All Christians, whether they believe in a pre-Tribulation, mid-Tribulation, or post-Tribulation rapture will be raptured with the rest of the Body of Christ at the Lord’s coming.  Immediately following the Rapture, the Judgment Seat of Christ occurs in Heaven for all believers to determine loss or gain of rewards for works done in the body.  Simultaneously, the Tribulation will occur on the earth.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Jesus died spiritually:

• Jesus was in the beginning (John 1:1).

• He became flesh (John 1:14).

• He died physically but His spirit lived on (Luke 23:46).

MARK OF THE BEAST

During the Tribulation, the False Prophet will insist that people loyal to Antichrist wear a mark which will be placed either on their right hand or on their forehead. This must be shown to buy or sell (Revelation 13:16-18), or to transact any business. This mark will consist of either the name of the Beast (Antichrist) or his number, 666 (Revelation 14:11).

It is likely that the Image of the Beast, a forth-coming master computer, will give Antichrist all the information necessary for him to govern the world. Its memory bank will know the number, record, and history of every living person. Perhaps this number would be composed of an international, national, and area computer code plus an individual number, such as one’s social security number. The present international computer code is “6” … it could easily be expanded to “666.” The present generation of credit card users should readily understand this concept unknown before.

At the final judgment of God (Great White Throne), all those who received this mark will be tormented with fire and brimstone . . . and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever (Revelation 14:11).

Marilyn this information comes from Dr Van Impes book called Your Future An A-Z Index To Prophecy,May God bless you in Jesus name through the Holy Spirit!

CHRONOLOGY

The Book of Revelation is presented in chronological order (Revelation 1:19). Notice the sequence: past – write the things which thou hast seen (chapter 1), present — write the things which are (chapters 2 and 3), and future — write the things which shall be hereafter (chapters 4-22).

In chapters 2 and 3, the panoramic historical view of the seven churches is presented. The churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea are both present in modern Christendom. Some portray the Laodicean church as merely professing Christians (Titus 1:15) while others believe they are simply lukewarm, lazy Christians who meet Christ “ashamed” (Revelation 3:16; 1 John 2:28). The church of Philadelphia is snatched away before the judgments begin (Revelation 6). The church is conspicuously absent after chapter 4 . . . a proof of a pre-tribulational Rapture.

In Revelation 4:1, we find that, “after this” (the events of chapters 2 and 3), a door opens in heaven and a voice (like a trumpet) calls, “Come up hither….” This is the Rapture, the snatching away (1 Corinthians 15:51-55), the call of the Bridegroom for His Bride.

The Bride (the Church) is then carried to heaven where the Judgment Seat of Christ takes place and the marriage of the Lamb occurs (Revelation 19:7, 8). This will transpire simultaneously with the Tribulation on earth (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; Revelation 3:10).

The Tribulation, depicted in Revelation 6, begins after the Rapture and continues until the Battle of Armageddon when Christ returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to fight the armies of the world (Revelation 19:11-16). Christ brings His Bride back with Him for this battle (Revelation 19:14).

After Christ’s victory, pre- and post-Grace Age saints are raised (Daniel 12:2). They, like John the Baptist, are not part of the Bride, but friends of Christ, the Bridegroom. Their resurrection is at the conclusion of the Tribulation and they are present at the Marriage Supper which takes place on earth soon after (see Marriage Supper of the Lamb).

There is a further division to be made in order to make the Book of Revelation perfectly clear. Chapters 4-11 picture the seven-year Tribulation and chapter 11 portrays the return of Christ to earth (vs. 15-18). Chapters 12 to 19 depict the identical scene a second time and Christ’s return is again described in verse 11 of chapter 19.

Apparently there will be a 75-day interval of transition between

Christ’s return and the beginning of the Millennium (Daniel 12:11, 12). During this time Christ destroys the world’s armies (Revelation 19:14, 15; Isaiah 34:1-3), regathers Israel (Isaiah 43:5, 6; Ezekiel 36:28; Matthew 24:31), separates the sheep nations from the goat nations (Matthew 25:31-46), binds Satan (Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:1-3), resurrects the Old Testament and Tribulation saints (Job 19:25,26; Isaiah 25:8; 26:19; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:4,5), and judges the fallen angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). (If those saints have to be at the Marriage Supper, then perhaps the Marriage Supper takes place during this interval???) Next comes the Millennium, 1,000 years of peace (Revelation 20). Then, after ten glorious centuries, Satan is loosed for a season allowing those born during that era to choose for or against Christ. Many rebel and follow Satan and are cast with him into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:9, 10).

Following this is the Great White Throne Judgment for the resurrected unbelievers of all ages (Revelation 20:11-15). Finally the present earth and heavens are destroyed (2 Peter 3:10, 11; Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 48:10) and God creates a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:2, 10). Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).

Robert all this information comes from Dr Van Impes book called Your Future An A-Z Index To Prophecy.

Dear Joey thank you for your email

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE Revelation 12: 1 – 17 As noted previously, chapters 12 through 19 constitute a rerun of the Tribulation hour as presented in chapters 6 through 11. Thus, at this point we come once again to the middle of the Tribulation-and to the worst wave of anti-Semitism the world has ever observed. This is truly what Jeremiah had in mind in chapter 30, verse 7, when he said, Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble. Jacob, as one discovers in Romans 11:26, is Israel.

A number of great signs and occurrences are witnessed in this chapter, each having to do with the horrendous judgment that is enveloping the earth, including the persecution being directed against Israel. These include a great wonder (verse 1), a great red dragon (verse 3), great wrath (verse 12), and two wings of a great eagle (verse 14).

Verse 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:

In total, the Book of Revelation pictures four different women: (1) Jezebel, the high priestess of paganism (chapter 2, verse 20); (2) the scarlet woman, the high priestess of apostasy (chapter 17); (3) the Lamb’s wife, the representative of the true, blood-bought Church (chapter 19, verse 7); and (4) Israel, in the text before us.

This woman of chapter 12 is a picture of Israel. Mary Baker Eddy Glover Patterson presented herself as this woman, but her claim was absurd, to say the least. The woman’s offspring could not possibly be the Christian Science movement. Who, then, is this woman, and why does she appear? The term wonder in our text comes from the same Greek word sign. Thus, we see that the woman is a sign. What sign? The sign of Israel. Let’s prove this assertion.

The woman of Revelation 12:1 was pictured in the dream of Joseph centuries ago: And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it [to] his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon [representing father and mother] and the eleven stars [representing Joseph’s eleven brothers] made obeisance to me [the twelfth star]. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying (Genesis 37:911).

Clearly, the woman clothed with the sun and wearing a crown of twelve stars upon her head, just like in Joseph’s dream, is Israel. The birth of this woman’s (Israel’s) son is predicted in Isaiah 66, verses 7 and 8: Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children [or her son]. Isaiah’s prediction finds its fulfillment in the next verse.

Verse 2: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Here we have the mother, Israel, bringing forth a man-child who is none other than the blessed Lord Jesus Christ, as one discovers in verse 5. This truth harmonizes with many New Testament texts. For instance, Romans 9:4,5 states; [They] are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Christ, in His flesh, came forth from Israel; and, at this point in our text, Christ’s adversary, Satan-the one who rebelled centuries ago against the authority of God (see Isaiah 14:12-14)-is about to strike another blow.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

The red dragon is conclusively proven to be Satan in verse 9. The number seven speaks of completeness, and therefore, the dragon’s seven heads picture his wisdom. It is written that Satan is full of wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12). God created him that way when he was the anointed cherub [or angel] that covereth (Ezekiel 28:14). His ten horns speak of universal power, just as the ten toes of Daniel’s image do. Satan’s international control, of course, is possible because millions of demons jump at his command. Remember, he is the god of this world system (2 Corinthians 4:4). He is also the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and the prince of this world (John 12:31). However, since he is not omniscient (all knowing), or omnipresent (in all places at all times), Satan must rely on demonic hosts (fallen angels) in diversified places to administer his power. This explains why Christians are not fighting against flesh and blood only but against spiritual wickedness in high places as well (Ephesians 6:12). Satan probably enlisted the angels who fell at the time of his rebellion when his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven [a reference to angels] and did cast them to the earth. A similar reference is found in Jude 13.

At this point, one may ask why we use these texts to discuss past, present, and future history. The answer is simple. The scene we are about to witness speaks of the entire age-long conflict from beginning to end. Its details are squeezed into these few verses before us. The same devil who attempted to destroy the woman’s (or Israel’s) son in centuries past (see Genesis 3:15) is now about to strike out against the woman herself via the greatest anti-Semitic purge in history. Hitler’s murderous and barbaric attempt at Jewish annihilation will seem like a Sunday school picnic compared to this holocaust! That’s why Daniel stated: 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 (12:1). Jesus himself said in Matthew 24:21, 22, 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. The elect, as spoken of here, are the Israelites of Romans 11:28.

Verse 5 proves my earlier statement that the verses before us cover the age-long conflict-past, present, and future.

Verse 5: And she brought forth a man child [over 2,000 years ago], who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron [future]: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne [the present age of grace].

Verse 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.

During this final forty-two-month period, described as the Great Tribulation (see Revelation 7:14), because of its intensity and immensity, the Children of Israel are protected by their God. He took care of them for forty years as they wandered through the wilderness, and now He again proves His love to His ancient people by delivering them. Yes, they shall be saved out of it (Jeremiah 30:7). And at that time thy people shall be delivered (Daniel 12:1). Matthew 24:22 adds, For the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. The “elect” in this text are unmistakably Jews. (See Isaiah 42:1, 45:4, 65:9, 22). In the next few verses, a shocking space war takes place.

Verse 7: And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Verse 8: And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Verse 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.

Some Bible authorities believe that this war in heaven began at the time of the Rapture in chapter 4, verse 1. Since a war involves a number of skirmishes or battles, this is a distinct possibility. The assumption is based on Daniel 12:1 and 2.

These scholars reason that since those who are caught up in the rapture of the Church must pass through the areas where Satan reigns-the aerial and stellar heavens-Satan becomes aroused and attempts to hinder this evacuation of the saints from the earth. However, as he attempts to interfere in this glorious event, angels-ministers of the saints (see Hebrews 1:14)-rush to the rescue, and the space confrontation and conflagration begins. This happened in the past-why could it not occur again? Where did it happen in the past? Consider Daniel 10:13 as we are introduced to Michael, the commander in chief of heaven’s armies. Daniel says, But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes [an angelic name and title], came to help me. God tells Daniel that He had every intention of answering His prayers, but that for twenty-one days the devil tried to hinder the response. Finally God had to send Michael to battle the devil in the area of his domain (the first and second heavens) in order to make the answer a reality. Thus, it is possible that Michael will again battle God’s adversary at the time of the Rapture in order to allow Christians their entrance into glory in the twinkling of an eye, as promised in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54.

Michael is mentioned five times in God’s Word, beginning with Daniel 10:13. We find him again in Daniel 10:21 where he is described to the Children of Israel as Michael, your prince. His third mention is in Daniel 12:1: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. In Jude 9, we find Michael, the archangel, contending with the devil over the body of Moses. Notice that every time Michael appears, he is connected with the Children of Israel-making it very plausible that he is at war with Satan in our present and fifth text, defending the Jewish people.

The war is on, and it is the greatest aerial combat in history: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon [Satan]; and the dragon fought and his angels.

Are you shocked to discover Satan in heaven? Most people (including most Christians) imagine him as a little creature dressed in a red uniform, running around in a place called hell, jabbing his victims with a pitchfork. This is all a lot of mythological nonsense.

Satan is a magnificent creature to behold. In fact, his beauty brought his ruin. Ezekiel 28:17 states: Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Not only is it a lie to picture Satan as a grotesque monstrosity, but it is equally false to place him in hell. He has never been there. He is the god of this world system, the prince of the power of the air, and the prince of this world, as we have already observed. He has been in heavens one and two (the aerial and stellar heavens) since his fall-and he will remain there until he is cast to the earth in verse 9. It is also important to note that he is not cast into eternal hell (the lake of fire) to join those he has duped until after the Millennium (chapter 20, verse 10). Now, as this battle is fought, Satan is defeated. Praise God! Satan is mighty, but God is Almighty! Satan can destroy, but God can destroy the destroyer! That is why the Christian should never fear the events of daily life. He has victory in Jesus. Yes, greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Satan’s demise began when he was cast out of the third heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-14), continues until Revelation 12:9 when he is cast out of the first and second heavens, and is completed when he is cast into the lake of fire (chapter 20, verse 10). John foresaw that hour and said, The prince of this world [shall] be cast out (John 12:31) and the prince of this world is judged (John 16:11). To the eternal Christ, Satan’s doom was as good as accomplished, but for you and me, time had to pass. Now, in our text, the moment has arrived: (Satan and his angels) prevailed not (verse 8.) Michael’s gunners zero in, and Satan’s place-an abiding location for centuries-is found no longer. Instead, the dragon (Satan) which deceiveth the whole world: [is] cast out into the earth, and his angels [are] cast out with him. This signals the end of Satan’s rule in the aerial and stellar heavens, and the victory celebration begins. All heaven rejoices over that which Michael’s defeat of Satan has accomplished.

Verse 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.

The spontaneous praise session within this verse occurs because (1) salvation from Satan’s atmospheric control has taken place; (2) God’s strength has crushed Satan’s might; (3) the kingdom is about to arrive; and (4) the power of Christ will be seen as He comes to set up His kingdom. Think of it! The united power of Father and Son casts the accuser of the brethren out of the heavens.

Did you know that accusing the brethren is Satan’s present ministry? He also uses some ministers and holier-than-thou church members to accomplish this goal. Listen carefully. Every bit of slander against another brother or sister in Christ is simply the devil using an individual’s mind and vocal cords. In fact, devil means “slanderer.” The term false accuser in the English Bible is translated from the word diabolos or devil. Thus, Titus 2:3 states: The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers. Literally rendered, this verse states: “That the aged women be not she-devils.” A woman who gossips is a “she-devil,” and a male gossip is a “macho-devil.” Both are controlled by the power of the vile one. No wonder lying is one of the seven sins God hates (see Proverbs 6: 16-19).

When Satan is cast out into the earth (verse 9), the hot spot will be our terra firma where men walk and breathe. At that time there will be only one place of safety and victory-in the arms of the Lord Jesus through His shed blood.

Verse 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.

These wise saints resisted Satan by the blood of Jesus and by the Word of God. There is no other way to win a spiritual battle (see Hebrews 4:12). They also overcame Satan by their testimony and loved not their own lives unto death. What a crown awaits them-and you, if you’re true blue! Thus, John states in Revelation 2:10: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Though there is rejoicing in the heavenlies, the picture is quite different for earth dwellers.

Verse 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.

At this point Satan unleashes all his fury for he knows that within forty-two months (three and one-half years), his reign will be ended. Thus, the great anti-Semitic purge now begins.

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

Immediately God intervenes.

Verse 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.

This verse describes God in His sovereignty and love, protecting His chosen people for three and one-half years. The eagle’s wings probably indicate an airlift or some other miraculous speedy escape. God is probably reminding the Children of Israel of His act of preservation in Pharaoh’s day, and uses the picture of wings to show them His goodness. He declares, Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself (Exodus 19:4). Safety is promised to His people.

Verse 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.

The flood undoubtedly portrays a volume of propaganda-anti-Semitic insinuations, slanders, and slurs-released internationally. Yet, God promises: When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19).

Verse 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.

This verse, too, is reminiscent of the miraculous deliverance God provided the Children of Israel during their exodus from Egypt, when the Red Sea closed in over Pharaoh and his army. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, 0 Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them (Exodus 15:9-12). At this point Satan reaches the height of his anger.

Verse 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.

Joey, the information provide here came originally from Dr Van Impes Revelation News Letters. And now this information and much more is part of a book called Revelation Revealed.

JEWS

All prophetic truth revolves around the Jews. The Bible reviews their history and unfolds their future. The future of the world will be affected by the future of the Jews (see Israel).

ISRAEL

It is impossible to grasp God’s prophetic plan apart from an understanding of His promises to Israel.

The Jews have enriched all nations in which they have settled because of God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:2), yet no people have suffered so consistently as have the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Mark Twain once wrote, “Jews constitute but one percent of the human race. His commercial importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk. His contributions to the world’s list of great names in every field is also out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers … and he has done it with his hands tied behind him” (see Deuteronomy 28:37). Although he is such a contributor, the Jew himself is unwanted, often persecuted. Why this “blessing and cursing” (see Deuteronomy 28:65-67, 30:19, 20)? God has always kept His promises to His people (blessing), but has always warned what would happen to them if they turned away from following after Him (Deuteronomy 28:45-48).

God promised Abraham in Genesis 12:2, 3 that He would make of him a great nation. He would bless those who blessed his descendants, curse those who cursed them, and all the world would be blessed because of them. He also promised them all the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:8). The boundaries of this promised land are found in Genesis 15:18-21.

Since Daniel’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the Jews have been awaiting a Messiah (Saviour) to deliver them and set up His kingdom on earth, reigning from Jerusalem (Daniel 2:44). Daniel 9:24 pointed out when He would come and that He would be rejected by the Jews. This is exactly what happened. Precisely 483 years to the day, after the issuing of the decree to build Jerusalem, the Messiah came riding into Jerusalem as had been prophesied (Zechariah 9:9). (The final 7 years totaling and fulfilling 490, account for the time of the Tribulation, Daniel’s Seventieth Week.) Messiah, the Prince, Jesus Christ was rejected by His people. He was cut off (crucified), but not for himself; He died for others. At that moment, the prophetic clock stopped as far as Daniel’s vision is concerned and 70 years later the Jews were dispossessed of their country and scattered throughout the world.

Following their rejection of Messiah, the Jews entered upon their longest period of suffering and persecution. For centuries, Jewish blood has been spilled across Europe and other parts of the world from the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. on through Hitler’s ovens in 1945. The Jewish ability to remain a people apart while scattered throughout the world is another evidence of the divine plan.

Through the death of Christ, the wall between Jews and Gentiles was broken down and they now become brothers, or one in Christ at the moment of new birth (Ephesians 2:13-15). Jews can be reconciled to God on an individual basis just as Gentiles can (Colossians 1:20-22).

The same Word of God that announced their dispersion guarantees their return to the land God promised them (Jeremiah 31:10,11) and Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones in chapter 37 was prophetic of what happened in 1948 when Israel finally became a nation. This began the prophecy of the desert blossoming “as a rose” (Isaiah 35:1) and the budding of the fig tree in Matthew 24:3234, heralding the “generation” that would live to see “all things fulfilled?’

However, the Jews cannot rest yet; they must be ever vigilant as there is much hostility around them. One day they will sign a peace treaty with many nations. It will be an agreement intended to last for seven years (Daniel 9:27). At that point the Tribulation period will begin (see Daniel’s Seventieth Week; Jacob’s Trouble, Time of; Tribulation).

Daniel’s vision and seventieth week will resume for the Tribulation. It must be remembered that the Tribulation is especially related to Israel. Once this truth is established, all confusion about the time of the Rapture disappears. The return of Christ for His Church marks the end of the Church Age, the parenthetical period, and begins the Time of Jacob’s Trouble (see Tribulation, Jacob’s Trouble). Shortly after the Rapture, there will be a remnant of Jews who turn to Christ. The initial number is 144,000, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4-8). They will evangelize the world and a great multitude from all nations will be converted to Christ proving their faith by martyrdom.

Many Jews who do not turn to Christ during the Tribulation Hour will return to temple worship as in Old Testament times, including the sacrifice of animals (Ezekiel 40-48). It may well be that the erection of the Temple in Jerusalem will be a part of the peace agreement between the final world dictator and the Jews. Ultimately, however, Antichrist will take control of Jewish worship, declaring himself to be God and demanding worship from the Jews in their own Temple (2 Thessalonians 2:4) (see Abomination of Desolation, Matthew 24:15). After their betrayal by Antichrist, midway through the Tribulation period (Daniel 9:27), Israel will experience her final holocaust.

Russia will invade Israel at a time when war is not expected (Ezekiel 38-39) (see Russia). It appears this invasion will come about the middle of the Tribulation period (approximately three and one-half years after signing the peace treaty.

It seems that Antichrist will come to world power at that point in time as the extension of his dominion over all the earth seems to follow the defeat of Russia and the armies of the East (Revelation 9:16). However, the contrasting reality of divine protection of Israel will turn many Jews to their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, and great numbers will be called upon to seal their testimonies with blood.

Furious over the success of the 144,000 evangelists and bitter because many Jews have rejected his rule having turned to Jesus Christ, this dictator will announce a campaign to destroy the Jewish race once and for all. He will blame them for every ill on earth and summon the armies of the earth to the Middle East to destroy them and defeat their Messiah at His coming. Armageddon will end the rebellion of man as the enemies of the Lord are defeated (Revelation 19:11-21). Christ will finally bring peace to Israel and the world as the Saviour of men sets up His long awaited kingdom on earth. The Jews will dwell in peace in Israel, the land of their fathers (Ezekiel 36:28; Daniel 2:44) (see Millennium).

ISRAEL, CONVERSION OF

The national repentance and regeneration of Israel will finally take place at the close of the Tribulation (Jeremiah 31:33, 34; Ezekiel 11:19; Zechariah 12:9-13; 13:9; Romans 11:26, 27). This conversion prepares them to enter into the promised blessings of the millennial kingdom.

ISRAEL, DISPERSION OF (Diaspora)

The colonization of the Jews around the world, both voluntarily (1 Kings 20:34) and especially through deportation by conquering armies (Deuteronomy 28:64-67; 2 Kings 15:29; 17:6; Ezekiel 22:15; 36:19; John 7:35; James 1:1).

By New Testament times, it is estimated that more Jews lived outside of Palestine than in its borders. Note the number of countries represented at Pentecost as Jews returned for their festivities (Acts 2:9-11).

ISRAEL, REGATHERING

The miraculous return of Israel to her promised land after years of exile (Deuteronomy 30:3, 4; Isaiah 11:11, 12; Amos 9:14, 15). This prophecy began to be fulfilled with the Zionist movement in 1897. The rebirth of the nation in 1948 was certainly at least a partial fulfillment of this prophecy, but if the Lord should tarry His return, there will be time for many more Jews to return. When the Messiah appears, the prophecy will be fulfilled in its entirety (Romans 11:26).

Persecution has quite often been the means God has used to encourage the Jews to return.

All this information comes from Dr Van Impes book called Your Future An A-Z Index To Prophecy.

RAPTURE

There are two stages or phases within the process of the Second Coming — the Rapture and the Revelation – and these are separated by a seven-year period of time.

The Rapture is the next occurrence on God’s calendar and is the literal, visible, and bodily return of Christ in the heavenlies. He shall return as He left (Acts 1:9-11). One can easily know how He departed by studying Luke 24:39. He had a new resurrected body of flesh and bones — a body that could be seen, touched, and fed (vss. 41-43). When He returns in the heavenlies, all believers, dead and living, will also be taken bodily to meet Him in the clouds. We shall be changed as this mortal body puts on immortality and is transformed to be like Jesus’ body (1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Psalm 17:15; 1 John 3:2). This happens in a moment, in “the twinkling of an eye.”

This event ends the Church Age and ushers in the Tribulation period. The Rapture of the Church involves the resurrection of the Christian dead as well as the exit from earth of all believers living at that time (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Regarding the Christian dead, the Bible teaches that the body is asleep in one place (the grave) whereas the soul is alive in another place (heaven). To be “absent from the body” is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). When Christ returns at the Rapture, He brings those that sleep (are dead) with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:14). How can He bring the dead with Him and still come for the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16)? The dead are in two places! The souls and spirits are with the Lord, but their bodies are in the grave. Hence Christ brings the dead (souls and spirits) with Him so they may be reunited with their bodies. That is why the dead in Christ rise first.

The return of Christ for His Church is a signless and always imminent event. Even the New Testament writers expected the Lord’s return at any moment (Philippians 3:20). All signs of the Lord’s return have to do with the coming of Christ to set up His kingdom. They are only indicators of the approaching Rapture because that event precedes the establishment of the kingdom by seven years … in fact; we must be raptured so as to return with Him. The moment the Antichrist signs the seven-year peace pact the Tribulation period will begin and a timetable will be evident. Date-setting will now be conclusive and Christ’s return will no longer be imminent. It will be exactly 84 months or 2,520 days until Christ returns to establish His kingdom. The Rapture must precede the Tribulation Hour.

The Church is not to be the recipient of wrath. When one considers God’s purpose for the Tribulation, it is difficult to place the Bride of Christ into such a horrendous scene. Why should Christ’s Bride suffer the judgments of the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials found in Revelation 6,8,9,11,15,16, when the Church cannot be found beyond the third chapter of the Book of Revelation? No, the Tribulation Hour is primarily a time of judgment upon a Christ-rejecting, God-rejecting world — both Jew and Gentile (Ezekiel 20:37, 38; Micah 5:15). Paul assured the Thessalonian Christians that they would not go through the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Although the Church is not all it should be, the world is better because the Church is present. The Holy Spirit, working through Christians, holds back the tide of evil sweeping the world. When His influence in this manner is removed at the Rapture, think of the wickedness that shall follow!

During the Tribulation period on earth, the raptured Christians have an appointment with Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 14:10, 12).

The word “rapture” does not appear in the Bible. It was coined from the Latin rapiemur to portray the experience of being “snatched away.” This is what is going to happen one day soon as the people of God disappear from the earth and immediately meet Christ to stand before the Judgment Seat.

JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

The day is coming when every blood-bought believer must stand before a Holy God for a scrutinizing investigation (Romans 14:10, 11). The English term “judgment seat” has a Greek origin, bema seat. The runners’ track in Athens, Greece, contained thousands of seats. However, there was one seat differing from the rest in that it was elevated. The judge of the contest, who sat there, had no obstructions to mar his view. He could see every movement clearly.This pictures the God of holiness elevated upon His throne watching the Christian’s race of life (2 Corinthians 16:9; Jeremiah 16:7; Hebrews 4:13). God is keeping records for the day when we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done (2 Corinthians 5:10). We cannot live for the flesh and self and hear Christ say in that day, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant?’ There must be a battle fought and won. Rewards must be earned and scars must be traded for crowns. Paul, who bore in his body the marks [scars] of the Lord Jesus (Galatians 6:17) was pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Salvation was already his as a gift, but only works of self-denial, hardship, suffering, and perhaps death could bring him the prize or crown to lay at Jesus’ feet (Revelation 4:10,11).

God will also investigate the motives behind one’s works. If there is an iota of self-glorification behind any act of service, the rewards will be sparse . . . if any (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-19; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 4:5).

Scriptural facts concerning the Bema Seat:

1. This judgment is only for the people of God . . . those who have erected service or works upon the foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. All of God’s people present some form of “works” to Christ at the Bema Seat.
3. Though all worked to some degree, a difference in quantity and quality is observed … gold, silver, and precious stones versus wood, hay, and stubble.
4. The difference is tested by purging fires.
5. The disintegrated ashes of wood, hay, and stubble bring sorrow and loss (1 Corinthians 3:15). While eternal life is freely bestowed upon all who believe as a gift apart from works (Romans 6:23) and cannot be forfeited, rewards and crowns can be earned and lost, accumulated and liquidated. A day of addition and subtraction is coming at the Rapture.
6. Quality works, performed for the glory of God to win the souls of men — gold, silver, precious stones —will earn crowns for all eternity. These crowns will then be placed at the feet of Christ as an eternal memorial of one’s lifetime of service (Revelation 4:10, 11).

Some will be ashamed before Him at His coming (1 John 2:28; 2 Peter 1:11). They will have nothing but ashes to lay at Christ’s feet. Thank God one can confess failure, rededicate his life, and make a new start immediately. Then such will hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

TRIBULATION

The Tribulation lasts seven years and is undoubtedly the worst bombardment of tragedy the earth will ever experience. God has a three-fold purpose for this period:

1. To save and allow many Jews who will enter the Millennium to experience the fulfillment of the kingdom promises to Israel made by God in the covenants
2. To save a multitude of Gentiles who will then populate the millennial kingdom
3. To pour out judgment on unbelieving mankind and nations. The final 42 months or three-and-one-half year period is so terrifying that it is called the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:14).

There is a reason the first half is more peaceful. Because Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, is soon to return, Satan, the great counterfeiter and super deceiver called Antichrist will present himself as the Messiah and be accepted! Satan will enter the body of a man and proclaim himself as God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). This Antichrist will come into prominence and power by presenting a “peace program” to the nations. The contracts are signed and confirmed (Daniel 9:27). However, in the middle of the seven-year period, the Antichrist dishonors his treaties and makes the last 42 months the bloodiest in world history. The Great Tribulation is a time of incomparable judgment from God (Daniel 12:1; Joel 2:2; Matthew 24:21). A total of 21 judgments fall upon the earth. They constitute three series of seven each and are described as the seal, trumpet, and vial (or bowl) judgments. This is the Time of Jacob’s Trouble (Revelation 6, 8, 9, 15, 16) (see Judgments).

Revelation 8:7 and 9:18 clearly reveal a judgment of fire during the Tribulation. This coincides with Psalm 97:3; Isaiah 66:15; Ezekiel 20:47; Zephaniah 1:18; Malachi 4:1 and numerous other passages of Scripture. Both Old and New Testaments are in agreement concerning what seems to be a fiery, nuclear holocaust (Zechariah 14:12; Revelation 8:7; 9:18) (see Day of the Lord; Daniel’s Seventieth Week).

I remain firmly convinced that the Church will be evacuated before the Tribulation judgment begins (see Rapture, Views of).

TRIBULATION … ORDER OF POLITICAL EVENTS

1. Rise of Antichrist as leader of a confederacy of ten Western nations (Revelation 13:1)
2. Antichrist signs a seven-year peace contract with Israel (Daniel 9:27)
3. After 42 months, Antichrist breaks the contract (Daniel 9:27)
4. Russia invades Israel from the North (Ezekiel 38:15, 16) at a time when Israel is at rest or peace (Ezekiel 38:11). (So this will not happen before the peace contract is in effect.)
5. Antichrist attempts to destroy God’s people, the Jews (Revelation 12)
6. He destroys the world church that helped bring him to power (Revelation 17:16,17)
7. He proclaims himself as God (2 Thessalonians 2:411)
8. He himself is defeated at Armageddon (Revelation 19) and cast into the Lake of Fire (vg. 20)

The Tribulation period will end with the Battle of Armageddon and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth (Revelation 19:11-16).

The Bible does not directly justify nor condemn cremation.  It is obvious from the many illustrations in Scripture that the body of the deceased was treated with a great deal of respect.The method of burial should take into consideration the feelings and grief of loved ones left behind who may not see the body if it is to be cremated without a memorial service where it may be viewed, or if there is to be no graveside service.Regardless of the method of burial, the Lord will miraculously pull together all the molecules which composed the body in the Resurrection – whether it be to eternal life or to eternal damnation (I Corinthians 15:51-55, Revelation 20:12-15).

Amazing Medical Proof for the Purity of Jesus’ Blood 

In order for a fountain to cleanse, the contents of the fountain must be absolutely clean and pure.

But how could that be possible since Jesus was born of a human mother?

Here is the fascinating truth of how God provided for Jesus’ blood to be pure.

We know and understand that in the human reproduction process, the egg of a woman is fertilized by the sperm of a man.  The blood and its reproduction capability originates from the man.  At conception, chemicals are produced in the uterus of the woman and a pouch-like organ is formed called the placenta.  The fetus is connected to the placenta through the umbilical cord, which has tubes in it for incoming and outgoing blood.  The fetus is separated from the mother’s blood by the epithelial layers of the chorionic villae.

The circulation of the blood begins in the fertilized egg, which is called the embryo.  The blood of the fetus (baby) remains separate from the mother.  The food and waste material that are interchanged between the baby and the mother pass through the blood vessel walls from one circulation system to the other.  The unborn baby does not receive its nourishment and oxygen from the mother’s blood directly, but rather through the placenta.

The unborn baby’s fetal heart pumps blood through the arteries of the umbilical cord into the placental vessels, which are imbedded in the uterine tissue.  This procedure permits a diffusion of waste products through the placental walls from the child to the mother.  It also permits nourishment and oxygen to flow through these walls from the mother to the child.  This process is called osmosis.  There is no mingling of the two blood streams.  In other words, none of the mother’s blood flows to the baby, and there is no fetal blood flow to the mother.

Therefore, it is a medically supported fact that although the baby Jesus gestated in the womb of Mary, none of her blood mixed with His.  Since Jesus had no human biological father (He was conceived by the Holy Spirit), His blood was absolutely and altogether pure!

The Bible teaches that we receive the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation.  John 14:16-31 declares that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to teach us of Christ.  Many groups glorify the Spirit instead of the Son.  The Holy Spirit dwells within each believer.   As you study God’s Word, you will find that receiving Jesus Christ by faith is the critical requirement for going to Heaven.  Those who would add speaking in tongues or other works of the Spirit to simple faith for salvation are adding to what the Scripture says in John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-13 (just two of many passages).

Spirit baptism or “the baptism of the Holy Spirit” is the act of God the Holy Spirit placing the believer into Christ and into His body, the Church, at the moment he trusts Christ as Saviour and Lord.  I Corinthians 12:3 states: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”.  Romans 8:9 states:  “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His”.  Spirit filling or being “filled with the Holy Spirit” is simply the act of the Holy Spirit of God controlling the believer’s behavior and empowering the believer for service.  It is accomplished in the believer when he is fully yielded to the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-21, I Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30, Galatians 5:16, and Romans 8:1-4).

Here are some contrasts between the baptism of the Spirit and the filling of the Spirit:

• The baptism of the Spirit never happened before the day of Pentecost. The filling of the Spirit does occur in the Old Testament.

• Every believer is baptized with the Spirit, but a believer may or may not be filled with the Spirit. There is no exhortation for a believer to be baptized with the Spirit, but all believers are exhorted to be filled with the Spirit.

• The baptism of the Spirit occurs only once in the life of a believer, but the believer may be filled with the Spirit many times.

• The baptism of the Spirit occurs the moment we become a born-again believer by true repentance and acceptance of Christ as Saviour and Lord. The filling of the Spirit can occur anytime throughout the Christian life.

• The baptism of the Spirit cannot be taken away. Once we are saved we are eternally saved.  Many Christians are miserable, powerless, and unfruitful because they have lost the filling of the Spirit.

• The only prerequisite for the baptism of the Holy Spirit is faith in Christ. The filling of the Spirit depends upon our yieldedness.

We have been made aware of these videos, and to be honest, I have not been able to make myself watch any of them all the way through.  They are basically saying that CERN has created a Mandela Effect worldwide.  The Mandela Effect is called that because a blogger and “paranormal consultant” was at a convention in 2010 and discovered that many other people there shared the same “memory” that Nelson Mandela had died while he was in prison in the 80’s.  They vividly recalled the funeral, riots in the streets, and his wife speaking at his funeral.  This effect theorizes that there are multiple parallel universes, and in one of those universes Mandela did die in the 80’s, and those memories “bleed over” into our universe.  They claim now that the Large Hadron Collider is breaking these barriers on a massive scale and is changing things constantly.

The problem is, our collective memory is not always accurate.  There are multiple examples in pop culture where we remember things wrong.  One video in particular mentioned the line “Luke, I am your father” from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.  That was never the line, it was “No, I am your father.”  Another example is from the movie “Casablanca”, when you think of that movie, you think “Play it again Sam” – again, the problem is, Humphrey Bogart’s character never said that line.  Another example is from Star Trek the original series.  One phrase that is tied to that is “Beam me up Scotty”, again the problem is, that phrase was never uttered by Captain Kirk on the show.

When it comes to the Bible, they claim that Isaiah 11:6 the word has been changed from “lion” to “wolf.”  It has not changed.  Isaiah 11:6 has always read: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”  There are numerous phrases that people positively know that are in the Bible, yet they are not.  For example, the Bible never says “God helps those who help themselves” or “Cleanliness is next to godliness” or “Hate the sin, love the sinner” or “Money is the root of all evil” or “This too shall pass” and of course “The lion shall lay down with the lamb.”

However, we continue to receive numerous emails  and letters concerning CERN and the Mandela Effect changing words in the King James Bible.  I will attempt to cover some of the verses that continue to pop up.

Matthew 6:10 “in earth” vs “on earth”

The Latin Vulgate reads: “in caelo et in terra”

The 1389 Wycliffe translation: “be thi wille don as in heuen and in earthe”

The 1526 Tyndale translation: “thy wyll be fulfilled as well in erth as hit ys in heven”

The 1611 King James Version: Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heauen”

In the 1549, 1662, and 1772 versions of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer all state “in” earth.

The words “debts” and “debtors” in Matthew 6:12 in the original Greek are “opheilEmata” (owes) and “opheiletais” (owers) which is different from “trespasses” in verses 14 and 15 which is “paraptOmata” (offenses).

Matthew 7:1 – the only version that I have found that reads “lest” is the Orthodox Jewish Bible, all the other translations say “that”.

Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37, 38 – bottles – the 1389 Wycliffe translation, the 1582 Douay-Rheims translation both use “bottles”; the 1526 Tyndale translation uses “vessels”; and of course the 1611 King James Version uses “bottles.”  The 1828 Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language defines bottles as: A hollow vessel of glass, wood, leather or other material, with a narrow mouth, for holding and carrying liquors. The oriental nations use skins or leather for the conveyance of liquors; and of this kind are the bottles mentioned in scripture. “Put new wine into bottles.”

In Luke 17:34 & 35 the words “men” and “women” are not in the original Greek, it just says “duo” or two.  However the Greek words have a specific gender, the one in verse 34 is an “Adjective, pronominal cardinal nominative masculine plural” – in verse 35 it is “feminine plural” – in essence two men and two women.

In Luke 19:23 – 27 it is not Jesus commanding His disciples to bring His enemies before Him so He can slay them.  This is ending of the parable that Christ was giving to His disciples.  Jesus never gave a directive to His disciples in a parable, they were used for teachings.

Luke 20:24 – again, the older translations use the word “penny”.

John 12:24 – the Wycliffe, Tyndale, and KJV Bibles use “corn of wheat”  Webster’s Dictionary tells us that the word “corn” comes from the Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German & Old Norse korn grain, Latin granum. And it means: a: the seeds of a cereal grass and especially of the important cereal crop of a particular region (as wheat in Britain, oats in Scotland and Ireland, and Indian corn in the New World and Australia) b: the kernels of sweet corn served as a vegetable while still soft and milky.  So the word “corn” can mean “seed” and not just the modern concept of kernels of corn.