“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind…”— 1 Peter 5:2 kjv 🙏 https://bbn1.bbnradio.org/english/listen-now/
Thank you for explaining concepts from Revelations. I have recently started on my Christian journey and I had never read Revelations. I was aware of many of the concepts but not aware of the "unholy" trinity. I can understand the Antichrist and Satan but I do not understand the "Beast." What does the Beast signify? Also I am on the fence with literal interpretations, especially regarding time periods. I believe in science and I am conflicted with the time scenario. I'm hoping that some references could be taken allegorically, for me just because it was written in the Bible to happen at a literal time period doesn't prove the time period to be true. Science has proven a Great flood occurred but is at odds with when it happened. Thanks for the education about the Book of Revelations.
Douglas, thank you for your comment and welcome as a brother in the Lord. The “unholy trinity” discussed in Revelation are the primary leaders of mankind’s rebellion against God during the Tribulation.
-Satan, also known as the dragon, the devil and the serpent of old (Rev 20:2) has been around since God created angels and led one third of the angels in rebellion against God in Revelation 12:4: “And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and hurled them to the earth.”
-The Antichrist, who is revealed in the Tribulation, is known as the beast, and the “beast coming up out of the sea” (Rev 13:1). He is also the first or white horse of the Four Horses of the Apocalypse (Rev 6:2), and is mankind's political leader.
-The False Prophet, revealed in the Tribulation, is the religious leader of the rebellion, but is also known as “another beast coming up out of the earth” which is in Revelation 13:11.
It’s easy to see why this is confusing.
As to your comment on literal interpretation of the Bible, I’ll have a post soon which will try to address that. Interestingly, Christ Himself refers to many Old Testament stories which modern readers often questioned as not real. He, however, interpreted them as literal stories.
I encourage you to continue to search and question (me also) like the Bereans did in Acts 17:11.
Thanks for the clarification, my new Paster Josh advises me also to continue to search and question. I will be attending the new members classes once they begin at my new church.
I've been saying it for some time, the signs are present but much stronger than ever before when man thought it was time. The Bible tells us only GOD knows the time HE will order Gaberial will be told to sound the Rapture Horn. Not even CHRIST knows the day or hour. You are to watch and be ready, or left behind. The 4 Horsemen. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e8/46/f6/e846f646b8a32794894caaac99c11ea5.jpg
What an excellent letter. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. The truth must always be told, from the lowest valleys to the highest mountains. God bless you all.
I almost always enjoy your thoughts and it is a nice escape from bad news to read the promises of scripture. But it is ridiculous to believe there is any credence to the 200-yr-old fancy that a "rapture" will suck all Christians off the Earth to escape tribulation. If anything, according to Matthew 13: 24-43, it will be the sinners who will be removed before the End.
Two more thoughts:
(1) While there is no doubt that a Great Flood occurred, geologic records prove that it occurred more than 6,ooo years ago. Simply because we are Christians, that does not absolve us from thought.
(2) I would love to read a followup article delineating the role of the USA in John's prophesy. As a child, I was brought up to believe that an army of Russians and Arabs would attack Israel. Considering the antipathy between the Obama/Soros administration and Netenyahu (and the pro-trans policies of the Obama/Soros administration), it would surprise me if the United States has not become Babylon in the modern world.
With respect to the rapture, the verses cited above clearly show that a rapture will occur, additionally, if Hebrews 13:8 is believed, that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever," then Noah and his family saved out of the flood and Lot saved out of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a precedent of God saving his chosen people from destruction. Additionally, Matthew 13:24-30 is the parable of the tares who are false believers that live alongside true believers and are the same self-deceived false believers in Matthew 7:21-23 who are surprised at the judgment when they are not saved. Matthew 13:31-33 are the mustard seed and leaven parables which show the growth of God's word (seed) and growth of false doctrines (leaven). Finally, since the purpose of the Tribulation is God's judgment on non-believers, it makes sense that believers are taken out of the way before this is to occur.
With respect to a young earth, there is substantial scientific evidence, such as https://www.icr.org/article/four-geological-evidences-for-a-young-earth. Christians who truly believe in the Bible are no less thoughtful just because they disagree with the worldly misconceptions. Again, thanks for your thoughts.
God bless you. It is always good to meet a fellow believer.
I won't argue about the parable of the wheat and the weeds; but doesn't it seem likely that Jesus or John the Revelator would have mentioned the "rapture"? That theory has been challenged and dismissed by most Christians. Why would it take nearly 2,000 years for a theory like that to be dreamed up? The only explanation (in my mind) is that people have always been frightened and the rapture is simply a fairytale to help people whose faith is weak to sleep at night.
I know that a spiritual life is one of constant learning and acceptance of facts that were once unknown.
Because of constant persecution, the early Christians were worried they may have missed the second coming of Christ. In 1 Thes 4:13 Paul states “we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep…for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again…God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus…[for] we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend…and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the cloud to meet the Lord in the air…therefore comfort one another with these words.” In 1 Cor 15:51-53, Paul reiterates “I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep…in the twinkling of an eye…the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
What is clear from these verses is that this is not the Second Coming of Christ since that comes after the Tribulation and everyone will see Christ coming down to earth along with His Angels and His Saints, which is us - Revelation 19:14. Here, believers are caught up to see Christ in Heaven. The word Rapture is simply a transliteration from the Latin New Testament Vulgate “rapiemur” in 1 Thess 4:17.
I fully agree that this is one doctrinal area where there has been historical disagreement. I also acknowledge that one can be fully saved and have a difference of opinion on the Rapture since it is not a salvation issue. As a matter of fact, some, like me, believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, others in a mid-tribulation rapture, another group in a post-tribulation rapture, and finally others in no rapture at all. Somehow end time believers get to heaven so I leave that for others to work out.
My only question would be how one, in 1 Thess 4:18, is to “comfort one another with these words” if the understanding were that believers would be going through half or all of the tribulation judgments. To me, that’s not comforting :)
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind…”— 1 Peter 5:2 kjv 🙏 https://bbn1.bbnradio.org/english/listen-now/
Disneyland announced this week that “Pride Nite” is coming to the park for the first time this June.
https://americanfaith.com/pride-nite-coming-to-disneyland-for-the-first-time-in-june/
Parents can now euthanise their terminally ill children aged 12 and under in the Netherlands
https://share.newsbreak.com/3l6i3g6s
Biden's Bold Vision: Replacing 90% of Fossil-Fuel Plastics with Biomaterials by 2043 - One Green Planet
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/bidens-replacing-fossil-fuel-plastics-biomaterials-2043/
Washington State Passes Bill Allowing Government to Take Away Minor From Parents If They Refuse To Agree to Gender Transition Surgery
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/04/washington-state-passes-bill-allowing-government-to-take-away-minor-from-parents-if-they-refuse-to-agree-to-gender-transition-surgery/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailypm&utm_content=2023-04-15
Thank you for explaining concepts from Revelations. I have recently started on my Christian journey and I had never read Revelations. I was aware of many of the concepts but not aware of the "unholy" trinity. I can understand the Antichrist and Satan but I do not understand the "Beast." What does the Beast signify? Also I am on the fence with literal interpretations, especially regarding time periods. I believe in science and I am conflicted with the time scenario. I'm hoping that some references could be taken allegorically, for me just because it was written in the Bible to happen at a literal time period doesn't prove the time period to be true. Science has proven a Great flood occurred but is at odds with when it happened. Thanks for the education about the Book of Revelations.
Douglas, thank you for your comment and welcome as a brother in the Lord. The “unholy trinity” discussed in Revelation are the primary leaders of mankind’s rebellion against God during the Tribulation.
-Satan, also known as the dragon, the devil and the serpent of old (Rev 20:2) has been around since God created angels and led one third of the angels in rebellion against God in Revelation 12:4: “And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and hurled them to the earth.”
-The Antichrist, who is revealed in the Tribulation, is known as the beast, and the “beast coming up out of the sea” (Rev 13:1). He is also the first or white horse of the Four Horses of the Apocalypse (Rev 6:2), and is mankind's political leader.
-The False Prophet, revealed in the Tribulation, is the religious leader of the rebellion, but is also known as “another beast coming up out of the earth” which is in Revelation 13:11.
It’s easy to see why this is confusing.
As to your comment on literal interpretation of the Bible, I’ll have a post soon which will try to address that. Interestingly, Christ Himself refers to many Old Testament stories which modern readers often questioned as not real. He, however, interpreted them as literal stories.
I encourage you to continue to search and question (me also) like the Bereans did in Acts 17:11.
Thanks for the clarification, my new Paster Josh advises me also to continue to search and question. I will be attending the new members classes once they begin at my new church.
Good stuff. Totally in agreement.
I've been saying it for some time, the signs are present but much stronger than ever before when man thought it was time. The Bible tells us only GOD knows the time HE will order Gaberial will be told to sound the Rapture Horn. Not even CHRIST knows the day or hour. You are to watch and be ready, or left behind. The 4 Horsemen. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e8/46/f6/e846f646b8a32794894caaac99c11ea5.jpg
Thank you Gail for your comment. Clearly we are in the last days.
What an excellent letter. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. The truth must always be told, from the lowest valleys to the highest mountains. God bless you all.
Thanks James, I appreciate your comment.
I almost always enjoy your thoughts and it is a nice escape from bad news to read the promises of scripture. But it is ridiculous to believe there is any credence to the 200-yr-old fancy that a "rapture" will suck all Christians off the Earth to escape tribulation. If anything, according to Matthew 13: 24-43, it will be the sinners who will be removed before the End.
Two more thoughts:
(1) While there is no doubt that a Great Flood occurred, geologic records prove that it occurred more than 6,ooo years ago. Simply because we are Christians, that does not absolve us from thought.
(2) I would love to read a followup article delineating the role of the USA in John's prophesy. As a child, I was brought up to believe that an army of Russians and Arabs would attack Israel. Considering the antipathy between the Obama/Soros administration and Netenyahu (and the pro-trans policies of the Obama/Soros administration), it would surprise me if the United States has not become Babylon in the modern world.
Charles, thank you for your comments.
With respect to the rapture, the verses cited above clearly show that a rapture will occur, additionally, if Hebrews 13:8 is believed, that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever," then Noah and his family saved out of the flood and Lot saved out of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a precedent of God saving his chosen people from destruction. Additionally, Matthew 13:24-30 is the parable of the tares who are false believers that live alongside true believers and are the same self-deceived false believers in Matthew 7:21-23 who are surprised at the judgment when they are not saved. Matthew 13:31-33 are the mustard seed and leaven parables which show the growth of God's word (seed) and growth of false doctrines (leaven). Finally, since the purpose of the Tribulation is God's judgment on non-believers, it makes sense that believers are taken out of the way before this is to occur.
With respect to a young earth, there is substantial scientific evidence, such as https://www.icr.org/article/four-geological-evidences-for-a-young-earth. Christians who truly believe in the Bible are no less thoughtful just because they disagree with the worldly misconceptions. Again, thanks for your thoughts.
God bless you. It is always good to meet a fellow believer.
I won't argue about the parable of the wheat and the weeds; but doesn't it seem likely that Jesus or John the Revelator would have mentioned the "rapture"? That theory has been challenged and dismissed by most Christians. Why would it take nearly 2,000 years for a theory like that to be dreamed up? The only explanation (in my mind) is that people have always been frightened and the rapture is simply a fairytale to help people whose faith is weak to sleep at night.
I know that a spiritual life is one of constant learning and acceptance of facts that were once unknown.
Thank YOU for your thoughts.
Thanks again!
Because of constant persecution, the early Christians were worried they may have missed the second coming of Christ. In 1 Thes 4:13 Paul states “we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep…for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again…God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus…[for] we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend…and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the cloud to meet the Lord in the air…therefore comfort one another with these words.” In 1 Cor 15:51-53, Paul reiterates “I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep…in the twinkling of an eye…the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
What is clear from these verses is that this is not the Second Coming of Christ since that comes after the Tribulation and everyone will see Christ coming down to earth along with His Angels and His Saints, which is us - Revelation 19:14. Here, believers are caught up to see Christ in Heaven. The word Rapture is simply a transliteration from the Latin New Testament Vulgate “rapiemur” in 1 Thess 4:17.
I fully agree that this is one doctrinal area where there has been historical disagreement. I also acknowledge that one can be fully saved and have a difference of opinion on the Rapture since it is not a salvation issue. As a matter of fact, some, like me, believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, others in a mid-tribulation rapture, another group in a post-tribulation rapture, and finally others in no rapture at all. Somehow end time believers get to heaven so I leave that for others to work out.
My only question would be how one, in 1 Thess 4:18, is to “comfort one another with these words” if the understanding were that believers would be going through half or all of the tribulation judgments. To me, that’s not comforting :)
I admire Bible scholars who are polite and who use good grammar.
You too Charles. Keep on questioning.
Great overview. Thanks. Blessings.
Thank you Paul, I'm glad you enjoyed.