The Key to Understanding the Book of Revelation

The Theme of the Book

The theme of The Revelation is the events of the day of the Lord, climaxing in the Second Coming of Christ.

The second and third chapters contain the messages to the seven churches. These were churches that existed at the time of the writing of the Book of Revelation. John had probably labored with them in the past. The characteristics of these churches can be found in the Church of God throughout all ages. You should study, and apply to yourself, these messages.

The setting for the main revelation of future events is found in the fourth and fifth chapters. Here, in vision, John is taken into heaven where events to occur on earth are revealed. He sees God the Father sitting on His throne, the Book of this prophecy in His right hand, sealed with seven seals - thus completely closed to understanding. Seven denotes completeness.

Before Him are the four "beasts," or living creatures, and the twenty-four elders, and in their midst stands Christ, the "Lamb of God." Christ, alone, is found worthy to open the seals and reveal the prophecy to our understanding.

And fix in mind, the seven seals cover the entire book. In his vision, John sees Christ take the Book from the right hand of the Father, and, one by one, in this heavenly setting, open the seals— showing us, His servants, things shortly TO COME to pass - not events after they have occurred, but showing events to come to pass - BEFORE they occur!

The KEY to the Seven Seals

The opening of the first six seals is recorded in the sixth chapter. As they are opened, John records the things he sees. But the things he sees are symbols. These symbols represent literal and real things to occur on earth.

How can we understand the right meaning of these symbols? What is the KEY?

Just as Jesus spoke, during His earthly ministry, in parables to those "without" - thus veiling the true meaning so they would not understand, yet explaining, in plain language, the meaning of the parables to His own surrendered followers (Mark 4:10-12; Matthew 13:13-15), so here the prophecy is IN SYMBOL, which those "without" cannot understand— but which Jesus will explain in plain language to His true followers who keep His Father's commandments, (Psalm 111:10) and possess the Holy Spirit. (John 16:13; Acts 5:32) Because of rebellion against God and His commandments, it is not given to all to understand. (See Daniel 12:10) Those who break and teach against the Commandments cannot understand Revelation.

But just as Jesus explained the meaning of His symbolic parables to His true followers in plain language, so He who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) explains these symbols. Did Jesus, then, in plain language explain these same events of the end-time, leading up to His second coming and age-end?

He did! When His disciples, on Mount Olivet, asked Him,

"Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the SIGN of Thy coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3)

Jesus gave a startling prophecy, explaining in Plain Language these events which shall end the age.

Here, then, is the plain explanation of the symbols! Here is the key that unlocks the true meaning of the seals!

In His Olivet prophecy, (Matthew 24) Jesus listed these six events to-occur: 1st, false prophets or false Christs (verse 5); 2nd, wars (verse 6) throughout the age, culminating at the end-time in WORLD WAR (verse 7); 3rd, famines; 4th, pestilences (verse 7). Then Jesus digressed (compare Luke 21:12) to go back and describe the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., because this was a type and forerunner of the coming age-end siege against Jerusalem and battle at Armageddon (compare Luke 17:30-36 with Matthew 24:17-28). Thus Matthew 24:28 and Luke 21:12-24 applies to the period of 70 A.D., only as a type of forerunner of this age-end time, to which, therefore, it literally refers. Then Jesus shows, 5th, The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), followed 6th, by the heavenly signs of the darkened sun and moon with the stars falling (verse 29), together with the sign of Christ's coming, seen in heaven (verse 30); and this was later followed by the actual coming of Christ (verse 30).

What the Seals Mean

Notice how accurately this explains the symbols of the six seals of Revelation 6: When the 1st seal is opened (Revelation 6:1) John sees a white horse (verse 2) - an imitation of Jesus at His second coming described later in Revelation 19:11-16. Here are pictured false christs - false preachers deceiving and causing multitudes to accept them as the ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), preaching counterfeit Christs (2 Corinthians 11:4) represented to be the true Christ who died for us on the Cross. The world is full of them, though deceived multitudes do not realize it!

The second seal is opened (verse 3, and 4) and a red horse appears, killing men, taking peace from the earth - symbolizing WAR.

The third seal (verses 5, 6) is a black horse, picturing FAMINE.

The fourth seal (verses 7, 8) is a pale horse meaning PESTILENCE.

The fifth seal (verses 9-11) depicts one phase of the great tribulation - the martyrdom of saints. This shows the Tribulation occurred in the middle ages only as a type, or forerunner, for the martyrs of that time are told to wait until this end time martyrdom.

The sixth seal shows the heavenly signs - sun and moon becoming dark, and the stars falling. (Verses 12-13) Some claim this already has occurred, but the events they describe were mere local events, seen only in a small section of New England, and merely a forerunner and warning of the far more vast, awe-inspiring, terrible event here described as yet to come.

It occurs AFTER the Tribulation. (See also Matthew 24:29) Furthermore this event is accompanied or immediately followed by the SIGN of the coming of Christ (Matthew 24:29-30) - which Revelation 6:14-17 shows is the heavens departing as a scroll rolled together - men hiding themselves in stark terror in the dens and mountains, crying for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of Him who is sitting on the throne in heaven (compare Revelation 4:2, the scene where John, in vision, sees these seals being opened) - and from the wrath of the Lord, for the Great Day of His Wrath is come! This (compare Zephaniah 1:14-17) is "the day of the Lord."

The Tribulation and the Day of the Lord

It is vital to understand the distinction between the Great Tribulation, and the Day of the Lord. The heavenly signs do not occur until AFTER the Tribulation. (Matthew 24:29) But they are to come BEFORE the "Day of the Lord" (Joel 2:31). The two are different and separate. 1st, Tribulation; 2nd, heavenly signs; 3rd, Day of the Lord, which, we shall see is the seventh seal.

But just as we come to the time for the terrible day of the Lord to strike, an angel appears holding back the four winds, (Revelation 7:1-3) which are the first four Trumpet plagues (chapter 8:7-12) of the Day of the Lord.

They are held back until the 144,000 are sealed, and the great innumerable multitude of all nations turn to God and His protection.

The 144,000 are 12,000 from each of the literal tribes of Israel. (Revelation 7:4) They are sealed by the Holy Spirit. IN their foreheads, and it is the Father's name that is sealed there. (Revelation 14:1) The time of this sealing, then, is yet future - after the Tribulation, after the heavenly signs, after the sign of Christ's coming appears in heaven.

The innumerable multitude shall have come out of the great Tribulation (Revelation 7:14). God will not send His plagues without warning of such supernatural nature (the heavenly signs and the sign of the Son of Man) that all who are willing shall heed. Preaching and warnings now seem to fall on deaf ears. But when God sends these mighty supernatural signs, men will heed and turn to Christ.

Then comes the opening of the seventh seal in the eighth chapter.

And what IS the seventh seal? Remember, the seven seals covered the entire book, so this seal covers the remainder of the prophecy. Under each seal John records what he SEES. What does he see, as this last seal is opened? (Revelation 8:1-2) He sees the seven trumpets being handed to the seven angels.

Here is the third vital key to this Book. The seven Trumpets are not, as many have been taught, contemporaneous with the seven seals. Neither do they follow the closing of the seventh seek They are, and constitute, the seventh seal.

The seventh seal comes in seven stages, each called a trumpet. These are plagues. (Chapter 9:20) a trumpet is blown. The first four trumpet plagues are described as winds that blow on the earth, trees, rivers, sea. (Revelation 8:1-12) I do not, here, attempt to interpret the nature of these plagues - whether this language is to be taken literally or as symbols. But remember, if you attempt to interpret these things as symbols, you must find a bible interpretation for each. A trumpet also is a symbol of war, and the 5th and 6th trumpets picture war - the two phases of the coming world war iii. The last three trumpets - the 5th, 6th, and 7th, are called woes. (Revelation 8:13).

The Three Woes

The first woe, or 5th Trumpet, is described in chapter 9, verses 1-11. The power that causes the destruction, this time to Men, comes out of the "bottomless pit." We know this is a symbol. The only place in Scripture where it is interpreted is Revelation 17:14. There we learn that the re-birth of the old Roman Empire is the power that emerges out of "the bottomless pit." It is a war-making power (Revelation 9:7). Mussolini restored the pitifully-weak, insignificant SIXTH "head" of the "Beast" - the Roman Empire. A seventh and last revival is yet to come. Hitler started this - but failed to complete it.

The second woe, with its symbols of horses and horsemen (compare Ezekiel 38:4, 15) and (Joel 2:4) is described in the 13th-21st verses, chapter 9. Could this be the USSR destroying the coming Roman Catholic, Nazi-Fascist Europe called "The Beast" and "Babylon" in Revelation 17-18, also described in Isaiah 47, 48:13-14, and in Jeremiah 50 and 51?

And now notice that the Two Witnesses end their mission (chapter 11) at the END of the second Woe. (verses 12-14) They are killed by the "Beast" - re-born Roman Empire that comes out of the bottomless pit under the first woe - which places the time yet in the future, shattering some cherished man-made theories.

Now comes the THIRD WOE, or seventh Trumpet. What is it? This is the last seventh part of the seventh seal, and remember the seven seals cover the ENTIRE PROPHECY!

Notice Revelation 11:15-18. When the seventh Trumpet sounds, the nations are angry - in world war, again raging - and it is proclaimed "Thy Wrath is come." The only thing here described that possibly could be this terrible woe is "Thy Wrath."

And what is "thy wrath"? According to revelation 15:1, it is the seven last plagues! Just as the seventh seal is subdivided into the seven trumpets, so the seventh trumpet is divided into the seven last plagues, which are and constitute the seventh trumpet or third woe. Thus the 7 last plagues too, are part of the seventh seal. The second coming of christ shall occur at the precise time of the seven last plagues. And so, as this seventh trumpet is blown, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of christ, who then reigns. (11-15) So Christ comes at the last trump. (1Corinthians 15:52, 1Thessalonians 4: 16).

Chapter 12 is an inset chapter, injected into the main story-thread. Just as any writer will stop his narrative at a certain point, to go back and sketch a different scene involving different characters and events, bringing them up to, and connecting them with his story-thread at that juncture, so here John pictures the true church, from the time prior to Christ's birth, (verse 4) thru His birth, resurrection and ascension, (verse 5) and the 1260 years of persecution when the true church was forced to flee completely beyond the bounds of Roman dominion. The true church has always existed.

The church of chapter 17 is the great false church. Revelation 12 brings the story of the true church to the present, when the devil, knowing he has but a short time, (verse 12) persecutes the true Church pictured as a remnant or small in number, and keeping the commandments of God. (verse 17) while the false Church and her daughters (Revelation 17:5) preach the Commandments are done away!

The 13th chapter is another inset, picturing the symbolic "beast" and the second two-horned "beast." Chapter 14 shows the three angel Messages, proclaiming the fall, or doom, of "Babylon" thru the seven last Plagues; and the warning against the mark of the beast, which those in "Babylon" are deceived into having.

Chapters 15, 16 describe the seven last plagues, which are the third woe or seventh Trumpet. These are God's judgments against this false religious system, "Babylon" - (Revelation 18:4, 8-10).

Chapters 17 and 18 picture the revived Roman Empire and the great false church, with her daughter churches (17:5) deceiving all nations (17:2, 15 and 18:3).

Israel is today in Babylon - deceived! (Jeremiah 50:4-8, 13-15, 51:6-9; Isaiah 47:1, 5, 7-9, 11; 48:1, 12, 17-20) We are God's people, Israel - in Babylon today, as Israel was in Egypt when God's plagues were on Egypt! And God calls us OUT (Revelation 18:4) and tells us to keep His commandments!

The 19th chapter shows the second coming of Christ, and the 20th the thousand year reign on earth (revelation 5:10) - 21st and 22nd chapters the new heaven and the new earth thru eternity.

NOTE: To understand this article, be sure to read every text quoted in your own Bible.

Story Flow of the Book of Revelation
1st Seal: False Prophets
2nd Seal: War
3rd Seal: Famine
4th Seal: Pestilence
5th Seal: Tribulation
6th Seal: Heavenly Signs
7th Seal: Trumpets ––––––––––––––->	1st, 2nd, 3rd Trumpet: Injure the earth, sea, trees and rivers 4th Trumpet 5th Trumpet: First Woe 6th Trumpet: Second Woe 7th Trumpet: Third Woe or The Seven Last Plagues
*The Battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus*

Chapter Outline of the Book of Revelation
Chapter(s)	The Story Flow	Insets
1	Introduction
2 - 3		Message to Seven Churches
4 - 5	Prelude--Setting
6	1st Six Seals
7	The Two Companies
8 - 10	The Trumpets
11	The Two Witnesses
12		The True Church
13		The Two Beasts
14		The Three Messages
15 - 16	The Seven Last Plagues
17 - 18		The False Church
19	The Second Coming
20	The Millennium
21 - 22	New Heaven & New Earth

The "I AM's" of God

I AM THAT I AM
I am a father to Israel
I am a great King
I am alive for evermore (Jesus)
I am Alpha and Omega (Jesus)
I am for you
I am from above (Jesus)
I am God
I am God Almighty
I am gracious
I am he
I am he that comforteth you
I am he that doth speak
I am he that liveth, and was dead (Jesus)
I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts (Jesus)
I am holy
I am in the midst of Israel
I am married unto you
I am meek and lowly in heart (Jesus)
I am merciful
I am the Almighty God
I am the bread of life (Jesus)
I am the door (Jesus)
I am the door of the sheep (Jesus)
I am the first and the last
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob
I am the God of thy fathers
I am the good shepherd (Jesus)
I am the light of the world (Jesus)
I am the living bread (Jesus)
I am the LORD
I am the LORD, and there is none else
I am the Lord GOD
I am the LORD in the midst of the earth
I am the LORD that doth sanctify you
I am the LORD that healeth thee
I am the LORD that maketh all things
I am the LORD that smiteth
I am the LORD, the God of all flesh
I am the LORD thy God
I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt
I am the LORD thy God that divideth the sea
I am the LORD thy God which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go
I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit
I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness
I am the LORD which hallow you
I am the LORD, your Holy One
I am the resurrection, and the life (Jesus)
I am the root and offspring of David (Jesus)
I am the Son of God (Jesus)
I am the vine (Jesus)
I am the way, the truth, and the life (Jesus)
I am their inheritance (speaking of the priests)
I am thy exceeding great reward
I am thy part and thine inheritance (said to the Levites)
I am thy salvation
I am thy Savior
I am thy shield
I am with thee
I am with thee to deliver thee
I am with thee to save thee
I am with you alway (Jesus)

Names for Jesus

Advocate (1 John 2:1)
Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18)
Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1)
Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)
Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)
Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)
Bread of God (John 6:33)
Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7)
Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)
Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
Christ (1 John 2:22)
Creator (John 1:3)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
Faithful and True Witness (Rev. 3:14)
First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)
Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)
Gate (John 10:9)
God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)
High Priest (Heb. 2:17)
Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)
Holy One (Acts 3:14)
Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
I Am (John 8:58)
Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
Immanuel (Mt. 1:23)
Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)
King of Israel (John 1:49)
King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)
King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Lamb (Rev. 13:8)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)
Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Living One (Rev. 1:18)
Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)
Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)
Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)
Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)
Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)
Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Rabbi (Mt. 26:25)
Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)
Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)
Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
Son of David (Lk. 18:39)
Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)
Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)
Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9)
The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)
True Bread (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Way (John 14:6)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Word (John 1:1)
Word of God (Rev. 19:13)

Funnies.....

God is. . .

"God" is omnipotent -- that "He" is all-powerful; nothing is beyond "His" capability; no power stronger; superior in every way

"God" is omniscient -- that "He" is all-knowing; nothing is outside or beyond "His" knowledge; no mind smarter; perfect in knowledge

"God" is omnipresent -- that "He" is everywhere in the universe at all times simultaneously; nothing is beyond "His" reach; "He" is at one with time and space

God is in control.

Came Across this and Found it Interesting....

The Church Age - EXACTLY 1955 years

The church age began on May 22, 33AD - Pentecost

From May 22, 33AD to May 21, 1988 = 1955 years exactly
1955 = 23x17x5

God ended the possibility of being saved in the churches on May 21, 1988, exactly 1955 years from when the Church Age began.

So, May 21, 1988 was the last day one could be saved in the churches and judgment began in the churches.

The Church Age = 23,000 + 460 Months

1955 years = 23,460 months landing on May 21, 1988
1955 years = 23,000(judgment) + 460 Months (460 = 23x5x4)

The 2,300 days and first part of the GT - EXACTLY 2,300 Days

The first part of the GT is 2300 days - Daniel 8:14

From May 21, 1988 to September 6, 1994 is 2300 days inclusively

The Latter Rain = EXACTLY 6100 days/200 Months

September 7, 1994 = The beginning of the Latter Rain

September 7, 1994 to May 21, 2011(The Last Day of GT) = 6100 days exclusive
The Latter Rain period is 6100 days
The Latter Rain period is also 200 months from Sept 1994 to May 2011 - John 21:8

The Total Length of the Great Tribulation ending May 21, 2011

From May 21, 1988 (The End of the Church Age) to May 21, 2011 =

1. EXACTLY 23 years
2. EXACTLY 276 months
3. EXACTLY 8400 days

Saturday May 21, 2011 = The End of Great Tribulation and the end of Latter Rain

On the same date in 1988(Saturday, May 21) that God ended the possibility of being saved in the churches, is the "same" date that God ends the possibility of being saved in the world, Saturday, May 21, 2011.

May 21, 2011 is also the 17th day of the second month in the Biblical calendar
May 21, 2011 is the 7,000th year anniversary of the beginning of the flood on the same date - Genesis 7:11
This was the date the door was "shut." - Genesis 7:16
7,000 years = 84,000 months

A focus again on the number 84, as God is using the beginning of the flood in 4990BC and the last day of GT on May 21, 2011 to further illustrate that Day 8400 of GT is when the door will be shut to the world....as this time period is separated by 84,000 months.

The New Testament Period = EXACTLY 1978 Years to May 21, 2011

From Pentecost on Sunday May 22, 33AD to Saturday May 21, 2011 = 1978 years exactly.

Just as the Church Age was 1955 years exactly, the whole New Testament period, which includes the Church Age and the GT, is 1978 years exactly.

1978 = 43x23x2

The next day, Sunday, May 22, 2011, begins "those days after the tribulation" and it was on this "same date," exactly 1978 years ago that it was declared that the sun would darken - Acts 2:20

So, Saturday May 21, 2011 is the last day of GT and the next day, Sunday May 22, 2011 begins those days after the GT.

The New Testament Period = 23,000 + 736 Months

1978 years = 23,736 months landing on May 21, 2011
1978 = 23,000(Judgment) + 736(23x4x4x2)

So, what important truths do we see that exactly land on Saturday May 21, 2011???????????

Exactly 7,000 years from the start of the flood in 4990BC
Exactly 84,000 months from the start of the flood in 4990BC
Exactly 23 years of Great Tribulation
Exactly 276 months of Great Tribulation
Exactly 8400 days of Great Tribulation
Exactly 6100 days of Latter Rain
Exactly 200 months of Latter Rain
Exactly 1978 years of the entire New Testament period
Exactly 23,000 + 736 months of the entire New Testament period
Exactly 23,000 + 17 days when Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948
Exactly 722,500 days inclusively from the Cross (17x17x5x5x5x5x4)

All these are simply just not "coincidences." The whole NT period of exactly 1978 years, the GT period of exactly 23 years, all end on the 7000th year/84000 month anniversary of the flood.

May 21, 2011 = The Last Day of Salvation, the Last Day of Latter Rain, the Last Day of GT, and the Last Day of the NT period.

Those Days After the GT = EXACTLY 5 Months (Revelation 9:5,10)

From Sunday May 22, 2011 to October 21, 2011 is a period of exactly 5 months or 153 days inclusively.

Christ's Return = 2000 + 17 Years (October 2011)

Christ was born in October 7BC, in all likelihood on October 1, 7BC

If Christ returns again in October 2011, it will mark 2000 + 17 years from His first coming.

17 = Heaven

The Love of God - He is Forgiving

"for Christ came not into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved"

Most people's problem with Christianity is Christians. The good ones are too good to be true. The bad ones are "just like the rest of us". And the ones in between ... well ... I do not like them either, they do not seem to represent anything loving or attractive. But I have learned that God still considers them (us) His people. So no matter how much we misrepresent Him there is still something about Him that you can learn from us. Once you realize the problem that God and His Church faces you will come to realize that even this too is the work of the destroyer who is trying to do anything to discredit God. The Bible says "we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places ...". Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

The Time Clock Has Run Out: Israel Ready to Strike Iran

The Time Clock Has Run Out: Israel Ready to Strike Iran

Monday, January 12, 2009 3:56 PM By: Jim Meyers

Informed sources in Washington tell Newsmax that Israel indeed will launch a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities soon – possibly in just days as President George W. Bush prepares to leave office. The reason: The time clock has begun to run out. Iran is close to acquiring a nuclear device under the control of its radical president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said in June that Iran would have a nuclear weapon in as little as six months. That six-month period has passed. Reports of Israel’s decision to imminently launch strikes, although unconfirmed, would seem to contradict the Bush stance outlined in a front-page New York Times story last week, which asserted that Bush rejected a plea from Israel last year to help it raid Iran’s main nuclear complex. The Times said Israel was rebuffed after it requested from the U.S. specialized bunker-busting bombs that it needs to attack Iran’s nuclear complex at Natanz. The U.S. also reportedly nixed permission to the Israeli warplanes to fly over Iraqi territory to reach Iran. Israel’s requests to the U.S. for military assistance came as the Jewish state was reportedly angry over a U.S. intelligence assessment in late 2007 that concluded Iran had effectively suspended its development of nuclear weapons. But an investigative report circulated by IAEA chief ElBaradei late last year disclosed that Iran was continuing to carry out uranium enrichment and had already established 6,000 centrifuges for enriching uranium, of which 3,800 were then in operation. American intelligence officials now estimate that the figure is 4,000 to 5,000 centrifuges, enough to produce about one weapon’s worth of uranium every eight months or so, according to the Times. The IAEA report estimated that Iran has obtained two tons of enriched uranium since its enrichment program was restarted at Natanz two years ago. Last year 100 Israeli jets took part in an exercise over the eastern Mediterranean that was interpreted as a dress rehearsal for a possible attack on Iran. And on Sept. 6 Israel launched an air attack against a site in Syria believed to be a nuclear-related facility containing material delivered by North Korea. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton predicted that Israel would stage a raid against Iran's nuclear facilities if Barack Obama won the presidential election. Bolton stated that he believed the Israeli attack would take place sometime between the day after Obama's win and his inauguration on January 20. In an interview with FOX News, Bolton reasoned that Israel wouldn’t be able to hold off a strike on Iran any longer than that given Obama’s more conciliatory approach to Iran. The Israeli government “would have to make a judgment whether to [strike] during the remainder of President Bush’s term in office or wait for his successor,” Bolton added. William Perry, U.S. Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton, said that Obama would face a major crisis in his first few months in office over Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Perry, speaking at a foreign policy conference on Jan. 8, said that Iran is "moving inexorably toward becoming a nuclear power" and “it seems clear that Israel will not sit by idle while Iran takes the final steps toward becoming a nuclear power." And former CIA officer Robert Baer, author of the new book “The Devil We Know: Dealing with the New Iranian Superpower,” told Newsmax in October that Iran was at that time probably months, if not weeks, away from war with Israel. The repercussions of an Israeli attack are not clear. Though Arab states remain openly hostile to Israel, many who belong to the Sunni branch of Islam fear the rise of a nuclear Iran, a nation dominated by Shiite imams. Gulf states like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have been quietly pressing the U.S. to take action against Iran – and may secretly root for an Israeli attack. But Iran, even without nuclear weapons, is a regional power. If attacked, they are likely to press proxy terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah to launch offensives against Israel and possibly the U.S. Iran has warned in the past that it would launch a “missile blitz” against Gulf states if it is attacked. And last July a senior Iranian official said the Islamic Republic would destroy Israel and 32 U.S. military bases in the Middle East if Iran is attacked over its nuclear program. “Israel and 32 U.S. military bases in the region would not be out of the reach of our missiles and would be destroyed," the semi-official Fars News Agency quoted Mojtaba Zolnour as saying in a speech. Zolnour is the deputy of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's representative in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. Even more ominously, Iran has reportedly carried out missile tests for what could be a plan for a nuclear strike on the U.S.

Jewish Holidays and Christ

The Jewish holidays play a large role in Bible Prophecy.

Passover - Crucifiction of Christ
Unleaven Bread - Burial of Christ
First Fruits - Resurrection of Christ
Pentecost - Holy Spirit given by Christ
Trumpets - Rapture by Christ (thief in the night)
Antonement - Return of Christ (every eye shall see him)
Tabernacles - birth of Christ and 1,000 year reign of Christ

Feast of Trumpets/ RoshHashana

The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) is the Jewish New Year, and begins the high Holy Days in the seventh month (corresponding to September or October). It is a celebration of the spiritual birthday of the world or creation, and is celebrated with blowing of the trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25). The Feast of Trumpets is a powerful prophetic look at the final days and Messiah’s return. Jewish eschatology teaches that on the Day of Atonement after six thousand years are complete, the Day of the Lord will come. On that day the shofar will sound and the righteous will be resurrected (Rev. 3:7-11).

The Day of Atonement /Yom Kipper

The holiest day in the Jewish year (a fast day not a feast day), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), is spent in fasting, prayer, and confession. This was one gracious day a year given by God that each individual could receive forgiveness. The high priest enters the holy of holies to make atonement for the nation by sacrificing an animal (Lev. 23:26-32). Jesus has provided our atonement, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom. 3:23) and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Him.

Feast of Tabernacles / Sukkot

Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot or Booths) is celebrated Tishri 15 as outlined in Leviticus 23:33-43. This seven-day harvest festival, during which the Jewish people are told to live in “booths,” or temporary shelters, is a reminder to future generations of how the Israelites had also lived in booths when God delivered them out of Egypt. A number of Christians believe this is the date of Christ’s birth when He came to “tabernacle among us.” We should look forward expectantly to the Feast of Tabernacles, just as we look forward to the coming of the Messiah to bring His government, His Kingdom, and His laws (Mic. 4:1).

The final three feasts are Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah), Atonement (Yom Kippur), and Tabernacles (Sukkot). Prophetically, the feast of Trumpets is tied to the coming rapture of the church. Yom Kippur will find its prophetic fulfillment when all Israel is saved at the end of the tribulation. Tabernacles will find its prophetic fulfillment when God once again tabernacles or dwells in the midst of His people at beginning of the millennial reign.


Jewish Holidays 2009-2018

Sat. 19 September 2009   Rosh HaShanah*
Mon. 28 September 2009   Yom Kippur*
Sat.  3 October 2009     Sukkot*

Thu.  9 September 2010   Rosh HaShanah*
Sat. 18 September 2010   Yom Kippur*
Thu. 23 September 2010   Sukkot*

Thu. 29 September 2011   Rosh HaShanah*
Sat.  8 October 2011     Yom Kippur*
Thu. 13 October 2011     Sukkot*

Mon. 17 September 2012   Rosh HaShanah*
Wed. 26 September 2012   Yom Kippur*
Mon.  1 October 2012     Sukkot*

Thu.  5 September 2013   Rosh HaShanah*
Sat. 14 September 2013   Yom Kippur*
Thu. 19 September 2013   Sukkot*

Thu. 25 September 2014   Rosh HaShanah*
Sat.  4 October 2014     Yom Kippur*
Thu.  9 October 2014     Sukkot*

Mon. 14 September 2015   Rosh HaShanah*
Wed. 23 September 2015   Yom Kippur*
Mon. 28 September 2015   Sukkot*

Mon.  3 October 2016     Rosh HaShanah*
Wed. 12 October 2016     Yom Kippur*
Mon. 17 October 2016     Sukkot*

Thu. 21 September 2017   Rosh HaShanah*
Sat. 30 September 2017   Yom Kippur*
Thu.  5 October 2017     Sukkot*

Mon. 10 September 2018   Rosh HaShanah*
Wed. 19 September 2018   Yom Kippur*
Mon. 24 September 2018   Sukkot*



END NOTE:
Passover, April 15, 2014
The Feast of Tabernacles, October 8, 2014
Passover, April 4, 2015 and
The Feast of Tabernacles, September 28, 2015

Do not fall "asleep" spiritually....

With all the talk of 2012, I can't seem to believe it will be the "end of the world". Why? It does not seem Biblically correct. There are many things that must come to pass before then end of times.

• War of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39)
• The Antichrist must appear
• The Third temple must be built in Jerusalem
• There needs to be a 7 year peace treaty signed with Israel
• There is to be a seven year Tribulation
• Etc., etc., etc.......

With that being said, lets say "something big" happens in 2012.
Could it be possible that the Tribulation will begin in 2012?
Could it be possible the Rapture occurs in 2012?
Could it be possible the Antichrist comes on the scene or is revealed in 2012?
Could it be possible???

I suppose anything is possible. Right?

Lets look at the fact the Blood Moon is to occur in 2015...which is also the sign in the moon before Jesus returns.

Lets have a scenario that could be well debated.
In 2012, there is a polar shift or mass chaos on the earth. The 7-year Tribulation begins around that time 2012/2013. The Antichrist comes on scene. In 2015, the Blood Moon is the signal of Jesus' return. Or in 2018 Jesus returns............

Okay, the pre-tribbers would be against this theory, and that is all it is...a theory. There can be many theories or scenarios used with these dates: 2012, 2015, 2018, etc. Truth of the matter is, NO ONE KNOWS THE DATE AND NO ONE EVER WILL UNTIL IT HAPPENS! To know the season, sure, I'll buy that one. One could say, "Jesus will return between 2012-2018". But for one to say that with much certainty, he/she would have to see many more events come to pass between now and then.

So, what should we do? Jesus told us what to do: to pray and to wait for his return. Do not fall "asleep" spiritually. One thing to be sure of, is someone comes and claims he is Jesus and you pinch yourself and it hurts-----it is NOT Jesus.

As for me, I believe I am living in "the generation" to which Jesus spoke of. I believe it will happen in my life. Could I be wrong? Sure. My thoughts, Jesus could return anytime between right now (the moment I type this) and up to 2037. I feel more that He will return between now and 2018, but it wouldn't be the first time I am wrong. (I can't believe I just admitted that in writing!) :)

I would like to note that I am not exactly a pre-tribber, post-tribber, mid-tribber or pre-wrath person. I am still searching the Bible to make my own decision, not based on what other's beliefs are. I believe the Holy Spirit will guide me to the right understanding. I currently see vaild points in all views. I don't feel my salvation depends on my Rapture view. My salvation depends on my faith and my relationship with God.

Are We in the End Times?

JERUSALEM IN JEWISH HANDS

For two thousand years people have been saying Jesus would return. Even the Apostles and Christians of the first century church thought Jesus would return in their lifetime. 1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is near.” James 5:8, “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” And Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” All through the ages we've heard about groups of people proclaiming that the return of Jesus was about to happen.

As we begin the 21st century, what is different now? The fig tree.

Jerusalem has not been in Jewish hands since Jesus was here, and now they have it. For the first time in 2,000 years, we have to sit up and pay attention to the signs around us, because a new thing is happening and continues to happen in our lifetime. And more new things are about to happen.

THE SIGN OF HIS COMING

Jesus was in the temple teaching, and when he finished he walked outside. As he crossed the courtyard, the disciples stopped him to call his attention to the temple buildings, probably commenting on their beauty and marvelous, large construction. Jesus was not impressed. As he looked around at the buildings, I can imagine him waiving his hand about and commenting, “Do you see these things? I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down” (Matt 24:1-2). Finishing this, he continued on his way, leaving the disciples staring at some of the most glorious buildings ever built in history and wondering and debating among themselves at how it could all be destroyed.

Jesus went up to the Mount of Olives where he usually retired to pray. The disciples followed and found him sitting, and they came to him privately to ask him a question. They were troubled by what he had said: “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matt 24:3).

“What will be the sign of your coming?” My paraphrase, “How will we know when you are coming back?”

In both Matthew 24 and Luke 21, Jesus begins to talk about when he will return and the signs of his coming. He talks about false christs, the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel, the sun and moon being darkened, and his own return. Then he says,

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Matt 24:32).

“Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Luke 21:29-31).

In 70 A.D. the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the people scattered for their lives, settling in the other nations of the world. The Prophet Ezekiel predicted this event in 586 B.C. He quoted God as saying, “I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions” (Ezek 36:19). Although some Jews had been leaving Israel and not coming back for hundreds of years, this event caused most of the remaining Jews to leave.

Jesus said that the Gentiles would control Jerusalem for a specific period of time. “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).

The Jewish people were supposed to accept Jesus as their Messiah, ushering in a new era - the kingdom of God on earth. But they rejected him, and after Jesus died, the Gentiles were given the kingdom of God. “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit” (Matt 21:43). Paul explains this, in part, in Romans 11:25, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.”

Who had Jerusalem when Jesus was here? The Romans - Gentiles. From the time of Jesus until the end of World War II, Jerusalem was held by the Gentiles. But even after World War II, Jerusalem was a divided city. Not until the six-day war in 1968 did Jerusalem finally end up completely in Jewish hands.

Matthew 24:34 is the crux of the matter: Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”

THIS GENERATION

Who is Jesus talking to? When Jesus said “this generation,” was he referring to the disciples sitting in front of him? His disciples came to him and asked, “…what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” The word “age” in the Greek is “aionos,” from “aion,” where we get the word “eons,” “an immense time.” The disciples wanted to know about the future. From this point on, Jesus was talking to these men, but not about them in their present age. He spoke about the future without specific dates. Instead, he said there would be certain signs to watch for to determine when people had reached the end of the age. The best he could do was state that the generation witnessing these future events would certainly not pass away or die out before he returned.

A generation of people will see Matthew 24:1-32 take place in their lifetime: They will see the fig tree sprout - the Jewish people come back to Israel and occupy and control Jerusalem (Matt 24:32), the signs of Jesus’ coming, the Great Tribulation - the end of the age (Matt 24:3), and they will see his glorious return - the Second Coming (Matt 24:30).

How long is a generation? In trying to understand this verse many people debate the difference between one generation and another. They come up with numbers like twenty years and forty years. But that is not what Jesus is saying here. He is talking about the complete time span of a generation: From birth to death - until they pass away.

From biblical times to now, the general age of an individual is about seventy years. Psalm 90:10, “The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength…” Despite the advances of science over the centuries, from birth to death the people of a generation still live approximately seventy years. Because of hardship in times past, the average lifespan of an individual was closer to forty or fifty years old. But even in biblical times, those people with access to good food and medical care, like kings, could extend their life.

“At that time Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, the span of a king’s life…” (Isa 23:15).

Likewise, in modern countries with ready access to medical care and an abundance of food, the lifespan has slowly crept up over seventy years, but that does not change the truth spoken of in Psalm 90, of what the average age is supposed to be.

From a defining moment in history, we add seventy years. When did the Jewish people get Jerusalem back? There are two answers:

1. 1948. In 1948 the Jewish people fought for and captured half of Jerusalem and the city was partitioned off. At this time Israel became a nation for the first time since they were scattered in 70 A.D.

2. 1967. The six-day war was in June 1967, and it gave the Jewish people all of Jerusalem for the first time in 2,000 years.

Now we are talking about two different generations: People born in 1948 and people born in 1967. If you go with the first date, Jesus should return before 2018. If you go with the second date, then he should be back before 2037.

Thief or No Thief....

1 Thessalonians 5:1-9

1 Thessalonians 5

1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Matthew 24: 36-44

36"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,^[f] but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

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Mark 13: 32-37

32"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alert^[f]! You do not know when that time will come. 34It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

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Here, He makes it clear that no one will know exactly when He will return. I believe this to literally mean that even people who guess, or try to pinpoint a time and/or day, will be wrong. Jesus is telling us straight, that "no one" will ever guess it correctly. But are we able to approximately determine the time?
The Bible says that we can "know the season" of Jesus' return to earth. Prior to His return, there will be events or "signs" that will signal that His Return is going to happen very soon.

December 21, 2012

December 21, 2012 has been predicted as the end of the world by Merlin, Mother Shipton, The Oracle at Delphi, The Bible Code, Mayans, Hopi Indians, The Chinese I Ching, The Web Bot, Nostradamus and science states the rarest planetary alignment will occur on this date. NASA has acknowledged 2012. The Mayan Calendar

End of Mayan Calendar 2012--Might 2012 Mean Something?

With 2012 fast approaching, there has been seemingly increased interest in certain ancient Mayan writings and calendar predictions.

Specifically, December 21, 2012 is when the Maya’s “Long Count” calendar marks the end of a 5,126-year era.

Here is some information about it:

The date December 21st, 2012 A.D. (13.0.0.0.0 in the Long Count), represents an extremely close conjunction of the Winter Solstice Sun with the crossing point of the Galactic Equator (Equator of the Milky Way) and the Ecliptic (path of the Sun), what that ancient Maya recognized as the Sacred Tree. This is an event that has been coming to resonance very slowly over thousands and thousands of years. It will come to resolution at exactly 11:11 am GMT (All About 2012. http://www.greatdreams.com/2012.htm viewed 01/13/08).

While most people believe nothing other than some astronomical occurrences will happen then (and the Mayans were apparently correct about that according to astronomers), some believe that the Mayan date may mark the end of civilization or perhaps the beginning of a time of great tribulation.

USA Today reported the following in an article titled Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse?:

Journalist Lawrence Joseph forecasts widespread catastrophe in Apocalypse 2012: A Scientific Investigation Into Civilization's End. Spiritual healer Andrew Smith predicts a restoration of a "true balance between Divine Feminine and Masculine" in The Revolution of 2012: Vol. 1, The Preparation. In 2012, Daniel Pinchbeck anticipates a "change in the nature of consciousness," assisted by indigenous insights and psychedelic drug use...

Part of the 2012 mystique stems from the stars. On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. This means that "whatever energy typically streams to Earth from the center of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on 12/21/12 at 11:11 p.m. Universal Time," Joseph writes (G. Jeffrey MacDonald. Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse? USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-03-27-maya-2012_n.htm viewed 01/14/08).

What the records actually were intended to mean by the ancient Mayans is unknown and has been subject to a lot of debate. But literally, the destruction of the planet seems to be shown.

When the Spaniards came across the Mayans, they considered them to have pagan practices associated with the devil. Because of that, once they conquered them, they began to burn and otherwise destroy most of the writings of their civilization (known as codices), most notably under the direction of Bishop Diego de Landa. One Catholic, however, intervened and prevented three from being destroyed. These Mayan codices are now known as the Madrid, Dresden, and Paris codices. There also is a fourth, the Grolier codex, whose authenticity is sometimes disputed, but may be genuine--only a few pages from it survive. From time to time, other fragments of Mayan writings of this period have also been found. The Dresden Codex contains the highest amount of astronomical observations and calculations of any of the surviving texts.

One writer (probably Robert Bast who has his own "wiki") has stated this about the Mayans and the calendar:

Like the Aztec and Inca who came to power later, the Maya believed in a cyclical nature of time. The rituals and ceremonies were very closely associated with celestial/terrestrial cycles which they observed and inscribed as separate calendars. The Maya priest had the job of interpreting these cycles and giving a prophetic outlook on the future or past based on the number relations of all their calendars. They also had to determine if the "heavens" or celestial matters were appropriate for performing certain religious ceremonies (Mayan Civilization. http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Maya_civilization viewed 01/14/08).

The actual Wikipedia states:

The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar forms the basis for a New Age belief, first forecast by José Argüelles, that a cataclysm will take place on or about 21 December 2012 (Maya Calendar. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_calendar viewed 01/14/08).

On two different programs, The History Channel claimed:

The Mayan calendar seems to say that the world will end in 2012 (Crowley, Phil. 2012, Decoding the Past. Original air date 03/01/07).

The ancient Maya have prophesied that the world will come to the end on 13 Baktun on their current calendar. This date translates to December 21st, 2012...A new age may occur...

Others...see destruction...

The last page of the Dresden codex actually shows the destruction of the world via water...

This graphic illustration depicts the destruction of the earth by flood...

Others see it as a day of rebirth...

Others see it literally, with very severe consequences (Mayan Doomsday Prophecy, Decoding the Past. Original air date 08/03/06).

So we see two interpretations from different sources that indicate that either something terrible or something very good will happen in or near the end of 2012.

Other Comments on 2012

On The History Channel, Steve Alten, author of Domain, stated:

The four prior cycles all ended in destruction. So when we talk about the Mayan doomsday prophecy, we're talking about the end of the fifth cycle, the very last day, which equates to December 21, 2012 (Mayan Doomsday Prophecy, Decoding the Past. Original air date 08/03/06).

The History Channel narration after the preceding comment immediately was:

This means the fifth and currect cycles, like its predecessors, will also end in destruction (Mayan Doomsday Prophecy, Decoding the Past. Original air date 08/03/06).

While I do not believe that the end will come then, I do believe that we are getting close to the time of the destruction of civilization as we know it.

Regarding the Book titled The Mayan Prophecies

Some who read the Mayan works also compared those writings to the modern science of astronomy. Many were intrigued by the fact that a major astronomical alignment was to occur about the same time as the Mayan calendar indicated that something major was to occur.

Here is some additional information from the website of Adrian Gilbert, co-author of the book The Mayan Prophecies (the other co-author is Maurice Cottrell):

The Mayans had rather similar beliefs to the Aztecs though with some major differences of emphasis. Several of their bark-books have been preserved showing their amazing knowledge and fascination with astronomy.The most important of these was what is now called the "Dresden Codex", named after the town in whose library it was lodged. This strange book, inscribed with unknown hieroglyphs, was written by Maya Indians who once ruled over much of Central America, the ruins of their once grand civilization littering the jungle. In 1880 a brilliant, German scholar, who was working as a librarian in Dresden at the time, turned his attention to this codex. By a process of extraordinary detective work he cracked the code of the Mayan calendar making it possible for other scholars and explorers to translate the many dated inscriptions to be found on buildings, stelae and other ancient Mayan artefacts. He discovered that the Dresden Codex itself was concerned with astronomy providing detailed tables of lunar eclipses and other phenomenon. These were so accurate that they put our own calendar to shame. He also found evidence for a curious "magic number"- 1,366,560 days, which could be factorised in a number of ways and which harmonised the cycles of Venus and Mars with two "yearly" cycles also used by the Maya: the sacred tzolkin of 260 days and the Haab of 365 days. However, he also found that they had another system of counting the days relative to a starting date, called the Birth of Venus and now known to be 13 August 3114 BC. This calendar was divided into "months" or uinals of twenty days, "years" or tuns of 360 days and longer periods of 7200 days, (the katun) and 144,000 days, (the baktun). The number 13 was magically important to the Mayans and they believed that, starting from the Birth of Venus, after 13 of these longest periods, or baktuns, the world would come to an end. This means that working from their start date for the present age of 13 August 3114 BC, this Mayan Prophecy points to a date for the end of the age which is in our own time: 22 December 2012...

In 1986 Maurice Cotterell put forward a revolutionary theory concerning astrology and sun cycles. He had for some years suspected that the sun's variable magnetic field had consequences for life on earth. The sun has a complex field which loops and twists itself into knots. It has long been suspected that these loops give rise to sunspots, which are dark blemishes on the sun's skin. The number, size and location of sunspots are constantly changing and as a former Radio Officer, Cotterell was well aware that they have profound effects upon the earth's magnetic envelope, the magnetosphere. Whilst working as Head of Electrical and Communications Engineering (Estates) at Cranfield Institute of Technology, he devised a program that would compute the relationship between the sun's magnetic field and the Earth. As expected his model predicted that there should be a sunspot cycle of roughly eleven and a half years, closely corresponding to what has been observed over several centuries. However, he also found graphic evidence for longer cycles including a period of 1,366,040 days. His work took a new turn when he read about the Mayan super number from the Dresden Codex: 1,366,560 days. This was exactly two 260 day cycles larger than his theoretical sunspot period. He therefore proposed that the two were related. As his earlier work on what he called Astrogenetics indicated that human fertility was dependent on the presence of sunspots, he now had evidence that the Mayan calendar was not arbitrary but was based on a knowledge of the effects of sunspots (http://www.adriangilbert.co.uk/docus/books/mayan.html).

A critical review of the The Mayan Prophecies book reported the following:

Gilbert appears to have written the 212 pages of main text, even summarizing Cotterell's work in his own voice, while Cotterell provides 100 pages of mathematically complex appendices which the casual reader will find impenetrable. These are supposed to provide the rigorous scientific evidence for Cotterell's end-date cataclysm theory, which is as follows. Sunspot cycles give rise to larger solar aberrations in which the sun's magnetic field periodically reverses, causing the earth's pole to shift and thus resulting in cataclysm. According to Cotterell, the solar reversals come in groups of five, which together make a grand cycle of 18,139 years. The five "ages" are not all of the same length, due to complex solar rhythms which Cotterell modelled on a computer using only three variables. Three of the ages last 3553 years each while two last 3740 years each. These are supposed to correspond to the Mayan or Aztec myth of five (or four) ages. A key number here is the number of days in 3740 years (using 365.25 days per year): 1366035. This number is "close" to a number in the Dresden Codex, written in Long Count notation as 9.9.16.0.0. This corresponds to a date in 627 A.D., which is 1366560 days after the so-called Long Count "zero date" back in 3114 B.C. The closeness of these numbers is supposed to demonstrate that the Maya were aware of sunspot cycles, solar magnetic field reversals, and that is why the Long Count pinpoints 2012 A.D. as a cataclysmic World Age destruction. "From his studies... Cotterell has concluded that the Maya prophecy for the end of the fifth age concerns a reversal of the earth's magnetic field - around 2012 A.D."

...The inner jacket cover reads: "The present world will end on December 22nd, 2012...So prophesied the Maya 5,000 years ago..." (Review-Essay of Mayan Prophecies by Gilbert and Cotterell, Element Books 1995. Book Review. October 18th, 1995. by John Major Jenkins c. Four Ahau Press, http://www.alignment2012.com/mproph.htm viewed 01/13/08).

The History Channel and other television sources have picked up on us, and now many people are concerned that December 21, 2012/December 22, 2012 will mark a time of destruction and the end of civilization. Several have looked into certain of the books premises and alleged facts and have disagreed with them. However, it is generally agreed that some type of astronomical alignment will occur around December 21, 2012.

A few people seem to believe that on the next day or so (December 22, 2012 or December 23, 2012) that this may mark the beginning of a new and better era for humanity. Personally, I suspect that the European King of the North may become more obvious around that time and may claim (even possibly retrospectively) that he is bringing in the positive era that the Mayan calendar may indicate (the Bible indicates that a European Beast power will be aligned with a future version of the Roman Catholic Church).

Specifically, the Roman Catholics seem to believe that there will come an "age of peace" before Antichrist (Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp. xlii-xliii, 410), hence it would not surprise me if they claim that this new age begins (or more likely will have began) around December 22, 2012.

However, the Bible shows that although people in many places will at first prosper because of this King of the North (Daniel 11:39; Revelation 18:3), that God will punish those who follow him (see Russia in Prophecy) or have his mark (666). Thus this is not going to be a biblically acceptable "age of peace".

The Start Dates of the Mayan Baktuns

The Mayan long-count calendar consists of time periods with different names.

Table of Long Count units

Days	Long Count period	Long Count period	Approx solar years
1		= 1 K'in
20	= 20 K'in	= 1 Winal	1/18th
360	= 18 Winal	= 1 Tun	1
7,200	= 20 Tun	= 1 K'atun	20
144,000	= 20 K'atun	= 1 B'ak'tun	395

The Mayan name for a day was k'in. Twenty of these k'ins are known as a winal (or uinal). Eighteen winals or 360 k'in make one tun. Twenty tuns are known as a k'atun. Twenty k'atuns make a b'ak'tun. There are also four rarely-used higher-order periods: piktun, kalabtun, k'inchiltun, and alautun (Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Wikipedia viewed 4/20/08).

The ancient Maya have prophesied that the world will come to the end on 13 Baktun on their current calendar. This date translates to December 21st, 2012...(Mayan Doomsday Prophecy, Decoding the Past. Original air date 08/03/06).

The following is the list of the start dates for 13 Baktuns:

Long Count	Proleptic Gregorian Calendar Date
0.0.0.0.0	August 11, 3114 BCE
1.0.0.0.0	November 13, 2720 BCE
2.0.0.0.0	February 16, 2325 BCE
3.0.0.0.0	May 21, 1931 BCE
4.0.0.0.0	August 23, 1537 BCE
5.0.0.0.0	November 26, 1143 BCE
6.0.0.0.0	February 28, 748 BCE
7.0.0.0.0	June 3, 354 BCE
8.0.0.0.0	September 5, 41 CE
9.0.0.0.0	December 9, 435
10.0.0.0.0	March 13, 830
11.0.0.0.0	June 15, 1224
12.0.0.0.0	September 18, 1618
13.0.0.0.0	December 21, 2012

Thus, the end of the 13th Baktun is coming fairly soon.

The End (the Great Tribulation) Cannot Begin Before 2012

The Bible shows that one is coming called "the King of the North". However, prior to being referred to as "the King of the North" he initially appears to be referred to as a "prince" in Daniel 9:26-27 (one is normally a "prince" before one becomes a "king"). As this deal has still not been made, this would suggest that contrary to claims of various false prophets (Ronald Weinland of CGPFK comes to mind) the great tribulation will not begin prior to 2012.

The Great Tribulation will also not start before there is an actual King of the South and an actual King of the North)--and while the "prince" will apparently help make a deal with Israel (probably somewhat including the United States as part of the "many" in Daniel 9:27), Daniel 11:27 requires two kings, which suggests that the "prince" will gain more and more importance after the deal in Daniel 9:27 (for more information on the sequence of Daniel 11, please see the article the King of the North).

In the book of Daniel there is a prophecy related to the end times that states:

And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:26-27).

While there have been various understandings of the above passage in Daniel 9 (and many falsely believe it requires a third temple to be built, please see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?), the fact is that the Great Tribulation cannot start prior to 2012.

Why?

Simply because this agreement between the King of the North and Israel has apparently not yet occurred, thus the great tribulation cannot occur until about 3 1/2 years after it does. This means that unless this agreement occurred secretly and prior to June 30, 2008, that the intense 3/12 year period of the great tribulation cannot occur before 2012!

If one adds 3 1/2 years to any current or future date, then a date of 2012 or later is the only period possible (and I believe it will probably be one to four years later than 2012). Thus, the Great Tribulation CANNOT occur in 2009 nor prior to 2012! (For more biblical analysis and commentary regarding Daniel 9:26-27, please see the article Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011?)

(Perhaps it should be mentioned here that contrary to the claims of various self-appointed ones, the Great Tribulation WILL NOT begin in 2008. A news item explaining more of the reasons why would be At Least Two Wrongly Claim Great Tribulation Will Begin in 2008).

Many "Independent" Sources Point to 2012

There are writings, legends, and calculations from a variety of sources (including the Bible) that indicate that the end will occur in the 21st century.

And while I believe that 2012 is just a little bit too early for the end, several seem to point to that year for some type of major change.

Perhaps one of the more fascinating is related to the Chinese I Ching. Although it slightly reminds me of the so-called Bible Code, there have been some calculations made apparently based upon looking at all the 64 possible combinations one can obtain by throwing the three discs and plotting the associated full and broken lines from using the I Ching:

Fractal time and the I Ching...

Various fringe scientists have tried to calculate this point of infinity, giving us calculated dates ranging from 2010 to 2050. Dates that many of us will live to see. Perhaps the date is Dec 22, 2012. Ethnobotanists and fractal time experts Terrence and Dennis McKenna believe so, and they present their ideas in Invisible Landscape: Mind Hallucinogens and the I Ching (1993).

Their studies began with the I Ching, which is composed of 64 hexagrams, or six-line figures. It struck them that 6 x 64 = 384, which is exceptionally close to the number of days in 13 lunar months (29.5306 x 13 = 383.8978), and that maybe the I Ching was originally an ancient Chinese calendar. Further multiples had astronomical significance...

The McKenna brothers arrived at the 2012 end date by using fractals. Starting from a table of differences between one hexagram and the next, they developed a Mandelbrot fractal in which each level is 64 times greater then the one below it. They then laid this fractal pattern on top of a time scale. The peaks and troughs of the pattern relate to the level of connectedness or novelty in any span of time, whether it covers a day, millennia or even since the beginning of time. By matching the levels of the pattern with key periods in history, they determined it would fit best if the end of the time scale was December 22, 2012. This is the only point in which the level of novelty reaches its maximum, and everything that happens is new (Bast R. Survive 2012. http://survive2012.com/why_2012_fractal.php viewed 04/12/08).

So, some believe that December 22, 2012 was long known as the date for the world as we know it to end.

There is also a tradition from India:

It is interesting that this prediction of the emergence of a new world is prophesied to appear about the same time that the Mayans predicted it to come! The Mayan calendar began with the Fifth Great Cycle in 3114 BC and will end on 21 December 2012 AD. The Hindu Kali Yuga calendar began on 18 February 3102 B.C. There is only a difference of 12 years between the Hindu's beginning of the Kali Yuga and the Mayan's beginning of the Fifth Great Cycle. It is amazing that both calendars began at about the same time over 5,000 years ago and both calendars predict a totally new world and/or golden age after about 5,000 years into their calendars! We are definitely on to something with these Mayan and Hindu 2012 predictions. Historically, this is an amazing fact since these two ancient cultures did not have any contact...Lord Krishna's Golden Age could easily begin in 2012! (Hindu Calendar. http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Hindu_Calendar viewed 01/14/08).

A source, related to the above India/Hindu comments, also stated:

The Hopi prophecy is an oral tradition of stories that Hopis say predicted the coming of the white man, the world wars and nuclear weapons. And it predicts that time will end when humanity emerges into the "fifth world." The Mayan calendar predicts a similar end in 2012; some Hopis have said their prophecy roughly coincides with that time. The tradition says the years after 2012 could be a golden age with humans at peace. It also says the world will go through a time of trial, suffering and purification before a time of "one-heartedness" (Hopi Civilization. http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Hopi_Civilization viewed 01/14/08).

And although a Robert Bast is the source of many of those written quotes (and his Hindu ones are all over the internet), a program (2012 episode of Decoding the Past) that The History Channel originally aired March 1, 2007, had a variety of sources that basically stated the same things that Robert Bast has written, but less so on the Hindus. But one of those that was similar was that the end of "the fourth world" in Hopi prophecy is about upon us.

It also probably should be mentioned that the Hindu "prophecies" I have seen tend seem to be point to dates later than 2012. Here is an astrological one related to a Hindu deity (it also calls the time "an age of transition"):

Thereafter Saturn will govern for 19 years when it will spread Sahaja Yoga in the Whole world. Saturn means the masses, the Virata and Shri Mataji will witness Kalki (Mercury) Power manifesting over the whole World. 21 – 02 - 2013 (Horoscope of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi – by Lalit Bhandari (given during Tour of Australia – 22 October 1991; http://www.adishakti.org/mayan_end_times_12-21-2012/shri_mataji's_horoscope_the_tribulation_and_satya_yuga.htm viewed 8/20/08).

So, apparently a time of change is being predicted that may be clearer by February 21, 2013 (a frequent Hindu festival called "Ekadashi" is also to take place then). Other Hindus, however, seem to be looking a little later, while recognizing certain astronomical aspects of 2012:

As far as Hindus are concerned the important date is 2014 & 2013.

In 2012 the plane of our Solar System will line up exactly with the plane of our Galaxy,

On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years.

According to Srimad Bhagavatam - Kalki is destined to appear when the Sun, Moon and Jupiter together enters Pushya nakshatra ...it then goes to give the description of his birth etc. This astrological phenomenon happens on 26/27th. July 2014 A.D. at 3:10 P. M. on a Sunday.

(Raju Apr 22 2007, 01:06 AM. India Discussion Forum. http://www.india-forum.com/forums/index.php?act=Print&client=printer&f=10&t=1843 viewed 8/20/08).

Thus, it is clear that not all Hindus are looking towards 2012, but some do seem to be looking to the next decade. And although I do not condone astrology, astrology is part of the Hindu faith, thus they can be highly influenced by movements in the sky. So much so, that perhaps this will temporarily get them to accept some of what the European Beast power is teaching (see Asia in Prophecy).

Now regarding the Hopi prophecies, notice the following from the popular book 2012 The Return of Quetzalcoatl:

According to the Hopi, we are currently completing the cycle of the Fourth World--Tuwaqachi, "World Complete" --on the verge of the transitioning, or emerging, into the Fifth World, with several more worlds to follow. In each of the three previous conditions, humanity eventually went beserk, bringing ruin upon themselves through destructive practices, wars, misused technologies, and the loss of the connection to the sacred (Pinchbeck, Daniel. 2012 The Return of Quetzalcoatl. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, NY, 2007, p. 381).

Hence, the Hopi prophecies tend towards doom, though NOT the destruction of all life.

A couple of thousand years ago the so-called Sibylline prophecies (or Sybilline oracles) predicted what seem to be the end. These writings consist of many books, but the fourth is the most explicit:

Book iv. is far more unified. In the name of the true God the sibyl predicts the events that will take place from the first to the tenth generation of man (Sibyl. JewishEncyclopedia.com viewed 04/12/08).

This last generation is supposed to have started around the year 2000 (Crowley, Phil. 2012, Decoding the Past. Original air date 03/01/07).

So there are many different indications that something may happen in the 21st century, and perhaps in the next decade.

2012 Possibilities

Human

• Flu Pandemic
• Nuclear War / WW3 / Biological War
• Large Hadron Collider
• Nanotechnology
• Religious Apocalypse
• Nuclear Accident
• Rise of the Machines
• Genetic Modification
• Time Travel Error

From Space

• Nearby Supernova
• Explosion from the black hole at the center of our galaxy - read about how something similar could have caused the recent tsunami
• Gamma Ray Burst (GRB)
• Asteroid/Meteor/Comet
• Coronal Mass Ejection (CRE) from our Sun
• Cosmic Rays
• Solar System Falls Apart (butterfly effect)
• Alien Invasion

From Earth

• Magnetic Pole Shift
• Crustal Pole Shift
• Supervolcano - ie Yellowstone
• Ice Age
• Global Warming

BIBLE CODES PREDICT HOLOCAUST IN 2012

BIBLE CODES PREDICT SOLAR FLARE HOLOCAUST IN 2012

Revelation 16:8-9 "And they fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given to it to burn men with fire. And men were burned with great heat; and the blasphemed the name of God Who has the authority over these plagues; and they did not repent to give Him glory."

The sun-worshiping Mayans decided that the year 2012 is the end of this age. The Bible Codes hold cluster after cluster describing a nasty solar event, as well as a terrible disaster in 2012. Even scientist agree that every 100 years or so, the sun flares up and fries the solar system. Please read on for the Bible Codes and an article published in News Scientist magazine that indicate that a solar eruption event will cause terrible destruction on Earth.

Isaiah 30:26-27 -Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound. Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: ..."

The tongue of fire is an important clue. The Bible Codes are clear that the end of the Mayan calendar in 2012 has some significance in regards to apocalyptic events. There is a large, stone-like comet due to approach the Earth around 2012. The destructive characteristic of this event is described as tongue-like. The folks at Exodus 2006 theorized that the comet breaks up like the Shoemaker-Levy comet did when it approached Jupiter, thus creating a tongue-like array of comet matter which impacts the Earth in a shotgun effect. I have a different theory, though it does seem likely that a massive comet would break up upon entry. The approach of a large comet in 2012 will trigger a solar eruption that will fry the Earth like a rotisserie. The solar flare and resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) will be the tongue-like characteristic of this event.

Here is one very tight Bible Code cluster that describes the approach of a large comet in 2012!

2012 – comet – large - stone-like / stony – object - sped
Tongue-like – Sun - whole earth / earth annihilated - smitten / stricken - smitten
Planetary / wanderer – fragmentary – sixty – mile - blunderbuss / scatter-gun
Crater – Canada – ultimate – terrifying – appalling – lethal
Modifier - mantle

- axis - tilting - tipping – Speeded
Seismic - eradication - It will be crumbled / I will tear to pieces

http://exodus2006.com/2012code.htm

There are many aspects of this event that take on apocalyptic meaning. The rain of huge flaming hailstones described in Revelation can easily be imagine to originate from a celestial body breaking up as it penetrates the Earth’s gravity field and creates an array of impact events. The poles shifting as a result of the energetic disruption from the comet and from the reaction of the Sun can also be easily imagined to be a result of the mantle shifting (mentioned in the Bible Code above, as well) and the electromagnetic field of the Earth undergoing a dramatic change. All of these possibilities can be associated with the approach of a massive comet, but the central focus... the most damaging aspect of the 2012 time period seems to be a solar eruption and the resulting CME.

There are two more Bible Code clusters that describe this solar kill shot. These clusters a re specific and point directly at the sun as the cause of destruction on Earth¦

Solar Flare – Holocaust – I will send to all the men – Guilt – Day of Judgment

A sign – To Flare, the sun will go away/depart/vanish – The sun will stand still in the midst of heaven

http://exodus2006.com/6maya.htm

If that's not enough for you, then read what the scientist say. In the January 9, 1999 issue of New Scientist magazine, they propose that the sun could “send out a monstrous flare powerful enough to melt the ice on Jupiter's moons, destroy much of Earth's ozone layer and obliterate all our satellites. This is another verification, a scientific verification, of the threat that the sun holds for life on Earth.

VIDEO:Doomsday 2012. The End Of Days: History Channel

PART 1 of 3


PART 2 of 3


PART 3 of 3

2012 ???

There are prophecies and oracles from around the world that all seem to point to December 21, 2012 as doomsday /New World Age . The ancient Mayan Calendar, the medieval predictions of Merlin, the Book of Revelation and the Chinese oracle of the I Ching all point to this specific date as the end of civilization. A new technology called “The Web-Bot Project” makes massive scans of the internet as a means of forecasting the future… and has turned up the same dreaded date: 2012. Skeptics point to a long history of “Failed Doomsdays”, but many oracles of doom throughout history have a disturbingly accurate track record.

Many analysts and experts are now saying that something BIG is coming… Greatest Depression (Americas, Europe, more) , rising tensions in Middle East (Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine….) and South Asia (India –Pakistan), Russia is getting stronger and making strategic moves, China silently emerging as a serious threat to the Super Powers.. all fully prepared and loaded with Nukes for a possible War! Ready to take avenges (cold wars and WW2). The World War 2 ended by the Nuclear explosions ( Hiroshima and Nagasaki ) and now experts predicting that the WW3 (The Greatest War) will start by a Nuclear attack on Israel, Iran or Pakistan… near 2012 that will transit this Age/Civilization into the New World Age on 21st Dec 2012!

Analysis: Nuclear Armageddon in South Asia

2009 Predictions - Prepare For The Worst

The majority population of the world is not political.. they are simple, innocent and common people.. this is not the matter of one country, any nation or any religion now… not any more! If this happens, each and every being on this earth will be affected!

Pak Alert Press has launched this project “Project 2012″ to research this topic and investigate the facts in the light of current global geo-political developments , astrology readings and sacred prophecies about End of days/ Age transitions and try to authenticate the possibility of a Nuclear War/ Armageddon in 2012. Considering the VERY LIMITED time left, we are also researching to understand how we can practically and quickly create low cost civilian nuclear protection bunkers, how to preserve and store agri stuff, seeds, dry food, gold/silver and all other pertaining factors to survive after Nuclear Armageddon. Our objective is to educate people about what devastation a nuclear war could bring and how we can help each other to save ourselves from a possible attack…this is not just about 2012 prophecies .. but this makes perfect scene in the presences of thousands of nuclear and other weapons around the globe wholly for the purpose of Mass Genocide and Destruction! We will start publishing the research reports soon.

We all should gear up now and start thinking about our survival! There is no harm in keeping this thought in mind, live normal life but plan future more cleverly!

We sincerely hope that WE ARE WRONG!

1441 days left for Age of Transition to begin! ( 9th Jan 2009)

NASA Predicts Dec. 2012

http://www.liveindia.com/mayacalendar/nasa.html

You must have probably heard about the “December 21, 2012 - Doomsday” the day when the world is prophesized to come to an end. In fact, you will find it amusing that this December 21, 2012 - End Of The World prophecy has been backed up by so many religions, calendars, and prophecies. So, is this another theory of Apocalypse that will come and go like the ones we have been seeing or is it the one that we should pay attention to? After digging for several hours through the Internet in this matter, I came up with the following worthy information regarding “The End Of The World.

Mayan Calendar: The ancient Mayan calendar states that the world will end in December 21, 2012. The Mayan civilization flourished in Central America from the 6 A.D. to 9 A.D. They were obsessed with time-keeping, and in fact, their calender were so incredibly precise that its interlocking time scales of lunar, solar, and planetary cycles could accurately predict solar/lunar eclipses thousands of years into the future. This accurate calendar however mysteriously ends on December 21, 2012!

It states that on December 21, 2012, the sun rises on the dark rift of the center of the milky way which is referred to as a black hole. In the last five years, the western astronomers have in fact discovered that there is in fact an enormous black hole at the center of our milky way galaxy. The contemporary astronomers concur with the Mayans. On 21st of December, 2012, the Earth will be in exact alignment with the Sun and the center of our milky way galaxy, a galactic event which takes place only once every 25,800 years! No one knows what effect this extraordinary alignment will have on our planet, but the Mayans believe it would be terrible!

The Polar Shift Theory: Geophysicists have a theory that is strikingly similar to the events predicted by the Mayan alignment. The phenomenon is called the “polar shift,” in which the entire mantle of the earth would shift in a matter of days or perhaps hours during such galactic events, causing positions of the north and south pole to change, further causing worldwide disaster, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters.Accordingly, several eclectic authors claim that a major, world-changing event will take place in 2012!Even the book “The Orion Prophecy” claims that the Earth’s magnetic field will reverse, which further supports the Polar Shift Theory besides the prediction of Merlin that also suggests a polar shift. NASA predicts that during 2012, as the Sun reaches the end of the current 11-year sunspot cycle, it will reverse its own magnetic poles, which may further amplify the effects of magnetic field on earth as harmful charged particles blast away from the sun (also known as solar storming).

Planet Eris or Planet X or NibiruPlanet Eris/”Nibiru” or Planet-X and the Global warming: This theory suggests that the real cause of climate changes, volcanic activities, and intensification of the seismic activity etc. is the planet Eris’s getting closer to our solar system once in 3600 years, named as 2003-UB-313, which ultimately results in the melting of the glaciers! This Planet Eris or so called “Nibiru” was first observed in October 21, 2003, using 1.22 m Oschin telescope at Mount Palomar Observatory (California). It is said to have passed between Mars and Jupiter some 7200 years ago, which most probably had triggered the cataclysm “Noah’s flood” and again this will be at the close proximity to Earth between 2010 and 2012, which can cause massive melting of the glaciers, causing huge tidal waves and ultimately, the return of the Noah’s flood!

I Ching: Another sets of factors backing up this December 21, 2012 Doomsday is the I Ching prophecy. Despite the views of skeptics, the 5000 years old I Ching has become an oracle of the doomsday. The highs and lows of the I Ching graphs seems to have accurately corresponded to the fall of the roman empire, discover of the new world, and world wars of the 20th century, and the strangest things of all was, the time line came to an end to the exact specific date, December 21, 2012! Is it a coincidence that both prophecies of I Ching and Mayan Calendar came to the same exact date and time? In fact, many world’s religions and most famous prophets reference that something cataclysmic will happen around December 21, 2012. The medieval predictions of Merlin, The Book of Revelation, and the well-known Chinese Oracle of the “I Ching” all point to this specific date as the end of civilization.

The Bible Code & Nostradamus Prophesies: According to the certain algorithms of Bible code, a meteor,asteroid, or comet will soon collide with the Earth.Everybody knows the Nostradamus prophesies, that have very accurately predicting many world leaders rising to power and major events in the past. His prophesies were accurate in predicting the demise of the World Trade Centers in 2001 as well.Even the book “The Nostradamus Code” further speaks of a series of natural disasters caused by some kind of a “comet” and those studying the Prophecies of Nostradamus states that he might have further indicated the possibility of a “Third World War” where nuclear wars can create “comet-like” mass destructions everywhere

So are we going to have a Third World War? At the current scenario, it seems we might have - proving the Nostradamus Prophesies.

Even the high-tech oracles which is not even human, i.e., “Web-Bots” are predicting the end of the world as December 21, 2012, besides the Mayan, I Ching, Merlin, Book Of Revelation, etc. Is it just a coincidence or a meaningless pattern of random events?

THE THIRD WORLD WAR

MOULANA SHEIKH NAZIM

Very soon there is going to be a Great War that will destroy three out of four parts; three-fourths is going to be destroyed and out of seven people, six are going to be destroyed. The most terrible and the greatest war is coming now, and that is the bridge or mediator between the small signs and big signs; when that war breaks out, the little signs are going to draw near to the big signs. The people of this world are waiting; everyone is awaiting that war, morning or evening. There is a fear on the whole world.

When that begins, finished. The big signs will follow the war, and during the war the Mahdi (alai) will say Takbir, “Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar!” and will appear for Muslims, and then the great sign, the Dajjal, will come. After the second great sign, “Isa (alai) (Jesus) will come. Then three parts of this dunya will sink into the earth; then Yajuj and Majuj, then Dabbat ul-Ard. Then dukhan; this whole world is going to be covered by thick smoke; then fire; then the sun rising from the place of its setting, the West. When it is all complete Qiyamah will come.

As believers of the Traditions, we believe in a Savior who will come first before Jesus. Yes. He must come before Jesus. We have this in our Traditions. His name is Muhammad al Mahdi (alai). He is coming, but his arrival will be after a Great War (Armagaddon). Our Traditions tell us that the Great War will be the last war. It will be
fought by the big powers with each other. Don’t say that Switzerland is a neutral country or Austria or Luxembourg or Sweden. No! When the storm comes, it will come from the East to the West, totally and wholly. Also from the West to the East. From the continents to the oceans and from the oceans to the continents. That must be so.

And in that huge war, the Mahdi (alai) will come like a Divine Hand from heaven to earth and stop the war because when small countries are fighting now, the big ones come and say, “Stop!” but what about when the big dragons come to fight? No one can stop them except Divine Power which will say to them, “God is Greater!” (Allahu akbar!).
Then they must stop. That will be the first Savior whose name has been given through Traditions as Muhammad al-Mahdi (alai).

A short time After this, a tyrant will appear, well known through Traditions as Anti-Christ. He is the most dangerous tyrant for the children of Adam. The whole world will get into never ending troubles and sufferings during his time.

Then the second Savior, Jesust will come from heavens to earth. He will meet Mahdi (alai) in Damascus at the tomb of John the Baptist, the son of Jesus Christ’s aunt Elizabeth, the wife of Zacharias. He is buried in Damascus under a beautiful dome.
Jesus Christ will come to a minaret of that dome which lies in the East. When the people go to the dawn prescribed prayer and two angels will protect Him with their wings. They will bring him down. He will be wearing a green turban and he will be shining. He has the most beautiful face, rosy and white. His beard is red and he is sweating.

He has a sword. When he was on earth, he never touched a sword, but now he is coming a Savior. In his time, all technology will be finished. His sword can reach any point to where he sends it. It is a miraculous sword, a heavenly sword. His Lord gave it to him. He will save the people from the hands of the Anti-Christ. He will come to the dawn prescribed prayer. It will be ful of people in the mosque and they will all be performing the prescribed prayer because prayer is always for all prophets and their nations. Even if people have lost it now, it does not matter. Jesus Christ was, in any case, praying to his Lord. He was not praying to himself or to the cross. No! He was
kneeling in front of his Lord. He is the Savor who will save the people and will not leave one of the followers of Anti-Christ on earth.

When he saves the people from the hands of the Anti-Christ, there will come forty years of absolute peace on earth. In these times we will not need planes or ships or cars.

Nothing! Every person will be given miraculous powers through Jesus Christ. If I, for example, then look at the second hill of that mountain and say, “In the Name of God,” This means, “By your Divine Permission, oh my Lord! You have honored me to be your deputy. I ask of You!” And if He gives permission, then you may put your step from here to the second hill of the mountain.

VIDEO:Report supports Hopi, Mayan & Web Bot Predictions

Report supports Hopi, Mayan & Web Bot Predictions

Web Bot Predictions for 2009 - the year of shortages & no north pole ?

According to their notes they summarize that 2009 will be the year of a Global Coastal Event:

• The bigger things are in modelspace, the more lead time we get
• Collapse of the dollar has been in modelspace for 2 ½ years
or so. Even longer has been Global Coastal event.
• Global Coast Event likely in early to mid 2009
• Permanent loss of low lying territory globally but one continent in particular get hit badly. We don’t know which one, but we hope it’s like a Greenland or some not heavily populated area. (*working on this now, but it’s at the limit of our software)
• Places to avoid: anything at sea level (Bangladesh/Florida/ etc).

According to the web bot team 2009 can be summarised with a "word of the year" - specifically a word which will summarize how life will 'feel' in '09.

The direction of this word points to famine, starvation and both food & resource shortages:

Some key headlines discussed that hint to 2009 following this outlook :
"Fuel Choices, Food Crises, and Finger-Pointing"
"US shops ration food for first time"
"Chavez, allies create $100m food plan"
"Year of poor decisions created food crisis: FAO"
"Homerless begin moving back into Ontario Tent City"

"Oil gains on US inventory fall"
OpEd piece: "We must ration Gasoline"
"Gasoline and distillate inventories decline"
"Gasoline prices take a toll on vacations"
Food, foreclosures and fuel -- are these road enough markers? No...:
"Angola: Portuguese environment minister jets in"
"U.S. environment scientists report political meddling"
"The War against the Environment"
"The big turn off: Could you drink, bathe, and clean using just 20 litres a day?"
"Indebted Brits forced to change lifestyle"

Web Bot Predictions for 2008 / 2009

Web Bot Predictions for 2008 / 2009
By: John Kehne
www.December212012.com

Since its conception in the late 1990’s, the Web Bot Project has made a number of very accurate and insightful predictions regarding coming events. Originally designed to track stock market trends, the Web Bot uses a system of spiders that crawl the Internet looking for patterns of behavior, trends and chatter pertaining to coming events. This tool is believed to be able to forecast the future by tapping into the collective unconscious of society.

One of the first accurate predictions from the Web Bot program took place in June of 2001. The program predicted that a life-altering event would take place within the next 60-90 days. An occurrence of such proportion that it's effects would be felt worldwide. The program based its prediction on "web chatter" and regrettably, the prediction proved accurate when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11/2001.

Throughout its short existence, the Web Bot has accurately predicted many other natural and man made disasters such as the 2001 anthrax attack on Washington DC, the East Coast power outage in 2003 and the earthquake which lead to the December 26 2004 tsunami. It is even credited with predicting hurricane Katrina and the devastating events that followed. In addition, the Web Bot has foretold of a global devastating event expected to take place in late December 2012.

Even more remarkable is a series of predictions made back in late 2006 about the coming events of late 2008 through mid 2009. Although these predictions may or may not pan out to be completely accurate, it is interesting to evaluate each one based on its own merit and relationship to the times in which we live. The following is a breakdown of these predictions.

- September 22-27 2008 are seen as precursor dates to a significant event expected to take place on October 7 2008.
Closely watch events during September 22 through 27 2008 for hints as to what to expect on October 7 2008. Although the predictions are not specific, the event is expected to be as significant as the events of 9/11.

- October 7 2008 to February 19 2008 will be filled with emotional intensity
The Web Bot has never picked up any event lasting this long. In comparison, the events of 9/11 lasted about 10 days. This event will be four months of high emotion.

- In October Global emotional release event begins – largely economic.
The rest of the world will begin to seriously question the stability and reliability of the U.S. dollar.

- Catastrophic collapse of the dollar is possible – as the language is active around that concept.
The Web Bot foresee consumer society confidence collapsing by mid November 2008. This could be a direct result of the recent government bailout and failure of several large financial institutions in the U.S. along with the devalued U.S. dollar and the increased cost of living.

- Global economic collapse possible in Fall 2008 cascading off the U.S. woes.
Think of the U.S. economy as a lit fuse that was lit over the early part of 2008. The rest of the world has no choice but to react to the declining U.S. dollar and the enormous amount of debt that the U.S. has accumulated and put upon itself.

- May be a global replay of what the 1932 bond crash in the Great Depression was.

- Tensions build in cities, encounters scarcity.
As the cost of food, fuel and other necessities of life continue to rise so does peoples level of stress. As the holidays approach, individuals find themselves taking extreme actions that they would have never considered in the past.

- The populace of the US impacted by a condition like posttraumatic stress. It will be something like “time shocked” or “time stunned”.
Just as you wrap you head around one big change or traumatic event, another will come along which will be bigger and harder to absorb.

- Mood of the population improves: People have a renewed sense of optimism that the corporate/elite can and will be replaced in the elections but the ‘us against them’ grows.
This appears to be directly related to the upcoming presidential elections. People will briefly experience a renewed optimism and confidence in the promises made by the new president, but the mood will quickly change when they realize that it is business as usual in Washington.

- Possibly early elections, or at least calls for that because of anger.
This seems to relate to Israel and the possibility of early presidential elections necessary to curtail the increased threats from Iran.

- In late 2008 the rest of the world’s currencies are ‘touched off’ by the dollar and U.S. decline.
The continuing instability of the U.S. economy and financial systems will prove to be a catalyst for global unrest and uncertainty.

- The Web Bot foresee a West Coast/Vancouver area large-scale earthquake around December 12, 2008.
Many have seen signs of this coming for quite some time. This may not be the “Big One”, but it will prove to be significant and very devastating to the area.

- There will be a 2009 winter/spring natural disaster, which caused people to become angry about government response.
With the dramatic increase in natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and more, the government’s inability to respond to the immediate needs of the people will prove to be devastating for many.

- The Web Bot foresee that the winter in the Northeast will be very cold, causing some schools to close, and then later to reopen as shelters for people who can't heat their homes.
Language suggests that the shortages will be caused by a lack of supplies, cost of fuel, or both.

- Global Coastal Event likely in early to mid 2009
The Web Bot sees a permanent loss of low-lying territory globally and foresees that one continent in particular will get hit badly, but it does not say which one. Places to avoid: anything at sea level (Bangladesh/Florida/ etc).

It would appear that many of theses Web Bot predictions seem to focus on the economy both in the U.S. and around the world, and the underlying threat of these predictions is being felt right now. With the recent multi-billion dollar government bailout of many financial institutions, the U.S. has entered into an economic disaster that is sure to destabilize the financial future and wellbeing of many.

Prepare yourself for what is coming. The Web Bot tells us that for the remainder of 2008, bad will only get worse.

The Web Bot Project and 2012

Maybe some of you have heard of The Web Bot Project, but for those of you who have not, it's quite intriguing.

The Web Bot Project, developed in the late 1990's, was created to assist in making stock market predictions.

The technology uses a system of spiders to crawl the Internet and search for keywords, much like a search engine does. When a keyword is located, the bot program takes a snapshot of the text preceding and following the keyword. This snapshot of text is sent to a central location where it is then filtered to define meaning.

The projects concept is aimed at tapping into the "collective unconscious" of the universe and it's inhabitants. As well, there is an interesting time concept involved and an unusual concept of a "tipping point" regarding the past, current, and future times. It goes a bit deeper than viewing what those of us on the Internet are saying.

But in 2001, bot operators began to notice that stock market predictions were not the only matters being accurately predicted by the program. They began to take notice of coincidence with occurrences and explored it further.

One of the first accurate predictions from the bot program took place in June of 2001. The program predicted that a life altering event would take place within the next 60-90 days. An occurrence of such proportion that it's effects would be felt worldwide. The program based it's prediction on "web chatter" which ultimately represents the collective unconscious of society.

Regrettably, the bot program's prediction proved accurate and the Twin Towers fell on 9/11/2001.

Here's where it starts to become very interesting. The bot program also predicts a worldwide calamity taking place in the year 2012. For those of you who study astrology, prophecies, and the like, you may already be familiar with this date.

The Mayans were considered by many as great "seers" and built a society that focused it's studies on time, synchronicity, and consciousness. The Mayan calendar predicts that mankind will end in the year 2012. A period which also signifies the end of the current era in the Mayan calendar. But this end may represent a symbolic end - more so than a literal end. An end that refers to a shift in consciousness, such as a societal shift into a spiritual age from a scientific one.

Many have derived similar predictions from the I Ching or China's "Book of Changes." The I Ching was written in 2800 B.C. and is revered to this day in China. A gentlemen by the name of Terrence McKenna studied the I Ching intensely and began to see a pattern emerging. From that pattern he produced a time line graph and called it the "Time Wave Zero" theory.

Terrence's time line derived from the I Ching ended in the year 2012 - December 21, 2012 to be exact. The winter solstice.

Even more intriguing is the fact that many suggest that there is scientific evidence that points to a very rare astrological occurrence taking place the year of 2012. For millenia, the Mayans believed in the existence of a dark rift in the center of the Milky Way and considered it fact. Only recently did modern scientists discover that it actually does exist.

Many exist, however, in the center of our galaxy is a black hole. And in the year 2012, it is suggested that the sun and the earth will be in direct alignment with this black hole. Scientist speculate that magnetic shifts could take place as a result. In essence, it is theorized that the poles could reverse. The poles have shifted before and Einstein, himself, had suggested this pole shifting theory in 1955.

And I'm sure many of you have heard of Merlin the magician. Merlin was believed to be a Celtic shaman that many of his day considered a "crazed man of the forest." As a result, during those times he was referred to as "Merlin the Wild." But what many don't realize is that Merlin was considered Europe's greatest oracle or "seer."

Merlin predicted that the planets will "run riot" through the constellations. Completely off their normal paths of rotation. Scientists speculate that if this were to happen, it would be a result of the earth changing it's rotation - or the poles shifting.

Merlin also predicted that the use of "talking stones" would be taking place during this time. For those of you who don't know, stone is the basis of our modern technology. Quartz in particular. Quartz technology is used in cell phones as well as computers. Silicone quartz stores information that can then be retrieved.

Another interesting side note to this, that I will be discussing in an upcoming post, is the use of quartz by the Mayans. The Mayans coveted what were known as the crystal skulls. Skulls carved from natural quartz crystal. They claimed the skulls "talked" to them and gave them information. Could it be that they actually did? Based on our knowledge of the capabilities of quartz crystal and it's uses for technology - it seems quite possible. Hewlett Packard studied the skulls in 1970 and their results were startling.

The oldest tribe in the United States, the Hopi Indian tribe, believed that the world has been created and destroyed four times previously. The Hopi's believe that we are on the brink of the Fifth World. They predicted that this occurrence would be preceded by submersion (rising waters), the sun getting hotter (global warming), and earth occurrences (hurricane's, tornadoes, and mass flooding).

The Hopi's also predicted that the world at this time would be criss-crossed by a spider web, which could be likened to the Internet. They believed that the end of the Fourth World would be followed by the beginning of the Fifth World. The evolution of life requires violence.

Seems that these beliefs are in line with the predictions made from one of the greatest book of prophecies ever written - the Bible. And the Book of Revelations, in particular.

The History Channel created a special that touches on this very subject titled: Doomsday 2012, The End of Days. It further explores the significance of this date in ancient prophecies, texts, and writings.

The Lord's Prayer

Teaching about Prayer and Fasting

5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,^[a]
12 and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,^[b]
but rescue us from the evil one.^[c]

14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

=========================================================================

Luke 11

Teaching about Prayer

1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:^[a]

“Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
3 Give us each day the food we need,^[b]
4 and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.^[c]”

5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.^[d]

9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 “You fathers—if your children ask^[e] for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

=========================================================================

Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Ecclesiastes 9 - Death Comes to All

Ecclesiastes 9

Death Comes to All

1 This, too, I carefully explored: Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor. 2 The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad,^[a] ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t.

3 It seems so tragic that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate. That is why people are not more careful to be good. Instead, they choose their own mad course, for they have no hope. There is nothing ahead but death anyway. 4 There is hope only for the living. As they say, “It’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion!”

5 The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered. 6 Whatever they did in their lifetime—loving, hating, envying—is all long gone. They no longer play a part in anything here on earth. 7 So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! 8 Wear fine clothes, with a splash of cologne!

9 Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil. 10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave,^[b] there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

11 I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.

12 People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Are you saying that Paul would rather be unconsciously sleeping?"

>His conscious hope will be realized at the "rapture" .... not before

>He is sleeping just as are all other believers who have died physically

>"The dead know nothing" [Ecclesiastes 9:5] and are sleeping ... no awareness of time passing

>There is no awareness of time passing for the dead

>This is true of all of the human dead .... believers, or not

>The next thing that one dead in Christ will know is His call for them ... no awareness of time passing between

>All of those who die in unbelief will also be called, but not until just after the Lord's millennial kingdom

>The believer's greatest hope is to be immortalized and to live forever with the Lord

>The dead "without" Jesus Christ have no hope

>The Lord will call the believer home just before His coming judgment of the tribulation period

Verses

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
2 Peter 3:10

51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,52In a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last shofar blasting: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51,52


15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Carnage in Gaza: a prelude to World War III?

31/12/2008 19:08 MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Dmitry Kosyrev) - The main event of this last day of the outgoing year could well have been the court hearing of Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the infamous journalist who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during a news conference in Baghdad.

"This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog," yelled al-Zaidi in Arabic as he threw his first shoe toward the U.S. president. "This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq," he shouted as he threw his second shoe.

Now the incident has been overshadowed by the Gaza Strip airstrikes, launched December 27 by the Israel Defense Forces as a response to frequent Palestinian Qassam rocket and mortar fire on Israel's southern civilian communities.

The attention of the international community has remained focused on the same region, but the events taking place there are far from anecdotal. A full-blown war is on, with a large number of civilian victims.

At first glance, the conflict has affected a rather small territory in the Middle East. Yes, people are being killed there, but that happens far more often in the modern world than one would wish.

Can the Gaza Strip conflict escalate into World War III right after the holiday season? In the next few days, Israel will, most likely, launch a ground operation in order to destroy the HAMAS nest of terrorism. However, this will produce dubious results and will be followed by several terrorist acts in Israel itself. Those terrorist attacks will also require a response.

In that case, the conflict could spread to Lebanon and Syria. For many years, Moscow has been trying to involve these two Arab nations in the Middle East peace process. Israel could attack them as well in the near future. The Arab world covertly agrees that HAMAS is a dangerous radical organization that has provoked the present conflict.

However, the situation is likely to change drastically if Israel does not stop in time. For instance, the so-called "Iranian factor" could surface. Analysts say Tehran finances HAMAS and its Lebanese counterpart Hizbollah. Israel could retaliate if Iran makes at least one threatening move.

Israel Defense Forces could hit targets in Iran which may strike back. Although Tehran still has no nuclear weapons, Israel could use its own nuclear arsenal if the situation becomes really bad.

This is the worst possible scenario. Regardless of their sympathies, the concerned parties are calling on the Israeli government to stop the war and to retreat to initial positions. Next year, Israel would also be expected to attend the Moscow conference on the Middle East and to start talking peace in real earnest.

However, the negotiating positions of Israel and all other parties involved would be greatly impaired.

Israel, which does not respond to calls for a cease-fire, is behaving like the government of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, trying to drag the United States, its main patron, into the conflict or to solve its own problems pending the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama.

Such abnormal situations show that previous U.S. policies were completely misguided. Moreover, it was a mistake to isolate HAMAS, which clearly has the support of the Gaza Strip population.

Major powers, or the international community, to be more exact, will now have to use pressure tactics to persuade Israel to stop bombing residential areas in Gaza, to prevent HAMAS from perpetrating new terrorist acts and to persuade Iran not to scare everyone with its nuclear program.

Who else can speak firmly to Israel, Iran and HAMAS nowadays?

Increased Knowledge in the End of Times....

Daniel 12:4 (New International Version)

4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

Daniel 12:4 (King James Version)

4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased

Daniel 12:4 (New Living Translation)

4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

Daniel 12:4 (New American Standard Bible)

4"But as for you, Daniel, ^(A)conceal these words and ^(B)seal up the book until the ^(C)end of time; ^(D)many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."

The Door Is Open, But It Is Going To Close.......

The door is still open and the offer still stands at this moment. . .

[Revelation 3:7-10]
7"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

But it is going to close. . .
[Matthew 25:1-13]
1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Bible Symbols - Body Parts

Head
thoughts, mind, intelligence
symbol of Christ's headship

Heart
center of life
seat of emotions
mind

Blood
the life of the flesh
sacrifice

Eye
Spiritual vision
light of the soul

Ear
Spiritual hearing
entrance to the soul
receptor of faith

Hair
symbol of glory
covering

Forehead
thought, reasoning
memory, imagination
seat of the mind

Nose
Symbol of breath
Discernment

Shoulders
seat of God's government, eldership
strength

Belly
symbol of emotions; Love, hate, etc

Arms
strength of the body
enabler of ministry

Hands
tools of ministry and giving

Legs
support and strength of the body

Thigh
symbol of equalizing our walk

Knee
symbol of reverence and humility

Heal
the power to crush

Feet
our walk in God

Loins
symbol of strength in action
reproductive part of the body

Reins
symbol of the motives of the heart

Bowels
the inner man
symbol of mercy

Bible Symbols - Animals

Ant
diligence
industry
wisdom in preparation

Donkey/---/A**
patience
endurance
stubbornness

Bear
evil
cunning
cruel men

Beast
worldly kingdoms
cruel
devouring

Bees
host of people
stinging
yet produces honey

Bull
Bullock
strength
labor
servanthood

Calf
praise
thanksgiving

Camel
service
burden bearer

Cankerworm
destructive power

Caterpillar
destructive power

Cat
sneaky
undependable

Cock
warning
reminder
early riser

Coney
wisdom in hiding

Dog
unbelievers
hypocrites

Dove
gentleness
Holy Spirit

Eagle
swiftness
rising above

Fish
souls of men
the wicked

Flies
evil spirit
filth
satan's kingdom

Fox
cunning
evil men

Goat
shaggy
sin, sinners

Grasshopper
locust
multitudes
small but destructive

Hare
satan
evil host
uncleanness

Hart Deer
gentleness
timidity
sensitivity

Horse
power
strength
conquest war

Owl
evil spirits
night bird

Ox
sacrifice
service

Palmerworm
destructive power

Pelican
lonely person

Ram
male sheep or goat

Scorpion
evil spirits
evil men
pain

Serpent
satan
evil spirits
evil men

Sheep
God's people
defenseless

Snail
slow
dependable

Spider
wisdom

Stork
loneliness

Turtle Dove
Holy Spirit

Wild --- (A**)
man's unregenerate state
stubborn, self-willed
running wild

Wolf
satan
false teachers

Worm
instrument of judgment
despised

Bible Symbols - Trees

Cedars
power, majesty
royalty
beauty

Hemlock
wormwood
injustice
symbol of calamity

Mulberry
symbol of a broken heart

Oak
strength
durability

Fig
symbol of Spiritual Israel, the church
fruitfulness

Palm
symbol of victory in Christ

Pine
symbol of fragrance and beauty

Pomegranate
symbol of abundance and joyfulness

Shittah, Acacia
beauty

Algum
symbol of Christ's humanity

Almond
symbol of Christ's resurrection

Willow
symbol of Christ's weeping and heartbreak

Myrtle
symbol of God's blessing

Bible Symbols - Heavenly Bodies

Sun
symbol of life
glory
brightness
light

Moon
a light reflector
symbol of judgment and darkness
without God, lifeless

Stars
symbol of Abraham's heavenly seed
Spiritual Israel
ministers of the gospel
light bearers

Falling Stars
apostates

Day
measurement of time
children of light
New day (hope)

Night
spiritual darkness
wrath
judgment

Bible Symbols - Directions

North
toward the throne of God and true worship
symbol of power and authority

South
symbol of quietness of the earth
refreshment

East
the new day
sunrise
God's light and glory

West
symbol of evening
setting of the sun
end of the age

Up
going toward God
going forward

Down
going away from God
backsliding

Misc. Bible Symbols

Colors

* White = Purity Revelation 12:9; 20:2
* Blue = Law Numbers 15:38-39
* Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
* Red/Scarlet = Sin/corruption Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4


Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects

* Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare Isaiah 13:12
* Silver = Pure Words & Understanding Proverbs 2:4, 3:13-14, 10:20, 25:11, Psalms 12:6
* Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver dross = Impure Character Ezekiel 22:20-21
* Water = Holy Spirit / Everlasting Life John 7:39, 4:14, Rev. 22:17, Eph. 5:26
* Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
* Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
* Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deut. 21:22-23, Psalm 92:12, 37:35
* Seed = Descendents / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16
* Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
* Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9
* Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16
* Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35
* Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39
* Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39
* Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19
* Stars = Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7
* Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22
* Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45
* Rock = Jesus/truth 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24
* Sun = Jesus/the gospel Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5
* Winds = Strife/commotion/"winds of war"Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14


Miscellaneous Objects

* Lamp = Word of God Psalm 119:105
* Oil = Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5
* Sword = Word of God Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
* Bread = Word of God John 6:35, 51, 52, 63
* Wine = blood/covenant/doctrines Luke 5:37
* Honey = happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9
* Clothing = Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6
* Crown = A Glorious Ruler or Rulership Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 28:5, Isaiah 62:3
* Ring = Authority Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11
* Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14
* Babylon = apostasy/confusion/rebellion Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5
* Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3
* Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3
* White Robes = Victory/righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14
* Jar / Vessel = Person Jermiah 18:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7
* Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin
* Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6,14, 13:5
* Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
* Trumpet = loud warning of God's approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5


Actions, Activities, and Physical States

* Healing = Salvation Luke 5:23-24
* Leprosy / Sickness = Sin Luke 5:23-24
* Famine = Dearth of Truth Amos 8:11


People and Body Parts

* Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27
* Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezk. 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4
* Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10
* Hand = Deeds / Works / Actions Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 59:6
* Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9
* Feet = Your Walk / Direction Genesis 19:2, Psalm 119:105
* Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11
* Skin = Christ's righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6
* Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9
* Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9, 10

Bible Symbols - Animals and their Parts

* Horse = Strength and Power in Battle Job 39:19, Psalms 147:10, Proverbs 21:31
* Dragon = Satan or his agency Isaiah 27:1;30:6, Psalm 74:13-14; Rev. 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34
* Beast = Kingdom/government/political power Daniel 7:17, 23
* Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7
* Lion = Jesus/Powerful King i.e. Babylon Rev. 5:4-9, Jer. 50:43-44, Dan. 7:4,17,23
* Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia Proverbs 28:15, 2 Kings 2:23-24, Daniel 7:5
* Leopard = Greece Daniel 7:6
* Serpent = Satan Revelation 12:9; 20:2
* Tongue = Language / Speech Exodus 4:10
* Wolf = Disguised Enemies that hunt in a time of darkness Matthew 7:15
* Dove = Holy Spirit Mark 1:10
* Ram = Medo Persia Daniel 8:20
* Goat = Greece Daniel 8:21
* Horn = King or kingdom Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12
* Wings = Speed / Protection / Deliverance Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37

How Certain Numbers are Used in the Bible:

Long before the "Bible codes" were discovered, scholars realized there was deep significance to each mention of how many of something there was in the Bible -- 3 of this, 7 of that, 12 of the other, etc. E.W. Bullinger's Number in Scripture (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1967) gives many details of the following legitimate understandings of numerology as used in the Bible. No hype, but awe-inspiring evidence of what only God could have woven into the text:

1 = Unity; primacy; sufficiency; beginning

2 = Division; differentness; opposition -- or intensification; doubling

3 = Solidity; divine perfection; entirety; substantiveness; Godhead; concentrated essence

4 = creation; createdness; material completeness

5 = grace; favor; healing; supernatural strengthening; forgiveness

6 = man's world; man's works; man's enmity to God; secular completeness

7 = spiritual perfection; God's choice vs. man's

8 = A new beginning; first of a new series; superabundance; resurrection

9 = end; conclusion of a matter;

10 = Perfection of the divine order; assurance of completion

11 = addition (subversive of and undoing) the divine order

12 = Governmental perfection (3 x 4)

13 = rebellion; apostasy; corruption; disintegration; adversaries

yet also atonement ("He was numbered with the transgressors.")

Multiples or combinations of these numbers can represent combinations of these different themes. For example,

5's = nearly all dimensions and articles of the tabernacle come in multiples of 5

15 (3 x 5) = acts wrought by divine grace

17 (7 + 10) = perfection of spiritual order

19 (9 + 10) = perfection of divine order re: judgment

20 (21 - 1) = expectancy; waiting for fulfillment

21 (7 x 3) = completion re: spiritual perfection

22 (11 x 2) = intensified disorganization or disintegration

24 (12 x 2) = higher or heavenly government and worship

30 (3 x 10) = perfection of divine order; the right moment

40 (5 x 8) = probation; trial; discipline; or enlarged dominion, extended rule (4 x 10)

42 (6 x 7) = man's attempt at spiritual perfection

50 (5 x 10) = perfect deliverance; (7 x 7 + 1) = continued deliverance following the perfect consummation of time

70 (7 x 10) = spiritual order carried out with spiritual power

120 (3 x 40) = divinely appointed period of probation

666 = man pretending to be God; concentrated human pride, the beast

Hebrew (and sometimes Greek) letters with these numerical values also signify the same themes.

Symbolism Used Frequently in the Bible

Here are some of the most common examples of symbols that will enable you to connect the themes underlying Scripture. Not all of these are symbolic of these things every time, but especially when a given Scripture is clearly in parable or metaphorical form, it is good to check and see if they fit before looking for other interpretations.

Gold = Deity; highest quality; heavenly perfection

Silver = representative of blood, redemption or its price

Bronze/brass = a container for fire; related to sin

Wood = corruptible flesh

Fire = Judgment or God's presence (especially in a torch)

Stone = something always ritually pure

Clay = ritually corruptible, weakened, man-made

Uncut stone = the way God made it, unhampered by human effort

Rock = place of safety, military advantage

Gates = the seat of judgment and decision-making in a city

Mountains = government

Tower = Place of security; watchfulness

Table = feasting

Chair = throne or judgment

Sea = Gentile nations; the restlessness of human efforts; prison of some demons

Tent = transitory nature of life; sojourning; a mobile place of worship

Living Water = running water; ritual purification

Flour/meal/bread/grain = fellowship with God or with other men

Leaven = sin or pride (puffs up to appear more than it really is)

Wine (or cup) = either joy and gladness or stinging, burning "desserts"

(Animal) Horn = power, protection

Sheep = God's people

Shepherd = leader

Goat = antithesis of sheep; often demonic or Gentile leader

Lion = ruler

Snake/serpent/dragon = Satan/sin

Raven = representative of unclean birds (sometimes a term for demons)

Dove = clean, ritually pure; the Holy Spirit

Animal skins = sacrificial death

Blood = murder

(At one's) Right hand = position of highest privilege

Cherubim = angelic "guardians" of God's throne or position

Rod or scepter = rulership, protection

Line = measurement, boundary mark

Sackcloth (burlap) and ashes = deep mourning

Incense = acceptable prayer

Clouds = God's presence; mystery; multitudes of saints

Sword = war or judicial authority

Trumpet = awakening from normal routines

Light = revelation, truth

Oil = the Holy Spirit

Almond tree = harbinger of the new year

Olive tree = Israel's spiritual life

Fig tree = Israel's religious life

Vine = Israel's national life

Wind = spirit, breath

North = evil, idolatrous influence

Notice the combinations of symbols like the burning bush (God speaking through corruptible flesh without consuming it), brass serpent (sin being judged), etc.

The Meaning of Bible Numbers

1 ~ Unity, Independence, The Point, The Head ~ (Male) 2 ~ The Woman, the Church, the Elect, Union, Division, Separation, Jezebel, the mother of harlots ~ (Female)

3 ~ Union, Approval, Approbation, Coordination, Perfection, Resurrection, the Triangle or Tri-unity, the mystery of God, meaning the Union of the 1 + 2 (good or bad)

4 ~ Earth, World, Creation, Foursquare, Place, Space, Reality, Dimension

5 ~ God's Grace, Peace, Protection, Covering (enemy uses this number as Law - peace, protection & security through enforcement of Law), also refers to an Age or Season in Time

6 ~ Number of Man, Weakness of Man, Inventions of Man

7 ~ Fulness, Completeness, Innumerable (the "series is complete in 7")

8 ~ Resurrection, New Beginnings, New Birth, Christ, The Word

9 ~ Judgment, Finality, End, End of an Age or Era, The Physical Manifestation of the Fruit of the Understanding (good or bad), Tribulation (birthing of the fruit)

10 ~ Testimony, Law, Responsibility ~ Number used representing man under "the Law" ~ accuser uses this number to accuse man

11 ~ Negative Meaning of the Number 11 ~ (1 + 1 = 2) ~ Jezebel, The Whore of Babylon (as the keeper, body, or witness of "strange doctrines"), also: Judgment and Disorder

God's Clock - Tribulation Clock & Time Clock

Does God Have a 7,000-Year Master Plan?

I found this below article interesting. I just did a blog on the number 7 and God. Could it be possible that God's plan for mankind involves the number 7. Possibly 7,000 years until the end of the ages?

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Most people—even Christians—have never heard about God's 7,000-year master plan for mankind. This great plan is pictured by the seven-day week. As Genesis shows, God refashioned the earth and created all life forms in six days and then rested on the Sabbath (Genesis 1:2–2:3). God also gave man six days in which to work, followed by a day of rest (Exodus 20:8-11). On the seventh day, man is to put aside his normal routine of daily activities and worship the true God (Isaiah 58:13-14).

The apostle Peter undoubtedly understood that the seven-day week is a pattern that applies to time on a far grander scale. He writes, "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (II Peter 3:8). The apostle Paul also has this principle in mind when he explains that the seventh day of the week pictures the peaceful time of rest that will follow this present age of human activity (Hebrews 4:3-11). The apostle John tells us that this period will occur after Christ's intervention in world affairs and that it will last a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-4). This period is commonly called the "Millennium."

Since the seventh day of the week symbolizes 1,000 years of peace under the rule of Jesus Christ, the first six days of the week represent 6,000 years in which man has been allowed to govern himself and work out his own ideas and plans. In other words, each day of the week represents 1,000 years of human existence.

Where are we now in this great plan? Charts which list biblical events in time order (these can be found in some Bibles) are accurate enough to show that human life was created about 4,000 years before the first coming of Christ. History makes it clear that roughly another 2,000 years have elapsed since then, making a total of nearly 6,000 years of human civilization to date. In short, man's "week" is nearly over, and God's great Millennial rest will soon be here.

THE NUMBER 7 - GOD'S DIVINE NUMBER

The number 7 is God's very own number, and is associated with Divine completion and perfection. It becomes apparent to most who read the Scriptures that the number 7 is the most significant number in all of the Scriptures. Therefore, it stands to reason there must be some extremely important patterns that are associated with the number 7.

The number seven (7) in the seven days of Creation is typological and the number seven appears commonly elsewhere in the Bible. These include:

• Seven days of Creation (Genesis 1)
• Seven years of plenty and seven years of famine in Pharaoh’s dream (Genesis 41)
• Seven days of the feast of Passover (Exodus 13:3-10)
• Seven day week and the pattern concerning distribution and use of manna (Exodus 16)
• Seven year cycle around the years of Jubilee (Leviticus 25)
• The fall of the walls of Jericho on the seventh day after marching around the city seven times(Joshua 6)
• Seven things the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16-19)
• Seven loaves multiplied into seven baskets of surplus (Matthew 15:32-37)
• The Seven last words (or seven last sayings) of Jesus on the cross.
• Seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom (Acts 6:3)
• Seven Spirits of God are mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
• Seven churches of Asia to which the "Book of Revelation" is addressed.
• Seven churches, seven stars, seven seals, seven last plagues, seven vials or bowls, seven thunders in the Revelation, the last book of the Bible.
• God rested on the 7th day.
• A Jubilee year was 7 times 7
• The Bible lists 7 churches of Asia.
• Jesus’ geneology lists Him 77th in a direct line.
• Israel circled Jericho for 7 days.
• The world has 7 continents.
• There are 7 days in a week.

Earth Time vs. Heavenly Time

2 Peter 3:8–9: ‘But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’

One day for God is a thousand years to us.

MAN’s Timeline	GOD’S Timeline
1000yrs	1day
500yrs	12 hrs
250yrs	6hrs
125yrs	3hrs
62yrs & 6 mos	1hr & 30mins
31yrs & 3mos	45mins
15yrs & 7mos & 15days	22mins & 30secs
7yrs & 9mos 22days 12hrs	11mins & 15 secs
3yrs ,10mos 26days 3hrs	5mins 37secs 30mili
1yr 11mos 13days 1hr 30secs	2mins 48secs 45mili
11mos 21days 12hrs 30min 15secs	1min 24sec 22.5mili
5mos 25days 18hrs 15min 7sec 30mili	42secs 11.25mili
2mos 27days 21hrs 7min 33secs 30mili	21secs 5.625mili
1mon 13days 22hrs 33min 46secs 45mili	10secs 32.81mili
21days 13hrs 16min 53sec 22.5mili	5secs 16.40mili
10days 18hrs 38min 26sec 16.25mili	2secs 38.20mili
5days 9hrs 19min 13secs	1sec 19.1mili

Two Witnesses

"'And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.' These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into the graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Now after three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven." (Revelation 11:3-13 - New King James Version)

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There has been much speculation concerning the identity of these two witnesses. Common identities of the witnesses are: Moses and Elijah; Enoch and Elijah; Joshua and Zerubbabel. In the light of what they will do, Moses and Elijah are the most likely candidates. Enoch and Elijah are seen as possibilities for the two witnesses because they are the two individuals whom God has taken to heaven apart from experiencing death (Genesis 5:23; 2 Kings 2:11). Some even speculate the two witness may be Archangels - Michael and Gabriel. The idnetity of the two witnesses is not known for sure, but there has been much speculation. Who knows, they could even be just ordinary believers in Christ.

These two witnesses will prophesy for three and a half years during the last half of the Tribulation. These two have the power to stop it from raining or to even send plagues to the earth during the time they are witnessing. Many people while despise these two witnesses since they caused so much chaos while on earth and people will celebrate when the two witnesses are killed in the streets. People will not allow their bodies to be buried and after three and a half days these two dead witnesses will rise up and a great fear while fall upon people who celebrated their death. After their rise to heaven, there will be a great earthquake. What is most interesting is that the death of these two witnesses will be "seen by the world". Never before in human history could the entire world view the death of two witnesses live. Now we have satellite television and it is possible!
9 Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.

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Why are the Two Witnesses sent?

The Two Witnesses are sent to earth to accomplish the following:

• To witness first hand the full extent of mankind's sin. Yahweh, the just and righteous judge, could hardly permit the destruction of a third of the human race without first giving His highest ranking angels a chance to see for themselves the full extent of man's unbelief and sin.
• To expose the Antichrist's world-wide deception as he poses as Jesus Christ: and to do so with the awesome miracles listed in Rev.11:5-6. After all, if evil archangels like Lucifer and Abaddon are allowed to reveal themselves and deceive mankind, would it not be fair to allow holy archangels to be seen?
• To warn the human race of the coming Judgment.
• To rescue believers from this corrupt system, just as they rescued Lot and his family from Sodom.

144,000

Q. I am teaching Revelation in an adult Sunday school class. I am confounded by the different opinions on the 144000. Some say they are the same as chapter 7 and some say they are from the church ( your articles on rev support the latter ). My question is why would the church be mentioned at this point in the book of revelation. Being at the mid point of the tribulation, the two witnesses have been killed and raised from the dead and taken into heaven….why not the 144000 Jews of ch.7 also? It seems more consistent with the other events. They are singing a song before the throne and the “elders”- who are suppose to represent the church anyway. The only problem with this view that I can think of is that it requires another “RAPTURE” to get the 144000 in heaven.

A. The two witnesses aren’t introduced until Rev. 11. The Great Tribulation begins in Rev. 13 To me that means their 3 1/2 year ministry does not fit into either half of Daniel’s 70th week but overlaps them.

The 144,000 of Rev. 7 are not part of the Church, but are Jews who come to the Lord after the Rapture. We’re not told of their disposition, only that the angels can’t send the next judgment until the Lord puts His seal on their foreheads to protect them from harm. If they are all martyred they won’t be resurrected and receive physical bodies again until the 2nd Coming, yet John’s description in Rev. 14 implies physical beings. Also John apparently didn’t recognize them as being the ones he saw in Rev. 7. The fact that the 24 elders are with them is not a problem since they only represent the Church, just as the heads of the 24 courses of the priesthood represented the entire group. but could still be present among them.

And finally the description of the 144,000 in Rev. 14 fits the Church, especially since verse 4 says that they were redeemed from mankind, implying both Jews and Gentiles.

Saints Alive!

From: GraceThruFaith

Q. I understand from my studies that there are 3 groups of saints, Old testament saints who believed in a coming Messiah, Church saints, who come to the Lord between Pentecost and the Rapture, and Tribulation Saints who believe in Him after the Rapture but before the 2nd Coming.

When is each group given glorified bodies? I know that the Church/Bride is given glorified bodies at the Rapture - but what about the others? And where do we/they all reside in the years between the (pre-trib) Rapture and the New Heaven & Earth after the Millennium?

A. You’re correct in saying that all Church Age saints will receive glorified bodies at the rapture/resurrection. We will reside in the New Jerusalem. Old Testament saints will receive their new bodies at the time of the 2nd Coming (Daniel 12:2) and will dwell in Israel. Tribulation saints who are martyred will receive new bodies along with Old Testament saints at the time of the 2nd Coming (Rev. 20:4-5), and will serve the Lord in His Temple (Rev. 7:14-15). Tribulation Saints who survive will re-populate the nations on Earth during the Millennium. (Matt. 25:34)

But you must look at Rev. 21-22 again. The first verses of each chapter are virtual copies of the Old Testament, put there to show you that John was speaking of Earth at the beginning of the Millennium, not its end. It’s confusing because Rev. 20:7-15 is a parenthetical passage John used to follow two thoughts to their conclusion; the final disposition of Satan and the 2nd resurrection.

Then, beginning in Rev. 21 he went back to describe the Millennium including the New Jerusalem, home of the Church, and the restored Earth, home of redeemed Israel and Tribulation Saints. We know this partly because Rev. 21:1 is a direct quote from Isaiah 65:17 where the context is the Millennium, and Rev. 22:1-7 is taken from Ezekiel 47:1-12, another Millennial passage. Time is also referenced in Rev. 22:3, and eternity by definition is the absence of time.

Generations And Lifespans (From: GraceThruFaith)

The rebirth of Israel in 1948 was a significant prophetic event. According to scripture the generation that witnesses this event will see the end times. The question becomes what is a generation?

Q. The rebirth of Israel in 1948 was a significant prophetic event. According to scripture the generation that witnesses this event will see the end times. The question becomes what is a generation? According to a few pastors I have spoken with when the Bible refers to a generation it usually is a period of 70 years. Whether or not a generation is literally 70 years, or it is a longer period, how much longer could it be?

A. The dictionary defines a generation as the average period of time between the birth of a man and the birth of his first child. Plotting the generations in Matt. 1 shows the Biblical average to be about 40 years. In Psalm 90:10 a Biblical lifespan is given as being 70-80 years. As you can see, a generation and a lifespan are two different periods of time.

Many students of prophecy used to interpret Matt. 24:34 as saying that all end times prophecy including the 2nd Coming would be fulfilled within a generation after the first ones occurred. They pointed to the rebirth of Israel in 1948 as the first one and added 40 years, predicting the end of the age would come in 1988. That didn’t happen. Then they began to count from 1967 when Jerusalem became a Jewish city again, using Luke 21:24 as their authority, saying that all would be fulfilled by 2007. That won’t happen either.

A careful reading of Matt. 24:34 shows that Jesus never said that everything would happen within a generation of time. What He said was that the generation being born when the first signs appeared would not pass away before all was fulfilled. That means that at least some of the people who were born around 1948 will still be alive when He returns. Lifespans vary around the world, but the Bible gives 70 years as the average with an extra 10 years for the strong.

This doesn’t set any minimum amount of time for all the end times prophecies to be fulfilled, but only says that once their fulfillment begins, no more than a lifespan will pass until all are fulfilled including the 2nd Coming. If you begin with 1948 and use an average lifespan, it means no later than 2018. If you begin with 1967 it means no later than 2037.

As a practical matter, a lot of things have to happen before the Lord returns. The Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38 battles have to be fought. The Temple has to be rebuilt, the anti-Christ has to be revealed, and Daniel’s 70th week has to run out. All of this could easily take 10 years minimum, but could still happen by 2018. I’m comfortable using a window of time from 2018 to 2037 within which everything can take place.

But please remember that even though there are things that have to happen before the 2nd Coming, there’s nothing left that has to precede the Rapture. It could literally happen at any moment. The time to be sure you’re ready has come.

WARNING - Do Not Take the Mark of the Beast

WARNING
DO NOT TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST

This article on the mark of the beast will be short, sweet and straight to the point. This will be an extension off of the articles that I just did on all of the events that will be occurring leading up to the return of Jesus back to our earth to set up His Millennium Kingdom.

The False Prophet will set up a system on how he and the Antichrist will try to get everyone to receive the mark of the beast on either their foreheads or their right hands. The verse then goes on to say how no one will be able to buy or sell anything without this mark. The verse also says that anyone who will not worship the Beast will be killed.

This verse is talking about the False Prophet and what he is going to do.

"He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or 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 it is the number of a man: His number is 666." (Revelation 13:15-18)

Now here is the real scary part. God Himself says in the Book of Revelation that none of His people are to receive this mark of the beast. If they do, they will end up coming under His wrath that will be released upon the earth during the latter part of the Tribulation.

God then pronounces what is the most dire warning imaginable if any of His people receive this mark. He flat out says that in addition to suffering His wrath that will be poured out during these last days - that they will also end up in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where the Antichrist, the False Prophet and Satan will eventually end up.

In other words, you will go straight to hell when you die - no if, ands or buts about it!

Let these words sink into your memory banks and don't ever forget them in the event that there is no Rapture and the Tribulation takes place in our lifetime. Here is the verse giving all of us this very dire warning:

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.

And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." (Revelation 14:9-11)

Notice the very graphic warning that God gives in reference to ending up in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone. You will end up in this place and the smoke of your torment will ascend forever and ever - with no relief ever. This horrible torment will last day and night forever and ever!

Bottom line - all Christians who get caught up in this predicament will have to be willing to lay down their lives for God and Jesus. In other words, you will be martyred for your faith. This will be the ultimate test of faith for any Christian to pass.

I really believe that God put this warning in writing in His Word because He knows many of His people may get weak and scared if they are approached with this choice by the Antichrist.

But each Christian will simply have to override any fears or doubts that they may have, believe what the Word of God has to say about the matter and be willing to die for their faith in Jesus. If they do not, their eventual end will be too horrible for any human words to describe.

Hopefully, there is going to be a Rapture of God's saints before the Tribulation starts, and we will not have to go through any of these horrible events. If there is going to be a Rapture, then the saints who will be persecuted will be the people that get saved after the Rapture occurs.

It's almost as if God may be saying to the ones that get saved after the Rapture - "You all had your chance to accept My salvation before the Rapture and turned it down. Now that the Rapture has taken place, you now know that My people were telling you the truth about My message of salvation. Now I will accept any and all who are willing to come to Me, but you will have to prove yourself to Me by being willing to die for your faith in Me by refusing to worship or receive the mark of the beast."

If all of these events occur in our lifetime, I believe God will use all of us to get the message out to as many people as possible in order to save as many people as He possibly can from all of these horrible events. If there is going to be a Rapture, then it obviously is going to be the first train out, and God will try and get as many people warned, saved, and on that first train as He possibly can.

But the sad reality is that there are many stubborn people out there who will not accept God's free gift of eternal salvation the first time around and they are going to have to suffer the extreme consequences for not doing so.

Hopefully, they will accept God's gift of eternal salvation through His Son the second time around after all of the saints have been Raptured - but then it will cost them their physical lives as they will end up being martyred for refusing to accept the mark of the Antichrist.

Pray that none of your loved ones miss the first train out if there is going to be a Rapture.

But if by chance they miss the Rapture, let them know they are NOT to take the mark of the beast if they are ever faced with having to make this choice.

Events. . .

Main Events That Will Occur
Before the Tribulation

1. Restoration of the State of Israel
The Jewish people return to the land of Israel and re-establish it as a state. This sign has already come to pass and it occurred on 5/14/48. The city of Jerusalem was then regained by the Jewish people on 6/7/67.

2. Miscellaneous Signs
Jesus Himself tells us that the following signs will occur as we approach the end times.
a) Perilous times will come.

b) False Christs and false prophets will arise.

c) Wars and rumors of wars.

d) Nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom.

e) Famines, pestilences and earthquakes.

f) Lawlessness and immorality will abound.

g) Love of many will grow cold.

h) Christians will depart from the faith giving heed to doctrines of demons.

i) Men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, unholy, proud, boasters, blasphemers, unloving, disobedient to parents, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, traitors, headstrong, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God and unthankful.

3. Rise of the Antichrist, False Prophet and a 10 Nation Confederacy From Which They Will Rule This Earth From.
4. Rise of the City of Babylon

5. Russia and Her Allies Will Invade Israel. God Will Then Supernaturally Destroy This Invading Army.

Main Events That Will Occur
During the 7 Year Tribulation

1. The Antichrist Establishes a Peace Treaty and a Covenant with Israel

2. The Jewish Temple is Rebuilt

3. God's Counterbalances:
• The 2 Witnesses
• 144,000 Jewish Witnesses
• Major Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
• Angel of the Everlasting Gospel allowed to preach the gospel

4. The Antichrist Will Destroy the City of Babylon

5. A War in Heaven Breaks Out
St. Michael the Archangel and his angels cast Satan out of the second heaven and onto the earth. The Devil becomes furious when this event occurs because he knows that his time is short.

6. The Abomination of Desolation
Three and half years into the Tribulation, the Antichrist will break his peace treaty with Israel, seat himself up in their rebuilt temple and proclaim himself to be God.

7. The 7 Seal Judgments
These 7 judgments will probably occur during the first half of the Tribulation. They are as follows:
a) The Antichrist will be released and allowed to set out to conquer the earth.

b) The Antichrist will be allowed to take peace from the earth and cause many people to kill one another.

c) The Antichrist will cause slave labor conditions to exist where people will be working for minimum pay just to be able to buy enough food for a day.

d) The martyrs will cry out to God in heaven to avenge their deaths. God says to wait just a little while longer.

e) God causes a great earthquake to hit the earth, causing every mountain and every island to move out of its place. He also causes the sun to turn black and the moon to look like blood.

f) There is silence in heaven for a half an hour. An angel offers the prayers of God's people to Him to avenge them.

8. The 7 Trumpet Judgments
These 7 judgments will occur during the middle to latter part of the Tribulation. They are as follows:
a) God rains down hail and fire upon the earth - burning up one third of the trees and all of the green grass.

b) God releases a meteor into the sea turning one third of the sea into blood, killing one-third of all living creatures in the sea and destroying one third of the ships that are on the sea.

c) God releases another meteor, hitting one third of the rivers and springs, causing contamination of the water and many men to die.

d) God strikes a third of the sun, a third of the moon and a third of the stars so that they give no light. This causes a third of the day not to shine.

e) The bottomless pit is allowed to open up releasing a huge swarm of locusts to attack all the people who do not have God's seal on their foreheads. They are not allowed to kill these people, but to just torment them with their bite. These people will be seeking death and will not be able to find it.

f) 4 demonic angels are released from the Euphrates river to kill a third of mankind. These 4 demonic angels will lead an army of 200 million demonic spirits to carry out this mass slaughter of humans.

g) Heaven is now beginning to rejoice because God is releasing His wrath upon the wicked on the earth and extracting His vengeance. God then releases more lightnings, another earthquake and more great hail upon the earth.

9. The 7 Bowl Judgments
These 7 judgments will occur during the latter part of the Tribulation. They are as follows:
a) God causes loathsome sores to fall upon those who have the mark of the Beast.

b) God causes the entire sea waters to become blood - killing every living creature in the seas.

c) God causes all the rivers and springs to turn into blood.

d) God causes the heat from the sun to scorch men with great heat and fire.

e) God causes total darkness to fall upon the kingdom of the Antichrist.

f) The Euphrates river is allowed to dry up so as to prepare the way for the kings of the east to come to the battle of Armageddon. Then 3 demonic spirits are released from the mouths of the Antichrist and False Prophet and they go out to all the kings of the earth to bring all of them to the battle of Armageddon.

g) God causes the greatest and most severe earthquake to hit the earth. The city of Babylon is completely finished off and swallowed up whole. This earthquake causes all of the islands to flee away and all of the mountains to be no longer found. God then rains down great hailstones weighing 135 pounds each. God then says: "It is done."
10. The Battle of Armageddon
All the nations of the world come against Jerusalem. Half of the city will go into captivity, houses will be rifled and the women ravished. Then deliverance comes!

Main Events That Will Occur
After the Tribulation

1. The Second Coming of Jesus
Immediately following the Tribulation and right in the middle of the battle of Armageddon, Jesus literally descends from heaven where every eye will be able to see Him. Jesus will land on the Mount of Olives and He will then destroy all of the invading armies who have come against Jerusalem. Their flesh will dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes will dissolve in their sockets and their tongues will dissolve in their mouths.
Jesus then throws the Antichrist and False Prophet into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone. Jesus then throws Satan into the bottomless pit where he is kept chained up for a 1000 years. The rest of unsaved humanity is kept in Hades (Hell) until the 1000 Millennium Kingdom is over.

2. The Millennium Kingdom
Jesus will literally rule our earth from the city of Jerusalem for 1000 years with all of the saints ruling the nations of the earth with Him. There will be no more wars ever again. Wild animals and beasts will be tame. People will live long lives - possibly up to a 1000 years. There will be no more weeping or crying.

3. Satan is Let Loose One More Time
After the 1000 years have passed in the Millennium Kingdom, Satan is let loose from the bottomless pit for a little while in order to go out and attempt to deceive the nations of the world for one last time. God allows Satan to tempt and weed out the restless bad apples that were born into the Millennium Kingdom. They will all converge on the city of Jerusalem to go into battle.
Before any battle is fought, God will destroy this invading army with fire. Satan is then cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where he will now join the Antichrist and False Prophet. All three of them will now remain in this place forever and ever and we will never hear from the devil again.

4. The Great White Throne Judgment
All of unsaved humanity is now pulled up out of Hades (Hell) where they will now all stand before God for their final judgment. All of those whose names are not found written in the Book of Life are thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where they will all remain forever with Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet.

5. The New Heaven and New Earth
Our earth and our atmospheric heaven are now done away with, and in its place we will get a new heaven and a new earth. There will no longer be any seas. There will no longer be any night. There will no longer be any sun or moon because the glory of God will be illuminating the earth.
There will no longer be any more death in any way, shape or form. The curse of Adam and Eve will have finally been broken and done away with for good. There will be no more sorrow, pain, crying or weeping. All things will be made new.
God the Father Himself will now come down from heaven and dwell with man forever and ever in this new heaven and new earth. We will also get a new city of Jerusalem which will come down from heaven itself.
This new city will be like a square and possibly 1500 miles wide. The foundations of the walls will be adorned with all kinds of precious stones. There will be 12 gates with an angel at each gate. The gates will be made of solid pearl and the streets will be solid gold.
There shall no longer be any temple as God and Jesus will be the temple Themselves. All the nations of the earth shall walk in Their light and the gates into this city will never be closed.
Now with Satan, all of his demons, and all of the bad and unsaved people taken out of this new heavenly environment, we will now all live happily ever after with God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, all of God's good angels and all of our saved loved ones in the most perfect God-environment imaginable - with no more pain, sorrow or death ever again!
This is our final end. This is our ultimate destination. Keep your eyes on this final glorious end as we start to approach and enter into these end time events. It will help get you through the fire.
Remember, God will win in the end and so will you if you keep your faith in Jesus Christ through what may be some very difficult times ahead. Jesus Himself has already told us that those who are the overcomers in this life will be the ones to rule the nations of the world with Him in these coming eras.

Revelation 22

Revelation 22
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And 1 John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Revelation 21

Revelation 21
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And 1 John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 20

Revelation 20
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 16

Revelation 16
1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
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,
11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Revelation 15

Revelation 15
1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Revelation 11

Revelation 11
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
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.
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.
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.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon