The Four Horseman Of The Apocalypse

Hello my para beauties! I trust you had a great day and are in good health. This is a subject I've been asked to explain to the best of my knowledge. The book of Revelations can be very intimidating. But we know who wins in the end.

The first Horseman is the rider of a white horse, carries a bow, and wears a crown. He is described as a conqueror. For this reason, he is sometimes interpreted as the Antichrist or as a false world leader. This Horseman is also sometimes called Pestilence.

The second Horseman is astride a red horse and carries a sword. He is associated with war and slaughter, and the Bible attributes to him the power to take away peace and to make men kill each other.

The third Horseman rides a black horse and carries scales. This Horseman, popularly called Famine, is thought to represent not only scarcity of food, but also the strict rationing or unfair allocation of goods and the exploitation of the poor.

The last of the Four Horsemen, Death, rides a "pale horse" of a sickly hue and is followed by Hades, or Hell.

The nature of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is hotly debated by theologians and Christians, but they are almost universally fascinating, regardless or perhaps because of their mystery. They were popular subjects for art during the medieval period and the Renaissance, and references to them continue to crop up in popular culture in our own day and age. Whether or not Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death are the correct interpretations of the Biblical Four Horsemen -- which will likely remain in debate for the foreseeable future -- it is safe to assume that that is what they represent in a cultural or literary context.

In many opinions The book of Revelation in the Bible is real and does not need one to read the hidden truths. When it says Jesus Christ is coming back again it means Jesus Christ is coming back again. When it says the Horsemen it means exactly that.

Since Christ is the One opening these seals and revealing what will happen in this world prior to His return, is there anywhere else in the Bible that He discloses these events? In fact, He did so shortly before His death in a section known as the Olivet Prophecy (given on the Mount of Olives), recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (chapter 24), Mark (chapter 13) and Luke (chapter 21) Seeing what Christ said in this prophecy helps us identify what each of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse represents.

In Matthew 24:3 Christ’s disciples asked, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” In the comparison chart below, notice how Christ’s answer lines up exactly with what He gave years later in the book of Revelation through the apostle John.

Notice the enormous effect of these first four seals (horsemen) in Revelation 6:8: “And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” This indicates that the first four seals will ultimately result in a death toll of one-fourth the earth’s population. This summary statement also adds something else that will contribute to the death toll—beasts of the earth, which kill as carriers of pestilence and as ravenous predators.

The first four seals are clearly already open in our day now, and the four horsemen of the Apocalypse have been riding through the years, taking their toll on populations. But many other prophecies in the Bible show that their destruction will multiply greatly as the next seal—the fifth seal or Great Tribulation—is about to open. Christ reveals that this world is about to undergo great devastation due to the rebellion of humanity against our Creator.

May God Help us All.

Written By Jennifer L. Auld

The Book of Revelations

Hello my para beauties! I trust everyone has had a wonderful weekend and a blessed Sunday. I pray everyone special to you and who you love is healthy. I've been receiving so many prayer requests from all over as many are struggling with sickness or struggling dealing with the loss of a loved one. May God bring you peace in these terrible times. When I lost my father I felt like part of me died too. In these times we must seek God's face for peace of mind. It's part of life and they are now with Jesus Christ in Heaven. It takes time but mourning a death does become more tolerable.

Now let's discuss the book of Revelations in general.

This is a summary in the best format I can offer. Or rather bits and pieces so it's not so overwhelming or puts the brain on overload. From my point of view. I am certainly not stating this is it, no o other views are correct. This is just my humble opinion. The name of the book, Revelation, is a translation of the title in the original New Testament Greek, Apocalypsis the origin of the other name by which the book is now known, the Apocalypse. The Greek term denotes an unveiling or uncovering—thus, a revelation. A very interesting title with very interesting events to come as we are warned.

Many ask why was this book written? Well, as I mentioned above, the book's very name means to reveal —to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. Yet most people believe that this final book of the Bible cannot be understood at all, that its language and symbols are too confusing to make sense. I can understand why. It's very intimidating.

The author of the Book of Revelation is John, who is an exile living on the island of Patmos. Many of the early church fathers believe that he was the same person as the apostle John. However, some believe the writing style of Revelation suggests that the two are not in fact the same, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, although it is possible that the author of Revelation was an apostle of John.

The Book of Revelation's apocalyptic and symbolic language has resulted in a vast array of interpretations. The events depicted are often considered to be an illustration of the early Christian persecutions, but the symbolism is also interpreted quite literally, suggesting that the Book is really about the end of the world, and that the events it describes will occur. Some Christians do not accept the Book of Revelation as canonical, and the decision to accept it in the final list of canonical books was highly controversial, according to the article "Meander Travel: Book of Revelation."

The Vision Of The Worlds End

Revelation is a book written to reveal the future, and Jesus Christ is the One who does the revealing: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place … Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him” (Revelation 1:1,7).

Here is the theme of Revelation—the time of the end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ to establish God’s Kingdom on earth.

John explains where he was when he received this vision of the end time: “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet” (Revelation 1:9-10).

The Lord’s day (also known as “the day of the Lord” or “the day of Christ” throughout Scripture) is the time of God’s intervention in human affairs when He establishes His Kingdom. (Plainly in this context it does not refer to a particular day of the week for worshipping God. To better understand which day God has set aside for rest and worship, please download or request our free booklet Sunset to Sunset: God’s Sabbath Rest.)

The apostle Paul, referring to this same time, says: “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).
In another epistle Paul calls it “the day of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:2). The reason is that Jesus Christ, the Lord, intervenes in a powerful way at this time to take over the world. This is why this end-time period is called the Lord’s day.

John’s vision of the Lord’s day begins in Revelation 4: “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne” (verse 2). After describing the scene in heaven, John focuses on a scroll God holds that lists end-time events. “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1).

Only Jesus Christ, called the Lamb, is worthy to open the seals and unleash these end-time events. When God the Father determines the time is ready, He authorizes Jesus to initiate the events written on the scroll. They include the terrifying end-time occurrences prophesied throughout the Scriptures to take place during the 3 1⁄2 year period.

The seven seals describe the events before and during Christ’s return to rule the earth. “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels …saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Revelation 5:11-12). Here Jesus Christ is being authorized to unleash the final events and then establish His Kingdom.

The first seal (Revelation 6:1-2) represents widespread deception by a false Christianity that began in the days of the apostles (Matthew 24:4 – 5). The second seal (Revelation 6:3-4) refers to the increasing devastation caused by war as the end approaches (Matthew 24:6-7). The third seal (Revelation 6:5-6) represents increasing hunger and famines (Matthew 24:7). Other consequences of war and famine are represented by the fourth seal (Revelation 6:7-8)—such things as disease, plagues and civil unrest that kill many people (Matthew 24:7).

All of the events in the first four seals have been occurring, with varying frequency and intensity, from Christ’s time to our day. But they have greatly intensified over the last century and will grow even worse in the suffering mankind will have to endure nearer the end.

The fifth seal (Revelation 6:9-11) brings us directly to the time of the end. It acknowledges the past persecution and martyrdom of God’s servants and announces they will have to wait “a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed,” before God avenges their deaths.

In The book of Matthew 24:9 Jesus tells His followers this will be a time when “they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” He also describes it as a time of “great tribulation

THE SIXTH SEAL

The next seal describes how “powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29) after the end-time tribulation and martyrdom of the saints has begun but before God’s wrath is unleashed in “the day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31). These heavenly signs announce the beginning of the Day of the Lord.

Terrifying heavenly signs announce Jesus Christ’s direct intervention in world events to save mankind from itself. This shows that, while God has permitted the previous end-time disasters, Satan has been their driving force. Now God begins to demolish Satan’s kingdom, pouring out His wrath on a rebellious and insolent world.

“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?’” (Revelation 6:12-17).

Jesus described this sixth sign in His Olivet Prophecy: “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption [rescue] draws near” (Luke 21:25-28).

Consequently, in the latter part of the 3 1⁄2 years of Satan’s wrath, God will intervene, first with signs and wonders in the heavens, then by orchestrating His final punishments before Jesus Christ’s return.

Finally the seventh seal is opened (Revelation 8). It describes seven other aspects of end-time events, each announced with a trumpet blast. In the first four of these plagues God strikes the earth and mankind’s environmental support systems. The fifth trumpet’s plague inflicts great pain on those refusing to serve God. In the sixth trumpet plague, God permits an unimaginably destructive and all-out worldwide war to begin (Revelation 8-9).

With the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the Bible reveals that “the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets” (Revelation 10:7).

This mystery of the end time was briefly alluded to in the Garden of Eden and its meaning glimpsed by the patriarchs and prophets. John writes: “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” (Revelation 11:15).

God is in control. Every prophetic detail will be carried out according to His time frame.

As Christ concluded His Olivet Prophecy in Luke 21:34-36, He warned His disciples who would live during the end time: “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.”

Written By Jennifer L Auld

Gossip Quiz

By Pastor Stephen Piersall
God's Preservation Ministry, sfprs.org/
https://www.facebook.com/GodsPreservationMinistry

See original quiz here: http://sfprs.org/gossiping-quiz/


Think you don’t gossip? Take this quiz to find out…

1)     You and your friends are at a social event, and you see one of your friend’s smoking marijuana. You:

a)     Pray for them.

b)     Add them to your prayer list.

c)     Tell everyone on social media.

d)     Tell their spouse and pray for your friend.

2)     You walk by the magazine counter and see a headline about your favorite movie star cheating on their spouse. You:

a)     Pull out your wallet and buy it because you just have to know the details.

b)     You’re tempted, but walk away.

c)     Leave the magazine, but check out the story online. You won’t financially support those types of magazines.

d)     You walk away; those magazines are junk.

3)     You overhear your friend’s spouse telling everyone lies about their relationship. You:

a)     Confront them right there and tell them to take back the lies.

b)     Run and tell your friend.

c)     Post the story on social media.

d)     Spread lies about them and see how they feel when it is done to them.

4)     Your friends are sitting around when one starts telling you what they heard one’s teenager got in trouble at a party last weekend. You:

a)     Listen intently, then call everyone you know. You can’t keep a story that good quiet.

b)     Listen and analyze their actions with your friends.

c)     Go get another drink while they finish talking about it.

d)     Tell them you don’t feel comfortable talking about it and change the subject.

5)     You and your friends usually talk about:

a)     Dating, friends, people at work.

b)     What’s going on in your lives.

c)     Sports, movies, music.

d)     Celebrities.

6)     Your friend’s daughter confides in you that she got pregnant. You:

a)     Tell Everyone.

b)     Ask your teens for advice because you need to know how to deal with it, without saying whom it is.

c)     Write about it on your social media.

d)     Tell no one. Just pray to God for what you should do.

7)     How many times a week do you hear yourself saying, “Did you hear about…?

a)     At least once a day.

b)     2 to 5.

c)     1 to 2.

d)     Never.



ANSWERS are at the bottom of this page.


“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” Proverbs 26:20


Gossip is defined as a rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature. As a noun (a person) and a verb (an action), gossip is often very busy. Which is why people who gossip is referred to as busybodies.

No one likes to be called a busybody. The busybodies are those people who spend all day and night probing the lives of other people, so they can share it with all their friends, family, and every stranger who will listen. To ally yourself with such a term is to admit you have no life! Yet, can anyone honestly say they’ve never gossiped?

Honestly, Christians gossip. In many cases, the spicy details that come out of a Christian’s mouth are more damaging than a worldly one:

1)     Christians are not supposed to gossip. The Bible clearly states that gossip and backbiting are on God’s no-no list.

a)     Leviticus 19:16 – “You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.”

b)     Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

c)     Psalms 34:13 – “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”

d)     Ephesians 4:31 – “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”

e)     James 4:11 – “Speak not evil one of another.”

2)     Whenever Christians do things they are not “supposed” to, two things can happen:

a)     Unbelievers receive more negative evidence against Christians. (How can Christians claim the Bible is the truth and way of life to live).

b)      Other Christians watching are affected in a negative way by discouragement and prideful thinking.


Christians spiritualize excuses to make them less sinful. This can be seen in the way the Bible is interpreted, for the most part, as it relates to; sexual sins, how and what to speak, eating habits, how and when to sleep, work, exercise, etc.

Christians like to overlook their favored habits of sin. They rationalize these habits no matter how bad, or harmful, or negative. They will make these habits more presentable, by dressing them up to look like something good or beneficial, or even calling it spiritual.

I can honestly say, I have been, am currently involved in, and probably will in my future be gossiped about. It is always tempting to correct the gossip, to identify the offender and to put them in their place. Trust me when I say, to take the correct Godly way is NOT at all easy. Experience has taught me that the best course of action is to forgive them (You do not have to confront them to do this) ignore the gossip and pray for these people. Being an Ordained Pastor and licensed by the State, I have a higher calling to be more respectable and exist above reproach as good as I can. Do I fail? Yes, every day. That is why it is important when you recognize yourself sinning to pray for forgiveness immediately, or if the day goes by, and I may not be aware of doing anything wrong, I pray before bedtime asking God’s forgiveness for those known and unknown to me.

I am not saying that we should live irresponsibly and disregard correction. We should simply live our lives the best the Bible tells us how to. To love God, love people, submit appropriately and try not to cause others to stumble through our behavior. If we work out our own walks with God, we can rest assured that what people say won’t matter. We should just accept that people gossip and leave it to God justify us.

So if we are going to say anything about others, let it be a testimony, let it be something good, which edifies the hearer. Perhaps the old adage puts it most aptly; “If you have nothing good to say about someone, say nothing at all.”

Let us look at the answers to the quiz you took, and no matter of the results good or bad say a prayer right now to God and Thank Him for revealing some truths about you in how you conduct your life.

Scoring Key

1)     A = 4,  B = 2,  C = 1,  D = 3

2)     A = 1,  B = 3,  C = 2,  D = 4

3)     A = 4,  B = 3,  C = 2,  D = 1

4)     A = 1,  B = 2,  C = 3,  D = 4

5)     A = 1,  B = 3,  C = 4,  D = 2

6)     A = 1,  B = 3,  C = 2,  D = 4

7)     A = 1,  B = 2,  C = 3,  D = 4

Psychics Talk for God ~ Parts 1 & 2

By Kirby Robinson

There will be a special blog on Monday that will leave you speechless. And for tonight, here's the information about my latest radio show appearance. We will be breaking a big story on that show.

Wednesday, January 28 at 7 [PST] / 10 [EST]
I'll appear on Beyond the Edge of Reality radio show with Evan Jensen. Here's the link:

http://www.beyondthedgeofreality.com/index.html

The following blog is not meant to group everyone with spiritual gifts as fakes or frauds. There are good ones and bad ones out there, but we ask the public to use caution when dealing with anyone claiming to have spiritual gifts.

The disclaimer discussed in this blog did not come from any particular psychic but from several psychics' websites. We took the language of their disclaimer and merged it with others.

PSYCHICS TALK FOR GOD!

Yes folks, according to the many psychic supporters, you can forget prayer. You can get up off your knees, get out your credit card/s, and pay 'em because they can tell you better than anyone what God is saying!

Not long ago I noticed on my Facebook newsfeed a comment from one of my friends that they were going to treat themselves to a yearly visit to their local psychic. I posted a comment that why not save their money and just talk to God? He never charges and it won't be for entertainment purposes only. A few weeks later, she posted a response to my comment basically saying that psychics are great in interpreting what God was telling you. When I read things like that it really makes me go WTF?

When did the psychics insert themselves between us and God? When did God become dependent on psychics to tell us things? Yes, there were dream interpreters and prophets within the Bible but they didn't have business cards. They didn't do phone readings. They didn't post the disclaimer: FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. And if they weren't 100% accurate, they got stoned to death.

When you talk to God there is no charge!

He doesn't ask anything of us when we speak to him. God is there 24/7/365 – and that includes Leap Years! He'd like us to have a personal relationship with his Son, but that's not required. We have free will, you know.

When we talk to psychics there is always a charge.

This is an odd issue to me. Often psychics will compare themselves to prophets in the Bible and claim they have the same gift. Yet in no chapter or verse within the Bible do we ever find a prophet charging for their services. Psychics claim:  "This is how I earn a living." Again, the prophets of the Bible didn't charge any money but God took care of them. If psychics have faith in GOD and their gift is from God, He will take care of them.

Often the next fallback is for those psychics to mention that doctors have the gift of healing and they are paid. That's mixing apples with oranges. Doctors may have been guided into medicine by God. He might help oversee their decisions and care given to a patient, but the patient isn't healed by the doctor in the mysterious way God heals someone through prayer and the laying of hands.

When you talk to God he is 100% accurate 100% of the time.

When you talk to a psychic -- they can go from being 0% right on up.

When you talk to God …

There is no topic off the table. If you need healing it's there. If you need guidance on a job, a purchase, whether to get pregnant, etc., He will give you advice and help any way He can. And it's not for entertainment purposes only. God says what He means and stands behind it.

When you talk to a psychic …

There are all kinds of disclaimers and limitations. There's no guarantee whatsoever.

Let's take a look at the legal disclaimer that psychics post. Again, this is not from any particular psychic, but we took a look at many different psychics' websites.

For entertainment purposes only.

How odd that a claim is made that they have a gift, yet they have no faith in that gift. So with that statement they claim they are only an actor playing a role. You pay them to play a psychic. Which means their reading is nothing more than a sham. Why? Because it's only entertainment. What would happen if you went to a church that practiced the spiritual gifts of healing, prophecy, etc., and the pastor started his sermon by saying: "THIS IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!" Would you stay there?

Psychics claim:

That no psychic [note they say no psychic] can predict, forecast or diagnose with absolute certainty.

That's always troubling to me. It's their escape clause. I just can't say I'll be right. Would you take a job if the boss said, "I'm not sure if you'll be paid." Would you go to a doctor who said, "My advice might be way off." Would you trust an instructor who informed you at the start of the class, "Sorry, the money you just paid for the class might be wasted! I'm not sure what I'm saying is right or not, my interpretation might be way off."

It's odd that psychics claim legitimacy via the Bible and the dream interpreters and prophets, yet they say they can't be as good as them. Yet the men mentioned in the Bible like Daniel and Ezekiel have hit things on the head 100% of the time.

Psychics will say…

They can't be held responsible for actions and decisions made by the client as a result of the reading.

What that means is that they can make things up and tell you what you want to hear. They won't be held liable for anything they tell you. So if they tell you that job will work out, that the business will succeed, that that boyfriend of yours is cheating on you, it doesn't matter if it's true. You act on it. The job sucks, the business fails, and the boyfriend isn't cheating. You take that advice depending on these psychics and boy do you pay the price.

But there is another problem. What if that man or woman was your Mr./Ms. Right and you backed away from them? What if that job or business was the career for you and you backed away from it? Who pays the price? You do. And your relationship with God does. [They say their gift is from God. If they're wrong, then God is wrong. So the trust in God is destroyed]. And the psychic doesn't care—they're just sipping margaritas on the beach.

Psychics say …

For medical or legal matters they won't talk about those topics as you need to see a medical or legal professional.

Again, they claim their gift is from God. Yet they have no faith in it. If they did, they could/would help people in any matter. Say what you want about Edgar Cayce, but did he ever turn someone away that came to him for medical advice?

See, I believe in the spiritual gifts. You won't find a person who believes in them more. And what I believe on top of that is that there are so many fakers, so many actors, and so many wannabes. The final and last difference between talking to God and talking to a psychic is this: He loves you yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Most psychics' love lasts until your minutes are done or you card is maxed out. And they move on to their next victim…I mean client.

Psychics Talk for God - Part 2

Did you notice the lack of response by psychics to my previous blog? Why is that? The haters and fakers would say it was simply a lack of interest in my blog. Personally, I think it had more to do with the fact that they know I'm right and they fear where I'm about to go with this blog series.

I recall being part of the new age back in the 80's. I had to chance to meet some of the top psychics, mediums, channelers, and so-called teachers. I drank with them [and we're not talking coffee], I saw their excesses [even new age teachers have groupies and bed hopping was very common], and I took lessons from them [read a bunch of religions and occult practices, mix 'em together, keep your stories straight and soak the public]. This was their best advice then and it hasn't changed. One wonders how many of them are sociopaths, psychopaths and narcissists? How many of them have absolutely no conscience and how many have sold out to the dark side? And their escape clause is that it's all for entertainment purposes only.

One of our readers asked a very interesting question after reading last week's blog.

"Not trying to stir the pot, but ministers and preachers get paid and television evangelists make big bucks. Should they feel bad for charging, too? People have to make a living."

Ministers are people who aren't just doing a job--they are responding to a calling from God. Their hours aren't from 9 to 5, but 24 hours a day. They are on call to their flock at any time. No matter if it's a natural disaster, death, illness, or crisis, they are expected to be there. They are expected to teach the word of God to their flock. They are expected to reach out to the poor, the hungry, the sick, and those who have not heard the word of God/those who are unsaved. It's not just a job to them. More often than not, unless it's a big church, they do this for little or no pay and have to work a side job to make ends meet. In many cases, they have a family to support.

Are there pastors that make a lot of money? Yes. There are new mega-churches that do pay well. Yet at the same time, it's a 24-hour a day situation. And in the mega-churches their responsibilities are even greater; not only to the flock but to the organization as well.

TV and radio evangelists: again there are two categories: the big ones and the small ones. They are responding to the call of God to carry His word to not only a flock but to the world. Again, more often than not, it's a 24-hour a day situation.

The big time organizations have the same issues, but magnified. [No, I'm not naive enough to think that all are legit: there are good ones and bad ones]. The bad ones need to be exposed -- like Bob Larson's.

So, in the case of people working for the glory of God, they certainly deserve to get paid.

Now let's look at psychics. Are they called by God to do this? Are they on call 24/7? Do they give advice and consul for free? Do they visit the sick and feed the hungry? Give water to the thirsty? Clothe the naked? No. It's simply a way to make money. Some say that only being a psychic is a small part of their lives when they are getting paid to give readings. Their life is their life. Do they teach for free? But most importantly, do they give the glory to the Lord?

Again, they say it's a gift. If so, give it to others for free. I've never heard a pastor say I will lay hands on you or pray for you for $29.95. I will share my visions/dreams I have had about you, or the gift of prophecy, for a fee. But the psychic does.

I read a book that was written by the former flavor of the month when it comes to psychics, who said their gift was uncertain. Whatever they saw was open to interpretation. Now is this a gift the public should trust? But remember: it's for entertainment purposes only, it has that escape clause.

Where in the Bible does it ever speak of God's gift[s] of spiritual insights, visions, dreams, prophecy, laying on of hands as uncertain? Would you follow a God that was kind of right sometimes? The Bible teaches us that the God of the Bible is the God of all Gods. He hears everything, He is always there and He is always right. Where does the Bible say the spiritual gifts are not certain? The prophets of old have never been off the mark. Where does it say what He says is uncertain? He stands behind His word and His gifts. And in no chapter or verse within the Bible will you find the phrase: for entertainment purposes only.

The lies these psychics tell and force themselves to follow won't help them when the end comes. Saint Peter at the gate is no respecter of personalities. The judge that sits on the most high throne doesn't buy into popular lies and tools of mass marketing and deceptions.

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The Second Coming And The Rapture Explained

Hello my para beauties. I hope everyone has had a fabulous week and enjoying the start of 2014. Wow, it's hard to even type 2014. It seems so surreal and how did it get here so fast? It's kind of scary. I just turned 40 and not a happy camper!! Lol. Where do the years go?

The reason I was led to write about this is because I think A lot of people get these two events mixed up and I'd like to help if I can to make them more clear. They are completely two different type of events. With very different meanings. There are a number of contradictory views regarding the Rapture. Many theologians believe that a time will come when the believers will be taken to heaven. However, many denominations of Christianity do not accept this doctrine. According to the Christian eschatology, this event will take place just before the Second Coming of Christ, where all the Christians will 'catch up' or be 'carried off' to heaven. This event is considered to be a mid-air gathering of people to commune with Jesus, just before He Comes.

The Rapture...It's hope, it's what many of us look forward to. In this awful world filled with so many disappointments, people suffering from severe depression and oppression. Not to mention the sorrow many of us live with in silent. But we hold onto the day the Rapture when all believers are taken away from all this wickedness, pain and suffering from this world. So many of us (like me) can't wait for the Rapture so I can say goodbye to this awful cruel world we now live in which is just getting worse each night I hear the news. Have you payed attention to not just your local but Country and world news? If you haven't it is so very disturbing, it's beyond out of control. Our government can't be trusted. I don't trust either side. This is just my humble opinion.


The "Pretribulation" Rapture as some have been calling it, "The Bible describes two separate and distinct future events, both of which are often described as the Second Coming. The first event is what Bible scholars call the Rapture. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the apostle Paul writes that "the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." In this passage, Paul is describing an event in which Jesus Christ will not physically, literally touch down on the earth but will first come "in the clouds" and snatch away His true followers from the earth in an instant of time. Those who have not chosen to follow Christ, those who have not been "born again," will remain behind on the earth and will have to go through a terrible time of wars, famines, natural disasters, and divine judgments known as the Tribulation.


The second event occurs at the end of the Tribulation. This is when the Bible teaches that Jesus will physically, literally return to earth, destroy His enemies, and set up His own righteous government based in Jerusalem. He will reign on earth for one thousand years. In Revelation 19:11--20:6, the apostle John writes, "I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. . . . He will rule [the nations]. . . . And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and he threw him into the abyss. . . . And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God.


A Few Bible References:

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3

Written By Jennifer L Auld

Healing Failures

By Pastor Stephen Piersall
God's Preservation Ministry http://sfprs.org/

Healing is one of the most controversial subjects in the Bible. Not that God is confused, but we and our many different denominations and religions have various interpretations as well as translations. Let us first read "The Great Commission":

Mark 16:14-20 NASB

14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He who believes and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.

This is the commandment that Jesus left us with upon his ascending into Heaven. It is by far one of the most dynamic and prominent areas of any church deliverance ministry. While casting out demons, it is just as significant, to minister to the impassioned wounds. Rousing wounds are one of the most common reasons that deliverance can fail or demons seem to keep coming back and regaining inhabitation within the person.

Our goal is not to forget a hurtful event or trauma, but to receive healing for that event, where the Holy Spirit removes the arrow from it. When we look to the past upon a healed wound, we can see it in a different way, because it has been healed and is no longer painful to look at.

The Holy Spirit within you is the one that HEALS! The believer who has already accepted the gift of Salvation from Jesus must stand in faith 100%. The Holy Spirit responds to your level of faith and every divine healing that ever took place happened with the Holy Spirit when the believer acted on God’s word. What about when healing fails? What went wrong?

It is important to understand that God has not failed you, and He is not short on healing power. When demands are made on the power of God, the healing virtue of Jesus Christ will flow into a person’s body and make it whole. In John 5, the story is told about a man who had an infirmity for 38 years. This story, perhaps, gives us the best picture of the obstruction that even today’s believers face when it comes to wanting to be healed, and yet, not being able making it happen when we want it, and need it, the most. We read that day after day the invalid man lay by the pool of Bethesda hoping somehow to be the number one person in the water after the angel stirred it, because if he was the first to make it in, he could be healed. But then along came Jesus. He asked the man, “Do you want to become well?” The invalid answered saying, “Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool…”

The significant detail in their conversation at this point is that the man was so focused on the problem of not being able to get into the water before someone else, that he never even considered placing a demand on Jesus to help him and to get him healed. Like this man, many believers today desire to be healed, yet they have not willed to be healed. What’s the difference?

The difference is that willpower is what makes a demand on the power of God. After all, God has sent His Word, and according to that Word, healing has already been purchased by the blood of Jesus. So, the rest is up to us. We must act on this new blood covenant to get the results we desire. Still, for those times when it seems God’s healing power has somehow been hindered, and it just is not flowing through our lives. The Bible points out some problem areas that may be the reason for this lack of healing or health. Some of those problem areas include:

• Failure to forgive others (Mark 11:25-26)

• Failure to keep the commandment of love (John 13:34)

• Lack of knowledge and lack of vision (Hosea 4:6); Proverbs 29:18)

• Lack of discernment of the Lord’s body when taking communion (I Corinthians 11:23-32)

• Lack of integrity in your heart (Psalms 25:21)

Sometimes we have to Let God be God, as he may have allowed the illness or death to occur for reasons we could not foresee. Still we are to pray until God let’s us know to stop.

Since we know there is no failure with God, it is obvious that when believers do not receive their healing, the problem must lie elsewhere. Keeping this in mind, we need to realize that healing largely depends on a firm stand on the fact that your prayer has been heard, and that it has been answered. The challenge, then, comes in not wavering from God’s Word.

Beware of False Prophets! In all things we do, we must pray and ask God for discernment. I know of some people who claim to be “Demonologist” and use hypnosis in their method of casting out demons and provide healing. I know of others who are talking the talk, but in real life do not walk the walk. Some that yearn to be a Pastor, but do not have their personal lives in order. We can NOT have permanent success with Healing and deliverance unless we ourselves are right before God. Bottom line, just be careful and do not just jump in without testing the waters. PRAY!

These two websites will shed some more light on the subject of why healing may or may not work:

http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/inner_healing_101.php

http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/healing_gods_will.php

Spare The Rod Spoil The Child And Risk Raising A Killer?

Hello my para beauties. I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas/ Holiday season. The new year will be here in 2 days, my gosh where did the time go? It's just mind boggling to think. Celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ tends to be out shadowed as it seems the main objection is what gift to buy for the people we love. Children handing over lists of toys or electronics they expect to receive and many folks are already very limited on funds and struggling in this awful economy will go broke and say"Well Christmas is about giving." Not completely. Nor is it about receiving gifts. It's about the Birth of Christ if you are of the believing faith. Of course this does not all apply to everyone.

I've had 12 requests to discuss what the Bible says regarding the title of this article/blog. They feel that many people have and are raising children to feel the world revolves around them and what they want when they want. And can they really create a poltergeist when in chaos or anger. From what I know it's possible. And even grow up to be criminals. Way too many people are having kids at such a young age and are unable to care for them properly. And many have no patience it requires nor willing to give up their life in order to raise the child. They realize everything revolves around this dear child and they often neglect and sometimes kill their own children. They didn't ask to be born in interrupt anyone's life.

It appears that we are seeing on the news many stories of minors killing each people, either, their siblings, their parents etc...more and more teens are having children and are not properly raising them. They are told no but never been made to accept it. It's doing a disservice to the innocent children by not setting reasonable boundaries and rules. And follow thru with punishments they are told is the consequence of not following rules. Even the bible tells us this.

What Does The Gospel Say About This? Here are a few examples...

Colossians 3:20

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Colossians 3:20-24 ESV Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (21) Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (22) Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (24) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Leviticus 20:9

For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him.

Proverbs 30:17

The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.

Proverbs 13:24

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

In my humble opinion "Spare the rod, spoil the child," or, in more complete English, "If you spare the rod you will spoil the child." The general meaning is that parents who don't discipline their children are going to create spoiled children. Some feel they should take a more literal approach, and say that parents must physically discipline their children, because "the rod" here means "to beat your child with a stick." There is much debate about whether it is okay or good for parents to spank, slap, or otherwise discipline children through minor physical pain such as a pop on the rear end for disrespecting adults. That's just one example.

A friend of mine was talking about this very subject at bible study. "I was not spanked as a child. When I became a teenager I became very rebellious. I had no fear of consequence, no respect for my parents, or any authority. It is by the grace of God that I am not dead or jail. I am saddened that this is not the outcome for many who have never been taught as a child that life has consequences." More and more children receive no consequences for ill behavior much less ever have been made to accept the word "No".

Of course this subject could go on and on. I wanted to try my best at discussing this at both point of views. I think you have to do what you feel is best for your situation. There is a huge difference in dicipline and beating a child. But when there is never any consequences your taking a big chance and creating undue stress and a disservice to the child. They only know right from wrong from what the parents teach them.

 Written By Jennifer L Auld

How Was the Bible Put Together...Apocrypha

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

"When He has brought out all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.....My sheep hear My voice..." (John 10:4,27...emp. added)

The bible's fundamental view of itself is that it is God's personal words to us. It is communication from Persons (tri-personality of Trinity) to persons, via the medium of human language. That would make it more precious than all the gold and diamonds in the world times infinity...because the Word of God is divine, as well as human (much like Jesus) We have the Incarnate Word and the inscripturated Word.

 How do we distinguish between words that are merely human, and those that are from the very mouth of God? God did not want that left to guesswork, so He intended all along to give us the bible.What books comprise the Word of God are an issue of canon. Canon refers to the body of writing that God has given to guide and rule the church...the constitution of His covenant community.

Recently there has been much controversy concerning books that were rejected from the canon. I read this on Facebook often, "Certain books were rejected due to church politics, but they should be included." This is not an option for Christians due to the fact that it is unthinkable that God was unsuccessful in communicating effectively to us a permanent and specific record of His personal words to us.

 I am not going to discuss the historical process of how the canon was established (as interesting as that is, and how we can see God's providential Hand), because this inductive approach can never lead to certainty. Rather, let us look at the bible itself and see what it says that would be relevant to questions of canonicity. God's intention was to speak personal words to us that would govern our use of all other knowledge. We have to have a canon so that we can know which words are divine and which are not. "...no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." ( 2 Peter 1:20-21)

God spoke personally to us from the outset (Adam/Eve), but it was not until later that He began to inscripturate His Word.

When God started the process, the words given to us were to be kept as a permanent record. Some say (Brunner, Barth, ect) that we should not see the Word as an objective canon, because this causes the personal-ness and subjective aspect of the communication to be lost. That is hogwash because the Word has to be objective first, before it can have a subjective affect.

At every stage of Israel's history there was a canon--a definite body of divine writing to guide His people. The first canon was the two tablets of the covenant--written by the very hand of God. (Ex 32:16)..later Moses added more (Deut. 31:24)...and then more via Joshua (Joshua 24: 25-28) As the OT progressed, later writers quoted earlier ones....because they had access to this precious deposit. In order for the canon to be preserved it had to be written. This Book of the Covenant was placed in the holiest place on earth--in the Holy of Holies, and deposited in the ark of the covenant, and were the basis of the covenant relationship  between God and His people..

And Jesus quoted from  the OT often...showing His belief in the divinely inspired nature of the canon of His day--which is the exact same as what is in our OT. Jesus and His opponents disagreed about many things but they never argued about which texts in the OT were authoritative. The Pharisees got that right!

God will not let His people walk in darkness, and so He made sure His personal words were put in a public place, like the tabernacle and the temple. That is, salvation depends on our access to the words of Jesus (John 6:68) and the gospel preached by the apostles (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:6-9; Eph. 1:13) However, in the NT the church is the temple (Eph. 2:21) But guess who the foundation is for this living temple? The prophets and the apostles! ( Eph. 2:20...this is key for understanding how the canon was formed, as we shall see)

The early church struggled with numerous controversies (the Person of Christ, the Trinity), but there was remarkably little squabbling over which books were canonical in the NT. In A.D. 367 Athanasius published a list of accepted books, and there was no clamor. From that time on,  Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestants all agreed on the NT canon.

How did this happen? (this is key) Jesus' people heard His voice! (John 10:4,27) It is self-attesting...That is, the Holy Spirit illumined the texts so that God's people recognized their divine quality. There was a supernatural element to canon formation because it is a supernatural book. How can we be sure the voice is God? Again, the answer is primarily supernatural. When God speaks, at the same time He assures us that it is He who is speaking. When it comes to the canon, our ultimate assurance is supernatural.Just as when the Lord spoke to Abraham, He assured him that it was God who was speaking to Him....same with canonicity. The Good Shepherd speaks in the prophetic and apostolic writings in such a way that is unmistakably discerned as His voice. The sheep in the early church knew when an epistle/letter was from their Shepherd because they could distinguish His voice from that which was merely human.If you are one of His true sheep, then you too can sense the inward testimony of the Holy Spirit while reading the bible--you will hear the unmistakable voice of Your divine Shepherd. I have experienced this countless times while reading God's Word--there is a singular, unmistakable sense of hearing God Himself speak. Other religious books are insightful, but they lack this quality.                                                                                                                            

There was an objective criterion as well--in the OT it had to be written by a prophet, and in the NT it had to be written by an apostle, or from the apostolic circle--certified by the apostles (e.g. Mark, Luke-Acts, and Hebrews...though I think Paul wrote Hebrews, regardless of vocabulary and stylistic differences). Mark was a close associate of Peter, Luke traveled with Paul, and James and Jude were blood brothers of Jesus and leaders in NT church). When inspired by the Holy Spirit they spoke as Jesus' plenipotentiaries...Jesus spoke with His full authority through them. "whoever receives you receives Me." (Mat.10:40)

Here is another crucial point--the canon does not rest on the authority of the church. For example, Roman Catholics claim that the authority of the canon rests on the church's pronouncement. But the unanimous church's conviction (since at least AD 367) precedes any RC statement by pope or council.Also, God intends to rule His church by a book, and not on a church's authority. THIS IS KEY...the authority of the church rests on the authority of the canon, not the other way around. That is why the apostles are referred to as the foundation of the church, with Jesus as the cornerstone. The church simply recognized what was patently obvious; the canonical books were those which had unique, intrinsic authority. They recognized what was already true, so they did not create the authority of these books. God forbid, because He rules over us through His Book, and not us over His Book! The apostolic word gave birth to the churches (Rom. 1:15-17;10:14-15; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23-25)

From the outset, God communicated to us as people communicate. We should not doubt that God's intention to provide a written revelation was successful.We can be sure that the 39 books of the OT and 27 books of NT are God's personal words to us.

As the redemptive work of Christ was once for all, so the words of Christ through His apostles and prophets is once for all. For God to add more books to the canon would be like His adding to the finished work of Christ, something which the bible says cannot be done. God Himself will not add to it, and humans dare not add to it. Though the canon is closed. God continues to speak to us through Scripture day by day. These 66 books are the pastures to which Jesus' sheep from many folds continually come to hear their Shepherd's voice and to follow Him.

Application...remember that God's intent is that the bible act as the church's constitution; we are to be ruled, guided, and spiritually fed by a Book. Since the absolutely sovereign God has given His covenant community its constitution, then it creates an absolute ethical obligation in us. All other knowledge (paranormal or otherwise), all other experience, all of our gut-feelings or intuition or inclinations of our hearts, and all other truth-claims must be subject to the sacred deposit that our Lord has entrusted to us...the Holy Bible.Christians who are involved or interested in the paranormal often get tripped-up here due to the overwhelming power of the immediacy of direct encounters with the supernatural. But it is the sacred canon, and not our experience, which has the final word. And any experience (or interpretation of it) we have that runs counter to the Word, must be corrected in its holy light.

Despite claims to the contrary, I think that many (if not most) professing Christians who are paranormally involved, invoke their personal experience as having primacy over the clear teaching of God's Word. "When my mother died, she appeared to me a couple days later and assured me that she would be with me constantly...appearing from time to time to encourage me when needed." Uuummm, NO! Something like this is being said all the time, and it shows the dire need for Christians to realize that we have a canon which rules and overrules when needed.

THE APOCRYPHA

As originally used by Jerome (400 AD), the Apocrypha essentially meant "highly esteemed, though uncanonical. (lit. "hidden") The Jewish canon did NOT include these books (15 books written after the close of the OT canon). Around 400 AD, Jerome translated the bible into Latin and he included the apocrypha because it was useful for study, but he was careful to point out that they were uncanonical. Slowly over time, it became more and more accepted, until at the Council of Trent  (1545-1563) put it on same par as inspired OT books. The reasons for this are:1. Rome's exalted doctrine of oral tradition, 2.it's view that the church creates scripture, 3. its acceptance of certain controversial ideas (esp. the doctrines of purgatory, indulgences, and works-righteousness as contributing to justification) that were derived from passages in the Apocrypha. This Council was part of the counter-reformation, and it supplied support to the replies to Martin Luther and the other reformers. I should point out that the Council of Trent officially damned to hell anyone who believed in the notion of justification by faith alone. Indeed, it damned the doctrine itself to eternal perdition.

The Apocrypha is useful in a number of ways: early understanding of the OT, understanding of ancient customs, and history of what happened after close of OT (Malachi).They were all written after the close of the OT, written between 3rd cent BC and first cent AD. Considered individually, there are 15 apocryphal books. The following are doctrinal errors gleaned from some of the apocryphal books.

1. In Tobit 12:15 seven angels are said to stand before God and present the prayers of the saints.
2. In 2  Maccabees 15:13-14 a departed prophet is said to pray for God's people on earth.
3. In Wisdom 8:19-20 and Sirach 1:14 we are told that the righteous are were given good souls at birth.
4. In Tobit 12:9 and Sirach 3:3 we are told that our good deeds atone for our evil deeds.
5. In 2 Maccabees 12:40-45 the reader is told to pray for the sins of the dead to be forgiven.

Babylon the Harlot, Part 4

Continued from:

Babylon the Harlot, Part 1

Babylon the Harlot, Part 2

Babylon the Harlot, Part 3

This is speaking of the reforming of the old Roman Empire. Presently the old Roman Empire has been reformed by ten common market nations in Europe today. There are more currently, but only 10 will come to prominence during the end time. In my opinion, these "ten horns" are those ten common market nations. The headquarters for these ten nations is in Rome.

These rulers of a ten nation federation will unite to give their political authority and military power to the beast to conquer the earth and make war against Christ (16:14; 19:19) The purpose of Satan through the Beast and fellow kings is to establish an invincible kingdom that Christ cannot overcome when He returns. But Christ is King of all kings, and will overcome the beast and his kingdom when He returns (19:11-21). Those who follow Christ are called and chosen by Him, and faithful to Him (19:7-8, 14).

At this point in his career the Beast will have total control of the world, for he will command ten "kings" who rule the nations of the earth: The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.

These are of one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast" Then the Beast's kingdom starts to come apart. He hears rumors of insurrection, which fill him "with great fury to destroy and annihilate many," in Daniel's terminology (Dan. 11 v.44).

It is to fulfill prophecy. Kings and Kingdoms, good and evil, have to do exactly what God wants. Sometimes they are not even aware of why they are doing it. God puts the idea into their head, while all the time, they think it is their clever idea.

He marches to the Valley of Megiddo, where he meets other armies of the world, and there they do an amazing thing as we see in the next scripture.

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

These shall make war with the Lamb. Make War with the Lamb This will occur when these kings kill His faithful followers and come out to fight against Christ in the Battle of Armageddon. Armageddon Those who join with Christ to overcome them are called "chosen, and faithful," titles used in other Scriptures to describe true believers (1 Pet. 2:9).

You see, as has been said so many times before, we Christians are in a battle. Our leader is (Jesus Christ). We are fighting a very real enemy. The devil and his demons are our enemies. This war we are in is a war of the spirit. We must come against the devil in hand to hand combat everyday. Our weapon is the two edged sword (Bible).

This war is fought by an army of believers who always have their weapon (Bible) at their side. Besides having it at their side, they have its contents inside of them (their food is the Word of God). When they are in hot combat, the sword comes from their mouth. They are willing to lay down their lives for the cause of Jesus.

The flag we Christians fly is the banner of righteousness. It is red because of the blood of our leader, it is white because of the righteousness of believers, and it is blue for our heavenly calling. This is a voluntary army. This battle is in the final hours before the return of the Lord. This army will be made up of boys, girls, men and women. God has called a vast army, as He did in Gideon's day.

This group will be sold out completely to God. They will be willing to give up homes, family, friends, wealth, and position in their community to work for God. They will be loyal to Jesus even to the death. They will have a peculiar uniform described in Ephesians chapter 6. This uniform will be provided to us by our Lord (Jesus). Loins girded about with truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

The big difference is that this army will have patches on their knees. This battle will be fought with much prayer (on our knees). You see this victory is the Lord's. We must fight the good fight. Give it everything you have. The war is peaking now. God needs good Christians who will not compromise for any reason. The battle is hard, but the rewards are beyond comprehension; a home in heaven forever with Jesus and the opportunity to hear Him say, "Well done thy good and faithful servant".

You see, we soldiers shall be kings and priests (Rev. 1 v.6; Rev 5 v.10), but He will be Lord and King over all. We are the called, chosen and faithful. Hallelujah!

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

The Prostitute Explained - Then the angel explains to John the meaning of the water on which the woman is sitting: It is the peoples of the earth. Peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages designate all humanity in the book of Revelation. As in the saying, "sea of humanity"

Those who are followers of the evil system will be from all nations. There will be hundreds of millions lost.

17:16-17 "And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." "For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled."

The Coming Destruction of the Babylonian Prostitute Babylonian Harlot -The Antichrist will permit the one world (apostate) church to govern his actions during the first three and one half years of the Tribulation while he is gathering more and more power. One World Religion But in the middle of the Tribulation, when he feels he can become an autocratic ruler, he and the ten kings will throw off the prostitute because, in reality, while being dominated by her, they "hate the prostitute".

None of the world's political leaders have enjoyed subjugation to religious leaders, but have continued in a servile role only for expediency. When it is no longer necessary, the ten kings will "bring her to ruin and leave her naked", meaning they will confiscate her temples, her gold, and her costly apparel. In so doing, they will unwittingly be the instruments of God in destroying this awful Babylonian system once and for all: "For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose."

Here, we see these evil ten nations turning against the world and the world church. This power, these evil nations have been, and are being used to rule the little people. This fire speaks of war. These ten nations will do away with this church, even though it is the apostate church.

When Will the Prostitute Religion Be Destroyed - The religious Babylon of Rev. 17, which is destroyed, comes in two parts. One occurs during the first part of the Tribulation when the governmental system of Babylon (pictured as this ugly "beast") is gaining world control but has to permit the "prostitute" to sit on and ride the beast. We see this as meaning she exercises a degree of control over the Babylonian system by bringing the nations of the world under her idolatrous religious power.

During the first half of the Tribulation she incurs the wrath of the ten kings who see her use the authority of the Antichrist to advance her religious causes. So they plot to kill her. The reason we know this killing of the prostitute of "mystery Babylon" is done in the middle of the Tribulation is twofold:

"The deadly wound" of Antichrist is healed by the indwelling of Satan himself, simulating the resurrection of Christ, in the middle of the Tribulation.

From then on the world does not worship mystery Babylon but the image of the beast. The False Prophet will do away with all religion except the worship of Antichrist Satan, which he will enforce. That begins in the middle of the Tribulation, that's described in Rev. 13. This is the time when people will have to take the mark of the beast and swear their loyalty to the beast of face death. No middle ground, either accept Jesus or accept the beast.

Since the woman who rides the beast gets her authority from the beast, the Holy Spirit uses this description to show how religious Babylon and governmental Babylon are so intertwined they are presented together. However, they are destroyed at different times. The prostitute (religious Babylon) is destroyed by "beast and the kings of the earth," who "hate the prostitute" and kill her.

Next week is the last part of this series.

Written by Jennifer Auld