BS-32 ‘When’

dalegarriotteBible Studies

BS–32 ‘When’

Lesson point: What does scripture teach about the second coming?

 

Here is a Question. When will Jesus return; what does Luke 21, Mathew 24, and Mark 13 say to us who have questions about the return of Jesus? Things like ‘Signs of Christ second Coming’, the ‘Tribulation’, and others that the Disciples asked Jesus almost two-thousand years ago. Many people today wonder about the same question. How about you?

What about the first coming of Jesus, the Christ; what did scripture say about it? Psalms 22 and Isaiah 53 written in the old covenant point out ‘the Messiah’ would first come as ‘the atonement’ for our sin. Jesus would be the sacrifice for sin that God would provide and it has happened. When HE comes at the second advent’ HE won’t be coming as our savior but as a warrior to defeat Satan. Not only in the book of Revelation 19:11-21, but also back in Zechariah 14 scripture teaches a little about it. [This paragraph was a short rabbit trail; off of the main topic of “when”.]

Ok, check out Luke 21:34 first; it tells us that we don’t have to be the greatest of theologians but we are to be on guard and prepared; not like the pagan or the heathen who have no regard for the things of the Lord. It means spiritually prepared. In fact we have an encouraging Word from the scriptures. It is in verses 21:14-15; we can see that the Holy Spirit will give we, who are followers of Christ, just the exact verbiage needed for that moment; exactly when it might be needed. If a person is not ‘of the Lord’ they don’t have the Holy Spirit within & they cannot fully comprehend the scriptures.

So, scripture tells us that there will be wars and disturbances between the Nations [It is ongoing] and then there have been earthquakes [Ongoing as well] and there will be plagues [Yes-in fact, today is one of the worse in history with COVID] and ‘great signs from heaven’ [What does this mean? Will mankind actually see Jesus enter earth’s atmosphere or might stars disappear?]

In verse 16, scripture reads that family and friends will turn against the Christ believer [For some, this has happened in some countries but not totally globally or here in the USA for you and me yet.]

Verse :24 is interesting; the Jew is the topic and their time of being under the Gentile captivity [The times of the Gentile] could have started back in 586 BC with Babylon OR it might and more than likely have been in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed the Temple and scattered Jews to countries all over the world. So, this all supposedly ended in 1948 when Israel was declared a small nation once again OR maybe it was in 1967 when Jerusalem was captured by the present day Jewish military. Basically the ‘time of the Gentiles’ could be considered over, except maybe for one minor important thing. America is the chief ally of Israel OR more than likely Israel could be defeated easily. Here is the deal. God is in control!!!! God determines when ‘things’ are going to happen. God chose Noah to sustain life on the earth; God chose Abraham, He chose Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt and provided a covenant to the people, He chose David the youngest brother to lead Israel for 40 years etc… God uses people today as well. He used and blessed George Washington, didn’t HE?

Back to scripture; what does verses 25-26 say to us? There are going to be men fainting from fear; there will be dismay among the nations; the powers of the heavens will be shaken. STUFF that will truly cause mankind to go crazy except for those who have HOPE and TRUST in Christ; when these things start happening we know our redemption is near. Then in verse 32 we read that this generation will see the fulfilment of Christ return. Amen!

Another Question. Will there be a RAPTURE prior to all of this bad STUFF happening? Just put ten theologians in a room and that topic won’t come to a unanimous conclusion. I was reading 1 Thessoleans 4:13 – 5:11 and compared it to Matthew 24:31. Comment. All scripture was and is written to the children of God; scripture was not written to the heathen. So, were Paul and Matthew talking about the same event but bringing it from different perspectives? If you read Revelation 14:12-13 it looks like many Christians will die for being faithful to Christ during this time, just like the disciples of Jesus day. They will endure the trials during tribulation. COMMENT. Could you or I endure being burned at-the-stake? How strong is our Faith?

As I continued reading in Revelation Chapter 12; Satan and his fallen angels will war with Michael, the archangel who serves the God of heaven: they will be thrown out of heaven to earth. Then in chapter 13 Satan, from earth, makes war with the followers of Christ and establishes 666 as a symbol for the ungodly to use. Basically only those who have this mark can buy or sell. Does this take place all over the world or just in Israel? COMMENT. Folks, don’t put your TRUST in anyone except Christ. Not the News so Don’t be tricked.

Another Question. What is happening on earth while Satan is causing tribulation? Scripture tells of some bad STUFF in Revelation, chapters 15-18; in fact 7 plagues take place and then Babylon FALLS. Who is Babylon? Is it some modern day country or maybe a symbol for evil? What do you think? Then Christ, the lamb, defeats the foe. Finally in Revelation chapter 19 the bride of Christ, the Christian church, gathers for the marriage supper with the bridegroom, Jesus. This does not happen until the ‘FATHER’ gives the o.k. [The church is people of faith, not the buildings we gather in.]

Back, ‘way back’ when Daniel was a prophet of the Lord he mentioned something in the 12th chapter. He was talking with Michael, the archangel, and in verse 4 it reads; “Daniel, conceal and seal up the book until the end times; at that time travel and knowledge will increase.” From Daniels time until George Washington, how much travel or technology actually changed? Four legged animals were the main method of travel and if you were next to water a boat could be had. Today we have spaceships and computers. A Question. So Lord Jesus, today, is travel and knowledge enough for your return or is there more yet to come?

Big Question. Was the Bible originally written to the Jew, the sons of Israel, or did it apply to ALL? We Christians have in our bibles an Old Covenant and a New Covenant. The Old reads from Genesis to Malachi; and the New from Matthew to Revelation. A Question. What does the verse Hebrews 8:13 mean to us Christians? We like to use Jeremiah 31:31-34 to tell our Jewish friends that Christ is the New Covenant for ALL; in fact Hebrews 8:8-12 repeats Jeremiah. Is the Old obsolete and only what is written in the New pertain today? What should we be using today as a Christian? Does salvation come thru the Old? Does the Old covenant center on Legalistic and Works; does the New center around Love and Faith? Many Questions. The entire Christian bible is God’s Word. There is biblical history, there is wisdom from the Proverbs, many of the Psalms provide comfort, and there is prophecy. So, every word spoken to mankind from God is important but only the New provides a way for our salvation. Do you understand it: have you received it? I’m not always right but anything legalistic is not what God is looking for; so, what is your motive?

Here is one that many have a challenge with. Can you or I follow the 2nd greatest commandment; “love your neighbor as yourself”? Can you love your neighbor as much as you love your wife, children, or your own mother? There are 3 Greek words for ‘love’. [Agape – Philia – Eros.] Agape is God’s type of love. Am I capable of loving as God loves? Would you die for your neighbor; is that the type of love required by God? What a Question?

God is in control; many of us would like to search out scripture and know exactly what and when many of these things written in scripture will happen. We get to know bits and pieces, which are the prophetic words given thru the WORD. What we don’t get to know are; WHEN are the times these things will take place. Our job is to keep enduring & trusting.

DG Rev.2

 

ATTACHED SCRIPTURE (NASB)

Luke 21.  

 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3 And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.” [2 Corinthians 9:6-7 is the Christian NT example]

5 And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said, 6 “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.” [Fulfilled in AD 70]

7 They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. 9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.” [Examples – David Koresh – Jim Jones – Moonies]

Things to Come

10 Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13 It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. 16 But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all because of My name. 18 Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives. [Some people will choose the antichrist and a few more days of life; but eternity in Hell awaits them.]

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; 24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. [Did this happen in 1948 or 1967 OR is it still future?]

The Return of Christ

25 “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [Don’t we want to hear the words “well done thy good and faithful servant.”]

37 Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet. 38 And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him. [The Son of God prayed to Father God; our example.]

 

Matthew 24:.

Signs of Christ’s Return

 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Perilous Times

15 “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. 18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

The Glorious Return

29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Parable of the Fig Tree

32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. [Will one be raptured OR will one be taken to prison?]

Be Ready for His Coming

42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

45 “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; 50 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, 51 and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [People, keep the Faith and Endure]

 

Mark 13:.

Things to Come

As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples *said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.” [AD 70 it happened.]

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 6 Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15 The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; 16 and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 But pray that it may not happen in the winter. 19 For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; 22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.

The Return of Christ

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

28 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32 But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34 It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35 Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”

 

1 Thessoleans 4:13 – 5:11

Those Who Died in Christ

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. [When is this going to happen? Theologians differ in the time frame of this event.]

Cont. 5:1-11. The Day of the Lord [There is only one ‘day of the Lord’, the day HE returns]

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, [Alive or dead] we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. [If you are a Christian and die, your spirit enters paradise otherwise the spirit of the unsaved goes to hades. The spirit of man never dies. There are two different eternal abodes.]

Revelation 14:12-13.  Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” [It is like when a Christian dies; they receive an eternal promotion.]

 

Revelation 12:. The Woman, Israel

A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and she was with child; and she *cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.

The Red Dragon, Satan

3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. 4 And his tail *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. [1/3 of the angels fell with Satan; Lucifer.]

The Male Child, Christ

5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she *had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days [1260]. [The Nation of Israel gave the earthly birth to Messiah]

The Angel, Michael

7 And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, 8 and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,

“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. 12 For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”

13 And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 14 But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she *was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. 17 So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 13:. And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore.

Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months [3 ½ years] was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword [or gun] he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. [Be courageous.]

The Beast from the Earth

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six [666].

Rev. 15 – 18.

A scene in Heaven [plagues from 7 angels], Bowls of wrath from 6 of the angels, Armageddon, 7th Bowl of wrath, Doom of Babylon, Victory for the Lamb, Lament for Babylon. [WRATH.]

Hebrews 8:1-13.

A Better Ministry

Verse – 1 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. [Christ is Savior, High Priest & Mediator.]

A New Covenant

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them, He says, “Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, When I will effect a new covenant With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; 9 Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers On the day when I took them by the hand To lead them out of the land of Egypt; For they did not continue in My covenant, And I did not care for them, says the Lord. 10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, And I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, And they shall be My people. 11 “And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, And everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ For all will know Me, From the least to the greatest of them. 12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And I will remember their sins no more.” 13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. [The New is Matthew thru Revelation; the Old is Genesis thru Malachi; the LAW is obsolete. Jesus is the way of the NT Christian. Salvation never came thru the Old Covenant but every Word in scripture has meaning. Be careful and read it in the context the Holy Spirit intends it to be read.]

[2 Cor. 3:11-16. For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory; just like the shining of Moses face faded; the LAW has faded. The NT thru Jesus is all that remains; it is permanent.]

Jeremiah 31:31-34.

31 “Behold, days are coming [Future.],” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law [Love, not legalism.] within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Question: Based on scripture; when Jesus does come back to earth will HE find many people or few who have put their Trust in HIM as their Lord and Savior? The words of Matthew 7:12-13 explain the difference for peoples eternity based on the choices we all make. Some make the choice to put Christ in their life and some don’t. The scripture reads, “Enter through the narrow gate for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to eternal destruction and there are many who enter through it… For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to eternal life and there are few who find it.” [So, the road or path we take in life determines which gate we will enter; one is the ‘pearly gate’ and the other wide one is the ‘fiery gate’. Choose wisely…..!]

COMMENT. Often I have heard a comment that IF God was loving, HE wouldn’t let bad things happen to us. You know, we aren’t living in heaven at the moment; this is earth and there are evil people all over. Earth is a testing ground, so-to-speak. Each of us are to draw close to God, in turn HE will grow close to us. This is spiritually speaking and the days that we are living in may get tougher as ‘the day of the Lord’ approaches.

Does anyone think that suffering on a cross was a picnic? It was a time that love prevailed over evil. It was an example of God’s love toward mankind; that is the context of scripture. Do you Love? The legalist haven’t figured that one out, yet.

WHEN is Jesus coming? It will be WHEN Father God determines that the last heathen who is going to become SAVED actually becomes SAVED; it will be when Father God determines the time is exactly right for HIS Son to take his bride for marriage; that’s WHEN Jesus leaves heaven for earth. So, are you prepared for the Bridegroom to come for the marriage festivities?