Tribulations study in Revelation and rapture presentation

 

            What with the blood moon and the coming rapture I want to do a study which features fifteen chapters of Revelation from the point where the rapture is symbolized with the calling to John of come up hither to the destruction of mystery Babylon. This covers chapters 4 through 18. Also covered is a moderately short rapture presentation with more information on the rapture so you do not miss the event which is imminent in only a few days and find yourself facing what is described in the following chapters of revelation (especially 6 through 18 so please read and study them so you know what you can miss out on by making the rapture)

I start this bible study with Revelation chapter 4, which first few verses simulate the rapture of the church when John is called up to view what was to happen. John also saw the four beasts in heaven and the 24 elders.

(Revelation 4:1)  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

 

(Revelation 4:2)  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

 

(Revelation 4:3)  And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

 

(Revelation 4:4)  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

 

(Revelation 4:5)  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

 

(Revelation 4:6)  And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

 

(Revelation 4:7)  And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

 

(Revelation 4:8)  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

 

(Revelation 4:9)  And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

 

(Revelation 4:10)  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

 

(Revelation 4:11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

Revelation chapter 5 sets the stage with them looking for someone worthy to open the seals of a scroll, and initially none is found anywhere to much consternation, but then the lamb that was slain proves worthy to do this. Then there is much celebration including much singing from even what I believe to be the raptured church at the end.

(Revelation 5:1)  And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

 

(Revelation 5:2)  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

 

(Revelation 5:3)  And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

 

(Revelation 5:4)  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

 

(Revelation 5:5)  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

 

(Revelation 5:6)  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

 

(Revelation 5:7)  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

 

(Revelation 5:8)  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

 

(Revelation 5:9)  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

 

(Revelation 5:10)  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

 

(Revelation 5:11)  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

 

(Revelation 5:12)  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

 

(Revelation 5:13)  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

 

(Revelation 5:14)  And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

 

In chapter six of Revelation, six of the seven seals are opened with all their devastating consequences for those on the earth. The first four are represented by horsemen, and the fifth shows martyrs in heaven, and then six with the earthquake and all hiding in fear of the Lamb’s wrath(Jesus)

(Revelation 6:1)  And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

 

(Revelation 6:2)  And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

 

(Revelation 6:3)  And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

 

(Revelation 6:4)  And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

 

(Revelation 6:5)  And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

 

(Revelation 6:6)  And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

 

(Revelation 6:7)  And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

 

(Revelation 6:8)  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

 

(Revelation 6:9)  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

 

(Revelation 6:10)  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

 

(Revelation 6:11)  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

 

(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;

 

(Revelation 6:13)  And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

 

(Revelation 6:14)  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

 

(Revelation 6:15)  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;

 

(Revelation 6:16)  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:

 

(Revelation 6:17)  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

 

In chapter 7 or Revelation, the 144,000 then are sealed up by God to protect them in the later judgments where they can be and the many martyrs of the tribulation period are then shown having washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb.

(Revelation 7:1)  And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

 

(Revelation 7:2)  And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

 

(Revelation 7:3)  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

 

(Revelation 7:4)  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

 

(Revelation 7:5)  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

 

(Revelation 7:6)  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

 

(Revelation 7:7)  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

 

(Revelation 7:8)  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

 

(Revelation 7:9)  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

 

(Revelation 7:10)  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

 

(Revelation 7:11)  And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

 

(Revelation 7:12)  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

 

(Revelation 7:13)  And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

 

(Revelation 7:14)  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

 

(Revelation 7:15)  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

 

(Revelation 7:16)  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

 

(Revelation 7:17)  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

 

Revelation 8 records the seventh seal judgment which in turn releases the trumpet judgments to come, which after a half hour silence in heaven they do. The four listed in this chapter are terrible and cause a lot of devastation but these are to a degree limited to what they can do. There are likely some impact events and some supernatural things in there, but still these are designed by God in the hopes that some will repent of their evil and be saved.

(Revelation 8:1)  And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

 

(Revelation 8:2)  And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

 

(Revelation 8:3)  And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

 

(Revelation 8:4)  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

 

(Revelation 8:5)  And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

 

(Revelation 8:6)  And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

 

(Revelation 8:7)  The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

 

(Revelation 8:8)  And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

 

(Revelation 8:9)  And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

 

(Revelation 8:10)  And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

 

(Revelation 8:11)  And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

 

(Revelation 8:12)  And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

 

(Revelation 8:13)  And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

 

In Revelation chapter 9, the fifth and sixth trumpets are described in more detail and above they are described as the first two woes. You don’t want any part of the locusts that sting and torment you five months, and you cannot die but are in the most horrible agony from the sting, and also of the demonic (possessed) army which will kill 1/3 of the remaining population (after all of the other seal judgments and trumpet judgments described earlier). As stated above, those raptured do not have to worry about these judgments. Sadly, despite how severe the judgments are and how much they kill, the people who are caught in them are too hard of heart to repent of all of their evil deeds (as Pharaoh was during the plagues of Egypt)

(Revelation 9:1)  And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

 

(Revelation 9:2)  And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

 

(Revelation 9:3)  And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

 

(Revelation 9:4)  And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

 

(Revelation 9:5)  And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

 

(Revelation 9:6)  And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

 

(Revelation 9:7)  And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

 

(Revelation 9:8)  And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

 

(Revelation 9:9)  And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

 

(Revelation 9:10)  And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

 

(Revelation 9:11)  And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

 

(Revelation 9:12)  One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

 

(Revelation 9:13)  And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

 

(Revelation 9:14)  Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

 

(Revelation 9:15)  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.

 

(Revelation 9:16)  And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

 

(Revelation 9:17)  And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

 

(Revelation 9:18)  By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

 

(Revelation 9:19)  For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

 

(Revelation 9:20)  And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

 

(Revelation 9:21)  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

 

Chapter 10 of Revelation is an interlude where John hears the sound of the thunders but is told not to write them and then eats a little scroll and then is told that he must prophesy yet again to the peoples

(Revelation 10:1)  And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

 

(Revelation 10:2)  And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

 

(Revelation 10:3)  And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

 

(Revelation 10:4)  And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

 

(Revelation 10:5)  And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

 

(Revelation 10:6)  And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

 

(Revelation 10:7)  But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

 

(Revelation 10:8)  And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

 

(Revelation 10:9)  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

 

(Revelation 10:10)  And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

 

(Revelation 10:11)  And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

 

Chapter 11 of Revelation then tells of the story of the two witnesses and their miraculous exploits and witnessing to the people of earth and then their death at the hands of the beast and being raised again from the dead 3 days later and ascending to heaven, called up to heaven, stopping the partying of the people to celebrate their deaths. Then seventh trumpet then sounds with its consequences, which many say will release the way of the vial/bowl judgments later on(Revelation 16).

(Revelation 11:1)  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

 

(Revelation 11:2)  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

 

(Revelation 11:3)  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

 

(Revelation 11:4)  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

 

(Revelation 11:5)  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

 

(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.

 

(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 overcome them, and kill them.

 

(Revelation 11:8)  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

 

(Revelation 11:9)  And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

 

(Revelation 11:10)  And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

 

(Revelation 11:11)  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

 

(Revelation 11:12)  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

 

(Revelation 11:13)  And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

 

(Revelation 11:14)  The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

 

(Revelation 11:15)  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

 

(Revelation 11:16)  And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

 

(Revelation 11:17)  Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

 

(Revelation 11:18)  And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

 

(Revelation 11:19)  And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

 

Revelation chapter 12 deals with the war in heaven with Satan being cast down to the earth and then his revenge on the woman and her seed who keep the commandments of God and also have Jesus’ testimony

(Revelation 12:1)  And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

 

(Revelation 12:2)  And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

 

(Revelation 12:3)  And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

 

(Revelation 12:4)  And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

 

(Revelation 12:5)  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

 

(Revelation 12:6)  And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

 

(Revelation 12:7)  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

 

(Revelation 12:8)  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

 

(Revelation 12:9)  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

 

(Revelation 12:10)  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

 

(Revelation 12:11)  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

 

(Revelation 12:12)  Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

 

(Revelation 12:13)  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

 

(Revelation 12:14)  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

 

(Revelation 12:15)  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

 

(Revelation 12:16)  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

 

(Revelation 12:17)  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Revelation chapter 13 deals with the rise of the beast who is given power to overcome the saints and speak blasphemy and also the false prophet to do false wonders and they make in image and a mark without which people cannot buy or sell. Also those who do not worship the image are subject to be killed

(Revelation 13:1)  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

 

(Revelation 13:2)  And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

 

(Revelation 13:3)  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

 

(Revelation 13:4)  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

 

(Revelation 13:5)  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

 

(Revelation 13:6)  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

 

(Revelation 13:7)  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

 

(Revelation 13:8)  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

 

(Revelation 13:9)  If any man have an ear, let him hear.

 

(Revelation 13:10)  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

 

(Revelation 13:11)  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

 

(Revelation 13:12)  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

 

(Revelation 13:13)  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

 

(Revelation 13:14)  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

 

(Revelation 13:15)  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

 

(Revelation 13:16)  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

 

(Revelation 13:17)  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

 

(Revelation 13:18)  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

 

Revelation chapter 14 deals with the 144,000 singing a new song, the angels bringing various messages including the fall of Babylon and the consequences of taking the mark of the beast which is eternal torment without rest and the chapter is concluded with two harvests or reapings of the earth

(Revelation 14:1)  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

 

(Revelation 14:2)  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

 

(Revelation 14:3)  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

 

(Revelation 14:4)  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

 

(Revelation 14:5)  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

 

(Revelation 14:6)  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

 

(Revelation 14:7)  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

 

(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.

 

(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,

 

(Revelation 14:10)  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without 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:

 

(Revelation 14:11)  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.

 

(Revelation 14:12)  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

 

(Revelation 14:13)  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

 

(Revelation 14:14)  And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

 

(Revelation 14:15)  And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

 

(Revelation 14:16)  And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

 

(Revelation 14:17)  And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

 

(Revelation 14:18)  And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

 

(Revelation 14:19)  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

 

(Revelation 14:20)  And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

 

Revelation chapters 15 and 16, presented without comment in between deal with the preparations to pour out the vials of the wrath of God, including worship and in chapter 16 the pouring of the vials on to the earth, one after another, in the most terrible of the three judgments of God. Despite their ferocity, not only do the people not repent but they blaspheme God. Most likely have the mark and as a result are very likely apostate, reprobate and very hardened against God.

(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.

 

(Revelation 15:2)  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

 

(Revelation 15:3)  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

 

(Revelation 15:4)  Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

 

(Revelation 15:5)  And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

 

(Revelation 15:6)  And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

 

(Revelation 15:7)  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

 

(Revelation 15:8)  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

 

(Revelation 16:1)  And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

 

 

 

(Revelation 16:2)  And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

 

(Revelation 16:3)  And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

 

(Revelation 16:4)  And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

 

(Revelation 16:5)  And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

 

(Revelation 16:6)  For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

 

(Revelation 16:7)  And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

 

(Revelation 16:8)  And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

 

(Revelation 16:9)  And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

 

(Revelation 16:10)  And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

 

(Revelation 16:11)  And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

 

(Revelation 16:12)  And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

 

(Revelation 16:13)  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

 

(Revelation 16:14)  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

 

(Revelation 16:15)  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

 

(Revelation 16:16)  And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

 

(Revelation 16:17)  And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

 

(Revelation 16:18)  And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

 

(Revelation 16:19)  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

 

(Revelation 16:20)  And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

 

(Revelation 16:21)  And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

 

In Revelation chapter 17 mystery Babylon is revealed to John by and is shown as a woman on a beast and the vision is further explained by the angel and also this woman is described as a city at the end of the chapter.

(Revelation 17:1)  And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

 

(Revelation 17:2)  With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

 

(Revelation 17:3)  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

 

(Revelation 17:4)  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

 

(Revelation 17:5)  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

 

(Revelation 17:6)  And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

 

(Revelation 17:7)  And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

 

(Revelation 17:8)  The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

 

(Revelation 17:9)  And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

 

(Revelation 17:10)  And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

 

(Revelation 17:11)  And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

 

(Revelation 17:12)  And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

 

(Revelation 17:13)  These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

 

(Revelation 17:14)  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

 

(Revelation 17:15)  And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

 

(Revelation 17:16)  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

 

(Revelation 17:17)  For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

 

(Revelation 17:18)  And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

 

In Revelation the righteous are warned that the judgment is to fall Babylon and to get out so as to not partake of her sins and coming punishment, and then she is destroyed in one hour and all the merchants who traded with her bemoan her sudden fall and her condition, knowing they can no longer trade with her. The devastation of Babylon is also described in the chapter

(Revelation 18:1)  And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

 

(Revelation 18:2)  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

 

(Revelation 18:3)  For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

 

(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.

 

(Revelation 18:5)  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

 

(Revelation 18:6)  Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

 

(Revelation 18:7)  How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

 

(Revelation 18:8)  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

 

(Revelation 18:9)  And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

 

(Revelation 18:10)  Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

 

(Revelation 18:11)  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

 

(Revelation 18:12)  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

 

(Revelation 18:13)  And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

 

(Revelation 18:14)  And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

 

(Revelation 18:15)  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

 

(Revelation 18:16)  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

 

(Revelation 18:17)  For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

 

(Revelation 18:18)  And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

 

(Revelation 18:19)  And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

 

(Revelation 18:20)  Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

 

(Revelation 18:21)  And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

 

(Revelation 18:22)  And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

 

(Revelation 18:23)  And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

 

(Revelation 18:24)  And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

 

Here now are more prophecies and information concerning the coming rapture:

I honestly believe God has been showing me recently that the rapture is coming sooner and not later as some believe, but we cannot predict the day or the hour but we are to keep doing our part, keeping a good relationship with Him and winning souls until God the Father tells the angels to blow the trumpet and sends Jesus to gather up His children to Him, and so I am adding a presentation with more information on the rapture and end times, for the day of the Lord’s coming will be as a thief in the night and it is necessary for all to be prepared for this always.

Now is a good time to draw near to the Lord and be reading His word, forgiving ALL offenses done against you, asking for God and or others help if need be for I sense Satan is holding many in the bonds of unforgiveness, and more, for I have gotten together a number of prophetic messages both of my own- by dreams and more and from other sources. I do not want anyone to miss this coming rapture for earth will be hell during the tribulation period so now I present information on the rapture and events related below:

 

ARE ALL CHRISTIANS GOING IN THE RAPTURE???

ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE READY???

This seems to be one of the hot topics on 5 Doves recently, so I feel it is time that I forward one of my tracts that I wrote about 12 years ago, with several hundred thousand in circulation. For those of you who believe that ALL Christians will be taken in the Rapture, I hope and pray that you are right. On the other hand, if one believes that way, and feels no need to change his backslidden, lukewarm, compromising, unwatchful, worldly, or fence-straddling ways, WOE BE UNTO HIM, if he suddenly finds the Rapture happened and he was left behind.


Isn't it much safer to get as close to the Lord as we can in these VERY LAST DAYS? Is there any negative in doing that??? It is much safer and wiser to believe that all Christians are NOT going in the Rapture. Not only safer and wiser, but I believe MORE SCRIPTURAL, also. Following is the tract that I wrote:


Are All Christians going in the Rapture? If, at some point in your life, you have asked Jesus Christ into your life to become your personal Lord and Saviour, does this GUARANTEE that you are going in the Rapture? All signs point to the END OF THE AGE VERY SOON, SO THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION YOU COULD ASK YOURSELF IS, "AM I READY FOR THE RAPTURE?"



Before we go any further, let's clarify what the RAPTURE is. I Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, "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: then we which are alive and remain will 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 Rapture is the GREAT ESCAPE from the horrendous Tribulation period that is SOON to come on ALL THE WORLD! It is for a body of born-again believers in Jesus Christ. The question is IS THE RAPTURE FOR ALL CHRISTIANS?



It is probably safe to say that a majority of Chlristians reading this tract would say "YES". We are NOT addressing the issue of salvation, or "once saved, always saved," or "eternal security". For those of you who answered "Yes", CAN YOU FIND EVEN ONE SCRIPTURE THAT GUARANTEES THAT ALL CHRISTIANS ARE GOING IN THE RAPTURE? Scripture points to the fact that all will NOT be making it to the rapture.



Just because you have always believed something, or your Pastor believes it, or your church teaches it, DOES NOT MAKE IT TRUE! IT MUST BE BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD! It is our fervent desire that ALL CHRISTIANS are going in the Rapture. If ALL CHRISTIANS are going in the Rapture, we have lost nothing by drawing closer to the Lord to prepare for His Soon Return. If, on the other hand, we have a false sense of security regarding our readiness for the Rapture, and we ignore the Lord's warnings to GET OUR HEARTS RIGHT WITH HIM BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, we have a TREMENDOUS amount to lose. Just read the Book of Revelation!



"Lord, your Word is awesome. Lord, your Word is powerful. Lord, your Word is sharper than any two-edged sword. Lord, use the convicting power of the word of the Living God and the convicting power of your mighty Holy Spirit to reveal to every one of us the Truth from your Word. If the message of this tract is not true, then cause it to have no effect on the hearts of those reading it. If, however, the message from your Word IS true, we ask you to release an outpouring of your Holy Spirit on Christians everywhere. For those who are not spiritually ready, cut to the very bottom of their heart and REMOVE THAT FALSE SENSE OF SECUITTY IN THE NAME OF JESUS! AMEN."



Your opinion, and my opinion, do not matter. What you have been taught does not matter. WHAT DOES THE WORD OF GOD SAY? This is ALL that really matters. The remainder of this tract will be WARNINGS DIRECTLY FROM THE WORD OF GOD CONCERNING YOUR READINESS FOR THE RAPTURE! (If YOU are ready, that's wonderful, but how about your family, your friends, and those who sit in the church pews around you?)



In Luke 21, the whole chapter is discussing the End of the Age and the Second Coming of Christ. In verses 34-36, JESUS GIVES AN OMINOUS WARNING TO ALL CHRISTIANS, "and TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES, lest at any time YOUR HEARTS be over-charged with surfeiting (partying), and drunkenness, AND CARES OF THIS LIFE, and so THAT DAY COME UPON YOU UNAWARES. For as a snare (trap) shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. WATCH YE, therefore, AND PRAY ALWAYS, THAT YE MAY BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the son of man (Jesus)."



If ALL Christians were going to take part in this GREAT ESCAPE, WHY WOULD JESUS GIVE SUCH A STERN AND OMINOUS WARNING TO THE END-TIME CHRISTIAN??? This is DEFINITELY a very PERSONAL WARNING for each of us. The subject matter can be nothing but the Tribulation hour and the Rapture. Jesus says to pray always. Surely, Jesus knows that a non-Christian cannot be in an attitude of constant prayer. Surely, non-Christians are not expected to be LOOKING FOR THAT DAY and WATCHING for signs of His Soon Return.



Jesus is continuously talking to HIS FOLLOWERS throughout this chapter. Jesus says to TAKE HEED TO YOURSELF, He is addressing YOUR HEART and He is constantly personalizing this message to YOU, to YE, THE CHRISTIAN! ARE YOU LISTENING? ARE YOU READY???



What can we do, as Christians, to be found WORTHY of the Lord's GREAT ESCAPE, THE RAPTURE? Jesus tells us to be in a constant attitude of prayer. Become so close to the Lord that you can talk with Him about anything. Pray that the Lord would reveal to YOU anything in your life that might keep you from being ready for the Rapture. Then you need to act upon that which the Lord shows you to do.



In this passage, the Lord strongly encourages us to be WATCHING for the SIGNS of His Soon Return, so that we would not be UNAWARE of the approximate time of His Return. Jesus said we could KNOW when His Return was NEAR, EVEN AT THE DOORS! ALL SIGNS NOW CONFIRM TO US THAT HIS COMING IS AT THE DOOR!!!



If you do not have this firm conviction in your heart that our Lord's Return is AT THE DOOR, it is probably because you have not been WATCHING for signs as He continuously admonishes us to do over and over again in the New Testament (Read Mark 13 and 14). Are the CARES OF THIS LIFE your priority, or do you so much look forward to His Return that YOU LOVE HIS APPEARING (II Timothy 4:8) more than the things of this life?

(2 Timothy 4:8)  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

The CARES OF THIS LIFE (Luke 21:34) are what cause us to become "worldly" Christians, or "backslidden" Christians, or "lukewarm" Christians. Luke 21:34-36 (Go back and read it again) strongly implies that these types of Christians ARE NOT READY FOR THE RAPTURE!!!
(Luke 21:34)  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

 

(Luke 21:35)  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

 

(Luke 21:36)  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

In Revelation, starting with Chapter 6, the horrible judgments of the Tribulation are poured out on an unsuspecting world. In Chapters 1-3, there are several WARNINGS TO THE CHRISTIANS IN THE LAST DAYS, WARNINGS BEFORE THE RAPTURE AND THE TRIBULATION IN CHAPTERS 6-19.



The constant theme of Revelation, Chapter 2, is the NEED OF THE END-TIME CHRISTIAN TO REPENT! Rev. 2: 4-5 says, "I have somewhat against thee, because THOU HAS LEFT THY FIRST LOVE. Remember, therefore, from whence thou are fallen, AND REPENT, and do the first works; or else I WILL COME UNTO THEE QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK OUT OF HIS PLACE, EXCEPT THOU REPENT."



If you HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE you are a "backslidden" Christian. You need to REPENT and restore your relationship with Christ back to what it should be. Is the Lord speaking to YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW?



Rev. 3:10 says, "Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." The implication of this verse is obvious: If the end-time Christian does NOT stay close to the Lord and endure to the end, HE WILL NOT BE KEPT FROM THE TRIBULATION HOUR!



Rev. 3: 15-16 is ANOTHER OMINOUS WARNING TO ALL CHRISTIANS, "I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then BECAUSE THOU ART LUKEWARM, AND NEITHER COLD NOT HOT, I WILL SPUE THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH."



Can you honestly give another explanation for this verse, other than the LORD CASTING LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS OUT INTO THE TRIBULATION? What are YOU doing that would show the Lord that you are ON FIRE for Him? These verses say emphatically that their WORKS WERE LUKEWARM.



What happens to the unwatchful SERVANT who believes his LORD is not coming back for a while and is not that concerned about the way he is living his life? Matthew 24: 50-51 says, "the LORD of that SERVANT...shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (The Tribulation Hour?)." In Matthew 25:30, we see the exact same result for the unprofitable SERVANT. In both cases, there is A LORD--SERVANT RELATIONSHIP ALREADY ESTABLISHED. ARE ALL CHRISTIANS GOING IN THE RAPTURE? WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY???



This world is full of LUKEWARM, BACKSLIDDEN, UNWATCHFUL, AND WORLDLY Christians. In Rev. 7:9, we see a GREAT MULTITUDE, that no man could number, standing before the Lamb of God in Heaven. Verse 14 describes them, "These are they which came OUT OF GREAT TRIBULATION, AND HAVE WASHED THEIR ROBES, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." In Chapter 20, it says they were beheaded for not taking the Mark of the Beast.



This great multitude of people already had robes. Your Robe of righteousness is given to you at the time of your salvation. They were already saved but their ROBES WERE DIRTY. These COMPROMISING Christians were caught up in the CARES OF THE WORLD when the Rapture happened and they were cast into the Tribulation hour like the Scriptures had warned them about so many times. They WASHED THEIR DIRTY ROBES in the Great Tribulation because there is no compromise then---IT'S EITHER JESUS CHRIST (and lose your head) OR ANTICHRIST (and lose your soul FOREVER)!!!



Do you really want to have to face that choice? It is clear from God's Word what you must do to be assured of a place in the Rapture. YOU MUST ACT QUICKLY BECAUSE THE TIME FOR THE RAPTURE IS ALMOST HERE!



1. Make sure that you have received Jesus Christ into your life as your PERSONAL Lord and Saviour. If you do find you need Him to be your personal Lord and Saviour please pray the following prayer with me. There is nothing that can compare with a relationship with God or even come remotely close

Heavenly Father I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I confess to You that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I confess and repent of all of my sins and unrighteousness. Right now I confess with my mouth Jesus as the Lord of my life and believe in my heart that You, God did indeed raise Him from the dead. I thank You for cleansing and forgiving me of all of my sins and unrighteousness and for saving me. I thank You for sending Your Son to die in my place for my sins, and for the inexpressible gift of eternal life that I now claim through the death of Jesus on the cross. Thank You, Lord, again for saving me. In the Name of Jesus I pray Amen

2. Examine your own heart for any signs of backsliding, worldliness, unwatchfulness, compromising, and lukewarmness.



3. REPENT (Turn COMPLETELY away from sin and turn COMPLETELY around towards Jesus). Sin separates you from God, even as a Christian. Feel free to use the following prayer, praying it with me

Heavenly Father I confess these sins(list them) to You and say I am sorry I did these things, doing so by faith thanking You for Your promise in Your word that when we confess our sins You are faithful and just to forgive them and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank You for forgiving all my sins and breaking all demonic oppressions, bondages, and strongholds behind them and deliverance from temptation. In Jesus Name I pray Amen



4. Study end-time Biblical prophecy until you become completely convinced that His Coming is, indeed, AT THE DOOR. This will help keep you from temptation and sin. JESUS IS COMING VERY SOON!!! The book of Revelation, Matthew 24, 25, Mark 13, Luke 12, 17, 21 are good places to start.



5. Do something for the Lord. (Passing out tracts would be a good start.)



6. Examine your priorities, lest the CARES OF THIS LIFE cause YOU to MISS THE RAPTURE, as we are so adamantly WARNED about in Luke 21, and so many other Scriptures.



7. Draw closer to God by praying, reading His Word, attending a fundamental church as often as possible, and surround yourself with a Christian atmosphere (Christian friends, books, music, radio, TV, etc.)



8. PRAY DILIGENTLY. ASK THE LORD TO REVEAL TO YOU ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE THAT EVEN MIGHT KEEP YOU FROM THE RAPTURE. PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD GIVE YOU A PEACE, IF YOU ARE READY, AND AN UNREST AND UNEASINESS IN YOUR HEART, IF YOU ARE NOT READY.



9. Listen for His voice and then STAY OPEN TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.



10. Act upon that which the Lord is calling you to do. DO IT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!



If the Lord has planted the least bit of doubt or uneasiness in your heart, will you swallow your pride and pray this prayer with me:



"Dear Lord, Thank you for preparing a WAY OF ESCAPE from the horrible Tribulation to come. It is my sincere desire to be ready for your Soon Return, so that I can participate in the Rapture. Give me a COMPLETE PEACE IN MY HEART FROM YOU if I am, indeed, ready.

Let there be no false sense of security in my heart concerning my readiness for Your Return. Begin to reveal to me things in my life and in my heart that might keep me from the Rapture. Show me what I need to do to BE READY and then give me the power to act upon that which you show me to do. Draw me away from the world and closer to you every day. Use me in whatever way you can to help others who may not be ready for your Return. Fill me with your peace when I am ready and fill me with YOUR POWER, for victory over sin and temptation, and for effective service for your kingdom. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen."

The words of the Lord that He would leave with you in these last days before His Return, "REMEMBER THEREFORE, HOW THOU HAST RECEIVED AND HEARD, AND HOLD FAST, AND REPENT. IF THEREFORE, THOW SHALT NOT WATCH, I WILL COME ON THEE AS A THIEF, AND THOU SHALT NOT KNOW WHAT HOUR I WILL COME UPON THEE." (Revelation 3:3)



Feel free to make copies of this tract or forward it to your backslidden, lukewarm, compromising, unwatchful, and worldly family members and friends. Do not delay. Time is short. What we do, we must do quickly now.



Maranatha!



God bless you and yours