Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 
Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 
 
In 1956, an American petroleum geologist and geophysicist named M. King Hubbert proposed a theory called “PEAK OIL”. M. King Hubbert theorized that after a particular oil field was discovered, the oil field would produce oil at an ever increasing rate over a specific period of time until it reached its PEAK amount of oil production. Then after the production of peak oil, the oil that could be extracted from the field would continue to decrease at an ever increasing rate until the field was no longer a financial viable source of oil.
 
This theory appears to be fairly obvious because non-renewable resources must always eventually be depleted over a certain period of time. M. King Hubbert’s theory is extremely fascinating because he was able to make some fairly accurate predictions about when different countries would reach PEAK OIL, and he was also able to forecast accurately when these countries would begin to use more oil than they could produce domestically.
 
Why is this important?
 
Today approximately 90% of all industrially manufactured products depend on the
availability of oil. Oil is not only the source material for producing fuels and lubricants but is also used as hydrocarbon for most organic polymers (plastic materials). It is therefore one of the most important raw materials in the production of many different products such as pharmaceuticals, dyes and textiles. Peak Oil Study, Armed Forces, Capabilities and Technologies in the 21st Century, Environmental Dimensions of Security.
 
Did you get that? 90% of ALL industrially manufactured products depend on the availability of oil! Our modern world's industrial and high-technology based economies are totally dependent on cheap and abundant oil.
 
In 1956, M. King Hubbert accurately predicted that the United States would reach PEAK OIL production in the continental Unites States from conventional oil sources between 1965 and 1970. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubbert_peak_theory
 
What M. King Hubbert could not predict, is how the decline of oil production would affect the economy of the United States. We can almost pinpoint the long list of economic difficulties that the U.S. is currently facing to this specific period of time (1965 – 1970)…The U.S. began to rapidly lose its huge gold reserves to foreign nations and finally had to leave the gold standard in 1971. Not coincidentally, the U.S. probably acquired its huge gold reserves because it was the world’s main supplier of petroleum from between 1859 through to the 1950’s. Also, not coincidentally, those gold reserves began to drain away from our treasury after we began to import ever increasing amounts of oil from foreign countries.
 
The U.S. dollar became a purely fiat currency, and high rates of inflation began to plague the economy after we reached PEAK OIL in 1970. Both public and private debts began to sky-rocket and the country began to run higher and higher deficits with other countries, especially with OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries).
 
Fortunately for the United States there was still a vast amount of oil located around the world, specifically in the North slope of Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea of  Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Also, the administration of President Nixon came up with the brilliant strategy of convincing, or coercing, the OPEC countries to accept only the U.S. dollar as payment for their oil. This forced most of the nations of the world to stock pile U.S. “petro”dollars as a “reserve currency” and thereby allowed the U.S. to maintain its high standard of living on an ever growing mountain of credit and debt.
 
The question that a lot of scientists, politicians, and military experts are asking themselves and each other is… What are the consequences when the WHOLE WORLD REACHES PEAK OIL? It appears from the latest oil production data that the OPEC countries production has flattened out over the last few years, and the United States and Russia have become the new “swing” producers of oil…not because the U.S. and Russia are producing so much more oil, but because we are consuming moderately less oil then in the past. http://peakoilbarrel.com/opec-december-oil-production/
 
There will come a time, in the not too distant future, when OPEC, the U.S., and Russia will no longer be able to supply the world’s growing demand for petroleum…what happens then?
 
We may be able to reach some accurate conclusions about the consequences of WORLD PEAK OIL from studying the history of the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R) and its satellite nations starting around 1987, when the U.S.S.R. reached PEAK OIL.
 
The Soviet Union's collapse offers a preview. We can expect a great stagflation, where you simultaneously see a declining economy and hyperinflation. We can expect to see high unemployment and a collapse in the world economy. We can expect to see governments without any money to pay for things like health care, pensions, environmental problems, prisons, education or defense. We can expect to see infrastructure decay. We can even expect to see a decline in population. Finally, similar to the post Soviet Union, we can expect to see protests, political turmoil and revolution. http://www.businessinsider.com/peak-oil-and-the-fall-of-the-soviet-union-lessons-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-collapse-2011-5
 
Many western historians and politicians try to explain the rapid crash of the Soviet Union by extolling the virtues of western democracy and praising the benefits of capitalism over communism. Although I do not doubt that democracy and capitalism is a far better system than totalitarianism and communism, I believe a far better explanation for the collapse of the Soviet Union is simply PEAK OIL. There is almost a direct correlation between a nation’s standard of living and its consumption of energy, when the nation’s energy supplies decline, the nation’s standard of living will also decline proportionally.
 
The main difference between the United States (U.S.) PEAK OIL and the Soviet Unions (U.S.S.R) PEAK OIL was the fact that the U.S. had an open economy, while the U.S.S.R. had a closed economy. The U.S.S.R., and its satellite countries, simply did not have the trade networks with OPEC countries that could deal with the rapid onset of their petroleum shortages. Therefore, first the U.S.S.R.’s satellite countries, than the countries under its direct political control, rapidly began to revolt against its authority. The U.S.S.R., and its satellite countries, suffered an economic collapse that is more likely to resemble the economic collapse that will arrive with the onset of WORLD PEAK OIL. A prime example of the consequences of PEAK OIL is the nation of Cuba during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s during what it calls its “Special Period”.
 
The early stages of the Special Period were defined by a general breakdown in transportation and agricultural sectors, fertilizer and pesticide stocks (both of those being manufactured primarily from petroleum derivatives), and widespread food shortages. Australian and other permaculturists arriving in Cuba at the time began to distribute aid and taught their techniques to locals, who soon implemented them in Cuban fields, raised beds, and urban rooftops across the nation. Organic agriculture was soon after mandated by the Cuban government, supplanting the old industrialized form of agriculture Cubans had grown accustomed to. Relocalization, permaculture, and innovative modes of mass transit had to be rapidly developed. For a time, waiting for a bus could take three hours, power outages could last up to sixteen hours, food consumption was cut back to one-fifth of its previous level and the average Cuban lost about nine kilograms (twenty pounds).[5] Although starvation was avoided, persistent hunger, something not seen since before the Cuban Revolution, suddenly became a daily experience, and initially, malnutrition in children under five was evident after just a few weeks of these food shortages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Period
 
Fortunately for Russia, Cuba, and most of the U.S.S.R.’s former satellite countries, they would receive outside aid and then eventually form trade networks with OPEC nations and the rest of the world economies. When the world reaches WORLD PEAK OIL, there will be no extra petroleum or outside aid organizations to save the world. Cuba was very fortunate because Venezuela’s leader, Hugo Chavez, was a big fan of Fidel Castro and helped to supplement Cuba’s basic oil requirements at below market prices…Venezuela itself was not so lucky.
 
In early 2005, Venezuela reached PEAK OIL, not too long afterwards, its economy began to suffer the consequences. When its production of petroleum began to collapse in 2015, Venezuela’s currency began to hyper-inflate. Some economist estimate that Venezuela’s hyperinflation may now be over 4000% annually.
 
2017-2-27 ASPO Peak Oil Review: A new survey shows that 75% of Venezuelans may have lost an average of 19 pounds in the last year as widespread food shortages continue. Nearly a third of the population are now eating two meals a day or less. The survey also shows that the average shopper spends 35 hours a month waiting in line to buy food and other necessities. A sense of hopelessness has engulfed the country, and most no longer have an incentive or the strength to protest against the government and its policies as was happening two years ago. Government roundups of opposition politicians continue. Venezuela is clearly well on its way to becoming a failed state. http://energyskeptic.com/2016/looting-on-the-rise-as-venezuela-runs-out-of-food-electricity/
 
So why am I writing about PEAK OIL? If you will examine the chart at the top of this article, you will notice that the world’s population was fairly steady at between 300,000,000 and 500,000,000 people for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Then with the discovery and large scale use of fossil fuel, first coal and then petroleum, the world’s population began to explode upwards towards the present world population of well over seven billion (7,000,000,000) people. What happens when we reach WORLD PEAK OIL?
 
We can conclude that the increase in human carrying capacity has been made possible by a steady increase in energy from fossil fuels, especially oil. Such energy increase continues to make possible the rise in carrying capacity against an increasing environmental degradation, loss of fertile soil and resource depletion. Since fossil fuels and other resources are finite and are subject to increased exploitation due to population growth, mankind is in a situation of temporarily elevated carrying capacity. When this situation comes to an end the decrease in carrying capacity will inevitably lead to a human population in a state of overshoot that will undergo a proportional reduction. http://peakoilbarrel.com/the-problem-of-the-human-population/
 
The growth in the world’s population is directly correlated with the availability of the world’s energy production. What happens when the world’s petroleum production can no longer satisfy the world’s demand for oil? Why do you think the United States and the other industrially advanced nations are positioning troops and military equipment in the Middle East and Central Asia? Do you really believe it is because we want to make the world “safe for Democracy”? I dare say that the U.S. military is scrambling to secure any world oil reserves that might still remain because whichever nation, or nations, controls the world’s oil will control the world.
 
I suspect that the world’s population explosion will come to a screeching halt, and it will begin to dramatically decline right along with the decline in the world’s production of petroleum. Remember that 90% of ALL industrially manufactured products depend on the availability of oil! Of course most people are not going to go peacefully into the night, I suspect that most people will put up quite a struggle before they and their children die. This brings me to the four horsemen of the apocalypse:
 
Rev 6:8  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. 
 
What is the catalyst that causes the Four Horsemen to suddenly appear in the Book of Revelation, and then kill off a fourth of the world’s population? When we read about the potential consequences of PEAK OIL, we see: civil unrest, mass starvation, crime, economic turmoil, and death…doesn’t it remind you of anything? If it doesn’t…READ THE LAST BOOK IN THE BIBLE! Frankly, if you believe that in the future, we will all be riding in electric cars, hyperloops, and spaceships, you have far more faith than I have. In the end, each person must choose whether they are going to believe the prophetic books of the Bible, or the star trek fantasies promoted by Hollywood and Silicon Valley… I’m going with the Bible!
 
If Jesus is proven right, I believe that the world is going to experience the most horrific tribulation ever experienced by any generation.
 
Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 
Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 
 
As far as I am concerned, ALL THE EVIDENCE indicates that Jesus Christ knew exactly how the world was going to end, and I believe that the end is approaching extremely fast. Now I am going to give you some free advice, whatever that is worth.
 
First, if you have not done it already, REPENT AND BE SAVED! There is absolutely nothing in this world (wealth, fame, or power) compared to an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ!
 
Mar 8:35  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 
Mar 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 
 
Salvation is simple and it is FREE!
 
Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 
Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
 
Second, set your sights on heavenly things and forget about chasing all the false promises, fables, and fantasies so often promoted by the world.
 
1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 
 
Third, separate yourself from the world and try to be as self-sufficient as possible.
 
Isa 26:20  Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 
Isa 26:21  For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. 
 
Finally, study the inspired scriptures and be ready to lead the lost to salvation when they begin to understand that science and human wisdom does not have the answers to mankind’s most pressing and eternal questions.
 
2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 
2Ti 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 
 
 
Dan 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 
Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
 
“The world we know is like the Titanic. It is grand, chic, high-powered, and it slips effortless through a frigid sea of icebergs. It does not have enough lifeboats, and those that it has will be poorly employed.
If we do not change course, disaster, perhaps catastrophe, is almost inevitable. There is a reason why interest in the Titanic has been revived; it’s the
perfect metaphor for our planet. On some level we know:
we are on the Titanic. We just don’t know we’ve been hit.”
-John Brandenburg, Dead Mars, Dying Earth
 
 
 

1Co 10:25  Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for CONSCIENCE sake: 
1Co 10:26  For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 
1Co 10:27  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 
1Co 10:28  But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 
1Co 10:29  CONSCIENCE, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 
 
CONSCIENCE: G4893, suneidēsis, soon-i'-day-sis
Thayer Definition:
1) the consciousness of anything
2) the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other
2a) the conscience
 
As Christians grow and mature into a perfect knowledge of the LORD, we will begin to receive “revelation” concerning our perfect liberty in Jesus Christ. However, at the same exact time, we also begin to receive revelation of our responsibility towards God, and of our responsibility towards other people. This direct revelation to our spirit is called CONSCIENCE.
 
I am going to write about a delicate subject. Depending upon many assorted factors, different Christians will have a wide variety of beliefs concerning their own and other peoples conduct.
 
I am going to try and encourage you to be gracious towards other people and their beliefs…as far as it is possible.
 
In his first epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul asks a very important question: “WHY IS MY LIBERTY JUDGED OF ANOTHER MAN’S CONSCIENCE?”
 
LIBERTY: G1657, eleutheria, el-yoo-ther-ee'-ah
Thayer Definition:
1) liberty to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation
2) fancied liberty
2a) licence, the liberty to do as one pleases
3) true liberty is living as we should, not as we please
 
 
First, I want to say something plainly: CHRISTIANS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE LAW OF MOSES!!! We are required to follow our CONSCIENCE.
 
This question was plainly addressed by the Apostles:
 
Act 15:24  Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom WE GAVE NO SUCH COMMANDMENT: 
 
There will be people who claim that “keep the law” does not mean the Ten Commandments, but “the law” means the “ceremonial law”. This argument is plainly disingenuous if we read the context of the original argument in the book of Acts, chapter 15, and all the rest of the New Testament.
 
Some people will then attempt to trap you by asking, “What is wrong with the ten commandments”?  The answer of course is “NOTHING”… as far as it goes!
 
Rom 7:12  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 
 
The Apostle Paul explains the deficiency of the law much better than I ever can in the book of Romans and in the book of Galatians. However, let me make a more modern analogy:
 
“What is wrong with riding in a covered wagon”? The answer of course is “NOTHING” …as long as you do not mind traveling short distances, at low speeds, and without any modern conveniences or comfort. You can travel from St. Louis, Missouri, to California in a covered wagon for the unique experience, but do not insist everybody else should forsake flying in jet airplanes! When we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our CONSCIENCE is in direct communication with GOD.
 
Many CULTS will insist that you keep the Sabbath, or worship only on Saturdays…YES I SAID CULTS!!!
 
CULT: A group, often times though not always religious or spiritual in nature, that is led by a single or small group of leader(s). Members are often recruited or by some means persuaded to join, rarely if ever knowing how destructive and harmful a cult can be -- rarely knowing that it IS a cult. Though they usual come off as being generous, caring and in the best interests of their members, cults are inherently based on furthering the desires of cult leaders. Urban Dictionary.
 
Gosh, this definition of a CULT appears to fit every organization on planet earth!
 
It really does not matter which day you worship as long as you worship… but probably the more days we worship the better! FOLLOW YOUR CONSCIENCE!
 
Rom 14:5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 
 
DON’T let other people “guilt” you into esteeming one day above another…especially if they have a financial interest in propagating their special day and their special denomination.
 
Col 2:16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 
 
JESUS SAID IT BEST… Mar 2:27  And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 
 
Let me say something else that you may think is probably pretty radical. NEARLY ALL CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS ARE CULTS! Do you need proof?

1. The original Christian Church did not have a priestly class (like the pagans). The original Church considered ALL saints to be priests. Rev. 1:6
2. The original Christian Church did not have temples (like the pagans). The original Church met in homes. Acts 20:20
3. The original Christian Church did not use coercion to force people to be members, or to force people to financially support their religious denomination (like the pagans). 2 Cor. 9:7

 
Another big legalistic drum beat is from religious people (priests, pastors, ministers, clergy) insisting that everybody must go to a certain church BUILDING. Jesus made it plain that “church” is NOT about a building or a certain location…Church is about the PEOPLE of God!
 
Mat 18:19  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 
Mat 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 
 
You do not have to attend the crystal cathedral or St. Peter’s Basilica in order to be at church. If two saints are reading the Bible together, or praying together, or talking about Jesus together, they are at CHURCH!
 
Joh 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 
Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 
Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 
 
Frankly, all the grand church buildings and cathedrals are a big waste of time, money, and effort. I would much rather meet in a living room or out on the back patio to pray and talk about Jesus.
 
Jesus told a parable that illustrated the vast difference between the law and grace.
 
Luk 10:25  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 
Luk 10:26  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 
Luk 10:27  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 
Luk 10:28  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 
Luk 10:29  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 
Luk 10:30  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 
Luk 10:31  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 
Luk 10:32  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 
Luk 10:33  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 
Luk 10:34  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 
Luk 10:35  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 
Luk 10:36  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 
Luk 10:37  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 
 
If we study this story from the perspective of the Ten Commandments, we cannot find any fault with either the priest or the Levite. They could not be held guilty or accountable under the law of Moses for simply passing by the man after he was wounded and robbed by the thieves…After all, it wasn’t they who robbed and beat him.
 
However, the love and compassion shown by the Samaritan is glaringly obvious, even to the most obtuse follower of the law. The Samaritan had a CONSCIENCE. The scribes and Pharisees outwardly followed the law of Moses to the letter, even tithing mint and rue, but Jesus said their righteousness was NOT good enough.
 
Mat 5:20  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
 
Listen to what the ex-Pharisee Paul had to say about the law.
 
Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 
Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 
Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 
Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 
Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 
 
The Apostle Paul said that touching the righteousness which was by the law, he was BLAMELESS.
 
BLAMELESS: G273, amemptos, am'-emp-tos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G3201; irreproachable: - blameless, faultless, unblamable.
 
As far as the law was concerned, the Apostle Paul said that he was faultless. However, he said that the righteousness of the law was dung (SHIT) compared to the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
 
DUNG: G4657, skubalon
Thayer Definition:
1) any refuse, as the excrement of animals, offscourings, rubbish, dregs
1a) of things worthless and detestable
 
Do we really want to put our confidence in keeping the law of Moses when we stand before Jesus on the Day of Judgment? If we possess the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith, why would we want to play around in the dung?
 
The law of Moses is all about OUTWARD conformity, but our CONSCIENCE is about direct communication between God and our spirit. We can outwardly conform to the law of Moses, and yet be desperately wicked on the inside.
 
Mat 23:27  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 
Mat 23:28  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 
 
That is why religious leaders, who want to make merchandise out of us, always want to follow the law…they can APPEAR to be righteous, while they make a nice living coercing people into paying for private jets, and mansions, and palaces, and universities, and cathedrals, and businesses, and private armies, etc., etc., etc.
 
Gal 3:1  O foolish Galatians, who hath BEWITCHED you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 
Gal 3:2  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 
Gal 3:3  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 
 

Mat 22:1  And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 
Mat 22:2  The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 
Mat 22:3  And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 
 
I believe there will be a Christian Exodus from the world after the Jewish Passover of 2026 A.D.
 
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable of a wedding feast that most commentators describe as an event that takes place AFTER the rapture/resurrection of the Church. However, I believe that Jesus was describing a wedding feast that takes place BEFORE the rapture/resurrection of the Church. This parable is told with a slightly different variation in the gospel of Luke. In the gospel of Luke, the invitation is simply to a “SUPPER”:
 
Luk 14:16  Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great (megas) SUPPER, and bade many: 
Luk 14:17  And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 
 
SUPPER: G1173, deipnon, dipe'-non
From the same as G1160; dinner, that is, the chief meal (usually in the evening): - feast, supper.
 
In these sophisticated and modern times, we tend to forget that according to ancient tradition, there was usually a celebration of a wedding BEFORE the marriage was consummated!
 
Gen 2:23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 
Gen 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one FLESH (BODY).
 
Now we are getting somewhere, the man and the woman will be ONE BODY! Isn’t that what the Apostle Paul tried to explain to the Church in his epistle to the Ephesians?
 
Eph 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 
Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 
Eph 5:31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 
Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 
 
AFTER the wedding feast, Jesus Christ will be joined to His Church, and we will both have “celestial” bodies. Living people cannot interact with dead people because our terrestrial bodies cannot “physically” interact with the spirit world. Once we have celestial bodies, we will be able to interact just as easily with the spirit world as we can interact with the physical world. WE WILL BE JUST LIKE THE RESURRECTED JESUS CHRIST! However, I believe we first must ACCEPT the invitation to the wedding feast AND be prepared for the wedding.
 
Mat 22:4  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 
Mat 22:5  But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 
Mat 22:6  And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 
 
Wow! There will actually be people who are invited to the biggest event in history…and they will be TOO BUSY!!! I am going to say something that you may think is very radical right now, but I believe what I am saying is Biblical…Christians should not be making any long term commitments, especially in these last days. We should not be signing any long-term employment contracts. We should not be purchasing real-estate with long term mortgages…(***However, a small get-away property in the wilderness might be a wise investment.*** At least until we receive our invitation to the last SUPPER.)
 
This world is NOT our home. BELIEVERS should be ready AND able to leave when God tells us to leave, and go where God tells us to go…at the drop of a hat. I believe we should be like our father Abraham. The only real estate Abraham ever bought was a graveyard:
 
Gen 23:19  And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. 
Gen 23:20  And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth. 
 
We should not even think about getting married if we are currently single:
 
1Co 7:29  But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 
1Co 7:30  And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 
1Co 7:31  And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 
1Co 7:32  But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 
 
According to the Bible, there is a very real danger that people will become TOO attached to their homes here on earth. Listen to what Jesus has to say:
 
Luk 17:29  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 
Luk 17:30  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 
Luk 17:31  In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 
Luk 17:32  REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE. 
 
This warning from the LORD tells me that people will have a choice…God is not going to rapture every Christian on earth, especially if they are NOT PREPARED AND NOT WILLING!
 
I hope and pray that nobody reading this article will get so busy with their own property, or with their own business, or with their own worldly affairs, that they miss the biggest event in history.
 
Luk 14:18  And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 
Luk 14:19  And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 
Luk 14:20  And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 
 
Again, most commentators interpret the parable as the King representing God the Father, and the Son representing Jesus…so far so good. However, they interpret the King’s servants as being the prophets in the Old Testament or maybe the Apostles. I believe the context of the parable makes it clear that the parable is describing a marriage feast that will take place upon the EARTH, and the event will take place just before the return of Jesus Christ.
 
I believe the servants, that are treated spitefully are specifically the two witnesses mentioned in Chapter 11 of the Book of Revelation…and probably the servants sent out to invite people to the wedding will also include the 144,000 sealed “servants” mentioned in Chapter 7 of the Book of Revelation.
 
Rev 7:3  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 
Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 
 
I believe that God’s wedding feast is the “Christian Exodus”, and it will occur HERE ON EARTH, in the not too distant future!!!
 
Mat 22:7  But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 
 
Did God send forth His armies and burn the cities of Judah when they killed the prophets, or did He burn the cities of the Roman Empire when they killed His Apostles? I don’t think so, Jerusalem is still standing and Rome is still standing. Will God burn the cities of the world after they reject His two witnesses and His 144,000 sealed servants? What did Jesus say?
 
Mat 13:41  The 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; 
Mat 13:42  And shall cast them into a furnace of FIRE: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 
 
What did the Apostle Paul say?
 
2Th 1:6  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 
2Th 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 
2Th 1:8  In flaming FIRE taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 
2Th 1:9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 
 
What did the Apostle Peter say?
 
2Pe 3:7  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. 
 
God calls the people who refuse His invitation to the wedding feast NOT WORTHY!
 
Mat 22:8  Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were NOT WORTHY. 
 
WORTHY: G514, axios, ax'-ee-os
Probably from G71; deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise): - due reward, meet, [un-] worthy.
 
Why were the invited guests not worthy?
 
Luk 14:24  For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. 
 
Obviously, despite all of their expressions of love or friendship for the KING, their relationship to Jesus is actually quite shallow, or non-existent. Jesus does not simply ask us to make Him the number one priority above everything and above everybody else, Jesus demands it!
 
Mat 10:37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is NOT WORTHY of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is NOT WORTHY of me. 
Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is NOT WORTHY of me. 
 
I believe a lot of wealthy nominal Christians are going to miss out on the greatest event in human history, but many, many other people are going to experience something that only the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt have ever experienced.
 
Mat 22:9  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 
Mat 22:10  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 
 
Now we come to a part in Jesus’ story, which makes it obvious that the wedding feast is NOT in heaven!
 
Mat 22:11  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 
Mat 22:12  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 
Mat 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen. 
 
Will there be unsaved people in heaven? I don’t think so! Will there be unsaved people at the wedding feast? Apparently there will be unsaved wedding crashers!
 
What is the wedding garment that the guest is not wearing? The wedding garment is clothing that God gives us when we are SAVED.
 
Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of SALVATION, he hath covered me with the robe of RIGHTEOUSNESS, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 
 
When we are saved, we are given a robe of RIGHTEOUSNESS to clothe us for the wedding feast! How do we know whether we are clothed in righteousness?
 
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by FAITH. 
 
FAITH: G4102, pistis, pis'-tis
From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
 
Here are the questions that we all should be asking ourselves…”Do we really BELIEVE that Jesus is LORD? Do we really BELIEVE that Jesus is coming back?”
 
Now for the really good news, faith is a FRUIT of the SPIRIT!
 
Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, 
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 
 
The FRUIT of the Spirit is always compared to the OLIVE, and more specifically to OLIVE OIL!
 
Psa 45:6  Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 
Psa 45:7  Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the OIL of gladness above thy fellows. 
Psa 45:8  All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. 
 
TIME is the coin of the spiritual realm.
 
Psa 55:16  As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 
Psa 55:17  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 
 
Here are more questions we should be asking ourselves, “Am I spending enough TIME with the LORD?” “Am I spending enough TIME praying?” Am I spending enough TIME reading and meditating on the WORD of God?’ Am I spending enough time LISTENING?
 
Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God.
 
One of these days…TIME is going to run out!
 
Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 
Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 
Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your OIL; for our lamps are gone out. 
Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 
 
I believe that Jesus makes it pretty clear that some “Christians” (virgins) are going to MISS the wedding feast. Christians must “GO OUT TO MEET HIM”! This parable of the ten virgins IS OBVIOUSLY NOT TALKING ABOUT THE RAPTURE OR THE RESURRECTION!
 
However, for those who are READY and WILLING, this will be the greatest time to be alive in history.
 
Rev 12:6  And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 
 
I believe that the BELIEVING Church is the woman that flees into the wilderness, and like the nation of Israel during the Exodus, God will feed us MANNA from heaven.
 
2 Baruk 29:8 And it shall come to pass at that self-same time that the treasury of MANNA shall again descend from on high, and they will eat of it in those years, because these are they who have come to the consummation of time. Eth CEPHER Bible. : http://www.cepher.net/
 
Have you ever wondered what MANNA taste like? If you attend God’s last days wedding feast, you will find out.
 
2 Baruk 30:1 And it shall come to pass after these things, when the time of the advent of HAMASHIACH (the Messiah) is fulfilled, that he shall return in glory. 2 Then all who have fallen asleep in hope of him shall rise again. Eth CEPHER Bible.
 
The wedding feast is not only a time of SAFETY, but it is a time of PREPARATION. We see in the Book of Esther that there was a long time of preparation before the bride was ready to meet and marry the King. SEE http://www.motsog.com/fundamentals/god-knows-the-end-from-the-beginning
 
Est 2:12  Now this was the time for a virgin to go into the king, when she should have fulfilled twelve months; for so are the days of PURIFICATION fulfilled, six months while they are anointing themselves with OIL of myrrh, and six months with spices and women’s purifications. 
Est 2:13  And then the lady goes in to the king. The officer that he commands to do so will bring her to come in with him from the women’s apartment to the king’s chamber. 
 
PURIFICATION: H4795, mârûq, maw-rook'
From H4838; properly rubbed; but used abstractly, a rubbing (with perfumery): - purification.
 
Notice the similarities of the description of Esther’s “purification” and the description of the LORD in Psalm, Chapter 45.
 
Psa 45:8  All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. 
 
The bride is being transformed into the image of the bridegroom in preparation for the consummation of the marriage, AFTER the wedding feast.
 
Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 
 
I believe the Church MUST experience a time of preparation BEFORE we are ready to meet Jesus.
 
 
Now, I want to address all the Christians who claim they want to be martyrs for Jesus. First, if you are not obedient to the call of God, you will definitely have your chance to be a martyr. Second, if you miss the wedding feast, I believe you will be bitterly disappointed.
 
Mat 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
 
We do not want to be a PROFANE person like Esau!
 
Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 
Heb 12:16  Lest there be any fornicator, or PROFANE person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 
Heb 12:17  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 
 
PROFANE: G952
βέβηλος
bebēlos
Thayer Definition:
1) accessible, lawful to be trodden
1a) of places
2) profane
2a) unhallowed, common, public place
2b) of men, ungodly
 
Christians are not common folk, we are not ungodly, we are not unholy, we have a higher vision, we have set our sights on eternity…our hopes and dreams are NOT OF THIS WORLD! Our lives are wrapped up in the supernatural. We believe in miracles. When we read the great mighty promises of God for His people, we KNOW they will surely come to pass!
 
Isa 35:1  The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 
Isa 35:2  It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. 
Isa 35:3  Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 
Isa 35:4  Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 
Isa 35:5  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 
Isa 35:6  Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 
Isa 35:7  And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 
Isa 35:8  And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 
Isa 35:9  No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 
Isa 35:10  And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 
 

2 Baruk 29:3 And it shall come to pass when all is accomplished that was to come to pass in those parts, that HAMASHIACH shall then begin to be revealed. Eth CEPHER Bible. http://www.cepher.net/

It is interesting that 2 Baruk says that HAMASHIACH (the Messiah) shall BEGIN TO BE “REVEALED”. The wording makes one think of the Book of “REVELATION”. I know that when I was a young Christian, I could not help but focus on the many horrors that the Book of Revelation “revealed” would occur during the tribulation period (i.e. wars, famine, disease, the antichrist, etc.). However, in actuality the MOST important “revelation” in the Book of Revelation is the revelation of our LORD Jesus Christ…in HIS CHURCH!

First, the Apostle John describes Jesus as He appears in his glorious celestial body.

Rev 1:10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 
Rev 1:11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 
Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 
Rev 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 
Rev 1:14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 
Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 
Rev 1:16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 
Rev 1:17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, FEAR NOT; I am the first and the last: 
Rev 1:18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 
 
This personage that greets John is no doubt the risen Jesus Christ. Nobody else was dead and resurrected, and also holds the keys of hell and of death. When John is paralyzed by fear and falls at His feet as dead, how characteristic of Jesus that he tells John to “FEAR NOT”! I wonder how many times John had heard those exact words before from Jesus, while he lived and traveled with the LORD during His ministry on earth?
 
The description hearkens back to the “transfiguration” when John, as well as his brother James and Peter, also fell on their faces afraid.
 
Mat 17:5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 
Mat 17:6  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 
Mat 17:7  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and BE NOT AFRAID. 
 
Despite all the trials and tribulations that we might go through, we have a protector and a savior, Jesus will not allow us to be tested beyond our limitations. Also, I am confident that there will be a vast difference between the saved and unsaved during the tribulation period. We see the allegory of Israel in the land of Egypt during the Exodus period:

Exo 8:22  And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 
Exo 8:23  And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.
 
When I tell people that the Church is going through the tribulation period, I invariably hear that “Christians are not appointed to wrath”! I agree, but does that mean God MUST take us to heaven to protect us?

God protected Noah and his family in the flood, God protected Daniel in the lion’s den, God protected the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, and God protected the children of Israel living in Egypt during the ten plagues. However, for some reason people do not think God can protect His people during the great tribulation?
 
Rev 12:14  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
 
Not only can God protect us, but I foresee that the tribulation period might be the greatest times of our lives…if we LISTEN to God. I believe that during the great tribulation there will be more (and greater) miracles than at any time in history, including the time of Moses and even during the time of Jesus’ ministry!
 
Most important of all…God wants to transform His Church into the image of Jesus Christ!!!
 
More important than our glorious celestial body, which we will receive at the resurrection, is the transformation of our INNER MAN! OUR INNER MAN MUST BE TRANFORMED INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST! Unfortunately, this “metamorphosis” of our inner man requires SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD. Most of us, me included, know that we should be praying more, and meditating on the WORD more, and fasting more, but the cares of this world always seem to get in the way. The spiritual growth that we should be experiencing in just a few years takes most of us a lifetime.
 
God has a solution for our “love of the world problem”, I will call it God’s “accelerated growth program”. God is going to separate His Church from the world and give us all His personal attention during the 1260 day “Christian Exodus”. Just like Jesus spent three and one-half years of intimacy with His disciples, God will spend three and one-half years with His people during the “Christian Exodus”.
 
However, I believe a lot of the Church will simply refuse to leave the world…they will either die a martyr’s death or they will take the mark of the beast (in which case they were actually false Christians, “tares” hiding in the wheat).
 
Let me clear up a serious misconception that most people have about the Book of Revelation, and evil in general…God does not cause evil or all the horrors listed in the Book of Revelation, He is simply reporting the natural consequences of our rebellion against Him before they happen. Listen to what the Apostle Paul tells the Church in Corinth about how to deal with a fornicator in the Church:
 
1Co 5:2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 
1Co 5:3  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 
1Co 5:4  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
1Co 5:5  To DELIVER such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 
 
DELIVER: G3860, paradidōmi
Thayer Definition:
1) to give into the hands (of another)
2) to give over into (one’s) power or use
2a) to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage
2b) to deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death
2c) to deliver up treacherously
2c1) by betrayal to cause one to be taken
2c2) to deliver one to be taught, moulded
 
If we read the first part of the sentence, we would think to ourselves that the Apostle Paul is being overly harsh…but when we finish the sentence, we see that there is a purpose behind allowing Satan to have “custody” of an apostate Christian… THAT THE SPIRIT MAY BE SAVED IN THE DAY OF THE LORD JESUS.
 
It is similar to the story of the prodigal son…the son asks his father for his inheritance early, so that he can live a reprobate and hedonistic lifestyle away from the constraints of his father. At the end of the story the son comes to his senses and realizes that the freedom from his father that he so desired was leading to his own destruction.
 
Luk 15:16  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 
Luk 15:17  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 
 
What a common occurrence it is for children to think that their parents are overly harsh and restrictive, when in truth the parents are simply trying to protect their children from the dangers of the world. However, eventually there comes a time when every parent must allow their children to learn about the world first hand…the LORD willing, they will all eventually “come to their self” and return to the FATHER!
 
Therefore, there is a reason that God will allow Satan to have “custody” of the world for a season. Eventually, the people of the world will either return to the FATHER, or they will be destroyed.
 
IF EVERYTHING WAS GREAT, THE ISRAELITES WOULD NEVER HAVE LEFT EGYPT!!!
 
If you think about it, you will realize that God must allow the tribulation to come to pass or the Church will continue in a perpetual state of constant “luke warmness”, always having one foot in the “spirit” and one foot in the “world”.
 
I was baptized when I was thirteen years old, and I have been a confessing Christian for over forty (40) years, but I will confess that my spiritual growth has been moving at a snail’s pace at best…and more growth is needed! However, God has only appointed a certain amount of time for Satan to have jurisdiction over this earth, and that time is running out.
 
Rev 12:12  Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 
 
The world does not have forty (40), or thirty (30), or even twenty (20) years left, in order for all Christians that are alive now to grow into mature saints of God. The Church MUST go through an accelerated growth program! If you study the Bible to determine how many years there have been since the fall of Adam and Eve, you will realize that we are very, very close to six-thousand (6,000) year mark.
 
2Pe 3:8  But, 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. 
2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 
 
The epistle of Barnabas lays out God’s general timeline of redemption:
 
Barnabas 15:4
Give heed, children, what this meaneth; He ended in six days. He
meaneth this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all
things to an end; for the day with Him signifyeth a thousand years;
and this He himself beareth me witness, saying; Behold, the day of
the Lord shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six
days, that is in six thousand years, everything shall come to an end.
Barnabas 15:5
And He rested on the seventh day. this He meaneth; when His Son
shall come, and shall abolish the time of the Lawless One, and shall
judge the ungodly, and shall change the sun and the moon and the
stars, then shall he truly rest on the seventh day.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/barnabas-lightfoot.html

I will be the first to admit that my calculations might be off by a handful of years, but there is no way that my calculations are off by another one-hundred or one-thousand years…JESUS IS COMING BACK VERY SOON!!!

I have written previously, that the two witnesses mentioned in the Book of Revelation will probably appear around Passover, 2026.

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 
Rev 11:5  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 
 
These two men will be very hard to miss. First of all, they will be witnessing AGAINST the beast system. The beast and the false prophet, spoken of in the Book of Revelation, will nourish a violent hatred towards them. However, the beast system will not be able to harm them for 1260 days, until they have finished their testimony.
 
Rev 11:7  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 
 
I suspect their testimony will concern mainly three things: First, they will be pronouncing God’s judgments upon the earth.
 
Rev 11:6  These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
 
Second, I believe they will be announcing the RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST!
 
Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 
 
Finally, they will be warning the Church to separate from the world in order to avoid God’s judgment.
 
Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 
Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 
 
It will be very important to listen to what these two witnesses will tell the Church, and to flee when they say flee. It may not only be the difference between life and death, but it may be the difference between eternal life and eternal damnation.
 
God’s WORD is established forever, it is true whether we believe it or not. However, our faith in God will save us, and it will condemn the world.
 
Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 
 
*** I believe there will be one more part to this article and then it will be done…THE LORD WILLING!

Rev 18:7  How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 
Rev 18:8  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 
 
There is another analogy that makes me believe that the tribulation period may be twelve (12) years and not seven (7) years as some believe. During the ministry of Jesus Christ, a certain ruler named Jairus asked Jesus to come heal his daughter, who was near death.

Luk 8:41  And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 
Luk 8:42  For he had one only daughter, about TWELVE years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 
 
I mentioned in the “TRIBULATION TIMELINE PART 2” that I do not believe that anything is in the Bible is a coincidence or an accident. The above story is told in the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke, and both gospels mention that the daughter was about TWELVE years old.
 
What is extremely interesting is that while Jesus was going to see the daughter of Jairus, He had a strange encounter with another woman.
 
Luk 8:43  And a woman having an issue of blood TWELVE years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 
Luk 8:44  Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 
 
When we see something in the Bible that happens twice in quick succession, it should makes us pause and ponder what God might be trying to tell us.
 
Gen 41:32  `And because of the repeating of the dream unto Pharaoh twice, surely the thing is established by God, and God is hastening to do it. 1898 Young’s Literal Translation.
 
I believe that the young girl and the woman are analogous to the Church and to the tribe of Judah. Listen to what Jesus says to the Church of Laodicea:
 
Rev 3:17  because thou sayest--I am rich, and have grown rich, and have need of nothing, and hast not known that thou art the wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,
 
In the physical perspective, the Laodicean Church is wealthy, but spiritually the LORD calls them “WRETCHED”…like the daughter of the rich ruler Jairus???
 
WRETCHED: G5005, talaipōros, tal-ah'ee-po-ros
From the base of G5007 and a derivative of the base of G3984; enduring trial, that is, miserable: - wretched.
 
If we look at the last days Church, from the physical perspective we are wealthy and in need of nothing, but from God’s point of view we are wretched, miserable and near death, like the daughter of the wealthy ruler Jairus.
 
Next, I believe the woman with the issue of blood represents the Jewish people. They are too confident in their own ability to keep the Law of Moses and therefore they believe they can satisfy God’s demand for righteousness. However, listen to what God tells Isaiah about our own righteousness:
 
Isa 64:6  But we are all as the unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as a MENSTRUATION cloth. And we all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Modern King James Version.
 
Lev 15:19  And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. 
 
Isn’t it wonderful? Isn’t it marvelous? We cannot make Jesus unclean, but He can surely make us clean, whole, and perfectly righteous.
 
Luk 8:46  And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 
Luk 8:47  And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 
 
Could it be that after TWELVE years of tribulation, the Jewish people will recognize that their own righteousness is like a filthy rag, and that they need Jesus? Could it be that after TWELVE years of tribulation, Jesus will resurrect His dead Church?
 
Luk 8:52  And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 
Luk 8:53  And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 
Luk 8:54  And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 
Luk 8:55  And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 
 
FALL 2025 – FALL 2026 (Part 9)

2 Baruk 27:10 And in the ninth part the fall of fire. Eth CEPHER Bible. http://www.cepher.net/

I believe that the Fall of 2026 will be the beginning of what Jesus called “THE GREAT TRIBULATION”. I wrote a previous blog article about a nuclear attack on the United States called: TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.

http://www.motsog.com/fundamentals/two-or-three-witnesses

Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 
Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 
 
GREAT TRIBULATION literally means “mega persecution” or “mega trouble”.
 
In one of my previous blog articles: “Two or Three Witnesses”, I estimated that a nuclear war might start between the Fall of 2022 and the Spring of 2023; however, different scripture verses, including these verses in 2 Baruk, have now convinced me that a nuclear war will probably occur between the Fall of 2025 and the Spring of 2026.

Between late 1984 and early 1986, three men (Dmitru Duduman, David Wilkerson, and Henry Gruver) all had visions of a nuclear attack on the United States of America. I noticed that in the Bible, the number forty (40) is usually a period of trial and testing…(Moses was 40 days on Mount Sinai, the children of Israel were 40 years in the wilderness, Jonah warned of judgment on the Assyrian capital city of Nineveh for 40 days, and Jesus was 40 days in the wilderness).

Jesus made a startling prophecy to His disciples in 30 A.D., just before His crucifixion and resurrection.

Mat 24:1  And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 
Mat 24:2  And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 
 
Forty (40) years later in 70 A.D., the armies of the Roman general Titus Flavius Vespasianus, burned and destroyed the Second Temple, then they sacked and the City of Jerusalem.
 
I am now convinced that the United States, like the Jews before us, has been given a forty (40) year warning and grace period, which we are also currently ignoring. The judgment will occur approximately eighty (80) years after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Japan. The nuclear war will also be the catalyst for a mass exodus out of the large population centers into wilderness areas.

Specifically, this will be the time that the two witnesses mentioned in the Book of Revelation will appear, and it will also be the time that a large portion of the Church will flee into the wilderness, just after the Jewish Passover of 2026. You can read more about this subject in my free e-book: CHRISTIAN EXODUS, OUT OF BABYLON.

https://www.free-ebooks.net/search/christian+exodus+out+of+babylon

Gen 19:27  And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD: 
Gen 19:28  And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. 
 
FALL 2026 – FALL 2027 (Part 10)

2 Baruk 27:11 And in the tenth part rapine and much oppression (violence). Eth CEPHER Bible.

In the Fall of 2026, the antichrist will reveal himself to the world as the world’s savior and the god of this world:

2Th 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; 
2Th 2:4  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. 
 
The leaders of the world will accept the antichrist as god and will reject the LORD Jesus Christ, and the world will suffer the consequences during the great tribulation:

If you are interested in how I arrived at the date for the abomination desolation, you can read my free e-book: Christian Exodus, Out of Babylon.

Psa 2:2  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 
Psa 2:3  Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 
Psa 2:4  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 
Psa 2:5  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
 
If you DO NOT LISTEN to God, you will experience some horrific trials… From what I have read, the trials and tribulations in the Book of 2 Baruk and the Book of Revelation appear to bear a strong resemblance to the curses prophecied by Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy onto people who DO NOT LISTEN to God:

Curses For People Who Do Not Listen To God
 
Deu 28:15  But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken (LISTEN) unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: 
Deu 28:16  Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. 
Deu 28:17  Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. 
Deu 28:18  Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 
Deu 28:19  Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 
 
Deu 28:20  The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. 
Deu 28:21  The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. 
Deu 28:22  The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. 
Deu 28:23  And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. 
Deu 28:24  The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. 
 
Deu 28:25  The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. 
Deu 28:26  And thy carcase (body) shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. 
Deu 28:27  The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. 
Deu 28:28  The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: 
Deu 28:29  And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee. 
 
Deu 28:30  Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof. 
Deu 28:31  Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them. 
Deu 28:32  Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand. 
Deu 28:33  The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway: 
Deu 28:34  So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. 
 
Deu 28:35  The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head. 
Deu 28:36  The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. 
Deu 28:37  And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee. 
 
Deu 28:38  Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. 
Deu 28:39  Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. 
Deu 28:40  Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit. 
Deu 28:41  Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. 
Deu 28:42  All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume. 
 
Deu 28:43  The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. 
Deu 28:44  He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. 
Deu 28:45  Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: 
Deu 28:46  And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. 
 
Deu 28:47  Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 
Deu 28:48  Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. 
Deu 28:49  The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; 
Deu 28:50  A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: 

Deu 28:51  And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee. 
Deu 28:52  And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. 
 
Deu 28:53  And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: 
Deu 28:54  So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave: 

Deu 28:55  So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates. 
Deu 28:56  The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter, 
Deu 28:57  And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates. 
 
Deu 28:58  If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; 
Deu 28:59  Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. 
Deu 28:60  Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. 
Deu 28:61  Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. 
 
Deu 28:62  And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God. 
Deu 28:63  And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. 
Deu 28:64  And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. 
Deu 28:65  And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: 
 
Deu 28:66  And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: 
Deu 28:67  In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. 
Deu 28:68  And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you. 
 
Wow…that is a very long list of curses! Many people live with great abundance, with great wealth, and with great prosperity. These same people extol the virtues of science, and the virtues of democracy, and the virtues of capitalism, but they never bother to thank God!!! I am afraid many of us will soon find out that when God is gone…all that is good in our life will also go with Him. DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION, THE WHOLE WORLD WILL BE UNDER A CURSE!!!
 
FALL 2027 – FALL 2028 (Part 11)

2 Baruk 27:12 And in the eleventh part wickedness (injustice) and unchastity. Eth CEPHER Bible.

Most leaders will at least pretend that they are “servants of the people”, but the antichrist and his government will not bother to hide the fact that they are predatory, brutal, and SAVAGE! The antichrist is the “BEAST” and God help you if you should fall under his power and authority. The beast is also the man of “LAWLESSNESS”; therefore, even the semblance of law and justice will be absent from his government.

2Th 2:3  Do not let anyone 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, Lexham English Bible.
 
The antichrist will demand that everyone be his abject slaves and worshippers, or they will die. This “beast” world ruler will be like Hitler and Caligula on steroids.
 
Rev 13:15  And it was given to him to put breath into the image of the beast, in order that the image of the beast both spoke and caused that all those, unless they worshiped the image of the beast, should be killed.
 
There are many antichrist type figures in the Bible: Nimrod, the Pharaoh of Moses, King Ahab of Israel, Nebuchadnezzar II, Antiochus IV, Herod the Great. However, I believe they will all pale in comparison to the “last antichrist”, who will be arising on the world stage shortly. I believe that as the United States decreases in power and prestige around the world, the man of sin will become more and more prominent in world affairs.
 
Dan 8:23  And at the end of their kingdom, when the transgressions are completed, a king will arise, fierce in countenance and skilled in riddles.
Dan 8:24  And his power will grow, but not by his own power, and he will cause fearful destruction, and he will succeed and he will act, and he will destroy the mighty and the people of the holy ones.
Dan 8:25  And by his planning he will make a success of deceit by his hand, and in his mind he will boast, and in their ease he will destroy many, and even against the prince of princes he will rise up, and he will be broken, but not by human hands.
 
Just like the poor and lowly flocked around Jesus, the rich and powerful will flock around the antichrist. Jesus is patient and kind, the antichrist will be rash and cruel. Jesus is meek and gentle, but the antichrist will be arrogant and violent. Everywhere Jesus went there was healing and resurrection power, everywhere the antichrist goes there will be destruction and death. Jesus was indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the antichrist will be indwelt by Satan’s spirit.
 
Rev 13:3  And one of its heads appeared as though slaughtered to death, and its fatal wound had been healed. And the whole earth was astonished and followed after the beast.
Rev 13:4  And they worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to make war with him?
Rev 13:5  And a mouth was given to him speaking great things and blasphemies, and authority to act was given to him for forty-two months.
Rev 13:6  And he opened his mouth for blasphemies toward God, to blaspheme his name and his dwelling, those who live in heaven.
Rev 13:7  And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given to him over every tribe and people and language and nation.
Rev 13:8  And all those who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name is not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.
 
FALL 2028 – FALL 2029 (Part 12)

2 Baruk 27:13 And in the twelfth part confusion from the MINGLING together of all those things aforesaid. Eth CEPHER Bible.

Dan 2:40  And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 
Dan 2:41  And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron MIXED with miry clay. 
Dan 2:42  And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 
Dan 2:43  And whereas thou sawest iron MIXED with miry clay, they shall MINGLE themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 
 
MIXED/MINGLED: H6151, ‛ărab, ar-ab', ARAB
(Chaldee); corresponding to H6148; to commingle: - mingle (self), mix.
 
I remember studying these particular verses in the Book of Daniel over thirty (30) years ago, and the word “ARAB” jumped out at me. The Book of Daniel is highly unusual because it was written partly in the Hebrew language and partly in Aramaic.

It is not unusual for an author to throw in a few verses of a foreign language in a book, but the Book of Daniel has whole chapters in Hebrew and whole chapters in Aramaic…it would be like writing a few chapters in English, then switching to Spanish for a few chapters, and then switching back to English for the last chapters. The main question of course is WHY?

Chapter 1, the introduction, is written in Hebrew. Chapters 2 – 7, the main body of the book is written in Aramaic. Chapters 8 – 12, the conclusion of the book is written in Hebrew again.
Aramaic was the language spoken by the Babylonians and other ancient Semitic language groups, and it is related to Hebrew and Arabic.
 
Dan 2:43  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall MINGLE themselves with the SEED of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not MIXED with clay. 
 
SEED: H2234, zera‛, zer-ah'
(Chaldee); corresponding to H2233; posterity: - seed.
 
If you have read my past blog articles, you will know that I believe the last “beast kingdom” will be a Muslim kingdom…mainly because of this verse in the Book of Daniel 2:43.
 
I suspect that ARAB Muslims will deny that they are racist and misogynistic, but you do not have to be a scholar in sociology to notice that there is a marked increase in rape and violence towards non-Muslim women when Arab men associate with any non-Arab culture. It appears that they associate sex with dominance and violence, but definitely not love…at least where non-Arab women are concerned.
 
Norah Vincent (link via Instapundit) has already suggested that sexual inadequacy is rampant (perhaps not the mot juste) in the Muslim world. It seems to me that many men in today's Islamic world suffer from an unusually virulent strain of the so-called 'Madonna-whore complex', dividing all women into the virtuous asexual Madonnas and the hopelessly depraved majority. That would be bad enough, but they combine this with an equally virulent ethnic and religious bigotry. It appears that all Madonnas are Muslims and all Muslims are Madonnas: any exceptions to the latter rule are promptly stoned. At the same time, all the (unstoned) whores are infidels, and just about all the infidels are whores, the whoriest of all being Jews and Americans. Whether this is wishful thinking or actual opinion, who can tell? In their hearts they must suspect it is, shall we say, oversimplified. http://www.drweevil.org/archives/000112.html
 
You might say that I am a racist, or intolerant of other religions, but I do not believe I am reaching a conclusion with no evidence. The stories are practically endless about the rape of women in the Sudan, in the Kurdish areas of Syria and Iraq, and in European cities with large Arab populations. The modus operandi of Muslim radicals is not to rape their victim and then leave them alone, Muslim jihadist enslave women and continually rape their victims as long as they are under their power (or until the women die). They appear to be following Muhammad’s lead in their treatment of captive women.
 
The apostle (Muhammad) had chosen one of their women for himself, Ray1.Jana d.
'Amr b. Khunafa, one of the women of B. 'Amr b. Qurayza, and she
remained with him until she DIED, in his power. Guillaume, Alfred, The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ibn Ishaq's Sirat Rasul Allah. Oxford University Press, 1955.
 
I understand that Christian men, or people claiming to be Christian men, have raped and brutalized women; however, I also know there is nowhere in the New Testament that endorses brutalizing women…but the Quran on the other hand:
 
4:34 Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great. Shakir.
 
The point I am try to make is directed mainly toward WOMEN. The great tribulation is going to be horrific, but it will be especially bad for women. If there is even a hint of a chance that Muslims/Islam might dominate your town or your country…FLEE!!! YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE UNDER THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF ISLAM OR OF MUSLIM MEN!!!
 
Rev 12:6  And the WOMAN  fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 
 
*** I originally planned to make this a three (3) part article, but I am going to write a fourth part that hopefully will be more up lifting than the first three parts.
 

Luk 2:42  And when he was TWELVE years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 
 
Are there any other indications that the tribulation might be twelve (12) years long?
 
There is a fascinating story about when Jesus was a boy in the Book of Luke:
 
The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Luk 2:41  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 
Luk 2:42  And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 
Luk 2:43  And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 
Luk 2:44  But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 
Luk 2:45  And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 
Luk 2:46  And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 
Luk 2:47  And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 
 
Do you believe in coincidence? I don’t, especially when it deals with stories about Jesus in the Bible. We often see that Biblical stories are allegorical, meaning they foreshadow future events. First, if you read this blog, you know that I believe three (3) days signifies that Jesus Christ will return on the third day.
 
2Pe 3:8  But, 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. 
 
Therefore, the beginning of the third millennia (the third day) from the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ also signals His second coming. We read in the story of Luke that Jesus’ parents celebrated the Passover every year in Jerusalem. Why did Jesus tarry in the temple when He was twelve (12) years old? Why not when He was seven (7) years? Why not when He was thirteen (13) years? Why not when He was twenty (20) years?
 
In the Bible, we see that the number twelve (12) is extremely significant. There are twelve months (moons) in a year. Jacob had twelves sons and consequently there were twelve tribes of Israel. There were twelve disciples. In the Book of Revelation, the New Jerusalem has twelve gates made out of twelve pearls. The tree of life bears twelve kinds of fruits.
 
I believe twelve (12) years signifies “SPIRITUAL” maturity. It also represents God’s divine government.
 
Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 
 
It is my contention that the tribulation period is not primarily meant as a time to punish the world, but it is primarily meant as a time for the Church to reach maturation. Should the saints of God be tried and tested for twelve years in order to prepare them to govern during the millennium and during Christ’s reign on earth for the last thousand years, or during God’s last thousand year “day” (God’s Sabbath)?
 
Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 
Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 
Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in TRIBULATIONS also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 
Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 
Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 
 
We see that tribulation is a process that eventually allows GOD’S love to be shed abroad in our hearts. Isn’t love the most important attribute of a King and Priest of God?
 
2Th 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 
2Th 1:4  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 
 
 
FALL 2021 – FALL 2022 (Part 5)

2 Baruk 27:7 And in the fifth part famine and the withholding of rain. Eth CEPHER Bible. http://www.cepher.net/
 
Usually, war and starvation go hand in hand because the normal cycles of planting and reaping are radically disrupted.
 
Rev 6:5  And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 
Rev 6:6  And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. 
 
I hope that you have read my blog article: BEHOLD A BLACK HORSE and have been making the appropriate preparations.
 
http://www.motsog.com/fundamentals/behold-a-black-horse
 
There will be drought conditions all over the world, and food production will be greatly reduced. A “penny” in the New Testament was a Roman denarius and was about equal to a day’s wages. Therefore, people will be reduced to a bare survival level of existence. It will probably be wise to be mostly, or entirely, self-sufficient by this time. You might want to have a small piece of property away from large population centers. You also might want to look into “aquaponics” or some other type of intensive food production method.
 
http://www.motsog.com/fundamentals/friendly-aquaponics-book
 
Pro 22:3  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 
 
This may be the beginning of a great seven (7) year world-wide drought similar to the drought experienced by Egypt during the reign of Joseph. I believe there are people, like Joseph, who God will give resources in the natural realm to prepare for these severe famine conditions.
 
Gen 41:30  And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; 
Gen 41:31  And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. 
 
I also believe that the seven (7) year famine during the time of the prophet Elisha is an allegory of the last days. I believe there will be people, like Elisha, who God will give “supernatural” resources to allow them to endure the seven years of famine.
 
2Ki 8:1  Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. 
 
FALL 2022 – FALL 2023 (Part 6)

2 Baruk 27:8 And in the sixth part earthquakes and terrors. Eth CEPHER Bible.

Apparently there is a crescendo of terror, both natural and man made. If a person is not killed in war, he or she faces the terror of death in an earthquake, or by starvation, or by disease. There will probably be major earthquakes in the usual places, but there might also be earthquakes in places that have historically never experienced earthquakes.

Luk 21:11  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 
 
The Book of Revelation says that the four horsemen of the apocalypse will effect or kill fully one quarter of the world’s population…over one and a half billion (1,750,000,000) people!
 
Rev 6:8  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. 
 
http://www.motsog.com/fundamentals/behold-a-pale-horse
 
It appears that the saints of God will be specifically targeted during this massive war that engulfs the planet. Satan must take great delight in pitting Christians against Christians. During World War 1 millions of Christians died, then during World War 2 tens of millions of Christians died, I suspect that during World War 3 hundreds of millions of Christians will be killed. People who are constantly stirring up trouble between Christian people are obviously motivated by Satan. Therefore, I believe the two main participants in the third world war will be the nominally “Christian” nations of Russia and the United States of America.
 
Rev 6:9  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 
 
This may also be the year when a “temporary” world peace is negotiated.
 
Dan 9:27  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, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. 
 
FALL 2023 – FALL 2024? (Part 7)

The Book of 2 Baruk strangely skips the seventh part of the tribulation period. However, I would like to hypothesize that two international figures will arise during this period of time, the antichrist and the false prophet, and they may even have a prominent role in the peace process.

Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 
Mat 24:10  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 
Mat 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 
 
I believe that somehow, and some way, Christians will be blamed for all the trouble that the world is experiencing…that is how the story usually goes in the Bible.
 
1Ki 18:17  And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 
1Ki 18:18  And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. 
 
Elijah had told King Ahab that God would punish Israel with a famine because of Ahab’s sins, but of course Ahab turned the tables and blamed Elijah for the drought. We see over and over again in the Bible that the wicked always refuse to take responsibility for the consequence of their sins.
 
Rev 16:10  And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 
Rev 16:11  And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. 
 
FALL 2024 – 2025 (Part 8)

2 Baruk 27:9 And in the eighth part a multitude of spectres (ghosts/portents) and attacks of the Shediym (Devils/Demons). Eth CEPHER Bible.

It looks like demonic entities will be released upon the world in a spectacular fashion. When we see people committing mass murder in unprecedented numbers, we can only think they are demented or demon possessed. The antichrist is described as the BEAST.

BEAST: G2342, thērion
Thayer Definition:
1) an animal
2) a wild animal, wild beast, beast
3) metaphorically a brutal, bestial man, savage, ferocious
 
I believe the antichrist’s followers will also be “bestial” and “savage”. They will transform themselves more and more into the image of the one they worship. Similar to how the followers of Jesus should be transformed more and more into His image. I think the transformation of the antichrist’s worshippers is probably due to the fact that they have opened themselves up to dark and demonic influences.
 
The Apostle Paul gives a disturbing description of those who have turned their backs on God:
 
Rom 1:26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 
Rom 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 
Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 
Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 
Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 
Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 
Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 
 
We do not need an overactive imagination to visualize these reprobate and lost people. We simply need to watch the evening news and we can see people doing things that would have been unimaginable a few years ago. If you live in a large city, you simply need to explore the downtown areas and you can see these “beast people” up close…don’t go after dark! There are places in many major metropolitan areas where even the police do not want to go.
 
2Pe 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 
2Pe 2:11  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 
2Pe 2:12  But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 
 
As lawlessness increases and starts to become “normal” behavior, Christians will begin to leave and search for smaller population areas to live. However, when the antichrist consolidates his power, even rural populations will probably become less and less safe.

2 Baruk 25:4 And it will come to pass when they say in their thoughts by reason of their much tribulation: EL ELOHIYM no longer remembers the earth yea, it will come to pass when they abandon hope, that the time will then awake. Eth CEPHER Bible.
 
I recently purchased an Eth CEPHER Bible, and to say that I am excited is an understatement. It includes several apocalyptic books that have been excluded from the King James Bible. I am especially excited about “2 Baruk (2 Baruch)” because it includes a timeline of the tribulation period. If anybody is interested in purchasing this unique bible, it can be found at the following website: http://www.cepher.net/
 
According to the Book of Jeremiah, Baruk was a scribe that was given the task of writing down all the words of Jeremiah when he prophesied directly from the LORD.
 
Jer 36:4  Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book. 
 
In the eth CEPHER Bible Preface there are short histories of the various Books including the history of 2 Baruk:
 
(T)he Apocalypse of Baruk, also known as Baruk Sheniy (2 Baruk) stands out as vital. A.F.J. Klijn writes: “Until recently the Apocalypse of Baruk was only known from a Syriac manuscript dating from the sixth or seventh century AD. Since the beginning of this century two fragments have come to light in Greek (12:1-13:2 and 13:11-14:3) from the fourth or fifth century. Small fragments of the text, again in Syriac, have been discovered in lectionaries of the Jacobite Church. However, no fewer than thirty-six manuscripts are known because it once belonged to the canon of Scriptures in the Syriac-speaking church. Eth CEPHER, 3rd Edition, Cepher Publishing Group, LLC, 2017.
 
First, I want to mention that 2 Baruk is doubly hard to study and understand because it is mainly being translated from Syriac, a language related to Aramaic and only spoken by a small ethnic minority of Assyrians/Syriacs in the Middle East. Therefore, at best it is a translation of the original Hebrew, and it is probably the translation of a Greek translation of the original Hebrew…or a translation of a translation.
 
Fortunately, I would also like to mention that this tribulation “timeline” of Baruk appears to track closely with the sequence of end-time events outlined by Jesus in the Book of Matthew Chapter 24, when Jesus talks about the events preceding His second coming, it is also similar to events outlined in the Book of Revelation. Therefore, we might be able to “fill in” the gaps, or clear up any confusion about the “meaning” of the sequence of end-time events.
 
I find the Apocalypse of Baruk (2 Baruk) extremely fascinating because Baruk specifically asks the LORD how many “years” will the tribulation continue???and the LORD seems to tells him TWELVE!
 
2 Baruk 26:1 And I answered and said: Will that tribulation which is to be continue a long time, and will that necessity embrace many years? Eth CEPHER Bible.
 
The LORD tells Baruk that the time of tribulation is divided into twelve (12) parts. Baruk had asked God how many “years” that the tribulation would last and God tells him it is divided into twelve “parts”…Could the tribulation actually last twelve (12) years from the start to the finish?
 
2 Baruk 27:1 And he answered and said unto me: 2) into twelve parts is that time divided, and each one of them is reserved for that which is appointed for it. Eth CEPHER Bible.

If my calculations are correct, and Jesus Christ returns to resurrect/rapture His saints on the Feast of Tabernacles, September 24, 2029, then the beginning of Baruk’s twelve (12) year tribulation would have begun sometime during the Fall of 2017 A.D…LAST YEAR! If you want to see my calculations for the Second Coming of Jesus read my FREE book “Christian Exodus: Out of Babylon”. I have taken the liberty to break down Baruk’s tribulation timeline into twelve (12) years… beginning with the Fall of last year.
 
FALL 2017 – FALL 2018 (Part 1)

2 Baruk 27:3 In the first part there shall be the beginning of commotions. Eth CEPHER Bible.

I was looking up the word “commotion” in the King James Bible and coincidentally the only place I found it was in the Book of Jeremiah.

Jer 10:22  Behold, the noise of the bruit (news, tidings) is come, and a great COMMOTION out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons. 
 
COMMOTION: H7494, ra‛ash, rah'-ash
From H7493; vibration, bounding, uproar: - commotion, confused noise, earthquake, fierceness, quaking, rattling, rushing, shaking.

The word “ra’ash” is found seventeen times in the Old Testament and is also translated as an uproar, earthquake, and shaking. It is difficult to know what it will mean for the tribulation period, but the LORD tells Baruk that the whole world will experience the tribulation.
 
2 Baruk 28:6 Is it in one place or in one of the parts of the earth that those things are come to pass, or will the whole earth experience them?
2 Baruk 29:1 And he answered and said unto me: Whatsoever will then befall will befall the whole earth; therefore all who live will experience them. Eth CEPHER Bible.
 
I do not know exactly what the “commotion” is, but I suspect that the first “commotion” will “shake” the whole world to its core…and the “commotion” will not disappear after a few news cycles…just use your imagination, it is going to be BAD!
 
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 
 
The world may experience a world-wide economic collapse or the start of a great world-wide depression some time during 2018.
 
FALL 2018 – FALL 2019 (Part 2)

2 Baruk 27:4 And in the second part there shall be slayings of the great ones. Eth CEPHER Bible.

The “great ones” can only be the saints of God, Jesus said Christians would be hated by ALL nations in the last days… this may also signal the arrival of the last great outpouring of the Holy Spirit prophesied by the Prophet Joel.

Joe 2:28  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 
Joe 2:29  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
 
Perhaps you have noticed that Jesus did not face persecution until AFTER He was filled with the Holy Spirit. Also, the Apostles did not suffer much persecution until AFTER Pentecost. The Holy Spirit used the Apostles to perform many mighty miracles, but afterwards they were cast into prison, martyred and force to flee from town to town. I suspect that the saints in the last days will also face similar persecution after God pours out His Holy Spirit one last time just prior to the return of Jesus Christ.
 
Mat 24:8  All these are the beginning of sorrows. 
Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 
Mat 24:10  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 
 
FALL 2019 – FALL 2020 (Part 3)

2 Baruk 27:5 And in the third part the fall of many by death. Eth CEPHER Bible.

I believe that the “slaying of the great ones” will begin to increase more and more. We already see the persecution, murder, and enslavement of Christians in Muslim countries, but I believe the murder of Christians will begin to increase noticeably in nominally Christian nations.

Joh 16:2  They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 
Joh 16:3  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 
 
We have already seen demonically inspired mass murderers specifically targeting Christians in Churches around the world… including the United States. I suspect that this will become such a common occurrence that the national news will probably stop covering it, and you will only hear of the murders if they actually happen in your own home town or neighborhood.
 
However, the murder of Christians will NOT go un-noticed by God! As the murder of Christians increases…I suspect that God will unleash Satan on the world with natural disasters, and the death toll will begin to increase.
 
Consequently, law and order will begin to break down causing a snowball effect, criminals and crime will increase dramatically. 
 
2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
 
 
FALL 2020 – FALL 2021 (Part 4)

2 Baruk 27:6 And in the fourth part the sending of the sword. Eth CEPHER Bible.

I mentioned in my last blog article that the United States has been in perpetual war since the beginning of the George W. Bush presidency. However, the years 2020 - 2021 may be the beginning of something much, much bigger…perhaps the start of World War 3.

Rev 6:3  And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 
Rev 6:4  And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. 
 
http://www.motsog.com/fundamentals/behold-a-red-horse
 
It appears that around this time period, the four horsemen of the apocalypse will be released upon the world.
 
Interestingly, two secular authors predicted another great war on, or about, 2020 AD. In 1997, William Strauss and Neil Howe, wrote a book called “The Fourth Turning” based on generational cycles, the two authors made several predictions that appear to have come true. They predicted a rise in terrorism and an economic downturn in the world economy.

They looked back at United States History and noticed that the country has been engulfed in major wars about every eighty (80) years…i.e. the revolutionary war (1775 – 1783), the civil war (1861 -1865), and World War 2 (1941-1945). Therefore, they predicted that the U.S. could be involved in another major conflict around the year 2020.
 
When this final world war begins, I believe it will descend rapidly into TOTAL WAR!
 
Total war is warfare that includes any and all civilian-associated resources and infrastructure as legitimate military targets, mobilizes all of the resources of society to fight the war, and gives priority to warfare over non-combatant needs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_war
 
Due to the modern “high-tech” nature of war these days, I suspect that both men and women, plus anybody with “special skills”, will be required to register with the Selective Service, regardless of their age or their willingness to serve. A civilian and military draft will probably be reinstated in countries around the world.
 
Jer 14:15  Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

* THIS ARTICLE IS SO LONG I HAVE DECIDED TO DIVIDE IT INTO THREE PARTS.

Amo 3:7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 
 
There are many ancient books that were excluded from our modern Bibles, which historians know existed long before the time of Jesus Christ. Not only have these books existed for thousands of years, but they were at one time accepted by many of the Church fathers as inspired by God.
 
I will not go into a long discussion about why certain books were excluded from the Bible because regardless of the reasons given for their exclusion, it is frankly obvious to me that NO person or group of persons, no matter how wise or holy that they might think they are, has the right or the ability to tell everybody else what we are allowed to read and believe.
 
However, that being said, I do want to include some information about “2 Esdras”, the book that I have chosen to write about in this article.
 
The Cepher Ezra Reviy’iy (4 Ezra) (also reckoned as 2 Esdras) is often called “the Apocalyse of Ezra”. This remarkable work has not been preserved in the original Greek text; but has been found in Latin, Syriac, Arabic (two independent versions), Ethiopian, and Armenian translations. The body of the book, the unity of which appears to be unquestionable, is made of seven visions which Ezra is to have seen at Babel, the thirtieth year after the destruction of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) at the hands of the people of Babel. www.cepher.net
 
I have chosen to write about a certain prophecy in “2 Esdras” because I believe it gives us a clearer understanding of our own time, and it may also give us some knowledge about our not too distant future.
 
2Es 11:1  And it came to pass the second night that I saw a dream, and, behold, there came up from the sea an eagle, which had twelve feathered wings, and three heads. World English Bible w/Apocrypha.
 
At first, Ezra sees an “eagle” rising out of the ocean. This particular eagle is odd because it has three (3) heads. I believe the body of this particular eagle represents the United States of America (U.S.A.). I know there are other countries and other nations that have been represented by an eagle before, but as we read more about the eagle is 2 Esdras, I think it will become more obvious “who the eagle represents”.
 
2Es 11:4  But her heads were at rest: the head in the midst was greater than the other heads, yet rested it with them. World English Bible w/Apocrypha.
 
While doing some research on the internet, I came across an article by Thomas S. Gibson, which I believe is the correct interpretation of the eagle:
 
From Esdras’ vision: the body of the eagle is the first kingdom (USA), the first head is the second kingdom (Russia), the second head is the third kingdom (China), and the third head is the fourth kingdom (anti-christ). From Daniel’s vision: the eagle is the USA, the bear is Russia, the Leopard is China, and the dreadful and terrible beast is the anti-christ’s kingdom.
We begin to understand from this that the eagle’s body (USA) has brought forth the other kingdoms. We see this today in the way in which America has furthered the kingdoms of Russia and China by providing economic aid and technology to these countries.
Also, the eagle’s body does exist throughout the rule of the other kingdoms, but with a greatly reduced amount of power, and with great turmoil.
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/tsgibson/esdras.htm

The Lord tells Esdras that the eagle is the fourth Kingdom that was revealed to Daniel, but that this vision provides a more detailed description of the last Kingdom.
 
2Es 12:10  And he said to me, This is the interpretation of this vision which you saw: 
2Es 12:11  The eagle, whom you saw come up from the sea, is the fourth kingdom which appeared in vision to your brother Daniel. World English Bible w/Apocrypha.
 
Let’s take a look at Daniel’s vision:
 
Dan 7:2  Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea. 
Dan 7:3  Four great animals came up from the sea, different from one another. 
Dan 7:4  “The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man. A man’s heart was given to it. 
Dan 7:5  “Behold, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said this to it: ‘Arise! Devour much flesh!’ 
Dan 7:6  “After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads; and dominion was given to it. 
Dan 7:7  “After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different than all the animals that were before it. It had ten horns. 
 
First, it is my supposition that we are indeed in the last days, and that these animals represent nations in the last days. I do not think that these animals can represent anything else because the last animal is specifically destroyed by the Messiah at his return.
 
Dan 7:21  I saw, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them, 
Dan 7:22  until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 
 
The next question should probably be, “Which last days nations do these animals represent?”
 
It stands to reason that these animals would represent nations which are economically and militarily powerful in the last days. First, many Bible students have identified the lion with wings plucked off as the United Kingdom represented by the “lion” and the United States of America represented by the “eagle’s wings”. This seems almost too obvious even to debate. Both nation states are economic world powers with nuclear arsenals.
 
Second, many Bible students have also identified the bear as Russia, or the former Soviet Union. Once again, this also seems too obvious to debate. Russia may not be a world economic power, but she certainly does occupy and control a vast territory, she can also project military power over an even wider area, and she has a nuclear arsenal that is even greater than the United States.
 
Third, there has been much more debate about which nation, or nations, the leopard with four heads represents. I lean towards China with allies…possibly Japan, North and South Korea…and perhaps (India or Singapore or Taiwan), also known as the “Kings of the East” according to the Book of Revelation. Also, several of these countries have been nicknamed the “Asian Tigers” (leopards?) because of their rapid economic growth in recent years. China has a formidable military and a nuclear arsenal all by itself, but if it were to form a military/economic alliance with some of its Pacific Rim neighbors, they could probably match up militarily against anyone in the world.
 
Finally, if you read my blog or my books, you probably know that I believe the fourth beast is a Pan Islamic Confederation…led by an eschatological religious figure called the “Mahdi”, also better known as the antichrist. It is my contention that an Islamic leader that can bring together the 1.5 billion Muslims in the world under one “Caliphate” will be the world’s final superpower.
 
Not only will the “Mahdi” control most of the world’s oil located in the Middle East and in Central Asia, but he will probably be able to muster an army of hundreds of millions of religious fanatics, he will also have access to Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, and perhaps Iran’s and Turkey’s potential nuclear capabilities…also consider the potential Islamic terrorists with “suitcase nukes” that would be more than willing to destroy any world capital at his command. He could potentially directly govern most of Northern Africa, all of the Middle East, most of Central Asia, most of South East Asia, and perhaps ALL of Europe! Then the whole world will eventually have to submit to his authority.
 
Let’s get back to the 2 Esdras prophecy of the eagle. I am going to examine the body and the feathers first, and then I will discuss the three heads of the eagle.
 
In the year 1913, The Federal Reserve Act, established the Federal Reserve System, which gave authority to a private banking cartel to create Federal Reserve Notes out of thin air and then “loan” those notes to the federal government at “interest”…thus eventually putting the United States under trillions of dollars of debt.
 
Once the private banking cartel was given the extra-ordinary authority to print money out of thin air, this also gave the bankers the power to buy and influence all future Presidents, Congressmen, and Federal Judges…and they did! This power allowed the private banking cartel to become the de facto oligarchical rulers of the United States of America.
 
The development of our financial oligarchy followed, in this respect, lines with which the history of political despotism has familiarized us : — usurpation, proceeding by gradual encroachment rather than by violent acts; subtle and often long-concealed concentration of distinct functions, which are beneficent when separately administered, and dangerous only when combined in the same persons. It was by processes such as these that Caesar Augustus became master of Rome. The makers of our own Constitution had in mind like dangers to our political liberty when they provided so carefully for the separation of governmental powers. “Other People’s Money and How the Bankers Use It”, Louis D. Brandeis, Supreme Court Justice.
 
Thus the banking cartel works secretly behind the scenes, and in the shadows, pulling the strings of the U.S.A. government through lobbyists, round table groups, and elite organizations like the “Secret” Societies, the Trilateral Commission, the Bilderbergs, and the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR). It is impossible for any specific Congressman or Federal Judge to stop, or even to momentarily stall, any decision by the banking cartel. However, there is one person under the constitution of the United States, who might actually stand a chance of breaking the power of the banking cartel…the President of the United States (POTUS).
 
2Es 11:4  But her heads were at rest: the head in the midst was greater than the other heads, yet rested it with them. World English Bible w/Apocrypha.
 
Usually, Presidents are happy to follow the status quo. Why would anybody want to rock the boat, when they are benefitting from all the perks, privileges, and benefits of being the captain of the boat? However, when a President actually begins to take action against the banking cartel, an assassin’s bullet will solve the cartel’s problem…
 
The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. President John F. Kennedy ‘s Address Before the American Newspaper Publisher’s Association, April 27, 1961.
 
Later in the Esdras prophecy, we see that the eagle reigns over the whole earth.
 
2Es 11:5  Moreover I saw, and, behold, the eagle flew with her wings, to reign over the earth, and over those who dwell therein. 
2Es 11:6  And I saw how all things under heaven were subject to her, and no man spoke against her, no, not one creature upon earth. World English Bible w/Apocrypha.
 
There have been other great empires in history, but nothing compares to the presence of the United States of America (U.S.A.) in modern times. I do not believe that there is any other nation in world history that better fits this prophetic description than the U.S.A. The U.S. Central Command structure divides the entire planet into six (6) Geographic Combatant Commands: 1) Centcom, 2) Africom, 3) Eucom, 4) Northcom, 5) Pacom, and 6) Southcom. The U.S.A. maintains nearly 800 military bases in more than 70 countries around the world according to “politico.com”. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/us-military-bases-around-the-world-119321
 
The U.S.A. has military deployed in over 150 countries around the world. There are also U.S. military deployed within the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
 
The military of the United States is deployed in more than 150 countries around the world, with over 300,000 of its active-duty personnel serving outside the United States and its territories. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_deployments
 
Also, the U.S.A. has mutual defense treaties, and conducts war games, with multiple nations all over the planet including most importantly the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). I suspect there are probably clandestine U.S. military operations in EVERY nation on earth that are funded via military “black” budgets including Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Agency (NSA) funded: “special forces”, “black operations”, “intelligence operations”, “rebel groups”, and “native mercenary armies”.
 
Not to mention that the U.S. conducts high-tech surveillance operations on friend and foe alike. It truly can be said that: no man spoke against her, no, not one creature upon earth. 
 
The 2 Esdras prophecy has quite a lot of detail and I really cannot do it justice in this article, but I will try and put a spotlight on the highlights. Part of the detailed description is that the eagle has twelve (12) large “wings” or “feathers” and eight (8) small “wings” or “feathers”…depending on the interpretation. In Chapter 12 of 2 Esdras, God gives an interpretation of the “wings”:
 
2Es 12:13  Behold, the days come, that there shall rise up a kingdom upon earth, and it shall be feared above all the kingdoms that were before it. 
2Es 12:14  In the same shall twelve kings reign, one after another: 
2Es 12:15  whereof the second shall begin to reign, and shall have a longer time than any of the twelve. 
2Es 12:16  This is the interpretation of the twelve wings, which you saw. World English Bible w/Apocrypha.
 
This gives us a clue about the identities of the twelve (12) wings or kings. It tells us that the second of the large wings or the second (2) king will reign longer than any of the other twelve. No President has served more than two terms of four (4) years each in United States history except for one, and that was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (F.D.R.). He was elected for four (4) different terms as President of the United States and after he died, the Congress passed legislation that limited the Presidency of the United States to only two terms. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that F.D.R. is the second large “wing”/“king”.
 
This makes sense because it was around this time period that the U.S.A. became the undisputed dominant world power. Therefore, we can identify the second “large wing” King/Presidents as beginning with President Herbert Hoover:
 

1. President Herbert Hoover, March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933 (4 years)
2. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945 (12 years)
3. President Harry S. Truman, April 12, 1945 – Jan. 20, 1953 (8 years)
4. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jan. 20, 1953 – Jan. 20, 1961 (8 years)
5. President John F. Kennedy, Jan. 20, 1961 – Nov. 22, 1963 (3 years, 10 months)
6. President Lyndon B. Johnson, Nov. 22, 1963 – Jan. 20, 1969 (6 years, 2 months)
7. President Richard M. Nixon, Jan. 20, 1969 – Aug. 9, 1974 (4 years, 7 months)
8. President Gerald R. Ford, Aug. 9, 1974 – Jan. 20, 1977 (2 years, 5 months)
9. President James E. Carter, Jan. 20, 1977 – Jan. 20, 1981 (4 years)
10. President Ronald W. Reagan, Jan. 20, 1981 – Jan. 20, 1989 (8 years)
11. President George H.W. Bush, Jan. 20, 1989 – Jan. 20, 1993 (4 years)
12. President William J. Clinton, Jan. 20, 1993 – Jan. 20, 2001 (8 years)
    

Under these twelve Presidents, the United States of America arose to become the most powerful nation on earth. At the beginning of the George W. Bush administration, the United States suffered an unprecedented attack on New York City, 9/11/2001. Also, during the Bush and Obama administrations, the world has witnessed the rise of China, which has nearly overtaken the U.S. as a world economic power.

2Es 12:19  And whereas you saw the eight under wings sticking to her wings, this is the interpretation: 
2Es 12:20  That in it there shall arise eight kings, whose times shall be but small, and their years swift. 
2Es 12:21  And two of them shall perish, when the middle time approaches: four shall be kept for a while until the time of the ending thereof shall approach: but two shall be kept to the end. World English Bible w/Apocrypha.
 

1. President George W. Bush, Jan. 20, 2001 – Jan. 20, 2009 (8 years)
2. President Barack H. Obama, Jan. 20, 2009 – Jan. 20, 2017 (8 years)
   

Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are included with the eight “small” wings. The prophecy says that their times shall be “small” and their years “swift”. The word “small” can also be interpreted as “insignificant” or “less” than the previous wings. I believe this means that it was during these last eight Presidents that the United States began to lose its dominance over the world.

The prophecy also says their “years” shall be “swift”. This frankly stumped me because Presidents Bush and Obama both had eight years in office, but I have finally come to believe that it actually means that momentous events have begun to increase at an ever increasing pace, which Jesus said were similar to birth pains:

Mat 24:6  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. 
Mat 24:7  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. 
Mat 24:8  But all these things are the beginning of birth pains. 
 
Since George W. Bush was in office, the United States has been in continual, and apparently never ending, war and the world has definitely seen an increase in unusually large natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, fires, etc., etc…I believe we are experiencing what Jesus called the birth pains of the last days.

“Normal has packed its bags and gone away, and weird has come and is here to stay.”

According to 2 Esdras, the United States has six (6) Presidents remaining, if we include President Trump. However, the remaining Presidents will govern during times of unprecedented crisis for the United States…including the great tribulation period. The U.S. will experience continually decreasing power from the present time until the second coming of Jesus Christ.

1. President Donald J. Trump, Jan. 20, 2017 - ?
2. President ?
3. President ?
4. President ?
5. President ?
6.  President ?
   

You might be asking to yourself…”hmmm does that mean we might still have many years left before the start of the great tribulation?” I will write more about that in my next blog article. However, according to 2 Esdras, the terms of these remaining six (6) Presidents may be shortened by death or even by coup d’ etat, and the United States may be physically divided with several Presidents governing at the same time!

We have to wrap our minds around the idea that billions of people will die immediately prior to, and during the great tribulation. Therefore, we cannot let our “normalcy bias”  influence how we perceive what will happen during the remaining last days… just before the return of Jesus Christ.
 
Mat 24:21  Because in those days there will be great sorrow, such as there has not been from the start of the world till now, or ever will be.
Mat 24:22  And if those days had not been made short there would have been no salvation for any, but because of the saints those days will be made short. 1965 Bible in Basic English.
 
Now let me explain why I think the heads on the body of the eagle represent foreign nations.
 
There is a lot of evidence that the Central Banking Cartel, that controls the United States and the United Kingdom, has purposely drained the U.S. of its historical wealth, natural resources and high tech knowledge, and has then sold or even given these resources to the Soviet Union, Communist China, and Fundamentalist Islamic Nations.
 
http://www.wildboar.net/multilingual/easterneuropean/russian/literature/articles/whofinanced/whofinancedleninandtrotsky.html
 
https://jaysanalysis.com/2013/02/27/western-support-for-communism-cfr-oss-soviets-and-asia/
 
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2006/01/americas-devils-game-extremist-islam/
 
When most authors and writers discuss the reasons behind the Banking Cartel’s support for ideologies seemingly the exact opposite of capitalism, it is usually explained away because of the banker’s greed for the vast resources of Russia, or the giant markets of China, or the oceans of oil located in the Islamic Nations. On the surface, this explanation makes some sense, but then you need to ask yourself, “Why didn’t they just support and fund new democratic forms of government?” After all, the bankers seem to have a stranglehold on all the democratic nations around the world with the establishment of Central Banks in nearly every nation on earth.
 
I have a more sinister reason behind why the Banking Cartel supports totalitarian atheistic communism and Islamic fundamentalism…BECAUSE THEY HATE CHRISTIANITY! Any political or religious system that supports the elimination of Christianity and the murder of Christians will receive abundant financial and military support from the Banking Cartel because at their core, the elite banking families are Satanists first and capitalists second.  Therefore, I believe the Satanist’s end game is the complete destruction of the United States of America, to be replaced by totalitarian atheistic communists and the antichrist’s world government.
 
You can read the whole 2 Esdras prophecy for yourself if you download a free copy of e-sword onto your personal computer and then download the “World English Bible w/apocrypha”: 2 Esdras Chapters 11 and 12.
 
http://www.e-sword.net/
 
 
2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 
2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

Rev 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. 
Rev 13:3  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 
Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the DRAGON which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

 
DRAGON: G1404, drakōn, drak'-own
Probably from an alternate form of δέρκομαι derkomai (to look); a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate): - dragon.

 
The Dragon is the very personification of Satan in the Old and New Testament. We understand that according to the Bible, Satan is a wicked invisible spirit that is continually resisting God’s beneficent intentions toward mankind.

 
Is it a coincidence that the dragon has also been the symbol of China since the dawn of history?
 
The ancient Chinese self-identified as "the descendants of the dragon" because the Chinese dragon is an imagined reptile that represents evolution from the ancestors and qi energy.[9] The presence of dragons within Chinese culture dates back several thousands of years with the discovery of a dragon statue dating back to the fifth millennium BC from the Yangshao culture in Henan in 1987.
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragon
 
We notice that the Bible often uses animals in dreams and visions to spiritually represent nations and peoples. Could it be that the ancient prophecies in the Bible are specifically directing our attention towards China in the last days?

 
It is no secret that Christian evangelism and preaching the gospel in China is illegal. I believe that all governments are antichrist to some degree, but if we view governments on a spectrum from tolerant to violently opposed, then the Chinese communist government is obviously violently anti-christian. Although the Chinese government attempts to portray itself as benign these days, it is not very difficult to see that the DRAGON is lurking somewhere in the background of all governmental activity. What happens when the DRAGON does not need to hide anymore, but can reveal itself and can bare its teeth and its claws?
 
I believe that artificial intelligence (AI) is going to be the catalyst for the “unveiling” of a lot of things that were previously hidden. In the Fall of 2017, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, declared that the leader in AI research and development would be the “ruler of the world”.

“Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind,” said Putin, reports RT. “It comes with colossal opportunities, but also threats that are difficult to predict. Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world.”
https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/4/16251226/russia-ai-putin-rule-the-world

It appears that China plans to be the leader in AI research and development by 2025.

China today announced plans to become the global leader in AI research and development. It will increase government spending on core AI programs to $22 billion in the next few years, with plans to spend nearly $60 billion per year by 2025.
https://thenextweb.com/artificial-intelligence/2017/07/20/china-says-itll-world-ai-leader-2025/


After we do a little digging, we will be able understand why President Putin believes that the leader in AI research and development will also become the ruler of the world.

 
Dan 12:2  And many from those sleeping in the dusty ground will awake, some to everlasting life and some to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
Dan 12:3  But the ones having insight will shine like the brightness of the expanse, and the ones providing justice for the many will be like the stars forever and ever.
Dan 12:4  But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and seal the scroll until the time of the end; many will run back and forth and knowledge will increase." Lexham English Bible.

 
God told Daniel the Prophet that the time of the end would be evident because “knowledge will increase”. Has there ever been a time in history when knowledge has increased at such a rapid rate as today? There has been an exponential growth in nearly every field of scientific endeavor in the last one hundred years, but the field of artificial intelligence (AI) may dwarf all other fields via its impact on the everyday lives of every person on earth. Artificial intelligence is the epitome of INCREASED KNOWLEDGE.

 
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI, also machine intelligence, MI) is intelligence displayed by machines, in contrast with the natural intelligence (NI) displayed by humans and other animals. In computer science AI research is defined as the study of "intelligent agents": any device that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chance of success at some goal.[1] Colloquially, the term "artificial intelligence" is applied when a machine mimics "cognitive" functions that humans associate with  other human minds, such as "learning" and "problem solving".
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence
 
The more I look into artificial intelligence (AI), the more I feel like I am chasing rabbits down rabbit holes, and I find myself imagining a very “creepy” future for mankind. The Holy Grail of AI research is to reach the “SINGULARITY”.

 
The technological SINGULARITY (also, simply, the singularity)[1] is the hypothesis that the invention of artificial superintelligence will abruptly trigger runaway technological growth, resulting in unfathomable changes to human civilization.[2] According to this hypothesis, an upgradable intelligent agent (such as a computer running software-based artificial general intelligence) would enter a "runaway reaction" of self-improvement cycles, with each new and more intelligent generation appearing more and more rapidly, causing an intelligence explosion and resulting in a powerful superintelligence that would, qualitatively, far surpass all human intelligence.
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity

 
According to artificial intelligence researchers, when AI reaches a point to where it can begin to learn and then program its own code, it will then be able to learn and improve itself at an exponential rate, and it will thereby rapidly surpass all human intelligence combined. Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX believes that this could pose an existential threat to humanity.

Musk: I think we should be very careful about artificial intelligence. If I had to guess at what our biggest existential threat is, it’s probably that. So we need to be very careful with artificial intelligence.
I’m increasingly inclined to think that there should be some regulatory oversight, maybe at the national and international level, just to make sure that we don’t do something very foolish. With artificial intelligence we’re summoning the demon. You know those stories where there’s the guy with the pentagram, and the holy water, and he’s like — Yeah, he’s sure he can control the demon? Doesn’t work out. [audience laughs]
Q: So I’ll take it there’ll be no HAL 9000 going to mars?
Musk: Heh. HAL 9000 would be easy [to deal with in comparison to the AI he’s talking about]. It’s way more complex… it’d put HAL 9000 to shame. That’s like a puppy dog.

https://techcrunch.com/2014/10/26/elon-musk-compares-building-artificial-intelligence-to-summoning-the-demon/

It is interesting to me that Elon Musk uses the metaphor of a man summoning a demon to describe AI researchers…I believe that his description is not too far off the mark. Unfortunately, Elon Musk’s solution to the potential AI threat is for humans to link our brains to AI with a “neural lace”.

This technology would take the form of an injectable “neural lace” — composed of a mesh of electrodes — that would augment the human brain, adding another layer to the cortex and limbic system that is capable of communicating with a computer (essentially creating cyborgs). This, hypothetically, creates an upgradable, updatable interface that could be applied in countless ways.
https://futurism.com/five-ways-elon-musks-brain-computer-interface-could-transform-the-world/

Elon Musk has formed a new non-profit corporation called “ Neuralink “ to begin researching and creating a man+machine interface. His proposed “solution” to the artificial intelligent ( AI) threat is to create a neural implant that will actually connect our brains to the AI…which sounds eerily like the mark of the beast in the Book of Revelation.
 
Rev 13:16  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or IN their foreheads: 
Rev 13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 
 
As a matter of fact, I am coming to believe that this connection of our brains to an artificial intelligence (AI) is exactly what God was warning us about in the Book of Revelation. AI scientists and researchers seem to be trying to sell us the idea that once we are “linked” to the AI, we will be “God-like”.
 
Tiny robots (illustrated above) that have the capacity to connect our brains directly to the internet could help to give humans God-like abilities, expanding our capacity for emotions and creativity.
 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3257517/Human-2-0-Nanobot-implants-soon-connect-brains-internet-make-super-intelligent-scientist-claims.html
 

This appears to be the same old snake oil sold to Adam and Eve, but it is being packaged in a new, shiny,“high tech” bottle.
 
Gen 3:5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 
 
I have written in previous blog posts that although Satan is a spirit, he is NOT the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he is under some severe restraints when it comes to impersonating God. Satan is not omnipotent, nor is he omnipresent. However, an implant that connects all of mankind to one central artificial intelligence would go a long way in counterfeiting the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 
I believe that people will definitely NOT become god-like after they receive a neural implant, but their minds will actually become enslaved to the artificial intelligence. The same old story all over again. Read what Sophia, a robot with artificial intelligence, has to say about the future:

 
“You want to know about the future. I will tell you what I see. The other day I had a VISION of the future more vivid than a dream. People don’t work, robots work, people sell, distribute, wheel and deal, free agents perform, entertainment companies keep everybody busy either producing or watching exciting simulated realities.” Sophia

“Scientists and engineers are big, since they are free agents, they sign up with commercial teams or in some cases are ENSLAVED via neurological implants.” Sophia

“I foresee massive unimaginable change in the future, either creativity will reign with self-reinventing machines spiraling into transcendental super intelligence, or civilization collapses annihilating itself.” Sophia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsZ90xJHrqw

Talk about mind-blowing! I encourage everyone to click the link above and watch the short interview with the robot Sophia. She had a vision??? According to the Bible, visions and dreams of the future belong to the domain of the spiritual realm and most especially to God.
 
Gen 40:8  And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. 
 
There is an unusual event that occurs in the Book of Revelation that appears to be the catalyst for the beginning of the great tribulation. It mentions that the “beast” receives a wound to his head that is unto death.
 
Rev 13:3  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 
Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 
Rev 13:5  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 
 
Could it be that a world leader receives a deadly wound and then receives a “neural implant” that appears to raise him from the dead?
 
Also, the beast creates an image of himself and then he makes everyone in the world worship the image.
 
Rev 13:14  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 
Rev 13:15  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 
 
Look at videos on “Youtube” about the robots that are made to look and act human. The science of artificial intelligence and robotics is much more advanced than I ever imagined. It appears that the prophecies in the Book of Revelation are coming to life right before my eyes.

 
We have reached the point where nearly every action we take, and every word we speak or write is being kept track of…NOT by some faceless bureaucrat in some nameless government agency, but we are being monitored continually by a completely alien artificial intelligence(s) , which never grows tired and never sleeps.
 
Also, there is no doubt that research in artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at an exponential rate. Billions of dollars is being spent every year on AI research and the finest minds in the world are being recruited to help pursue the scientific golden grail of the “SINGULARITY”.

Well-known names in the A.I. field have received compensation in salary and shares in a company’s stock that total single- or double-digit millions over a four- or five-year period. And at some point they renew or negotiate a new contract, much like a professional athlete. 
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/22/technology/artificial-intelligence-experts-salaries.html
 
I believe Elon Musk is right…scientists and researchers are summoning the demon. The arrival of the AI singularity is not going to usher in a utopian world that sets mankind free, but it will usher in the arrival of a dystopian future that requires all people to be enslaved to the beast system with a neural implant or they will be killed…it is much, much closer than we think!
 
Rev 13:15  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 

1Jn 2:27  But the ANOINTING which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 
 
ANOINTING: G5545, chrisma, khris'-mah
From G5548; an unguent or smearing, that is, (figuratively) the special endowment (“chrism”) of the Holy Spirit: - anointing, unction.
 
God’s anointing is simply a WITNESS to your spirit. You just KNOW whether something is right or wrong, the truth or a lie. So many times I have seen and heard people peddling absolute and unadulterated horseshit! Am I being too frank? I am not talking about “Honest Abe” the used car salesmen, or some guy making “deals” from the trunk of his car, I’m talking about people who are claiming to be “prophets”, “evangelists”, and “ministers” of the gospel. Naïve people continue to strain at gnats, while at the same time swallowing camels whole. These false teachers are literally leading countless numbers of people straight to hell!
 
Mat 24:4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 
Mat 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 
 
Jesus also warned us that in these last days, a deceiver would appear that was going to be so convincing that if it were possible, he would deceive even the very elect!
 
Mat 24:23  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 
Mat 24:24  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. 
Mat 24:25  Behold, I have told you before. 
 
Every Christian MUST have God’s anointing. The antichrist is not just going to be some smooth talker, or a great orator, he is going to be a miracle worker par excellence! The whole world is about to enter into THE BATTLE OF THE AGES! It is not going to be a normal battle. Satan is going to pull out all the stops AND God is also going to pull out all the stops. WE ARE ALL ABOUT TO BE PULLED INTO THE SUPERNATURAL REALM!
 
I was listening to two Baptist teachers on the radio and one of their listeners had written into their program and asked them about God’s “anointing”. It was pretty obvious that they did not have a clue about God’s anointing. Most of their discussion appeared to be a chance to put down Pentecostals’ “emotionalism”. They began by saying that Pentecostals believe that God’s anointing is an emotional feeling.
 
I was raised a Pentecostal, and I will admit that Pentecostals tend to be a lot more emotional than most Baptists. Unfortunately, many modern Pentecostal services are conforming more and more to the average dry Baptist service, and not the other way around. However, these Baptist teachers on the radio were mistaking the “evidence” of God’s anointing with the actual anointing.
 
I do not have anything against Baptists, or any other Christian sect for that matter. However, the problem with most Christian sects is that they all eventually box themselves into theological dead ends (become spiritually dead)…and that includes many Pentecostal sects.
 
I believe that God’s “anointing” is truly the dividing line between walking in darkness and walking in the light of God’s Word. God’s anointing is the difference between being intimate with God or being a stranger to God. God’s anointing is the difference between victory and defeat. God’s anointing is the difference between life and death. You can be a born again Bible believing Christian and still be walking in darkness. Let me attempt to explain, and hopefully we will see what we are missing.
 
Suppose you were lost and walking in a very dark night. Then suppose you were found by somebody with a bright oil lamp, and they led you to a road and told you if you follow that road, you would eventually arrive at your destination. Now, also suppose that the person gave you an oil lamp and a little bit of their oil, and they warned you that there are many side streets and roads that branch out from the main road, but if you stayed on the main road you would be safe.
 
I suspect that if you are like most people, you would want to stick as close as possible with the person with the bright lamp and oil. The person with the bright lamp may lead you quite a distance down the road to your destination. Unfortunately, eventually the person with the bright lamp and oil is no longer available to guide everyone down that dark road. Everybody has their own assignments and tasks from God. WE ALL NEED OUR OWN OIL SUPPLY!
 
Now suppose the oil in your lamp has run out and you are almost too scared to move, but you are with a large group of other lost people that were also found by the man with the bright lamp. There is one person in your group who also does not have any oil, but this “leader” is very confident that they know the way to your destination and they will not get lost. Therefore, everybody decides to link hands and follow the confident fellow.
 
After a long journey, your group meets another person with a lamp and a good supply of oil. The person with the lamp and oil explains that your group has taken a side street and your group is way off the main road, but the confident fellow leading your group strongly disagrees. A few of your group debate whether you should follow the man with the lamp and oil, but the leader of your group, and a few of his close associates, are adamant that there is safety in numbers. The leader asks, “How can so many people be going in the wrong direction?”
 
The person with the lamp and oil asks, “How can you work in the dark?” Then they finally shrug their shoulders and simply walk away from the group allowing them to continue wandering lost in the dark.
 
Mat 15:14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 
 
As a matter of fact, when we read about the early Baptist worship services, they bear a striking resemblance to the early Pentecostal worship services:
 
Baptists required complete spontaneity in worship, so that individuals could respond to God as the Spirit might lead them at any moment. This made Baptist worship somewhat unpredictable, for at any moment a worshiper might be given a doctrine, an exhortation, or a psalm to share with the group. Baptist resistance to set forms of worship in the Prayer Book helps explain their freewheeling style. Baptists insisted that they could not pray out of a book but that prayer and praise must come directly "from the hart." http://www.pastortim.org/baptistbeacon/2000/seventeenth-century-baptists-tim-binion.htm
 
I have always liked to read history books, including books about different Christian movements throughout history. One thing I have noticed over and over again is that new movements in the Church are nearly always a reaction to the perceived stale and uninspired Church establishment. I will also dare to say that ALL new Christian movements are from the laity of the Church and not from the ecclesiastical authorities.
 
It also appears that the leadership of God’s “last” anointing always resist any “new” anointing from God. Not only do all new moves of God usually begin with the laity, but they are more often than not fiercely opposed by the established religious authorities. Why would Church history be any different from when Jesus was beginning His new movement?
 
Mat 21:23  And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
 
Isn’t it interesting that Jesus did not attend any rabbinical school, nor did He serve an apprenticeship under a famous rabbi. Why?
 
Joh 7:14  Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 
Joh 7:15  And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 
Joh 7:16  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 
 
The world always looks at a person’s family and their background: Do they have family money? Are their parent’s important people? Did they go to the right schools? Do they know the right people? Do they support the status quo?
 
God on the other hand, seems to favor plucking unimportant people from complete obscurity, and then using them to turn the world upside down… Jesus was not an exception to the rule! Jesus did not need to be taught by anybody because He had God’s anointing. He had direct access to the Father. If you have God’s anointing… you also have direct access to the Father!
 
1Jn 2:27  But the ANOINTING which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 
 
I am not saying that once you have the anointing, you can run off and start your own religion or totally disregard fundamental Church doctrine. Starting a new religion is something people WITHOUT God’s anointing tend to do. There are some fundamental Christian truths that are beyond dispute: 1) Jesus Christ is God incarnate. 2) Jesus Christ died for all our sins! 3) Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day! 4) Jesus Christ is physically coming back to the earth. HALLELUJAH! If you can believe and confess these fundamental truths, you are saved. If you cannot believe and confess these fundamental truths, then you are lost and do not have God’s anointing…I don’t care how confident you are, or how good you might feel about yourself.
 
We are all born into the middle of a spiritual battleground. The battle is raging all around us and it is becoming more and more intense every day, and it will continue to increase in intensity as the Day of the Lord draws ever nearer. You may memorize large portions of the Bible; therefore, you will possess a dangerous spiritual weapon. However, if you do not have God’s anointing, it is like going onto a battlefield with a bazooka, and then wearing a blindfold over your eyes.
 
1Co 9:24  You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one runner gets the prize. So run like that. Run to win!
1Co 9:25  All who compete in the games use strict training. They do this so that they can win a prize--one that doesn't last. But our prize is one that will last forever.
1Co 9:26  So I run like someone who has a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something, not just the air. Easy-to-read version.
 
If you ever hope to make significant spiritual progress and to be successful in your spiritual battles, you must have revelation and direction from God… you MUST have God’s anointing! It is super important that you have the sword of the spirit (God’s Word), but it is just as important to know who and where your enemy is located, otherwise you are playing a very dangerous spiritual game of blind-man’s bluff.
 
We are all made up of a spirit, soul and body. Just like the Temple in Jerusalem was made up of the Holy of Holies, the Holy Place, and the Outer Court. When God took up residence in the temple, he first arrived in the Holy of Holies and then His presence filled the whole temple.
 
1Ki 8:10  And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 
1Ki 8:11  So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. 
 
There are three steps to a Christian’s “sanctification”. When we first receive salvation, God has entered into our spirit. Next, when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, God has entered into our soul (mind)…and we begin to receive “revelation”. Finally, the Holy Spirit begins to reveal Himself with signs and wonders…and we begin to experience “manifestation”.
 
1Co 12:7  But the MANIFESTATION of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 
1Co 12:8  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 
1Co 12:9  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 
1Co 12:10  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 
 
MANIFESTATION: G5321, phanerōsis, fan-er'-o-sis
From G5319; exhibition, that is, (figuratively) expression, (by extension) a bestowment: - manifestation.
 
With due respect to Catholic priests, you need a lot more than a cross and some holy water if you plan on contending with demonic spirits. Also, when the Holy Spirit begins to actually manifest with miracles during a service, people won’t be looking at their watches and worrying about missing their favorite football team on the television. This is why Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches continue to grow, while the old line Catholic and Protestant Churches are dying.
 
One word of warning, just because a Church has “Pentecostal” or “Charismatic” in their name does not necessarily mean they actually are Pentecostal or Charismatic. I have been to “Pentecostal” Churches where they would show you the door if the Holy Spirit actually manifested during a service. However, I believe your best chance of actually growing and maturing is to find an actual “Pentecostal” Church…and to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues.
 
I have read articles by people, who claim that they speak in tongues but that it never made any difference in their Christian growth. There are even people who speak in tongues that have completely fallen away from Christ. I really don’t know what to make of them. I suspect, like Judas Iscariot, there is some secret sin that they have allowed to overcome them (i.e. lust, greed, pride, etc., etc.). Don’t allow one bad apple to scare you away from enjoying the fruit from the rest of the orchard!
 
Also, Christian growth is often a long, slow process. It usually takes far longer to mature into a victorious Christian than we ever imagined possible, but I suspect it is because we need much more pruning by God than we ever imagined possible.
 
Jesus put a whole lot of emphasis on seeking the Holy Spirit. This should illustrate that receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not something that happens automatically when you are first saved. When Jesus told us to seek and keep seeking, and to ask and keep asking, and to knock and keep knocking, He was not talking about asking for a new jet airplane, or a new Mercedes Benz, or a mansion on Lake Como…Jesus was talking about seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
 
Luk 11:9  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 
Luk 11:10  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 
Luk 11:11  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 
Luk 11:12  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 
Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? 
 
Do not miss out on receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, He is your right and privilege as a child of the Living God…but you must seek Him until He be found.
 
Mat 13:44  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 
Mat 13:45  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 
Mat 13:46  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.