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After The Rapture, What Then?
Part II

We should go on, but I must step aside now and pick up another direct reference in conjunction with verse 9 that was emphasized to you in this chapter. Let's consider the Church at Philadelphia that John, as he was commissioned to do, was writing to the seven churches in Asia.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Revelation 3:7-9.

   I call your attention to the tenth verse of that chapter, in conjuction with I Thessalonians 5:9. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10.
   Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Revelation 3:11. Do you believe that verse was written in vain? Come on now; let's believe all of the Word of God. We cannot pick here and there to suit our own doctrine. I want to emphasize this verse again: Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
   Him (Her) that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Revelation 3:12. (bold is mine)
   Again, there is emphasis. Look at the thirteenth verse: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 3:13. Are we listening? What are we listening for? Or to??
   The Spirit of God is emphasized emphatically and perfectly in the Book of Revelation, especially when it instructs us to "hear what the Spirit says to the churches". This is not only a request, but also a command. The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. I do believe the reason for the emphasis on the Spirit in the Book of Revelation is that angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, really and truly. So the Spirit (angels) are playing an important part.
   However, they are playing a much more important part in the end of this dispensation of Grace, which will end when the finished work is done of Almighty God. It won't be the finished denomination, but God's Work will be done. This dispensation will not end until the Kingdom, the literal Kingdom of Christ, is begun (which is out in the future).
   Thank you for listening or reading. Please re-read, especially the scriptures, the Word of God that I have referred to in the last few pages of this book.
   In the pages of this small book, we are emphasizing what is going to take place after the rapture of the Church. We have laid stress on the importance of prayer as recorded in the eighth chapter of Revelation, beginning with verse three:

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. Revelation 8:3-5.

   This earthquake takes place, as I understand it, in the middle of the tribulation period. This tribulation period, according to Daniel and the Book of Revelation, is a seven-year period of time. Half of that would equal 1,260 days. The last half of the tribulation period, which is forty-two 30-day months, is called "The Great Wrath" of God. This will be God's wrath upon the children of disobedience who were left here after the rapture of the Church.
   We have referred to the two great witnesses (two olive trees) standing before the god of the earth, and their prophecy, along with their performance of great miracles (turning water into blood, etc.,), which will go on for 1,260 days. Then the angel of the bottomless pit makes war.
   As recorded in the ninth chapter of Revelation, the king (angel) of the bottomless pit and that army (or whatever it is that comes out of the bottomless pit) makes war with the two witnesses at almost the end of the 1,260 days. The king (angel) of the bottomless pit slays them.
   Now let us pick up our reading in the eleventh chapter of Revelation, beginning with the seventh verse:

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. Revelation 11:7-14.

Now we take up the beginning of the twelfth chapter of the Book of Revelation:

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Revelation 12:1-6.

Woman
The beautiful artwork of Pat Marvenko Smith
Used with permission

   As I have stated many times before, and as I have written in my literature and books that I have published, this woman is Israel, without a doubt. This could not possibly refer to Mary, the Mother of Christ, for the timing of the woman is not according to the records in the great New Testament references of Jesus Christ and when He went to Heaven.
   We see that this woman and her man-child refer to Israel and the 144,000 Jews (12,000 from each of the twelve tribes). She delivers this child over a period of years, of course. This child has been sealed by the Seal of God and is about to finish his (their) work upon Earth as recorded in other parts of the Holy Book. They will then be taken to Heaven.
   So she brings forth this man-child (the 144,000), who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron, and her child is caught up to God and to His throne. I know this is repetitious, but it is worth it. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Revelation 12:6.
   Now in reference to the departure of the 144,000 of the man-child, we will pick up the following verses of when they depart:

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. Revelation 14:1-3

   Now this is in reference to the man-child that the woman was travailing in birth with, as we read in the twelfth chapter. Being redeemed now from the earth, singing a new song before the throne (of God, of course), before the four beasts, and the elders (you never read about the four beasts and twenty-four elders on earth). There is no reference I have found in the Bible concerning the four and twenty elders and the four beasts that are seen around the throne, and the 144,000 before the throne of God and before the beasts and elders. So I am convinced that this scene is in Heaven, the Heaven that is referred to before the moving of the New Jerusalem down to Earth.
   Now let us finish reading in reference to the 144,000: These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:4-5.
   Now, as further comment on these 144,000, they are the first fruits redeemed from the earth. They have finished on earth what God had for them to do. Being Jews, all of them, nowhere do we find in God's Holy Word, that they die a physical death, neither before the Lamb escorts them to Heaven, nor after they come down to earth with the Saints (called angels), to rule every nation under the sun with a rod of iron. They rule along with Jesus Christ of Nazareth and His bride, the Church.
   If you will recall, His bride, the Church, was called away during the rapture and other raptures, which I believe, take place during the tribulation period. People will be given glorified bodies. Some will be made to rule and others will act as servants, as we have made clear in this little book. Jesus and His Church rules with a rod of iron, just as it is declared and made very plain in the Holy Scriptures.
   I repeat, and it is worthy of being repeated, the 144,000 redeemed from the earth and among men, called the first fruits, will rule with a rod of iron. Please read it carefully for yourselves and seek God for understanding, knowledge, and wisdom. The Holy Ghost will show you of things to come. Don't you believe that? Yet it will always agree with the Word, the Foundation of the Truth, which is the Bible, which is Jesus Christ, which is The Word, which is Seed, etc.
   Again I say, and place emphasis on, the 144,000 are brought back down to earth to rule with the Church, headed by Jesus Christ during the literal reign of Christ, called the Millennial Reign. They will rule with a rod of iron, in their bodies, as when they left Mount Sion and were escorted to Heaven, caught up to God and His throne by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world.
   I am not afraid to place emphasis on these things-I fear God and am endeavoring to keep His commandments. Therefore I do not hesitate through fear to tell you that the 144,000, in their physical bodies, live throughout the ages of eternity.
   Next, we will be referring to the second fruit, which is found in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew. This reference to the second fruits from the earth will be the sheep, put on the right hand of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. When He comes to judge the nations at the end of the tribulation period, and they enter into their inheritance, the sheep are put on the right hand of God Almighty through Jesus Christ. They will inherit the literal Kingdom and they will live in their physical bodies throughout eternity. More will come later in this little book about them.
   Now let us begin at the thirteenth chapter of Revelation:

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: (notice that in particular) and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Notice that forty and two months is also referred to as 1,260 days or forty-two 30-day months.) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints (the tribulation saints), and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:1-8.

   If you are here, and any of us could be, be cautioned lest you depart from the Gospel of Jesus Christ during this time. I don't want to and don't have any intention of doing so, although I issue this warning: let him (her) who thinks he (she) stands: take heed, lest he (she) fall. I do know it's possible for some to fall that others might be tested. I don't want to be one of those. Do you?
   If you are living here upon this earth during the tribulation period, which is seven years (eighty-four 30-day months), then take note. Do not be overcome by the power of the anti-Christ. This is also in reference to the red dragon, who delegates power to the anti-Christ, and gives him his seat and great authority.
   Now there is more to be said about the dragon, which is really the angel of the bottomless pit. He is also known as the king of the bottomless pit. The beast of the bottomless pit is found in the ninth chapter of Revelation, and is referred to as the dragon standing before Michael in the twelfth chapter of Revelation.
   That is just a hint to you. Search out these scriptures and be sure for yourself that all these names (the king, the angel, the beast, the great red dragon), refer to the same devil, deceiver, thief, and liar who delegates all his power to the anti-Christ. Without any doubt, the first few verses of the thirteenth chapter of Revelation refer to the anti-Christ.
   Please allow me to re-emphasize the eighth verse of the thirteenth chapter, as referenced above. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (the anti-Christ, the deceiver, the son of the dragon, without question), whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8.
   Now if you are here at this time, I hope you are not overcome by the anti-Christ and slain, one way or another, under his rule. His reign is limited for sure, and his days are numbered. He is defeated in Christ Jesus. He is allowed to exist to bring revenge upon the people of the world who would not hear the gospel and be influenced by the truth until after the rapture of the Church. I am thoroughly convinced that there is a great number, a great revival that breaks out. This will be the answer to the Moms and Dads' prayers that have been prayed, along with the Church's prayers, and includes the prayers of all saints referred to in this little book.
   God is going to have the last word. Don't you ever doubt it! Don't be overcome by fear! God intends to have every department of the New Jerusalem that comes down from out of Heaven inhabited. Do not think for a moment that God or any part of His program has been defeated at any time. It might have been prolonged by disobedience, and I think it has, by our own disobedience-through folks like you and me. Don't disobey any longer. Fear God and keep His commandments. Then you might be the one or at least one of the ones who inherit the literal Kingdom (called the sheep on the right hand of the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.)
   And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8. (bold is mine)
   I stress the importance of saying, as individuals, "I can, because He cares!" How about you? Have confidence in yourself. God will make a way for you. Don't you ever forget that God's plan is worked out through people just like you and me. Answer His call.
   End Part II, "After The Rapture, What Then?" Continued...