Thoughts

Christianity and Movies

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Now to get this out of the way. Yes, I watch movies. I have to fill some time not studying the Word. Does this mean I am sinning, most likely and I ask God’s forgiveness as well.

First and foremost. There is no such thing as a “Christian movie.” There are inspirational movies and these are the worst type of movies someone who calls themselves “Christian” should ever watch. Why this is, is because “inspirational” is equal to people pleasing. Therefore, those that make them and work within them fall into the curses given by the Holy Spirit within the following verses:

Galatians 1:6-10 NKJV – I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Now we can get into the next part, for these verses have opened that door.

With the statement: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.”

The movies industry, which was and may still be primarily run by Jews, was never designed to help Christianity. In fact it was designed and still is designed to turn people away from God and the Lord’s teachings.

People will turn to many examples that are out there. “The Ten Commandments” (1956), “Ben Hur” (1959), “King of Kings” (1961). In recent times movies like “Hacksaw Ridge” (2016), and “Son of God” (2014)

The Ten Commandments script adds to the Word of God.

Deuteronomy 4:2 NKJV – You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

The entire Bible is God’s command unto to those that profess to be His children.

Ben Hur was a book written by a Civil War veteran, and is more of an exploration of one man’s journey to coming to worship God through Jesus Christ. However, it is very Jewish in its content in the early verses. The latest was some trip into fantasy land.

King of Kings is totally Catholic in its content and doesn’t accurately depict the four gospels and so is twice cursed, which may explain why it’s star fell down a flight of stairs breaking his neck and dying.

As for Hacksaw Ridge the protagonist is a Jehovah Witness. Which is another theme that is found within movies. They use religions that are more like cults instead of using other denomination which teach that salvation can be lost. Does this mean in real life the protagonist wasn’t born-again? No. All evidence points to the opposite of this.

This is also true when looking at the movie “Keys to the Kingdom” (1944), which is the story of a Catholic priest and missionary. So I will make this very clear. There are few within all denomination that qualify as followers of Christ. But they are the exception, not the rule, which is extremely sad.

The movie Son of God is a people pleaser movie and is full of errors, and teachings,that all that is required is faith alone, which is not taught by the Word of God.

James 2:26 NKJV – For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

One of the greatest signs that movies are against Christianity is the mere fact that those that make these movies allow things within them that people take for granted and thus emulate and copy it because if its in the movies it has to be good. Remember those that made them and make them are atheist for the most part. Those that make inspirational movies I have already addressed, but back on track. If those making them don’t acknowledge God nor Jesus Christ as their Savior. How can be what is seen in them something a “Christian” should emulate?

You can’t.

Movies that show certain behaviors associated with people professing to being “Christian” needs to take what is shown and do the complete opposite.

A prime example of this is open and group pray given by a person of the cloth. When the Bible makes if VERY clear where prayer should occur:

Matthew 6:5-6 NKJV – “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

“Well what about: Acts 1:14 NKJV – These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

Someone just protested.

Oh, you mean when Peter didn’t wait for the Pentecost and took it upon Himself to convince the rest of the apostles and Christ’s mother to enter into sin by overriding the commandment given to them in Matthew 6:5-6? Is that what you use as an anchor to live in sin?

Then go ahead and continue to do so.

The only place that that Word of God has any bearing in your life is found by studying the Word of God. Not reading. Studying. There is a HUGE difference. Knowing what the words meant when they were first written down on parchment does more for your salvation and your sanctification then anything else.

Just because you accept Christ as your Savior. Your responsibility in the relationship with Christ doesn’t end there. This is one of the greatest misconceptions that is also shown within movies. Christ Himself makes it clear that salvation can and will be lost:

John 15:1-6 NKJV  “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

To abide in Christ is accomplished by seeking sanctification, which can only be accomplished by studying the Word of God and leaving the world behind. Movies mimic the world. Christians are told this:

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Whatever the world loves you shouldn’t be doing. What the world loves is shown in movies so no one that professes to following Christ should try and do what is done in movies.

“I Don’t Want to Die!”

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These are words I have heard in many forms. In movies, on TV shows, from people I know. These words say volumes about the life of the person saying it. About the people that wrote the scripts that form the movies and shows. What is worse in those I personally know, especially from those that profess to being a follower of Jesus Christ.

The moment I hear these words, even when they are not the exact words, especially from someone that professes to being a child of God through Jesus Christ I want to weep.

Why weep? Those reading this just ask, because the moment these words leave their lips we see where their hearts truly are. That their hearts are here not with God. If they were with God then they would show it as the Bible makes very clear.

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 NKJV – For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

Any who are truly one with God welcome death. Not to the point of seeking to commit suicide. For we know we all have been given duties we must fulfill if we are to stand proudly in His presence. If we are still here within this temporal plain of existence, we know we are in two forms. We either haven’t fulfilled our duties given to us by God through Jesus Christ or we aren’t listening to Him through the Holy Spirit and are living in sin and must repent.

It is the latter that end up saying the words: “I don’t want to die.”

The moment I hear these words I weep. For I know that those that say them. They are not welcome in heaven. The only reason they don’t want to die is because they too know this truth within themselves but have refused to accept this Truth on a conscious level. That is until it is too late which is why they end up saying in some form “I don’t want to die.”

I relish the coming of the Lord. I so yearn to be in the presence of God, yet I hold out and wait. Impatiently waiting but waiting all the same for God has not yet told His Son to begin the tribulation. Even though we are seeing the signs that He is soon to come, for the midnight cry has been heard, which was the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk.

Do you seek to be with God or are you saying to yourself “I don’t want to die?”

You should know at first: Christianity loses

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Here is one of the things that really surprises me about those that profess to being “Christian.” Their total lack of understanding the Word of God.

This is the fault of those that teach all you need is faith alone. Being a True Disciple of Christ means to STUDY the Word of God. Which will empower the person studying to spread the True Word of God and also live a needs-only existence by striving to follow what they learned when they studied the Bible.

Once they know the Word of God they learn a major fact. That those that Truly seek after Christ will be persecuted, hunted down and ultimately killed. Especially in the first half of the tribulation. For at the middle of the tribulation a great multitude will appear before the heavenly throne of God who purchased their robes by being true followers of Christ.

Revelation 7:9-14 NKJV  After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

They washed their robes by becoming martyrs.

Revelation 6:9-11 NKJV – When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

It is completed in chapter 7. For all of those that are True Christians must be removed from the face of the earth. Therefore, Christianity loses in the first half of the tribulation. They are starved and beheaded. Only one religion desires the beheading of Christians, and they will win the first half. Also, those that reject Christ and God will be left behind, and they all will have taken the mark of the beast.

There are those that are praying over a dead country that was once great and Holy in the sight of God. That being the United States of America. Yet note this from Chapter 6 of the book of Revelation right after the mention of the martyrs under the altar.

Revelation 6:12-17 NKJV – I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

This correspondence to this:

Revelation 18:2-8 NKJV – And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

This destruction in one day. The sky receding as a scroll, every mountain and island being moved will be caused by one thing. The eruption of a super volcano that will wipe the United Stated as well as parts of Canada and Mexico from the face of the earth. Leaving what is left covered in ash which will cause mourning and famine for what is left of these three nations.

So, stop trying to save the United States and start to save the people within these nations so that they may avoid these events. For Christ promised all that follow His commandments and strive to live a Holy live will avoid the tribulation all together:

Luke 21:34-36 NKJV – “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

By the way. In this posting today it has been shown that there will be multiple raptures. The first was just shown in the verses just presented. The second rapture was mentioned in Revelation chapter seven. Therefore, Any who teach there is only one rapture. Those that teach there are no raptures. Those who teach these things are false teachers and need to be avoided. For we are instructed to remove ourselves from those that live in sin and teach false doctrine.

This is evident if you look at the way those within the United States now behave. They were spoken of in these verses which were inspired by the Holy Spirit:

2 Timothy 3:1-9 NKJV – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Time is nearly up till the first rapture occurs. Then there will be nearly three and a half years of true physical suffering which will include be-headings. All because most would rather have their luxuries aka mammon and they refused to leave the city of Babylon by downsizing and living a needs-only lifestyle. This is the majority that now profess to being “Christian” and they will have to suffer through the tribulation till every single person that confesses Christ as their Savior and is then filled with the Holy Spirit is removed from the face of the earth. Which means Christianity loses……….. at first.

Blog for Podcast #34 (The Daniel Dilemma 3/3)

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Intro

Welcome to another podcast. As we conclude our Bible study of the book of Daniel. I am Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. Also, you do not need to download podbean if you wish to listen. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora and PlayerFM.

Discussion

What many do not understand. Is that even though the Roman Empire itself ceased to exist in 476 A.D. it influence and effect is still present and is still seen within the dream of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. So let’s look at the interpretation by Daniel to the king:

Daniel 2:40-43 – Following that kingdom, there will be a fourth one, as strong as iron. That kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires, just as iron smashes and crushes everything it strikes. 41 The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that this kingdom will be divided. Like iron mixed with clay, it will have some of the strength of iron. 42 But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay. 43 This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage. But they will not hold together, just as iron and clay do not mix.

The first imagery that needs to be understood is the fact that there are two legs of iron. Roman itself divided into two parts. One based in Rome the other in Constantinople. This causes this prophecy to be fulfilled and accurate. Then we need to look into the further description.

Next as we go on we see that the feet and the ten toes are a mixture of clay and iron. This mere implication speaks of further division within the two separate parts of what was once one empire. That parts of this even more fractured group are stronger than other parts, yet still they work together in some form. This is an accurate description of this very world we now live within. Especially from those on the left that seek to once again establish one world government under the control of the few in power. Again I quote from Dr. John F. Walvoord:

“What Daniel implied is simply that the material that forms the feet portion of the image is not all one kind but is composed of iron and pottery, which do not adhere well to one another. This is what Daniel himself brought out…………….. A clear interpretation of the meaning of iron and clay, apart from the inherent weakness, is not given except as indicated in verse 43. Here the statement is made that the two materials will not hold together even though ‘they will mix with one another in marriage.’ This reference to marriage has given rise to several interpretations, from actual intermarriage among people in the fourth kingdom to the mixing of diverse peoples in the empire. Some also feel this is a reference to the attempted political ‘marriage’ between imperialism and democracy.”

Another name of this political marriage is called Socialism, just for the record.

Another point of note is that the western empire, that being which was controlled by Rome is Europe and the Eastern controlled by Constantinople is now the Middle East. Between 2009 and 2017 there had been a huge influx of those from the Eastern side moving into the Western side. This has seen a rise in tensions and conflicts between the two cultures. Like for example the large rape parties by those from the east that attacked several women from the west in Germany on New Year’s Eve 2016. This example clearly shows the imagery represented in this prophecy and shows that it is still being fulfilled at this very time.

So as you can see we are in the fourth kingdom as you read this. This is also confirmed when you look at the calendar, for it is based upon a calendar made by a Roman emperor and so we are still under the influence of its affect in the world, which confirms and conforms to the dream of Nebuchadnezzar.

The book of Daniel as I related in part one of this series was written approximately around 530 B.C. which is close to 2555 years ago. Some of the visions shown actually came true during Daniel’s lifetime as was recorded within the book of Daniel itself upon the fall of the Babylonian Empire to the Medo-Persian Empire in 619 B.C.

Why this book is so important to Judaism and Christianity is that it first shows that prophecies that come from God are fulfilled. It shows that God’s Word is accurate and true. So none can question it if they translate it correctly. This is why when you look to Galatians 1 it is extremely important to heed this warning.

Galatians 1:6-9 – I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

In the perfect world we would be reading the Word of God in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. In a perfect world the Latin version of the word of God would not have been perverted and changed so badly that the scholars throughout the centuries would turn to the Greek version for its purity to the original translations of the Word of God.

But back on topic:

The book of Daniel even though prophecy in 530 B.C. become history when first Medo-Persia conquered Babylon. It became history when Alexander the Greek swooped through Medo-Persia and then died at thirty-two. Leaving his conquest to be broken up between four of his generals.

It became history upon the rise of Antiochus Epiphanies to come into power and adopted not only the name “Antiochus” after his father who was the third of that name, but also “Epiphanies” meaning “manifest god.” The telling of his story is covered as a prophecy in chapter 8 and chapter 11 of the book of Daniel.

Now it is history. Yes there are parts of the book of Daniel that are not yet fulfilled and that in itself should serve as a warning. This book above all other books within the Bible shows that the Word of God was true, is true and so will be true. The fact that we can look back into history and say yes there was a Nebuchadnezzar, yes there was a Daniel known as Belteshazzar. That there was a man that thought himself as a living god that defiled the first temple in the 160s B.C.

Yet when this last was first mentioned he would not be alive for almost another four hundred years. Shows that the Bible is true and accurate. Not only as a historical document, but as the word of God. So when we are told to study the Bible. To come to know the Word of God we are doing so to not only know what was, and what is, but what will be. And we will know that God is real. That His Son is real, and that His sacrifice upon the cross was for our salvation. So when what was prophesied by Daniel, by Isaiah, by Ezekiel and by Jesus Christ Himself will be. For even now we live within the last days of this world as we now know it. For Israel is once again a nation and His soon return was foretold to be preceded by Israel’s return to this status.

Beginning with Daniel Chapter 11 verse 36 we enter into the end time prophecies. It is important to note that these verses are reserved for the Jewish and Christians. This is shown by the fact that beginning with chapter 8 we return to the Hebrew and leave the Aramaic behind. Showing that these chapters were designed for those that profess to be the children of God.

So with verse 36 you see that antichrist will describe himself as the greatest being to exist and will exalt himself as even greater than God Himself.

The end of chapter 11 of Daniel ends with the last battle at the end of the age of the Gentiles. However it does not reach its full conclusion until chapter 12 verse 3.

What is important to note is verse 2 of chapter 12:

“Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.”

Here is shown the third rapture. This one exclusive to the nation of Israel, for there will be no Christians left during the last half of the tribulation. This rapture will include the division of those that were loyal to God and those that were not in the tribes of Israel and is not the Great White Throne Judgement. For note it says “many” and “some.” The first rapture will be to those promised not to suffer in the tribulation and the dead that were loyal Christians (1 Thessalonians 1:10). The 2nd rapture will be the white robed that are uncountable. However, it is made clear that these will have suffered and be martyred during first part of the tribulation and will include the lukewarm that return to Christ as well as those that see and hear the truth and welcome their beheadings, which will be required for them to stand before the Throne of God purified (Revelation 7:9-14). This second rapture will result in the removal of the Holy Spirit from the world, which is restraining the antichrist from fully revealing himself.

In verse 4 we are given signs of what to look for to know that we are in the end time:

“But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

I will end this study with Daniel 12:9-10

“But he said, ‘Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.’”

So in Summary:

In part one of this series. We established that the book of Daniel was written in his lifetime. We also showed that it was meant for Judaism and Christianity alike. We also established that it deals within the lands of the Middle East exclusively. However since the Greeks and Romans conquered these lands they were and are involved to this day.

In part two of this series. We identified the little horn of chapter 8 of the book of Daniel. As well as reinforce the identity of the four gentile nations involved in Daniels interpretations of the dreams. We also went into how the 2300 days were fulfilled from the time that Antiochus Epiphanes ended the sacrifices within the first temple and then deviled it. Until Judas Maccabaeus rededicated the temple.

Today, we concluded this what can be called an introductory study into the book of Daniel. By showing that the Roman Empire is the forth gentile nation to have rule over the world and its influence is still in effect at this very time. As well that all evidence shows that we are truly in the last days prophesied by Jesus Christ just two days before His crucifixion upon the cross. In His teachings to the disciples in the Olivet Discourse.

We also showed that we must get ourselves right with God. We must seek to live our lived per the teachings of the Bible. And not to live in or of the world. For only those that are right with the Lord will be included in the first rapture promised in 1 Thessalonians 1:10:

“And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.”

So if you wish to fully escape the tribulation. Get right with God. And turn away from the world and the sins it offers. Live a righteous life with God always upon our minds. First and foremost in everything we do.

God Bless

Special Note: The John F. Walvoord commentaries are the only commentaries I would recommend for anyone to read.

This said, I would warn those using it that it has one major flaw. The fact that he was Baptist and was of the group that believes in faith alone, grace alone, once saved always saved mentality.

Why recommend it at all then? Because it gives multiple views and is not limited to him being Baptist even though some text within it you can see that influence.

When weeding this out. Those using it get an overall image of prophecy. Prophecy that is now and already has been fulfilled.

Therefore, take it with a grain of salt and seek to discern the Truth that can be seen when using these commentaries as a aid to understanding the Word of God.

Blog for Podcast #32 (The Daniel Dilemma 1/3)

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Intro

Welcome again to another broadcast. This is once again Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. Also, you do not need to download podbean if you wish to listen. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts.

Today we begin a look into the book of Daniel. This was originally published on my blog site in 2016, and once again contains references to the John Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries, which I once again recommend.

Discussion

The main challenge that the book of Daniel encountered. Came from those that believed the book was not first written by Daniel and in turn was not written in 540 to 530 B.C. Many imply the book was written in the 200 B.C. time frame.

Why is this so important? Why must we accept and understand that the Book of Daniel was written by Daniel and was complete before his death which is stated to have occurred in 530 B.C.?

This is the dilemma.

First off you need to understand that this book was not just written for the Jewish people as all the other book of the Old Testament (OT) were originally written for. This book was also written for the Gentiles and signaled the beginning of the rule of the Gentile nations over the world. This is seen in the way Daniel wrote this book. The beginning and the end of the book is written in Hebrew. As all other books of the OT were written, with the exception of Ezra. The middle of the book though is written in Aramaic (2:4 – 7:28). This is the common tongue at the time throughout the Middle East. It also stayed this way well into the time of the Roman Empire. It is still used in some form by many Middle Eastern Christian Churches. This also foreshadows the fact that the entire book, we now call the Bible, would come to be, and designed for all of humanity. That were and are willing to learn and listen to what is within it.

These parts of the Book of Daniel that were written in Aramaic deal specifically with Gentile nations within the Middle East. For the focal point is the nation of Israel, so it deals only with those nations that will have an effect upon it, which included Greece and the Roman Empire. This is something that really needs to be understood. Many in today’s Christian culture reject in some part the Judaism of the OT. They feel that only Christianity is the focal point of the Bible. This is the furthest thing from the truth.

Abraham is the father of the Jewish and as well as the Islamic nations. Jesus, the Son of God, was born to a descendant of David. Both Joseph and Mary have a direct lineage to David, the first king of the united tribes of Israel. Christianity came from Jesus Christ who was raised upon the books of the OT. At the age of twelve His knowledge of these books, which included Daniel. Far exceeded the understanding of the Tanakh by the Pharisees and Sadducees at that time and was noted as such in Luke 2:46-47. So Christianity is the “grandchild” of Abraham. And the Bible teaches that we must honor our fathers and mothers, even to the point of the source of our faith. So any that deny Israel, and the Jewish people, deny God.

This non-focus on Israel as the focal-point has led to many misinterpretations of this book by those that have not taken the time to truly study the Bible and history itself. This is why it is extremely important to study the Bible. Not just read it. As is the case of the book of Daniel, knowing history is extremely important as well. For within the book of Daniel is facts related to not only Israel, but Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and the Roman Empire. Without knowledge of this history of these nations, misunderstanding the book of Daniel comes into play and so causes the rise of false teachings and teachers, which is predicted by Jesus Christ in the Olivet discourse.

First we need to understand the four Gentile world dominant kingdoms. As mentioned before these are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. The last of these is the most complicated to understand, but when taken in context with the statute of four layers you come to a better understanding, and once again see that Israel is the focal point as well.

Babylon is the first major Empire of any true note that affected the Middle Eastern area. Many times this empire changed hands, but the one that dealt with Israel was the Assyrian rule which began in 911 B.C. and ended during the book of Daniel in 619 B.C. This version of the empire at its apex, which is approximately 671 B.C. reached from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean and down into Egypt itself. The boarder cities were Susa, Ecbatana, Musasir, Tushpa, Kanish, Tarsus, and Dumah and reached down to Jeb in Egypt. To give you a more up to date imagery, the eastern boarder would conform, for the most part, to the border between Iraq and Iran. Its northern border went from Van, Turkey to the Lake Tuz just south, southeast of Ankara. The western border starts at the north at this lake down to between Silifke and Adana, along the entire eastern coast of the Mediterranean. It then extended into Egypt just west of Al Hammam down south to Mut and then met the Red Sea near Halaib. Its southern border extended from the Gulf of Aqaba in a near straight line to the Persian Gulf.

Why have I went into so much detail describing this area? Is due to the fact that this area is all the land mass that the book of Daniel deals with. Even though Greece and Rome are not in this area today. At one point during their conquests they held domain over this area, which is why they are a part of the prophecies within the book of Daniel. The land mass within these prophecies never changes. However the effects to each of these empires especially the last does constitute the overall lands, and cultures they have affected, due to their existence within the Gentile world. So to make this clear. The prophecies within the book of Daniel deal exclusively within the lands of the Middle East, that deal with the original boarders of the Babylonian/Assyrian Empire. In today’s terms that means Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait and parts of Saudi Arabia and Turkey. So when a direction is mentioned within the prophecies it conforms to an area within these boundaries. In the book of Revelation this area also conforms to the boundaries of the city of New Jerusalem.

In the prophecy of the statue. Four nations are given reference to, but not truly identified. The head however, is shown to be Babylon. Yet the others, even though described, are not given identity. This changes in chapter seven. Here the nations are given identification for those that have the eyes to see and the ears to hear.

So let us start to explore this part of the book of Daniel and see if we can start to work our way through the dilemma this book has caused throughout the centuries. So we shall look at the four kingdoms that are first shown in the Statue dream of Daniel chapter two.

Daniel 7:4 – The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.

At the time of this prophecy the royal palace had statues of winged lions at its gate, which was one of the factors in agreement that this is a representation of at the least Nebuchadnezzar and the most an imagery of Babylon itself. To quote the commentary by John F. Walvoord:

“In spite of the power indicated in this symbolism, Daniel saw the beast become man-like. This is most commonly interpreted as the symbolic representation of Nebuchadnezzar’s experience in chapter 4 when he was humbled before God and made to realize that, even though he was a great ruler, he was only a man. His lion-like character, or royal power, was his only at God’s pleasure. The symbolism is accurate and corresponds to the historical facts.”

So in all scholarly studies of this verse. It is agreed that this is an image of Babylon and the first empire of the Gentiles. Then the next verse should describe the next empire in the chain.

Daniel 7:5 – Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”

The imagery suggested by this verse shows a strong yet less refined empire that has one side stronger than the other. The Persian side being stronger than the Median part which the former had taken over from the latter before its move against other kingdoms. This is shown in the imagery of defeating and devouring three kingdoms, thus the three ribs. That being Lydia, Babylon and Egypt. The bear is also known to be a more ferocious animal than other animals in the animal kingdom as seen within biblical times.

Daniel 7:6 – Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.

Starting with the image of a leopard. It is an imagery within the Bible of something not as grand as the lion, but is known for its swiftness. This is amplified by the four wings upon its back. The four heads indicate a division into four parts but of equal power and control. The conquest of Alexander was extremely swift. Upon his death at thirty-two the Greek Empire was given to his four top generals and their power was divided equally.

Daniel 7:7-8 – Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns. 8 As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.

One of the main tendencies of the Roman Empire was to remove the cultural from those it dominate. This was accomplished through death, destruction and an insistence of following Roman law. In some areas they tried different tactics, but in the end it resulted in their mainstay as mentioned above. This is clearly seen in 70 A.D. when the last temple was destroyed and the Israeli nation scattered throughout the Roman Empire and then the world.

A great debate still continues into the description as to who or what the little horn is that replaces three of the ten horns. Has it happened or will it happen? At this time it is still open for debate. What is made clear is that it is not the little horn of chapter eight.

That little horn has been identified as Antiochus Epiphanes. He is called this due to his representation of the little horn still to come, that being the antichrist. What is known for sure is that Antiochus IV Epiphanes did abolish the worship of God by the Jewish people and he did defile the temple in the 160s B.C. by establishing the worship of Zeus within the Temple and the sacrifice of pigs upon the alter. Antiochus Epiphanes is described by many to be an image of the antichrist that is yet to come during the time of the Tribulation.

In recent times another foreshadowing of the coming antichrist appeared. That being the Obama presidency of the United States. This image of the little horn came to power and brought devastation to this Christian nation, by making it possible to fulfill these words of Jesus Christ:

Matthew 24:10-12 – And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

Again a fore image of the true antichrist yet to appear.

As you ponder what you just heard. We will end this week’s study of the Daniel dilemma.

God Bless

Special Note: The John F. Walvoord commentaries are the only commentaries I would recommend for anyone to read.

This said, I would warn those using it that it has one major flaw. The fact that he was Baptist and was of the group that believes in faith alone, grace alone, once saved always saved mentality.

Why recommend it at all then? Because it gives multiple views and is not limited to him being Baptist even though some text within it you can see that influence.

When weeding this out. Those using it get an overall image of prophecy. Prophecy that is now and already has been fulfilled.

Therefore, take it with a grain of salt and seek to discern the Truth that can be seen when using these commentaries as a aid to understanding the Word of God.

Let’s Talk Some More About Conformity

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Once again let us look at the verses from Romans 12:

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

And once again let us look at the word “conformed.”

Conformed – G4964 – suschématizó – conform to, fashion yourself according to. Conform to the same pattern.

Now I wish for people to look at these verses following a parable about stewardship in the gospel of Luke:

Luke 16:13-17 NKJV – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

These two groups of verses are related and shows just how far those that profess to being Christian have fallen away from true discipleship to Christ Jesus. Let me explain and break it down for those that aren’t seeing the relationship.

What is esteemed by the world is comfort, leisure and wealth. Most, especially those in the western world cultures, as well as many middle eastern areas seek after all this. This is conforming to the world. This is what we are told not to do. However, all have done so.

Most believe they are the perfect Christian. They say they follow Christ. They pray; they attend church. Sometimes more than once a week. They do so in their best clothes and sing their songs and have their prayer meetings where other humans hear them. To them they are blessed and going to heaven to be with God.

This is a total and complete lie. Because this is what the world esteems. So, to God they are an abomination in His sight. Destine to be left behind in the soon to occur rapture.

“WHAT?” Someone just yelled in total disbelief. This reaction believe it or not is in actuality confirmation that what was written before this outburst in the Truth. Why is it the Truth? Because Jesus Christ said it… I didn’t.

This is one of the major flaws within these co-called “perfect Christians.” They act through emotion not true study and devotion to God through Jesus Christ. They believe they can live exactly as they have lived their entire lives and make no changes, and they will be embraced and welcomed by God. Ingnoring verses like those from the Gospel of Luke that states how they pursue to live actually sickens God. To them this has nothing to do with them but the Pharisees of old. Not seeing that they themselves have become the Pharisees. Living in rituals and breaking commandments without question or even understanding that they are acting in defiance of God through Jesus Christ.

Let’s give prime examples from the teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount.

Where and how to pray:

Matthew 6:5-6 NKJV – “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Key elements of this teaching:

  1. It is a commandment from Jesus Christ Himself
  2. Do not pray in church for that is where the hypocrites pray.
  3. Do not pray in public for that is where the hypocrites wish to be seen.
  4. Prayer is to be done alone not in groups for others can see you.

“But they pray in as a group before the Pentecost?” Someone just said. Yes, and they cast lots to pick their twelfth apostle, not Christ’s twelfth apostle. All without the Holy Spirit or His Blessing. Therefore, Peter made those gathered to sin against God which is why Pentecost was so dramatic. To put Peter in this place as well as the others as well. To remind them all Who was the Son of God. As well as do nothing without the Holy Spirit. As well as don’t break Christ’s teachings like where to pray.

Christ also taught this:

Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This is said a different way by Paul in these verses:

1 Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV – Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Those that still don’t get it. Read the rest of 1 Timothy 6, however I would like you to key in on these verses:

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV – Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

A huge church wastes money that could be used to help those in need and to spread the True Gospel.

Wearing fancy clothes is sin and something the gentiles seek after and thus is conforming to the world, which is also taught during the Sermon on the Mount.

Keeping most of your earthly income is opposite the teachings of the Word of God and so is sin and those that do this esteem to be like those of the world. Therefore, they are seen by God as an abomination.

The word “abomination” is used only six times in the NT. Four of those times it is in direct reference to the antichrist and those that have chosen to follow that person. With that in mind. Then those that have turned their backs upon the Word of God yet call themselves “Christian” have no chance of making the soon to come rapture.

This will cause them to make two choices when they find they have been left behind. One will be to beg God for forgiveness and to seek out how to fix their relationship with God, which will result in their martyrdom. The second: they will fully turn against God fulfilling prophecy of the great falling away.

Why? Because to them God has abandoned them.

Now note how that was just said. They think that God abandoned them. That isn’t how a True Christian thinks. Therefore, if they were saved, they lost their salvation long ago. Or they were never saved in the first place. For anyone who thinks God abandoned them or owes them is in fact calling themselves a god. For they think they are greater than their Creator. How extremely vain, self-centered and arrogant of them.

So, when you hear the second blast of the trumpets and find yourself still here in this temporal existence. Realize it is because YOU that rejected God. For God never rejects anyone who truly seeks to be His disciple through His Son Jesus Christ. In fact, He wants ALL of humanity to come to know Him as their God. However, they would rather be their own god, and everyone and everything must cater to their whims and desires. Therefore, worthy of being left behind and the damnation that goes with this belief that it is owed to them. For billions upon billions upon billions upon billions of years in pain and agony in the lake of fire.

REPENT!!!

Seek to be the martyr. For only through that earthly pain and suffering can true Salvation be achieved once you find you have been left behind. For it will be better to suffer a few weeks, months or years. Than to suffer for all eternity because you wanted to be your own god.

Blog of Podcast #30 (Olivet Discourse 6/6)

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Intro

Welcome to another podcast. I am Dreamwalker1960

Today we come to the conclusion of our study of the Olivet Discourse

Discussion

The judgement of the nations

Matthew 25:31-40 – “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Now once again I wish to remind those that have been following this series about the word “nations.”

Nations is ethnos in the Greek and in actuality refers to races not an actual country.

So basically it is stating that all the people of the earth are gathered before Jesus as He sets upon His Throne. The fact that he is separating them points to the Great White Throne Judgment at which time we will have the books of our life opened and reviewed as well to see if our name is listed in the Book of Life.

Special Note: Being found here at the Judgement of the Great White Throne is something that those that profess to being “Christian” should find to be shameful and something to weep about. For this means they did not participate in any rapture events and missed out on the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ.

By how the verses play out about separating the sheep from the goats and that those on the right, the sheep, “inherit the Kingdom.” Shows that there is a judgment here.

Matthew 25:41-46 – “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ 44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ 45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ 46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

Those that deny God and His Son’s teachings will have to join their true master Satan in the pit of fire that has been reserved for them for all eternity.

However if you are found to be righteous and true to God and the teachings of the Bible you will go into the next phase of existence and partake of the tree of life to live for all eternity in the service of God.

Final announcement of his coming death

At the end of the Olivet discourse Jesus finishes His teaching unto the apostles with this final warning of his coming death.

Matthew 26:1-2 – When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

The Bible makes no mention of the reaction to these words by the apostles. Instead it goes right to where the elders of the religious order in Jerusalem are plotting with Caiaphas to do just what Jesus had just stated would occur.

The fact that there is no mention of a response from the apostles shows their blindness to most of what they had just heard.

To summarize

What we learn from the Olivet discourse is a snapshot into the future. We learn that Jesus will not have His second return as soon as many expect. In fact He states in the parables that He will appear to be delayed. We learn that His return will be like a thief in the night, and shows that there are different rapture events. One will occur without any warning while a separate one will occur with the sky itself is darkening. We learn that if things do not go quickly the human race will become extinct.

We are warned to stay alert and stay true to the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are shown that there will be those that are like the people that were before the great flood and their sins will be seen as the same. They will be living their lives as if nothing is going to happen and yet in the blink of an eye all will change in an instance and will be signaled by the first rapture. This will then cause those that realize the truth to accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah and in turn these will be persecuted.

He tells those of the Jewish faith to watch for the desecration of the Holy of Holies which speaks of a third temple and when it occurs to flee quickly.

Out of all of it though is the warning to stay prepared. To stay alert. To watch for the signs of His return. These signs are now present as never before. They are global. They are affecting everyone and everywhere. There can be no doubt that we are in the end times of the world as we know it now.

So get right with God. Learn the Bible and follow the teachings within it. For we are told to obey and follow the Bible and to do what is right and righteous. For if we don’t we will be left behind and must face the horror that that entails.

In the first three parts of this series we discussed the warning signs that we are to look for. That being the rise of false prophets and teachers which has been happening since the very beginnings of the Christian church. That there would be wars and rumors of wars, which since the beginning of the 20th century there has been no peace on earth at any time up to the present. We can also say that since this same time frame there has been an increase in famines throughout the world. As to earthquakes we also discussed that there has been a dramatic up shift in these just in the last few years. Becoming more and prevalent and numerous.

We have also seen an increase in the persecution of those that profess to be Christian throughout the world and there has been an increase of this in the United States since the onset of the pandemic. We have also seen an increase in those become more apostate as well as betrayals of not only their fellow humans, but of family members just because of their believes.

We have also noted that within the last century there has been an increase in the number of false prophets and teachers and those willing to listen to them all due to the removal of God from the general society at large. As shown, this was due to people not knowing or truly understanding the Bible since they have never read it. As a result they believe these false teachings as fact when that is the furthest thing from the truth. This has resulted in sinners being openly and increasingly unafraid to hide in the darkness and so has become more prevalent throughout all of the world.

Yet, at the same time. Those willing to hear and listen, seek out the Bible and the knowledge within it throughout the world.

In the next part of the series we discussed the short mention of the tribulation and then we looked in the return of Christ as the end of these desperate times that are still ahead of the world.

However, in this part of the series and continued into the next part of the series we showed through the teaching of Jesus Christ Himself that there would be what has been described as the partial rapture. We showed through His words that the Jewish people are the elect and it is for them to be a terrible time for they will have to be present throughout most of the tribulation. We also showed that those faithful to God in Christendom would be removed from the earth before the tribulation. However those that had become foolish would have to suffer through the first half of the tribulation to the point of martyrdom.

So it is here that we end this study of the Olivet Discourse. Again this is not me spouting out my own personal theories. But the Word of God from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself. With insights not from me alone, but from thousands of scholar. Condensed and filtered through the John F. Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries.

God Bless.

Special Note: The John F. Walvoord commentaries are the only commentaries I would recommend for anyone to read.

This said, I would warn those using it that it has one major flaw. The fact that he was Baptist and was of the group that believes in faith alone, grace alone, once saved always saved mentality.

Why recommend it at all then? Because it gives multiple views and is not limited to him being Baptist even though some text within it you can see that influence.

When weeding this out. Those using it get an overall image of prophecy. Prophecy that is now and already has been fulfilled.

Therefore, take it with a grain of salt and seek to discern the Truth that can be seen when using these commentaries as a aid to understanding the Word of God.

So, Let’s Talk About Conformity to the World

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Many people make excuses to do things to live their lives as they desire. They make excuses not to conform to God. They say well this is how it was when the Bible was written, or that was made unnecessary by Jesus Christ going to the cross and then raising from the dead on the third day. These excuses say one thing. These people are not truly seeking to have a relationship with God. They are just the religious lukewarm who Christ has vomited out of the Body of Christ long ago and aren’t worthy of being even listened to.

Why make such a harsh statement? Well let us turn to the Word of God.

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

A key command given in these verses:

“Do not be conformed to this world.”

Conformed – G4964 – suschématizó – conform to, fashion yourself according to. Conform to the same pattern.

Let us turn to a main example of this. The placing of tattoos upon your body once you have accepted being a child of God through Jesus Christ.

And here it comes. The railing and complaining.

Let us just use the verses given above and apply this to what can be seen in the world about us. Has there not been TV shows that have a contest between the best tattoo artists within the world that place their artwork onto their fellow human beings? The answer is yes.

Then this is definite proof that tattoos are something that those of the world seek after. Then per just the verses above those that profess to being a follower of Christ should avoid placing this artwork upon their bodies.

However, we shall dig even deeper into the Word of God, plus at the end of this I will share a dream I was given from God in the mid-1980s. But let us get to the first part:

In three separate places within the Gospels Jesus Christ teaches this about the law and prophets:

Matthew 22:34-40 NKJV – But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 16:13-17 NKJV – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

It makes it very clear that the commandments taught in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus are still in effect. The ONLY exception is those about making sacrifices, because Jesus Christ going to the cross ended only these commands.

With that said this means this law is still in effect:

Leviticus 19:28 NKJV – You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.

Recently I heard of a lady making comments that if this law was still in effect, then those laws surrounding it were in effect as will. My answer to that is. Yes, they are. Now why make this statement?

Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

When people place tattoos upon them, especially Christian imagery, which is in defiance of this commandment:

Exodus 20:4-6 NKJV – “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Those that do this surrender to the evil spirits that have been given dominion over the world at this time. We are in a spiritual warfare, which includes how we live our daily lives including how we dress. How we cut our hair. Where we live as well as our choice of personal transport.

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT – Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

Once again this conformity to the world applies to how people dress. How they desire to live and what as well as how they get about if they seek to own a vehicle. This is why this is taught in 1 Timothy 6:

1 Timothy 6:6-8 NKJV – Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Now as promised the dream:

It was about a year or so after I was born again. It was another of what is called a vivid dream. I have many of them, most I am not able to shared, but this one was.

I found myself inside of a store, but the racks and shelves were ransacked. I was in chains and in a line. In front of me and behind were others, they all wore a grey jumper. I looked down and found myself to be wearing the same.

Several half-naked people that were mostly tattooed and pierced were directing us. One stood on the top of the shelves shouting and laughing as he lashed out with a whip. As it snapped, I heard him say:

“Where is your God now? Why doesn’t He come and get you?” He said things like this repeatedly as he herded the line toward the back of the store. Soon after a twelve-year-old boy, tattooed like the others, came running down one of the hallways made by the shelves. He stopped, as he laughed and held up by the hair the head of a woman and all those that were herding those in chains roared with laughter.

Once we reached our goal, I saw a line of cots set against the back wall and we those chained together were placed into these cots. After a time one by one the cots to my left were emptied, then it was my time. They made me get up and walk through a door at the back of the store. All went black.

Revelation 20:4 NKJV – And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Like I stated, I had this dream in the mid-1980s. In this time there were tattoos, but they were not as extreme in the number of people having them or the number of tattoos upon their bodies. The very fact that tattoos have exploded in numbers and even entered into the religious communities speaks volumes.

Please note that I did say within Christianity. For those that are true to Christ choose to follow His commands and teachings and so are without tattoos. The only exception to this is those that got tattoos before their salvation and due to the fact that they cannot afford to get them removed.

With this we see that our need to be separate from the world is not just an act of obedience, but also shows that by doing so we wear the armor of God within the spiritual warfare that has been ongoing since Satan and his fellow angels were cast out of heaven.

Those that conform to the world, like getting tattoos. Refusing to wear this armor as an act of defiance against God Himself through Jesus Christ and in fact are in open rebellion against their Savior by getting tattoos. A permanent marking upon their skin in defiance against their Creator.

Why say this?

Because their own personal wants and desires are more important than following the commands and teachings found with the Word of God.

Blog for Podcast #28 (Olivet Discourse 4/6)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Thoughts, , , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960, and welcome to another podcast.

Today we will continue our look into the Olivet Discourse. Fair warning this particular broadcast will be a bit long due to all the information I am going to present.

Discussion

Signs of the Great Tribulation

As Jesus spoke to His apostles on the Mount of Olives. To answer the two questions, they had posed to Him. He began by describing the signs of the world and human behavior before the coming judgment. These signs were addressed in the previous parts of this series. Now Jesus tells His disciples of the tribulation itself.

Now it must be noted that he mentions the defilement of the holy area in a temple. At this present time there is no Jewish temple in Jerusalem. The fact that there will be is another sign that the coming tribulation is near or in effect. It must also be noted who the audience of the discourse is. They are all Jewish. At this time there is no one that is truly “Christian” in existence at this time.

Matthew 24:15-25 – “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) 16 “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. 17 A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. 18 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. 19 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. 20 And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. 22 In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones. 23 “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. 25 See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.

When this third temple is defiled those within Israel are told to flee from there immediately not even bothering to gather anything. For that moment to hesitate will be enough to mean their death. He says that this time will be far more arduous than at any other time in recorded history, and the only thing that will save the human race itself will be that God puts an end to it.

Then he shows that the anti-christ, the false messiah well have powers and abilities, as well as his prophet that will cause even those true to God to have cause to wonder and ponder. However, they will see the truth and overcome, for they will know the teachings of the Bible or the Tanakh and know that these humans are liars and are of the devil. Now as noted before this is directed to the Jewish people. There is evidence that at this time there will be no “Christians” presents during this time.

It is also important to note that at this point this is all He says about the tribulation period. He instead goes right to the point of answering the question probed by the twelve. His return.

The Second coming of Christ

Matthew 24:26-31 – “So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it! 27 For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. 28 Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.

29 “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

Now there are those that see the events in verse 31 as the Rapture. However, this is not the case.

Revelation 3:10-12 – “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.

It is this promise that shows that the rapture, or as I refer to it as the first rapture, and the events that occur at the return of Christ at the end of the Tribulation are two separate events.

As we look at verse 31 from Matthew in the KJV:

“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

We see that the term chosen ones goes to elect

Elect – G1588 – eklektos – chosen out, elect, choice, select: of those chosen out by God for the rendering of special service to Him (of the Hebrew race, particular Hebrews, the Messiah, and the Christians)

In this case though since the Christians are removed before the Tribulation, and finally at the midpoint of the Tribulation as is promised in Revelation 3:10, and completed in Revelation chapter 7. This must mean the Hebrews or Jewish people.

So, this is the third Rapture and is of the Jewish people. The First Rapture takes place before the Tribulation begins and is as shown above for those Christians that have been loyal unto to God through His Son Jesus Christ. The Second Rapture occurs at the midpoint of the Tribulation at which time the third temple is desecrated. It is here that those that are martyred in the name of Christ will be called up before the Throne of God. It is also at this time that 144,000 will receive the mark of God and will bear witness through the last half of the tribulation. Since it is clearly shown that the 144,000 are all Jewish adds more evidence that the third Rapture which happens as Christ returns is solely for the Jewish people. The chosen are the promised nation of God unto Abraham.

The Second coming will be an event that will be witnessed by the entire globe and will take at least a full day to accomplish as Christ appears at a fixed point in the sky above and the earth which rotates below Him and all will see that Christ is real and He has returned. None will be able to question this.

The parable

Now it is important that we understand the import of the parable. Jesus when He started His ministry to the Jewish people He would talk plainly and openly. However they rejected Him. His sole purpose was to be the true Messiah, the true King to Israel. Yet they turned their backs upon Him. When this rejection became all too clear to all involved Jesus stopped speaking plainly. Instead He started to speak in parables.

Now he is talking exclusively to his apostles, yet he gives them a parable. This is twofold. The main reason is due to the fact that even though they are His chosen twelve they too are blind to the full truth. The other is that when it is time that the gospels be written that this parable be included so that those with the eyes will see and the ears hear.

Matthew 24:32-33 – “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.

When these signs that He has mentioned, especially those spoken by Him in verse 4 through 14 then we will know that the return of Jesus Christ to this planet is near.

The sign of Noah

Matthew 24:34-39 – I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. 36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

He makes it very clear that life will be going on as usual, just as it was before the flood which destroyed the civilization in which Noah lived in before the deluge. Christ has given us signs to look for and they are now being fulfilled worldwide. Time is running out and too many don’t know nor care, for all that is important to them is themselves. It must also be noted that Christ is also speaking in a more direct matter as to how the people of the time of Noah and how the people at Christ return will be acting. The people in Noah’s time lived in an extremely sinful and selfish manner. Caring only for their own pleasures and desires having forgotten about God and His wants for humanity.

You must be ready and alert

Matthew 24:40-51 – “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. 45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Now I wish to show you this from 1 Thessalonians then we will discuss these passages:

5:1-11 – Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Just so you understand once again. There were two questions asked by the apostles to Jesus. There are two answers given, but in a way that gives details that has left many confused and mislead. From verse 4 through 31 of Matthew 24, Jesus described the end of the known world at this time. Verses 32 through 51 describe His return.

Now note that in the first part there is mentioning of signs and wonders. The darkening of the sun no light from the moon. The stars hidden. Those of evil perform signs and wonders. These are all things that none can deny for all will see them. So how can the return of Christ be like a thief in the night? A surprise. It cannot.

So even though the return is spoken of by Christ. It actually occurs before the events he has just spoken of in the previous section. Yet there is mention of a type of rapture in the first part which people will say and question at this point. Yes that is true, but the wording is very clear here as was shown earlier.

There will be three raptures. The first is what is being referred to by Jesus at this time. The second will occurs at the midpoint of the Tribulation period when the third temple is desecrated by the anti-christ. The third will occur as described in verse 31 and will deal only with the Jewish people.

How else can Jesus come as a thief in the night?

It must be at a time when no one is looking or expecting him. It is as like the times before the great flood. People will be living their lives as if nothing has changed. Nothing has occurred to give them pause or wonder.

Jesus Himself promised that those that are alert will not partake of the Tribulation (Revelation 3:10), but those of the tribes of Israel that have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah will. Why? Because they denied Him when He walked amongst them nearly two thousand years ago. It is those of the tribes of Israel that are called the elect that He will gather them unto Him upon His return. For further confirmation of this, read the following:

Revelation 7:1-7 – Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, 3 “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.” 4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel: 5 from Judah 12,000 from Reuben            12,000 from Gad 12,000 6 from Asher 12,000 from Naphtali 12,000 from Manasseh 12,000 7 from Simeon 12,000 from Levi 12,000 from Issachar 12,000 8 from Zebulun 12,000 from Joseph 12,000 from Benjamin 12,000

These are the select, the elect, and the chosen. All from the tribes of Israel. These are those that verse 31 is referring to and no others. For those that left when Christ returned as a thief in the night are already gone. So how can they leave a second time? Then this is prove there will be multiple raptures. One for those that stayed alert. One for those that were martyred during the first half of the Tribulation and the third will be as mentioned earlier.

This is referred to as the Partial Rapture Theory, which I happen to feel is actually true to the teachings of the Bible.

SPECIAL NOTE: There is a need to address those that form the second rapture. First, they are uncountable. (Revelation 7:9). Second, they are from the tribulation itself. (Revelation 7:14) The reason for this is the fault of those that are now here upon this earth as we near the soon return of Jesus Christ for the first rapture. It is the fault of those that removed God from the schools. It is the fault of those that call themselves “Christian” and make no effort to teach those they encounter of God and His Son and what Christ sacrificed for all of humanity. Many though will get their chance to redeem themselves for these errors when they find themselves left behind after the first rapture. That is why there are so many that finally awaken to the truth and turn to the Creator of all things. The Lord God Almighty. The only true down side will be the suffering they must endure in the first half of the tribulation.

In the next part of this series we will look into chapter 25 of Matthew.

God Bless

Special Note: The John F. Walvoord commentaries are the only commentaries I would recommend for anyone to read.

This said, I would warn those using it that it has one major flaw. The fact that he was Baptist and was of the group that believes in faith alone, grace alone, once saved always saved mentality.

Why recommend it at all then? Because it gives multiple views and is not limited to him being Baptist even though some text within it you can see that influence.

When weeding this out. Those using it get an overall image of prophecy. Prophecy that is now and already has been fulfilled.

Therefore, take it with a grain of salt and seek to discern the Truth that can be seen when using these commentaries as a aid to understanding the Word of God.

Blog for Podcast #27 (Olivet Discourse 3/6)

bible, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

Welcome again to another podcast. This is Dreamwalker1960.

Today we continue our study of the Olivet Discourse.

Discussion

Christ’s reply

Section C – Famine and earthquakes.

This one is the hardest to show. Mainly due to the sources from which we can gather this information cannot be fully trusted. What can be said in the research I did perform that I find they tend to be on the increase for both.

Ever since the beginning of the 20th century there has been a gradual increase in the number of earthquakes. I also noted that in most of the charts shown up to the current year these charts that were made there was a slight decrease. However, I must add that from an example one made in 2008 there was a decrease three to four years previous this date. Yet one made in 2015 showed 2008 higher than the number shown in the 2008 chart and that once again there was a decrease between 2011 and 2015. What can clearly be said is that earthquakes are dramatically higher and more destructive.

NOTE:

Once again, I must note that this was written in 2017. Since then it must be noted that earthquakes have taken a dramatic shift toward the worst. Just this year in 2020 there have been hundreds of small earthquakes and even a few larger that has been experienced between the original writing of this study of the Olivet Discourse and now. It can also be noted that the magnetic north pole has moved from Canada to Siberia and is still moving. There has also been documentation of an increase in underground lava movement around several volcanoes throughout the world.

As for the famines. It appears that “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by BandAid in the 1980s was just that a Band-Aid for the problem that has never truly been eliminated. However, it sure made those on the left feel good about themselves for a couple of years. So famine is still ever present in this world and those with wealth continue to horde unto themselves as they live in their mansions shouting for the masses to give their money while they do nothing truly themselves.

Beginning with the predictions that are to follow. These begin to occur after the beginning. These events signal the soon return of Christ. It is when these become prevalent and obvious it is time to keep aware and plan for the soon return of the Messiah.

NOTE:

In addition, that the  placement of earthquakes last in the previous verse and that fact that there has been a dramatic increase in them can also be significant to the way Jesus was foretelling of future events. Showing that their increase can substantiate the previous predictions and those that are to come. In other words, they serve as a pivot point to show that we are nearing His return and the end of the world as we now know it.  

Section D – Persecution of Christians

These verse gives great detail as what to expect to see fulfillment of this prophecy:

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.”

In the Middle East due to the rise of ISIS this is once again becoming a reality. In fact, it was reported that last year (2016) the most persecuted religion was the Christian religion. It has happened in the past but is once again on the rise. Again, pointing to a rise in this treatment of the followers of Jesus Christ.

NOTE:

As of this recording of this study of the Olivet Discourse. Once again there has been a change for the worst.

In recent months groups throughout the world have been having violent protests. None believe in God or His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Amongst their symbolism has returned to the world the guillotine first made famous in, what I personally considered, to be the first socialist revolution, the French Revolution. This helps to verify that those that turn to Christ in the first three and a half years of the Tribulation will possibly find one of these waiting for them if they refuse to take the mark. Additionally those in places of power are calling for lists to be drawn up of those that oppose their way of thinking,  which will lead to removal from jobs, arrests and perhaps worse.

Section E – Apostasy and betrayal

“And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.”

Apostasy is defined as the act of giving up your religious or political beliefs and leaving a religion or a political party per Cambridge dictionary.

Now what many do not realize is that giving up on your religious believes does not mean you outright deny your faith. You just stop desiring to follow the teaching of the Bible. Millions live this way daily. Millions go through their life thinking they are “believers” when this is the furthest thing from the truth. They are living an apostate life. They live a lukewarm life. They live a “religious” life. This is something that has been occurring within the United States since God was removed from the schools in the 1960s and has been increasing exponentially ever since. This also fits in with prophecies from the book of Daniel and Revelation in reference to an apostate religion.

In the 2016 election the betrayal began to be seen clearly. As friends and family deleted each other’s names from Facebook.

Again, we see fulfilment of the words of Jesus Christ coming to be.

NOTE:

In the 2020 election what began in the 2016 election has magnified and the betrayal is even more visible than it was in that election. Violence is a factor of this betrayal that is dividing the once Untied States into the Fractured States. All due to the removal of God from the equation.

Also a clear dividing line was established as 71+million voted for one group while 74+ million the other group. Most not realizing that God was in fact causing the second great division of the sheep from the goats.

Noted suggested listening:

This was hit upon slightly in the podcasts entitled “Light and Darkness,” “The Bitter Pill” and “Forced Righteousness.”

Section F – Increase in false prophets and false teachers

Once again, we must turn to the 1960s when God was removed for the education system. Also, at this time more “liberal” views were being taught on the college campuses throughout the world.

Since the Bible was being read and taught less and less. This allowed for the growth of false teaching and beliefs to rise throughout the world. Causing many to think they were learning the ways of God and the Bible when in reality they were not. This is what false teachers do, which lead to those that called themselves prophets. A visual example of this can be seen from movies. It recent years movies about Noah, and Moses have been shown to the world that are totally false teachings of the Bible and are even anti-God. Additionally a new Ben Hur was released and again a perversion of this 19th century book originally dedicated to the life of a man coming to know and accept Jesus Christ has his Savior.

A prime example of a false teacher was the May 21, 2011 through October 21, 2011 prediction of the coming Rapture by Harold Camping.

In 1 Thessalonians it says this:

2 – For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

No one of the creation can know of the return of Jesus Christ. So, for Mr. Camping to have named these dates showed him for what he truly is a false prophet and false teacher of the Gospel.

It is due to the fact that so many have not read the Bible, nor know the true teachings within it that have allowed many like this man to come into a place of power and control over many. Another example of this is Joel Osteen who preaches of wealth here in this temporal reality when the Bible makes it clear that to seek after a reward here takes away from our reward in the eternal life to come. (Matthew 6:19-20)

These are only two major examples, but there are hundreds out there and millions listen to them and think they are on the right path to God. When in reality they are going further and further away from eternal salvation.

Section G – Open sin will be seen everywhere:

“Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”

Since 2008 this has become very prevalent in the United States of America. It has been like this for some time in most other countries in the world. Sinners are no longer ashamed to hide in the darkness. They come out into the light in joy and celebration, for the left has embraced them and allowed them to show all their sinful nature.

At the same time many grow more distant more self-involved all due to the cellphone. Studies have already come out showing how the cellphone is causing people to have poor interpersonal skills, amongst other tendencies that are now causing poor social interaction.

The heart of many are growing very cold due to not knowing the Bible nor even knowing of God. Very few people go to church and those that do, go to network more than to come to truly know God.

Also, as violence increases, they come to look upon it as just part of everyday life. When this was the furthest thing from the truth in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Section H – Spreading of the Word of God to all nations:

“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it.”

Even though within the United States has seen a decline in a desire to know God. Other nations in the world seek to know God. Some to the point that they do it in secrecy and hiding from their governments who would imprison them at the least if they were found out. But they do it anyway. So the Word of God is making its way throughout the world, though there are still some areas that the Gospel has not yet been heard even now.

Here ends the warning signs of what to look for, for the soon return of Christ and the coming Tribulation. These signs are now widespread throughout the entire world for the first time ever in history. One of the last of which is that sin will be rampant everywhere. That is now for certain, for most of the world has turned its back upon the Bible and think of it at the very least as a guide and not law. But it is law, God’s law. We are told not to turn from it. But most have and so we now know that we are in the end times of this current civilization. Woe unto to those that do not heed the warning sign and think only of the here and now and themselves only.

In the next podcast we will look into signs of the Tribulation

God Bless

Special Note: The John F. Walvoord commentaries are the only commentaries I would recommend for anyone to read.

This said, I would warn those using it that it has one major flaw. The fact that he was Baptist and was of the group that believes in faith alone, grace alone, once saved always saved mentality.

Why recommend it at all then? Because it gives multiple views and is not limited to him being Baptist even though some text within it you can see that influence.

When weeding this out. Those using it get an overall image of prophecy. Prophecy that is now and already has been fulfilled.

Therefore, take it with a grain of salt and seek to discern the Truth that can be seen when using these commentaries as a aid to understanding the Word of God.