6 Scriptures on Falling Away from the Faith (in 30 seconds)

Six Scriptures on Falling Away (in 30 seconds)

God Was Looking / Satan is Also Looking - Part 2

(To read Part 1, click here.)

Just like God was looking, Satan is also looking. Satan is also looking for a man. He is looking for a man through whom (and by whom) he can dominate the world and destroy people's lives. (John 10:10a) He is looking man to man to man at the greatest men who ever lived. He looked at Pharoah. He looked at Judas. He looked at Stalin. He looked at Hitler. He looked at Ahmadinejad. He can't do it until the men appear. (Satan is not like God who can look across all of history past, present and future. Satan must wait until men are born and demonstrate a complete disregard for Jesus Christ.)

The fact is Satan is looking for the most wicked man of all. This man will portray himself has someone he is not. He will be a liar and deceiver. (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11) He will be a sociopath who disobeys the law (2 Thessalonians 2:3c) while enforcing it upon others. (Revelation 13:16-17) The masses of people will go after this man. (Revelation 13:3-4)

Could it be Satan has finally found him?

• How to Recognize Antichrist - Part 3 (in 30 seconds)
• Pre-Tribulation or Pre-Wrath Rapture?

God Was Looking / Satan is Also Looking - Part 1

God was looking. He was looking for a man. He was looking for a man through whom (and by whom) He would save the world (people). (John 3:16) He looked man to man to man at the greatest men who ever lived. He looked at Pharoah. He looked at Julius Caesar. He looked at Mohammed. He looked at Gandhi. He looked at Ronald Reagan. He looked across all of history past, present and future. (God can do that. He's God.)

The fact is God couldn't find a man. He couldn't find anyone. (Romans 3:10-12) So He accomplished salvation Himself. (Isaiah 59:16) He became the Man He was looking for. (Matthew 1:23) He died on the cross and rose again on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) We have been freed from our sins (who believe) because of it. (Romans 10:9-10, 13)

Satan is also looking ~ for a man...

(To read Part 2, click here.)

• One Man
• Signs of the Evil Times

Mark of the Beast

The last book in the Bible is so misunderstood. (And if that isn't one of the greatest understatements...) The book of Revelation ~ of course there are many prophetic systems /scenarios of interpretation (and it's not my design here to deal with those) ~ but what I do want to talk about is how there are dynamics in Revelation ~ they ultimately have their fulfillment in the book ~ while (and here's my point) they are already at work in our day. These "dynamics" are already at work.

Let me give you an example from another place. The apostle John wrote: "Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour." (1 John 2:18) John wrote that two thousand years ago. The point is that the dynamic of "antichrist" (which it's believed will see its ultimate fulfillment in an actual person in the end times) has been part of human society and culture from the first century until now (and increasing). Clear as mud?

Which brings me to the book of Revelation and chapter 13. Of course, "Antichrist" (Revelation 13:1-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) is talked about here (though the word is not used) and also another interesting (frightening) concept. The "mark of the beast" is also mentioned:

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

Now whether or not the "mark" is a computer chip just under the skin is beside the point (though we see that already coming?). The main thing is that this "mark of the beast" dynamic is already at work in our day ~ and in this way: There is a push to control all aspects of human life more than ever before and intensifying. And if you don't "buy into the system" (submit to it) your functioning in society and culture will be greatly hindered (if not shut down completely). (Separation of Church and State. No Christmas carols at school. No prayers at graduation.)

The other side of the same coin is how the greater portion of humanity (Matthew 7:13) has bought into the system. Listen: Many have already "taken the mark" (though not physically). And here's how: They are totally committed to the world as it is and apart from Jesus Christ. For somebody (the False Prophet) to come along and say they must receive a mark to operate ~ they won't question it because they are already a part of it.

You might also be interested in:

• Abomination of Desolation
• On the Subject of Martyrs

How to Recognize Antichrist - Part 3 (in 30 seconds)

(If you can't see this video, click here.)

How to Recognize Antichrist - Part 2 (in 30 seconds)

(If you can't see this video, click here.)

How to Recognize Antichrist - Part 1 (in 30 seconds)

(If you can't see this video, click here.)

Pre-Tribulation or Pre-Wrath Rapture?

There was another bungling of the subject of Rapture recently. (To read: "Is May 21,2011 the Day?," click here.) If anything, at least it brought the whole idea of Jesus' returning to catch His church away to the forefront again. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) (You should see my 12-year old daughter how into it she is with the "Left Behind" books, the teen series. Cool.)

And I've been doing a lot of studying lately of the book of Revelation. (A "like" at: A Heart For God Ministries gives exclusive access to Episode 1-11 of my newest video teaching series on "Revelation.") In the midst of my research the concept of a pre-tribulation Rapture versus a pre-wrath Rapture has been brought up.

Let me try to explain these in the simplest way I can.

PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE

There are those that believe there is a 7-year period called "The Tribulation" (or "Great Tribulation") ahead for planet earth. (Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:19) During that period (at the very beginning) a man seen as Antichrist will appear and rule the world by Satan's power. It will be the most destructive time humankind has ever known. As it has to do with the Rapture, many believe it happens directly prior to The Tribulation/7-year period. This is the "pre-tribulation" understanding of the Rapture.

At least one passage that is used to back this belief is found in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2...

And you know what restrains him (Antichrist) now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he (the Holy Spirit) who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7)

A large part of the Holy Spirit as the "restraining force" keeping Antichrist (the "man of lawlessness") from being revealed is believed to be the Church. (Matthew 5:13a, 5:14a) When she is "taken out of the way" through Rapture, that's when the Tribulation starts.

Again, this understanding of Rapture (pre-tribulation) and the end times is held by many.

PRE-WRATH RAPTURE

The pre-wrath understanding of Rapture is different (of course). This point of view sees the Church undergoing trials and troubling times (as depicted in especially 5 of 6 of the seal judgments portrayed in Revelation chapter 6 and then in 6 of 7 trumpet judgments portrayed in Revelation chapter 8 and 9.) These trials and troubling times (tribulations) are age long beginning in the first century up until our day. Thus, the Church endures tribulation up until the time the wrath of God is poured out (as depicted at the sounding of the 7th trumpet which is the 7 bowls of wrath portrayed in Revelation chapter 16.) This is the "pre-wrath" understanding of the Rapture.

One verse used to back this belief is found in John 16. This is our Lord speaking (note italics)...

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

And then there are Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 5 (note italics)...

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

And so is it a pre-tribulation or pre-wrath Rapture? (Please leave your thoughts in the comments. Thank you.)

My answer: Whichever it is, the only thing I really have control over is making sure I'm ready. (1 John 3:2-3)

(To view: "How to receive Christ into your heart and life (in 30 seconds)," click here.)

You might also be interested in:

• 7 Signs of the End of the World
• In Case of Rapture...

In Case of Rapture...

"Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)



A man and wife asleep in bed,
She hears a noise and turns her head, he's gone,
I wish we'd all be ready,

Two men walking up a hill,
One disappears and one's left standing still,
I wish we'd all been ready,

There's no time to change your mind,
The Son has come and you've been left behind.

You might also be interested in:

• Abomination of Desolation
• 7 Signs That You’ve Missed The Rapture (in 30 seconds)
• How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit (in 30 seconds)
• How to Receive Christ into Your Heart & Life (in 30 seconds)
• On The Subject of Martyrs
• Is May 21, 2011 the Day? (Christ vs Camping)
• Top 10 Trending Topics on Twitter the Day After Rapture

Israel's "Iron Dome" in Action (video)

(If you can't see this video, click here.)

7 Points on the End Times (plus 3 bonus points)

"By Caldron Pool. In the last days of Narnia, far up to the west beyond Lantern Waste and close beside the great waterfall, there lived an Ape." Thus begins C. S. Lewis' "The Last Battle," the final book in his 7 volume children's classic, Chronicles of Narnia series. In it Lewis depicts the last days struggle on planet earth that the Bible explains will take place prior to and including the return of Jesus Christ.

One of the primary characters about to enter on to the scene of this drama is the man of sin, Antichrist (represented by the "Ape" in The Last Battle). (2 Thessalonians 2:3) And there are a whole host of other things that surround Antichrist's appearance and his eventual destruction that, quite frankly, we all just need to know about and have a handle on as we come upon the darkest days humankind has ever known. (But it's always darkest before the dawn!)

I do my best to chronicle some of the truths that surround what the Bible also refers to as "the day of the Lord" (2 Peter 3:10) in the following 7 points on the end times. It was first broadcast on Twitter in 7 tweets (a "tweetcast" ~ each is 140 characters or less). So if any of you got the chance to already see it, I've added 3 bonus points you won't want to miss at the end.

And so here we go with...

7 points on the End Times (plus 3 bonus points):
(feel free to tweet these yourself if you like)

1.Then the kingdom of heaven will b comparable 2 10 virgins,who took their lamps,&went out 2 meet the bridegroom.Mt25:1 #endtimes #tweetcast

2.A charismatic leader will appear bringing peace 2 the Middle East.The world will worship him.He will b Satanic. Rev13 #endtimes #tweetcast

3.Old & New Testaments filled w/Return of Christ promises. 4 every First Coming prophecy there r 8 on Second Coming \o/ #endtimes #tweetcast

4.The "super sign" of the last days is Israel being gathered to her original homeland(5/14/48).Dry bones r alive!Ezek37 #endtimes #tweetcast

5.The Church is raptured&revival takes place based on the testimony of those who r gone.Beheadings follow. Rev13:7;20:4 #endtimes #tweetcast

6.Russia & her allies, Sudan, Libya & Iran will attack Israel. God Himself will step in & decimate their armies. Ezek38 #endtimes #tweetcast

7.Jesus Christ will appear personally, literally&visibly, in glory, in power, w/angels, quickly, unexpectedly. Zech14:4 #endtimes #tweetcast

BONUS

8.R response 2 knowledge of the Master's return? Serve, love & share the good news. Luke 12:35-44 Maranatha \o/ #endtimes #tweetcast

9.America absent in prophecy. Y? 1 teacher says:Nuclear decimation or National decline or Sweeping revival then rapture #endtimes #tweetcast

10.Islam will not rule the world in the end.GodofAbraham,Isaac&Jacob whose Son died on the cross 4 r sins will.Zech14:9 #endtimes #tweetcast

(Above picture under the Creative Commons license: HERE.)

7 Dynamics At The End Of The World

"Abomination Of Desolation"

"And on the wing of abominations will come one (Antichrist) who makes desolate." (Daniel 9:27c)

The "Abomination of Desolation." The "sacrilegious object that causes desecration" is the way the New Living Bible translation puts it. It is the key anchor point in our Lord's discussion of the end times in the Gospel of Mark. (Mark 13:14)

In the first century after Christ's ascension into heaven, the "Abomination of Desolation" prediction (Mark 13:1-2) was fulfilled when the Roman armies under general Titus ransacked Jerusalem (70 A.D.), burned the Jewish Temple to the ground and set an idol on the very spot where it once stood.

But that wasn't the first time in Israel's history that the "Abomination of Desolation" appeared.

When the Jewish people were given over to captivity for turning their backs on the Lord, Nebuchadnezzar looted the Temple and stole the holy vessels away. (597 B.C.)

Some four centuries later (and yet again) Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the rebuilt Temple by sacrificing a pig to Zeus on it's sacred altar. (167 B.C.)

It was (and still is) a pattern of Israel's (/God's) enemies to hijack the representation of the Jewish people's religion and defame/deface it. (Thus an Islamic Mosque sits on the Temple Mount today.)

Ultimately, the "Abomination of Desolation" will find its grandest (and most hateful and demonic) fulfillment in the last days when Antichrist takes his seat in the Temple at Jerusalem and declares himself to be God. That's when all hell breaks loose. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:1-18)

Candidate for Antichrist - Part 2

(To read Part 1: click here.) He'll step into history at the time of the great apostasy (falling away from the faith). (2 Thessalonians 2:3) He'll be a miracle worker ~ but not by God's power. (2 Thessalonians 2:9) He'll perform a mimicking of Jesus' resurrection from the dead (scholars believe). (Rev. 13:3) He'll make a peace treaty with Israel. (Daniel 9:27) He'll break the treaty in 3 1/2 years. That's when all hell breaks loose. (Jeremiah 30:7) He won't let anyone buy or sell without his mark. (Revelation 13:17) He'll demand all of mankind's worship. (2 Thessalonians 2:4) He'll be Satan's masterpiece.

"But when you see the Abomination of Desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains." (Mark 13:14)

(Watch for "Candidate for Antichrist-Part 3" to come soon.)

(Picture in the public domain: HERE.)

Candidate for Antichrist - Part 1

He'll be a politician ~ and a crafty one at that. (Revelation 17:12-13) He'll be a literal military genius. (Revelation 13:4) He'll be charismatic. He'll be able to "wow" the crowds with his great speaking ability. (Daniel 7:8) (He'll make Hitler look like an amateur.) He'll be a "law breaker." He'll operate illegally. He'll be destructive (of institutions?). (2 Thessalonians 2:3) He'll be morally bankrupt. He'll lead astray those whose hearts aren't Christ's. (2 Thessalonians 2:10) He's alive on planet earth even as we speak (some believe).

"Children, it is the last hour; and...[Antichrist] is coming." (1 John 2:18) (Watch for "Candidate for Antichrist-Part 2" to come soon.)

(Picture under the Creative Commons License: HERE.)

Six Six Six

“You need wisdom to understand the number of the beast! But if you are smart enough, you can figure this out. Its number is six hundred sixty-six, and it stands for a person.” (Revelation 13:18; Contemporary English Version)

Where did it ever happen that we thought we should be afraid of a number?

I know it’s associated with some pretty dark things in the Bible, but it really amounts to nothing short of superstition and paranoia to act in such a way.

And especially if you’re a Christian!

Does somebody need to hear this?

You can throw all the triple sixes at me that you want. You can whisper it in my ear: “6-6-6.” You can write it down on a piece of paper and mail it to me in the mail (or tweet it to me on twitter!). You can sell me a house that has it as the address. You can even point out the time on the clock when it’s six minutes and six seconds past six. And do you know how I’ll react? If I want to get a charge out of you, I’ll say, “Aaahhh!”

But really instead what I’ll really say (after I slap you a couple times?) is, “Quit being silly. It’s just a number. Who’s in control of your life anyway?” (Jesus!)

And now isn’t that just so weird? The number of words in this blog post is – take a wild guess - 666. AHH!

(Picture above in the public domain: HERE.)

Top 10 Trending Topics on Twitter the Day After Rapture

The trumpet is about to sound. (Revelation 11:15) When it does, believers in Jesus Christ will be "caught away" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) in the "twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:52) to meet the Lord in the air. They will be removed from the earth. That's when all hell breaks loose. Trust me. You don't want to be left behind. Some of you will be reading this post who are. You'll bookmark/favorite it today and you'll come back to it on the day after Rapture. You'll come back to find out if I was right about the...

Top 10 Trending Topics on Twitter the Day after Rapture:

10. Millions disappear
9. Christians gone
8. Evolution takes next step
7. Great world leader appears
6. Peace treaty with Israel
5. Global government
4. One world religion
3. Microchip implant
2. Justin Bieber still here?
1. 666 (Revelation 13:18)

Messiah Complex

Nice guy. Perfect family. Cares for others. Attends church. Good speaker, too. Quality characteristics. We all would agree. Except when they're combined with (spell it): P-R-I-D-E ~ Pride.

Evil seldom presents itself without a cloak. (If it did, who would buy into it?) I'm talking about the "Messiah complex" in particular. The above 5 characteristics could indeed be included in the profile of a person whose has one.

The Bible has something to say about the Messiah complex (I believe) in 1st Timothy chapter 3 and it's relationship to leadership: "It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. He must be one who manages his own household well . . . and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil." (1 Timothy 3:1, 4a, 6) Of course, this is counsel as regards the Church, but it applies to any organization.

The importance of having proven and godly character in other settings first (in the household of family, in the household of faith) and prior to an appointment to office/as a leader is stressed. It is the protection against the sin of pride (conceit). Which is really what's at the core of a Messiah complex and behind the following...

5 characteristics of the Messiah complex:

1. An individual believes himself to be a savior.
2. He has an injustice/evil to make right.
3. He is unable to receive counsel even when shown to be wrong.
4. He embraces a hidden degeneracy in his own life which inevitably becomes known.
5. He has a twisted relationship with the true Messiah (Jesus Christ).

(The following sites were helpful in study: Wikipedia: Messiah complex and Psychology Today: Messiahs of Evil-Part 3.)

7 Proofs Good Always Triumphs Over Evil

When wickedness overtakes the affairs of men, what can the righteous do? An answer to the question here.