The Enticement and Defeat of Satan

     The following article would probably be included as “Chapter Rev:16” of “Restoring the Vision of the End-times Church” if the book were being published today.  September 11 has influenced the way we think about almost everything, especially evil and its impact on society.  The Church particularly needs to understand the impact of evil upon her at the end of the age, and how it fits into God’s eternal plan for His victorious, overcoming Church.  Some of the following points are already included in the book, but I think the whole topic of Satan’s defeat --- particularly since September 11 --- needs a stand-alone treatment of its own.

     God has elected to use His Church to defeat Satan.  The book of Revelation reveals a great battle between Satan and the Church at the very end of the age which ends with the Church victorious and overcoming Satan by the Blood of the Lamb, the word of her testimony, and by loving not her life unto death.  We might ask, “But didn’t Jesus totally defeat Satan on the cross?”  What has the Church to do with this beyond what Jesus has already done? 

     Ephesians 3:8-12 answers that question.  Here we see that the eternal purpose of God in Christ Jesus, and the reason that He created all things, is to demonstrate His wisdom through the Church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  In other words, God is going to use the Church to defeat Satan.  We don’t know why God has chosen to do things this way, but it is His choice.  Jesus came and legally defeated Satan on the cross and then turned to His Church and said,  “I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy.”  With that statement He commissioned the Church to carry out the victory over Satan in His name.  And He looked forward in time and rejoiced to see Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  His Church would be victorious!   For over 2000 years, the Church has been battling to gain that victory.

    God has saved the final battle in this war for the last 3-1/2 years of the age, during which time the saints will be elevated to full anointing and power in Jesus Christ.  We see this in Revelation 12:10 where it reads that “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come.”  The saints --- in this anointed and empowered condition --- will battle head to head with Satan and his kingdom.  Fully empowered evil will come against fully empowered good.  The restoration of creation rests on the outcome.  And the book of Daniel is the first to reveal that the saints will be victorious, but through the process of being warred against, worn down, and shattered. Daniel did not understand.  Do we?

      Daniel sees the saints seemingly defeated at the end of the last 3-1/2 years of the age.  This seeming defeat parallels the appearance of Jesus hanging shattered and destroyed on the cross at the end of His 3-1/2 years of public ministry.  We know that Jesus invited us to follow Him, and as His path via the cross was His path to victory, so will our paths via our crosses be our paths to victory.  As Jesus lived and died during His 3-1/2 years of public ministry, so will we, His corporate body, live and die during the last 3-1/2 half years of the age.   We must embrace this vision for the Church at the end of the age, or the things that are coming will confuse and stumble us.

The whole church age has been preparation leading up to this final battle.  The first blow that Satan has already dealt is that he has convinced much of the Church that she won’t even be on earth when this time comes.  That is a deception of great peril which puts many in the Church at risk of stumbling and falling away when the truth becomes evident.  The Church must be on earth throughout the age to complete her commission.  How can we achieve this glorious destiny if we aren’t here?

      Our understanding of the “great commission” is the preaching of the gospel to all the nations, but we may fail to realize that Jesus also tasked His Church with defeating the devil.  Remember that He said to heal the sick, cast out demons, etc. In fact, I believe that is the fullness of the great commission.  It is “this gospel” in its fullness that the world is waiting to hear --- and see.  1 John 3:8 says the Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil, as if perhaps this were His primary purpose for coming.  And we know that the tasks He started, He turned over to His Church for completion in the power and authority of His name.

Satan is now gearing up for this final assault against the saints by preparing his antichrist world government.  His final assault begins in Revelation Chapter 12 as Satan in the form of the dragon goes off to war against the rest of the woman’s offspring who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.  And these saints are given over to the antichrist for 3-1/2 years.  By all external appearances, they are defeated.  But external appearances are never reality.  This is a spiritual battle to be won not by carnal weapons, but by the wisdom and power of the cross.  And as Jesus hung seemingly shattered and defeated on the cross, so do these saints at the end of the age appear shattered and defeated.  "The two witnesses", for example, are overcome and killed and lie in the public streets to be ridiculed and scoffed at by the whole unrepentant world.  This is the vision for the Church that we need to embrace at the end of the age --- not necessarily a dominion-oriented, take-charge Church; but a remnant, undefiled lamb prepared for slaughter --- willing to lay down her life for the sake of God’s redemptive purposes.  We need to take on the attitude of Job, “Yea, though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”  In fact, I believe Job is a prophetic statement for the end-time Church.

 

     God said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?”  With that enticement, God lured Satan into a direct confrontation with Job, the outcome of which is summarized in James as an everlasting testament to God’s mercy.  Job was deemed by God a righteous man.  Yet at the extreme of his trial, he is in the ashes scraping his head-to-foot sores with a broken pottery shard, after losing all of his possessions and children in another building that collapsed.  He is left only with a nagging wife who counsels him to curse God and die.  This is the path he must tread in order to become an everlasting testament to God’s mercy.  Should we find ourselves in such a predicament, would we be content to rejoice while understanding that God’s mercy is being worked out?  Can our theology even handle such event?  Or do we agree that God is loving and merciful --- but only by our more humanistic definitions?  Do we think that Job is an Old Testament story that has no relevance to this age of grace?  I submit that Job is an end-times message that needs to be fully understood and embraced by the Church.  I submit that God intends to entice Satan against His saints at the end of this age even as He enticed Satan against Job.

 

     Several things are revealed in this confrontation which I believe are prophetic types for the final confrontation.  First, Job was further purified by the confrontation.  He learned more about God and about his own imperfection, even though God had declared Job a righteous man before the confrontation started.  In fact, I believe God needed to find such a righteous man who could stand the fires of the confrontation without shrinking back.  In the light of God’s glory, Job repented and moved from glory to glory.  And by the way, God never did explain to Job what had gone on behind the scenes involving Satan and the authority he was given over Job.  How much more should we trust our Heavenly Father since we have the testimony of Job as a testament to God’s faithfulness and mercy, particularly in the midst of tribulation and testing?

 

      Secondly, Satan was defeated.  He turned tail and disappeared and was never heard from again in the book of Job.  Job stood up to the test and Satan was humiliated.

 

     Thirdly, God was glorified.  His man made of dust from the ground had passed the test.  Job had humiliated the once-glorious, most beautiful, and perhaps most powerful being ever created, by His God-given faith and endurance.

  

     The shelves in Christian bookstores are not lined with literature of such vision as this.  “Enlarge my tents” --- “rapture me quickly” --- these are the self-serving pleas of a Church totally oblivious to the greater purposes of God at the end of the age.  These books you will find in great abundance in every shape, size, and color along with accompanying videos and music.  They fill the top ten best seller lists.  They are in your face as you walk into the stores.  They are quick profit for owners and authors, and they spread a message that does away with the cross, though the cross of Jesus Christ is the one and only thing we are to glory in.  Jesus said that those who wanted to be His disciples must deny themselves and pick up their crosses daily and follow Him without looking back, and that those who would not or could not were not fit to be His disciples.

 

     God has staged all things for this final confrontation between Satan and the saints.  It is His eternal purpose in Christ Jesus.  It is the reason why He created all things. ( Ephesians 3:8-12)  Multitudes of conspiracy-oriented websites are warning us against the trap being set by the encroaching antichrist world order.  But the joke is on Satan; he is the one being set-up to walk into his own trap.  Over and over we read in the Psalms that the traps and schemes set up by those with evil intent will result in their own capture and destruction.  The classic example of this will be when Satan goes off to war against “her offspring”, the Church,  those who obey the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (Rev 12:17)

 

      Many in the Church do not see and embrace this destiny.  But the Bible is clear.  Every jot and tittle of the destiny of the saints revealed in the book of Revelation will be fulfilled.  And there is no question that this scenario, as it is being played out, will have all appearances of a total defeat of the saints --- even as Jesus hanging on the cross appeared to be a total defeat.  “Unless those days had been cut short, no flesh would survive.”  Even his disciples, those closest to Him who should have known, did not have a clue what was happening when Jesus went to His cross.  Daniel 12 says the events of the last 3-1/2 years of the age will be completed when the power of the holy people has been shattered. 

 

     Conspiracy-oriented websites are insisting that concentration camps are already set-up to house and eliminate those who oppose the antichrist system.   They insist that personnel trains are already running carrying American citizens and others to these secretive termination facilities.  I believe much of what these sources say.  It is not my call to deal much with this information or to check it out in depth, but much of it rings true as I read it.  Typically our response is challenged to be active resistance. When they come to our doors, we are to fight to the death to protect ourselves and our families.  It sounds good, doesn’t it?  But good is often the enemy of the “best”, and the good fruit of the tree of the knowledge of “good and evil” is every bit as poisonous as the evil fruit.  Jesus said to follow Him, and He walked as a Lamb.  Certainly He is coming back as a lion, but that is His call, not ours.  Perhaps we will eventually be released as lions, but our call at this time is to defeat Satan is by the Blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and by loving not our lives unto death.  This is the pathway of the Lamb, not the lion.  The Bible says our weapons are not to be carnal and indicates that those who use carnal weapons will perish by carnal weapons.  It is the wisdom of the cross that will defeat Satan --- that utterly foolish message that is totally contrary to the wisdom of the world.  

 

     The danger in not realizing this scenario is that many will stumble and fall away during these times of conflict, because evil will be displayed on this planet in an all time high.  Unless we understand this scenario, we will wonder how God could allow such things to come against His saints.  Those who stand on a doctrine of cheap grace and abandonment of the cross will find their loins loosed and their faith crumbling when faced with the dilemma of taking the mark or losing their heads.  But God says that those who are beheaded will be resurrected in glory.  If we don’t see beyond the cross to the joy and we don’t embrace this true destiny, we may not endure.  And Jesus already has told us that many will fall away and the love of most will grow cold.

 

     If I were to summarize all of this, I would say it as follows:  “The Bible says that God, Who has created all things, has as His eternal purpose in Christ Jesus the defeat of Satan by bringing him against the Church during the last 3-1/2 years of the age.   These saints will be given over to the antichrist system and largely martyred.  But by laying down their lives, they will gain the victory and inherit the Kingdom for eternity.  God’s mercy will be made manifest even as it was in the case of Job, and He will receive glory from His victorious saints for eternity!”

 

     Since the WTC disaster of September 11, 2001, we have been deluged with prophetic analyses of what God had to do, if anything, with this disaster.  What was He saying?  Isn’t it that God is loving and merciful?  Isn’t it that God is perfect and holy and could have nothing to do with Satan in bringing on this disaster?  Come on folks!  Read the Bible.  In the Bible, the heart of God is revealed.  He has continually used Satan to come against His elect for redemptive purposes.  Furthermore, Amos 3:6 essentially says that no catastrophe ever comes to a city unless God has caused it.   We somehow forget that God is in charge and Satan is a mad dog on a regulated leash.  Satan cannot touch God’s elect unless God allows it.  Satan had to obtain permission from God before he could touch Job and his family and his property, and so it will be with any and all of us who are God’s elect.  However, it is very clear that God will bring Satan and his kingdom into direct conflict with God’s elect saints at the end of the age, and out of this conflict will come victory for the saints which will bring in the millennial kingdom.  We need to get hold of the bigger picture here so that we don’t stumble and fall away during the battle and the events leading up to it --- which, by the way --- are called birth pains by Jesus.  Why birth pains?  Because out of the crucible of tribulation will emerge the perfected and matured saints having washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.

 

     Saints, what is happening on this planet and what is going to happen is all under God’s control and plan.  He is leading Satan into a trap which will find him ultimately defeated and thrown into the lake of fire.  Take heart!   It might seem that Satan is setting up a trap for the saints --- and he is --- but the joke is on him, because he will fall into his own trap.  Unless we see this --- and understand it --- we will be in danger of stumbling when this horrific persecution comes.  And it will come.  Not one thing will be added or subtracted from the events depicted in the Book of Revelation. 

Do you know the many names the Identifies our Creator on many different occasions HE was on Earth and with man? Clue #1. Here Abraham did tithe to Him directly. Clue #2. The High Priest or God had no record of mother or father! Clue #3. Jesus also came in the line of this Priesthood! A priesthood that no other human was ordained of. Only God. Clue #4. John 1:1 & John 1:9-12, "who was GOD and Who Was Jesus?

The Two Witnesses

Readings: Revelation 11:1-14, Zechariah 4.

1. Political Awareness

The peoples of this world are becoming increasingly aware of political, legal and spiritual issues. Issues involving democracy, freedom of choice, human rights, legal rights, the power of the media, privacy etc. are now well discussed, even amongst the hitherto illiterate masses in the most backward nations. People have also woken up to the enormous greed, corruption and violence that is sweeping the globe. Ignorance had been the norm for millennia; but now there is a great awareness of what's going on; an awareness largely due to the abundance of evidence provided via the media by eye-witnesses. Never a day passes but we read, hear and even see pictures of events taking place all over the world. Eye-witness reports from remote places are broadcast to audiences in all countries. Yes, eye-witness reports are invaluable as any news reporter or solicitor will tell you.

2. Two Witnesses

In the legal profession the presence of even one witness to a crime or transaction is considered good evidence: but the presence of two witnesses is conclusive. On the evidence of two witnesses, people have been put to death. Most adults know that important legal documents need the signatures of at least two witnesses.

• Marriage Certificates
• Title Deeds to land and property
• Business Contracts
• Powers of Attorney
• Peace Treaties etc.

All these transactions call for at least two witnesses to be present. In spiritual matters it is the same. Witnesses are called for before truth can be established. In Revelation chapter 11 verses 1-13 we read about Two Witnesses who are scheduled by the Almighty God to testify for 42 months to earth's teeming millions about His Truth. Questions concerning them are numerous:

• When do they appear on the world scene?
• Who are the Two Witnesses?
• What do they witness to and what is their message?

Answers to these questions, depending on which Christian group's literature you read, are varied to say the least; but I will not list them all. Instead I will begin by quoting the Bible passage which tells of the Two Witnesses and then, after a brief analysis, answer the three questions above.

Revelation 11:

1: And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2: But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 3: And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4: These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5: And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6: These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

3. When Do The Two Witnesses Appear?

The answer to this first question is: The Two Witnesses make their appearance on the world scene during the 6th Trumpet (2nd Woe) which occurs towards the latter part of the Seventh Seal. In other words, the Seventh Seal is subdivided into seven stages and the 6th Trumpet is the 6th stage. See the The Seal & Trumpet Chart to get your bearings concerning the Seven Seals and the Seven Trumpets which all occur during the Seventh Seal.

The record concerning the 6th Trumpet begins at Rev.9:13 and continues all the way through to Rev.11:14. During this 6th Trumpet (also known as the 2nd Woe) ONE THIRD OF MANKIND are slain! (Rev.9:15-18). This great multitude, some 2,000,000,000 people, is about twice the population of China! Pause awhile and consider that staggering fact.

Very briefly these are the events leading up to the 6th Trumpet, the 2nd Woe, when this unimaginable slaughter of a third of mankind will occur.

Sixth Seal (Rev.6:12-17)

There is a global earthquake and spectacular signs in the sun, moon and stars. Blind panic grips earth's inhabitants, who run to the rocks and mountains seeking shelter from the wrath of the Almighty and His Son Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Events under this Seal have obviously not yet occurred.
After the 6th Seal occurs, the 144,000 servants of the Most High are sealed in their foreheads with Yahweh's Name (Rev.7). This sealing work is also still future. It has not occurred. When it does occur, sealed believers will no longer need spiritual instruction as to how to live: because they will instinctively know right from wrong (Heb.8:8-13).

Seventh Seal (Rev. 8 to Rev.20)

The Seventh Seal begins AFTER the 144,000 are sealed.
The Seventh Seal is subdivided into 7 Trumpets, the last 3 of which are called WOES.
See Understand the Revelation for a description of the first four trumpets.

1st Trumpet

2nd Trumpet

3rd Trumpet

4th Trumpet

5th Trumpet (1st WOE) (Rev.9:1-12)

During this Woe the following events will occur:

The Abyss will be opened and the Beast (the Man of Sin) will be released.
Leading an army of evil angels he will torture mankind for 5 months: that is, all except those who were sealed with Yahweh's Name (His character as expressed in His law) before the events under the Seventh Seal began.

6th Trumpet (2nd WOE) (Rev.9:13 - Rev.11:14)

During this Woe, which lasts 3.5 years, these events will occur:

One third of mankind will be slain.
The seven thunders sound. (Rev.10:3-6)
The Two Witnesses begin their 42 month testimony.
They have the power to cause a 3.5 year drought and to plague mankind at will.
After testifying for 3.5 years they are killed by the Beast who arose from the Abyss at the 1st Woe. After 3.5 days the Two Witnesses are raised to life, much to the astonishment and terror of earth's population.
Their resurrection marks the end of the 2nd Woe.

7th Trumpet (3rd WOE) (Rev:11:14 - Rev.19:21)

During this Woe, which also lasts 3.5 years, the following events will occur:

The woman of Revelation 12 will be protected in the wilderness for this period of 1260 days, which is 3.5 years. (Rev.12:6) See the SBS tract entitled The Coming Exodus.
The Beast will cause the world's inhabitants to receive his Mark; without which no one will be able to buy or sell.
The seven last plagues devastate the earth. (Rev.16)
Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, is overthrown and the economies of all nations collapse. (Rev.17 & 18)
Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) returns to earth at the end of this Woe. (Rev.19)

From the foregoing you will see that the Two Witnesses appear on the world scene at the 6th Trumpet (the 2nd Woe), which occurs towards the latter part of the Seventh Seal, when a third of the human race is perishing! This means that in August 1999 their coming is still future. The above points are explained further in our online booklet entitled Understand the Revelation.

4. Who are the Two Witnesses?

To identify the Two Witnesses we will look closely at several scriptural clues; the first three of which are the most important because they specifically tell us who the Two Witnesses are.

SEVEN CLUES

1. The first clue describes the Two Witnesses in symbolic terms as "Two Olive Trees." (Rev.11:4, Zech.4:3-11)
2. The second clue tells us that "They stand in the presence of the God of the whole earth." (Rev.11:4, Zech.4:14)
3. The third clue refers to them as the "Two Anointed Ones." These three clues are found in this passage:

Zechariah 4:

11: Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12: And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13: And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 14: Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

4. They prophesy for a period of 42 months or 1260 days during the 2nd Woe. (Rev.11:2-3)
5. Any attempt by man to hurt them results in immediate death. (Rev.11:5)
6. They are eventually killed by the Beast, the Antichrist who is to rise from the Bottomless Pit. The bodies of the Two Wintnesses are then exhibited in the city of Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified.
7. After three and a half days they are resurrected and ascend to heaven in full view of their enemies.

Notice that the Two Witnesses are specifically referred to as 'two olive trees,' 'two anointed ones,' who 'stand in the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.'
The first three clues identify who and where the Two Witnesses are. The other four tell us what they do and what happens to them.

From these clues I do believe that the Two Witnesses are not:

• The Old & New Testaments. The Scriptures have testified about the Almighty for thousands of years, not just 42 months. Besides, the Scriptures abide forever (Isa.40:8) and attempting to hurt them, by whatever means, has never resulted in instant death.
• The Holy Spirit. As with the Scriptures, the testimony of the Holy Spirit has continued for a lot longer than 42 months. Besides, the Antichrist could hardly kill the Holy Spirit! Nor can the Holy Spirit's "body" be on mocking display as Rev.11: 9-10 pictures.
• Two Men (i.e. Enoch, Noah, Moses, Elijah, Daniel, John the Baptist etc.) At death, these men of God did not go directly to heaven to stand in Yahweh's presence. They were buried. The Saviour confirmed this when he said to Nicodemus:

This means that these great men of God were not standing in Yahweh's presence when Zechariah's prophecy was given. They were in their graves awaiting the resurrection. John the Baptist wasn't even born at the time. Moreover they will most certainly not be raised to life only to die a 'second death.' Scripture tells us that the 'second death is the 'lake of fire!' (Rev.20:14) and that it is appointed unto men 'once to die.' (Heb.9:27) This means that Moses who died in the land of Moab (Deut 34:5) couldn't possibly die again as one of the Two Witnesses.

5. Two Archangels

Who, then, are the Two Witnesses?
The answer is: The Two Witnesses are the two anointed archangels who stand in Yahweh's presence. They are the highest ranking angels in the universe and were represented by the two cherubim standing on either side of the ark of the covenant. Proof of this amazing fact now follows:

Many years later, when king Solomon built his famous Temple, which the Almighty graced with His sacred presence, these two cherubim were depicted as follows:

Clue 1 ... Two Olive Trees

Did you notice their construction? The two cherubim were carved out of Two Olive Trees!
This is exactly the figurative term - Olive Trees - used in Rev.11:4 and Zech. 4:3 to describe the Two Witnesses. The inevitable conclusion must be, that the Two Witnesses, who are also referred to as Two Olive Trees, must be the two archangels represented by the cherubim made of Olive Trees on either side of the ark of the covenant. Other texts concerning them are found in Exo.37:6-9, Psalm 80:1, 99:1, Isa.37:16, Eze.10:1-12.

Clue 2 ... They Stand in Yahweh's Presence

One has only to consider the construction of the ark of the covenant to realise how true this is of these two archangels. They 'stand in the very presence of God' on either side of the mercy seat. The Most High literally communed with the children of Israel from between the two cherubim.
They stand in the very presence of the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel!

Clue 3 ... Two Anointed Ones

The Two Witnesses are also called the two 'anointed ones:' because on and through them the Holy Spirit (symbolised by the olive oil) flows. Are archangels (cherubs) anointed? The answer is, yes cherubs are especially anointed to do their work. See section 6 concerning the anointed cherub Lucifer.

Clues 4 & 5 ... Do Angels Prophesy?

Yes, angels have prophesied on many occasions. Angels are ministering spirits sent by the Almighty to prophesy, warn, comfort, rescue, feed and punish mankind. At the Saviour's birth the angels of heaven visited earth and even sang anthems of praise to common shepherds. (Luke 3:8-14) The scriptures abound with evidence of angels visiting mankind with special messages from the Almighty. Here are a few texts to prove this point.

There are, of course, many other examples of when angels visited mankind; but the above will prove the point.

Why are the Two Witnesses sent?

The Two Witnesses are sent to earth to accomplish the following:

• To witness first hand the full extent of mankind's sin. Yahweh, the just and righteous judge, could hardly permit the destruction of a third of the human race without first giving His highest ranking angels a chance to see for themselves the full extent of man's unbelief and sin.
• To expose the Antichrist's world-wide deception as he poses as Jesus Christ: and to do so with the awesome miracles listed in Rev.11:5-6. After all, if evil archangels like Lucifer and Abaddon are allowed to reveal themselves and deceive mankind, would it not be fair to allow holy archangels to be seen?
• To warn the human race of the coming Judgement.
• To rescue believers from this corrupt system, just as they rescued Lot and his family from Sodom.

The City of Sodom

In the last days of Sodom, the Almighty visited earth with two angels, who were then commissioned to enter Sodom and verify the reports which were reaching the throne of God. On entering Sodom these two angels witnessed first hand the shameful homosexual behaviour of the men of that city. They also entered Sodom to rescue Lot and his family. (Gen. 18 & 19) They were probably the same two archangels, the anointed ones who travel the universe with the Almighty God; the two cherubim who 'stand in His presence.'

Long before Moses built the ark of the covenant, long before Solomon made two replicas of the cherubim out of two olive trees, these two anointed archangels were with Yahweh, standing in His holy presence. Yes, the two anointed cherubim are the only beings who fit the scriptural clues about the Two Witnesses.

Will we see the Two Witnesses?

Yes, the whole world will see the Two Witnesses. I also believe that they will visit every continent on earth and warn both saint and sinner just as they did in the last days of Sodom; before that sinful city was destroyed by fire. They will preach to all mankind at a time when a third of the human race is perishing. That is why they are clothed in sackcloth, the ancient symbol of mourning. They present Yahweh's last offer of mercy to mankind. He is holding out the Olive Branch! The olive branch, as we all know, is the universally recognised symbol of mercy and peace. In sending the Two Witnesses to earth the Almighty is offering terms of peace to all humanity. It is His final offer. Failure to accept mercy will result in death on an unimaginable scale. It is absolutely impossible for me to exaggerate the importance of these facts. Let the reader beware of ignoring them. For near to six thousand years the human race has been allowed to go its way, to do its own thing, and the Most High has patiently waited for His Day. That Day is about to begin. Are you preparing for it?

6. Lucifer, a Fallen Archangel

Long ago Lucifer (Satan) was also a covering cherub. He "stood in Yahweh's presence." He was an "anointed one," full of beauty and radiant in splendour. He travelled the universe with the Most High, relaying instructions to thousands of angels under him. But Lucifer sinned. He grew proud and coveted the throne of the Almighty. He began a rebellion which continues to this day. So he was removed from office and his place was filled by another. In the book of Ezekiel we read about Satan (Lucifer), the anointed cherub who once stood in the very presence of the Eternal God.

The chapter portrays Lucifer in days gone by when, as an anointed archangel, he stood in the very presence of the LORD; when he walked amidst the stones of fire; when he was perfect in all his ways. Yes, Lucifer was initially a spiritual 'olive branch' through whom the holy oil flowed to lighten others. Indeed he was called the 'son of the morning!' (Isaiah 14:12) Perhaps Abaddon, the Antichrist was another archangel who joined Satan in his rebellion, before he too was cast out of God's presence. I say this because the Antichrist who rises from the Bottomless Pit has the power to kill the Two Witnesses: an act of which ordinary men are incapable.

'But,' you may ask, 'Can an angel die?' Aren't angels immortal beings?' See SBS article entitled Immortality for the answer to this question.

Nadab & Abihu

The story of Nadab and Abihu, the two eldest sons of Aaron was a reflection of what took place in the Temple above. (Lev.10:1-7) These two anointed sons of Aaron abused the great privilege granted them of ministering in the tabernacle. In a way somewhat similar to Satan, they had been especially anointed of God to stand in His presence and minister with their father Aaron the High Priest. (Exo.28:41, 30:30) But Nadab and Abihu sinned and were slain. They were replaced by their two younger brothers Eleazar and Ithamar. It is the same with Satan and Abaddon. Both sinned grievously; and like Nadab and Abihu are scheduled to be burned to death.

7. Holy Archangels

Only two holy archangels are mentioned in the Scriptures. They are Gabriel & Michael. They now stand in the presence of the Most High. Carefully note Gabriel's words to Zacharias the father of John the Baptist.

The archangel Gabriel has visited earth on several occasions. He was sent to Daniel to explain the meaning of certain visions.

The remainder of the chapter contains Gabriel's explanation of the prophecy. Gabriel re-visited Daniel some 15 years later to give him skill and understanding concerning the prophecy of the 70 weeks of years. (Dan.9:20-27) Gabriel is seen again in New Testament times when he visited Zacharias. (Luke 1:19) Later he visited Mary to tell her of the birth of Jesus. (Luke 1:26-37)

We can see from these visits that the archangel Gabriel is only sent to earth to deliver the most important messages: those which concern the coming of the Messiah. I assume from this fact that in earth's final hour, when a third of mankind will die, the archangel Gabriel, the 'olive tree,' the one who 'stands in Yahweh's presence,' will again be sent to deliver Yahweh's final offer of mercy and peace.

Who is the other Witness? Probably the archangel Michael who when contending with the Devil over the body of Moses left it for the Lord to rebuke Satan. (Jude 9) Gabriel and Michael are the only holy angels named in Scripture. Michael is not the Lord.

Summary

To summarise I believe the Two Witnesses of Revelation are not the Word of the LORD, the Old and New Testaments, which have been with mankind for centuries and 'abide forever.' Nor are they the Holy Spirit, Who is not subject to death. Nor are they two righteous men, past or present.

The Two Witnesses are two mighty archangels who stand in the Almighty's presence.
One is Gabriel and the other is Michael. They are the 'Two Olive Trees" pictured by Moses and Solomon standing on either side of the ark of the testament, which represents the very throne of God. The Two Witnesses will appear on earth at the 6th Trumpet (2nd Woe) when a third of the human race is scheduled to perish. As in the last days of Sodom, they will visit this evil generation with Yahweh's final warning and offer of salvation. They will proclaim the Everlasting Gospel for a period of 42 months after which, like their Master, they will be murdered but will rise again after three and a half days. No other conclusion fits all the scriptural clues concerning these holy beings.

Their Message

The Two Witnesses preach the same message the prophets of old preached. In a sentence it is:

... Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
(Ecc.12:13)

Indeed, this is the Everlasting Gospel; the call to have faith in God, to accept His offer of salvation through His Son Yeshua and to keep His commandments. The Two Witnesses will preach the Everlasting Gospel with the added warning of the coming Day of Judgement. The plagues they bring down on mankind will vindicate the veracity and authority of the truths they proclaim. Our reaction to their message should be to have faith in Yeshua, the Lord Jesus Christ and then demonstrate that faith by keeping the commandments of the LORD God of Israel; especially His Sabbath command which commemorates His creation. Anything short of faith and obedience is courting disaster.

Much of the ufo activity in the public forum has been designed by the beings pretending to be "aliens"to convey a seemingly benign agenda. Conspicuous Ufo sightings occurred at the advent of our atomic age. Further sightings occurred at airforce bases with nuclear capabilities in the 1970's in which all control of the weapons was lost, and trajectories were reprogrammed. These encounters were staged to show that nonhumans were in control of such weapons of destruction.Conceivably, having such capabilities, if they were going to destroy humans or take over the earth, they would have done so already. By feigning a disinclination towards domination, the nonhumans are promoting a seemingly peaceful agenda,fitting in to the New Age Globalist "Star Trek" paradigm. In their dealings with humans,the beings disguised as aliens have offered several convincing rationalizations as to why the upper echelons of government should befriend the extraterrestrials. They claim to be a physically weakened race who merely need to join their DNA with more integral human DNA to survive, that they are refugees from a dying planet who need the help of sympathetic earthlings.

Currently,the group of beings referred to as "aliens" are portraying themselves as disparate elements of the paranormal. Aliens, walk-ins, ascended masters,the hidden hierarchy, spirit guides, channelled beings and natural forceslike Gaia, are all imparting a similar message of impending disaster anda need for all of humanity to unite. The "aliens" claim to be preparingthe earth for a massive evolutionary shift of consciousness, a paradigmshift, while also continuing the education that they maintain is crucial if the human race is to be spared destruction. The nonhuman intelligences are feigning good intentions by warning humans of their potential fate,and the offer to assist humans is all but altruistic in that it is designedto unite mankind under a global authority, with their candidate on theThrone of the World.

The beings disguised as "aliens" have a plausible explanation as to why, against the odds, they evolved to look humanoid, why they would take such an interest in helping humankind, and why the government should support their plan to live in underground military bases for now, conducting secret experiments and gradually getting the public used to the idea of aliens, so as not to cause mass panic and hysterical backlash.

Non-human intelligences pretending to be "aliens" claim to be the ancient progenitors of the human race. This is the End Time Delusion, which would deceive even the elect, and will lead to the setting up of antichrist on the world throne.

2 Thes 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie ...

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

The beings pretending to be aliens have had thousands, even millions of years to implement their deception. Ingeniously, these nonhumans have used that time to insinuate,into every culture, references to an elder race who have long been guiding humans (Nephilim Genesis 6, Annunaki, White Brotherhood etc). The beings pretending to be aliens have explained that the experimental humans they engineered into existence so long ago had never before emotionally matured,nor had they spiritually evolved to a sufficient level for contact withthe "creators". It was necessary, the extraterrestrials maintain, to educate humans through various techniques that have been given to the spiritual leaders of human history [shamans, prophets & the mystery school]. Humans needed to develop a greater capacity for spiritual understanding before they could receive total enlightenment, and even now few are worthy.

The spiritual development of mankind has been guided by nonhuman intelligences whose agenda has been to infiltrate, and even instigate, religious traditions in all cultures-- and these nonhuman intelligences are now pretending to be enlightening aliens. Legends of cultures ranging from Babylonian to Hindu to Native American are laden with beings who possess superior technology, spiritual beings enjoying worship and reverence in exchange for distributing wisdom.

When these beings pretending now to be aliens manifest within our own culture, they will claim thatthe Bible is merely a primitive attempt to document their own interactions with humans. While these beings pretending to be aliens do appear in theBible, scripture makes a clear distinction between the one God -- Creator and Redeemer, namely Jesus Christ -- and those deceptive beings who would CLAIM to be creative gods. These beings are the fallen angels and their leader, the rebel cherub referred to as Baal, Satan, the serpent and the devil.

Rebel angels, and their degraded brothers the demons, have always been in contact with humans, shaping the cultures of mankind throughout history. Ceremonies and festivals honoring the "fallen angels pretending to be gods" have been preserved by being absorbed by institutionalized paganism, Catholicism, as well as simply being the trendy thing to do, as in our own self-deifying New Age and Neopagan culture. But the Bible clearly warns against these other gods, who are not really gods.

Galatians 4:8 (NIV) Formerly,when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods . But now that you know God --or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them [ rebel angels pretending to be gods] all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

Jeremiah10:11 Thus shall ye say unto them,The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

Jeremiah10:15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

Scripture talks of this"time of visitation". Sometime in the future God will judge these gods who are not gods, these beings who have not made the heavens and earth yet seek to be compared to God the Creator.

Isaiah26:21 behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.

Isaiah24:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high [ the rebel angelic hosts] , and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together,as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days SHALL THEY BE VISITED.

There will be a time in the future when the angelic hierarchy, the high ones, the "gods who are not gods", who are also the same beings pretending to be aliens, will be stranded on the earth.

Revelation 12:7 Andthere was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon;and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was castout, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Until the time when satan and his angels are imprisoned on the earth, as prisoners in a dungeon,they maintain access to "their place" in heaven. We are told that satanis not stuck in hell, nor imprisoned yet on earth, for he constantly accusesman before the throne of God:

Rev.12:10 ...for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them beforeour God day and night.

Satan is currently allowed audience before God where he makes his accusations -- the battle in heaven which results in satan and his angels being imprisoned on earth has notyet occured. The Book of Job makes it clear that satan and his angels still have "their place" in heaven, they are still allowed audience before God. Satan still travels freely through the earth, he is not yet imprisoned,and he presents himself before God.

Job1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves beforethe LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

The Bible gives a specific time frame as to when the rebel angels will be stranded on Earth. Daniel's70th Week, the seven year countdown to Christ's return which has commonly been called the "Tribulation", is divided into two haves of 1260 days each.The casting down of satan, the dragon, occurs at a time in which 1260 days REMAIN. This would put the War in Heaven and satan's defeat at the mid-point of Daniel's 70th Week, at the midpoint of the seven year countdown to Christ's return.

Rev.12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast out onto the earth, he pursued thewoman (Israel) who bore the male child (Jesus Christ) and those redeemedby him... and the woman was given two wings like a great eagle that she might fly to a place prepared for her where she is nourished for 1,260days (3 and 1/2 years).

Satan knows that at the midpoint of the tribulation he and his "armies of the high place" will be cast down to earth, with no longer a "place still found for them in heaven." Satan and the rebel angels will be gathered, "a gathering of prisonersin a dungeon", and the earth will be their prison. God's judgment, His wrath, will then be poured out on the earth. Judgment is God's reason for visiting the inhabitants of the earth [the rebel angels cast out of heavenand of course the minions of antichrist]. The point where the "dwellers on high" or "the high places" are thrown to earth does not take place atthe beginning of the seven years of the last week of history, but in themidst of that seven years. This middle point of the tribulation is when the battle in heaven between Michael and his angels, and Satan and his angels is decided. Satan is thrown to the earth and held there to be judged in Rev. 12:7. At this point John hears a loud voice of a multitude in heaven:

Rev.12:10 NOW has come the salvation, and the power and the kingdom of our God... for the accuser of our brethren has been cast down, he who accused them beforeour God day and night.... Because of this be glad, the heavens, and you tabernacling [temporarily dwelling in them, as those raptured at the midpoint of the tribulation will come back to earth with Christ at Armageddon] in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea because the devil has gone down toyou in great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.

This passage describes the devil as enraged, having lost his battle with Michael and the good angels and permenently been thrown out of heaven to the earth. Why wouldthere be a battle in the heavens at this point, 1260 days into the seemingly successful reign of antichrist? The battle is the last ditch effort ofsatan to prevent mortals, men made of dirt, from being resurrected to takethe place vacated by the glorious rebel angels themselves.

Notice that both Isaiah 26and Revelation 12 link the resurrection and the casting down of Satan simultaneously,just after 1260 days into antichrist's rule. This fact disallows the inaccurate belief that Satan and his angels have already been cast down to earth (a Mormon contention), and theories that the rapture takes place at the beginningof the seven years or some point significantly later than the midpointof seven years.

Isaiah 26:19-21 explains that the tribulation judgment of the earth commences at the point immediately after the resurrection of the saints.

Your dead ones shall live, my dead body; they shall rise up. Awake and sing,dust dwellers; for the dew of light is your dew; and the earth shall cast out the rapha (to be judged). Come My people, go in your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide for a little moment, until the fury passes. For,behold Jehovah comes out of His place to visit iniquity on the dweller of the earth.

God will be visiting the dwellers of the earth at a time JUST AFTER the resurrection of thefaithful.

This description of the resurrectionis detailed with an interesting point. The word rapha is a title givento the demonic spirits that were chained during the flood of Noah. This word has been misleadingly translated "departed spirits" in most Bibles. Rapha occurs nowhere in scripture except in reference to the descendantsof the nephilim from Genesis 6, those rebel angels who bred with the daughters of Adam. These rapha will be loosed from their bonds and judged. After the midpoint of the tribulation the "inhabitants of the earth" will be not only humans who followed the Antichrist, but also the rebel angelichost who have been cast to earth at the midpoint of the tribulation, andother rebel angels like the Rapha who were not destroyed during the floodof Noah, but were bound within the earth and sea awaiting the day of judgment.

The extrabiblical book ofEnoch refers to the chaining of the rebel "Sons of God" until the day of judgment:

Enoch,thou scribe of justice, go, announce to the watchers of heaven, who have left the high heaven and the holy , eternal place, and have contaminatedthemselves with women [the rebel angels degraded themselves when they lefttheir own God-given bodies to dwell in the offspring they created through genetic tampering] [...] from now on ye will not ascend into heaven to all eternity, and upon earth, it has been decreed, they shall bind youfor all the days of the world. ...bind them under the hills of the earth...till the day of their judgment and of their end, till the last judgment has been passed for all eternity.

Interestingly, the Koran echoes this theme as well, that Satan has not yet been judged, but will be judged at a time corresponding to the resurrection.

"Adam& Eve"vii, L ...We said unto the angels, Prostrate yourselves unto Adam, by way of salutation; whereupon they prostrated themselves, except Iblees, the father of the jinn, who was amid the angels... I am better than he: Thou hast createdme of fire, and Thou hast created him of earth. God said, Then descendthou from Paradise; or as some say, from the heavens; for it is not fitfor thee that thou behave thyself proudly therein: so go thou forth verily thou shalt be of the contemptible. He replied, Grant me respite until the day when mankind shall be raised from the dead. He said, Thou shalt beof those who are respited...

Satan and his "armies of the high place" will be cast down to earth at the midpoint of the tribulation,and those evil spirits who were held for the day of judgment on and in the earth will be cast out, to receive their judgment.

Isaiah 27: 1 In that day YHWH will visit the sea-monster, the fleeing serpent, with His fierce and great and strong sword, even on ... the twisting serpent ....And He will slay the monster which is in the sea.

"Come My people, go in your rooms and shut your doors behind you" (Isaiah 26) alludes to Noah'sescape from the flood. Jesus himself used the same analogy when he described the days before he would come again in Luke 21. It would be just as it was in the times of Noah, that is, Noah went into the ark, the door wasshut up after, and then the rains came.

Jesus Christ described the End Times: "The days before the coming of the son of man shall be exactly as in the days before Noah entered the ark".

Taken literally, this wouldseem to point to certain circumstances that will exist beforehand. In thedays of Noah, there was a very small group of people saying "prepare forthe coming disaster". The main characteristic of the days before Noah entered the ark is the interaction between rebel angels and humans, Genesis 6. If these are the End Times as Jesus described, then we should look for the rebel angels to once again publicly manifest upon the earth, in the form of superior beings giving technology. In the End Times, as in the "days of Noah", the rebel angelswill oversee a "breeding" campaign involving humans, resulting in supernatural offspring. Indeed, this is exactly what we are seeing in the "alien abduction scenario". The contact with the rebel angels, in the days of Noah, alsocontributed to rampant paganism, rebellion, violence and occultism. Itis not hard to find the parallels in today's culture -- it would seem our times are just as the days of Noah.

Please view the rest of our website for the truth about the End of the Age. The Nephilim of Genesis 6 are still being created by the fallen angels. UFOs,Aliens, proof of life on Mars, the Cydonia pyramid and sphinx ... this is the deception that will deceive even the Elect.

Exploded Planets, Comets, Asteroids, Mars and... Rebel Angels Hoagland Masonic Tetrahedral Conspiracy, Cooper UFO New World Order Conspiracy Aliens, Angels & Antichrist: UFOs & End Time Prophecy

Satan is Prince of the Power of the Air, Lord of those that Fly, Interdimensional Intelligence behind UFO manifestations and alien encounters.

"[The occultist] is brought into intelligent communication with the spirits of the air, and can receive any knowledge which they possess, or any false impression they choose to impart...the demons seem permitted to do various wonders at their request." - G.H.Pember, "Earth's Earliest Ages and Their Connection with Modern Spiritualismand Theosophy" (1876)

"UFO behaviour is more akin to magic than to physics as we know it... the modern UFOnauts and the demons of past days are probably identical." -Dr. PierreGuerin, FSR Vol. 25, No. 1

"The UFO manifestations seem to be, by and large, merely minor variations of the age-old demon -ological phenomenon..." - JohnA. Keel, "UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse"

Daniel 11 describes the Anti christ:

"He shall not regard the God of his fathers, YHWH, nor the desire of women , nor love any god, for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his place he shall honor the god of fortresses, (the Hebrew phrase is, Ala Mahozine), and he shall honor a god whom his fathers (the Jews), did not know (literally, AN ALIEN GOD)."

Baalhazor," Lord of the fortresses" provides a connection between Baal and the god of the Antichrist. Baal was lord of war and of the sky. Many titles were given to Baal by adding endings to his name. Some examples found in scripture are Baalbamoth= Lord of the high places, Baalzebub= Lord of those who fly, or, flit. Zebub is a Hebrew verb which means to flit from place to place. Baal is identified as "Satan" by Jesus himself, Matt.10:25 Mark. 3:22 Luke11:15

‘In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race.’ (Psalm 19:6) .

The Psalmist, King David, personifies the sun and the heavenly creation as foretelling a future event, in which the servants of God are cleansed and prepared for a marriage. This marriage is linked with redemption. Psalm 19 marvellously captures the whole process of salvation and the marriage of the Lamb, in a single song. Yet, there is much to be understood about the event, the people involved, and the purpose of this marriage. Can God marry mortals? The Old Testament metaphorizes the relationship between God and the nation of Israel as a marriage. But, can God really have a lasting relationship with flesh? Hardly.

The relationship between Christ and the Church is also labelled in terms of a marriage: ‘"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.’ (Ephesians 5:31,32). Notice it is a mystery. Do you understand all the ramifications of the analogy? Is it clear to you?

Notice the relationship is actually a betrothal. The marriage has not yet taken place: ‘For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.’ The espousal is for the present, the marriage is later.

Let’s look at who the parties are to the marriage, and we can get a better grasp of where we are going with the understanding of this concept. Christ is clearly seen as the groom. But who is the bride? Who are the wedding guests?

The 144,000 And The Marriage of the Lamb

Here is a short Bible Study of Revelation 14: 1-6, to clarify one of the parties to the marriage:

Point Number One: This section of scripture deals with a marriage.

Revelation 14:1-2 ‘Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.

Note the term: ‘having His Father’s name’. This is a reference to a marriage. See Isaiah 4:1: ‘And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, "We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach."’ Isaiah prophesies of a time when women will outnumber the men by a ratio of seven to one, because of horrific wars and devastation. Isaiah refers to a time when it is difficult for women to survive economically and socially, as single individuals. Revelation 14:1 also pictures a group of people married to the Lamb.

Point Number Two : This a unique group of people. No one else has the role given to them by God. They are ‘saved’ or redeemed. This is in the Kingdom of God, in the future.

Revelation 14:3 ‘They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.’

Notice the song is new. This is a one-time-only event. In the Old Testament songs were given to teach and prophesy of things to come. This song will identify in an anthem the people and their role. We do the same today with national anthems and school songs. There are only 144,000 in the group to become the Bride of Christ !!! The whole church is not the bride. The church is only espoused. Many are called, few are chosen to be the bride. This does not leave all the rest out of salvation. It only establishes the role of the 144,000 as the Bride of Christ, in the Kingdom of God.

Point Number Three : There is a link to the Book of Ruth in this section of scripture. The 144,000 are also linked to the Festival of Weeks (Pentecost) and are firstfruits in the Kingdom of God.

Revelation 14:4 ‘These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.’

The link to the story of Ruth is in the words ‘who follow the Lamb wherever He goes’. Take a look at Ruth 1:16: ‘"Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people (are) my people, and your God, (is) my God."’ The young Israelitish widow, knew Her God, and the purpose of marrying within her own national heritage. She was used to typify the Bride of Christ. (Read the article: The Plain Truth About Ruth, to clarify her nationality is Israelite.) This is a story of marriage and enriches the meaning of the Day of Pentecost. Revelation 14:1-5 and the Book of Ruth are dealing with the same prophetic marriage.

Point Number Four : These are the ones prepared and acceptable to God, who are pure in God’s sight.

Revelation 14:5 ‘And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.’

Look at Revelation 21:9-27; Revelation 22:17 and compare with the Revelation 14:1-5. This is the same group of people and we see their role in the Kingdom of god. Notice the mansion and the rooms for the 144,000; the city with twelve gates, with the names of the twelve tribes. If you study into a Jewish wedding you will see the parallel, with the room built by the father of the groom, for the groom and bride to stay in for one week, consummating the marriage. This matches the Feast of Tabernacles of seven days in duration, with spiritual meaning for Christ and the Kingdom of God.

Read Revelation 7:1-8. This shows that the 144,000 can only be Israelites of pure racial strain. This is a matter of race. They also have to be pure in Spirit that is a matter of grace. God does not change. He forbade inter-racial marriage in Old Testament times, and He says the same for us in New Testament times.

The Wedding Guests:

‘"Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding." So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests . But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment’ (Matthew 22:9-11).

There is another group to be at the wedding of the Lamb. These are guestsat the wedding feast. They are the ‘great multitude’ of Revelation 7:9. In the New King James Version, the words ‘After things ’, preface verse 9. This is a separate group of people to the 144,000 of verses 1-8 of Revelation 7.

This group includes the servants of Gods from before the Flood; those righteous men after the Flood to Abraham; and the few Israelites given the Spirit of God before the Day of Pentecost, 31 A.D. The rest of the New Testament Church, including a percentage of them Gentiles, are a part of this great multitude. That shows you what importance God places on the Bride of Christ, when He lumps the patriarchs, the apostles, and all the rest into one large group and separates them from the Bride of Christ !!!

Conclusion:

You have learned that the 144,000 of both Revelation chapters 7 and 14 are the Bride of Christ. They can only be Israelites, of pure racial strain. The rest are the guests at the Marriage of the Lamb. These are all resurrected into the Kingdom of God. They are not flesh! They are Spirit beings.

The Bride of Christ, Part II, will cover what is the purpose and the role of the Bride of Christ. This is found in the Book of Esther, and the Book of Revelation.

Remember, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah are not Israelites. They cannot be in the group of Israelites known as the 144,000. They will be a part of the millennial government of God, as will all the patriarchs and the others. These patriarchs and the Church, will be a part of the ‘line function’(ie. the chain of command): the working government and ecclesiastical functions of the Kingdom of God.

The Bride of Christ has a different duty entirely. It has more of a ‘staff function’ like a personnel department has in a corporation. Remember, there will be Christ, the Bride, and the Children of God, in the millennial Kingdom of God (those Spirit beings born into the Kingdom at the return of Christ). They will rule over and teach mankind the Way of God for 1,000 years.

If you are surprised by what you have learned up to this point, then you will be motivated to read Part II.

Modern evangelists and theologians, like Jack van Impe, do not know where the bible places America and Britain today in prophecy and what the bible says about their role in modern history.  World Wars I and II are assumed not to be mentioned in scripture.  Would God leave these two horrendous world wars out of bible prophecy?  Twentieth century America and Britain are assumed to be left out of the biblical account.  Wrong!  We just do not understood the key to where our western world is talked about in scripture.  Current events in Europe and America are very much in the bible.  What is missing is the key to the identity of these nations in prophecy.

The answer is found in an overlooked term in Bible prophecy: the "ships of Chittim" , which describes a great naval power of Biblical times. A corrupt high priest and prophet, Balaam , gave us prophesiesfor the end time which clear up the mystery. Here is the origin of the term and the answer.

In The Last Days

National Problems Defined

(Isa 2:6-8 NKJV) For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob, Because they are filled with eastern ways ; They are soothsayerslike the Philistines, And they are pleased with the children of foreigners. {7} Their land is also full of silver and gold, And there is no end to their treasures; Their land is also full of horses, And there is no end to their chariots. {8} Their land is also full of idols; Theyworship the work of their own hands , That which their own fingers have made.

Balaam's Prophecies

(Num 24:23-24 NKJV) Then he took up his oracle and said: "Alas! Who shall live when God does this? {24} But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus [Chittim or the west], And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, And so shall Amalek [be afflicted], until he perishes."

Our National Character

Sons of Isaac. Isaac and the Arabians. Isolationists. Being provoked. Apostle Paul: Israel provoked to jealousy.

Britain: Ephraim the "silly dove." Making alliances for military strategy.

Israelites, a nation of freemen. Their worst punishment is to be enslaved.

Middle East Wars

Exodus17:14-15 'Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation ."'

(Num 24:20 NKJV) Then he looked on Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said: "Amalek was first among the nations, But shall be last until he perishes."

Our Economy in Prophecy

(Ezek 7:19 NKJV) 'They will throw their silver into the streets, And their gold will be like refuse; Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them In the day of the wrath of the LORD; They will not satisfy their souls, Nor fill their stomachs, Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity.

Wealth, inventions, industrial might. Pareto's law. Sea gates: merchant mariners.

Housing

The poor

The oppressed

The skilled man

Leadership in the Last Days

The Priests ('men of the cloth': ministers and televangelists)
(Ezek 13:2 NKJV) "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart , 'Hear the word of the LORD!'"
(Ezek 13:10 NKJV) "Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people , saying, 'Peace!' when there is no peace; and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar;"
(Ezek 13:22 NKJV) "Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad , whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life."

The women
(Isa 3:12 NKJV) As for My people, ... And women rule over them . O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths."

The children
(Isa 3:12 NKJV) "As for My people, children are their oppressors,"

The Knowledge of being Israel

Amos 3:7 a warning to Israel needed

National punishment according to what we have heard from the servants of God.

The Traitor King

Is America the Modern Babylon of Revelation 17?

Our Enemies: Will Russia Attack America ?

Kermins
Germanii
Prusians

Is There A GREAT Falling Away ?

The conspiracy.

The battle of the Titans: Shem versus Nimrod

The modern battle between Shem's descendants and the Beast's army of Revelation. Michael the archangel to stand against that arch demon, Satan the devil, and the ememies of America and Britain, in the Last Days.

THE POPULAR VIEW

 Most people who read Paul's second letter to the Church at Thessalonica, fear many true believers will a fall away from the truth, in great numbers. It is commonly thought that a "man of sin" will appear on the world scene, and seduce many of God's people away from true worship. This scenario is an "end-time" dilemma where MANY of the ELECT are deceived and "lost" into damnation. The FEW, with great effort, escape this great deception. This scripture is NOT written ABOUT the church but TO the church.

A PROPHECY TO THE CHURCH ?

 This prophecy is NOT about a "falling away".  It is about a great REBELLION or "apostasy" involving military invasion and war.  This scripture is a geo-political statement.  There are, however, religious implications. The questions are: Who is the "rebellion" against?  Which nations are involved?  What is the outcome?

 The answers involve a basic knowledge of history and Bible prophecy. You will be surprised at some of the answers.

  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The battle between Shem and Nimrod -- a fore runner of the last great epoch between the people of God and those lead by an evil international conspiracy and Satan the Devil.

  THE SCRIPTURE IN CONTEXT

 "Let no man deceive you by any means; for (that Day will not come) unless the falling away comes first..." II Thessalonians 2:3

 Isn't it amazing when we focus only on a small part of the passage, the result can be off track. Don't be amazed! It happens often, when reading the Bible. The truth is, the passage is not referring to a falling away, but a warning of a Gentile apostasy, both political and religious in nature, to take hold of the world scene.

 Look again as the same scripture in context: "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him , we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come."

 Note: There were two problems here. One, false apostles were attempting to communicate with and infiltrate the Church. Two, these impostors were saying Christ, and the millennium had come to the earth already ("in our hearts"?).

 Continuing: "Let no one deceive you by any means; for (that day will not come) unless the falling away comes first, AND the MAN OF SIN is REVEALED, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

 Look at the context. This verse (written TO the Church, NOT about it) refers to the same events which are mentioned in the book of Daniel. Lets look: "...he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods..." (Daniel 11:36). Paul writes about the same "man of sin" who is written of in the book of Daniel, chapters 7 and 11. (Go to your Bible and read these chapters yourself). Paul is NOT referring to the church but to the events surrounding the man of sin, and the political and religious forces which WILL affect the world at the END TIME.

  THE FALLING AWAY

 Lets look at the term: "the falling away".

How Does Prophecy for America and Britain Relate To You ?