICAL???

I was perusing one of my social network news feeds today when I came across a post from someone I've been following for a while. One click brought me to his web site. The main portion of this page consisted of his version of the "sinner's prayer." At the end of this prayer were words similar to the ones I've used in the past myself. To paraphrase: "If you prayed this prayer with a sincere heart, then congratulations!!! You are now part of the family of God!!!

In the past, I had included my own version of the sinner's prayer and a congratulatory word of encouragement on my personal blog sites and in a self-published booklet I created. At the time, I believed it was a necessary part of witnessing. One day, when reading my own version of the sinner's prayer, doubt hit me and the questions came...

What is the "sinner's prayer?" If someone's repeating what I say they need to pray, is it coming from their heart or is this individual looking at this prayer as some sort of "incantation" that will assure him/her of their salvation? Why do Christians feel that this prayer needs to be recited when you become a born-again believer? Is it scriptural, or is it a Christian tradition that has crept into the church? 

These are the kinds of questions that ran through my mind in the past and were once again triggered when I read my Christian brother's web site post. What I had once taken for granted was true had become something that I began to distance myself from.  

I haven't made a big deal out of this when fellowshipping with my Christian brothers and sisters. I sometimes keep these things to myself because I feel as if I'm perceived as someone who is trying to rock the boat or someone who has "the spirit of division" (yes, someone actually said that to me concerning another issue). Since it has once again been thrust upon me, I guess I need to share what I see as an unnecessary addition to witnessing for Christ.

What is the "sinner's prayer?"

I've been instructed since I was a young Christian that one of the most important acts you can perform is to recite the sinner's prayer or to lead someone in the sinner's prayer. It's not a prayer of specific words like those recited in other religions, including Catholicism, but is rather an expression of your acknowledgement of your sinful state, and an acknowledgement of who Jesus is and what He has done for you. It's also a confirmation of our repentance and our decision to lay our lives down, take up our cross and serve Him for the rest of our days, being lead by the Holy Spirit. 

That's what it's supposed to be, anyway. But what is the sinner's prayer, really? Since the words aren't written in stone, they can vary from person to person. Oh, the basic concepts are there and the key words and phrases are used, but the "formula" for this prayer is pretty loose. To the person repeating this prayer, it would seem that his/her salvation is resting on reciting just the right words that will complete this transformation from sinner to saint. You and I both know, it doesn't work that way.

What the sinner's prayer really is, is a rehashing of what the repentant believer already knows. It's useless because what it's meant to do has already taken place. The heart has already changed. The individual has already believed and repented. So what's left to do? If not the sinner's prayer, then what???

Let me give you an example of what I have found. Here is a portion of scripture where Philip witnesses to an Ethiopian, who then receives Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

An Ethiopian Receives Christ

²⁶ But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) ²⁷ So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹ Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” ³⁰ Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹ And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. ³² Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:

“He was led as a sheep to slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He does not open His mouth.
³³ “In humiliation His judgment was taken away;
Who will relate His generation?
For His life is removed from the earth.”

"The eunuch answered Philip and said, 'Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?' ³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. ³⁶ As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, 'Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?' ³⁷ And Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he answered and said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' ³⁸ And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing." Acts 8:26-39 (NASB)

Look at verses 36-38. Then focus on verse 37. Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." Then the eunuch made a confession of belief, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," and Philip baptized him in water. There was no sinner's prayer, only a confession of belief... of faith. This reminds me of another portion of scripture that says, "that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)

With the heart a person believes and repents, resulting in righteousness (a transformation of the heart) and with the mouth, he confesses, resulting in salvation. It's the outward confession of the inward change that completes the transformation from lost sinner to newly born saint. Confession of our faith in Christ is important. Why? "And I say to you, anyone who confesses Me before men the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God" Luke 12:8 (NASB)  When we confess our faith in Christ before men, Jesus is then able to confess our name before the angels of heaven, declaring us as one of His adopted children. Oh, and such a moment that is! "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:7 (NASB)

I can find no example in the New Testament where anyone was lead in a form of sinner's prayer leading to their salvation. Sinners were instructed to believe and confess. Belief is followed by repentance and confession of Jesus as Christ. There is no other standard set down by Jesus or the Apostles by which we are to include in this most personal act between the repentant sinner and God. To say that there is something more to do in order to receive salvation would be to add to the word of God something that just isn't there.

So, to answer my own question, "So what's left to do? If not the sinner's prayer, then what???" The answer is to request a confession of faith.  

You: "Do you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to save you from sin's curse?"

Them: "Yes, I do."
You: "Are you willing to live a life of obedience to God?"
Them: "Yes, I am."

You: "If you truly mean that, then God has given rebirth to your once dead spirit and you are now part of a larger family of born again believers. Now let's talk about how important baptism is to your public confession of faith."

I hope I've given you something to think about. It's never easy to have a long held belief challenged, especially when it comes to our Christianity. I'm speaking from experience. What is important is that we take what we think we understand and hold it against the light of God's word. Does it hold up? If not, it's rubbish and needs to be excised from your life and tossed in the bin.

Here is a video by Paul Washer that you may find helpful. 

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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