End Times Prophecy

The Truth About Death

2011-12-08T13:28:00.002-06:00

By Steve Wohlberg - http://www.thetruthaboutdeath.org/

Can We Talk to the Dead?

“They See Dead People!” was the eerie title of a haunting article in the November 7, 2005 issue of People magazine. “What is it with the dearly departed?” wrote an unnamed author, “Seems they’re everywhere lately. Ghosts, ghouls and spirits are invading prime time (Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Supernatural) and buying second yachts for pop psychics like John Edward” [1].

Indeed. The idea of ‘talking to the dead’ has gone mainstream. So what is the truth about death? As reported by People, Hollywood has recently produced multiple TV series centered around the fascinating possibility of contacting or being influenced by those on the ‘other side.’

NBC’s Medium is a prime example about a woman who helps law officers solve crimes through supernatural assistance from the ‘disembodied.’ Released in January of 2005, Medium continues to garner rave reviews. In the spring of 2005, NBC aired Revelations, a supposedly biblical apocalyptic thriller with a storyline that included the spirit of a dead girl mouthing messages through the placid lips of another comatose girl about the ‘End of Days.’ Not to be outdone by competition, CBS recently premiered Ghost Whisperer about Melinda Gordon, a woman able to “see and talk to dead people” [2].

Not only is Hollywood fictitiously bringing the dead to life, but also real-life mediums like John Edward, James Van Praagh, and Carla Mae are raking in non-fiction dollars by connecting with real spirits on TV. James Van Praagh is Co-Executive Producer of Ghost Whisperer. The CBS website promoting the new show contains a section called “The Spirit World According to James Van Praagh” which even shows pictures of “spooky visitors” right on the set [3].

Then there’s White Noise, a scary movie about a dead woman making contact with her grieving husband through “Electronic Voice Phenomenon” (EVP). EVP is the idea that the spirits of the dead can talk to the living by speaking directly through the ‘white noise’ or static of common electronic recording devices. Their words can be recorded and then played back. That’s what the movie describes. The most frightening thing is not the film, but the practice itself, which is actually promoted on the official White Noise web site as something people can really do [4]. There’s even an “American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomenon” now offering resources, support and conferences [5].

There has never been such promotion of ‘talking to the dead’ in all of history. Of course, the idea and practice has always been around, but it has usually been relegated to séances, Ouija boards, and isolated instances. Now Hollywood is behind it and books written by practicing mediums have become New York Times bestsellers.

Losing a loved one is incredibly painful, and it’s natural to wish they were still here. It’s perfectly normal to long to hear their voice and feel their touch. But is trying to contact them advisable? Is this the best way to receive comfort? Make no mistake about it: real spirits do inhabit our atmosphere, and they often do claim to be the spirits of the dead. But are they really? Our family used to have a housekeeper named Mary who told us point blank that after her husband died his spirit visited her. “I saw him myself,” Mary reported. “His spirit walked right through the screen door into my bedroom and talked to me!” Was it really her husband? How can we know? Just because a spirit looks, talks, and acts like a dead person, is this proof it is really that person?

Personally, I believe the Bible. Paul wrote, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). This means that no matter what our sight, senses, or feelings may tell us, we should trust God and His Word first and foremost. This is the true Christian position. So what about talking to the dead? Does the Bible say anything about it? Get ready for a shock: The Bible categorically forbids all communication with the spirits of dead people.

In Deuteronomy 18:9-12, God lists various occult practices that His people should avoid like the bird flu. “When you come into the land,” God commanded, “you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.” What abominations? Note carefully: “There shall not be found among you anyone… who conjures spells or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord” (verses 10 and 11, NKJV, italics added). Again God warned, “Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:31, NKJV, italics added).

These verses are clear. God forbids any involvement with “mediums” or “spiritists,” and He specifically forbids trying to contact the dead. NBC, CBS, James Van Praagh, John Edward, Carla Mae, the producers of White Noise, and countless others may promote it, but God plainly says, don’t do it!

Why not? Is God trying to prevent us from finding comfort, or receiving real guidance from deceased loved ones or the truth about death? No. His reason is simple. Mysterious non-physical entities may look like, talk like, and act like the dead, but according to a careful study of the Book of books – they are not the dead. Who are they then?

Revelation lifts the veil by declaring, “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14, KJV, italics added). Here the Bible warns that the tricky activity of “spirits of devils” will ‘go global’ right before the Day of the Lord.

This is happening right now.

God loves us and wants to protect us.

He wants us to avoid having “fellowship with devils” (1 Corinthians 10:20, KJV).

As noted earlier, Hollywood has recently released numerous movies and TV series featuring the living talking to the dead. Medium, Ghost Whisperer, White Noise, Sixth Sense, Supernatural, Revelations, and of course, Harry Potter, all depict communication with disembodied entities.

Just a few days ago, as I sat on a United Flight from Chicago to L.A.X., a friendly looking commercial popped onto a large screen. An attractive blond woman stood cooking in the kitchen. These words appeared: “ 6:30 am, prepare breakfast for the family.” The scene changed, and then came “ 7:30 am, send the kids off to school.” After another scene change, then: “ 9:30 am, clean the house.” Finally, “ 11:00 am, talk to the dead.” Then came the promotion for viewers to watch “Medium, 9:00-10:00 pm CT on NBC.” It all looked so homey, yet the Bible plainly says that that being a “medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead” is “an abomination to the Lord” (Deuteronomy 18:11, 12, NKJV, italics added). This is serious stuff.

God doesn’t use such forceful language because He hates us. Not at all. He even cares about mediums and spiritists. The reason He speaks so strongly is because He loves us enough to warn us against practices which open doors to demons and fallen angels who can easily impersonate the dead. This will become clearer as we go along.

The only way to understand the truth about death, the dead, and the perils of trying to communicate with ghosts is to go back to the beginning, to the book of Genesis. The Bible’s first chapter clearly says that God made the world in six days, and rested on the seventh. On day six, the Lord “created man in his own image… male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). In the midst of a beautiful garden, the Lord placed two special trees called “the tree of life” and “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9). These trees were designed to give Adam and Eve a choice, either to follow their Maker or a rebel angel who had previously been kicked out of heaven (see Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). Notice carefully:

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree in the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16, 17, italics added).

Here God warned Adam and Eve that if they sinned against Him by eating the forbidden fruit, they would surely die. No ifs, ands, or buts. This was the first warning God ever gave to the human family. And He meant it.

In Chapter 3, the drama begins. A mysterious serpent entered Eden and began slithering around inside the forbidden branches. Behind its beady eyes lurked an invisible, sinister force. A dialogue ensued between the snake and Eve. “And the serpent said to the woman, ‘you shall not surely die’” (Genesis 3:4, italics added). This was Satan’s first lie to humanity. It was a deception about death. God said that if Adam and Eve sinned, they would “surely die;” but the serpent said, “you shall not surely die.” Now two voices rattled around inside Eve’s pretty head. Which voice would she believe, that of God or the snake? Sadly, she believed the slithering reptile, tasted the forbidden fruit, and then gave some to her husband, and he ate (see Genesis 3:6).

After their sin, the Lord said to Adam, “In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19, italics added). Thus man came from the dust, and now he was destined to return to the dust. Now notice carefully:

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”-- therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24).

Don’t miss the significance of this passage. According to the text, eating from “the tree of life” would cause Adam and Eve to “live forever.” But now they were sinners. If they ate from the tree of life as sinners they would live forever as sinners, which would mean that sin itself would go on forever. God definitely didn’t want this. So He placed sentinel angels with fiery swords “which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” Did Adam and Eve, in their fallen state, ever eat from the tree of life? Obviously not. Thus fallen human beings do not naturally live forever. Instead, they die and return to the dust, just like God said.

This next verse reveals the simple truth: “So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died” (Genesis 5:5). God was right; Satan was wrong. Sin results in death. Adam and Eve sinned, and they died. So do we. At the end of life, we disintegrate into dirt.

Now don’t miss this point: The notion that we can somehow communicate with dead people today is based on the prior assumption that the dead aren’t dead after all, that they are really alive somewhere ‘beyond the veil.’ Based on Genesis 3:4, whose slick voice first promoted that idea? It was the voice of the serpent. Look again: “The serpent said to the woman, ‘you will not surely die.’” This was the devil’s line.

In the next part we will examine more closely what the Bible says about man’s condition at death. Then we will discover exactly who and what our hope is.

Okay, I’ll tell you now. It’s Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the dead.

What Happens When We Die?

Are you ready for the truth about death? We have seen that the Bible forbids all attempts to communicate with the dead (see Deuteronomy 18:11). There are two reasons: 1) Demons can easily impersonate those who have died, thereby tricking the living into communicating with them; and 2) It is impossible for the dead to talk with the living anyway. I hope to prove this below.

Honestly, I have wrestled over the contents of this article. After prayer and thought, I have decided to present my views, based on the Bible, even though some may disagree. I urge you to read each Scripture presented, and then come to your own conclusions. David prayed, “Open my eyes” (Psalms 119:18). May this be our prayer.

Based on years of research, I have concluded that there are essentially two different views about the nature of man that affect one’s beliefs about what happens after death.

The Immortal Soul view

The Non-Immortal Soul view

The Immortal Soul view is believed by most of the world’s religions. The idea is that every human body houses an immortal soul that continues after death. When we die, only our body disintegrates back to dust, but the soul goes on, much like a snake shedding its skin. Of course different religions disagree with each other about where souls go after death, but the basic idea of the soul surviving physical decease is shared by most in our society. And like it or not, the Immortal Soul doctrine is the basis of the belief that we can talk to the dead. The reason is simple: the dead supposedly aren’t really dead.

The Non-Immortal Soul view is different and contends that – biblically speaking – the word “soul” applies to the entire person. When God first created Adam in Paradise, He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). Thus man doesn’t have a separate soul, but rather he is a soul (see also Joshua 10:35, 37, 39; Lev. 23:30; Acts 27:37, KJV). After man sinned, his entire person, or soul, became mortal, or subject to death. When a sinner dies, he or she returns to the dust, and “the breath of life” returns to God. This “breath” is not a conscious entity, but is the spark of life that exists in everything alive. At death, the sinner is truly dead – unconscious, asleep, waiting for the resurrection. This view is sometimes called “soul sleep.”

Which view is right? What does the Bible really say? For the moment I am going to build a case for the non-immortality of the soul. Later on in this article on the truth about death I will examine the passages about being “absent from the body” (2 Corinthians 5:8), the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43), the appearance of Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:3), the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Paul’s desire to depart and be with Christ (Philippians 1:23) and the martyred souls under the altar (Rev. 6:9-11). These verses are often quoted to support the Immortal Soul teaching. Do they really? We hope to find out. After this, we will closely examine another big topic – the doctrine of Hell.

First, let’s see what the Bible says about “immortality.” As we discovered earlier in this article on the truth about death, after Adam and Eve sinned they were barred from the tree of life, lest they should “eat, and live forever” (Genesis 3:22 -24). The message here is that sinners do not naturally “live forever.” Paul wrote that we “seek for glory and honor and immortality” (Romans 2:7) and that Christians will “put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53, 54) on Resurrection Day. Presently, God “only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach” (1 Timothy 6:16). To me, these verses are clear. Fallen man is not immortal.

Next, what does the Bible say happens at death? Notice carefully: “The living know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing…there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10). “For in death there is no remembrance of You, in the grave who shall give You thanks?” (Psalms 6:5). “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence” (Psalms 115:17). “His breath goes forth, he returns to his earth, in that very day his thoughts perish” (Psalms 146:4). These Bible verses say that after death a person knows nothing, has no thoughts, doesn’t remember God, and lies silent in the grave. This is God’s Word, not man’s opinion.

Next, death is sleep. David spoke of “the sleep of death” (Psalms 13:3). All throughout the Old Testament, when kings died, they “slept with their fathers” (1 Kings 2:10). The same is true in the New Testament. When Lazarus died, Jesus Christ said, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping… Jesus spoke of his death” (John 11:11 -13). After Stephen was martyred, “he fell asleep” (Acts 7:60). Dead Christians “sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Daniel wrote that at the end of time, “many who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). Thus the dead are sleeping in the dust of the earth. Someday, they will wake up.

Finally, the Christians’ hope is the return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection. When our Lord returns, “the dead in Christ shall rise…so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). Look closely. Paul said Christians will “be with the Lord” when He returns. Jesus taught the same thing when He promised His disciples, “I will come again, and receive you to Myself” (John 14:3). Again, look closely. Jesus did not say, “I’ll meet you in Heaven when you die,” but that He would receive us when He returns.

Ultimately, Bible truth about death is comforting. Our beloved dead are sleeping quietly, awaiting the resurrection when Jesus returns. Truth also protects us from being deceived by heartless, tricky demons who can easily impersonate the dead. I encourage my readers to continue studying this topic prayerfully. I’ll conclude with the words of Jesus Christ Himself:

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28, 29, NKJV).

Grave Errors about Death

In the first two topics we covered here on the truth about death we discovered that:

The Bible forbids all attempts to communicate with dead people (see Deuteronomy 18:11)

Demonic spirits are deceptively at work around the world (see Revelation 16:14) that can easily impersonate those who have died.

Communication with dead people is impossible because those who have died are dead. They lie unconscious, asleep in their graves, awaiting the resurrection (see Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Psalm 6:5; 13:3; 115:17; 146:4; John 5:28, 29; 6:39, 40, 44, 54: 11:11-14; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

Twenty-six years ago I learned this Bible truth: Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried in Joseph’s tomb, and rose from the grave (see 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). To Christians, these facts should be non-negotiable. As I have continued studying my Bible, I have also come to believe that when human beings die, they are dead, asleep in their graves, waiting for “the resurrection at the last day” (John 11:24). Death, burial and resurrection, this is what God’s Book says.

I realize that many other God-fearing Christians don’t quite view everything as I do. Most believe that when we die, only our bodies disintegrate to dust, whereas our souls instantly enter the presence of Jesus. Personally, I don’t believe this. If we disagree, can we do it respectfully? I hope so. Later on this article on the truth about death, I will closely examine some well-known Bible texts normally used to support the “we go to Heaven immediately at death” doctrine. Much is at stake here. Please consider my arguments, and then come to your own conclusions.

Absent from the body, present with the Lord? (2 Corinthians 5:8)

This is probably the main Scripture used to support the common view. The exact text reads, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Paul is clearly talking about a transition from this sinful “body” to being “present with the Lord.” There is no question about this. But notice carefully that in this verse Paul doesn’t specifically say when this transition occurs. Most assume he meant at death. Did he? Could he have meant on Resurrection Day when Jesus Christ returns? Amazingly, we don’t have to guess, for the following verses make Paul’s meaning plain.

Four verses earlier Paul said this transition occurs when “mortality” is “swallowed up by life” (2 Corinthians 5:4). When is that? If we back up a few chapters to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, the answer is obvious. Notice carefully:

Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:51-55)

Here Paul is writing about the climactic return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of God’s saints. Paul called death “sleep” (verse 51). He also said we are currently “mortal” (verse 53). Finally, he clarified that when “the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised… then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (verses 52-54). Add 2 + 2. In 2 Corinthians 5:4 and 5:8, Paul said the transition from this sinful “body” to being “present with the Lord” occurs when “mortality is swallowed up by life.” In 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, he clarified that this “mortal” will “put on immortality” and that death will be “swallowed up in victory” at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Beyond this, did Paul clarify anywhere else at what point believers will be “present with the Lord”? Yes indeed. Once again, notice carefully:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

These verses parallel 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, which explain 2 Corinthians 5:4-8. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17, when will believers get to be “present with the Lord”? Answer: When Jesus Christ comes crashing into our polluted atmosphere with a shout, a voice, and the ear splitting trumpet of God! That trumpet will be so loud it will pierce the slumbering ears of those who have died trusting the Crucified and Resurrected One. They will burst out of their clammy graves. How awesome! Then those of us who are still living (I hope to be among this group) will be “caught up” into the greatest space ride humans have ever experienced. And then? Don’t miss it: “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” This is the Word of God. Alleluia!

There lies Uncle Manuel. He’s dead. My seven-year-old brain tried to comprehend what was happening as I attended my uncle Manuel’s funeral, beheld his casket, stared into his pale face, held my dad’s hand while surrounded by mourners dressed in black, and witnessed my mother’s tears. It was all very strange. At such a young age, I could hardly understand what death meant, much less what happens next to those whose short life on this earth has ended.

Uncle Manuel’s funeral was almost 40 years ago. Since then, I’ve done a lot of research into what the Bible says in regards the truth about death, burial, and the resurrection. After years of study, I’ve come to the conclusion that when a person dies – whether saint or sinner – they are dead, that is, they lie unconscious in their graves awaiting the “resurrection of the dead” (Acts 24:15). I realize this is a bit different from what most people believe. Nevertheless, I am not accountable to man, but to God alone. To my readers I make this plea: Read my arguments, study the Bible for yourself, pray, and come to your own conclusions. Sound fair enough?

Solomon said that “there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) and that “the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Both the Old and New Testaments plainly teach that the dead “sleep in the dust of the earth” (Daniel 12:2) as they await the resurrection (see Psalms 13:3; John 5:28, 29; 11:11-14; Acts 7:60; 1 Corinthians 15:6, 51-55). Jesus Christ said concerning the man who dies believing in Him, “I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44). I have found this to be the consistent teaching of Scripture.

Yet as I mentioned earlier, there are a few Bible passages that seem to support a different view – that of immediate entrance into heaven, or of instant descent into hell-fire. Earlier we looked at 2 Corinthians 5:8 where Paul wrote about being “absent from the body and present with the Lord.” It’s time to look at another well-known passage.

The thief on the cross (Luke 23:42,43)

On history’s darkest day, as the Son of God hung suspended between heaven and earth bearing the sins of the world, a dying criminal crucified beside Jesus breathed hopefully, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). The King responded, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise ” (verse 43). Many interpret Christ’s response as conclusive evidence that the dying thief’s soul was instantly ushered into the presence of Jesus on that very day. I disagree. Here’s why:

First, the dying thief pleaded, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Thus the thief hoped to be remembered at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, not before. Second, Jesus Himself did not go to Paradise that day, but into Joseph’s tomb. Three days later, after rising from the dead, Jesus candidly told Mary, “I have not yet ascended to My Father” (John 20:17). Thus our Lord did not ascend to glory on the day of His death. Thirdly, Jesus clarified that His followers will be with Him when He returns. “I will come again”, He promised, “and receive you to Myself” (John 14:3, italics added). Paul taught the same thing when he wrote that true believers will get to “be with the Lord” when He descends from heaven and resurrects the dead (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17). So what did Jesus mean when He spoke to the dying thief?

Believe it or not, the confusion stems from one tiny piece of punctuation called a ‘comma.’ Before we look again at Christ’s exact words to the thief, let me clarify that the Bible calls itself “the Word of God”, not “the Comma of God”. The fact is that punctuation and commas were added to the inspired text many years after the New Testament was written. It is the same with the numbering of verses. Whatever translation you are reading from, your Bible says “43” before Christ’s response the dying thief. “42” comes before that, then “41”, etcetera. Guess what? Luke didn’t write “41” or “42” or “43” or “44.” He just wrote one book of Luke. It wasn’t until many years later that men numbered the verses to make it easier for us to find them. I’m glad they did. It helps. But they also added commas where they assumed they should go. So let’s remove the comma and look at what Jesus Christ literally said to the thief. His exact words were:

Assuredly I say to you today you will be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:43).

Now, if you place the comma before the word “today,” which is where most Bibles place it, then Jesus told the thief, “today you will be with Me in Paradise.” But if you place the comma after the word “today,” Christ’s meaning is switched entirely. Then Jesus would have said, “I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise.” In other words, Christ would be telling the thief, “I tell you today” (right then two thousand years ago) that he would be with Him in the future when He returns.

So which is it? Where should the comma go? Fortunately, we don’t have to guess. Other verses make Christ’s answer clear. First, Jesus didn’t go to Paradise that day. Second, on Sunday morning He had not yet ascended to His Father (see John 20:17). Thirdly, and most importantly, Jesus never contradicted Himself. He plainly promised His followers, “I will come again and receive you to Myself” (John 14:3). Martin Luther once said, “Here I stand. So help me God. Amen.” This is where I stand. My hope is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

My uncle Manuel was Jewish. As far as I know, he was not a believer in the Crucified and Risen One. Where did Uncle Manuel go? And if he is lost (I hope this is not the case!), what will finally happen to him? As we continue reading this article on the truth about death, we’ll find out.

Elvis Presley. Marilyn Monroe. Princess Diana. Ronald Reagan. Pope John Paul II – what do they have in common? They’re all famous, and they’re all dead. No matter how large a person’s bank account, or how attractive their physical appearance, or even how close to God they may become in this life, “All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good, the clean, and the unclean…after that they go to the dead” (Ecclesiastes 9:2, 3, italics added). “ But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” penned Benjamin Franklin. He was correct.

So far I have built my case that when a human being dies – whether saint or sinner – they are truly dead, that is, they lie unconscious in their graves awaiting the resurrection. To briefly summarize, Solomon said “the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) and that “there is no work, or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). David wrote about “the sleep of death” (Psalms 13:3), Daniel said the dead “sleep in the dust of the earth” (Daniel 12:2), and Jesus Christ emphatically declared that someday “all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come forth–those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28, 29). These passages describe man’s condition at death, his sleeping in the grave, and finally – a bodily resurrection back to life.

To repeat what I have written previously, I realize that majority opinion thinks differently. Shortly after Pope John Paul II died at the ripe age of 84, Vatican officials declared that their departed leader was now “looking down from heaven” after being “welcomed into the presence of Jesus.” With all due respect, I don’t think so. If you are Catholic, please don’t take offense. I would say the same thing about my own mother whom I love dearly. Based on my study of the Bible, I believe Pope John Paul II and countless others are not in heaven at this exact moment. Rather, they are silently sleeping in their graves waiting for Resurrection Day.

Earlier in this article on the truth about death, I examined two biblical passages often quoted to support the common view of ‘instant heaven at death’: 1) Paul’s expression about longing to be “absent from the body” and “present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8) and 2) Jesus Christ’s promise to a dying thief about being with Him in Paradise (Luke 23:42, 43). I think these arguments are pretty convincing. It’s time to examine a few more verses that I believe are often misinterpreted to teach ‘instant heaven’ rather than the doctrine of literal death, unconscious sleep, and future bodily resurrection.

Paul’s “desire to depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23)

Paul knew that sometime after he died he would be with Jesus, yet it as an assumption to think that in Philippians 1:23 he meant at the moment of his death. In another letter, Paul clarified that he expected to “always be with the Lord” when Jesus Christ returned to resurrect the dead (read 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). It is significant to note that the very last letter Paul penned was 2 Timothy. In that letter’s concluding chapter, notice carefully Paul’s ‘famous last words’:

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8, italics added).

Here again Paul clarified – just like he did in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 – that he looked forward to being with Jesus Christ on “the Day” of “His appearing”.

Souls under the altar (Revelation 6:9-11)

In the book of Revelation, John beheld under a heavenly “altar” “the souls” of many Christian martyrs calling out for vengeance against their persecutors. “There!” some claim, “There are souls alive in heaven after they died!” But look closer. This entire passage is filled with symbolism. In the same chapter John also saw four horses with riders, the fourth rider being “Death” itself, followed by “Hell” (Revelation 6:1-8). Can “Death” literally ride a horse? Are literal souls crammed underneath a physical altar? Not a very pleasant place to hang out, do you think? Biblically speaking, the idea of martyred souls crying out for vengeance is rooted in Genesis 4 when God told Cain after he murdered Abel, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!” (Genesis 4:10) Does this mean that Abel’s blood literally muttered syllables through dirt? Obviously not. Again, this is symbolic.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:28 -32)

Not long before Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, “Moses and Elijah” appeared to comfort the Saviour. This supposedly proves that Moses, Elijah, and all the saints are now alive ‘on the other side’. But it doesn’t. First of all, it was not disembodied ‘souls’ that appeared before Christ and His disciples, but “two men” (Luke 9:30) in physical form. Second, Elijah himself never died, but was translated in Old Testament times without seeing death (see 2 Kings 2:11). Thirdly, Moses did die, but Jude 9 implies that “the body of Moses” was at some point raised back to life. In Luke 9:28-32, Elijah appeared representing all those who shall one day be translated at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, while Moses represented all others who shall be resurrected “at the last day” (see John 11:24). Again, the text says “two men,” not two ghosts. Why did Moses and Elijah appear? To encourage Jesus to go through with His death, burial, and resurrection, and to assure Him that millions of other believers – just like them – would someday be translated or raised from the grave.

Rapture Truth!

2010-01-21T13:40:00.005-06:00

Introduction

Is there really a Secret Rapture with a second chance of salvation? Regardless of the topic when it is associated with salvation, Satan has deceptions in every area in an attempt to steal as many people as possible from God’s kingdom. It is a grave error to underestimate the enemy. It does not matter how many people believe a lie, it will never make it truth. Mark Twain once said, “A lie can travel halfway around the world, while truth puts on its shoes.” The only way to avoid the enemy’s deception and find truth is to study the scriptures diligently. Multitudes of people have been exposed to this “dispensationalist” or “futurist” interpretation of prophecy and have been utterly confused. So what is the real truth about this so-called secret rapture?

What is the Secret rapture theory?

According to those teaching the secret rapture theory, the coming of Jesus will be in two separate stages. The first will be a secret rapture of the Church at the beginning of a seven year tribulation period followed by a glorious, triumphant return of Christ to the Earth accompanied by the Church at the end of the seven year period. They believe that during this seven year period the Antichrist is going to come into power and God will select and seal 144,000 literal Jews who will take the Gospel to the whole world converting immeasurable souls to Christ. They also believe the battle of Armageddon is a literal national war against literal Israel, which occurs near the end of the seven years and is brought to a halt by Christ’s return with His Church. Then literal Israel accepts the Lord as the Messiah and enters with Him as His covenant people into the 1,000 year (millennial) reign on earth known as the Kingdom Age. Christ will rule directly over the earth from the throne of David in Jerusalem, where the typical temple services function again. Those who ultimately reject Christ’s rule are eventually judged and destroyed at the end of the Millennium. The new believers will then receive immortality and eternity will begin.

However, the Bible nowhere speaks of these two separate comings and the word “rapture” is also an invention of theologians and occurs nowhere in the Bible. The deception does not stop there, Christians also debate whether we will be taken before the tribulation or in the middle of the seven years or at the completion of the seven year tribulation. These are called pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and post tribulation. Now for the most amazing part of these views in regards to the seven year tribulation period; are you ready for this? It was manufactured by a Jesuit Priest who was commissioned to come up with this false interpretation of Bible Prophecy. This raises many questions, such as why was this done and how could so many be drawn into this lie. I hope you will read on as we cover all aspects of this topic and reveal the Bible truth.

Does the Bible teach there is a Secret Rapture?

This is a brief point by point account of the order of events according to Scripture; there is Christ’s second coming, the resurrection, the catching up of the saints to meet Jesus in the air which all take place at the same time and at the end of the world. This is why Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 “…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Why would Jesus promise to be with the Church until the end of the world if He intended to come seven years before the end to take them out of the world? The promise would then have no meaning.

This false doctrine on the secret rapture is contradictory to the words of Jesus in Matthew 13 when He said the wheat and tares would grow together until the “end of the world” and then would be separated. According to this dual coming secret rapture theory, both groups would not grow together until the end of the world. The righteous would be separated from the wicked seven years before the end. And what about the promise of the resurrection? Christ said, concerning the righteous, John 6:40 “…and I will raise him up at the last day.” No one denies that this means the last day of the world. Paul declares the saints are caught up to meet the Lord at the “same time” the dead in Christ are raised. He says, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Did you note that Jesus called this resurrection the “last day?” But how could it be the “last day” if this gathering of the saints takes place seven years before the end of the world? And how could the “last trump” (see 1 Corinthians 15:52 below) sound if it really wasn’t the very last moment of time? Imagine the graves opening and the righteous rising and no one knowing that it had occurred? Consider also the added testimony from God’s Word;

Matthew 24:27 “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Matthew 24:30 “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Matthew 24:31 “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (This is clearly the time when Christ comes to gather His saints.)

1 Corinthians 15:52 “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

Revelation 6:16-17 “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

There is no understood scripture that says the second coming of Christ to gather His saints will be a secret rapture. All these verses show it will be a very loud and very visible event that every eye shall see. There is nothing secret about any aspect of His coming. Those believing in the secret rapture sometimes quote Matthew 24:40-41 out of context. The entire passage reads;

Matthew 24:37-41 “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

Jesus is demonstrating the parallels between the days of Noah and the second coming of Christ. The eight that entered Noah’s Ark were saved and those that scoffed perished as the flood “took them all away.” Many have been taught that the ones taken are the ones saved but note it is actually the ones taken that are destroyed. There was no second chance. Jesus said and “so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” The last verse of this chapter tells us what will happen to those who are taken to destruction. Matthew 24:51 “And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Those believing in the secret rapture also quote Jesus in saying He will come as a thief in the night, meaning it will be a secret rapture. Jesus said in Matthew 24:43-44 “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Jesus is not talking about coming secretly but coming unexpectedly when we least expect Him and so the wicked will be taken by surprise. This is why Jesus tells us to be ready as we know not the hour of His return. Those who are not right with Christ and living wickedly when Jesus returns we will be taken to destruction as in the days of Noah. See Matthew 24:37-41 above. See also 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 is also quoted which reads, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” Same message as before be ready for Christ’s unexpected return. And what happens after His return? 1 Thessalonians 5:3 “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” How secret is sudden destruction? Those that are left after Jesus’ return encounter “sudden destruction.” Again, just like in the days of Noah.

These two “thief texts” are also used to teach a secret rapture. Revelation 3:3 “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” In both these instances just quoted, the secrecy is also in connection with the timing not the nature of the event, and is exactly the same as the other “thief texts.” Notice the phrase in chapter 3:3 which says “hold fast, and repent” and the last part of verse 15 which says “lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

This is once again a warning to be not caught living in sin, because we know not the hour which Jesus will return. He will come unexpectedly when you least expect it as does a thief. It would be no good for the thief if you knew when he was coming as you would be ready for him and he could not rob you. In the same way we need to be ready and living in righteousness now and not just when we think Jesus is coming or we will be “caught naked and our shame seen.” Those who love and obey Jesus will be ready for His return. This is the meaning of the phrase “to come as a thief” that is used several times in the Bible to warn us so we will not be left behind.

And still one more. 2 Peter 3:10 says “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

Again, absolutely nothing secret. To the contrary, it could not be more obvious. It states after Jesus comes unexpectedly as does a thief, “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise” and “the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth … shall be burned up.” So when Jesus returns the very next thing is the end i.e. the last day. If coming “as a thief” is a secret rapture which takes place seven years before the end of the world, how can the heavens and earth “pass away” as Peter describes it? Three of these “thief texts” are all followed by the same unmistakable catastrophic sudden destruction. Coming as a thief is unexpected, NOT a secret!

Will Christ’s second coming include a third coming?

Those who believe in a “secret rapture” say that the Greek word “parousia” refers to the secret “coming” of Jesus in His presence and that the Greek word “apokalupsis” refers to the visible glorious “coming” of Jesus in power seven years later. They also teach in middle of this seven year period, (3.5 years) the antichrist will reign. But “parousia” and “apokalupsis” are BOTH used to describe the second coming as we will soon show by its parallel in the “days of Noah.”

Paul uses the word “parousia” in the well known so called “rapture chapter” of 1 Thessalonians 4 when speaking of the coming of Christ and our gathering together unto Him. Paul then shows that this “parousia” will destroy the man of sin; the Antichrist. Paul says, “whom the Lord shall...destroy with the brightness of his coming [parousia].” 2 Thessalonians 2:8. These scriptures unmistakably describe the coming [parousia] of Christ as taking place after the reign of the man of sin, not as a secret rapture before the Antichrist’s reign begins.

The other Greek word “apokalupsis” [revelation] is used in a way that indicates it is not a separate second coming from the time the believers are gathered up. Peter said in 1 Peter 1:13 to “… be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation [apokalupsis] of Jesus Christ;” Why would Christians be exhorted to continue hoping to the end of the world for the grace brought through the revelation of Jesus Christ if their real hope was a secret rapture seven years before the revelation?

These following verses showing Matthew and Luke’s account of the same event prove beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the words “parousia” and “apokalupsis” do refer to the same event. In Matthew 24:37 we read, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming [parousia] of the Son of man be.” And the same account in Luke 17:26, 30; “As it was in the days of Noah...Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed [apokalupsis].”

This shows that the coming [parousia] of Christ and the revelation [apokalupsis] of Christ are the same event. There is absolutely no basis for placing seven years in between. This whole counterfeit secret rapture is built upon a constant repetition of words and ideas that have been repeated so often that millions have assumed that they must be biblically sound.

Where in the Bible is the Seven Year Tribulation period?

As there is so much secret rapture theology revolving around the seven year period, one would deduce that the Bible must speak frequently of this time period. There is in fact not one single scriptural reference which ties the seven years to the end of the world or the coming of Christ. Most secret rapture literature mention the seven year tribulation period without offering any Bible proof or explanation. One woman once asked me if I believed in the seven year tribulation period, which knowing the truth, I promptly replied no. I was then told I was wrong as the Holy Spirit had revealed this to her. I asked her where the scripture was to support this, of which she replied, “it is here in the Bible somewhere.” I am still waiting for her to give me the reference. Absolutely millions of people have assumed that it must be so well documented that no proof is needed. The fact is the absolute opposite is true. There just simply isn’t any evidence to give.

Where did the secret rapture and seven year tribulation theory originate?

In early 1830, a 15 year old Scottish Girl called Margaret McDonald had visions that included a Secret Rapture of believers before the appearance of the Antichrist. Edward Irving (1792-1834) who was her Scottish Presbyterian pastor and forerunner of the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements, attended prophecy conferences that began in Dublin Ireland also in 1830 at Powerscourt Castle where he promoted the doctrine of the Secret Rapture as per her vision.

John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) who was a minister of the Church of Ireland later became a member of the Plymouth Brethren and also promoted the Secret Rapture after attending the same Powerscourt Bible Prophecy meeting in 1830 where he learned of Margaret McDonald’s supposed vision. Darby modified her views and then taught them under his own name. He developed and organized “futurism” into a system of prophetic teaching called “dispensationalism” with the so-called secret rapture at its centre. He visited Margaret McDonald at her home in Port Glasgow, Scotland and then later visited America several times where this Secret Rapture theology starting gaining a large acceptance in the 1850s and 1860s.

John Nelson Darby who was largely responsible for introducing this new teaching on a large scale also greatly influenced Cyrus Ingerson Scofield (1843-1921) who also incorporated this false doctrine into the notes of his Scofield Reference Bible, first published by Oxford University Press in 1909. One million copies were printed by 1930, firmly establishing this Futurist theory into different denominations and Bible schools of the United States in the 20th Century.

Did this Secret Rapture theory originate with Margaret McDonald?

Historical evidence actually reveals it originated much earlier. Before and during the Protestant Reformation, the Reformers embraced the true “Historical” interpretation of the Bible where the antichrist was clearly seen as a system of apostasy and persecution rather than a single individual. John spoke of antichrist that “shall come” but he also added that “even now are there MANY antichrists” 1 John 2:18. So we know that there was not just one but many antichrists and that the antichrist system was operating when John was writing about 2000 years ago. The conclusion of those who studied these prophecies during the Reformation was that there was only one system that fit all the characteristics of who is the antichrist power which was the Papal system of the Roman Catholic Church. The following are the many identifiable characteristics:

It will rise to be a great power after the fall of the pagan Roman Empire (after 476 A.D.)
It will be a geographically small nation (a little horn). (Dan 7:8)
It will rule over many people, nations, and tongues (it will be universal). (Rev 13:7)
It will be headquartered in the city of seven hills, Rome.
It will be a religio-political entity - a political city-state ruled by a priest-king.
Its priest-king will make great and blasphemous claims. (Rev 13:1, 6)
It will claim authority over all kings. (Rev 17:18)
It will claim its power to change the holy times and laws of God as its mark of authority. (Dan 7:25)
It will be an apostate Church that makes the nations drink her cup of apostate doctrine. (Rev 14:8)
It will be a “mother” harlot Church, with apostate daughters coming from her. (Rev 17:5)
It will be a persecuting power, killing the faithful saints of Jesus Christ as heretics. (Rev 13:7)
It will hold power and authority for 1260 years following the fall of pagan Rome.
It will suffer a deadly wound that will end 1260 years of dominance and persecution.
It will be revived after the deadly wound, and all the world would wonder at its revival. (Rev 13:3)

No wonder the Roman Catholic Church was so opposed to the Bible being available for everyone to read for themselves. To control what they called heretical doctrine, the Catholic Church called for a special meeting known as the Fifth Lateran Council, (1512-1517) which forbade anyone to publish a book without prior censorship and also prohibited anyone from preaching on the subject of antichrist. The leaders of the Council and the Catholic Church also attempted to ban or burn all Bibles, heretical books, and the heretics that owned or preached from them.

The major characteristic identifying the antichrist power was this 1260 years of persecution of the “saints” which was fulfilled in the Catholic Church’s persecution of Christians throughout the dark ages beginning in 538 A.D. after the fall of the pagan Roman empire, and extending to 1798 (1260 years exactly), when the Pope was taken prisoner by Napoleons general Berthier and died. This was the deadly head wound. (Revelation 13:3) In order to divert attention away from the Roman Catholic Church as the antichrist power, a new interpretation would have to be found. This was done by rejecting the true “Historical” interpretation and accepting a false “Futurist” interpretation proposed by a Jesuit doctor of theology, Francisco Ribera (1537-1591).

In his book, entitled “In Sacrum Beati Ioannis Apostoli, & Evangelistiae Apocalypsin Commentarij”, he postulated that the 1260 day prophecy were not 1260 years but a literal 3 1/2 years, or 1260 actual days, and therefore none of the book of Revelation had any application to the Middle Ages or the Papacy. It applied to a future period just prior to the Second Coming of Christ; hence it was called “Futurism” or the “Futurist” interpretation. Manuel De Lacunza (1731-1801), a Jesuit priest from Chile, also advocated futurism in his manuscript entitled “La Venida del Mesias en Gloria y Magestad” (The Coming of the Messiah in Glory and Majesty). Writing under the assumed name of Juan Josafa (Rabbi) Ben-Ezra, Lacunza hoped to obscure the fact that he was a Roman Catholic, in order to give his book better acceptance in Protestantism.

This historicism chart illustrates the three schools of interpretation regarding antichrist. Ribera’s futurism puts the antichrist into a future three and one-half literal years. Alcazar’s preterism identifies the antichrist as Nero. Both put antichrist outside the Middle Ages and the reformation period identified by Protestant Historicists as antichrist’s reign of 1260 prophetic years. The truly amazing part of all this is that the Futurist theory dominates Protestant teaching today. That scenario is directly traceable back to the pen of the Jesuit Francisco Ribera who manufactured this theory for the sole purpose of diverting attention from the Papacy. In what could only be described as a stunning reversal, Protestants have over time actually become the Papacy’s greatest ally by spreading its Jesuit spawned propaganda. What irony that Protestants who originally broke away from what they clearly recognized to be the harlot antichrist led Church of prophecy, now champion the Futurist interpretation from high profile ministries. Futurism has without doubt, been successful beyond the wildest dreams of its Jesuit authors. The same applies to the Preterist interpretation of Luis De Alcazar, although to a much lesser degree. For very detailed information, see the origins of Futurism.

What scripture was manipulated to come up with the seven year tribulation?

Most Bible students are stunned to learn where the seven years came from. In Daniel 9:24-27 God gave a prophecy concerning the probation of Israel. Daniel 9:24 reads, “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”

God was going to allow Daniel’s people seventy weeks to end their rebellion against God and if they failed, Israel would be rejected as a nation. The seventy weeks are prophetic time and each day represents a literal year (Ezekiel 4:6 and Numbers 14:34). So the seventy weeks would actually be a literal 490 years after which the Israelites were no longer God’s people. The seventy prophetic weeks were to begin with the decree to restore and build Jerusalem.

Daniel 9:25 “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”

That well known date is 457 B.C., when Artaxerxes sent out the decree. (Ezra 7:13) From that date the Jews would have exactly 490 years to stop their rebellion towards God. The 490 year probation ended in A.D. 34 and the Jews ceased to be God’s chosen people. Daniel 9:25 says that the Messiah would be anointed after the total of sixty nine of those prophetic weeks had passed by. That would be 483 years from the decree date of 457 B.C. It takes no mathematician to figure the end of that prediction. It brings us to the year A.D. 27, the very year that Jesus was baptized by John and the Holy Spirit anointed Him for His ministry. Since “Messiah” means “Anointed One,” this can only be the fulfilment of Daniel’s prophecy that the Messiah would appear in A.D. 27. Seventy weeks were assigned to the Jewish probation but Christ appeared as the Messiah after sixty nine weeks. That leaves the final and seventieth week for Christ to minister before the Jews probation ended. What was to happen in the seventieth week?

Daniel 9:27 tells us, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.”

The “midst of the week” would be three and a half prophetic days (or 3.5 literal years) from His baptism and according to the Bible, the ministry of Jesus lasted for exactly that, three and a half years. In the spring of A.D. 31 Jesus was crucified and the veil of the temple was rent (Matthew 27:51), signifying the end of sacrifices. By His death He caused the “sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” Another three and a half years would lead up to the end of the seventy weeks and the end of Jewish probation. During that three and a half years the disciples laboured mainly for the Jews but in A.D. 34 the seventy weeks ended; Stephen was stoned after his immense speech before the council in Acts chapter 7 and the gospel began to go to the Gentiles (Acts 8:4). The Jews had rejected the gospel message and were no longer God’s chosen people just as Daniel had predicted. Now they could only be saved as individuals in exactly the same way as the Gentiles.

The seventy weeks or 490 years was the time God gave His chosen nation to end their rebellion where He would then forgive them for their transgressions. Notice how Jesus refers to this prophetic time period here in His conversation with Peter. Seventy times seven is of course 490.

Matthew 18:21 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

Now, to make the Jesuit manufactured prophecy fit its new interpretation, Daniel’s 70 Weeks prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 which began in 457 B.C. with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 7:1-27) had to develop a “gap.” Arbitrarily the 70th week (7 days = 7 years) of Daniel’s prophecy is detached from its context and placed at the end of the age 2000 years later where it logically can no longer be the seventieth week. This “week” will according to its proponents constitute the “seven year tribulation period,” prior to which the Secret Rapture will occur.

This false and illogical “gap” theory states that all fulfilment of this prophecy is suspended until the Christian era is over. Then the last week of the 70 weeks prophecy becomes operative again constituting the seven year tribulation period. This false Jesuit manufactured theory teaches that the first sixty nine weeks of this seventy week prophecy (490 years) reached from 457 B.C. to the year 27 A.D. when Jesus began His ministry. The true “Historical” view teaches that the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel 9 began in 457 B.C. and ended when Stephen was stoned to death in 34 A.D. It was at that time that the gospel went to the Gentiles and the Jewish people lost their place as those “Chosen” to spread God’s message to the world. They had also rejected Christ by calling for His crucifixion in the “middle of the week,” in 31 A.D. and then rejected Christ’s followers by stoning Stephen 3.5 years later at the end of the 70th week. (34 A.D.)

So we find this false rapturist theory gets the seven years tribulation by lifting that seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy completely out of its context and shoving it far into the future where it is logically no longer the seventieth week. They claim it will be fulfilled after Christ comes to snatch away the righteous secretly. They agree that the sixty nine weeks of Daniel 9:25 refer to the period before Christ’s first advent, but then they insert a 2000 year gap before the seventieth week is fulfilled. They allot 69 weeks plus 2,000 years plus one week, or a total of approximately 2,490 years. By this devious manipulation of God’s Word by the Papacy, the rapturist’s believe they have extended the Jewish probation and based upon this, they teach that all the Jews will be saved in a great second chance after the “secret rapture” takes place.

The tragedy of this Jesuit spawned rapture theory that was commissioned by the Papacy is that it takes this beautiful messianic prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27, that proves Jesus is the Messiah by predicting His coming, His baptism and crucifixion, and then applying it to the Antichrist. They do this by stating that it is Antichrist that causes the sacrifice and oblation to cease after three and a half years. But Daniel states that it is Jesus who caused the sacrificial system of the Jews to cease when He died on the cross. A misinterpretation that confuses something Christ has done and applies it to the devil instead, is certainly a tragic and blasphemous occurrence. This is however the only way they could arrive at a seven year tribulation period. How very sad.

When speaking of Christ’s second coming, you often hear the question are you pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or post tribulation. These terms are also the result of the very same Jesuit spawned propaganda. It also comes from the seventieth week of Daniel’s 70 week prophecy. Pre-tribulation is taken from the time of Christ’s anointing, mid-tribulation comes from the time Christ was crucified and post tribulation comes from the end of Daniel’s 70 week period which was the end of Israel’s time to repent of there rebellion and coincided with Stephens stoning.

Who is spreading this false secret rapture theory today?

In the 1990s, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins took the future one-man Antichrist idea of Hal Lindsey, Cyrus Scofield, John Darby, Irving, Newman, Todd, Maitland, Bellarmine, and Ribera and turned it into “The most successful Christian-fiction series ever” (Publishers Weekly).

Hal Lindsey’s book, “The Late Great Planet Earth,” was largely theological, which limited its appeal, while “Left Behind” is a sequence of highly imaginative fictional novels. The television ministries of Jack Van Impe, Peter and Paul Lalonde and Pastor John Hagee have all worked together to produce “LEFT BEHIND: The Movie.” This project even caught the attention of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, resulting in an interview with LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins on Larry King Live. Left Behind is now teaching much of the same Jesuit Futurism as Francisco Ribera, which is hiding the real truth about the Antichrist. Through Left Behind, Futurism has taken a very strong hold, unleashing a massive tidal wave of false prophecy which is sweeping over the world. Everyone believes movies and books, right? With all the false teaching already circulating on the secret rapture and seven year tribulation period, even though these books are fictional, many have taken them as being greatly truth. Satan continues to clap his hands in glee over just another one of his great deceptions on the Christian world. And as usual, many Christians and even Pastors will not entertain the idea of this being possible as they will not consider the majority could be wrong and so the lie continues to spread like a disease.

If Christians don’t start waking up to the devils many deceptions, a lot of good people are going to perish. Satan’s deceptions are strong and convincing, but Christ has given us ample information to help us discern truth from error if we will only diligently study His Word.

Do we go through the great tribulation?

The Bible says that those who refuse the Mark of the Beast will NOT be affected by the Seven Last Plagues that come over the whole world. (Revelation 16:2) But this does not mean that we will not have to go through the time of trouble, nor that we will not be persecuted.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Revelation 16:12, 15 “And the sixth angel poured out his vial (sixth plague) upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

Note again that it is no secret rapture when Jesus comes “as a thief” as the angels have just poured out six plagues on the Earth for those who received the Mark of the beast or worshipped his image. Hence we are also here during the tribulation as these plagues are part of God’s judgement which follows. God’s faithful ones are of course protected from these plagues.

In Daniel 3:16-28 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace but God was with them through the persecution and in this case took them safely through it. They refused to disobey God and kept His Commandments. Note how Revelation 14:12 below also talks of how those who did not get the Mark of the Beast also kept God’s Commandments. There is obviously a strong link there to obedience to God and who we Worship in regards to the Mark.

The Bible often refers to times of patience with times of suffering. Revelation 13:10 speaks of the “patient of the saints” after they endured the 1260 years of persecution from the Roman Catholic Church which is the first Beast. Over 50 million Christians were tortured and murdered. Revelation 14:12 is the verse following the Mark of the Beast warning, and the “patience of the saints” as those who will endure through that time and still keep God’s Commandments.

Revelation 13:10 “He 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.”

Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

The teaching of this false, Jesuit manufactured Secret Rapture and escape from persecution will be a devastating deception for Christians. Persecution and suffering have always been God’s means of strengthening His people and producing strong character. Here is God’s purpose in times of tribulation. It is to build perseverance, character, trust and hope in Him.

Romans 5:3-4 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Satan wants to impede and restrain strength and character building in Christians by getting us focused on escaping trouble and persecution instead of our preparing to go through persecution even to the point of death. Even Jesus “learned obedience by the things which he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8) Jesus guarantees that if we speak His truth boldly, we will suffer persecution.

John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

James 5:10 “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

When these “soft” Christians are confronted with heavy persecution, they will fall like dominoes and Satan will be ecstatic and yet once again Satan’s lies will have been very successful.

Will there be a Second Chance?

I would imagine the answer to this question should be fairly obvious by now but let’s look at it anyway. Those who teach the secret rapture claim that during the tribulation those not raptured will be given another chance to be saved. Let it be categorically stated that absolutely nowhere does Scripture speak of any second chance, nor does the Bible anywhere speak of people being saved after Jesus comes. This is just another manmade doctrine that is indeed pleasing to the carnal heart of man and the devils intention to have those who would wait perish with Christ’s coming. The Bible in fact actually teaches the opposite. Notice these clear Scriptures;

2 Corinthians 6:2 “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

Revelation 22:11-12 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

When Jesus comes the second time, He carries “in his hand a sharp sickle.” Revelation 14:14. This is the reaping time after sixty centuries of the sowing of the seeds of sin. This is the harvest time, and “the harvest is the end of the world.” Matthew 13:39. “And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” Revelation 14:16.

Jeremiah 8:20 truly says, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” There can be no saving after the reaping of earth’s harvest at the coming of Christ. When Jesus and His Holy angels appear, then “before him shall be gathered all nations.” Matthew 25:32. There will only be two classes in that great company. The destiny of each has been set by what he did before the coming of Christ. Let us stand firm on the Word of God alone and reject these manmade, Satan driven, pleasing ideas that form the bulk of the whole secret rapture theory.

The attitude of so many Christians seems to be that you should live a Holy life now so you don’t have to go through the Great Tribulation, but even if you don’t you will get another chance after this so-called secret rapture. But as we have seen in scripture and by this manufactured doctrine, when judgment comes there is no second chance. When people die in their sins they are lost forever, there is no second chance. Why should the Second Coming be any different?

Can Christ’s return be at any moment?

All too frequently coupled with the Secret Rapture doctrine is the equally misguided concept that Christ can come back at any moment, even tonight, as we so often hear well meaning Pastors and Evangelists proclaim. While we do not doubt the Lord’s ability, we do believe that God is not the author of confusion but of a great plan for those who trust and obey Him. Although we are well aware that no man knows the exact day and hour of Christ’s return, it is equally certain that there are various prophecies that await their complete fulfilment and that not until we witness these things come to pass, can we expect the Lord at any moment. It was this very doctrine which had come into the Church at Thessalonica and made it necessary for Paul to write:

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

Those who believe in the Secret Rapture and that Christ can come at any moment say He will gather the believers before antichrist appears yet this Scripture says the absolute opposite. This verse refers to the Papacy and the pope seated (sitteth) in a position of power in the Church. We are the temple of God on Earth now. For Paul to call a rebuilt temple the temple of God would be to deny what Christ did on the cross. When the temple curtain was ripped from top to bottom this signified the end to the sacrificial system. Paul would never call it God’s temple.

Secret Rapture Summary

It is our sincere and earnest prayer that this document will reveal to you the total unscriptural nature of the Secret Rapture doctrine. Instead of preparing God’s people to face the increasingly difficult days ahead, as tribulation intensifies, this Jesuit manufactured doctrine has deluded millions of Christians into a false notion of escapism. Instead of obeying the Lord’s command to resist evil and occupy until He comes, they have become so “rapture” minded that they no longer even resist the evil, believing that they will not defeat it, but instead be rescued from it.

Sometime soon, Satan will attempt to personate Jesus and counterfeit His return to Earth. But God’s people need not be deceived. When the disciples asked Jesus for the sign of His coming and the end of the world, the very first thing He told them was to be on guard against impostors. In Matthew 24:4-5 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

The devil has been sharpening his deception skills for 6,000 years and his last masquerade will be his masterpiece. Jesus warns that he will do such a convincing job that, if it were possible, even the very elect would be deceived. Satan has introduced the strong delusion of the secret rapture to the Christian world that has been almost universally accepted in mainline Churches. Jesus warned in Matthew 24:23-24 “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

As we have noticed, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ will come the second time in glorious majesty to take His redeemed home with Him. It will be a personal, visible, and earth shaking event that everyone alive will know about. The righteous will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17), whereas the wicked will be slain by the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Let us carefully and diligently study our Bibles so we will not be deceived concerning this most important and wonderful hope, the second coming of Jesus.

Christ’s Second Coming will be seen and heard by all

The Bible is unmistakeably clear that when Jesus comes back, His feet never touch the ground. It says the righteous will be caught up to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This is why Jesus emphatically warns us in Matthew 24:26, “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

His Second Coming is Not a Secret

Matthew 24:27-31 “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Acts 1:9-11 “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee , why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

1 Corinthians 15:52 “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

Revelation 6:14 “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”

His Second Coming Will Be Audible

1 Corinthians 15:52 “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

His Second Coming Will Be Visible

Matthew 24:27 “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

His Second Coming Will Destroy the Earth

Isaiah 24:19 “The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.”

Revelation 6:14 “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”

Revelation 16:18-20 “And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.”

1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4 and Matthew 24 are the same event

To make it easier to see that the Bible is speaking of only one second coming, and not a second and a third coming or a secret rapture and a second coming, the following tables have been put together to help illustrate that the glorious second coming of Christ in all cases is not speaking of a secret rapture. By comparing point by point in a table format we can easily observe that the following two chapters are definitely referring to the same event. Observe the parallels below.

1 Corinthians 15	1 Thessalonians 4
15:23 - are Christ’s at His coming	4:16 - the Lord Himself shall come
15:51 - sleep	4:14 - sleep
15:52 - the trumpet shall sound	4:16 - shout, voice, trump
15:52 - dead shall be raised	4:16 - dead in Christ shall rise first

Now let’s compare Matthew 24 with the above events using 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and 5 since some say that Matthew 24 is talking about the glorious second coming of Christ which they say is a different event to the above chapters which they believe refers to a secret rapture.

Matthew 24	1 Thessalonians 4 and 5
24:27 - coming (Parousia)	4:15 - coming (Parousia)
24:30 - clouds	4:17 - clouds
24:31 - sound of a trumpet	4:16 - shout, voice trump
24:31 - gather together	4:17 - caught up together
24:36 - day or hour	5:1 - times and seasons
24:43 - a thief	5:2 - a thief
24:39 - took them all away	5:3 - sudden destruction
24:42 - watch	5:6 - watch

There is no doubt these are the same event as they not only parallel each other but are even in the same order. There are not different aspects of the coming of Jesus. There is only one second coming and the theory of a secret rapture with a second chance is a deception of the enemy.

1 Corinthians 15	1 Thessalonians 4	Matthew 24
At His coming	Jesus coming	Jesus coming
Last trump	Trumpet	Trumpet
Dead saints raised	Dead saints raised	Angels gather saints
Living saints changed	Living saints caught up	Angels gather saints
	Coming in the clouds	Coming in the clouds

http://www.secret-rapture.com/

Truth About Hell

2009-11-09T16:10:00.001-06:00

The Truth About Hell - By Steve Wohlberg
The Very Hot Topic of Hell

Hell! It’s a terrifying subject and the truth about hell is very much misunderstood. A U.S. News and World Report article entitled “Hell’s Sober Comeback” reported that “Three out of 5 Americans now believe in Hades, but their views on damnation differ sharply” [1]. Some teach that Hell simply means ‘separation from God’, that’s it. Others vigorously contend, “It’s not just separation, but fiery separation that lasts forever!” The traditional view is that Hell is a hot, smoky place somewhere beneath our feet where lost souls instantly soar at the moment of death. According to this theology, the damned are sizzling right now, somewhere, consciously, and painfully. A large percentage is convinced that Hell never ends.

To begin with, I believe there is a Hell, that there is a fiery Hell, and that the Bible is true – literally. So don’t worry about this. I’m not a liberal, or a heretic. Yet as we plunge into this controversial topic, my conclusions may shock you. So prepare yourself. As always, I encourage you to pick up a Bible and look up the texts. As you are about to see, what many think about Hell isn’t always exactly what God’s Word really says.

There are three different Greek words that are translated “Hell” in our English New Testaments. It’s important to know this, for they each mean something different. They are “Tartarus,” “Gehenna,” and “Hades.” Tartarus is used only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:4. The Scripture says,

“God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell [Tartarus], and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” (2 Peter 2:4, KJV).

This verse says that “the angels that sinned,” which would include Lucifer, too, have already been cast down “to hell” by God Himself. Yet they aren’t roasting right now, obviously, and they certainly aren’t suffering somewhere far beneath Los Angeles or Tokyo. Tartarus means “dark abyss” or “place of restraint.” It isn’t a place of punishment either. Look carefully. 2 Peter 2:4 says Satan’s angels are “reserved unto judgment,” which means their punishment is yet future. For Lucifer and his diabolical demons, the fire hasn’t started yet. So much for Tartarus.

Next word: “Gehenna.” All authorities admit this word is derived from the name of the narrow, rocky valley of Hinnom just south of Jerusalem where trash, filth, and the bodies of dead animals were burned up in Bible days. Jesus Christ spoke about Gehenna many times such as in Matthew 5:22, 29 & 30 where He warned about “the danger of hell [Gehenna] fire” (Matthew 5:22). Gehenna definitely suggests real flames. But a key question is: when will this fire burn? In Matthew 13:40-42, in His explanation to His disciples about His parable concerning plants, reapers and a harvest, Jesus provided this definite answer:

“The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the weeds are gathered in burned in the fire, so shall it be at the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:40 -42, italics added).

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” As to when the fire burns, what should we hear? Christ’s direct answer is, “at the end of this world” (verse 40). Amazingly, Peter taught the same thing when he wrote:

“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:7).

Peter’s words may seem radical, but they are the truth of God. By analysing carefully 2 Peter 3:7, we discover:

* A real fire is coming.
* It will burn “the heavens” – the polluted atmosphere we breathe.
* It will burn “the earth” – the ground we walk on.
* These flames will blaze on “the day of judgment.”
* “Ungodly men” will end up in this fire.

Three verses later, Peter elaborated further,

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night; in the which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10).

This passage is crystal clear: At some point in the future the sky above and the earth beneath will literally catch fire and “melt with fervent heat.” So if you’ve been taught that the sum total of hell-fire is some smoky place beneath the ground, think again. The Bible says our entire sin-polluted planet is destined for the flames. Peter concluded with this comforting assurance:

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13).

According to these truth-filled Bible verses, God will use fire to cleanse planet Earth of its wickedness, then He will marvellously recreate it entirely. This is His “promise” which “we” should be looking forward to.

The book of Revelation teaches the same message about a future Judgment Day and cleansing fire, followed by a new heaven and earth. Again, look carefully. After every lost soul is “judged… according to their works” (Revelation 20:13), then,

“Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away… And he that sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 20:15; 21:1, 5).

Here’s the inspired sequence:

* Judgment Day
* The Lake of Fire
* A New Heaven and Earth

Thus we have seen, so far, that Jesus Christ, Peter, and the book of Revelation teach the same thing. Real fire is coming at the end of this world. It will not only become the place where the lost are punished, but will serve a dual function of purifying our polluted sky and chemically-saturated ground from every vestige of impurity. Then God will make a new heaven and earth to become the eternal home of His saved, blood-bought children.

One frightening thought is that “all liars” will wind up “in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). This should impress us with the importance of knowing and speaking the truth.

We need the truth about Hell.

Above all, we need the truth about Jesus Christ, His love, and His death, burial, and resurrection in our behalf.

May we be washed from our sins by the blood of the Lamb so we can be assured of a place in God’s recreated earth.

Hell. Few Bible topics generate such emotion and controversy. Liberals reject the idea, yet Jesus Christ plainly taught a real Hell when He solemnly warned that the lost will be cast “into a furnace of fire” where “there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (see Matthew 13:42). Thus liberals are wrong in denying Hell’s existence. On the other hand, many conservative Bible-believing Christians often misunderstand the subject as well. This goal of this article is to continue separating fantasy from reality.

Earlier in this article on the truth about hell we saw that there are three different Greek words translated “Hell” in our English New Testaments: “Tartarus,” “Gehenna,” and “Hades.” “Tartarus” is used once, in 2 Peter 2:4, and means “a place of darkness or restraint.” “Tartarus” is where Satan and his demons reside now. It isn’t a place of punishment or flames. That comes later. Satan and his hosts will reap their reward in due time.

“Gehenna” is used many times in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 5:22, 29, and 30, and refers to a place of fire, brimstone, and punishment. Earlier we discovered that Jesus Christ clearly pinpointed the time of this fire as being “the end of this world” (see Matthew 13:40) and that Peter identified the place of this fire as being “the heavens and the earth which are now” (see 2 Peter 3:7). On Earth’s last day, “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). In other words, earth itself is destined for flames. Then God will create “new heavens and a new earth, wherein righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13; see also Revelation 21:1). We shall discuss the duration of this fire soon in this article on the truth about hell.

Now for “Hades.” This Greek word is also translated “Hell” in many English Bibles, such as the King James Version. In Revelation 6:8, the King James Version refers to “Death, and Hell [Hades].” It does this same in Revelation 20:14. Yet some English Bibles leave the word “Hades” itself, such as the New International Version, which translates both Revelation 6:8 and 20:14 as “Death, and Hades.” Now here’s a key point: in Revelation 20:14 “Hades” (“Hell”) is eventually “cast into the lake of fire.” Thus “Hades” itself is not a fiery place, but is cast into “the lake of fire.”

Here is Revelation 20:14 in both the KJV and NIV:

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14, King James Version, italics added)

“Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14, New International Version, italics added)

In my personal King James Version, which I often preach from, there is a marginal reference beside the word “Hell” (Hades) listed in Revelation 20:13 and 14. It says “Hell” literally means “the grave.” Thus Revelation 20:14 could properly be translated, “death and the grave were cast into the lake of fire.” This makes sense.

To make it simple, biblically speaking, Hades means the grave. This is easy to prove from 1 Corinthians 15:55, which in the King James Version states,

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, KJV, italics added)

If you look in any Strong’s Concordance, you’ll discover that the original Greek word here translated “grave” is “Hades.” By looking at the context, it’s obvious that “Hades” means “the grave” because it is God’s saints who rise out of “Hades” when Jesus Christ returns. See for yourself:

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up on victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave [Hades] where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55, King James Version, italics added)

“O grave [Hades] where is your victory?” the redeemed triumphantly shout. Thus “Hades” here cannot mean a place of burning, for who can imagine God’s people writhing in flames as they await the resurrection? Impossible!

Additional proof that “Hades” means “the grave” is the fact that “Hades” was the place Jesus Christ’s body rested in immediately after His death. In Acts 2:31, the King James Version declares,

“His [Christ’s] soul was not left in hell [Hades] neither [did] his flesh see corruption.” (Acts 2:31, KJV, italics added).

The New International Version translates Acts 2:31 as,

“He was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.” (Acts 2:31, NIV, italics added)

Thus Christ’s “body” (NIV) or “flesh” (KJV) was not allowed to see “corruption” (KJV) or “decay” (NIV) because it remained in the grave only a short time before He rose. This should be plain to any unprejudiced mind.

To summarize the meaning of the three Greek words translated “Hell” in our English Bibles:

* “Tartarus” means “a place of darkness or restraint” (2 Peter 2:4). Satan abides there now.
* “Hades” means “the grave” (Acts 2:31; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Revelation 20:14). Jesus Christ’s body rested there, and His saints rest there now awaiting the resurrection.
* “Gehenna” means a place of fire, brimstone, and punishment (see Matthew 5:22, 29, 30, described in Matthew 13:40-42, 2 Peter 3:7, 10-12). These flames are yet future, at the end of the world.

In its description of this final fire, and the doom of the lost, the Bible’s last book solemnly declares,

“Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15).

Will “the lake of fire” burn forever? Or will its unfortunate inhabitants – including Satan and his demons – finally burn up, and thus cease to exist? What does the Bible really say?
Death Discussions – The Truth about Hell

Will Hell burn forever, or will its flames finally cease smouldering? To discover the correct answer, we must accept what the Bible says above the opinions of men. Do you agree? I hope so. As we dive into this controversial topic, let me make my personal position clear. I believe God’s Word above popular theories.

That said, first of all, the subject requires close examination, for some texts appear contradictory. In Matthew 25:41, Jesus Christ warned that unsaved sinners will enter “the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Many read this and say, “That settles it for me! The lost will sizzle forever. Don’t even try to convince me otherwise.” Yet Jesus Christ also declared, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16, italics added). So which is it? Will the damned roast eternally in “everlasting fire,” or finally “perish,” and thus cease to exist?

Another example of apparent contradiction concerns the fate of Lucifer himself. The book of Revelation says that “The devil,” along with “the beast” will “be tormented day and night forever” in the lake of fire (see Revelation 20:10). Some respond, “There’s more proof! Satan will never cease frying like an egg in a skillet.” Yet Ezekiel chapter 28 reveals a different picture. Initially discussing the ancient “king of Tyre” (Ezekiel 28:12), God’s prophet then looks behind the scenes and identifies Lucifer himself, “the anointed cherub” (verse 14), who inhabited “Eden, the garden of God” (verse 13), and who was originally “perfect in [his] ways from the day [he] was created,” until “iniquity was found in [him]” (verse 15). Moving forward to this fallen angel’s final fate, God declares, “I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you… You have become a horror, and shall be no more forever” (verses 18 and 19, italics added). Again, which is it? Will Satan be “tormented day and night” throughout endless ages, or will he become “ashes,” and “be no more forever”?

Let me clarify: the Bible DOES NOT contradict itself. These are only APPARENT contradictions. The solution is to examine what the whole Bible says about the fate of the lost, discover its overall teaching, and then to closely analyse the difficult verses until we understand them correctly. Once we do, we will discover that everything fits and makes perfect sense.

Obviously, this isn’t the place to quote every Bible verse about the fate of the unsaved. But I will cover enough to make my point, and hopefully, this will motivate you to further research. In the remainder of this article on the truth about hell, I will list a group of exceedingly clear verses describing the doom of the damned, and then soon in this article on the truth about hell we will take a closer look at some other apparently contradictory verses to see what they really say, and don’t say.

Looking forward to the Day of the Lord, God Himself declares:

“‘Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly, will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” says the Lord of hosts, “That it will leave them neither root nor branch’” … ‘[And] you shall trample down the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the souls of your feet on the day that I do this, says the Lord of hosts’” (Malachi 4:1, 3).

This is “the Lord of hosts” speaking, not Steve Wohlberg. Here God says that when His final day bursts upon the wicked, it will “burn them up” and reduce them to “ashes” so that “neither root nor branch” remains. Think about it. If a plant is destroyed, so that “neither root nor branch” remains, how much is left? Absolutely nothing. This is what God says will happen to “all who do wickedly.”

David wrote about the fate of the unsaved,

“As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.” (Psalms 68:2, italics added).

“For yet a little while, and the wicked shall be no more.” (Psalms 37:10, italics added).

“The enemies of the Lord, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish, into smoke they shall vanish away.” (Psalms 37:20, italics added).

“But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.” (Psalms 37:38, italics added).

John the Baptist proclaimed about the Messiah,

“He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12, italics added).

Paul wrote about those who “obey not the gospel”,

“These shall be punished with everlasting destruction…” (2 Thessalonians 1:9, italics added).

Paul also declared,

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, italics added).

I presented these passages – and many more like them - at a Bible Seminar in Woodbury, New Jersey. A Jewish man named Corrie listened with rapt attention. With great carefulness, I built my case that a loving God will administer nothing more than perfect justice on Judgment Day, and that this will result in the tragic, total annihilation of those who have rejected His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. At the end of my talk, with teary eyes, Corrie approached me with an outstretched hand. “Steve, now I can believe in God’s love!” He then told me that the notion of God torturing unsaved sinners forever – including his unbelieving Jewish mother – had always hindered his having personal faith in Jesus Christ. Then he walked away.

The next night Corrie again approached me, but this time, his face was glowing. “Last night,” he excitedly reported, “I went home, dropped to my knees, and accepted Jesus as my Savoir. Praise God!” he happily announced, “I’m born again!” At the conclusion of my seminar Corrie was baptized. His mother came. “I don’t know what has happened to my son,” she commented, “but he’s happy. What more can a mother want?”

The doctrine of God eternally tormenting sinners in a smoky place called “Hell” had prevented Corrie from becoming a Christian. During my seminar, he rejected this idea, became a believer in Jesus Christ, and was baptized.

Was Corrie deceived, or had he discovered the truth?

Mohammed Ali (as the story goes) boarded an airplane and refused to buckle up. “Mr. Ali,” commanded the flight attendant, “everyone must fasten their seatbelt.” “I don’t need one,” the fighter proudly responded, “I’m Superman!” “No, you’re not,” the woman countered promptly, “Superman didn’t need an airplane. Now fasten your seatbelt or you will be ushered off this aircraft.” Needless to say, the man with a punch complied.

The moral of this story is that each of us – including Mohammed Ali – needs a good dose of humility. Jesus Christ said, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14). As we continue our journey into the highly controversial doctrine of ‘hell-fire,’ it is my hope that each of my readers will put aside preconceived opinions and humbly examine the Bible texts below. Fasten your seatbelt! You may need one.

First, let’s take a close look at the book of Jude, right before Revelation. At the beginning of his letter, Jude urged Christians to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints” (verse 3). Next he warned of “certain men” who were planting false doctrines inside the early church (see verse 4). In verses 5 and 6, Jude warned of the consequences of being led astray. Then he warned about “the vengeance of eternal fire” (verse 7). This is what we must examine, humbly and reverently.

Here’s the entire verse:

“Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7)

Notice carefully: it was the physical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that “suffered the vengeance of eternal fire,” not just the people. In addition, their punishment is “set forth as an example” of what will happen to the unsaved. In 2 Peter, we find an almost identical verse, yet Peter inserts one tiny, significant detail. Look closely:

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto all those that after should live ungodly.” (2 Peter 2:6, italics added).

What was the net result of that “eternal fire” which fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah ? Those cities became ashes. But that’s not all. Describing “the punishment of the sin of Sodom,” Jeremiah said that those evil cities were “overthrown as in a moment” (Lamentations 4:6, italics added). Now put the pieces together. By comparing Jude 7 and 2 Peter 2:6 with Lamentations 4:6, we discover plainly that the “the vengeance of eternal fire” was so incredibly hot that it reduced Sodom and Gomorrah “into ashes” in “a moment” of time. Now think about it. Are Sodom and Gomorrah still destroyed? Yes. But are they burning now? Obviously not. Then what does “eternal fire” mean? By comparing Scripture with Scripture, it means that the fire came from God and that the punishment lasts forever, not the flames. And again, both Jude and Peter called this punishment “an example” of what will happen to all the lost.

Jesus Christ also warned that He will someday declare to lost sinners, “Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41, italics added). Is this fire the same type of fire mentioned in Jude 7, one which destroys completely? We know it is because five verses later our Lord clarified, “And these [the lost] shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46). Thus the lost experience “everlasting punishment,” not punishing, just like the Sodomites.

Paul also wrote about “everlasting” consequences overwhelming unsaved sinners. Does his teaching agree with Jesus Christ and Jude? In the following passage, you will see that it does. Paul warned that when Jesus Christ returns He will come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power…” (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9, italics added). Here “everlasting” is combined with “destruction,” which means the lost are destroyed forever, just like the Gomorrahites.

In addition to Jesus Christ, Jude, and Paul, John the Baptist also warned about “unquenchable fire” engulfing the unredeemed. On the surface, one might assume John was referring to ceaselessly burning flames. But he wasn’t. Calling the saved “wheat” and the lost “chaff,” the wilderness prophet announced that God’s Messiah would “thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12, italics added). Thus “unquenchable fire” isn’t fire that burns forever, but fire that can’t be snuffed out by man. It burns up the chaff until there is nothing left.

The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center no longer exist. On September 11, 2001 they were rammed by two hijacked planes on a mission of death. Airplane fuel ignited and blazing fires could not be quenched. What remains is little more than ashes and memories, somewhat comparable to Sodom and Gomorrah. For those who lost loved ones, the results of that fateful day seem eternal.

The Muslim terrorists who brought down the Twin Towers believed they were serving Allah. They also imagined they would be rewarded with 72 virgins in heaven for their faithfulness to God’s truth. But they were grossly mistaken. Their future will be quite different from their expectations. How about us? Do we know what the Bible really teaches about heaven, how to get there, and the fate of the lost?

In this article on the truth about hell we have discovered that Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:41, 46), John the Baptist (Matthew 3:12), Paul (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9) and Jude (verse 7) all predicted that “eternal fire,” “everlasting fire,” and “unquenchable fire,” will eventually “burn up” all unsaved sinners to their “everlasting destruction,” just like Sodom and Gomorrah became “ashes” in “a moment.” And Sodom ’s holy judgment is “set forth as an example” (Jude 7) to us today.

Let’s humbly learn this lesson from God’s Word.

Let’s “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

When Thailand police arrested American schoolteacher John Mark Karr in August 2006, investigators hoped a 10-year murder mystery had been solved and that the killer of 6-year-old beauty queen Jon Bennet Ramsey was finally in custody. Almost everyone thought they had their man, especially after the teacher himself candidly confessed, “I did it.” Yet shortly thereafter Karr’s DNA was tested and results didn’t match traces left on Ramsey’s corpse. Universally abhorred, Karr was labelled a sick, creepy craver of media attention, and released.

In the earlier parts of this controversial article on the truth about hell, I have attempted to systematically build my case from Scripture that although the flames of hell are certainly real and do await the lost, they will not crackle endlessly but will finally be extinguished at the end of the world. Unsaved sinners, after facing a just judgment before a righteous God, will ultimately reap “the wages of sin,” which is “death” (Romans 6:23). God Himself declares,

“Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly, will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, That it will leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1).

There are hundreds of Bible verses teaching the same thing – that the lost will “burn up” (Matthew 3:12), “be destroyed” (Psalms 37:38), and be “no more” (Psalms 37:10). Even Satan himself will become “ashes on the earth” (Ezekiel 28:19). This has been my earnest contention all along. Yet there are a few other texts that appear, at least on the surface, to pronounce me guilty of the crime of perverting Scripture. Am I guilty or not? While I certainly don’t identify myself with Mr. Karr, I believe a close analysis of biblical DNA will prove my innocence. More importantly, it will testify that Jesus Christ is not a Person who will endlessly torture those who reject His love.

That said, it’s time to examine some DNA about “the worm,” plus verses in the book of Revelation about being tormented “for ever.” Coming soon to this article on the truth about hell we will discuss a man named “Lazarus.” Let’s start with “the worm.”
The Worm that Dieth Not – The Truth about Hell

Jesus warned about being cast “into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and their fire is not quenched (Mark 9:43, 44). Many view this as evidence that I’m guilty of twisting the Bible. So let’s examine the DNA. First of all, by comparing Christ’s statement with Isaiah 66:24, it’s unquestionably clear that Jesus was quoting Scripture. See for yourself:

“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men who have transgressed against Me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” (Isaiah 66:24).

This is precisely what Jesus Christ said. But notice carefully that Isaiah applied this morbid scene to the “carcasses” of sinners that God’s people will someday “look” at. In other words, at time’s end, the righteous will behold dead bodies, not living souls endlessly tormented. What about the fire that can’t be “quenched”? By comparing Isaiah 66:24 with Jeremiah 17:27, it’s clear this means that the fire can’t be quenched by man until it finishes its job. What about the “worm”? In the Isaiah text, the worm doesn’t die, but the people are dead. This is biblical imagery. In Bible days, outside Jerusalem, there was a garbage dump where the carcasses of dead dogs and criminals often ended up. Worms continually crawled there within rotting flesh. Jesus used this imagery, quoting Isaiah, to illustrate the fearful fate of the lost. But again, its dead bodies, not eternal torment, being described.
Tormented Day and Night forever – the Truth about Hell

There are three places in book of Revelation that say, “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever” (Revelation 14:11), “her smoke rose up forever” (Revelation 19:3), and “tormented day and night forever” (Revelation 20:10). “Those verses prove you’re wrong, Mr. Wohlberg!” I sometimes hear. Again, let’s analyse the DNA.

Everyone knows that Revelation contains some symbolism, such as its references to a seven-headed beast, a Babylonian harlot holding a golden cup, and a glistening woman clothed with the sun. Obviously, these aren’t literal. What about the ‘tormented forever’ texts? Could they be symbolic too? Here’s something significant: If you look closely at each ‘tormented forever’ passage, every one is connected to symbolism. Revelation 14:11 and Revelation 20:10 refer to “the beast,” and Revelation 19:3 states, “her smoke rose up forever.” Whose smoke? The Whore riding the beast. Will a literal Harlot sizzle forever? No. This is symbolism.

Here’s more evidence worth considering: While Revelation 20:10 refers to torment forever, verse 9 says the opposite and contains no symbolism.

Verse 9 - And they [the lost] went up on the breadth of the earth [at the end of the Millennium], and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city [the New Jerusalem], and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.

Verse 10 – And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Verse 9 has no symbolism and says the lost are “devoured.” Verse 10 has symbolism and says they are tormented “forever.” Which is it? The literal truth lies in the text that contains no symbolism: “fire came down… and devoured them.” Beyond this, after “the lake of fire” is again described in verse 15, the next verse says,

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” (Revelation 21:1)

Revelation 20:9 says the lost are upon “the earth” when God’s fire devours them. Thus “the earth” is the location of “the lake of fire.” Then Revelation 21:1 says the “first earth” passes away which must include the lake of fire! Then there will be “no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain” (Revelation 21:4). Here’s even more proof that “the lake of fire” will disappear.

“I did it,” Mark Karr claimed, but he didn’t. DNA evidence revealed otherwise. Dear friend, I hope you are open-minded enough to accept DNA truth from the Bible. Jesus Christ is good. He’s not a wicked murderer (like Mr. Karr claimed to be), nor an eternal tormentor of souls.

One day soon, when the smoke clears, the entire universe will proclaim, “just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints” (Revelation 15:3).
The Rich Man and Lazarus – The Truth about Hell

My own mother – who recently turned 73 years old – is not presently a believer in Jesus Christ. Neither is my brother. Nor are many of my Jewish relatives. According to many well-meaning Christian teachers, if nothing changes, these relatives of mine are doomed to eternal flames.

Throughout this article, I have tried to disprove this popular teaching from God’s Word. I’ve quoted Scriptures like, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and Jesus Christ’s own words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Based on my research, words like “death” and “perish” do not mean “conscious eternal torment.” Rather, they mean just what they suggest, that the unsaved will someday cease to exist. Because of their sinful choices, the lost have forfeited eternal life. After the Day of Judgment and a just sentence, the only thing a merciful God can do is to finally pull the plug, thus ending their existence. I pray that my family members will wake up before it’s too late.

In previous chapters we have closely examined key passages that seem, at least on the surface, to contradict my conclusions. We’ve discussed “absent from the body” (2 Corinthians 5:8), the dying thief (Luke 23:43 ), the appearance of Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:28 -36), and souls under the altar (Revelation 6:9-11). It’s now time to zero in on the Mother of all Hell Verses – the Rich Man and Lazarus. More than any other passage, this section is used to prove that lost sinners don’t sleep unconsciously in their graves awaiting the resurrection (which so many Bible verses plainly teach – see Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10, Psalms 13:3; Acts 7:60; John 5:28, 29; 6:39, 40, 44, 54; 11:11-14, etc.), but that they plunge instantly into flames at death, and sizzle eternally. Let’s take a closer look.

The story is found in Luke 16:19-31. Because of space limitations, I will not quote the entire passage. Jesus Christ declared:

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’

After denying his request, Abraham finally told the rich man,

‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’

To begin with, I want to make one highly significant mega-point: This is the ONLY place in the entire New Testament that says that a lost soul descends into a fiery hell immediately at death! Such a doctrine is not taught anywhere else – not by Matthew, Mark, John, James, Peter or Paul. Did you get that? Paul wrote most of the New Testament, and he didn’t teach it even once. Let this fact sink into your soul.

Second, Jesus often told “parables” or stories that were symbolic of deeper truths. Although parables contain many practical lessons, not every item should be taken literally. Is this story a parable? We believe so.

Here are 7 reasons why:

1. Jesus often began His parables with the phrase, "a certain…man." If you look at these verses in Luke’s gospel, you will discover that they are all parables. Thus it’s logical to assume the Rich Man and Lazarus story is also a parable.

Luke 12:16 “And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:”
Luke 13:6 “He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.”
Luke 14:16 “Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:”
Luke 15:11 “And he said, A certain man had two sons:”
Luke 16:1 “And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.”
Luke 16:19 “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”
Luke 19:11-12 “And as they heard these things, he added and spoke a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.”
Luke 20:9 “Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.”

2. A man cannot physically enter into "the bosom" or chest of another person as Christ described.

3. Can someone literally burning in flames carry on a normal, rational conversation?

4. Can those in heaven and hell talk to each other? If that were the case then we would be able to see our loved one’s such as a family member and we would be able to see them burning and going through horrible suffering. Would this be something that we would desire? Would we enjoy heaven if it involved watching people we loved suffer like this. What if it was a son or daughter or a mother or father, could that person even for a moment enjoy there stay in heaven seeing this every day?

5. Jesus represented the rich man as being bodily in hell, with eyes, a mouth, a tongue, etc. This is obviously symbolic. If you were to dig up a real rich man's grave, wouldn't his body be there? Of course!

6. A real burning man would not request a little water to cool his tongue alone. What about the rest of his body? Would a drop of water really help? Besides the fact a drop of water would not survive the flames to get to his tongue, if you were in that situation would you ask for a drop of water or the whole local fire department?

7. Consciousness at death contradicts the rest of the Bible.

Significantly, Jesus didn’t interpret every parable He told. Yet when His disciples asked Him to interpret another parable about weeds in a field, Jesus plainly explained that hellfire occurs at “the end of this world,” rather than at death (see Matthew 13:36, 40-42, KJV).

There is a historian who wrote that this was a story popular in Jesus time and that He took this story and used it as a way to try to express spiritual truth to the people of His day. The story actually has nothing directly to do with death or hell and is teaching about faithfulness. It is also in line with other parables about faithfulness. So what is the meaning of this parable and what spiritual lesson is to be learnt from this story?

The rich man undoubtedly represents the Jewish nation which actually prayed to father Abraham. The poor man, Lazarus the beggar, represented the Gentiles. The Jews believed if you were rich, it was a sign of blessing from God because of their righteousness and that they were guaranteed getting into heaven. If you were poor they figured there was a curse upon you probably because of your sinfulness and so you had a poor chance of getting to heaven. The Jews also believed if you were a literal child of Abraham than you had it made.

So what did Jesus do?

Jesus flipped things upside down by describing a saved poor man, and a lost rich man

The context of Christ’s parable shows He was talking directly to wealthy Pharisees who were mocking Him with their tongues (see Luke 16:14 ). Those Pharisees believed the rich were blessed, while the poor lived under God’s curse. Jesus flipped things upside down by describing a saved poor man, and a lost rich man. The part about the rich man asking for his tongue to be soothed was a direct warning to those Pharisees that their lips were catapulting them toward hell-fire. Finally, at the end of His parable, Jesus declared that even resurrecting Lazarus from the dead wouldn’t convince the doubters.

This leads to the next point: Why did Jesus specify the name Lazarus? Because His parable was also a prophecy. Later Jesus would resurrect a real person named Lazarus, yet this miracle would not convince the Pharisees that He was the Messiah (John 11:1-53).

Here’s a solid principle: We should interpret parables in the light of the rest of the Bible, rather than the rest of the Bible in the light of one parable.
The Perfect Sacrifice – The Truth about Hell

To nearby residents, it will always be remembered as the “Esperanza Fire.” Deliberately ignited by an evil arsonist, the October 2006 wind-driven blaze destroyed nearly 60,000 acres and 34 homes 100 miles east of Los Angeles, California. Worst of all, it killed five fire fighters who were suddenly immersed in flames when the wind unexpectedly shifted. On Sunday, November 5, nearly 10,000 mourners attended a memorial service for the fallen fighters at an outdoor amphitheatre in Devore, CA. “We will never forget their sacrifice,” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared. As the ceremony concluded, a group of U.S. Forest Service airplanes soared overhead while bagpipers played "Amazing Grace."

Believe me, as awful as the Esperanza Fire was, it bears no comparison to the fiery sea of judicial punishment described in Scripture. West of Palm Springs, CA, five men lost their physical lives. At the end of the world, the consequences are infinitely more serious. Notice carefully the net result of being in cast into Revelation’s apocalyptic furnace:

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14, 15).

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

Twice the book of Revelation states that the fate of sinners who suffer in “the lake of fire” is “the second death.” Underscore that last word: death. Throughout this “Hot Topic of the truth about Hell” article, I have contended that contrary to popular opinion, the final fate of the damned is not to sizzle endlessly in conscious torment, but to ultimately “perish” (John 3:16) and become “ashes” (Malachi 4:3). “‘The day which is coming shall burn them up,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘that will leave them neither root nor branch’” (Malachi 4:1). This is God’s Word, not my opinion.

But I have saved my best argument for last. Every true Christian who believes the gospel accepts the fundamental truth that, on the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ paid the “full price” for the sins of the world. Agreed? The Bible says unequivocally,

“Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

This truth is basic. Jesus Christ paid the full price for our sins. Isaiah predicted, “The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). “Chastisement” means “punishment.” It was our “punishment” that Jesus Christ endured in Gethsemane and on the cross. In other words, what should have happened to us, fell on Him. What we deserve, He endured. He took our place. Again, all true Christians accept this, but only a few realize the inescapable implications.

Think about it. If “the wages of sin” were conscious, unending, never ceasing, eternal torment, then the ONLY WAY that Jesus Christ could experience the full penalty for our sins would be for Him to consciously suffer eternal torment in our behalf. “I’m so glad we don’t have to sizzle forever,” the righteous would be saying throughout endless ages, “because Jesus Christ is burning right now for us!” Do you see my point?

There’s really no way around it. To say that “the wages of sin” is burning forever, and then to deny that Jesus Christ will burn forever, is to deny that Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for our sins. In that case, He really didn’t. He would only have paid a mini, 3–day discounted price — between Friday and Sunday. And even then, “eternal torment” believers don’t believe that Jesus was consciously suffering from Friday to Sunday anyway. At least I’ve never heard anyone say this.

The only way to escape the proverbial horns of this dilemma is by accepting the Bible as it reads – “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23 ). Each time a lamb was sacrificed in the Jewish Temple, this message was proclaimed. Those animals died, and then portions of their bodies were consumed on Jewish altars. Period. That was it. On the cross of Calvary, after 6 hours of unimaginable horror, Jesus Christ breathed His last breath, and then He died. Paul wrote, “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

But here’s a key question. What kind of death did Jesus die? It wasn’t a normal death, like we die, at the end of our lives. When people die today, their deaths are not “the wages of sin.” Nowadays, death comes alike to us all – the saved and the lost. Everyday deaths are called “sleep” in the Bible (see Psalm 13:3; Daniel 12:2; Acts 7:60; 1 Corinthians 15:6, etc). Today, when lost sinners die, they sleep in the grave. At the end of the Millennium, they will be resurrected, judged, and then punished in the “lake of fire,” which is “the second death” (see Revelation 20:5a, 11-15). This “second death” is the full penalty of sin. It will be horrible. It will go beyond the pain of flames. And then, it will be over. Finished. Done. This is the death that Jesus Christ died when He cried out, “It is finished!”

“We will never forget their sacrifice,” Schwarzenegger declared about the five lost fire fighters. I pray we will never forget the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in our behalf. And part of this remembrance is to teach the truth about hell.The Truth About Death If we say, “the wages of sin is eternal torment,” then we are really denying that Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for our sins. May we “never forget” the Word of God, which declares,

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23 ).

What “Amazing Grace!”

Hell Explained

2009-06-06T10:44:00.027-05:00

If you heard the word "Hell", what would immediately come to mind? Fire, brimstone, pain, suffering, eternity, devil, judgment, etc... Well, none of this is true and I can prove it with Scripture from the Holy Bible. I felt betrayed by everyone that I had a conversation with concerning this including preachers. Let us take a look at what the Living Word of God says about hell.

First, I need to establish a fact about hell that many people do not know. No person that has died is in hell right now. It is true! Read the scriptures below that show the truth.

Jesus said;
Mark 9:43 "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:"

There are several other verses that are like this one. However, there is no doubt that Jesus is talking about a body, not a soul, being in hell. This is important because many preachers preach that the soul goes to hell. According to our Lord Jesus Christ, this is not so. Let me move on to what scripture says about where the dead are right now.

Where are the Dead Now?
One of the best verses to explain where all the dead are right now is the parable of the tares that Jesus told the multitude in Matthew 13:24-30.

24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

The parable confused the disciples. Therefore they asked Jesus what it means and Jesus said in Matthew 13:36-43

36Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus explains that this is what will happen at the end of the world. This is concerning the judgment of the Lord upon all mankind that has existed since Adam and Eve. Therefore, there is no human in hell right now because the Great Judgment has not occurred. This also proves there is no human that has died that is in heaven either. To further support this, look at John 5:28,29

28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

See? Jesus said both good and evil will come out of the grave when God calls them at the end of the world! There is no misunderstanding this or twisting it. It is plain and simple.

Ellis Skolfield Prophecy Videos

2009-02-21T20:57:00.026-06:00

Bifids and Chiasms (part 1)

Bifids and Chiasms (part 2)

Bifids and Chiasms (part 3)

Origins of Fables and Myths

Figurative Language in Scripture (part 1)

Figurative Language in Scripture (part 2)

What the Church knew in 1659... and then forgot

Day-Year Language of Prophecy

Hour, Day, Month & Year (part 1)

Hour, Day, Month & Year (part 2)

The Abomination of Desolation (part 1)

The Abomination of Desolation (part 2)

The Abomination of Desolation (part 3)

Leopard-Bear-Lion Beast (part 1)

Leopard-Bear-Lion Beast (part 2)

Time, times and an half...(part 1)

Time, times and an half...(part 2)

Daniel's Beasts (part 1)

Daniel's Beasts (part 2)

Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 are Twin Chapters

The Two Horned Beast

The Scarlet Beast (part 1)

The Scarlet Beast (part 2)

Antichrist & 666 (part 1)

Antichrist & 666 (part 2)

Antichrist & 666 (part 3)

The Seven Churches

Seven Seals of Revelation

Seven Trumpets and Three Woes

Seven Bowls of Wrath

The Last Trump - Heavenly Trumpets (part 1)

The Last Trump - Heavenly Trumpets (part 2)

Millennium (part 1)

Millennium (part 2)

Brief Overview

2008-10-05T12:30:00.001-05:00

I have made this blog in order to get people involved in understanding bible prophecy and how to interpret it. In no way am I an authority on bible prophecy. However, I do believe that many of the main stream churches and denominations have it all wrong. It is important to use the scriptures and scriptures only. It is important to pray and study your bible. I have studied the Book of Ezekiel, Daniel & Revelation. I listen to Perry Stone, Jack Van Impe, & Ellis Skolfield from which I make my statements on this blog. Perry Stone is by far the best preacher and truly a man of God. You can go to their websites below:

Perry Stone: http://www.voiceofevangelism.org/home.cfm
Jack Van Impe: http://www.jvim.com/
Ellis Skolfield: http://www.ellisskolfield.com/
http://www.BeholdTheBeast.com

Caught Up; When?

2008-10-05T12:11:00.002-05:00

One of the most debated events in the New Testament, the whole Bible for that matter, is if there will be a Rapture. If so, does it happen before or after the wrath of God is poured upon the earth? Forget about all you have been taught during your life and just read what the Scriptures say. Let’s begin with a quote that is familiar to almost every Christian.

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1 Th 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
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This verse tells us that the righteous people will be caught up to the Lord. This establishes that there will be a "Rapture". The reason for this posting is to find out if the Rapture happens before or after Jesus descends to earth. Therefore, it is important to notice the portion of the above verse that says, "and with the trump of God:". The Bible is full of trumpets, including seven in Revelation, so the next logical question is this: Which biblical trumpet is this one? Of all the trumpets in the Bible, at which one is the Church taken to be with the Lord?

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1Co 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
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Now we know when Jesus Christ will descend to earth to reign forever and ever; "at the last trump"! This is using just scripture people. It is the TRUTH, no matter what you believed before you read this posting. If you need more evidence from scripture read the verses below. These things happen in sequence as they are written.

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Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days ...the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet [a great trumpet, NASB], and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
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Notice the sequence:
(1) Tribulation.
(2) After the tribulation.
(3) Great trumpet.

Here are the events of the last trumpet as described in Revelation.
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Revelation 11
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.

7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. *************************************************************************************
Revelation 11
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
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The 7th angel sounds, and the Lord reigns forever. If there is no time anymore, then we know this is the last trumpet. Right then, forever! After that trumpet blows, there won’t be time for a tribulation, or for a 1000-year millennium. We will be going straight into the eternal Kingdom of God when that last trumpet sounds. Despite differing doctrines, that is the chronological picture as declared in the Bible.

AntiChrist

2008-10-05T10:53:00.001-05:00

The so-called Antichrist is a subject that most people look to as a definite sign that the 'End of Days" is here. The popular interpretation of the "Antichrist" is a singular view; a man. What does Antichrist mean? It means to be against or not believe in Jesus Christ. Well, I am about to prove to you that "Antichrist", in the Bible, is plural.

Four verses in the bible use the term antichrist; all in the books of John.

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1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
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None of the verses suggest an individual as “The” “Antichrist”. If there is to be an end time leader as some interpret, none of the antichrist verses suggest a person titled “The” “Antichrist” since there were many even back when John was writing. The verses DO state that antichrist
is a SPIRIT, or THE spirit, that lives in the heart of anybody and everybody that denies that Jesus is the Christ or that denies the Father and the Son.

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1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also].
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So everyone that denies the Son has not the Father and is therefore antichrist, and also is an antichrist. Blindness of the Jews, however, is discussed separately as a “mystery”.

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Romans 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.
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Some say "The" "Antichrist" was Nero, suggesting it’s over and done with. Others are looking for some future individual “The” "Antichrist" of the silver screen yet to come. Others you can find on the Internet, of which there is no shortage, proffer guesses from the leader of Spain, to the Pope, to Ronald Reagan. Meanwhile there are 1.5 billion antichrists in Islam alone. This doesn't even count the atheist neighbor down your block where your kids go to hang out.

The Church has been deceived by tradition. Has the Church's looking for some individual "Antichrist", past or present, also made it look like so much buffoonery to those outside of the Church? It is human nature to want to believe in concepts such as "The" "Antichrist". What kid didn't take a flying leap into bed, so that what ever was under the bed wouldn't grab their ankles? Without the allure of a boogeyman Hollywood would go broke and the majority fiction novelists would be living in a van down by the river.

The enemy removed the term antichrist from the Christian vocabulary except when used to
describe a specific individual. Who would casually refer to the atheist that lives down the road as an antichrist? How much more soul searching might that individual do if we did? Who have you heard refer to the 1.5 billion Muslims as antichrists?

Muslims do become very convicted once they understand that they are antichrist. A term that should be a normal part of Christian vocabulary has been stolen by the enemy. Just ask the
guy next to you in Church next Sunday "what is the antichrist?" to get an idea of how this term is understood in the Church.

Consider also that God likely had John write so much later than the others so that he could address the myriad of heresies that had already infiltrated the Church, even in John's day. Consider all of the "overcommeth"ing of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3. The antichrist verses in effect say "you've heard that antichrist is coming, but it's already here!".

Even if there had been such a concept of a single antichrist in the Church, consider the wording: "ye have heard". Perhaps like "ye have heard that the moon is made of green cheese", but that doesn't mean that it's true. Consider a similar verse:

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Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 4 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
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"The folly of interpreters has been to foretell times and things by this prophecy [Revelation], as if God designed to make them prophets. By this rashness they have not only exposed themselves, but brought the prophecy also into contempt. The design of God was much otherwise. He gave this and the prophecies of the Old Testament, not to gratify men's curiosities by enabling them to foreknow things, but that after they were fulfilled they might be interpreted by the event, and his own providence, not the interpreters', be then manifested thereby to the world. For the event of things predicted many ages before will then be a convincing argument that the world is governed by Providence." - Sir Isaac Newton

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2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
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The most important fundamental in Islam is "shirk" (anti-polytheism) that is manifest specifically as God has no Son. This is the most important fundamental in Islam. From the Quran ...."O you People of the Book, overstep not bounds in your religion, and of God speak only the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, is only an apostle of God, and his Word which he conveyed unto Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from him. Believe therefore in God and his apostles, and say not Three. It will be better for you. God is only one God. Far be it from his glory that he should have a son."

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1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also].

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
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While Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet, they deny that Jesus is the Son of God, thus all 1.5 billion of them are antichrists.

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2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

John 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said,I am the Son of God?

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.
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ISLAM IS OPPOSITE OF CHRISTIANITY

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Bible: Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Koran: (Sura 2:223) your wives are as tilth (farmland) unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Sura 112:3 He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; To our could-become brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus:

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
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beholdthebeast.com

Summary of Days/Years

2008-10-05T10:23:00.001-05:00

Thirteen prophecies that fit perfectly to the Days/Years given by God in the Holy Bible.

By: Ellis Skolfield in the "False Prophet".

Temple of God

2008-10-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

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John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
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Jesus rebuilt the temple in three days, just as He promised. That temple is Jesus' body, rebuilt as the corporate body of Christ, through His crucifixion, death and resurrection. The following also suggests that the temple of God is the corporate body of Christ.

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Ephesians 2:
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
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Builded together "through the Spirit" we understand.

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1Corinthians 6:
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
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The "temple of God" is the corporate body of Christ, composed of individuals, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Following are all of the verses that include the term "temple of God".

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Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
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The above verse is a reference to the literal temple that Jesus prophesied would be torn down -every stone - as it eventually was.

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Matthew 26:61 And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
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The corporate body of Christ, confirming John’s account. Further confirmed by the following.

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1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of Goddwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.

2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
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The corporate body of Christ is the temple of God. This is not open to interpretation. In the figurative language of John's vision in Revelation we find two verses that use the term "temple of
God".

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Revelation 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
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John had his vision while banished to the penal colony on the Isle of Patmos. In the same chapter.

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Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
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That's all of the verses that use the term "temple of God". This final use of the term locates the temple of God of that verse in the heavenlies, which would be consistent with Ezekiel's account.

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Ezekiel 43:7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, [neither] they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.
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We have assurance that God does not dwell in temples made with hands.

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Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
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Any future rebuilt temple would be desolate before it was ever built, by God's own design.

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Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
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We can now well understand where we should be on guard for that "man of sin".

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2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. "...above all that is called
God...".

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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So it would seem we are left with no choice but to understand that the "man of sin" may be revealed in the corporate body of Christ, and perhaps even in an individual temple of the Holy Ghost. For a Christian to suggest that a future "temple of God" is scriptural, would require believing that Jesus' finished work on the Cross, is incomplete and unfinished. Jesus warned the
Pharisees of such.

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Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which
decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
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That some Jews that may remain sovereignly blinded, and could have an interest in building a
temple should not be a surprise. But as Christians we can readily see that the only "temple of God", ever since the Cross, is the one that Jesus Himself rebuilt in three days. Once we understand the location of the "temple of God", and where “that man of sin” sitteth, John
Nelson Darby's mid-19th century futurist invention collapses. As widely respected futurist Dr.
Harry Ironside of Moody Bible Institute wrote in his “Mysteries of God”. ".....until brought to the fore through the writings of.....Mr. J. N. Darby, the doctrine taught by Dr. Scofield [i.e., the Seven-Year Tribulation theory] is scarcely to be found in a single book throughout a period of 1600 years. If any doubt this statement, let them search, as the writer has in measure done, the remarks of the so-called Fathers, both pre- and post-Nicene, the theological treatises of the scholastic divines.....the literature of the reformation.....the Puritans. He willfind the 'mystery' conspicuous by its absence."

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Job 8:8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their
fathers: 9 (For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth
[are] a shadow:)
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The 19th century brought us; Mary Baker Eddy, Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, Ellen White, John Darby, Westcott and Hort, Madame Blavatsky.

israelinbibleprophecy.com
beholdthebeast.com

Daniels 70 Weeks

2008-10-05T09:25:00.001-05:00

The 70 Weeks is divided into three sections: Seven Weeks, Sixty-two Weeks and One Week. Let’s look at the 69 weeks first. To whom are they addressed and what are they about? They are to the Jews, and about Jerusalem. What does v. 24 tell us will be accomplished in those 69 sevens?

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Daniel 9
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
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When will they take place, and what is the time frame? We are told to start counting time after a decree is sent out to restore Jerusalem. A special decree was granted by Artaxerxes I to Nehemiah (444-445BC). This is the ONLY decree recorded in the Bible that gave the Jews permission to “restore Jerusalem and rebuild its walls,” and since Scripture relates to Scripture, we should start counting time from that biblical decree.

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7 WEEKS CONVERSION
(7 weeks) X (7 Days) = 49 days
Levitical to Solar Conversion = (49 days) X (.9857) = 48.3 days
1 year for 1 day Conversion = (48.3 years)
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62 WEEKS CONVERSION
(62 weeks) X (7 Days) = 434 days
Levitical to Solar Conversion = (434 days) X (.9857) = 427.7 days
1 year for 1 day Conversion = (427.7 years)
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Now, lets add our conversions together to get the total for the 69 weeks.
(427.7) + (48.3) = 476 years

Now take the date when the decree was made to “restore Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, which was 445 B.C. or 444 B.C. and at the 476 years to it and see where in history we will end up at.

(444 B.C.) + (476 Years) = 32 A.D. (When Jesus Christ was crucified)

What about those six points that were supposed to be fulfilled during these 70 weeks?
All but one were fulfilled at the cross. Did not Jesus

(1) finish transgression eternally
(2) make an end of sin
(3) make reconciliation for iniquity
(4) bring in everlasting righteousness
(6) anoint the Most holy with His own precious blood

Point (5), however, was left out: “Seal up vision and prophecy.”

This is where those peculiar 7 weeks and 62 weeks come in. 7 x 7 Hebrew years = 48.3 Solar years. 444BC - 48.3 is 395.7 B.C., The Book of Malachi was written. Malachi was inspired to write the last book of the Old Testament in about 396BC. The Scripture to the Jews was complete, and no more was written until the New Testament era! So Old Testament vision and prophecy were indeed “sealed up.” As one dear Rabbi lamented in about 200BC, “The Holy Spirit has departed from Israel,” and until this very day, the Jews, as a nation, have not been permitted to see any further. The Lord has blinded their eyes so they could not recognize Jesus as their Messiah (Rom 11:8, 2Co 3:15).

Praise God!

Mark of the Beast

2008-10-05T08:22:00.001-05:00

The Mark of the Beast is given by the "image of the beast," the revitalized Islam now in the Middle East. (Some eschatologists believe the Ka’aba stone in Mecca to be the "image of the beast" and though I think differently, they could also be right.)
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Revelation 13:16 "And he (the Leopard-Bear-Lion) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the (Islamic) beast, or the number of his name."
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To understand the mark given by the Leopard-Bear-Lion, we need to read about other marks in the Bible. In 606 B.C., when the Kingdom of Judah was about to fall, the prophet Ezekiel saw spiritual marks in a vision. He watched when an archangel said,
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Ezekiel 9:4 & 6 "... Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof . . . Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house of the Lord."
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Later, the writer of Chronicles, a historian, saw the same event, but he didn’t see the mark.

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2 Chronicles 36:17 "Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand."
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So why was Ezekiel able to see spiritual marks, but the writer of Chronicles wasn’t? Well, the writer of Chronicles saw things as they were in the material world. Ezekiel saw angels in his vision, so he was seeing into the spiritual world, and don't all Christians also have a mark (aren't we sealed) by the Holy Spirit? (2 Co 1:22, Eph 1:13, Eph 4:30) But you don't see that seal on anyone, do you?

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Revelation 7:3 & 14:1 "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads . . . And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb (Jesus) stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads."
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These seals are on the foreheads of every believing Jew of the Christian Era, but you don’t see them, do you? Of course not, they are only visible in the spiritual world. They are not physical marks, but spiritual marks, and that’s the key to understanding the Mark of the Beast. Since the Lord's marks on His servants are only visible in the spiritual world, it is reasonable to conclude that Satan’s marks, given to the servants the Leopard-Bear-Lion are only visible in the spiritual world. This is not "spiritualizing" as some would claim, but accepting that figurative language demands a figurative interpretation. Scripture goes on to say,

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Revelation 14:9-11 ". . . If any man worship the (Islamic) beast and his image (the Kaaba stone?), and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the 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 (Jesus): And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the (Leopard-Bear-Lion) beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."
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So will Islam fall? The God of the Bible says so. As written earlier, it will be a spiritual tragedy of unimaginable proportions, and it will happen because the followers of the Leopard-Bear-Lion have been deceived into rejecting the Son of God who sacrificed Himself for all mankind on the Cross of Calvary. Scripture adds the following,

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Rev 13:18 "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the (Leopard-Bear-Lion) beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six," i.e., 666.
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Many books have been written about that number, all speculative, but about 20 years ago a former Muslim who could read Arabic told me that 666 was the number of the Koran. I believed him, sort of, and promptly forgot about it. Then about two months ago, another friend told me there were many Islamic sites on the Internet claiming 666 to be the number of the Koran. (You can find these sites yourself by searching: Quran 666.) Suddenly, the last piece of the Leopard-Bear-Lion puzzle fell into place! Now look at the above verse again.

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Rev 13:18 "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the (Leopard-Bear-Lion) beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six,"
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The number of a man! So what man has led a billion and a half people away from the Savior of the world? What man said, "God forbid that He should have a son." Is this not Muhammad, the prophet of the Leopard-Bear-Lion? According to the Bible, the end for him and his followers will be grim indeed.

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Revelation 19:20 "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."
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God Bless You!

Lion, Bear, Leopard

2008-10-05T08:21:00.001-05:00

There are three beasts in Revelation: the Leopard-Bear-Lion "beast," the "beast" with Two Horns and the Scarlet "beast". These three "beasts" are not real beasts because the word "beast" (when used in a prophetic sense) means something other than a wild animal. From Daniel 7, we recognize these prophetic "beasts" to be world empires that existed during and after Daniel’s time.

1. The first beast in Daniel 7 was a Lion. History shows this Lion beast to be a figurative picture of the Babylonian empire. (Babylon controlled the Holy Land from 606 to 536 B.C.)

2. The next beast in his vision was a Bear. History shows this Bear to be a figurative picture of the Medo-Persian empire. (Medo-Persia controlled the Holy Land from 536 B.C. to 332 B.C.)

3. The third beast was a Leopard. History shows this Leopard to be a figurative picture of the Greek empire (Grecian rulers controlled the Holy Land from 332 B.C. to 65 B.C. when Rome took control).

So as far as Bible prophecy is concerned, beasts = empires. Babylon was the Lion, Medo-Persia was the Bear and Greece was the Leopard. Each of these empires controlled the whole known world, from India to Greece and even into North Africa. In other words, the whole Middle East. Now lets pan forward to 95 A.D., where John, a New Testament prophet, foretells the future of the Middle East during our era. In his vision, guess what John sees? Another beast, and we now know what "beasts" mean.

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Revelation 13:2 "And 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."
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Beasts = Empires, but this empire is a Leopard-Bear-Lion so it isn’t just one of the above empires, it’s all three rolled into one. In other words, it's the descendants of those earlier empires, in the same geographic location, the Middle East. Looking back at the history of the area, we can now identify this new empire as the various Islamic countries that have controlled the Middle East, and particularly Jerusalem, ever since the 1st Jihad. Some might claim that the Islamic states in the Middle East do not constitute a real "empire" because they are not united under one government. However, The God of the Bible is more concerned with the spiritual realities in a land than He is with how many earthly governments it has. All Middle Eastern states are united under one religion, Islam, and all Moslems subscribe to the central Islamic goal of world conquest for their religion. Quoted below is part of Revelation 13, with a few words inserted (by Mr. Skolfield) to explain the figures .
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Revelation 13:1-5 "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast (an empire) rise up out of the sea (of people), having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns (various rulers of various countries), and upon his heads the name of blasphemy (this empire stands against the God of the Bible). And 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 (Leopard-Bear-Lion gives the reader a positive ID, it's the Middle East): and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his (the Leopard-Bear-Lion's) heads as it were wounded to death (the first Jihad was defeated at the battle of Tours and the battle of Vienna); and his deadly wound was healed (the rise of Islam today and the new Jihad): and all the world wondered after the beast (this Islamic empire). And they worshiped the dragon (the people of the Middle East)(Satan) which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast (the Islamic empire), saying, Who is like unto the beast (the Islamic empire), who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power (over Jerusalem) was given unto him to continue forty and two months."
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And here is how you can prove the above to be the correct interpretation. Construction of the Islamic Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem began in 688 A.D.. Jerusalem was freed of Islamic control in 1967 A.D.. Applying the prophetic days of Ezekiel 4:5-6.

1967A.D. - 1278.34 years = 688.66 A. D.
An exact historic fit; so the interpretation is true.
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Revelation 13:6-9 "And he (the Leopard-Bear-Lion) opened his mouth in blasphemy against God (by saying God has no Son), to blaspheme his name (by trying to change the name of the Creator of the Universe, I AM, to that of a local Arab deity), and his tabernacle (God’s temple mount in Jerusalem), and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him (the Islamic empire) to make war with the saints (the Christians and Jews), and to overcome them (during the 1st Jihad): and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations (of the Middle East). And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb (Jesus, the Son of God) slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear."

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Not many do hear, but It is now apparent that 1.3 billion people are being terribly deceived by Satan. The God of the Bible and the god of Islam are not the same beings because the God of the Bible said, "they worship the dragon" (Satan). We should pray for Moslems, not hate them. If they don't turn to Jesus, their eventual fate could be the greatest tragedy in all human history.

Season and a Time

2008-10-05T08:20:00.001-05:00

This last verse is concerning "A season and a Time" found in Daniel 7:11-12. Let us study the verse carefully.
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Daniel 7:11-12
11I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
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If time is 1000 years and there are four seasons, then a season would be 1/4 th of a time, or 250 years. Remembering that a season is not an exact number and could fluctuate a week or two either way, this "season and time" fits history well, indeed.

So, when is our starting point for this prophecy? According do Daniel 7 it starts after the the Four Beasts ruled. The four beasts were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. What happened after Rome fell in 476 AD? The Moslems became the major force in the region but, they lacked dominion. However they did build a Mosque on the Temple Mount in 688 AD. Lets use 688 AD and add a "Season and a Time" to it.

(688 AD) + (1260 Years) = 1948

Right to the year again. Three verses interpreted to the exact year. There is no way this is a coincidence.

God Bless,

Martin Taylor

Time, Times, & Half 2

2008-10-05T08:19:00.001-05:00

We will be looking at Daniel 12:7 in this post, which is as follows:
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Daniel 12:7
7And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swear by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
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This vision was given to Daniel in the third year of Cyrus, which was 533 BC.
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Daniel 10:1
1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
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This is the starting point for the prophecy. Therefore, let us take 533 BC and add 2500 years and see what we come up with.

(533BC) + (2500 Years) = 1967
Exactly when Israel won the Six Day War and was freed from gentile control. Wow! Still think it is a coincidence? Let's look at the third "Time, Times, and Half a Time" in my next post labeled "Time, Times, & Half 3".

God Bless,

Martin Taylor

Time, Times, & Half 1

2008-10-05T08:17:00.001-05:00

In the Book of Daniel, Time, Times and Half a Time is mentioned twice. Most people today think this means 3 and 1/2 years because of the "7 Year Tribulation" theory. Being that I have started showing you through the past few posts that there are major flaws in the "7 Year Tribulation" theory, I have no choice but to think the "Time, Times, and Half a Time" interpretation is incorrect too. In no way am I the one who figured this out. It is purely Ellis Skolfield who has done the work. With that said, lets get started.

SO far, we have only studied prophetic days. In every instance we found them to be years. But day=years are not the only duration of prophetic time in the Bible. Twice in Daniel, and once in
Revelation, there is the expression "time, times, and half a time." So how long is a time? Look at these verses:
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Daniel 7:25
25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
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Daniel 12:7
7And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
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Is a time a year like the day=years? One thing for sure, a time is not a year. Here is how we know. The Hebrew word for day is yom. The Hebrew and High Syriac words for time (as used in Daniel 7:25 and 12:7) are iddan and moadah. Surely, the Creator of the universe knows the difference between iddan, moadah and yom.

Of course, and He gave us a yom for a year, not an iddan or a moadah for a year. So iddan (time), and moadah (time), must mean something else. Lets call them time durations "X". And what about the cryptic way in which those words were used, "time, times, and the dividing of a time"? How many "times" do we have there? As is true of English, Hebrew is full of idiomatic language. For instance, the Hebrew idiom "cut off" means to kill. "Ate the pieces of" means to bring malicious accusations against, and so on. Is "time, times, and the dividing of a time" also an idiom? Let's see if there is Scripture to support that hypothesis:
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Job 33:14
14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
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Job 33:14
5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
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Psalm 62:11
11God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
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In the above, once is one, and twice is only one more, for a total of two: 1+1=2. A singular one followed by a plural twice is only two. In the same way, a singular time followed by a plural
times might be only two. Only two! The words are different, but the idiomatic form is the same. If the Lord had said, "time, yea time", we might have seen it instantly.

Now let's employ the same idiomatic language to interpret "time, times, and half a time". Time = one; times = one more, for a total of two times. Add a half a time and we have two and a half times, or 1+1+½=2½. That is pretty simple, isn't it? So why have people been saying that "time, times, and half a time", are three and a half years? Who knows? Probably because it fits the Seven-Year tribulation scheme. However, Hebrew scholars have told me their grammar does not support 3½ times as the correct translation for that idiom.

All right, so "time, times, and half a time", are two and a half times. But if a time isn't a year, how long is it? Daniel understood day=years, but he didn't understand time. Why? Because day=years were defined for him in Old Testament scriptures while time was not. In fact, time was not defined until late in the New Testament epistles:
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2 Peter 3:8
8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
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On the surface that sure doesn't look like much of a definition for time, does it? It certainly doesn't work in English. But something is wrong here. God has already given us the definition for day. He gave us a day for a year. Is the Lord changing His definition of prophetic days here? Not at all. We can prove that the correct interpretation for prophetic days is still years by the 42
months and 1260 days of Revelation that we just studied. What we have here is an in X with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as an X. So how do we solve for X? By doing a word study in Greek, which was the original language of the New Testament. The Greek word translated day in 2Pe 3:8 is hemera.

Hemera is an ambiguous word sometimes translated: period, moment, season, year, and, guess
what ... Time. So what is the correct translation here? In Greek, context often determines translation, but in the above verse, the correct translation cannot be established with certainty because context does not suggest the correct concept. Understandably, translators went with iiday,lt which is the most common usage, but that may not be correct. Hemera is translated time in four verses in the KJV, and twelve verses in the NASB. So time is a very acceptable translation. Is it possible that duration X is a thousand years?

If time is a thousand years, and we have 2½ of them, then "time, times, and half time", could be 2500 years. Thus far, we have only a supposition. But that is all we had for day=years until we started plugging them into history. Let's see if there is an exact 2500 year historic fit that fulfills the Bible's description of these times right to the year.

The Lord gave Daniel the vision of four great beasts coming up out of the sea. Scripture tells us
when this was, right to the year, "In the 1st year of Belshazzar" (Dan 7:1). In pictorial language, the vision then describes the four great kingdoms that were to rule in the Holy Land during the time of the Gentiles. At the end of that prophecy, the Lord tells Daniel about times:
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Daniel 7:25
25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
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Being that time was defined in the New Testament in 2 Peter 3:8 there is no need to convert to Solar Years. Therefore, lets start at 552 BC because that is when the Prophecy started according to Daniel 7:1. We will simply add the 2500 Years to 552 BC.
(552 BC) + (2500 Years) = 1948

This is the exact year that Israel became a nation!

You might be saying that it is a coincidence that this interpretation fits Scripture AND History. Well, I would agree with you if it only worked for one of the three prophecies that use the "time, times, and dividing of time" but, lets look at another one of these prophecies in the next post that is labeled "Time, Times, & Half 2".

These prophecies have been to the exact year and have not been swayed in any mathematical way. It is amazing how they fit exactly. Gods' knowledge and power is awesome. He truly has a plan for us. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior and believe he died on the Cross to save us from our sins, please say a prayer to accept him into your heart and life. Your eternity depends on it!

God Bless,

Martin Taylor

Two Witnesses

2008-10-05T08:16:00.001-05:00

In Revelation 11:3 there is mention of Two Witnesses. Lets take a look at that verse.
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Revelation 11:3-4
3And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
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To people that have been taught about the "7 Year Tribulation", they believe the Two Witnesses are two holy people that will be in the city and will prophesy for 42 months. Please read the rest of this post carefully!

We need to figure out who or what are the Two Witnesses. Revelation 11:4 gives a description of what they are; two olive trees and two candlesticks. Now we need to find, scripturally, what or who the two olive trees and two candlesticks are. In Revelation 1:20 tells us what the candlesticks are; Churches.

Now that we know the Two Witnesses are Churches that are figuratively represented by two candlesticks, we need to find out which Churches the two olive trees are. In the Book of Romans is the answer! Lets look at the two verses.
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Romans 11:17
17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou[the Gentile church], being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
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Romans 11:24
24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree[the Jews]: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
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Wow! We now know who the two Witnesses are; One olive tree is the "Good Olive Trees" (Jews) and the wild olive tree "Gentile Church".

OK, in Revelation 11:3 we are given a certain amount of time the two witnesses will be allowed to witness to the world. The question here is, when will they start to witness? The answer is in the Book of Luke. Lets examine these verses.
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Luke 21:32
32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
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The last generation started when Israel won the 6 Day War in 1967. Therefore, the witnesses can not witness for 1260 Years if we are in the last generation. A generation can only be as long as 70 years and no shorter than 40 years according to Psalms 90:10.
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Psalm 90:10
10The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
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Lets find the time when they started witnessing.
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Luke 21:24
24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
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Well, we know that the time of the Gentiles was fulfilled by Israel becoming a nation in 1948. In Revelation 11:3 the time given to witness is 1260 Days. We make the 1260 Days into years and their is no need to convert the years because we are in the New Testament. Lets take 1948 and subtract 1260 years and see what we get.

(1948 AD) - (1260 Years) = 688 AD
The exact year the "Dome of the Rock" was built!

Wake up people! The two witnesses time has been completed. We are closer to the return of Jesus Christ our Savior than we think.

God Bless You,

Martin Taylor

Abomonation / Desolation

2008-10-05T08:14:00.001-05:00

We will be talking about the Abomination of Desolation that Daniel prophesied about in Daniel 12:11. Lets take a look at that verse.

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Daniel 12:11
11And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
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Anyone who believes in the the "7 Year Tribulation" also believes in a third temple being built and the "Anti-Christ" will go into the temple to be worshiped and that is the "Abomination that maketh Desolate". However, we should forget about John Darby's dispensation because it is a theory and is not support by scripture.

With that said, lets use the prophetic 1 Day equals 1 Year to decrypt this prophecy. 1290 days is what is prophesied in this verse, which is actually 1290 years according to God. When should this prophecy begin? Well, the verse tells us, "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away".

In 583 BC, the priests were taken captive by the Babylonians. There was no one left to make sacrifices. Therefore, this was the last time sacrifices were taken away from the temple. So, lets work out the prophesied 1290 days and see where it ends up.

(1290 Levitical Years) x (.9857 Solar Conversion) = 1271.55 Solar Days
(583 BC) + (1271 Solar Years) = 688 AD

What happened in 688 AD? Between 685 AD and 705 AD the third most Holiest Mosque was built on the Temple Mount. Abd el Malik ibn Marwan, built a memorial to Muhammad, the Dome of the Rock, on Gods temple mount!

The "Dome of the Rock" is the "Abomination that maketh Desolate".

Now we know that a person named the Anti-Christ is not what makes the Temple Mount Desolate nor is the Abomination of Desolation future tense. Therefore, it can not be a part of a FUTURE "7 Year Tribulation".

Praise God! It gets better! If that isn't enough proof for you, lets take a look at Revelation 11:2.
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Revelation 11:2
2But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
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"In 685, the Moslem governor of Jerusalem, one Kalifah Abd el Malik ibd Marwan, began clearing the temple mount. He used the local people to do so, including the Christians and Jews still living in the city. When the bedrock was exposed, they found two solid rock promontories within 300 feet of each other. The one to the south they named as-Sakhra and over as-Sakhra they built the memorial to Muhammad, the Dome of the Rock, the actual construction of which began in 688."

"Over the other promontory, an unusually flat stone, to the north and slightly west of as-Sakhra a little, unimposing cupola was constructed they aptly named "The Dome of the Spirits" or "The Dome of the Tablets". Having no science of archaeology during those days, guess what? They built the "Dome of the Rock" in the wrong place."

In Revelation 11:2 tells us, "the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months". Lets start from when the "Dome of the Rock" was built (688 AD) and add the 42 months to that date and see what the end date is.

(NOTE)

Being that we are using a verse in the New Testament, there is no need for the conversion (.9857) because the New Testament was written in Greek which uses the Solar Calendar.

(356.24 Days) / (12 Months) = 30.44 Days per Month
(42 Months) x (30.44 Days) = 1279
(688 AD) + (1279) = 1967 AD

What happened in 1967 AD? Israel became a free nation after winning what is know as the 6-Day War. Guess what the Holy City had just stopped being "tread down by the Gentiles" when they won that war. Prophetic accuracy is awesome!

God Bless You,

Martin Taylor

7 Year Trib, Really?

2008-10-05T08:13:00.001-05:00

Everyone of us that have studied the end times prophecies of the Holy Bible have heard of the "7 Year Tribulation". Most have never questioned where the thought "7 Years" came from. That is exactly what this post is about. It is important for us to be critical of the things we hear from others, including me. We should listen to others and then read our bibles and pray to God for understanding. Remember, there is no "Gray Area" when reading the bible. It is what it is! If we read the words and apply the words; the product is scriptural fact.

So, where did the "7 Year Tribulation" theory come from? John Darby of the Plymouth Brethren theorized that the 70th week was actually a Seven-Year tribulation that would take place at the end of the Christian Era. Darby then imagined a 2000 year gap between the 69th and 70th weeks to make it fit his prophetic scheme of things. Darby also figured that the day-years of both Daniel and Revelation were the first or last half of his so-called Great Tribulation.

There is absolutely nothing, biblically or historically, that supports the "7 Year Tribulation". Like it or not. This is the facts people. Read and study it for yourselves.

God Bless,

Martin Taylor

Gabriel & Daniel

2008-10-05T08:11:00.003-05:00

Many people focus on the book of Daniel for end times prophecy and struggle to interpret it. There are several prophecies in the book of Daniel but, we are going to focus on Daniel 9:24-26 first.
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Daniel 9:24-26
24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
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We will look at verse 24 first. Also let me say, it is important to know the approximate time that Gabriel the Angel made this prophecy to Daniel because we need a starting point to figure out when this prophecy will end.

Verse 24 gives the total sum of weeks and what will happen during that time of prophecy. The Seventy Weeks is put into three different parts in verse 25. (7 Weeks plus 62 Weeks, 1 Week)

7 weeks plus 62 weeks equals 69 weeks. Being that our historical data is recorded using the Solar Calendar, we need to convert the 69 weeks from the Levitical calendar to the Solar Calendar.

(69 Weeks) x (7 Days) = 483 Levitical Years

(483 Levitical Years) x (.9857 Year Conversion) = 476 Solar Years

Now lets see what happens when we add 476 Solar Years to the date when the prophecy started. So when should we start counting? In verse 25 the Angel Gabriel said the prophecy will begin when Jerusalem started being restored. Well, this exact thing happened when Nehemiah received approval to restore Jerusalem in 444-445B.C. Lets add 476 to 444 and see what comes up.

(444 BC) + (476 Years) = 32 AD

32 AD is when Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins in order to save our souls from eternal fire and brimstone!

Praise God forever and ever!

Martin R. Taylor

End Times or Not?

2008-10-05T08:11:00.002-05:00

I think a good question to answer would be, "Are we truly in the end times"? This is a valid question. Many people have been looking to scripture for the last several decades to figure out if the prophecies of Daniel or Revelation are coming to pass. I am not one to beat around the bush. Therefore, I will tell you we are in the end times and I will support it with scripture.

In the Book of Daniel, God gives Daniel several prophecies concerning the end of days and we will look at them now. Bear with me......

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Daniel 12:4
4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
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Daniel 12:9
9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
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What exactly is God telling Daniel to do in Daniel 12:4? He is telling him to encrypt the words he is writing because the end time generation will be exceedingly smart.

In Daniel 12:9, God tells him to not worry about what he is writing because the words are encrypted/sealed. Only people living in the end times would come to understand the prophecy in which he was writing.

Now that I have established that God sealed the words of these prophecies and we now understand them then I say we live in the end times. This might seem a little confusing. However, prophecy is like a puzzle and we are starting to put the pieces together. A little at a time you will start to see the big picture and how close we are to the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Please write Comments, Concerns, or Feedback.

God Bless You!

Martin R. Taylor

Laying Groundwork

2008-10-05T08:10:00.002-05:00

The first and foremost item we should establish is how to read the bible. Understand that scripture supports scripture. That means, if you are looking for answers to anything in any book of the bible then you will find it in another book. I have learned that there are direct correlations from the Old Testament and the New Testament.

We must also understand that the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek. This is very important when trying to translate and decipher the prophecies throughout the Holy Bible. Being that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew then we know their calendar was the Levitical Calendar, which had 360 days in one year. The New Testament used the Greek Solar Calendar, which had 365.24 days in one year.

This is the conversion and it will be used throughout this blog.

360 / 365.24 = .9857

Here is some scripture to read pertaining to what God says about days/years in prophecy and how we should interpret them. (Note) All scriptures were extracted from BibleGateway.com, King James Version.

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Numbers 14:34
After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
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Ezekiel 4:6
6And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.
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It is important to notice that God is the One who is giving this time conversion. He is saying that One day equals a Year.

God Bless You!

End Times Prophecy

The Truth About Death

Rapture Truth!

Introduction

What is the Secret rapture theory?

Does the Bible teach there is a Secret Rapture?

Will Christ’s second coming include a third coming?

Where in the Bible is the Seven Year Tribulation period?

Where did the secret rapture and seven year tribulation theory originate?

Did this Secret Rapture theory originate with Margaret McDonald?

What scripture was manipulated to come up with the seven year tribulation?

Who is spreading this false secret rapture theory today?

Do we go through the great tribulation?

Will there be a Second Chance?

Can Christ’s return be at any moment?

Secret Rapture Summary

Christ’s Second Coming will be seen and heard by all

His Second Coming is Not a Secret

His Second Coming Will Be Audible

His Second Coming Will Be Visible

His Second Coming Will Destroy the Earth

1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4 and Matthew 24 are the same event

1 Corinthians 15

1 Thessalonians 4

Matthew 24

1 Thessalonians 4 and 5

1 Corinthians 15

1 Thessalonians 4

Matthew 24

Truth About Hell

Hell Explained

Ellis Skolfield Prophecy Videos

Brief Overview

Caught Up; When?

AntiChrist

Summary of Days/Years

Temple of God

Daniels 70 Weeks

Mark of the Beast

Lion, Bear, Leopard

Season and a Time

Time, Times, & Half 2

Time, Times, & Half 1

Two Witnesses

Abomonation / Desolation

7 Year Trib, Really?

Gabriel & Daniel

End Times or Not?

Laying Groundwork