Some quick thoughts on hearing the voice of God.

On Monday of this week I got off early from work and went to the market. I was on the hunt for apples, particularly the ones that come in a bag, but this market seems to think that is beneath them. Whatever! Within a few seconds a lady wearing an apron comes around the corner and so I asked her if she knew anything about apples in a bag. Nope, but hey, stick around, we giving away a free paring knife in about five minutes, and she gave me a ticket to claim my free knife. You know I stuck around, besides I had just started my minimal shopping adventure. The knife demonstration began. Although they are impressive, and the paring knife is part of the package, I no longer wished to wait here anymore.
Now this is where the voice of the Lord part comes in. As I decided I no longer wanted to play this knife game anymore I hear this thought; take the aisle behind you, you can slip away quicker and fewer people will notice you leaving. I heard this twice, but since I am trying to learn to be less concerned with what people think about me I opted to merely make a quick left and walk away in front of everyone.
I made it about 10 feet when I hit a puddle of water that I did not see, slipped and slammed down upon my left knee. I ended up laying that puddle of water and probably had everyone looking at me.
Is there a point to this, oh absolutely. Listen to the voice, even if you think it your own. Tuck the foolish pride away in your back pocket, because you do not know what God/the Holy Spirit is trying to spare you from. BTW: That fall hurt a lot, but nothing is broken, I think.
When I was a wee bit younger, I chose to practice hearing God's voice. As I left church one night (I lived in a semi-rural area with a lot of orange groves around) I felt strongly that I was go over to this lady's house (I was trying to gain her attention and she was pretty). I argued with the voice/God about how stupid I felt about this idea but chose to go anyway. I had heard him say to me, "she will be there when you get there". I was fighting with God about this and not paying attention to the road. Suddenly I realized I was about to shoot past it, slammed on my brakes, and spun the car into the long drive way. She was right behind me and pulled immediately next to my car. I told you I was not paying attention. I apologized for scaring her and told her what God had just said to me.

While the conversation was less than productive, I think the point was God was trying to teach me something. I could not tell you that most of this sounded like much more than thoughts in my head, so you have to learn to make the distinction. I think that as you practice trusting him and responding to the sane voices you too will learn to do the right thing; I wish I had that day in the market.
Consider that there is a day coming soon in which a trumpet blast will call us away. I am practicing so that I can hear that call. I have every confidence that I will. I will let you in on a little secret; it sounds like a shofar. I so desire for you all to join me as I meet the one I have longed for, in the air. Turn your life over to the one who gave his life, for your life. That is essentially the ticket, and his name is Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed day
Oz

A response to A Short Course in Revelation - Part 2

Syria Street in Laodicea (Photo credit: Ken and Nyetta)

I stated in my post:

“The first three chapters cover Jesus addressing the churches.

These places were real, but also symbolic of the church today. Words of encouragement and warning were given to all but one. The Laodicean church, the last church, was destroyed because they did not respond to the warnings that were conveyed through John’s pen.

What does that mean to us today? Take heed, God is not joking.

Sadly I think the candle has been blown out.

2nd Century AD Temple in Laodicea (Photo credit: Ken and Nyetta)

A prophetic word: We are the Laodicean church.

You responded with:

“Laodicea means, ‘the rule of the people’, or ‘user friendly’.... *where is Christ Jesus?

(Rev 3:20) Outside, at the door and knocks!

In retrospect I wish I had not included the statement that the Laodicean church was destroyed. I honestly think I confused it with another church which commentators had clearly said was leveled. I despise speakers that make statements they cannot back up, and as yet, I cannot clearly back this up. Is it untrue what I said. I think not, but it’s spiritual ties to the modern-day church, and the way they act, should be a good indicator of where the church is headed; destruction.

Initially God lays out a proclamation to a church that was in existence. Physically that church is gone. Would there be a remnant to proclaim the hope and life of Christ to us if they had repented? We do not know. What we do know is that the churches were also spiritual analogies, not so different from the descriptions of the beast. They are clearly significant, and if we can allow for that, then the concept of Jesus standing outside the door and knocking is still relevant also.

Allow me to look at what you said:

“Laodicea means, ‘the rule of the people’.”

That statement, as a stand alone can go two ways. In the legal system it implies a consensus of your peers and not a dictatorial rule. We are told to only consider a thing if there are at least two witnesses, and then the issue is brought before the rule of the people, and the people who make that ruling are to execute the judgment. Bloodshed is such a gruesome act and only the heartless would be inclined to show no mercy. There is a point to this, and it is that God needed us to realize that it is his mercy that takes precedent over all other decisions.

The alternative take on this statement might imply that regardless of what God says we think we know better. This is how I understand this statement, and all you have to do is look around you; what do you see and hear, we think we know better.

‘where is Christ Jesus? (Rev 3:20) Outside, at the door and knocks!

A couple of things strike me about this.

First: To throw an exclamation point at the end demonstrates how closed you are to understanding. Regardless of your statements to me about desiring to understand, your attitude says completely different. To me, you might as well have slapped me in the face like an angry father, as he yells, your opinion does not matter.

Second: You referenced Revelation 3:20. So let’s ponder that a moment.

Revelation 3:20 NIV Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

There is a context and it needs to be considered. You made this reference because of two things: I used the word destroyed, and I stated that I think the candle has been blown out.

To be honest; I do not know where John MacArthur got his information indicating that the Laodicean church was destroyed by an earthquake. History has done a decent job of recording to much of things like this. Does an earthquake imply God’s judgment against a people? Maybe, but then where is the mercy. God has always been fairly straight forward by laying out an incredible plan to man, and then stating that regardless of what you do I will carry out my end of this. If destruction is included for not following the rules, then destruction must come. To do otherwise would make God a liar and that does not work.

Revelation 3:20 ESV Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

In terms of context.

1. He is talking to the church. We can make a huge assumption and call it a believing body. But if what MacArthur says is true then we cannot be sure what they believed. Jesus is God. That has been a difficult thing to wrap my head around at times, especially when the focus is upon the virgin birth. God became man, and Jesus is his name, and yet Jesus always was, beside the Father, creating with his words, and so has the Holy Spirit. The Laodicean church apparently did not believe this, and it impacted everything they thought about God. If they were so twisted why did God pour out his life and love upon them? It only demonstrates his mercy.

2. This passage is one that is used in trying to harvest the lost. An odd way of putting it when Jesus paid for all us when he bought us out of bondage. If a person is caught in bondage then it can only by their own choice to respond to the enticements of deception. Revelation 3:19 states: Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. If he is talking to the church that he gave his life for, then he is talking to family that he desires to come in line. Therefore his standing outside the door is an act of respect for the free will of the family members, and the want to receive them back in when they repent. Jesus said it, “I reprove and discipline,” so there has to be something that happens if they do not.

According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary:

"The wealthy city of Laodicea was located on the road to Colosse about 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia. About 35 years before this letter was written, Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake, but it had the wealth and ability to rebuild. Its main industry was wool cloth. There is no record that Paul ever visited this city, but he was concerned about it (Col_2:1-2; Col_4:16)."

John MacArthur states,

"Although these seven churches were actual, historical churches in Asia Minor, they represent the types of churches that perennially exist throughout the church age. What Christ says to these churches is relevant in all times."

In your challenge you mentioned that the Laodicean church meant, "the rule of the people."

The mere selfishness of that statement alone could be a primary reason for judgment against them MacArthur expounds upon something more.

"Beginning of the creation. This corrects a heresy, apparently present in Laodicea as in Colosse, that Christ was a created being (cf. Col_1:15-20). Instead, He is the "Beginning" (lit. "beginner, originator, initiator") of creation (cf. Joh_1:3; Joh_3:14) and the "firstborn of creation"; that is, the most preeminent, supreme person ever born (Col_1:15). As a man, He had a beginning, but as God, He was the beginning. Sadly, this heresy concerning the person of Christ had produced an unregenerate church in Laodicea."

I am not a big fan of John MacArthur and here is why. As I sat in a home-group/bible study, I was accosted weekly by a very adamant lady who apparently worshiped Pastor John. She would not say, but the bible says, it was always, "John MacArthur says!" I was already aware of the Pastor from radio, and I was aware of what he teaches especially on the topic of the Holy Spirit. I strongly disagree with him, but I am an advocate of intelligence, and Pastor John does give us that.

In the quotation above there is a very disheartening statement, and if this what these people believed then it makes all the more sense. The idea that Christ was a created being is the epitome of blasphemy in my mind. Jesus berated the Pharisees because they attributed his works to the devil. To say that Jesus is a created being is to deny that God's attributions in his son are not true either.

Even worse, when you consider that this is representative of this present church age, we are in trouble. Jonathon Cahn, in his book The Harbinger, declares this very thing. Although Jonathon Cahn holds out the hope that God will withdraw his hand against this nation I do not see that happening. I do not see "believers" responding to this plea to be a watchman upon the wall and blow the trumpet. Any that heard my trumpet blowing have treated me with scorn. I am sure that the common attitude is God has been coming for the last two thousand plus years, don't go getting so excited, beside that your scaring me.

Related articles

• A Short Course on Revelation
• A response to my post, "A Short Course in Revelation" - part one.
• A Laodicean New Years Resolution?
• What We Really Need

A response to the "Short Course on Revelation"

The paper, A Short Course on the Book of Revelation, was intentionally brief, and no where close to being a scholarly dissertation. I am just a lay person, like many of you, but I am of the belief that Revelation does not have to be that difficult, especially when you break it down into segments.

The segments consist of:

• Identification and understanding of who the book is about – Jesus, the Jews, the nations, and the saints.
• The church age.
• The time of wrath.
• The thousand years of peace under the reign of Jesus and the resurrected saints.
• The grand finale where after Satan is released for a brief time he deceives the nations, again, they rise up in war against God and his people, God destroys them and throws Satan permanently into the lake of fire. All the non-believing dead will be raised for judgment, and surprisingly many are shown mercy.

I printed The Short Course on the Book of Revelation and took it to the bible study group I meet with. One man in particular shows an interest in such things and so I handed it to him. The “leader” of the group began to look at it, he is attempting to create a long, detailed, explanatory thesis on Revelation, and so the man I gave that copy to immediately lost his copy. I had a backup and gave it to the man. This next time I saw the leader he had critiqued it.

I do not agree with his beliefs on end times events and their timing, but he claims he is interested in learning. One of the things that might make his learning a little skewed would be his lack of interest in reading the old testament. I find Jesus the Messiah in every book. You must understand that this bible of ours is a very Jewish book, and that the old testament is the foundation of almost everything in the new testament, especially the Revelation. The books of Daniel, Ezekiel, as well as others not only painted the picture that we see in the Revelation, but the terminology was repeated with precision, and in many cases much more defined by several of the prophets of the old testament.

In his critique the leader dissagreed with several points, one of which he kept going back to the same theme over and over. As I do not crank these papers out in an evening, I will attempt to answer his questions and perhaps yours over the next few weeks.

Issue:

"The rise of Islam. Technically we are dealing with a resurrected Ottoman empire.

This word resurrected takes on a whole new meaning when applied to the ‘beast’ whose head was wounded. (Check this out at your leisure in Revelation 13); "

Response:

This is an attempt at responding to the first of your challenges.

As I included my original statement above, it should be easy to recognize that I used terminology that allows for logical thought instead of merely stating, “this is what John was saying here.”, for I stated, "This word resurrected takes on a whole new meaning when applied to the beast". The reader is welcome to assimilate this information in any manner they wish.

I referenced Revelation 13, but this particular challenge, and I quote, “*beast - “rising up” #1, “coming out of” #2 not resurrected....” initially made no sense to me. Apparently you were referring to verse 1 of chapter 13. The problem with this is that the passages here are chronological and you have jumped backward in time.

I do not have an issue with the terminology “rising up” as used in verse 1 for it can also be stated proceeds from. Verse one of chapter 13 is in a sense the birth of the beast, but even that is not a correct assumption for that which empowers it is a spirit and has shown it’s ugly head through several representatives throughout the ages.

1 John 2:18 KJV 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.

Seeing as the term antichristos denotes anyone that is against, opposes, or is instead of Christ, therefore we can include those who assume the guise of Christ.

He, the beast, is not coming out of a body of water like some sea serpent, he merely comes out of the masses of people upon the earth. And yet we can learn with reasonable certainty where he comes from, and it is NOT Rome.

Resurrection – is from the Greek word anastasis and means: a standing up again, that is, (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, general or by implication (its author)),Strong’s concordance

We are rather free in the usage of this type of terminology for we even apply it to baseball teams, when after multiple strings of losses they begin to win with vigor.

I would like to point out that we are not necessarily looking for a man here, although that is possible, but when you apply the concept of resurrection to a religious ideology that was shut down by world domination and has seemingly made such an overwhelming come back, then it makes more sense.

A brief historical look at the Ottoman Empire

 With Constantinople as its capital and vast control of lands around the Mediterranean basin, the Ottoman empire was at the center of interactions between the Eastern and Western worlds for over six centuries.

After the international recognition of the new Turkish parliament (Grand National Assembly of Turkey) headquartered in Ankara, by means of the Treaty of Lausanne signed on 24 July 1923, the Turkish parliament proclaimed on 29 October 1923 the establishment of the Republic of Turkey as the new Turkish State that succeeded and formally ended the defunct Ottoman Empire, in line with the treaty. The Ottoman Caliphate was abolished on 3 March 1924; the Caliphate's authority and properties were transferred to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

The term caliphate, "dominion of a caliph ('successor')" (from the Arabic خلافة or khilāfa, Turkish: Hilafet), refers to the first system of government established in Islam and represented the leader's unity of the Muslim Ummah (community)" Wikipedia

To my understanding the Caliph, operated strictly under Sharia law, is a Totalitarian state. Non-compliance is not tolerated except under the laws of Dhimini, which demand that the non-believer pay extortion money to exist there, and it does not exclude you from further demands, torture or death.

It is no coincidence that the Ottoman empire covered much of the same territories as the rulers in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (Daniel 2:29-35), and the 4 beasts that Daniel saw. (Daniel 7:7-8; cf. Revelation 13:3; 17:3, 17:7. In Revelation 13:1-18 and Revelation 17:1-18 the beast is the world ruler, whereas in Daniel n7:1-28 the little horn on the beast was the world ruler. Bible Knowledge Commentary)

The feet of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, the last beast, the leopard with bear paws, and a lion's mouth are all one in the same. These are the beast described in Revelation 13.

13:2 This Antichrist seems like a combination of the four beasts that Daniel had seen centuries earlier in a vision (Dan_7:4-8), combining the characteristics of a leopard, a bear, and a lion. In Daniel’s vision, the lion with eagle’s wings represented Babylon with her swift conquests (statues of winged lions have been recovered from Babylon’s ruins).. Life Application New Testament Commentary

Take it upon yourself to compare maps. Look at the territories that Alexander’s empire covered, then look at the Roman empire. The Ottoman empire was the last in this region and covered much, if not more of the same regions. This is where your beast will come from.

Let’s look at the passage that I started with.

Revelation 13:2-8 NIV The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. (3) One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. (4) People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?" (5) The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. (6) It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. (7) It was given power to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. (8) All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

If I, like the Apostle John, use the terminology “seemed” you have to assume that I am relating how the scene appeared me. Why would I say fatal unless it appeared that it was dead? One does not bring someone or something back from the dead without people noticing, therefore the world was filled with wonder, but this is what makes the Revelation such a mystery. Either we have looked for the wrong thing, or we have been duped into looking for something that is 180 degrees in opposition to the truth. Like a magician, deception causes us to look at something else while the reality happens right under our noses.

If we are talking about a man then where is this guy. It is certainly not our former President Kennedy, for he is still dead. Does this eliminate a man in the future? No, but with all the ramifications this would have to be quite an event, especially since all the world follows this beast.

(The phrase “all the world” is not to be taken literally. If he is alive today I for one am not following him, as I am sure that would seal my fate as a worshiper of the beast. Although the influence will be wide-spread, to say all the world is an over generalization. Look at a CIA map and you will be able to see all the nations that are Islamic controlled and those that have a high percentage of Islamic influence. There are really only a few left that have not fallen under such control. Those nations that are Islamic controlled are operated under strict sharia laws, and those that are majority Islam generally have a free reign to brutalize Christians with no repercussions. Even here in America we are already experiencing Muslim men performing brutal “honor killings’ and attempting to get the courts to uphold their religious right to do so. England has Sharia run courts and such cases are tried in those, giving sadistic murderers the freedom to operate in accordance with the teaching of Islam, regardless of civility.)

Now place this same characterization upon a religious ideology, especially one that was declared abolished, and considered dead. Give it the name Islam with it’s goal of a global caliphate, and then take note of how vast it’s influence has become and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together rapidly.

If we consider the image that Daniel saw.

Daniel 2:32-33 KJV This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, (33) His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

Head – breast and arms – belly and thighs – legs of iron.

Three are clearly defined by history. They are kings in the earth and this was explained by the angel in Daniel chapter 7. What did not seem so clear are the legs of iron and then the feet.

The head of gold represented the Babylonian empire, of which Nebuchadnezzar reigned. Daniel spelled that out for us, so there is no question. We really should have no questions as to where to begin in our understanding of end times events. If there had been an unexplained crown of platinum then maybe.

The following is from: The Bible Knowledge Commentary;

The second portion of the statue, the chest and arms of silver, represented the rise of the Medes and Persians (cf. Dan_5:28; Dan_6:8; also cf. Dan_5:31). The Medo-Persians conquered the Babylonians in 539 b.c. Though that kingdom lasted over 200 years (539-330 b.c.), the Medo-Persian Empire was inferior to it, as silver compared with gold.

The belly and thighs of bronze represented the third kingdom to arise. This was the Grecian Empire (cf. Dan_8:20-21). Alexander the Great conquered the Medo-Persians between 334 and 330 b.c. and assumed authority over its peoples and territory. By Alexander’s conquests he extended the Greek Empire as far east as the northwestern portion of India ― an extensive empire that seemingly was over the whole earth.”

At this point we have covered the three known empires when you include the Babylonian empire. To some degree these all encompassed similar and yet growing territories. All these nations are representative of Ishmael and Esau. And they are now representative of Islam. The range of nations was from the Baltic region south and along the coast of northern Africa.

Look at all those nations today and you will find the demographic to be the same, Islamic.

Many would attribute the fourth empire to the Romans but there is an aspect that few pay attention to. By 69 AD conscript troops outnumbered those of Roman origin by a ratio of 5:1. Josephus tells us that there were as many as 6 legions in Jerusalem by 69AD with levels rising to approximately 60,000 by 70AD when the temple was destroyed. These conscripts were pulled from Arabia and Syria according to Josephus, and had no lack of hatred for the Jews.

Because the tradition is to use Daniel 9:26 as the basis for attributing the antichrist’s rise out of Rome, we have ignored a real and growing possibility – The beast is a middle easterner and a Muslim.

Misconceptions and tradition attributed the destruction of the temple in 70AD to Titus, a Roman, but history, through the pen of Josephus, records that a runner was sent to Titus to alert him that a fire had been started in the temple. Titus made all haste, dressed as he was, running to the temple, shouting orders and waving his right hand to indicate to the troops present that they should make all effort to extinguish the fire, for he perceived that it could presently be put out, therefore maintaining order. His commands were quickly weighed by those who hatred for the Jews outweighed the commanders decision to put out the fire, and they provoked the fire even more.

Effectively what we have is not Rome burning the temple, but Syrians and Arabians. If the destroyer that is to come, comes from those that destroyed the temple then he is coming from Syria or Arabia. Did it ever occur you that one of his names is the Assyrian. Even if we cannot pinpoint this man as coming out of these people, we can certainly say that he is coming from this region, and this region of the world is dominated by Islam.

I stated that this was a resurrection of the Ottoman empire, and that this was the head that sustained the wound. Based upon region, ethnic makeup, and religion, we know that it covered the same territories.

I already spelled out the demise of the Ottoman empire and that it operated under an Islamic caliphate. Since that was done away with, how is it that Islam has gained such a tremendous foothold? Clearly it was the head, the small horn, that has risen again.

Islam is not an overnight sensation, it has been a smoldering ember kept alive in tradition and fueled by Satan himself. It’s rebirth seems to have been ignited with Islamic revolution in which the American Embassy was taken hostage.

In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream the statue had aspects of the iron in the feet, but the clay made the feet very unstable and breakable. How does this relate to Islam? 1. Islam is run by two rival sects, the Shia and the Sunni’s. Although they both have Mohamed as the central core, many other aspects have driven them to fight viciously against each other. Though no longer making the news because the United States withdrew it’s troops, Iraq was a vivid demonstration of Islam’s internal struggles as they would car and suicide bomb each other. The only thing that I see giving them any stability is their hatred of Christians, people of the book, and Jews. Their primary purposes on this earth is subjugation of those who do not worship Allah and the killing of the Jews and Christians who will not convert.

Again I wish to say that the intent of the paper “A Short Course on the Book of Revelation” was to present a brief overview of the Revelation. There is no way I could present a defense of every aspect without turning it into a 600 page thesis. There are some things in this life that you just have to research.

In my own life I chose at some point to consider possibilities outside of tradition. In all honesty, that requires some stability because at your core, you need to have a strong relationship with Yahveh, or you stand a chance of becoming not so much lost, but a nut case like so many others. I will give you a heads up here: God has demonstrated that he is a God of prosperity, but what does that mean. Abraham, like so many others that we look to, was a shepherd. Prosperity does not mean you drive around in a diamond encrusted car. I suspect it means that you have enough to help others when the time arises. One of the things that comes to mind as I write this was Abraham’s ability to mount an army from his hired hands and rescue his nephew Lot, on one occasion.

Some of those authors that recently opened my eyes are: Joel Rosenberg, Joel Richardson, Brigitte Gabriel, and Jonathon Cahn. I have a bible with commentaries by Finis Jennings Dake which I use all the time. I primarily appreciate that he extensively leads you back to other scripture references, and of course his commentaries (although I do not agree with him wholeheartedly.)

Allow me to recommend a book, “The Mideast Beast”, by Joel Richardson. This book has changed my thinking from the traditional fallacies that religion has taught me. Yes, I have to choose to be open minded, but Joel does a very good job of making his scriptural case. I am reminded that “out of the mouth of two or three witnesses a thing shall be established”. I apply to scripture as well. If someone, or I presents a change from the norm, it behooves me to produce at least two witnesses. I prefer not lean toward grabbing two verses from say Ezekiel, but if I find that God has spoken to various authors along the same theme then I have corroboration, and a foundation for truth.

Even in a paper like this there may be those that read it without understanding. That can all change so quickly for you if you will choose to make the Messiah king, Jesus Christ the risen one, the Lord over your life. Ask him to make himself real to you and he will; he has never refused anyone. The Holy Spirit of God will come into and give you clarity as you choose to understand.

This is not about hatred, nor is it a call to rise up in anger. You can get angry but you need to react appropriately, in prayer. As a believer we have the right and authority to stop the enemy and the avenger. 2Thessalonians 2:6 tells us that something is holding back the enemies full force, and that is the praying believer. Get direct, be specific, call out against those entities that have names; those things that are trying to take control of your life, your families, your community, your nation, and put a stop to it.

There is no doubt in my mind that the rapture is merely months away, but what of those that must survive the onslaught coming once the restrainers are gone. They have a hope as well, they just do not know it yet. God will send to prophets who will stand in the streets of Jerusalem and proclaim not only the good news that you can still come to Jesus Christ and have a life in him, but they will prove the power of God that you have denied all your life. Follow their ways and their words. Turn to God with all that is within you. You will have an overwhelming presence of peace as the world around you gets turned upside down. Use the name of Jesus, the Son of the living God like a tool and he will part waters for you. Be prepared unto the death, but don’t worry, God will raise you up again; I promise.

Taqiya - Deception as Jihad

Sura 3:28 (From the Quran)

Let not the believers take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security. Allah biddeth you beware (only) of Himself. Unto Allah is the journeying.

I am to understand that this passage is the basis for all commentaries that define Taqiya.

Taqiya is considered the highest form of Jihad and is essentially the right to deceive the non-believer. Allow me to enlighten you, all who do not worship and serve Allah, are considered non-believers.

I showed up at “bible study” and the two men that were there were making the usual small talk. A fourth showed up within a few minutes and began to ask what the topic of discussion was. As no one offered anything I talked about what I am becoming most familiar with, end times. Currently I am entrenched in one of two things, the book of Daniel or a recent book I acquired called, “The Mideast Beast”, a scriptural look into the biblical evidence as to why we should be paying closer attention to Islam and why the Beast of scripture will come from the middle east.

Let’s analyze the passage above.

“Let not the believers...”

Christians might look at this and foolishly think it is talking about them. In order to give this perspective you need think in terms of Satan’s deception in leading people away from the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.

“take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers...”

In every cult seclusion is a primary tool. If I can keep you away from the truth, then the only truth you will know will be what I tell you. The disbeliever is anyone outside of Islam. Perhaps a more precise explanation might be, those who are not followers of Allah. Apparently they can have friends to some degree that are outside the religion. Hillary Clinton has an aide with known Islamic terrorist associations, but then I suppose the real question is, how does one define friend?

From the website, The True origins of Allah

The True Origin of 'Allah': The Archaeological Record Speaks

The word "Allah" comes from the compound Arabic word, al-ilah. Al is the definite article "the" and ilah is an Arabic word for "god", i.e. the god. We see immediately that (a) this is not a proper name but a generic name rather like the Hebrew El (which as we have seen was used of any deity; and (b) that Allah is not a foreign word (as it would have been if it had been borrowed from the Hebrew Bible) but a purely Arabic one. It would also be wrong to compare "Allah" with the Hebrew or Greek for God (El and Theos, respectively), because "Allah" is purely an Arabic term used exclusively in reference to an Arabic deity.

The Encyclopedia of Religion says: "'Allah' is a pre-Islamic name ... corresponding to the Baylonian Bel" (ed. James Hastings, Edinburgh, T. & T. Clark, 1908, I:326).

This website has many links to established, historical information which defines the nature and character of Allah. I suggest you peruse them for yourself.

Another source that conveys a similar message is, http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/moongod.htm

They title their page Allah – the Moon God

“Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless ...”

So merely to make friends with one of us non-believer endangers them to something other than a hope of an after life. By adding the wording “unless” tends to make it open ended. We will pursue that in just a moment.

If you were comparing religions you would find that Islam is dramatically different in this regard; we have a hope. This hope is integrally wrapped up in Jesus death and life on the cross, but Islam does not buy into that truth. According to them Jesus was rescued off the cross and never saw death for Allah took him. That of course negates any hope of salvation. Keep in mind the deception of Satan as he tries to lead as many away from God as possible.

A Muslims only hope comes when they spill their first drop of blood in an act Jihad. When you understand that aspect then you can understand why suicide bombings are a way of life for many of these people. This makes me think of a novel that I read. In it a Mullah, in the early days of the war between Iran and Iraq, made his own children, as so many others did, go off to war to be human bomb detectors. When his wife spoke out against his decision, the respected Mullah quietly pulled out a silver plated revolver and shot her point blank dead.

“ (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, ...”

They, the Muslims, cannot make friends with us unless – they guard themselves against them. Let’s ponder this for a moment. While there are truly some people who like to bear the name Christian that I would not want to be around.

If I guarded myself against these cracked pots (That is really a good analogy if you think about it.) what would I be doing? Keeping whatever twisted theology and weird derisive mannerism from influencing me to the point where they can change my behavior and belief.

Whoa now!

So Islam feels the same way about us. They do not want you influencing and changing their people to believe something that might influence , hence change their beliefs and behavior.

Again, the least violent thing that happens to them, according to the Quran (Sura 3:28) is that they have no connection with Allah. I suppose that would be important if you had a hope. They try to live a fairly strict life according to Sharia laws, a set of guidelines that is wholly lopsided toward the man’s world. A loss of connection to the one that gave you a solid hope would earth shattering if I believed that.

In trying to talk to the three others at bible study this morning, one of them tried to lay the unlearned categorization of moderate Muslim on me. To use that term tells me that you are blind sided by their lies, or you are just too non-caring to find out what the truth is. To be a moderate Muslim is to be one that is not carrying out the demands that the Quran lays out, and is taught by the Mullah’s in their mosques. What I see happening is that those who, in opposition to the Quran, defying it’s commands, will be brought under the same threats of death that the non-believer eventually will.

You who do not believe this should try taking your religion of opposition to an Islamic controlled nation and try espousing what you believe. You will find yourself dead in a short period of time. Do not think that your religion of humanism will exclude you, for humanism says, “do what you want, with whomever.” Problem there is that Sharia law demands that homosexual be killed, and quickly. Under Sharia there is no freedom to do what you wish, unless of course your a man, and claim that the rape you committed was an act of Jihad and for Allah.

“taking (as it were) security. ...”

To an outsider this could be a most difficult portion to define. For a bank to take security is to accept something as a guarantee of payment, but that is not the case here. No one is taking payment, they are trying to protect themselves as they do something contrary to what their religion teaches, sort of.

The website: http://www.islamreview.com/articles/lying.shtml has wealth of information and examples.

“Most Muslims are familiar with the principles of Islam that will justify lying in situations where they sense the need to do so. Among these are:

• War is deception.
• The necessities justify the forbidden.
• If faced by two evils, choose the lesser of the two.

These principles are derived from passages found in the Quran and the Hadith.”

Back momentarily to the bible study group this morning. How long have we been hearing about the increasing impact of Islam on the “Christian” world? Quite awhile. For those paying attention it (the Islamic caliphate) was re-birthed around the mid 1970’s with the taking of the US Embassy in Tehran. Prior to that Persia/Iran was an interesting cultural experience. After this it began to become an ideology of hatred, bloodshed, and fear. And for what? Not to regain some lost ground in a war, but merely to express their hatred of any one that is Jewish or “people of the book”, in other words, the non-believer.

Let’s see if the Sura itself can define the answer.

“Allah biddeth you beware (only) of Himself....”

How would taking security of an outsider cause you to be afraid? It would not, so there is something else here. These people are lead to believe that non-believers are some kind of threat that they need to fear, and Allah has told them, through the Quran, that they are only to fear Allah. Therefore the security aspect has nothing to do with money but some method keeping themselves secure in Allah.

Now, play with that in your head. A method of keeping themselves secure in Allah. Seeing as what I read to the guys this morning indicated that Islamic scholars concur that this Sura 3:28 is essential in giving Muslims the right to self protection through deception.

I guess that begs the question – To what extreme do the Muslims carry out this self protection?

I shared this information with my girlfriend and she responds to me with questions like, “how does that make you feel?” She is talking about my comments concerning those we share the gospel of the risen Jesus with. If she felt that I did not give her a straight answer then she will still feel that way, for I do not know. I know that it sickens me, for my life is based upon honesty and honest responses. Once again I said, "you just have to leave it to God to sort it out, not me.

I sat in the break room at work reading a book called, “The Islamic Antichrist” by Joel Richardson. A lady that works there sat next to me and ask me what I was reading. She is a Muslim and by the definition of foolish Christians, a moderate. I was not so kind in my response, and to be honest, I am imploring you to be civil in your dealings with those outside the Christian faith. She responded to what I said with, “we believe in Jesus.” If you do not understand what Islam teaches you could be duped into believing in Allah over the living God because of a statement like that. Jesus warned us of this when he said, Matthew 24:24 ESV “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”

Do not be foolish enough to think that you are invincible. Until that day, as stated in Isaiah 13:16 ESV, “Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished.” you do not know what you will do.

Again I quote from the website:

“In the Quran, Allah, allegedly, says:

" Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus doth Allah make clear to you His signs, that ye may be grateful." Surah 5:89

"Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness (vain) in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing." Surah 2:225

"Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief, except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty." Surah 16: 106

The noted Islamic commentator, Al-Tabary explained Surah 16:106 as a verse that had been revealed to Mohammed after he learned that Ammar Ibn Yasser was forced to deny his faith in Mohammed when kidnapped by the Banu Moghera tribe. Mohammed consoled Ammar by telling him, "If they turned, you turn." (Meaning: if they again capture you, you are allowed to deny me again.)

These and similar passages from the Quran clearly reveal that Muslims' unintentional lies are forgivable and that even their intentional lies can be absolved by performing extra duties. It is also clear that if forced to do so, Muslims can lie while under oath and can even falsely deny faith in Allah, as long as they maintain the profession of faith in their hearts.

In the Hadith, Mohammed, emphasizes the same concept.

From "Ehiaa Oloum al-Din," by the famous Islamic scholar al-Ghazali, Vol. 3: PP.284-287:

One of Mohammed's daughters, Umm Kalthoum, testified that she had never heard the Apostle of Allah condone lying, except in these three situations:

1. For reconciliation among people.
2. In war.
3. Amongst spouses, to keep peace in the family.

One passage from the Hadith quotes Mohammed as saying: "The sons of Adam are accountable for all lies except those uttered to help bring reconciliation between Muslims."

Another says, "Aba Kahl, reconcile among people."(Meaning: even through lying.)

The following quote demonstrates the broadness of situations in which the prophet permitted lying. "The sons of Adam are accountable for all lies with these exceptions: During war because war is deception, to reconcile among two quarreling men, and for a man to appease his wife."

The principle of Al-Takeyya

The Arabic word, "Takeyya", means "to prevent," or guard against. The principle of Al Takeyya conveys the understanding that Muslims are permitted to lie as a preventive measure against anticipated harm to one's self or fellow Muslims. This principle gives Muslims the liberty to lie under circumstances that they perceive as life threatening. They can even deny the faith, if they do not mean it in their hearts. Al-Takeyya is based on the following Quranic verse:

"Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution (prevention), that ye may Guard yourselves from them (prevent them from harming you.) But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah." Surah 3: 28

According to this verse a Muslim can pretend to befriend infidels (in violation of the teachings of Islam) and display adherence with their unbelief to prevent them from harming him.

Under the concept of Takeyya and short of killing another human being, if under the threat of force, it is legitimate for Muslims to act contrary to their faith. The following actions are acceptable:

• Drink wine, abandon prayers, and skip fasting during Ramadan.
• Renounce belief in Allah.
• Kneel in homage to a deity other than Allah.
• Utter insincere oaths.

The implications of the principle of Al-Takeyya

Unfortunately, when dealing with Muslims, one must keep in mind that Muslims can communicate something with apparent sincerity, when in reality they may have just the opposite agenda in their hearts. Bluntly stated, Islam permits Muslims to lie anytime that they perceive that their own well-being, or that of Islam, is threatened.”

As I always try to do -

I implore you to pray at all times. 

Pray for their salvation; 

Pray for those being persecuted in Muslim nations; 

Pray that God withstands the attempts of Muslims to permeate our government as take attempt to take our freedoms.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-6 ESV (3) Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, (4) who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (5) Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? (6) And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

Do not respond in hatred toward the Muslims, but respond in love. Stand fast in the conviction that God is in control, no matter what comes. And above all pray. Pray that God invades their dreams with visions and images of Jesus Christ the risen one, and that they come to a knowledge of him.

You need to understand that time is short, much shorter than you think. Iran believes this so wholeheartedly that they are willing to make the end come about through a massive display of violence. Pay attention to what is going on around you in the world. Most of what you hear is not conspiracy but reality, and as I said, part of God’s plan. This is precisely what the prophecies about the end times have been telling you, had you been paying attention.

A short course in the Book of Revelation

A piece of preliminary information: I have been reading the Chronicles of Narnia and this has stirred some aspects of my thinking. I find the grace and mercy of God to be even more predominant, not only in the way I think, but I see this aspect of God all throughout the scriptures, and the Revelation is no different. 

 

Other aspects that bring about a clarity to the Revelation:

The rise of Islam.

Technically we are dealing with a resurrected Ottoman empire.

This word resurrected takes on a whole new meaning when applied to the “beast” whose head was wounded. (Check this out at your leisure in Revelation 13);

The economic collapse of the nations;

The push for one world, socialist government (What makes this more of a reality is things like the Bilderberg group.),

The major turn of events going on in America, the nation I live in.

I should not fail to note that in many parts of the world Christians are being hunted and killed.

The world is not changing, it has changed. Islam is an extraordinary and imminent threat to all civilizations that refuse to follow their teachings and bow to Allah. 

 

In light of that, I feel compelled to tell you, I will never bow my knee to Allah.

“I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as much like a Narnian as I can, even if there isn't any Narnia.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair

When I read this line it shook me. When people challenge us and ridicule us with their senseless logic, telling us that there is no reason to serve God, then it is time to have the backbone to understand a principal; there is something greater, that speaks to us, telling us that there is a life more important than the one we are living; a life as a person called to be a Prince in God’s kingdom. Even if I could not prove it, this life is a far better course of action and way to live. I choose to live this way regardless, but I know he is real. Aslan is not the name I know him by, but since Aslan means the Lion in the Turkish dialect, and my God is the Lion of Judah, then it works for me.

Many have taken the time to read the overviews of the Revelation and therefore understand the time frame in which John wrote. Rome was a force and impact in his life, and not for the better, but this not really what I wish to convey here.

God is in control no matter what the situation looks like.

An example of that kind of thinking shows up in this statement:

“Don't you mind," said Puddleglum. "There are no accidents. Our guide is Aslan; andhe was there when the giant king caused the letters to be cut, and he knew already all things that would come of them; including this.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair

John wrote and describe things that would have been impossible to understand, unless, God saw to it that he understood, but like Daniel, John was told to not disclose some aspects.

If you will walk through the book of Revelation with the attitude, God has had this all planned out and knew this would come, then you should be able to read this book understanding that your hope is in him, and those who reject him have very little.

Revelation

The word, apokalupsis, translated Revelation, means to uncover. It’s usage in the NT conveys the drawing away by Christ of the veil of darkness.

It is the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Who is this Jesus Christ? He has many names. If you are familiar with the Chronicles of Narnia then you might know him as Aslan.

Make no mistake about it – He is:

The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords

The Lion of the tribe of Judah

The beginning and the end

The Son of God

The creative Word of God

The creator of all things

The lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world.

The worthy one

The first born from the dead

The bright and morning star

He who sits upon the throne

Our redeemer

Our mediator

I could go on and on, but as this book of Revelation comes to a dramatic end, He is that judge who comes back to the earth to set things straight.

The first three chapters cover Jesus addressing the churches.

These places were real, but also symbolic of the church today. 

Words of encouragement and warning were given to all but one. 

The Laodicean church, the last church, was destroyed because they did not respond to the warnings that were conveyed through John’s pen.

What does that mean to us today? Take heed, God is not joking.

Sadly I think the candle has been blown out.

A prophetic word; We are the Laodicean church.

The time of Jacob’s troubles or the great tribulation period.

Chapter 4 of Revelation opens with the statement that initiates the time of judgment against Israel and the nations, “after these things.” There is a logical aspect to this for the context of the previous three chapters have been addresses to the church. To say “after these things”, to me anyway, implies things that follow the church age. Not once does the text address the church after this point, but it does address the time of judgment. 

Scripture tells us that we were not destined for judgment. That is fairly open-ended, and could imply something befalling the church, should it not respond to warnings.

Here is what you need to ask yourself.

Is God’s word true or not?

- If not, then all of us have wasted our time.

- If true, and it is, then understand, Jesus took all the punishment for our sins.

Hebrews 7:21-27 NIV but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.'" (22) Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. (23) Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; (24) but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. (25) Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (26) Such a high priest truly meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (27) Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

Hebrews 9:11-12 KJV …..but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 9:26 KJV …... but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 10:4-12 KJV For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. ….(10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (11) And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: (12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

There is no longer a sacrifice to be made, hence no punishment for sins. What is left is a punishment for those that refuse to accept the one who made that final sacrifice.

Again you have a decision to make: Pre, Mid, or Post tribulation?

There is a correct answer, but is it really important if you are pursuing your first love, Jesus Christ? Not really, for whether he comes for you early or late, He will come.

I happen to take the Pre-Tribulation view and Revelation 4:1 is a valid and primary reason. Additional arguments tend to center upon the timing of Jesus return and the deluge of grief about to be poured out on the world.

Chronologically what do we begin to see happening?
Immediately after the rapture: all hell breaks loose.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 KJV (6) Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; (7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

The concept I wish to convey is that God is taking vengeance upon them that do not know him, those not heeding the good news of Jesus Christ.

What is the problem that almost all people have with the book of Revelation?

They do not understand it, primarily because it uses symbolism and multiple people and places get the same name.

Allow me to attempt a simple, comprehensible explanation?

The Lamb, slain for us, opens the seals, and judgment begins.

This comes as angels pour out bowls of judgment, and trumpets are blown signifying more judgments coming.

This period of judgment lasts for seven years.

- It is a time marked by massive earthquakes

- Fire falling from the sky, (we have yet to see anything like that.)

- Literal and spiritual Darkness. Spiritual darkness is all around us and getting darker.

- Political upheaval – We have been watching much of this on the news. It will get worse.

- Martial Law. The plans and means are already in place in America.

- Lack of food which will cause food costs to go through the roof.

- Vicious and wide spread rioting.

- War. In all likelihood Iran will attack Israel, but expect to see many nations involved

- Almost immediately a leader will step forward, declare peace, and there will be a form of peace. This charismatic leader will be Islamic. Islam will declare this man to be the Mahdi they have awaited.

After what seems like a few days of panic there will be three and one half years of relative peace.

I said relative peace because the violence against Christians we in America just saw with the recent (June 2012) Dearborn Michigan video, will become predominant throughout the United States and other so-called civilized nations as Islamics attempt to gain control. 

 

You should understand something about Islam. Those that claim to be moderates, not follow the Qur’an closely will be scrutinized as well. Islam will force them to take a position, and either follow in Jihad or die the death of an infidel. 

 

I work with a caring, wonderful Persian woman. I would consider her to be a moderate. I do not know what she will do when pressed. I have prayed to God that he infest her dreams with images and messages about our Jesus Christ, the risen one, and yet she has said nothing to me. Folks, you either have to believe that God will do what he says, or he is a liar. He is not a liar, therefore I trust that he has permeated her dreams and fear is the only thing that keeps her mouth and heart closed. Choosing not to find the lamb that was slain for you, could be a sincerely bad decision on your part.

With the snatching away of the followers of Christ as the flash point for time, you can count three and one half years and you will watch this charismatic leader, that declared peace go crazy, as he throws off the political and economic world leaders that have fed him money and support, and declares jihad upon the world. Islam, under this leader, will attempt to enforce Sharia law upon the world and there will be an attempt to change times and seasons to match Islamic law.

The judgments, sent by God, will not stop for the entire seven years, and will begin immediately.

I wish I could tell you that the governing bodies of the United States would not do this, but they will take many, primarily those of you who are bold enough to follow the risen Christ, prisoner and you will be tortured and killed. Islam is typically the ones that lop off heads, so why is the United States training our military to use guillotines. This country of ours has over 600 prison camps set up to accommodate this type of action.

Those who continue to come to acknowledge Christ, and my bible says the number will be innumerable, will lose their heads over their testimony.

You need to understand this! The Holy Spirit of God is not going anywhere. You cannot kill it, and you are not driving it away. It is the drawing force of God, through the Holy Spirit, that continues to pull people to him.

Those that come to follow Jesus Christ during this time will become embolden. They will speak with power and authority and will act as Elijah not did, but continues to do. If you do not understand this statement then I strongly suggest that you read the second chapter of the Prophet Joel. It describes a horrible time of destruction from an army coming upon Israel and it’s people.

And yet, take note:

Joel 2:27-32 MKJV “ And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and no one else; and My people shall never be ashamed. (28) And it shall be afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions. (29) And also I will pour out My Spirit on the slaves and on the slave women in those days. (30) And I will show wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke. (31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Jehovah. (32) And it shall be, whoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be saved; for salvation shall be in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, as Jehovah has said, and in the remnant whom Jehovah shall call.”

In the midst of horror, followers of Christ will open their mouths and stop the sun in the sky; still the enemy in it’s tracks; cause a veil of darkness to fall on those that pursue them; bring healing and life to others that seek the way; call fire down from heaven, and why? Because God is still in control no matter what the circumstances look like. The Apostle Peter declared this on the day of Pentecost.

Joel 2:13-14 MKJV Yes, tear your heart and not your robes, and turn to Jehovah your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and He pities because of the evil. (14) Who knows if He will turn and have pity and leave a blessing behind Him, a food offering and a drink offering to Jehovah your God?

I forgot to mention.

That as all this destruction associated with the seven year period of judgment begins, God sends two witnesses or prophets back to earth.

Scripturally it is appointed unto every man, once to die. Elijah the prophet never died, but was taken to God in a fiery chariot, and Enoch, a prophet of God, walked right off the earth and into God’s arms. 

I fully expect these two men (their names are not that important) to show up immediately after the rapture.

The two prophets will preach Jesus Christ as the risen Messiah, do the miracles that Elijah did while he walked this earth the first time, and they will, by their word, slay those that rise against them.

For three and one half years they will stand in the streets of Jerusalem declaring this message.

News stations will broadcast their words and actions, not in support, but in amazement and mockery. We know this for when they are killed the news will broadcast their deaths, as they lie in the street for 3 days. They will rise from the dead on the third day and ascend to heaven to, just as Jesus did, and this will be broadcast for all the world to see.

Sadly, the deaths of the prophets will be the result of a personage the Revelation calls “the false prophet.”
Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 11:7
Islam calls this man Isa, or Jesus bin Mariam (Jesus, the son of Mary, not God.)

In Matthew 24 the disciples asked Jesus a question. His response was startling, as the first thing he said was, “see to it that you be not deceived.”

Why is that important? Because this man, the false prophet, presents himself as Jesus, a Jew, of the priestly lineage, and he is a Muslim. He will declare that the teachings of the Torah were wrong, and that everyone has to follow Allah and his prophet Mohammed.

Daniel 8:23-25 KJV And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (24) And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (25) And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

(Is it possible that this passage could be speaking of only one man? Certainly, but when you take other sources of information like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_in_Islam, then the characters and their descriptions begin to make sense. The Mahdi, in contrast with the Muslim Jesus, will give rain and money. Now anyone with money to give could do some of that, but the rain aspect. Consider that Revelation 11 tells us two witnesses sent from God. There is debate upon their arrival and place it at the mid-tribulation point. Those two witnesses have control over the rain as well as other heavenly events. Rain is a big issue in the middle east, but a bigger issue when someone takes it away. If the Mahdi could bring it back then he suddenly appears to be a more powerful force, hence greater deception.)

He will deceive many Jews, and a number of mindless people who have refused to open a bible and find out what the truth is.

In Islam, Jesus (Isa; Arabic: عيسى‎ ʿĪsā) is considered to be a Messenger of God and the Masih (Messiah) who was sent to guide the Children of Israel (banī isrā'īl) with a new scripture, the Injīl or Gospel.[1]
The Mahdi, that Islam awaits, is said to produce new portions of the Torah that make everything clear. When Jesus Christ answered the disciples about when and what to look for, he said, “see to it that you are not deceived...”. I suspect that the emphasis is there on purpose.

In addition to the cults we know of, a new one showed up at the door recently. They claim that not only had Jesus returned as a Korean, died and is lying in state, but Mother God herself was there, dead as well. That comes off as totally unbelievable to me, and yet there are over 20 thousand followers.

What would deceive so many? Signs, wonders, claims, provable lineage, and the production of documents disproving Christianity.

Islam also believes that this man who is declaring himself to be Jesus, is also the enforcer of Sharia.

How would that impact you if the one you thought came from God inverted the very things you thought you understood to be true, and now demands that you follow Allah or die. Of course many will die, and scripture calls them Saints, but there will be some that follow this fool.

(From Wikipedia) According to Islamic tradition which describes this graphically, Jesus' descent will be in the midst of wars fought by the Mahdi (lit. "the rightly guided one"), known in Islamic eschatology as the redeemer of Islam, against the Antichrist (al-Masīh ad-Dajjāl, "False messiah") and his followers.[26] Jesus will descend at the point of a white arcade, east of Damascus, dressed in yellow robes – his head anointed. He will then join the Mahdi in his war against the Antichrist. Jesus, considered as a Muslim, will abide by the Islamic teachings. Eventually, Jesus will slay the Antichrist, and then everyone from the People of the Book (ahl al-kitāb, referring to Jews and Christians) will believe in him. Thus, there will be one community, that of Islam.[27]

Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 43: Kitab-ul-`Ilm (Book of Knowledge), Hâdith Number 656:

Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established until the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (as charitable gifts)"

—Collected by Muhammad al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari[28]

The pigs they refer to are the Jews.

The Jizya tax is the extortion money they charge non-Muslims to live in a Muslim land (this does not prevent or exclude you from attack or beheading in any way.)

The breaking of the crosses may be symbolic language. Just look around you, crosses are coming down everywhere, deemed politically incorrect or offensive.

Jesus Christ told us that if God did not cut the time of tribulation short no man would survive. That means that there will be blood in the streets, and not just the blood of Christ followers.
We argue and fight over when Jesus will come back to extract those that look for him, hence the earlier question, Pre, Mid, or Post Tribulationist.

Tribulation is a relative term and we in America may only now be starting to come to grips with it. Right now in many parts of the world Christians are being hunted and killed. Beheadings seem to be sport to these peaceful Muslims.

What are you supposed to do in the midst of a violent world? Pray.
Joel chapter 2 gives us the precedent to declare authority over the enemies camp. I would strongly suggest that you ponder what Jesus did when they took him and killed him; continue to be a witness regardless.

Understand this. Jesus said that the tribulation would get so bad that no one would survive it.
Are we even close to that point yet? Not even. You, in your comfortable, safe homes, are not even close, but the day will come when they will hunt you down as well.

Not having learned about this savior who rose from the dead, Jesus. What will give you the backbone to stand for him in that day?

Jesus will return to earth as he said he would.

This will happen at the end of the seven-year period of judgment. There will be no secret about it, for it will be open and clear for everyone to see. His return to earth is distinctly different from the time when he comes to gather his flock. Although that time will be with clouds also, he does not return to earth but we who are awaiting him, go up to meet him.

- He will come with the clouds. Dan 7:13; Mark 13:26; Revelation 1:7

- A shofar will be blaring throughout the atmosphere. 1Cor 15:52;

- He will plant his feet on the Mount of Olives, and the mount will split in two, creating a great valley. Zech 14:4

- He is coming in fury, and a sword will proceed out of his mouth with which he will slay those that fight against him, and there will be many. Revelation 1:16; Revelation 19:21

The church, previously caught up to be with him, will return with him, on that day, and assist in battle against the nations. Revelation 19:14

The New Jerusalem will descend upon the earth.

- This will begin the thousand-year reign upon the earth.

- The resurrected for their testimony will reign with Jesus during this time.

- The new Jerusalem will come down out of heaven and be physically planted on earth. Many do not believe this, but that is not important. What is, is that scriptures tell us that the nations must come to this place and bow before him yearly for the next thousand years. Refusal to do that will have horrendous results for the first offense and a rather instantaneous death for the second. Revelation 21:2; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 3:9; Revelation 15:4; Isaiah 60:14

- Those slain for following him will rule over this earth during the next thousand years, and there will be peace. Daniel 7; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 20:6

- When this thousand-year time period is over, God after having made tremendous efforts to show mercy to the nations, will end it with the great white throne judgment. The rest of the dead will come to life and all not in the flock will be judged. Again God shows mercy, for he grants entrance to those who were not merely selfish.

I do not think it necessary to dwell on the eternal torment in store for those who rejected him; God gave them so many opportunities and signs that would draw them to him. Just as those who follow him will be in a perfect presence, filled with peace, those without will be swept away to an eternity of torture with their master.

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I see this letter as doing three things. It has the potential to enlighten those who wish to understand, and possibly provoke many to read for themselves. Reading is the only way that you will come to understand the nature of God.

The second aspect would be the message to those who did not make the gathering of the church. I am sure you thought you deserved to go, and have had or will have had your tantrum.

You are in a very dangerous place, not only spiritually, but physically. You either suddenly grow a backbone and take a position for Christ, something that you were obviously not very good at before, or you accept the “mark” of the beast and worship Allah, sealing your fate as one that refused to follow Jesus Christ.

While everything could use more thought, I have written this last sentence without giving it that much thought. The third thing this writing could do to you is push you further away from the God you desperately need.

I feel confident in saying this; you have cried out for him to redeem your life for years, but have struggled with this stupid arrogance that seems to feel that no one has the right to tell you how to live. You prove your lack of understanding when you talk and act like that, for God has never thrown anything out there for us to do that was impossible or impractical. Many have seen the practicality of God’s ways and chosen to live by them, because it was a better way to live.

Caleb was one of those, among Israel, that went into Canaan’s land to spy it out. He came back and told them it can be taken. Israel rejected his words, because this alien was not going to tell them what they could do.

Alien, really? Yes, he was not born a Jew, but chose to be one. He was still following God after 80 years and was still determined to take the land that his God had promised. He was willing to let some stranger, God, tell him how to live, and he lived what he considered a better life, a life of promise.

If you have not read the Chronicles of Narnia series then you do not know that it ended with many of the main characters in heaven. Strangely, at first, they could not tell the difference. What they noticed was that is was richer, fuller, more colorful, and bigger with every turn. There was an unsurpassed peace, and the knowledge that God was in total control.

I invite you to know him as the Calormen ruler came to know him. He is beyond your wildest dreams, for heaven is of him. Jesus said, “no man comes to the Father but through him.” I suggest you ask Jesus to make himself real to you, and watch the adventure begin.