The ‘Time of the End’ is at the door!
IntroductionMatthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
As Christ's disciples sought to know what would take place at the end of the world we too can examine Christ's words to help us understand the key events to take place at the appointed time of the end. Exam- ining not only Matthew's record of this discussion but including Mark and Luke's overview as well will help us identify key events that we may expect to take place in the time of the end.
The prophetic descriptions Christ unfolded to his disciples were the signs they would need to heed in or- der to escape the destruction of literal Jerusalem but the message has an even stronger application to the time of the end, at the end of the world when Christ comes to redeem his saints - to raise the dead and
rescue the living. Matthew 24 is a warning for those living at this very time in the history of the world -
the time when the invitation to accept the gospel of the kingdom of heaven will draw to a close.
Take heed that no man deceive youThe first critical point Christ makes is:
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
In the 'war’ between Christ and Satan (Revelation 12:7,8) we have to be reminded that our enemy - Sa- tan/Lucifer deceived even the heavenly angels - one third of them. Praise God that the two thirds of the heavenly host that remain are our protectors. Deception is an art form Satan has perfected. We are re- minded how significant this point is when we read what Paul describes:
2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should be- lieve a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Satan does not want you to inherit a place in the heavenly kingdom that he has lost. He works with:
*all power and signs and lying wonders and
*deceivableness of unrighteousness - so much so that you have pleasure in unrighteousness or you enjoy participating in and being involved in morally repulsive activities - basically you prefer to sin.
Ultimately this state of being in the crucible of deception will lead to you believing the strongest delusion of them all - when Satan appears on earth as Christ. That is going to be the ultimate deception. The allure- ments of deception will lead to your damnation.
This is what Christ is prophesying about to his disciples when he says at the beginning of his prophetic out- line in:
Matthew 24: 4 Take heed that no man deceive you.
The result of being deceived is described by Christ:
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Directly after the warning that Christ gives to be alert to deception he describes a key deception - false Christs and he also predicts that many will be deceived.
False ChristsMatthew 24: 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall de- ceive many.
There are going to be many 'false Christs' and have been many!
The word Christ means 'anointed one'. Many people have claimed to be anointed of God and have led peo- ple away from the true Christ - the son of God. In the 'last days' there will be two significant false 'Christs' that will captivate the world. Your ability to identify them as 'false' could be life saving.
Satan will personate Christ on earth. His arrival as the 'king of fierce countenance'1 (Daniel 8) at the time of the end will be powerful, overwhelming and convincing. Satan the 'king' of deception who once dwelled in the heavenly realms and knew the son of God personally will attempt to deceive the world by appearing as Jesus Christ himself. Jews and Christians alike, en masse, will be deceived. His appearance, his actions, the healing he imparts to others takes their breath away. Christ has come! They kneel at his feet and worship
praise and adore him. But those who are not deceived compare his actions with the Word of God. This Christ is supportive of Sunday as the day all should worship on. Glowingly he is welcomed by Catholic and Protestant denominations alike and he approves of the Sunday day of rest they worship on and have estab- lished as a day recognised by the whole world. He states that he changed the day and that he is so glad that they have established his day before his arrival on earth.
This is a blatant warning to those that have the faith of Jesus and keep the commandments of God
(Revelation 14:12). The fourth commandment highlighting the seventh day sabbath has been the sign or seal of Christ's people ever since Adam kept the first sabbath in the Garden of Eden. If this was really Christ he would not disobey the law of God which he himself kept on earth. He had stated that not even a 'jot' or
'tittle' would be changed until earth and heaven passed away. Looking around they know that they are living on the earth and the heavens are still above. This Christ is not the son of God. He is an impostor. He is the
- See King of Fierce Countenance study introduction In Appendix
prophesied 'strange god' of Daniel 11. And nearly everyone is worshipping him - they think he's the real deal. We are truly living in the 'last days'! The true Christ, our Saviour, is not far away !
Psalms 119:44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Christ declares in Luke 13 how he will return to earth:
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
When Christ comes it will be in the clouds and a glorious scene to behold. He sends his angels to gather the redeemed from the earth and they will rise up to meet him in the air:
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For 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:
17 Then 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.
The word of God describing the second coming of Christ makes it very clear that he will not touch the earth. His angels do the gathering and those alive will meet him in the air. So if you are confronted by someone who claims he is Christ who comes to the world and walks and talks with people on earth as you and I do the alarm bells need to start ringing. This Christ IS NOT CHRIST - he is a charlatan, a deceiver and could be Satan himself personating Christ.
Other religions also have their messianic figures appear at this time. Islam the second largest religion is ex- pecting in the future a number of significant end-time individuals to arise.
During this period, terrible corruption and chaos would rule the Earth, caused by Al- Masih ad-Dajjal (an eschatological figure similar to the Antichrist in Christianity),
[4] then the al-Mahdi (a righteous man descended from the Islamic Proph- et Muhammad), assisted by the prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus) who will return to earth, will de- feat the Dajjal and establish a period of peace, liberating the world from cruelty and injustice.[4] 2
- https://discerning-islam.org/volume-1-issue-12/
Three eschatological figures play a major role in end time events according to their religious beliefs. Dajjal or an antichrist is the first key figure to arrive on the scene. What is most interesting in God's word - the Holy Bible - is that Satan himself comes as Christ in the fifth trumpet of Revelation 9. Symbolically his an- gels or locusts swarm the earth under his leadership:
Revelation 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottom- less pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
Evil angels under his leadership are instructed to torment men for five months:
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
Satan's arrival on the world scene literally as Jesus Christ will stir the adherents of Islam. They believe the
antichrist or Dajjal is here!
Revelation 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
These angels which were bound are released - they are evil angels. ʿĪsā (Jesus) appears to those of the Muslim faith but he is in reality an evil angel playing the role they expect him to fulfill. Alongside the al- Mahdi they intend to defeat the antichrist or Dajjal.
A war with devastating consequences ensues. This is the war of the sixth trumpet. This is the war de-
scribed in Daniel 11 that will take place at the 'time of the end' :
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horse- men, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
By the time this war ends a third of the world's population is destroyed in the nuclear exchanges that take place.
Wars and rumours of wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakesMatthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not
troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Christ describes those events that will take place in the world but reassures those hearing and those that will read Christ's written words - 'see that ye be not troubled'. The phrase 'but the end is not yet' is com- forting in that there is still time to spread the good news that Christ, the living son of God, has died to save all those that will hear and believe he will forgive their sins and grant them the precious gift of eternal life:
John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
But the reality of war is highlighted by Christ as an event that we can expect to take place before he re- turns. World War's I and II were certainly terrible conflicts, let alone other more localised battles. Even as this booklet is written in 2022 the rumours are running hot about an impending war between Russia and one of its neighbours - Ukraine. Christ stated clearly that these things will come to pass but the end is not yet.
The war in the sixth trumpet will also take place before the 'end' happens. This war takes place just be- fore the seventh trumpet which signifies the beginning of the outpouring of God's wrath in the final sev- en vials or plagues.
In addition to wars Christ states that : "there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places". According to Oxfam:
"Today, the world stands on the brink of unprecedented famines. About 30 mil- lion people are experiencing alarming hunger, severe levels of food insecurity and malnutrition in north-eastern Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. 10 mil- lion of them are facing emergency and famine conditions. Famine is already likely happening in parts of northern Nigeria, while Yemen and Somalia are on the brink.
https://www.oxfam.org/en/hungry-world-plenty-millions-brink-famine
Famine is a continual and ongoing threat in certain places in the world.
Pestilences or disease are continually prevalent. The COVID19 Coronavirus pande- mici s currently a worldwide phenomena afflicting nations across the world. Oth- er diseases such as Cholera, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Hendra , Mar- burg virus, and Ebola are just five diseases of concern listed by the World Health Organisation on their radar : https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease- outbreak-news
Earthquakes are another sign Christ specifically refers to:
The National Earthquake Information Center now locates about 20,000 earth- quakes around the globe each year, or approximately 55 per day. As a result of the improvements in communications and the increased interest in natural disas- ters, the public now learns about earthquakes more quickly than ever before. https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/national-earthquake-
information-center-neic
The most recent earthquake of significance noted in the vicinity of Australia was the Tonga undersea earthquake.
"On 14 January 2022, a very large eruption began on Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai, an uninhabited volcanic island and submarine volcano of the Tongan archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean."
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Category:2022_Hunga_Tonga_eruption_and_tsunami
Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
After listing numerous signs that will indicate Christ's coming is getting closer Christ tells his disciples that all of them:
*wars and rumours of wars
*famine
*pestilences and
*earthquakes
are just the 'beginning of sorrows.’. We have seen these sorrows in the daily news just lately (January/ February 2022). Surely we have reached the time of 'the beginning of sorrows'. What will the 'end of sorrows' be like if this is just the beginning?
Hated by all nations, betrayal and death
Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:
and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Christ had previously told his disciples to not be surprised if the world hated them (John 15:18 - 19). Satan hated Christ with a vengeance and every moment was absorbed in plotting ways to destroy Christ and bring his mission to save the world to an end. Christ told his disciples that just like he was hated they would be too. His disciples were his chosen servants and they were ‘not of the world’ - they had been ‘chosen out of the world’ and the world would hate them just like it had hated him. Christ was hated without a cause (John 15:25). You will be persecuted just like Christ was but stay strong because your witness will testify to the love of Christ for mankind. It is difficult to imagine that you will be hated by ‘all nations’ but at the end of time there will be a global effort to extinguish any individual or group who does not bow down to the demands of the nation/s. You will be singled out, persecuted and even killed for Christ’s sake. Satan hated Christ and with a passion will hate you too if you are ‘not of this world’.
It was not a pretty picture. Christ's own crucifixion was Satan's final effort to cause the son of God to sin. Christ came down to this earth knowing his destiny. His sinless life was going to be a sacrifice for all who wanted to be saved from sin. Why a sacrifice? Why such a horrible cost?
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ .our Lord.
Sin is defined as:
1John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the trans-
gression of the law.
Christ bore the penalty for the world's transgressions on the cross. The Father and the son established this plan before the world was created:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who- soever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
What a huge risk it was for Christ to come down to this earth and live as one of us and be born a human be- ing. He has paid the ultimate price and we in the end time will experience the hatred, the accusations, the scorn and the character assassination from not only the general public but even our close friends and family. The hatred will be palpable but God's love and spirit will empower you to be his witness. The spirit of the Father and his son will help you withstand all manner of persecution.
2 Corinthians 12: 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecu- tions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
False Prophets
Deception is everywhere in the time of the end. Not only will there be false Christs there will be MANY false prophets:
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
The critical knowledge you need to know to distinguish between a false prophet and a true one will keep you from being deceived. If someone claims to have the gift of prophecy they must also believe in Jesus Christ—they must believe that Jesus is the divine son of God and was born in the flesh. Christ had to live a sinless life to save mankind. He came to show that by relying on the Father he could overcome sin. Christ’s constant communication and dependence on his Father in heaven helped him overcome every assault Satan could design to prevent him from being a perfect sacrifice.
The apostle John records how to distinguish between true and false prophets:
1 John 4:1 - 4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is be- cause there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.
Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
One of the titles for Jesus given in Revelation is 'the WORD OF GOD'. To be able to tell the difference be- tween a false prophet and one that is true their teachings must pass the test - they must agree with the word of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruc- tion cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not es- cape.
Too many times in the history of this world - the fears of people have been soothed by a 'peace and safety' message. False prophets at the end of time will declare their allegiance to the false Christ’s on earth. It is the witnesses or prophets of Jesus Christ that will be declared fake:
Revelation 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
The seven trumpets of Revelation 8 and 9 3 will be warnings ordained of God to awaken people to the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Instead of arousing people's confessions and their need to seek forgiveness and mercy from Christ at this time they will prefer to denounce God's witnesses and listen to the peace and safety messages of the false prophets and false Christs.
The delusions of Satan will be attractive and infatuating. How many chose Christ when he was presented by Pilate to the throngs of people awaiting his judgement? ‘Barabbas’ - they cried - ‘Barabbas’ - and even when given the opportunity to save Christ from crucifixion their reply was ‘His blood be on us and our children’ (Matthew 27:25). This unified cry of the deceived will also be enacted in the scenes of the last days. God’s witnesses will taste of the sufferings of Christ as the majority of people they have presented the truth to are imbued with the spirit of Satan, choose to reject truth and receive a lie.
How can you discern truth from error at this time?
“The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
[Psalm 119:130.]
Proving all things is a process that must be undertaken. If the word of God reveals the opposite to what we are being told from the pulpit or the daily news bulletins we must realise that we are being manipulated.
The propaganda against the witnesses of God will only be detectable by using the word of God to reveal them. Time spent studying the word of God rather than worldly ideas and opinions of men will enable you to discern between truth and error. The leaders of the world at the time of the end will design and enforce laws that have been concocted under the influence of Satan himself. God’s law - the ten commandments and the testimony of the witnesses in God’s word are the only safe guide at this time (Isaiah 8:20).
Each and every individual will need to make a decision whether or not to follow the 'truth' plainly set out in the word of God, the Holy Bible. God's "word is truth" (John 17:17). You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand the word of God but you do need to be enlightened by the Spirit of the Father and Son :
Ephesians 1: 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
3. www.seventrumpets.com.au
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints
False prophets will be plentiful in the time of the end. It will be imperative that you test or try what mes- sage the spirits promote:
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Those that do not believe Christ came in the 'flesh' are identified as being of antichrist.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
In Christ is NO sin! Yet he was born in the 'flesh'! Just because you were born a human or in the flesh does not make you a sinner. Sin takes place when you make the choice to transgress the law of God.
Matthew continues recording Christ's advice to his disciples about the time of the end:
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Sin will abound and Love will grow cold. Love towards one's fellow-man will be seriously compromised at the end of this world's history. Iniquity was everywhere in Noah's day :
Genesis 6: 5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Christ specifically refers to the days just before the world wide flood and states:
Matthew 24: 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Noah was given the period of one hundred and twenty years to prepare the ark before the flood judg- ment. People thought Noah was a lost cause - a crazy man building a huge boat. He gave the warning message dutifully and passionately. He wanted to save as many as he could but only his family made it into the ark. "So shall also the coming of the Son of man be": is a sad prediction of the results of God's final call to those alive at the time he returns to earth. The reasons why are 'typical' to say the least - they were absorbed in the daily activities of life eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage and did not respond to the Holy Spirit's call given by God's special end time witnesses and the trumpets so plain- ly uttered as warnings of Christ's imminent return.
Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God (Luke 14:15) The Father and his Son have sent out special invitations to many to come and partake of the most wonderful meal you could ever imagine but those invited are full of excuses as to why they cannot attend. One had just been married - he could have brought his wife with him. Another invitee had just purchased some land that he needed to attend to and another had purchased some livestock and all were too busy to come. The things of this world are transitory yet to those invited they were priorities placed above the invitation sent by God. The reserved seats at the supper of God were then offered freely to others who gladly accepted the invitation.
But those who neglected their invitation God declares:
Luke 15:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Iniquity will abound just prior to the second coming of Christ and the love of many, their first love, their love for the Father and the Son will wax cold.
Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
May God snap us out of our Laodicean condition before its too late. May we realise how valuable the invitation he offers us is. God, may your spirit convict us of our true condition. Without you and the gift of salvation you have freely offered to us we are lost! Cleanse our body temples from sin and self sufficiency. Fill us with your spirit and help us to see our true condition. Cover us with your pure and holy white robe of righteousness. We want to be ready for your second coming to earth and spread the good news of your soon return. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. May your Holy Word enlighten us. Save us - you are our only hope!
Don't let the world and its riches or distractions keep you from Christ. The end time church is described as Laodicean:
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou may- est be rich; and 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.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 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.
God wants us to hear his voice and open the door of our hearts and minds to feed upon his Holy word and to be convicted that we are destitute without him. He longs to commune with us. The eternal reward is so worth it! Repenting and overcoming on this earth will one day very soon be rewarded with the opportunity of sitting with Jesus in his royal throne in heaven.
False prophets and deceivers will arise and their teaching will cause “iniquity” to abound and the “love of many” to grow cold (Matthew 24:12). Satan wants you to sin and to lose your first love - your desire to follow Christ wherever he leads. You have more to fear from falling for this deception than being persecuted by your enemies. Endure unto the end and you will be SAVED!
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
What will it take to get through this ‘time of the end’? You will need to be sealed by the spirit of God. The holy spirit of God—the spirit of the Father and the Son will live in your heart and mind will guide you :
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Hatred the opposite to love is prevalent at the time of the end but strengthened by God we will be enabled to endure to the end:
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
The spirit of endurance will live within the followers of Christ at the time of the end. Remembering the cost that Christ paid on the cross for their salvation is their primary motivation :
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him
1Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
The gospel of the kingdom at the time of the end will create division so bitter that even families and partners will betray those who decide to follow ‘truth’ as it is in the word of God.
Mark 13: 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Christ when on earth had to flee for his life because people sought to do him harm. His home town of Nazareth rejected his teachings and tried to kill him:
Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
Just like Christ we may have to move to other areas to continue our witness and testify for the truth. It is important not to unnecessarily expose yourself to persecution, rather move so you can continue your soul seeking and spreading of the gospel of the kingdom.
The suffering endured to reach those who desire to be saved will be worth it. In the parable of the talents it is the faithful servant that hears these wonderful words:
Matthew 25:21 “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faith- ful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com- manded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Our Saviour Jesus Christ is truly our example especially in endurance. He endured the cross motivated by the joy that lay before him. We will be hated in the time of the end and the cruelest reality could involve being betrayed by members of our own family.
Reflecting on how past witnesses for God have been treated we need to be strong and prepared to stand for the truth. If it costs us our life, we like them will receive the promise when Christ returns:
Hebrews 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, more- over of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
1 John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the begin- ning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
As a witness for God you have been “called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). There is a God in heaven who is goodness and his love is supreme. God is with you - he claims you as his own: “ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God” (Isaiah 43:12). Your individual witness is a testament to God: “for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” (I Corinthians 4:9)
Satan has claimed from the outset of his rebellion in heaven that God is ‘selfish’. Yet the opposite is truth. It is God’s unselfishness - a love so great that he was prepared to let his son - live here on earth and be subject to Satan’s lies, manipulation and terror just to save you and me and anyone else who will believe and grasp hold of the precious gift of salvation. Your witness of that salvation is a living testimony that God is truly ‘unselfish’ and it is Satan that is the epitome of selfishness to the core.
John the Baptist was an incredible witness for God. He was the one ‘crying in the wilderness’ calling people into God’s kingdom and making straight the way of the Lord. (John 1:23). Imprisoned in a dungeon John ac- cepted his fate, he was prepared to die for the truth and believed “When He hath tried me,” he said, “I
shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
So many souls have gone before us and laid down their earthly life. Christ told his disciples that if we endure unto the end we shall be saved (Matthew 24:13). John the Baptist endured until his life was cut short or came to an end and he will be saved. The Christian martyrs who were persecuted and killed in the most horrible ways by the Papacy in the Dark Ages endured unto the end and they also will be saved. God's wit- nesses at the end of earth's history - the 144,000 will also be saved. Every person who has endured, who has remained steadfast in their devotion to God and obedience to his commands to the end will be saved:
“When He hath tried me,” he said, “I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12
Gospel of the kingdom preached in all the world - then the end comes
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
We are then given a key in the timing involved in this end time prophecy. THE END will take place once the gospel of the kingdom has been preached to ALL NATIONS. Everyone on earth needs to hear the beautiful story of Christ's sacrifice for them. The story of the Father being willing to allow his son to come to earth as one of us and pay with his life for our sins. A story captured in amazing imagery in the prophetic book - the Holy Bible. If you have lived a life dedicated to your own desires and success without Christ you will ultimately lose everything:
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who- soever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The END will come after the gospel - the good news - the amazing story of the Creator God's love for us in allowing his son to pay the penalty for our sins with his life. Suffering death in a most grievous manner, nailed to a rough wooden cross that all who might believe in him and dedicate their lives to him would gain entrance into the kingdom of God. The 'gospel of the kingdom' in the END will be a declaration that the kingdom of this world BABYLON is fallen. God's people are called out of Babylon - the city of confusion - to enter and believe in the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniqui- ties.
The three angel's messages have testified through God's witnesses at this time that the God who created the heavens and the earth and all that in them is - is the ONLY God worthy of worship.
FIRST ANGEL'S MESSAGE Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgement is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
SECOND ANGEL'S MESSAGE Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out with- out mixture 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
The 'gospel of the kingdom' is a message of hope in a dying and sinful world. The word of God declares to its readers that Christ will rescue those who avail themselves of his forgiveness and fill their hearts with his love:
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he
not with him also freely give us all things?
The 'gospel of the kingdom' of God is going to be preached as a witness to ALL nations and then the end shall come. This statement by Christ is a specific reference to the three angel's messages of Revelation 14 which will be broadcast to the world by his witnesses in the last days (Revelation 11). They are wake up calls to those worshipping false Gods, to highlight the fall of latter day kingdom of Babylon and to warn them to NOT accept the MARK OF THE BEAST - turn, turn, turn to Christ and be saved.
The Abomination of Desolation
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Christ gave his disciples definite signs to look out for. The END will come after the 'gospel of the kingdom' is preached unto ALL nations.
The abomination of desolation standing in the holy place is the sign to flee into the mountains. Christ admonishes us to read the prophetic book of Daniel to help understand what this abomination is. The word abomination describes a detestable idol that stands in the holy place. This prophecy has a double application. It was a warning to Christ's disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 AD when Titus and his Roman legions would beseige Jerusalem and ultimately ransack the Temple. At the Eastern gate of the temple Titus sacrificed an ox, a sheep and a pig to the Roman gods that had gained victory over the God of the Jews.
Jerusalem is that holy place:
Daniel 9:16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy peo- ple are become a reproach to all that are about us.
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Daniel identifies the holy place in which the abomination of desolation will stand - Jerusalem - God's holy mountain. What is the abomination of desolation that stands in that holy place?
Lamentations 4:12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have en- tered into the gates of Jerusalem.
The adversary and enemy is none other than Satan personating Christ - dressed in glorious, radiant robes entering the gates of Jerusalem and claiming to be the son of God. Satan the adversary is the abomination of desolation that Christ in Matthew 24 clearly identifies.
Isaiah 14:2 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Desirous to claim the kingship of earth Satan will enter Jerusalem parading as Christ deceiving those who have chosen to believe a lie. Satan is the idol of desolation claiming the adoration of the world as rightfully his.
Christ in his warning in Matthew 24 states unequivocally to those who understand that they need to FLEE! You won't have time to prepare to leave or go back home to gather what you consider will be necessary eg. clothing etc. You will need to 'run'!!
The prophesying of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 is finished:
Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall over- come them, and kill them.
You will be in mortal danger at this time. Satan is King of earthly Babylon - the two witnesses have prophe- sied of his rise to power and how important it is to worship the Creator God of heaven and keep his com- mandments, not the devil deceiving the world appearing as Christ. It has been prophesied that the majority of the inhabitants of the world will be fully deceived :
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
According to Lamentations 4:12: The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem. The Word of God is very clear - the kings and all the inhabitants of the world DO NOT REALISE or even want to think that it is the master deceiver that parades through Jerusalem. They prefer to believe a lie.
The Devil in disguise has deceived the nations and now his anger has reached its zenith:
Daniel 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
The message that the TRUE MESSIAH is soon to appear and that this Christ the world has been deceived by is in reality Satan is described symbolically as 'tidings out of the east and north' (Daniel 11:44). The wicked angel who deceived a third of God's angels in heaven and is king of the bottomless pit - Satan is agitated and his anger knows no bounds. A death decree is enacted and enabled to destroy the true people of God.
This is why God's people are instructed to flee.
Jesus's instructions to his disciples are a revelation in themselves:
Matthew 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Satan personating Christ and worshipped by the majority of the world enters into Jerusalem after the sixth trumpet war and defeat of the King of the South. The seventh trumpet sounds and it is now time for the outpouring of the seven last plagues:
Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come
God's wrath is going to be experienced by all those that have chosen to follow the impostor, false Christ - Satan. The deceived are angry with God's true followers and will make every effort to destroy them. Christ comforts his disciples with the words: "for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
Great signs and wonders from FALSE Christs and Prophets
Matthew 24:23-28 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
The concept of a messiah is not only a Jewish or Christian belief:
"Messianism is the belief in the advent of a messiah who acts as the savior of a group of people.[1]
[2] Messianism originated as an Abrahamic religious belief, but other religions have messianism-related concepts. 1 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianism. 2 See appendix for List of Messiah’s
Christ's warning in Matthew 24 reveals numerous 'false Christ's' and 'false prophets'
23 :THEN if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
The very important word 'then' specifies the timing of the arising of a plethora of lying, devil inspired false Christ's and prophet's - at the time of the 'great tribulation'. Satan has appeared as the Christian messiah and been accepted by the majority as 'Jesus Christ'. Satan's evil angels deceive the majority of all other reli- gions and Islam who identified the Christian messiah as the antichrist or Al-Masih ad-Dajjal has been decimated in the sixth trumpet war. Empowering these false Christ's and prophets to deceive the masses Satan is desperate to deceive even the very elect. But that is not possible:
Matthew 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Christ reiterates to the disciples that he has told them before not to believe that he is on earth somewhere and that they can literally go to where he is whether it be in a far flung place like a desert or a more secretive place like a cave or 'secret chamber'. Jesus Christ the son of God is not going to manifest on earth physically before his second coming. He then describes what his second coming will be like:
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Lightning can truly light up the whole sky. When Christ comes every eye shall see him:
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
If you are invited to meet Christ on earth at any time prior to his second coming and meet Christ in person you are instructed by Christ - BELIEVE IT NOT!
It is as simple as that! Christ is repeating the warning he gave at the beginning of his talk about events that will take place at the time of the end :
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
When Christ repeats a warning it is obviously VERY IMPORTANT!!
Satan the arch deceiver wants to deceive everybody and get them to believe - he is CHRIST!
He plans to deceive the world into believing he is JESUS CHRIST.
Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Satan personating Christ will enter Jerusalem and be received by the world as Jesus Christ:
Lamentations 4:12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.
Christ states:
BELIEVE IT NOT!
Dead bodies will attract eagles
Christ then makes what seems an unusual statement:
Matthew 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Comparing other gospels helps determine what Christ was referring to:
Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Luke records this phrase in connection with the Lord's assessment of our characters. Have we chosen to respect and be obedient to his commandments? Are we his children in word and action? It is too late for those who do not have oil in their lamps.
God’s judgement is symbolized by the gathering of the wheat and the tares. His servants ‘the wheat’ have grown up with the ‘tares’ or ‘weeds’ and are gathered at the time of harvest together. The ‘wheat’ represent God’s righteous saints who have been purified by the blood of his son and illuminated by the spirit of God. They have not chosen to receive the mark of the world’s approval - the mark of the beast- rather they have had the mark of God placed upon their foreheads (Ezekiel 9:4). They have sighed and cried because of the evil that has been perpetrated on the earth and God regards them as his jewels: “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels: and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:17). God’s jewels or wheat are his saints and will enter into heaven to partake of the tree of life when Christ comes a second time. The ‘tares’ on the other hand will be gathered but because they preferred the esteem of man and chose to obey the laws of the world above the law of God will experience eternal separation from God (Matthew 13:40)
When Christ's disciples ask him: ' Where Lord?', Christ then describes what will happen to those who are left behind : 'Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.'
If you are deceived by false Christ's and false prophets you will be left behind. Those left behind will receive a fate similar to Lot's wife. The phrase Luke records at the beginning 'Remember Lot's wife' is advice we need to heed. Lot's wife when escaping from Sodom and Gomorrah was turned into a pillar of salt. Understanding the circumstances that led to this event is a warning for us today.
God personally sent angels to rescue Lot’s family from Sodom. The angels roused Lot to gather his family in Sodom and get out of the city before it was destroyed by God. The wickedness of the city was so great that God was going to rain fire down upon it and destroy everything within it and the city itself. Lot warned his married daughters to flee but the warning was not taken seriously. Even he was reluctant to leave his home.
“And while he lingered, the men (angels) laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.” (Genesis 19:16)
They were commanded to escape for their life and to not look back but Lot’s wife disobeyed. Her heart was filled with sadness leaving her home and her daughters which chose not to flee. She felt saddened having to leave the possessions and home they had worked so hard to create - she preferred the life she had just left rather than the unknown she was racing into. Her lack of gratitude and longing to stay in Sodom rather than be grateful for the deliverance of God and disobedience in looking back had an immediate consequence - she lost her life!
When we see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place we must escape as Christ has instructed us to:
Matthew 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Don't be distracted by your possessions or clothing or anything else - flee to the mountains immediately. We are in danger of repeating the history of Lot's wife. Allow nothing to get in the way of you being obedient to Christ's instructions.
When Christ comes 'as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; ' the righteous will be 'taken' and those that are left behind will become food for birds including eagles:
Revelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather your- selves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of
mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
The wicked are destroyed by the brightness of the coming of Christ:
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall the lawless be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Remembering Lot's wife is very important advice that Christ gave us - those who will be alive at the momentous 'time of the end' need to heed his instructions to be prepared for his soon appearing in the clouds of heaven.
The Powers of the Heavens will be shaken!
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heav- en, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The words: 'Immediately after the tribulation of those days' is direct and pointed - this time of tribulation is particularly identified in Daniel 12:
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
This tribulation or 'time of trouble such as never was' has taken place. This time of trouble is described in great detail in 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.
The outpouring of the plagues is the time of tribulation, or the wrath of God. As this time closes the powers of heaven are shaken and Christ describes the blackness that will envelop the earth due to the sun being darkened, the moon not giving its light and the stars falling from heaven.
Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her un-timely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruc-
tion from the Almighty.
Isaiah 2:10-12 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.”
Isaiah 2:20, 21 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
The events that take place just prior to the coming of Jesus Christ are without precedence. The earth and heavens are shaken to the core. Mountains and islands are moved from their place and the sky seems to be parting as a scroll. This fearful time causes all men to seek safety in the depths of the earth and the rocks of the mountains - from king to slave, rich and poor - all are trying to hide from God on his throne whom they see as the sky opens above them. The despair and horror of those who could have listened to the spirit of God and chose to follow him no matter what the cost are now confronted with the outcome of their decision. They trampled upon God’s law - securing the favour of the world was deemed to be of more value than listening to and obeying the call of heaven. Transgression was chosen above obedience, evil preferred above good, Satan above Christ.
More detail about this time is described in the description of the seventh vial which is poured out after the sixth seal is broken:
Revelation 16:17-21 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. 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 earth- quake, and so great. 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. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 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.
Babylon receives the wrath of God in the final plague, broken into three parts - the mother of harlots - the Papacy is burnt with fire. Her daughters, those that have been deceived by her doctrines - the ‘Sunday’ sabbath, the trinity, original sin to name a few are the Protestant churches which have adopted the Papacy’s beliefs. Members of these churches realise that it is too late - they accepted the ‘Mark of the Beast’ - they ridiculed seventh day sabbath keepers - their opportunity has long gone - the recognition of their loss is unbearable. Spiritualism and its followers including a vast number of heathen religions and their gods, people who have preferred to follow science, technology or Satan himself realise they have also chosen the wrong path, ignored the cry that Babylon had fallen and chosen gods that could not save them.
Watch! You do not know what hour Jesus Christ will come.
Matthew 24:40-44 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the oth- er left. two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Here we have again the 'timing' word : THEN - which is important to note because after all the events that have taken place in Matthew 24 leading up to the main event - Jesus Christ returning to earth - his second coming; what is described next is going to be a reality
You need to WATCH! AND BE READY! You do not know the hour of Jesus's return! But you can certainly interpret the signs you see taking place around you such as:
The process of the ‘coming of the end’ is in full swing.
You need to have committed your life and soul to Jesus Christ and the Father before the seven vials are poured out upon the earth - putting off your decision to choose salvation is not a wise move. Your devotion to God will require complete obedience to his commands so that you may be truly entitled to the salvation he has won for you and gives you as a gift:
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
If the people that were grinding or in the field had known that Christ's coming was imminent as the signs declared or the goodman of the house had known the hour of the break-in to his home they would have been prepared. Christ's words echo down the ages: "in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man
cometh." Matthew 24:44 Your preparation for Christ's second coming is of the utmost importance. The advice of Christ to his disciples is for YOU and I - anyone who is prepared to listen and believe:
The Faithful and Wise Servant
Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Christ then identifies who is his faithful and wise servant. Christ's servant is made a ruler in his house-hold because he or she is doing their very best to give members of His house meat in due season. The servant of Christ will be impressed with their responsibility given to them by God and encourage and feed Christ's household with the pure and holy truth from the word of God. God's servants are pronounced 'BLESSED'!
The evil servant on the other hand is not expecting his master's return. He or she absents themselves from their duties. They eat and drink with the drunken. At the end of time the majority of the world's inhabitants are spiritually inebriated. Drunk with the wine of the wrath of spiritual Babylon's fornication (Revelation 17 : 1, 2) they have been deceived. End time Babylon worships Satan masquerading as Christ they prefer to believe a, lie (2 Thessalonians 2 : 11,12). There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth but it will be too late. Unbelief has its reward and it is not one that any would desire.
Clearly Christ is declaring to all who read or hear his words that he is coming soon. You are admonished to understand the events or signs that will precede his coming. Be prepared, ready to do the will of God and be a dedicated and trustworthy servant, to share his word with others. God has spoken through his son Jesus Christ and dedicated you to his cause - arise and respond to his loving call and share his 'meat'
"Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25: 23
What an amazing call to answer. Hear his voice pleading with your heart today.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 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.
The Sign of the Son of Man
Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The words 'and then' reveal that there has been a sequence of events taking place. A sign is going to appear in heaven - 'the sign of the son of man'. The upheaval of the seventh vial has taken place - the mountains have gone - every island has 'fled away' - the cities of the nations have fallen and Babylon has been broken into three parts - she has finally received the cup of God's wrath.
AND THEN the sign of the son of man - Jesus Christ appears in heaven.
In the heaven, in the east, a small black cloud appears. This is what God’s people have been waiting for. Christ comes in the clouds and this cloud in the distance is surrounded by darkness. As it draws closer the cloud becomes lighter and radiant with glory. The vast white cloud appears to have a base of fire and the rainbow of the Covenant (the law of God) is above it.
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
John the Revelator’s record concisely describes the coming of Christ - he will come in the clouds, EVERY eye will see him and even those who pierced him. A special resurrection has taken place and those who were involved with condemning Jesus Christ to the death of the cross and 'pierced' him will be there to see him come in the clouds with great glory and majesty as he told them he would:
Mark 14:61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
What a terrible fate to fulfill! Jesus Christ the son of God spoke the truth and the high priest called the son of God a liar and a blasphemer. Christ's words : "Ye shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven" are not only stated for the High Priest who condemned him, but to all looking for the true Christ. If someone claims to be Jesus Christ and the events so clearly described in Matthew 24 have NOT taken place - the gospel has been preached in all the world, Satan has appeared as the abomination of desolation and claimed to be Christ and the islands and mountains have fled away - you can with certainty condemn them as FALSE. The true Christ will be seen coming in the clouds of heaven and after the events Christ clearly describes will take place. The word of God is clear and to the point.
The Angels will gather his Elect
Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For 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:
17 Then 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words
What a comfort ! What an amazing experience that will be! The sleep of death is broken by a shout of victory, the voice of the archangel and the trump of God.
John 5:28, 29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that
are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.
The servants of Christ that have succumbed to the sleep of death will be awakened by the voice of God echoing across the broken earth. They will be raised and be caught up into the clouds.
What about those who are living when Christ returns?
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.
Parable of the Fig Tree
Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender,
and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be ful- filled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Christ has been telling his disciples about what the end of the world would be like and these words have also been written for those who would be living at that time. The preservation of the word of God throughout the centuries has enabled anyone who wants to listen to God’s voice through his word to know when that time would take place. We are so near the second coming of Christ. When you see the
signs spoken of by Christ you need to be reminded that “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” When you see the signs highlighted in this booklet you can be assured you are part of the generation that will live in the ‘time of the end’.
Imagine being alive when you see the 'fig leaf' signs of Jesus coming! What signs will you see? They will include:
* The gospel going out in its fullness and propelled as ' a loud cry' including the warning to escape spiritual Babylon (Revelation 18:1-3)
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
*Hatred of God's messengers - betrayal, many shall be offended and the love of many shall wax cold - 'they shall deliver you up to be afflicted and killed' Matthew 24: 9 -13.
*The 'loud cry' or final call to flee from Babylon ends when the sixth trumpet war ends and the abomination of desolation takes place.
* The abomination of desolation standing in the holy place : In Jerusalem after the sixth trumpet war of Daniel 11: 40-43 Satan personating Christ and being lauded by the Papacy as the true Christ will enter Jerusalem (the holy place) and 'plant his tabernacles' there. Satan is the abomination or 'living idol' that will literally proclaim that he is Jesus Christ and the Saviour of this world. This sign will be understood by God's messengers and they will flee.
*Great tribulation will begin - this is the outpouring of the seven plagues or vials of Revelation 16
The generation alive at the time of the end shall not pass till all the signs from the abomination of desolation onwards are fulfilled. The time of the end or 'when the end comes' (Matthew 24:14) is an assurance to God's people - his final generation of witnesses that they will not pass and will see the true Christ come to save them at his second coming. What an amazing promise to be given! Surrounded by the turmoil created by the seven last plagues and protected in their hiding places by angels of God they will be preserved and be alive when Christ comes and calls them to meet him in the air.
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Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
After listing numerous signs that will indicate Christ's coming is getting closer Christ tells his disciples that all of them:
*wars and rumours of wars
*famine
*pestilences and
*earthquakes
are just the 'beginning of sorrows.’. We have seen these sorrows in the daily news just lately (January/ February 2022). Surely we have reached the time of 'the beginning of sorrows'. What will the 'end of sorrows' be like if this is just the beginning?
Hated by all nations, betrayal and death
Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:
and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Christ had previously told his disciples to not be surprised if the world hated them (John 15:18 - 19). Satan hated Christ with a vengeance and every moment was absorbed in plotting ways to destroy Christ and bring his mission to save the world to an end. Christ told his disciples that just like he was hated they would be too. His disciples were his chosen servants and they were ‘not of the world’ - they had been ‘chosen out of the world’ and the world would hate them just like it had hated him. Christ was hated without a cause (John 15:25). You will be persecuted just like Christ was but stay strong because your witness will testify to the love of Christ for mankind. It is difficult to imagine that you will be hated by ‘all nations’ but at the end of time there will be a global effort to extinguish any individual or group who does not bow down to the demands of the nation/s. You will be singled out, persecuted and even killed for Christ’s sake. Satan hated Christ and with a passion will hate you too if you are ‘not of this world’.
It was not a pretty picture. Christ's own crucifixion was Satan's final effort to cause the son of God to sin. Christ came down to this earth knowing his destiny. His sinless life was going to be a sacrifice for all who wanted to be saved from sin. Why a sacrifice? Why such a horrible cost?
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ .our Lord.
Sin is defined as:
1John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the trans-
gression of the law.
Christ bore the penalty for the world's transgressions on the cross. The Father and the son established this plan before the world was created:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who- soever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
What a huge risk it was for Christ to come down to this earth and live as one of us and be born a human be- ing. He has paid the ultimate price and we in the end time will experience the hatred, the accusations, the scorn and the character assassination from not only the general public but even our close friends and family. The hatred will be palpable but God's love and spirit will empower you to be his witness. The spirit of the Father and his son will help you withstand all manner of persecution.
2 Corinthians 12: 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecu- tions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
False Prophets
Deception is everywhere in the time of the end. Not only will there be false Christs there will be MANY false prophets:
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
The critical knowledge you need to know to distinguish between a false prophet and a true one will keep you from being deceived. If someone claims to have the gift of prophecy they must also believe in Jesus Christ—they must believe that Jesus is the divine son of God and was born in the flesh. Christ had to live a sinless life to save mankind. He came to show that by relying on the Father he could overcome sin. Christ’s constant communication and dependence on his Father in heaven helped him overcome every assault Satan could design to prevent him from being a perfect sacrifice.
The apostle John records how to distinguish between true and false prophets:
1 John 4:1 - 4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is be- cause there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.
Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
One of the titles for Jesus given in Revelation is 'the WORD OF GOD'. To be able to tell the difference be- tween a false prophet and one that is true their teachings must pass the test - they must agree with the word of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruc- tion cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not es- cape.
Too many times in the history of this world - the fears of people have been soothed by a 'peace and safety' message. False prophets at the end of time will declare their allegiance to the false Christ’s on earth. It is the witnesses or prophets of Jesus Christ that will be declared fake:
Revelation 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
The seven trumpets of Revelation 8 and 9 3 will be warnings ordained of God to awaken people to the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Instead of arousing people's confessions and their need to seek forgiveness and mercy from Christ at this time they will prefer to denounce God's witnesses and listen to the peace and safety messages of the false prophets and false Christs.
The delusions of Satan will be attractive and infatuating. How many chose Christ when he was presented by Pilate to the throngs of people awaiting his judgement? ‘Barabbas’ - they cried - ‘Barabbas’ - and even when given the opportunity to save Christ from crucifixion their reply was ‘His blood be on us and our children’ (Matthew 27:25). This unified cry of the deceived will also be enacted in the scenes of the last days. God’s witnesses will taste of the sufferings of Christ as the majority of people they have presented the truth to are imbued with the spirit of Satan, choose to reject truth and receive a lie.
How can you discern truth from error at this time?
“The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
[Psalm 119:130.]
Proving all things is a process that must be undertaken. If the word of God reveals the opposite to what we are being told from the pulpit or the daily news bulletins we must realise that we are being manipulated.
The propaganda against the witnesses of God will only be detectable by using the word of God to reveal them. Time spent studying the word of God rather than worldly ideas and opinions of men will enable you to discern between truth and error. The leaders of the world at the time of the end will design and enforce laws that have been concocted under the influence of Satan himself. God’s law - the ten commandments and the testimony of the witnesses in God’s word are the only safe guide at this time (Isaiah 8:20).
Each and every individual will need to make a decision whether or not to follow the 'truth' plainly set out in the word of God, the Holy Bible. God's "word is truth" (John 17:17). You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand the word of God but you do need to be enlightened by the Spirit of the Father and Son :
Ephesians 1: 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
3. www.seventrumpets.com.au
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints
False prophets will be plentiful in the time of the end. It will be imperative that you test or try what mes- sage the spirits promote:
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Those that do not believe Christ came in the 'flesh' are identified as being of antichrist.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
In Christ is NO sin! Yet he was born in the 'flesh'! Just because you were born a human or in the flesh does not make you a sinner. Sin takes place when you make the choice to transgress the law of God.
Matthew continues recording Christ's advice to his disciples about the time of the end:
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Sin will abound and Love will grow cold. Love towards one's fellow-man will be seriously compromised at the end of this world's history. Iniquity was everywhere in Noah's day :
Genesis 6: 5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Christ specifically refers to the days just before the world wide flood and states:
Matthew 24: 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Noah was given the period of one hundred and twenty years to prepare the ark before the flood judg- ment. People thought Noah was a lost cause - a crazy man building a huge boat. He gave the warning message dutifully and passionately. He wanted to save as many as he could but only his family made it into the ark. "So shall also the coming of the Son of man be": is a sad prediction of the results of God's final call to those alive at the time he returns to earth. The reasons why are 'typical' to say the least - they were absorbed in the daily activities of life eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage and did not respond to the Holy Spirit's call given by God's special end time witnesses and the trumpets so plain- ly uttered as warnings of Christ's imminent return.
Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God (Luke 14:15) The Father and his Son have sent out special invitations to many to come and partake of the most wonderful meal you could ever imagine but those invited are full of excuses as to why they cannot attend. One had just been married - he could have brought his wife with him. Another invitee had just purchased some land that he needed to attend to and another had purchased some livestock and all were too busy to come. The things of this world are transitory yet to those invited they were priorities placed above the invitation sent by God. The reserved seats at the supper of God were then offered freely to others who gladly accepted the invitation.
But those who neglected their invitation God declares:
Luke 15:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Iniquity will abound just prior to the second coming of Christ and the love of many, their first love, their love for the Father and the Son will wax cold.
Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
May God snap us out of our Laodicean condition before its too late. May we realise how valuable the invitation he offers us is. God, may your spirit convict us of our true condition. Without you and the gift of salvation you have freely offered to us we are lost! Cleanse our body temples from sin and self sufficiency. Fill us with your spirit and help us to see our true condition. Cover us with your pure and holy white robe of righteousness. We want to be ready for your second coming to earth and spread the good news of your soon return. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. May your Holy Word enlighten us. Save us - you are our only hope!
Don't let the world and its riches or distractions keep you from Christ. The end time church is described as Laodicean:
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou may- est be rich; and 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.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 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.
God wants us to hear his voice and open the door of our hearts and minds to feed upon his Holy word and to be convicted that we are destitute without him. He longs to commune with us. The eternal reward is so worth it! Repenting and overcoming on this earth will one day very soon be rewarded with the opportunity of sitting with Jesus in his royal throne in heaven.
False prophets and deceivers will arise and their teaching will cause “iniquity” to abound and the “love of many” to grow cold (Matthew 24:12). Satan wants you to sin and to lose your first love - your desire to follow Christ wherever he leads. You have more to fear from falling for this deception than being persecuted by your enemies. Endure unto the end and you will be SAVED!
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
What will it take to get through this ‘time of the end’? You will need to be sealed by the spirit of God. The holy spirit of God—the spirit of the Father and the Son will live in your heart and mind will guide you :
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Hatred the opposite to love is prevalent at the time of the end but strengthened by God we will be enabled to endure to the end:
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
The spirit of endurance will live within the followers of Christ at the time of the end. Remembering the cost that Christ paid on the cross for their salvation is their primary motivation :
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him
1Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
The gospel of the kingdom at the time of the end will create division so bitter that even families and partners will betray those who decide to follow ‘truth’ as it is in the word of God.
Mark 13: 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Christ when on earth had to flee for his life because people sought to do him harm. His home town of Nazareth rejected his teachings and tried to kill him:
Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
Just like Christ we may have to move to other areas to continue our witness and testify for the truth. It is important not to unnecessarily expose yourself to persecution, rather move so you can continue your soul seeking and spreading of the gospel of the kingdom.
The suffering endured to reach those who desire to be saved will be worth it. In the parable of the talents it is the faithful servant that hears these wonderful words:
Matthew 25:21 “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faith- ful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com- manded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Our Saviour Jesus Christ is truly our example especially in endurance. He endured the cross motivated by the joy that lay before him. We will be hated in the time of the end and the cruelest reality could involve being betrayed by members of our own family.
Reflecting on how past witnesses for God have been treated we need to be strong and prepared to stand for the truth. If it costs us our life, we like them will receive the promise when Christ returns:
Hebrews 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, more- over of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
1 John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the begin- ning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
As a witness for God you have been “called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). There is a God in heaven who is goodness and his love is supreme. God is with you - he claims you as his own: “ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God” (Isaiah 43:12). Your individual witness is a testament to God: “for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” (I Corinthians 4:9)
Satan has claimed from the outset of his rebellion in heaven that God is ‘selfish’. Yet the opposite is truth. It is God’s unselfishness - a love so great that he was prepared to let his son - live here on earth and be subject to Satan’s lies, manipulation and terror just to save you and me and anyone else who will believe and grasp hold of the precious gift of salvation. Your witness of that salvation is a living testimony that God is truly ‘unselfish’ and it is Satan that is the epitome of selfishness to the core.
John the Baptist was an incredible witness for God. He was the one ‘crying in the wilderness’ calling people into God’s kingdom and making straight the way of the Lord. (John 1:23). Imprisoned in a dungeon John ac- cepted his fate, he was prepared to die for the truth and believed “When He hath tried me,” he said, “I
shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
So many souls have gone before us and laid down their earthly life. Christ told his disciples that if we endure unto the end we shall be saved (Matthew 24:13). John the Baptist endured until his life was cut short or came to an end and he will be saved. The Christian martyrs who were persecuted and killed in the most horrible ways by the Papacy in the Dark Ages endured unto the end and they also will be saved. God's wit- nesses at the end of earth's history - the 144,000 will also be saved. Every person who has endured, who has remained steadfast in their devotion to God and obedience to his commands to the end will be saved:
“When He hath tried me,” he said, “I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12
Gospel of the kingdom preached in all the world - then the end comes
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
We are then given a key in the timing involved in this end time prophecy. THE END will take place once the gospel of the kingdom has been preached to ALL NATIONS. Everyone on earth needs to hear the beautiful story of Christ's sacrifice for them. The story of the Father being willing to allow his son to come to earth as one of us and pay with his life for our sins. A story captured in amazing imagery in the prophetic book - the Holy Bible. If you have lived a life dedicated to your own desires and success without Christ you will ultimately lose everything:
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who- soever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The END will come after the gospel - the good news - the amazing story of the Creator God's love for us in allowing his son to pay the penalty for our sins with his life. Suffering death in a most grievous manner, nailed to a rough wooden cross that all who might believe in him and dedicate their lives to him would gain entrance into the kingdom of God. The 'gospel of the kingdom' in the END will be a declaration that the kingdom of this world BABYLON is fallen. God's people are called out of Babylon - the city of confusion - to enter and believe in the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniqui- ties.
The three angel's messages have testified through God's witnesses at this time that the God who created the heavens and the earth and all that in them is - is the ONLY God worthy of worship.
FIRST ANGEL'S MESSAGE Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgement is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
SECOND ANGEL'S MESSAGE Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out with- out mixture 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
The 'gospel of the kingdom' is a message of hope in a dying and sinful world. The word of God declares to its readers that Christ will rescue those who avail themselves of his forgiveness and fill their hearts with his love:
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he
not with him also freely give us all things?
The 'gospel of the kingdom' of God is going to be preached as a witness to ALL nations and then the end shall come. This statement by Christ is a specific reference to the three angel's messages of Revelation 14 which will be broadcast to the world by his witnesses in the last days (Revelation 11). They are wake up calls to those worshipping false Gods, to highlight the fall of latter day kingdom of Babylon and to warn them to NOT accept the MARK OF THE BEAST - turn, turn, turn to Christ and be saved.
The Abomination of Desolation
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
- Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
- Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
- And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
- But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
- For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
- And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Christ gave his disciples definite signs to look out for. The END will come after the 'gospel of the kingdom' is preached unto ALL nations.
The abomination of desolation standing in the holy place is the sign to flee into the mountains. Christ admonishes us to read the prophetic book of Daniel to help understand what this abomination is. The word abomination describes a detestable idol that stands in the holy place. This prophecy has a double application. It was a warning to Christ's disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 AD when Titus and his Roman legions would beseige Jerusalem and ultimately ransack the Temple. At the Eastern gate of the temple Titus sacrificed an ox, a sheep and a pig to the Roman gods that had gained victory over the God of the Jews.
Jerusalem is that holy place:
Daniel 9:16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy peo- ple are become a reproach to all that are about us.
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Daniel identifies the holy place in which the abomination of desolation will stand - Jerusalem - God's holy mountain. What is the abomination of desolation that stands in that holy place?
Lamentations 4:12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have en- tered into the gates of Jerusalem.
The adversary and enemy is none other than Satan personating Christ - dressed in glorious, radiant robes entering the gates of Jerusalem and claiming to be the son of God. Satan the adversary is the abomination of desolation that Christ in Matthew 24 clearly identifies.
Isaiah 14:2 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Desirous to claim the kingship of earth Satan will enter Jerusalem parading as Christ deceiving those who have chosen to believe a lie. Satan is the idol of desolation claiming the adoration of the world as rightfully his.
Christ in his warning in Matthew 24 states unequivocally to those who understand that they need to FLEE! You won't have time to prepare to leave or go back home to gather what you consider will be necessary eg. clothing etc. You will need to 'run'!!
The prophesying of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 is finished:
Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall over- come them, and kill them.
You will be in mortal danger at this time. Satan is King of earthly Babylon - the two witnesses have prophe- sied of his rise to power and how important it is to worship the Creator God of heaven and keep his com- mandments, not the devil deceiving the world appearing as Christ. It has been prophesied that the majority of the inhabitants of the world will be fully deceived :
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
According to Lamentations 4:12: The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem. The Word of God is very clear - the kings and all the inhabitants of the world DO NOT REALISE or even want to think that it is the master deceiver that parades through Jerusalem. They prefer to believe a lie.
The Devil in disguise has deceived the nations and now his anger has reached its zenith:
Daniel 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
The message that the TRUE MESSIAH is soon to appear and that this Christ the world has been deceived by is in reality Satan is described symbolically as 'tidings out of the east and north' (Daniel 11:44). The wicked angel who deceived a third of God's angels in heaven and is king of the bottomless pit - Satan is agitated and his anger knows no bounds. A death decree is enacted and enabled to destroy the true people of God.
This is why God's people are instructed to flee.
Jesus's instructions to his disciples are a revelation in themselves:
Matthew 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Satan personating Christ and worshipped by the majority of the world enters into Jerusalem after the sixth trumpet war and defeat of the King of the South. The seventh trumpet sounds and it is now time for the outpouring of the seven last plagues:
Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come
God's wrath is going to be experienced by all those that have chosen to follow the impostor, false Christ - Satan. The deceived are angry with God's true followers and will make every effort to destroy them. Christ comforts his disciples with the words: "for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
Great signs and wonders from FALSE Christs and Prophets
Matthew 24:23-28 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
The concept of a messiah is not only a Jewish or Christian belief:
"Messianism is the belief in the advent of a messiah who acts as the savior of a group of people.[1]
[2] Messianism originated as an Abrahamic religious belief, but other religions have messianism-related concepts. 1 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianism. 2 See appendix for List of Messiah’s
Christ's warning in Matthew 24 reveals numerous 'false Christ's' and 'false prophets'
23 :THEN if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
The very important word 'then' specifies the timing of the arising of a plethora of lying, devil inspired false Christ's and prophet's - at the time of the 'great tribulation'. Satan has appeared as the Christian messiah and been accepted by the majority as 'Jesus Christ'. Satan's evil angels deceive the majority of all other reli- gions and Islam who identified the Christian messiah as the antichrist or Al-Masih ad-Dajjal has been decimated in the sixth trumpet war. Empowering these false Christ's and prophets to deceive the masses Satan is desperate to deceive even the very elect. But that is not possible:
Matthew 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Christ reiterates to the disciples that he has told them before not to believe that he is on earth somewhere and that they can literally go to where he is whether it be in a far flung place like a desert or a more secretive place like a cave or 'secret chamber'. Jesus Christ the son of God is not going to manifest on earth physically before his second coming. He then describes what his second coming will be like:
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Lightning can truly light up the whole sky. When Christ comes every eye shall see him:
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
If you are invited to meet Christ on earth at any time prior to his second coming and meet Christ in person you are instructed by Christ - BELIEVE IT NOT!
It is as simple as that! Christ is repeating the warning he gave at the beginning of his talk about events that will take place at the time of the end :
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
When Christ repeats a warning it is obviously VERY IMPORTANT!!
Satan the arch deceiver wants to deceive everybody and get them to believe - he is CHRIST!
He plans to deceive the world into believing he is JESUS CHRIST.
Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Satan personating Christ will enter Jerusalem and be received by the world as Jesus Christ:
Lamentations 4:12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.
Christ states:
BELIEVE IT NOT!
Dead bodies will attract eagles
Christ then makes what seems an unusual statement:
Matthew 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Comparing other gospels helps determine what Christ was referring to:
Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Luke records this phrase in connection with the Lord's assessment of our characters. Have we chosen to respect and be obedient to his commandments? Are we his children in word and action? It is too late for those who do not have oil in their lamps.
God’s judgement is symbolized by the gathering of the wheat and the tares. His servants ‘the wheat’ have grown up with the ‘tares’ or ‘weeds’ and are gathered at the time of harvest together. The ‘wheat’ represent God’s righteous saints who have been purified by the blood of his son and illuminated by the spirit of God. They have not chosen to receive the mark of the world’s approval - the mark of the beast- rather they have had the mark of God placed upon their foreheads (Ezekiel 9:4). They have sighed and cried because of the evil that has been perpetrated on the earth and God regards them as his jewels: “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels: and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:17). God’s jewels or wheat are his saints and will enter into heaven to partake of the tree of life when Christ comes a second time. The ‘tares’ on the other hand will be gathered but because they preferred the esteem of man and chose to obey the laws of the world above the law of God will experience eternal separation from God (Matthew 13:40)
When Christ's disciples ask him: ' Where Lord?', Christ then describes what will happen to those who are left behind : 'Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.'
If you are deceived by false Christ's and false prophets you will be left behind. Those left behind will receive a fate similar to Lot's wife. The phrase Luke records at the beginning 'Remember Lot's wife' is advice we need to heed. Lot's wife when escaping from Sodom and Gomorrah was turned into a pillar of salt. Understanding the circumstances that led to this event is a warning for us today.
God personally sent angels to rescue Lot’s family from Sodom. The angels roused Lot to gather his family in Sodom and get out of the city before it was destroyed by God. The wickedness of the city was so great that God was going to rain fire down upon it and destroy everything within it and the city itself. Lot warned his married daughters to flee but the warning was not taken seriously. Even he was reluctant to leave his home.
“And while he lingered, the men (angels) laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.” (Genesis 19:16)
They were commanded to escape for their life and to not look back but Lot’s wife disobeyed. Her heart was filled with sadness leaving her home and her daughters which chose not to flee. She felt saddened having to leave the possessions and home they had worked so hard to create - she preferred the life she had just left rather than the unknown she was racing into. Her lack of gratitude and longing to stay in Sodom rather than be grateful for the deliverance of God and disobedience in looking back had an immediate consequence - she lost her life!
When we see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place we must escape as Christ has instructed us to:
Matthew 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Don't be distracted by your possessions or clothing or anything else - flee to the mountains immediately. We are in danger of repeating the history of Lot's wife. Allow nothing to get in the way of you being obedient to Christ's instructions.
When Christ comes 'as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; ' the righteous will be 'taken' and those that are left behind will become food for birds including eagles:
Revelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather your- selves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of
mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
The wicked are destroyed by the brightness of the coming of Christ:
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall the lawless be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Remembering Lot's wife is very important advice that Christ gave us - those who will be alive at the momentous 'time of the end' need to heed his instructions to be prepared for his soon appearing in the clouds of heaven.
The Powers of the Heavens will be shaken!
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heav- en, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The words: 'Immediately after the tribulation of those days' is direct and pointed - this time of tribulation is particularly identified in Daniel 12:
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
This tribulation or 'time of trouble such as never was' has taken place. This time of trouble is described in great detail in 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.
The outpouring of the plagues is the time of tribulation, or the wrath of God. As this time closes the powers of heaven are shaken and Christ describes the blackness that will envelop the earth due to the sun being darkened, the moon not giving its light and the stars falling from heaven.
Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her un-timely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruc-
tion from the Almighty.
Isaiah 2:10-12 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.”
Isaiah 2:20, 21 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
The events that take place just prior to the coming of Jesus Christ are without precedence. The earth and heavens are shaken to the core. Mountains and islands are moved from their place and the sky seems to be parting as a scroll. This fearful time causes all men to seek safety in the depths of the earth and the rocks of the mountains - from king to slave, rich and poor - all are trying to hide from God on his throne whom they see as the sky opens above them. The despair and horror of those who could have listened to the spirit of God and chose to follow him no matter what the cost are now confronted with the outcome of their decision. They trampled upon God’s law - securing the favour of the world was deemed to be of more value than listening to and obeying the call of heaven. Transgression was chosen above obedience, evil preferred above good, Satan above Christ.
More detail about this time is described in the description of the seventh vial which is poured out after the sixth seal is broken:
Revelation 16:17-21 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. 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 earth- quake, and so great. 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. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 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.
Babylon receives the wrath of God in the final plague, broken into three parts - the mother of harlots - the Papacy is burnt with fire. Her daughters, those that have been deceived by her doctrines - the ‘Sunday’ sabbath, the trinity, original sin to name a few are the Protestant churches which have adopted the Papacy’s beliefs. Members of these churches realise that it is too late - they accepted the ‘Mark of the Beast’ - they ridiculed seventh day sabbath keepers - their opportunity has long gone - the recognition of their loss is unbearable. Spiritualism and its followers including a vast number of heathen religions and their gods, people who have preferred to follow science, technology or Satan himself realise they have also chosen the wrong path, ignored the cry that Babylon had fallen and chosen gods that could not save them.
Watch! You do not know what hour Jesus Christ will come.
Matthew 24:40-44 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the oth- er left. two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Here we have again the 'timing' word : THEN - which is important to note because after all the events that have taken place in Matthew 24 leading up to the main event - Jesus Christ returning to earth - his second coming; what is described next is going to be a reality
You need to WATCH! AND BE READY! You do not know the hour of Jesus's return! But you can certainly interpret the signs you see taking place around you such as:
- the hatred shown by authorities and the 'mindless masses' - Matthew 24:9
- many will be offended, hatred will be rife, false prophets will abound and deceive many - Matthew 24: 10 -13
- the gospel of the soon appearing kingdom of Christ will be preached in all the world - Matthew 24 : 14
- The abomination of desolation is the signal for you to flee for your life - Matthew 24: 15 This is the beginning of the time of tribulation - Matthew 24:21
- False Christs and false prophets will abound making every attempt to deceive the elect - Matthew 24:24
The process of the ‘coming of the end’ is in full swing.
You need to have committed your life and soul to Jesus Christ and the Father before the seven vials are poured out upon the earth - putting off your decision to choose salvation is not a wise move. Your devotion to God will require complete obedience to his commands so that you may be truly entitled to the salvation he has won for you and gives you as a gift:
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
If the people that were grinding or in the field had known that Christ's coming was imminent as the signs declared or the goodman of the house had known the hour of the break-in to his home they would have been prepared. Christ's words echo down the ages: "in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man
cometh." Matthew 24:44 Your preparation for Christ's second coming is of the utmost importance. The advice of Christ to his disciples is for YOU and I - anyone who is prepared to listen and believe:
The Faithful and Wise Servant
Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Christ then identifies who is his faithful and wise servant. Christ's servant is made a ruler in his house-hold because he or she is doing their very best to give members of His house meat in due season. The servant of Christ will be impressed with their responsibility given to them by God and encourage and feed Christ's household with the pure and holy truth from the word of God. God's servants are pronounced 'BLESSED'!
The evil servant on the other hand is not expecting his master's return. He or she absents themselves from their duties. They eat and drink with the drunken. At the end of time the majority of the world's inhabitants are spiritually inebriated. Drunk with the wine of the wrath of spiritual Babylon's fornication (Revelation 17 : 1, 2) they have been deceived. End time Babylon worships Satan masquerading as Christ they prefer to believe a, lie (2 Thessalonians 2 : 11,12). There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth but it will be too late. Unbelief has its reward and it is not one that any would desire.
Clearly Christ is declaring to all who read or hear his words that he is coming soon. You are admonished to understand the events or signs that will precede his coming. Be prepared, ready to do the will of God and be a dedicated and trustworthy servant, to share his word with others. God has spoken through his son Jesus Christ and dedicated you to his cause - arise and respond to his loving call and share his 'meat'
- the word - with all those that listen. If loyal to the cause you will one day soon hear Christ say to you:
"Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25: 23
What an amazing call to answer. Hear his voice pleading with your heart today.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 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.
The Sign of the Son of Man
Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The words 'and then' reveal that there has been a sequence of events taking place. A sign is going to appear in heaven - 'the sign of the son of man'. The upheaval of the seventh vial has taken place - the mountains have gone - every island has 'fled away' - the cities of the nations have fallen and Babylon has been broken into three parts - she has finally received the cup of God's wrath.
AND THEN the sign of the son of man - Jesus Christ appears in heaven.
In the heaven, in the east, a small black cloud appears. This is what God’s people have been waiting for. Christ comes in the clouds and this cloud in the distance is surrounded by darkness. As it draws closer the cloud becomes lighter and radiant with glory. The vast white cloud appears to have a base of fire and the rainbow of the Covenant (the law of God) is above it.
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
John the Revelator’s record concisely describes the coming of Christ - he will come in the clouds, EVERY eye will see him and even those who pierced him. A special resurrection has taken place and those who were involved with condemning Jesus Christ to the death of the cross and 'pierced' him will be there to see him come in the clouds with great glory and majesty as he told them he would:
Mark 14:61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
What a terrible fate to fulfill! Jesus Christ the son of God spoke the truth and the high priest called the son of God a liar and a blasphemer. Christ's words : "Ye shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven" are not only stated for the High Priest who condemned him, but to all looking for the true Christ. If someone claims to be Jesus Christ and the events so clearly described in Matthew 24 have NOT taken place - the gospel has been preached in all the world, Satan has appeared as the abomination of desolation and claimed to be Christ and the islands and mountains have fled away - you can with certainty condemn them as FALSE. The true Christ will be seen coming in the clouds of heaven and after the events Christ clearly describes will take place. The word of God is clear and to the point.
The Angels will gather his Elect
Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For 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:
17 Then 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words
What a comfort ! What an amazing experience that will be! The sleep of death is broken by a shout of victory, the voice of the archangel and the trump of God.
John 5:28, 29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that
are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.
The servants of Christ that have succumbed to the sleep of death will be awakened by the voice of God echoing across the broken earth. They will be raised and be caught up into the clouds.
What about those who are living when Christ returns?
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.
Parable of the Fig Tree
Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender,
and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be ful- filled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Christ has been telling his disciples about what the end of the world would be like and these words have also been written for those who would be living at that time. The preservation of the word of God throughout the centuries has enabled anyone who wants to listen to God’s voice through his word to know when that time would take place. We are so near the second coming of Christ. When you see the
signs spoken of by Christ you need to be reminded that “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” When you see the signs highlighted in this booklet you can be assured you are part of the generation that will live in the ‘time of the end’.
Imagine being alive when you see the 'fig leaf' signs of Jesus coming! What signs will you see? They will include:
* The gospel going out in its fullness and propelled as ' a loud cry' including the warning to escape spiritual Babylon (Revelation 18:1-3)
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
*Hatred of God's messengers - betrayal, many shall be offended and the love of many shall wax cold - 'they shall deliver you up to be afflicted and killed' Matthew 24: 9 -13.
*The 'loud cry' or final call to flee from Babylon ends when the sixth trumpet war ends and the abomination of desolation takes place.
* The abomination of desolation standing in the holy place : In Jerusalem after the sixth trumpet war of Daniel 11: 40-43 Satan personating Christ and being lauded by the Papacy as the true Christ will enter Jerusalem (the holy place) and 'plant his tabernacles' there. Satan is the abomination or 'living idol' that will literally proclaim that he is Jesus Christ and the Saviour of this world. This sign will be understood by God's messengers and they will flee.
*Great tribulation will begin - this is the outpouring of the seven plagues or vials of Revelation 16
- False Christs and false prophets will abound shewing great signs and wonders - trying to deceive the 'very elect'. (Matthew 24:24)
- The sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her light and the stars will fall from heaven - the sign of Christ's second coming will be seen - a small cloud initially will become brighter and more glorious and Christ will then send his angels to gather his resurrected and living saints to meet him in the air.
The generation alive at the time of the end shall not pass till all the signs from the abomination of desolation onwards are fulfilled. The time of the end or 'when the end comes' (Matthew 24:14) is an assurance to God's people - his final generation of witnesses that they will not pass and will see the true Christ come to save them at his second coming. What an amazing promise to be given! Surrounded by the turmoil created by the seven last plagues and protected in their hiding places by angels of God they will be preserved and be alive when Christ comes and calls them to meet him in the air.
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