Tried in the Fire!

Gold Tried in the Fire

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.” —Revelation 3:18

THROUGHOUT THE PRESENT Gospel Age our Heavenly Father has extended an invitation to a special class of Christians who would share in blessing the sin-sick and dying human family under the future administration of Christ’s glorious kingdom. In this lesson’s scripture, our Lord speaks of this distinct class of his faithful followers in a very special way, even as ‘gold tried in the fire.’

Through the writings of the revelator, our Lord makes clear the fact that after these faithful followers of our Lord Jesus have been called from the world, they must also be cleansed, purified, and conformed to his own image. To assist them in this endeavor, he will provide them with some very important spiritual gifts they will need to be faithful. He promises that they will be given “white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”—Rev. 3:18

HIGHLY VALUED

Gold is the most valuable of all metals and is usually found in small quantities, thus making it very rare. It is the first metal that is mentioned in the Bible, and is associated with the name Pison, one of the four divisions of the river which went out from the garden of Eden. The river symbolizes the human family, out of which a special class would be selected. From the scriptural record, we read, “A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.”—Gen. 2:10-12

Gold is highly valued not only for its rarity, but also because it has long lasting durability and beauty. It was recognized as a measure of wealth and prominence in ancient times, even before Abraham’s name had been changed. “Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.” (Gen. 13:2)

Throughout the ages it has been highly sought after. “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.” (Prov. 18:11) The Scriptures foretell a time when this hoarded wealth will become useless, and the present world and its evil institutions will fall away. James wrote, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.”—James 5:1-3

Because of its color and luster, and resistance to oxidation and tarnishing, gold is especially useful for making jewelry and ornamentation of many kinds. “Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.” (Song of Solomon 1:10) Another property of gold is that it is more stable and unchanging than other metals, and this has made it useful as a standard medium of exchange and commerce among nations and people.

THE DIVINE NATURE

Because of its scarcity and great value, gold is used in the Scriptures to illustrate the spiritual inheritance of the bride of Christ on the highest of all planes of life—the divine nature. Our featured scripture is taken from the Lord’s message to the last of the seven churches of Revelation. The inspiring promise was, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Rev. 3:21) The faithful bride class, also known as the New Creation will share the divine nature as members of ‘the Christ’ and is shown seated on the messianic throne in the future heavenly kingdom. Jesus promised, “I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.”—Luke 22:29

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

In the Hebrew Old Testament types and shadows, Rebekah symbolizes the Lord’s bride. To illustrate this, she was given gifts of gold that pictured the wonderful promises of the Heavenly Father who was seeking a bride for his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus. She willingly left her father’s house to set out on an arduous journey that marked her commitment to meet her future husband, Isaac, who in turn represented our Lord Jesus. “It came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands [Rebekah’s] of ten shekels weight of gold.”—Gen. 24:22

In the Book of Psalms, there is an illustration of the future marriage ceremony where the bride of Christ is dressed in gold. Gold serves to enhance her spiritual reward to the divine plane of life. Concerning this most wonderful inheritance, the psalmist wrote, “Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.” (Ps. 45:9) The queen stood distinct from her companions, the other honorable women, because of her loyalty to the Lord who she was about to marry, and because her character had been endowed with the principles of truth and righteousness. From the scriptural record, we read, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”—vss. 6,7
The reference to Ophir identifies a place renowned as a source of much gold of the very highest quality. Thus, “The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.”—vss. 13,14

THE HEAVENLY CITY

When speaking of the future bride of Christ, our Lord Jesus proclaimed, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matt. 5:14) In his last message to the faithful members of the Christ we are given a glimpse of the heavenly city. The revelator recorded, “I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Rev. 21:2) In symbolic language, Jesus described the adorned Christ in glory. “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, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.”—vss. 10,11
Even as gold was associated with the heavenly bride of Christ, so also was the heavenly city seen as a divine institution. “The building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.” (vs. 18) Each one of the city’s twelve foundations were garnished with beautiful stones (vs. 19,20), and the twelve gates with twelve pearls. “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.” (vs. 21) Thus does the city of God represent the glorified Christ that has been in preparation to share in the rule over the nations. The heavenly city will be the center of blessing for all the families of the earth under the administration of Christ’s glorious future kingdom.

GOSPEL AGE CALLING

We are now living during the closing years of this present Gospel Age, and the appointed time of our Lord’s promised return. It was to be a special time of trial and testing for those who responded to the heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. From the prophetic words of Malachi, we read, “Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”—Mal. 3:2,3

We see that the world’s old social order which has been established on selfishness and pride is passing away in preparation for Christ’s future kingdom. “These be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:22) As evidence for this upheaval among the nations, Luke recorded Jesus’ words, “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”—vss. 25-27

All around us today we see the prophesied ‘distress of nations, with perplexity,’ and with no apparent solution or way of escape. Selfishness, hatred, pride, and the spirit of aggression have led to the creation of cruel and powerful tyrannies. Sin, corruption, and injustice have surely brought their awful consequences. Man now has the weapons to even destroy himself. However, we are assured by the wonderful promises of God that the human family will not be permitted to do so. The Scriptures teach that human selfishness would ultimately lead to self destruction if not restrained by divine power and intervention. Jesus spoke of this awful time and the great distress toward which the world is now moving. He said, “Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”—Matt. 24:22

THE GROANING CREATION

The poor groaning human creation will be rescued from its own selfish and proud madness. All national and international problems will be solved under the administration of Christ’s future kingdom. We are promised that all unrighteousness will then be removed from the earth, “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. 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.”—Rev. 21:4,5

The closing years of this present Gospel Age is the culmination of two thousand years during which time the faithful followers of our Lord have accepted the invitation of the heavenly calling. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”—Rev. 19:7-9

A TEST OF FAITH

The ending of this age is a time of special testing for the Lord’s people, and the faith of each member of the Christ is being refined, purified, and proven. John recorded our Lord’s words, when he proclaimed, “The great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (chap. 6:17) We are now witnesses of the rapidly approaching collapse of all present social institutions in the earth.
Jesus said, “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”—Luke 21:31-36

FAITH AND WORKS

It has always been true that those who have accepted the heavenly calling to joint heirship with Christ will be thoroughly tested. Each must stand fast in the faith of God’s Holy Word. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (I Cor. 16:13) If the proper degree of faith is developed in us, it will surely manifest itself by bearing fruit. Those who may have only a measure of faith have not progressed in the Truth by making it a living faith. Thus does the Apostle James ask, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14) “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”—vss. 17,18

Our faith, and our whole being as individuals, is especially on trial now, and we are thus exhorted by our Lord, “Be thou faithful unto death.” (Rev. 2:10) Faithfulness of each member of the Christ unto death means an inheritance with him in glory, and the wonderful promise to share with him in blessing all families of the earth. This is the grandest gift we could ever expect to receive and is worth striving to attain and to prepare ourselves for. Our Lord asks for our faithfulness. He desires to purge out of us everything in the nature of dross, including self-will and all the works of the flesh.

Although works are essential, works without faith will not enable us to stand fast in the Truth. “Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20) He whose life is not in harmony with his faith dishonors that faith, and that kind of faith is dead. James then wrote, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”—vss. 21-26

If Abraham and other faith heroes had merely discussed their faith with one another they would never have been faith heroes, or have obtained a good report through faith. The Scriptures reveal that they walked in faith, and their works were in harmony with their faith. Thus was their faith made complete by their works. Our faith must also be alive, active, and working in us by love.

THE MARK OF LOVE

Development of the attribute of love must also be stressed, although it does not take the place of other important factors in the life of those who have accepted the Heavenly Calling. For example, love cannot take the place of doctrine, but it does guide us in the proper use of doctrine. Love cannot take the place of faith or activity in the Lord’s name, but it is the only motive for faith and for service that is acceptable to God.

While we stand fast in one spirit, with one mind and cooperate with others of like precious faith, we are to love each other from the heart. We are to encourage one another to love and to good works, and to avoid every word and every act that might incite to misunderstanding or strife. These traits are of the flesh and of the Devil. Faith and love must go hand in hand. If we stand fast in the faith and are made alive by love, we are kept by the power of God.

The love of many may wax cold, but our love toward others, as we stand fast in the faith, must remain fervent even though it may be spurned by others. If we are abused or reviled we must see that we revile not in return. When we are persecuted let us never join the ranks of the persecutors. We need a strong faith, and an increasing measure of the loving spirit of holiness. This should be our sincere desire and earnest prayer. God’s precious Word is the firm foundation for our faith, and ours must be a faith which works by love.

ENDURING FAITH

We must bear up under the trials and stand fast while our beloved Lord continues to refine, purify, and cleanse us, that we may offer unto him our acceptable sacrifice. It will mean taking up our cross daily and following him. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:13,14) The beloved refiner is graciously working upon us, and we are to submit willingly to his refining. We all need refining and cleansing because of the dross that is inherent in our earthen, fleshly vessel in which our spiritual treasure resides, even as gold tried in the fire.

The psalmist has expressed, “Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.”—Ps. 130:2-5
Throughout our pilgrim journey, we could not possibly have any standing before our Heavenly Father without the covering robe of Christ’s righteousness. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”—Isa. 61:10
In his letter to the brethren at Rome, the Apostle Paul wrote, “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.” (Rom. 2:7) To the church at Galatia, he said, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. 6:9) Our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us, and he lovingly desires that we be conformed to his likeness and that we reflect his image. It is for us to bear up courageously under his refining and cleansing.
We must not become ‘weary in well doing,’ and we must remember that our test is not one simply of well doing, but ‘patient continuance in well doing.’ Then keeping on the “whole armour of God” that we may be able to stand in this “evil day.”—Eph. 6:13

MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

The Apostle Peter wrote, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” (I Pet. 4:12) The apostle also draws our attention to the elect class, symbolized by gold, that is being especially tried at the end of this present Gospel Age. Concerning the Christ, he further explained their special calling, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”—I Pet. 1:2

The apostle continues, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.”—vss. 3-6

Peter speaks of the Christ as gold tried in the fire, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”—vs. 7
We are to remember, “He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”—Job 23:10

By Dawn Bible

See also:

Who will left behind?

Rapture Alert! Make Sure You don't Left Behind

What Will You Do If You Are Left Behind?

After the Rapture

The Tribulation

One Step CLoser to One World Religion

One Step CLoser to One World Religion ‎26 ‎June, ‎2011 (Scott)

It is just amazing how close we are to the Tribulation. Just take a look at this:

Another Step Closer To A One World Religion: 50 U.S. Churches To Read From The Quran On Sunday

The three main pillars of the "New World Order" that the global elite want to bring about are a one world economy, a one world government and a one world religion.

A lot of attention gets paid to the development of the first two pillars, but the third pillar gets very little attention. But the truth is that a one world religion is getting closer than ever.

"Interfaith" conferences and meetings are being held with increasing frequency all over the globe. Major global religious leaders are urging all of us to focus on our "shared" religious traditions. The belief that all religions are equally valid paths to the same destination is being taught in houses of worship and at religious institutions all over the globe.

Now some U.S. churches are trying to take things to another level. On June 26th, the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and approximately 50 other churches in 26 U.S. states will publicly read from the Quran during their Sunday worship services.

Interestingly, it is typically the same churches who refuse to support Israel - ignoring the mandate as directed by the Holy Bible.

This is all part of an interfaith project being promoted by the Interfaith Alliance and Human Rights First. The theme of this Sunday is "Faith Shared: Uniting in Prayer and Understanding", and the goal is apparently to show how much Christian churches in the United States respect Islam.

The following are some of the other prominent U.S. churches that will be doing Quran readings this Sunday....

*Christ Church in New York City
*All Saints Church in Pasadena, California
*Park Hill Congregational in Denver
*Hillview United Methodist in Boise, Idaho
*First United Lutheran in San Francisco
*St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Honolulu

In all, churches in 26 U.S. states will be participating.

I have a feeling these same churches would refuse to take a literal view of the Bible, including prophecy.

But these Quran readings are just supposed to be the beginning of something bigger. The following is from a description of the Quran reading project on the website of Human Rights First....

At its core, this project will bring together Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy to read from and hear from each other’s sacred texts. In doing so, they will serve as a model for respect and cooperation and create a concrete opportunity to build and strengthen working ties between and among faith communities moving forward.

There are at least some strong rebuttals to this effort, thankfully:

Obviously, many Christian leaders are not pleased with this development. Worldview Weekend President Brannon Howse recently made the following comment regarding the reading of the Quran in U.S. churches....

"They have denied the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. They have denied the inerrancy of Scripture; they've denied the inspiration of Scripture."

But too few and far between. We already saw what happened to Jack Van Impe for his strong rebuke.

Many top U.S. Christian leaders have been very involved in the "interfaith movement" as well.

For example, Brian McLaren, one of the top leaders of the emerging church movement, actually celebrated Ramadan back in 2009.

Rick Warren, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, has been a guest speaker at the national conference of the Islamic Society of North America.

Lets not forget what the Bible has to say:

In John 14:6, Jesus made the following statement.....

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

You would think that would be so clear that no Christian leader would ever be able to misunderstand it.

Let us also not forget that Jesus warned us of this day in His prophetic messages:

"At that time, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." (Matthew 24:10-11)

"Jesus said to them: Watch out that no one deceives you."
(Mark 13:5)

And we also know from the book of Revelation, chapters 2-3, as we proceed through the history of the Church Age, that in these last days the predominate church on earth would be the Church of Laodicea.

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." (Revelation 3:15-17)

A one world religion is coming to the earth, and the ground work is being prepared. Like all of the other signs that we follow daily, we are watching this one shaping up exactly as we would expect based upon a literal view of prophecy.

We shouldn't be surprised.

See also:

Who will left behind?

Rapture Alert! Make Sure You don't Left Behind

What Will You Do If You Are Left Behind?

After the Rapture

The Tribulation

How the Peace of Jerusalem Will Be Established

How the Peace of Jerusalem Will Be Established

‎Today, ‎20 ‎June, ‎2011, ‏‎10 hours ago | (The Ignorant Fishermen)  

As of late, we have seen the world led by the United States seeking to strip Israel from it present day borders and bullying them into a forced agreement with those who absolutely abhor them and seek their utter destruction. Sadly, America (who is governed at the moment by the progress Left) has always been Israel’s strongest ally but at present has have forsaken Israel and have thrown them under the Middle East Islamic bus. With an anti-Israeli Europe and now a current anti-Israeli U.S. administration, Israel’s back is totally up against the wall and they know it.

"Sadly, America (who is governed at the moment by the progress Left) - has always been Israel’s strongest ally but at present has seem to have forsaken Israel and have thrown them under the Middle East Islamic bus"

When the present world in which we are living in has become hostel and aggressive towards Israel, do not expect to see them idly stand by and let the world decide their fate and eradicate them from off of the face of the earth. Israel is a military might in that region with nukes and is armed to the teeth. As the world continues its anti-Semitic agenda they will one day choose to look the other way and allow Israel’s enemies in that region to grossly cross the line with Israel. It will be then that Israel - in the reaction of self defense and national survival - will finally strike back with great fury and military might. Israel will totally institute the Limbaugh Doctrine and secure their borders. They will obliterate and wipe out their border enemies unto the point that they will achieve finally complete safety and security (Ezek 38:8, Ezek 38:11-12). Israel will bring about their “own” peace and the world at that time will be forced to recognize it. It will be after this time that a man from Europe will broker a deal and lend his might to a covenant (peace treaty) on behalf of Israel’s greatly defeated enemies. This European leader will enter into a seven year covenant with Israel not from a position of dominance but rather from a secondary position of weakness (Dan. 9:27, Rev. 6:2).

It will be just before these events transpire that the Rapture of the Church will takes place in which Almighty God the Son will call out His body (saints and ambassadors). This event (i.e., The Rapture) will be a wondrous sign unto the apostate western “post - Christian” world and have more of an impact on their culture and society than other regions the whole world. For it will be just after this event takes place that all had better be prepared, for Almighty God's "Day of Wrath" is now at hand (2 Thess. 2:3-12)!

"All these are the beginning of sorrows (birth pangs) Matt. 24:8".

As we are leading up to that time we are ever seeing Israel’s border enemies being ever more embolden to stir up strife and lash out against Israel. Just in this last month alone we have seen Israel’s border enemies seeking to bait and provoke Israel to engage them and rally world opinion and its leaders against them. Israel’s border enemies - especially the Palestinian people - sadly are nothing but the pawns and victims of the anti Semetic Arab nations, Iran and Russia. These weaker Islamic nations are more than willing to heed to these voices and are rapidly chomping at the bit to destroy Israel and occupy Israel’s land.

Connecting the Dots

Now to put this all together with a last days biblical perspective. The official commencement of the horrific seven year period (i.e., The Day of the Lord) will begin with the breaking of the 1st seal (i.e., the "Confirming of the Covenant" - Dan. 9:27) by Almighty God’s Lamb (i.e., The Lord Jesus Christ) in Heaven (Rev. 6:1). It is at this precise moment that the man of lawlessness (i.e., the anti-Christ) will be revealed unto the entire world (2 Thess. 2: 3-12; Rev. 6:2). This revealing of the Anti-Christ and the commencement of this seven year tribulation period will begin (as was stated prior) when this man (i.e., the Anti-Christ) adding his position of great power and authority to a covenant with Israel on the behalf of Israel’s DEFEATED enemies (Ezek. 38:8,11-12, Dan. 9: 27). Israel will sign this covenant from a position of absolute strength, not weakness. This prophetic position is contrary to that to which many great biblical scholars have held through the years (Ezek 38: 8). When this position (position of strength) is received, all the prophetic pieces come together as we shall see.

"Israel will sign this covenant from a position of absolute strength, not weakness contrary to that which many biblical scholars have believed"

With the complete defeat of Israel's border enemies Israel will then have the rest and peace that they have so long have sought and dwell in their land in complete safety. One event Israel did not anticipate will be the Rapture of the Church of believers (Israel's strongest ally) and the arrival of Almighty God’s Two wondrous Messengers (Ezek. 38:8,11-12, Rev. 11:3-7). Sadly with this newly acquisition and position of power Israel's heart will NOT be right with Almighty God (Rev. 11:8). Tragically, for in Israel’s new found security and rest they will only seek to corrupt themselves and find themselves hard against the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Almighty God and His Two Messengers. It will be also during this time that Israel (like it or not) will have the super natural protection of Almighty God’s Two Witnesses who - just coming off of 3000 years in the presence of Almighty God in glory - will possess Almighty God's Divine authority. These Two Men will be extremely more powerful than Satan’s anti - Christ and his global confederacies (Rev. 11:3-6). These Two will be ABSOLUTELY INVINCIBLE during their 1260 days of ministry!

"This revealing of the Anti-Christ and the commencement of this seven year tribulation period will begin when this man (i.e., the Anti-Christ) adds his position of great power and authority to a covenant with Israel on the behalf of Israel’s defeated enemies"

During this time of ease for the nation Israel these Two Lamp Stands of Almighty God (Moses and Elijah) will preach salvation in Jesus Messiah, re- institute the temple, its sacrifices and its priesthood. They will preach repentance and testify to ALL in the earth that the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. These Two will then prepare the remnant of believing Jews and a chosen 144,000 Jewish men - from the 12 tribes of Israel - (Matt. 24:14, Rev. 7:4-8, 11:13) for their global ministry unto ALL nations of the earth and preach the Messiah’s glorious gospel and imminent return and Kingdom. It will be at this time -the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period - that the WORLD will seek every and any opportunity to root out and destroy these two Divinely appointed vessels of Almighty God... all to no avail (Mal. 4:4-6, Rev.14:1-4,11:3-8).

It will be at this time - at the beginning of this seven year period, while Israel dwells in their land in absolute safety - that the WHOLE GENTILE WORLD will be catastrophically trodden down by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the Trumpet Judgments of Almighty God and the demonic host of destroyers (Rev. 6-9). These events along with their consequences - including the unopposed preaching of RIGHTEOUSNESS of the Two Witnesses of Almighty God (Mal. 4:4-6, John 3:19-21, Rev. 11:2-4,10) will only stir up the world’s exponential rage and hatred for Israel (Rev. 11:10).

"The Two Witnesses of Almighty God will only stir up the world’s exponential rage and hatred for Israel"

As these 3 ½ years go by, Israel and their hosts of unbelieving Jews will now begin to feel the chastening hand of Almighty God via Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38-39), the global ravishing of Satan’s hatred and the world’s wrath (Rev. 11:8) and the Abomination of Desolation (Matt. 24:15-17, 2 Thess. 2:8-13, Rev 13). As the Second Woe comes to a near completion, so also does the mighty Two Witnesses of Almighty God’s ministry and their protective hand over Israel. As their 1260 days are now fully accomplished, the Anti Christ will NOW own the next remaining 3 ½ years or 1260 days or 42 months of this tribulation period (Rev. 11:3; 13:1-5). As he breaks his covenant with Israel (Dan 9:27), he will violently murder Almighty God’s Two Witnesses. It will be this momentous event (the murder of Almighty God’s Two Witnesses) that a long awaited god hating, anti-Semitic ravished world will then with all their wretched being rejoice exceedingly at the Anti Christ’s victory and confess unto all, “Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him” (Rev. 11:8-10,13)? This one event will solidify the world's allegiance to the beast, to Lucifer and institute the 666 global state.

As the godless and lawless world celebrates with exceeding godless joy, this rejoicing will be short lived. For at the end of 3 ½ days Almighty God’s Two Witnesses will then be resuscitation and ascension into Heaven in front of the world's masses and their newly reigning “ savior” (i.e., Anti Christ) (Matt. 24:15, Rev. 13:1-5). It will be at this moment that all of the air in their lawless bag will be let out. The world’s short lived exceeding joy and rejoicing will be instantly turned into exceeding terror and fear. As REALITY now totally permeates ALL of the world's godless inhabitants, their fear and dread will now turn to uncontrollable rage and they will now seek to go after Israel with ALL of their being. Any who call on the name of the Messiah of Israel will now be in their sights (Rev. 12:6, 12-17, 13, 17:11-14). This "time" (i.e., 42 months ) under the anti Christ has now FULLY begun which is called, “Great Tribulation" or "Jacob’s Trouble”.

"The world’s short lived exceeding joy and rejoicing will be instantly turned into exceeding terror and fear"

It will be now - with the rise of the Anti Christ as chief global autocratic and the establishment and institution of the Abomination of Desolation (Dan. 12, Zech. 11. Matt. 24:15, Rev. 11:1-2, 12:9-17, 13) that Israel’s’ security and safety will now be a thing of the past. No more will they dwell in safety and have the luxury to do as "they" please. For they will now be persecuted to a level unparalleled in the annals of history and suffer greatly under the hand of Lucifer and the godless nations of the world under the anti Christ (Isa. 24:5-6, Zech. 13:8-9, 14:2, Matt. 24:15-51, Rev. 12:9-17).

"The Messiah of Israel will come from Heaven glory and destroy the armies of the anti Christ which have gathered against Israel and then establish His glorious Kingdom reign for a thousand years in Jerusalem"

It will be at the end of all of these events (seven years to the exact day from the stregnthing of the covant) that Almighty God’s Son, the Messiah of Israel will come from Heaven glory and destroy the armies of the anti Christ which have gathered against Israel and then establish His glorious Kingdom reign for a thousand years in Jerusalem (Isa. 11:1-10, Micah 4:1-3, Zech 12:8-14, 13:1, 14:1-4, Rev. 1:7, 20:6). In these brief seven years, Israel will have come full circle. Finally, it will be during this time of great testing and horrific persecution by the gentile nations under the Anti Christ (Isa. 24:5-6, Zech. 13:8-9,12:9-7,13) that Israel will turn from their godless ways and receive their Messiah and Savior, the Lord Yeshua Messiah (Deut. 4:30, Isa.25:9, 45:17, Jer. 33:16, Zech. 12:8-14,13:1,9, Rom. 11:26). It will take the Divine judgment and the natural and super natural ravishing of planet earth and her godless inhabitants (Isa. 24:5-6, Matt. 24, Rev. 13) - which concludes with the final blood bath of the Battle of Armageddon (Zech. 12:2-4, 14:1-4, Rev. 16:13-16, Rev. 19:11-21) - to bring Israel to the place of repentance and deliverance (Isa. 25:9, Zech. 12:8-14, 13:1,9).

 It will be the ravishing of Israel under the anti Christ,climaxing with the global bloodbath of Armageddon at Messiah's glorious return in which Jesus Messiah will obliterate the global armies of the Anti Christ which will finally bring about a TRUE and EVERLASTING PEACE to Jerusalem (the City of Peace), to the nation of Israel and to the world (Zech. 12:4,14:2-4, Rev. 19:11-21)!

"It will be the ravishing of Israel under the anti Christ, climaxing with the global bloodbath of Armageddon at Messiah's glorious return that will finally bring about a TRUE and EVERLASTING PEACE to Jerusalem (the City of Peace) and to the nation of Israel!"

 What Israel and the nations have attempted for centuries and could NEVER achieve will finally be accomplished at Almighty God the Son’s second coming to earth (Psalm 2, Psalm 24:7-10, 110, Isa. 2:3, 9:6-7, 33:22, 51:5,61:1-11, Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45, 7:13-14, Micah 4:1-3, Zech. 14:16-21, Rev. 19:11-21)...

The TRUE Peace Comes to Jerusalem!

It will be ONLY by the Prince of Peace that TRUE and EVERLASTING PEACE will come to the City of Jerusalem (Isa. 9:6-7, 33:5, 53:5, 62;1, Jer. 33:16, Zech 8:3, Matt. 5:35, Rom. 10:2-4, Eph. 2:12-19, Col. 1:20, Heb. 1:3, 10:7-14). How many in vain through out the ages have sought and prayed in sincerity for the peace of Jerusalem WITHOUT knowledge nor understanding (Isa. 29:13, 58:1-8, Matt. 7:21-23, 15:3, 7-9, Mark 12:24)? Throughout the last 2600 years, how many sons of Abraham have totally missed the reality and truth of the Holy Scriptures of just how this Divine peace MUST be established (Deut. 9:6, 28-30,31:27, Lev. 26, Psalm 78, Isa. 53:5, Ezek. 12:2, Dan 9:26, Matt. 15:3-7-9, Luke 13:34-35, Acts 7, Rom. 9-11, Rev. 1:7)?

"Through out the last 2600 years, how many sons of Abraham have totally missed the reality and truth of the Holy Scriptures of just how this Divine peace MUST be established"

My dear friend, please try to comprehend that ALL current global events are indeed heading to this destination and EXPONENTIALLY beyond (Rev. 19:11-21)! Remember the words of the Lord Jesus in which He specifically told His disciples to pray, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:9-10).” Oh my beloved! How many people pray this prayer day after day and are absolutely oblivious to what it is testifying to and stating! “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

It will indeed take the horrific seven year tribulation period to wake up the Jew and the gentile nations to this reality (Isa. 24:5-6, Rev. 6:14-17, 17:2).There is absolutely NO hope for Israel and the nations of the world apart for their Creator and Savior, Jesus Messiah (John 3:16-17, Eph. 2:12-16, Heb 1:2-3). It will NOT be until the Jew is reconciled with Jehovah God and receive their Messiah as their sacrificial lamb, propitiation and Savior that the nations WILL BE BLESSED (Isa. 2:1-4, 19:23-25, Micah 4:1-4, Zech. 8:23, Rom. 11:12) and TRUE DIVINE PEACE will go forth out of Jerusalem unto the entire world (Isa. 2:3-4,33:16, 62:1, Jer. 33:5)!

 "It will NOT be until the Jew is reconciled with Jehovah God and receive their Messiah as as their sacrificial lamb, propitiation and Savior that the nations WILL BE BLESSED and TRUE DIVINE PEACE will go forth out of Jerusalem unto the entire world"

My friend, do you have a saving relationship to Jesus Messiah the Savior of the world (Psalm 110:1, Isa. 43:11,52:13-15, 53)? All depends on this very union. His death, burial and resurrection to the Right Hand of Almighty God is the centre piece of all ETERNITY (Gen. 22:8, Psalm 110:1, Isa. 53, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Rev. 1:18,13:8, 22:1-5). He will indeed come back to establish His Kingdom on His earth and the gates of Hell shall not nor NEVER prevent this from happening (Dan. 2:44-45, 7:13-14, Rev. 1:7, 16:13-16, 19:11-21).

As the days grow nearer to the Day of the Lord be sure that you know the Savior and Messiah of Israel as dictated by the Holy Scriptures!

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

DJP I.F.

See also:

Who will left behind?

Rapture Alert! Make Sure You don't Left Behind

What Will You Do If You Are Left Behind?
After the Rapture

The Tribulation

A Wake Up Call for Israel and the Church Part III

A TRUMPET CALL FOR ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH: Understanding the Book of Joel — Part Three
‎Yesterday, ‎14 ‎June, ‎2011, ‏‎2:49:17 AM | joelcrosenberg  
Both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament teach that in the “last days,” severe military threats will mount against the State of Israel, yet the Jewish state will become more and more isolated internationally. Ultimately, the Bible indicates that no country will come to the defense of the Jewish people when the major prophetic battles unfold and Israel’s enemies attack. Rather, Israel will find herself all alone in the world. This makes recent headlines all the more troubling, for international pressure against — and isolation of — the modern State of Israel seems to be intensifying this year. Consider the latest key stories from the epicenter from just the past few days and weeks:

• The New York Times reports that an anti-Israel leader and his party have just won a big election in Turkey. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) have become serious problems for Israel and the U.S. in recent years. They are increasingly moving away from the West and towards the Radicals in Iran, Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, as well as building closer ties to Moscow. A new Heritage Foundation analysis worth reading rightly notes: “With the second-largest military in NATO, Turkey has been a significant actor in many NATO operations and continues to stand alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan. However, Ankara’s burgeoning closeness to Tehran and the AKP’s hostility toward Israel undermine Turkey’s reliability as a regional partner for the U.S. and Europe….Turkey’s traditionally strong relationship with Israel has declined dramatically in recent years. The Turkish government-supported IHH Islamist organization is preparing to launch a second flotilla to Gaza despite the fact that the embargo is over, and this will only further inflame relations between the two countries. The AKP government has also continued to support Hamas, which Washington and Brussels classify as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).”
• Ynet News reports that Italy is turning against the Jews, citing a “murky wave of anti-Israel zeal, demonization of Jews growing at alarming rate in Italy“
• The Washington Post reports that the U.S. is bullying Israel to make deal with Palestinians
• The Washington Times reports that the U.S. is pressuring Israel to agree to accept the pre-1967 borders as a basis for peace talks
• An Associated Press headline reads: “Obama says Israel will face ‘growing isolation’ if there is no peace process”

In light of such disturbing trends, I am posting some of my notes covering chapter two of the “Book of Joel.” In his second chapter, the Hebrew prophet gives us so much vital information about the future of Israel and how to live in the last days that I won’t be able to cover it all in one posting. But I hope you will find these notes helpful as you study the writings of this important minor prophet and teach them to others.

Chapter Two: “A Trumpet Call for Israel and the Church”

1. As the “Day of the Lord” approaches in the last days, those who know the Lord, follow the Lord, listen to the Lord, study the Word of the Lord, and teach the Word of the Lord are supposed to do a series of things:
2. Understand that danger is coming and thus ”blow a trumpet in Zion” and ”sound an alarm” on God’s holy mountain — that is, call people to action ( Joel 2:1)
3. We are to alert “all” the inhabitants of the land of Israel that the “Day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near” ( Joel 2:1)
4. We are to let Israel know that the “Day of the Lord” will be a day of judgment, “a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness”
5. We are to let Israel know that that the Day of the Lord will be historic….”there has never been anything like it” – even the previous apocalyptic plagues of locusts described in Joel chapter one – “nor will there ever be again after it” ( Joel 2:2)
6. We are to explain that the Day of the Lord will come with devastating fire that consumes everything in its path ( Joel 2:3)
7. We are to explain that the run up to the Day of the Lord will be traumatic — the land of Israel will suffer an invasion unlike anything in its history….the text indicates that the land of Israel will be completely overrun and will suffer serious devastation, far beyond the locust invasion that described in chapter one.
8. What’s interesting is that in the first 24 verses of chapter two, the word “locust” is never mentioned. Rather, we have images that are similar to a classic locust invasion, but far more devastating.
9. The appearance of the invaders is “like” the appearance of horses ( Joel 2:4)
10. And “like” war horses ( Joel 2:4)
11. They run “like” mighty men ( Joel 2:5)
12. They climb the wall “like” soldiers ( Joel 2:7)
13. So the invaders aren’t exactly locusts – they’re “like” locusts
14. The invaders aren’t human soldiers – they’re “like” human soldiers
15. Over the years, some Bible expositors have suggested that what we are seeing play out in the Book of Joel is the “War of Gog and Magog,” as prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39. There are several reasons for teachers to suggest this:
16. The Hebrew Prophet Joel describes events that will happen in the last days, as does Ezekiel
17. Joel seems to describe a land of Israel that is fertile and fruitful, like a Garden of Eden (Joel 2:3), and Ezekiel describes a land that has essentially recovered from devastating wars and is secure and prosperous (Ezekiel 38:8, 12)
18. Joel describes a threat to Israel that is unprecedented in her history, as does Ezekiel
19. Joel describes the Lord saying, “I will remove the northern army far from you” (Joel 2:20), and Ezekiel 38-39 describes the main threat to Israel coming from the north but destroyed by the Lord
20. Joel describes the Lord pouring out His Spirit after defeat of the enemy (Joel 2:28-29), as does Ezekiel (Ezekiel 39:29)
21. I certainly believe that the”War of Gog and Magog” described in Ezekiel 38-39 is real, serious, and coming sooner that many people think. That said, despite some similarities, I do not see the primary prophetic events described in the Book of Joel as being focused on Ezekiel’s ”War of Gog and Magog.” I say this for several reasons:
22. The Hebrew Prophet Joel describes Israel as being fully invaded and completely overrun by enemy forces, like a locust invasion; this is not, however, what is described in Ezekiel 38-39 where the enemy comes against the mountains of Israel but is then supernaturally destroyed, unable to completely invade and overrun the land.
23. Joel describes the land of Israel being devastated by fire (from the enemies), whereas Ezekiel describes the enemies of Israel being devastated by fire (from heaven)
24. Joel describes the judgment of “all the nations” (Joel 3:2) occurring after the enemy is defeated, whereas Ezekiel describes a limited coalition of nations being judged during their defeat.
25. Joel singles out Egypt for such severe judgment that the text says “Egypt will become a waste” (Joel 3:19), whereas mention of Egypt is noticeably absent from Ezekiel 38-39.
26. Joel also singles out Edom for such severe judgment that the text says “Edom will become a desolate wilderness because of the violence done to the sons of Judah in whose land they have shed innocent blood” (Joel 3:19), whereas mention of Edom is noticeably absent from Ezekiel 38-39.
27. To understand the End Times events that the Hebrew Prophet Joel is foretelling, we need to study the prophecies of Revelation 9:1-12 and the events that occur after the 5^th of 7 trumpets are blown during the Great Tribulation. Consider the following points:
28. In the Book of Revelation,we read that out of Hell (“a bottomless pit filled with the smoke of a great furnace”) “came locusts upon the earth” (Revelation 9:2)
29. But the Bible indicates that these are not ordinary locusts — they have power like scorpions to injure with their tails (Revelation 9:2, 5,6,10)
30. These creatures are “told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree” (Revelation 9:4)
31. These creatures are designed to attack mankind “who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads,” that is, those who are not born again followers of the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 9:4)
32. These creatures cannot kill but rather torment men for five months (Revelation 9:5)
33. Their appearance is “like” horses (Revelation 9:7)
34. They have faces “like” men (Revelation 9:7)
35. They have hair “like” the hair of women (Revelation 9:8)
36. They have teeth “like” the teeth of lions (Revelation 9:8)
37. They have armor “like” soldiers who have breastplates of iron (Revelation 9:9)
38. They sound “like” many horses rushing to battle (Revelation 9:9)
39. They have a king over them, “the angel of the abyss” whose name in Hebrew is “Abaddon,” and in Greek is “Apollyon”
40. These are not really locusts, or human soldiers, though they are like both – these are demonic creatures ruled by a Satanic king
41. They will come “upon the earth” with “power” (Revelation 9:3)
42. The Book of Revelation does not say these creatures will exclusively attack those in Israel – their attack will be global
43. But the Book of Joel does indicate that such creatures will specifically invade Israel and bring great trauma and devastation — as Joel 2:11 says: “the Day of the Lord is indeed great and very terrible; who can endure it?”