LIVING IN THE FINAL CHAPTER

Copyright 2008 by Perry Stone, Jr.

Voice of Evangelism Outreach Ministries, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or

transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
or by any information storage and retrieval system without the
permission of the author, except for brief quotations in critical
reviews, articles or broadcasts.

ISBN 978-09785920-7-3

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the

King James Version, 1990, 1995 by Thomas Nelson
Publishers, Nashville TN.

Cover design: Michael Dutton

Cover artwork by Marguerite Anderson
(MargueriteArt@mac.com) Printed in the United States of
America.
 DEDICATION

I wish to dedicate this prophetic book to a wonderful man of

God and prophetic teacher - Dr. Ray Brubaker. Dr. Brubaker,
founder of the great ministry God's News Behind the News,
first invited me to preach at the International Prophecy
Conference in 1993. This invitation to speak at such a
prestigious event exposed our ministry to thousands of
individuals we may not have otherwise reached. I know that he
will be greatly rewarded by the Lord for sounding the trumpet
in preparing people for the Lord's return. Thank you Dr. Ray for
your faithful service to the Lord and to his people.
 CONTENTS

Title Page
Copyright & Permissions

Dedication
Foreword
Chapter 1: Discerning Signs and Seasons

ARE WE IN T HE T IME OF T HE END?

HOW DO T HESE SIGNS AFFECT YOU?

Chapter 2: In the Fullness of Time

T HE ROLE OF CONSTANT INE

A 1500 YEAR MISCALCULAT ION
AMERICA'S LINK T O PALEST INE
T HE FULLNESS OF T IME
T HE END IN T HE BEGINNING
Chapter 3: The Invisible Side of Prophecy

SPIRIT UAL BAT T LES AT T HE END OF T HE AGE

T HE AT TACK OF SPIRIT S
T HREE T YPES OF T EMPTAT ION
T HE HOUR OF T EST ING
HOW EVIL SPIRIT S OPERAT E
SPIRIT S T HAT ARE T O BE LOOSED
T HE SEDUCING SPIRIT
DISCERNING T RUT H IN T HE END T IMES
CAST ING T RUT H T O T HE GROUND
GIFT S OR VIRT UE?
FRUIT FUL T REES ARE GROUNDED IN GOOD SOIL
END T IME ST RAT EGIES

Chapter 4: The Revenger of Blood

T HE ULT IMAT E REASON FOR JUDGMENT

T HE SUN OF PRIDE
FULLNESS OF BREAD
T HE ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS
NEGLECT ING T HE POOR AND NEEDY
T HE VOICE OF BLOOD
T HE VOICE OF T HE SHOFAR
EXAMPLES FROM T HE BIBLE
HOW T HE LAND BECOMES CURSED
AMERICA'S CHILDREN
Chapter 5: Patterns in Prophecy

T HE FEAST S OF ISRAEL
T HE BOOK OF RUT H
PROPHECIES WIT HIN GENEALOGIES
T HE FUT URE IS HIDDEN IN T HE PAST
PARALLELS BET WEEN ISRAEL AND JESUS
SIGNS AT CHRIST 'S FIRST AND SECOND COMING
T HE COMING OF ELIJAH
PAT T ERNS IN SECULAR HIST ORY
LINCOLN - KENNEDY CONNECT ION
AMERICAN - ISRAELI CONNECT ION
T HE SIGNIFICANCE OF FORT Y-T WO
T HE FORT Y-T WO KINGS
ADOLE HIT LER: AN ANT ICHRIST PROT OT YPE
T HE FINAL SOLUT ION
REMEMBER: T HE ENDING IS IN T HE BEGINNING
T HE FUT URE HIDDEN IN GENESIS
T HE OPENING OF T HE ABYSS
T HE GENESIS PAT T ERN CONT INUES

Chapter 6: Patterns and Signs in the

Heavens

FOR SIGNS AND SEASONS

COSMIC SINGS OF JUDGMENT
REDEMPT ION IN T HE STARS
 T HE CIRCLE OF T HE HEAVENS
PROPHET IC PARALLELS

Chapter 7: The Days of Noah

T HE ROARING SEAS
T HE JERUSALEM CONNECT ION
T HE KAT RINA FACT OR
T HE AMERICA-ISRAEL LINK

Chapter 8: America in the Last Days

DANIEL'S FOUR BEAST S

T HE FOUR BEAST S OF OUR T IME
AMERICA: T HE LAST GREAT EMPIRE
REMOVING T HE FINAL EMPIRE
AMERICA AND ISRAEL: PARALLEL WARNINGS
T HE COMING COALIT ION OF NAT IONS
AS ROME GOES, SO GOES AMERICA
T HE RET URN OF ANCIENT SPIRIT S
AMERICA - CENT ER OF CHRIST IANIT Y
AMERICA'S FINAL ASSIGNMENT

Chapter 9: The Rising Islamic Crescent

HORSES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR

 T HE RED HORSE OF WAR
T HE BLACK HORSE OF FAMINE
T HE PALE HORSE
T HE RISE OF ANT ICHRIST
T HE MAHDI ARMY

Chapter 10: Enduring Tribulations

T HE FUT URE T RIBULAT ION

ENDURING OFFENSES AND BET RAYAL
IN CONCLUSION

Backcover
 FOREWORD

"Sooner or later, it must come to an end. The kingdoms of

this world must become the kingdoms of our God and His
Christ (Revelation 11:15). This present world system will
conclude its tenure at the battle of Armageddon, when Christ
returns with the armies of heaven to rule and reign for one
thousand years (Revelation 19:14; 20:1-4). Contained in the
pages of this book is Biblical and historical evidence that we
are rapidly approaching the end of this age. We believe that,
when you conclude reading the material contained herein,
you will agree with us that we are living in the era that the
Hebrew prophets called the time of the end."
The above paragraph is how the first printing of Living in
the Final Chapter began when we first released it almost a
decade ago. Since then so much has happened that I thought it
prudent to update the book to reflect just how much closer we
are to Christ's return than we were then.
With every passing day, those who are "looking for that
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God"
(Titus 2:13) can easily see that events are unfolding at an
alarming rate and all validating the fact that we are the last
generation spoken of by Jesus (Matthew 24:34).
It is my desire then that this updated version will provoke
all who read to search the Scriptures even more diligently and
to remain steadfast in the faith. Though times are perilous, take
strength in the fact that you were born for such a time as this
and that, soon, we shall see our King. Truly, we are "living in
the final chapter."
1
DISCERNING SIGNS AND
SEASONS
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book,
even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro and
knowledge shall be increased." - Daniel 12:4

Contrary to what most people think, the "time of the end"

is not the end of time. The time of the end is the same era that
Jesus and Paul referred to when they spoke of "times and
seasons" (Acts 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:1). In the original text,
these two words are chronos and kairos, respectively.
According to W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary, the word
"times," as used by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:1, refers to "the
duration of the interval previous to the coming of Christ and
the length it will occupy." Put simply, the word "times" in this
context is referring to the climactic era leading up to Christ's
second coming.
The only problem is knowing how long that time interval
will last. In fact, we cannot be sure just how long it will last.
Yet, while the space of time denoted by chronos is open ended
- it can be a long or short space of time - kairos is a fixed time.
This is why it is translated as "season." We may not be able to
determine how much time we have left in this era (chronos) but
we can more easily discern a prophetic season (kairos), and
here is why.
When Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for being unable to
discern the "signs of the times" (Matthew 16:3), the word used
for "times" is kairos - the word most often interpreted
"seasons." In other words, Jesus is teaching us that each
prophetic season has a "mark" or "sign" that initiates that
season. Just as flowers blooming tells us that winter is ending
and spring has arrived, so too, certain signs announce the
closure of one season and act as harbinger of another
prophetic season. As these seasons (kairos) increase in
frequency and intensity, it is logical that the times (chronos) are
drawing to a close.
Another way to look at it would be to equate the seasons
to birth pangs (Romans 8:22). As labor pains intensify, we
know that soon the mother's suffering will give way to joy as
she holds her baby for the first time. This also alludes to the
fact that the end of one cycle -the final chapter -is a time of
distress that must come before the joy of that which is being
birthed can be realized. These principles are firmly fixed within
the Scripture.
In fact, the word "seasons" carries a strong Hebraic
connotation of something being fixed or established. The first
mention of the word "seasons" in the Bible is found in Genesis
1:14. The Septuagint version of the Old Testament translates
the word as kairos. The Hebrew word found here is moedim
and means "fixed or appointed times." When the word moedim
is used, it most often refers to the seven Biblical festivals,
known as the Seven Feasts of Israel.
 During Christ's first coming He fulfilled many of these
appointed times: namely, Passover, the Feast of Unleavened
Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits. The church was birthed on
the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and many believe the
Rapture, the Tribulation, and the Judgment will coincide with
the three fall feasts - Rosh HaShana (Feast of Trumpets), Yom
Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Succot (Feast of Tabernacles).
These moedim (seasons) are all prophetic in nature, so we
can conclude that the word "seasons," as used by Paul and
Christ, alludes to the fulfillment of events prophesied by the
Biblical prophets. There may be several different seasons, but
all are a component of what we refer to as the end times. For
instance, the rebirth of the nation of Israel was a sign of a
particular prophetic season. The recapturing of the city of
Jerusalem signaled a different prophetic season, yet both
seasons are an integral part of the end times. Therefore, "times
and seasons" refers to the overall era of time, comprised of
multiple prophetic seasons, when Biblical prophecies are being
fulfilled. Some of these prophecies will, as you will learn later,
coincide with the seven Biblical feasts - the moedim -
appointed by God to Israel.

ARE WE IN THE TIME OF THE END?

As I mentioned, there is a difference between the time of
the end and the end of time. The end of time, as we know it,
comes at the conclusion of the pouring out of God's wrath, as
recorded in the Apocalypse. This is the "great and terrible day
of the Lord" that the Hebrew prophets have warned about.
That day will climax with the return of Christ to the earth to
begin His 1,000 year reign (Revelation 19:15). At that moment,
time as we know it will be insignificant. After the Millennial
reign, we will step into eternity and live with Christ forever, and
"time shall be no longer" (Revelation 10:6).
The time of the end is the "time and season" when the
major prophecies relating to the Tribulation and the coming of
Christ begin to come to pass. The prophetic events leading up
to this climax are called "signs of the times" (Matthew 16:3).
Many people are aware of the predictions of famine, pestilence
and earthquakes, but many believers are not familiar with other
dynamic prophecies tucked away in the Old Testament. Many
Christians are not aware of the importance of Israel as a nation
and the many prophetic patterns that, like hidden treasures,
must be unearthed through careful examination of the
Scriptures.
Jesus put it this way:

"Then he said unto them, therefore every scribe which is

instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that
is an householder which bringeth forth out of his treasure
things new and old." - Matthew 13:52

Every time we uncover one of these treasures, it seems to

point to the reality that we are in the time of the end. Still, how
can we be certain? Are the prophetic signs pointing to Christ's
return and the beginning of the Tribulation? If the answer is
"Yes," then we are in the time of the end. Let us give you seven
reasons why we feel that we are indeed living in the time of the
end.

Number One: 1948 And The Rebirth Of Israel

In the prophecy of Daniel, he uses the term "time of the

end on six different occasions.

"O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision . . .
for at the time appointed the end shall be."
- Daniel 8:17, 19

"And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them,

and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the
end: because it is yet for a time appointed . . . and at the time of
the end shall the king of the south push at him."
- Daniel 11:35, 40

"But thou O Daniel, shut up the words and the book, even to
the time of the end: many shall run to and fro and knowledge
shall be increased . . . and he said Daniel, Go thy way: for the
words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." -
Daniel 12:4, 9

When examining these passages, the "time of the end"

seems to be the climax of human history. It is a time when
secrets will be revealed and mysteries resolved. It is a time
when all the pieces of the puzzle will come together to form a
clear picture. Obviously, it is a time of great change, both
temporally and spiritually.
Situated within this cauldron of events is the nation of
Israel. Of course, Israel figures prominently in Daniel's
prophecy of the time of the end and the Tribulation. Daniel
sees the time of the end as one of great danger and, at the same
time, redemption for Israel and her people. In his book, Daniel
gives a list of empires that would affect Israel throughout their
history, until the time of the end. The final kingdom would be
the most fierce and would create a time of trouble such as was
not since there was a nation (Daniel 12:1).
Daniel is not the only prophet who deals with the nation of
Israel, Jerusalem and the people of God. In fact, most of the
yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecies recorded by the major prophets,
such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and so forth, deal with Israel,
Jerusalem and the Hebrew people at the time of the end. These
prophecies clearly point out that, in the time of the end, Israel
would be a nation, that Jerusalem would be the capital, and the
people would be coming back into the land. Therefore,
consider that no end time prophecy concerning the nation of
Israel could have been fulfilled before 1948! This is because
Israel did not exist as a nation until May 14-15, 1948.
In the year 70 A.D., the Roman tenth legion surrounded
Jerusalem, destroyed the walls, burned the Temple to the
ground, confiscated the Temple treasures and took the Jews
captive. From that time until 1948, the land that now comprises
Israel was called Palestine. Thus, from 70 to 1948, Israel did not
exist as a sovereign nation. The land of Palestine passed from
kingdom to kingdom: from the Romans to the Byzantines, to
the Muslims, back to the Christians, back to the Muslims and
then to the British. The British finally partitioned Palestine and
gave the Jews a right to an independent state.
Instead of calling this new nation Palestine, David Ben
Gurion and the other founding fathers of the modern state
called it Israel! This was the ancient name - the one God
pronounced upon His people and the one used by the Hebrew
prophets when they foretold of the reborn nation. If God said
there would be a nation of Israel in the time of the end, then we
should not be surprised that this is the name they chose.
Therefore, if no end time prophecy concerning Israel could
have been fulfilled until Israel was again a nation, and we now
have a sovereign nation of Israel, then that nation is a sign that
we live in the time of the end.

Number Two: Jerusalem Is The Capital Of Israel!

The Hebrew prophets make it clear that Jerusalem is a key

to Christ's return. Scripture declares that the city would be built
up and be the center of attention at the time of the end.
David said:

"Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to
favor her, yea, the set time is come. . . When the Lord shall
build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory."
- Psalms 102:13;16

Jerusalem has been Israel's capital since the time of King

David, over 3,000 years ago! Jerusalem has been destroyed and
rebuilt about eight times and has changed hands in some form
over twenty-seven times. Eight of those transfers have
transpired since its destruction in the year 70. But since that
time, at no point in history did the Jews have control of the
city. Therefore, no major second coming Scripture could be
fulfilled until Jerusalem was again the capital of Israel.
In 1948, with the rebirth of the nation, things seemed to
change and though Jerusalem was declared to be the capital of
Israel, the city nevertheless was divided. The western half of
the city belonged to the Jews, and the eastern half was
controlled by the Jordanians. The Hashemite kingdom
controlled the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the
Kidron Valley, the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. A giant
cement wall with barbed wire ran down the middle of the city
and marked an area declared to be "No Man's Land." For the
Jews, beyond "No Man's Land lay the most sacred area to
Israel - Zion! Though 1948 was a pivotal year in prophecy, it is
obvious now that, with the most crucial region of Jerusalem
still in Muslim hands, the prophetic word of Psalm 102 was still
not ready to be fulfilled.
Some may think that the above prophecy in Psalms 102
was written for those in David's time. Yet, if we continue to
read, verse 18 says:

"This shall be written for the generation to come: and the

people which shall be created shall praise the Lord."
- Psalms 102:18

There is a generation to come that shall see God favor

Zion (Jerusalem). From the Psalmist's perspective, "the people"
were yet to be created. King David also notes that this future
generation would be a praising generation. The Hebrew word
translated as "to come" is the word acharon. It means, "the
conclusion, the final." Thus, David wrote this prophecy for a
future generation - the final generation!
Zion is the mountain in the eastern side of the Old City.
During the Six Day War in 1967, Israel reunited the city of
Jerusalem, tore down the cement wall, and now has an
undivided capital comprising both east and west - including
Mt. Zion. Since that time, Jerusalem has been a growing city.
Those who have traveled to Israel and Jerusalem can testify to
the fact that the city is spreading out and growing upon the
surrounding hills for miles and miles - it is being built up.
I believe the generation that saw Jerusalem reunited in
1967 shall not pass until all things are fulfilled! The generation
that witnesses the building up of Zion is the generation that
will see Him appear. The prophecy given to Daniel concerning
the seventy weeks was given "for thy people [Israel] and for
the Holy City [Jerusalem]" (Daniel 9:24). A reunited Jerusalem
is a sign that we are in the time of the end.

Number Three: The People Returning To The Land

From the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. and even

into the 1900's, the Jews were scattered across the world. Long
before that, the ten northern tribes were scattered throughout
the nations and have remained there since. Before 1948, many
scholars taught that the regathering of God's people back into
the land of Israel would occur at Christ's coming. This was
based primarily upon Matthew 24:31, which says:

"And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet,

and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds,
from one end of heaven to the other."

This occurs when Christ returns to the Mount of Olives

and begins His earthly rule (Zechariah 14:1-8, Revelation 19:11-
17). Obviously, there will be people regathered from the nations
during this time. Yet, at the close of the 19th century, many
Jews, inspired by the Zionist movement, began returning to
Palestine. The migration shifted into high gear after World War
II, as Jews left the bitter memories of Europe to search for a
future in their historic homeland. Since then, others have
followed from Northern Africa, Iran, Syria, and Iraq.
Just within the past couple of decades, a massive influx of
Jews has come into Israel from Ethiopia and the former Soviet
Union. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, an estimated
1,000,000 Jews have emigrated to Israel. To put it into
perspective, that equates to approximately 15% of the Israeli
population. It would be equivalent to over 40 million people
deciding to move into the United States over the fifteen years.
Though immigration has slowed somewhat, the outcasts still
continue to trickle in. The point is this - within the last twenty
years, the world has witnessed the beginning of the second
exodus!
Of course, the first exodus was when Moses led the
Hebrews out of Egypt, across the desert, and into the promised
land over 3,500 years ago. Since then, Jews have
commemorated that awesome event every Passover season.
Yet, the prophet Jeremiah predicted that the exodus from the
north country and other lands would be greater than the
exodus from Egypt!

"Therefore, behold, the days come saith the Lord, that it shall
no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children
of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, the Lord liveth, that
brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north,
and from all the lands whither he hath driven them: and I will
bring them again into their land that I give unto their
fathers." - Jeremiah 16:14-15

Many more prophecies foretold of the return of God's

people from among the nations (Jeremiah 29:14, Isaiah 11:11).
Isaiah predicted they would return from the south, west, and
east (Isaiah 43:5-6). Though this exodus will climax with the
return of Christ, it is very important to note that it has already
started. This lets us know that we are in the time of the end.
Since 1948, three major events have occurred that are a direct
fulfillment of prophecy and a sign of Christ's soon return:

The restoration of Israel as a nation.

The restoration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The restoration of the people to the land of Israel.

"And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached

unto you: Whom the heavens must receive until the times of
the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the
mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began."
- Acts 3:20-21

According to the above Scripture, the return of Christ is

connected to the "restitution (or restoration) of all things."
Peter said that Jesus will remain in heaven "until the restitution
of all things." The Greek word "restitution" (apokatastasis)
comes from two words: apo, meaning "back again" and
kathistemi, which means "to set in order." In Greek
manuscripts, this word was used to describe a repair of a public
street, or the return of an estate back to the rightful owners.
This same Greek word was used by Philo and the Jewish
historian Josephus to refer to the Jews returning to Israel from
Babylon and from Egypt. Therefore, in relation to Israel, it is a
word dealing with the people being restored back to the land.
Notice that Peter explains Jesus will remain in the heavens
until all these things are restored back to their original state.
Those things are the nation of Israel, the city of Jerusalem, and
the Israeli people. The restoration of these things began to
happen within the last sixty years. Without a doubt we are
living in the time of the end.

Number Four: The Gospel Is Reaching The World

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached as a witness

unto all nations; then shall the end come." - Matthew 24:14
 In Matthew 24, there are three different words translated
as "world." In Matthew 24:3, the word used is aion and should
actually read, "the end of the age." In Matthew 24:21, "world"
is cosmos and refers to the "social order." When Jesus said
that the gospel will be preached across the "world," the Greek
word used is oikoumene and refers to the "inhabited world."
Some commentators argue that it can refer to the civilized world
as opposed to the primitive world. Personally, I believe it means
just what it says - the entire world.
In 1993, it was reported that 70% of all the gospel that has
reached mankind has been preached since 1900. Of that
percentage, 70% has been preached since 1948. In turn, 70% of
that percentage was preached in the seven year period
previous to 1993! In short, the report was suggesting that more
people had been reached with the gospel from 1986 to 1993,
than in the past nineteen hundred years combined. God alone
knows how that figure may have changed since 1993. The
point is that only now has the world been reached with the
gospel in such a way. I believe that it is because we are living
in the time of the end.
For centuries, the gospel was preached by men and
women who traveled on foot, by horseback, and ship. In the
1900's, airplanes and trains provided faster transportation to
the nations. Short wave radio and television opened another
door. Now, because of satellite and the Internet, with the touch
of a button, people all over the world can hear the gospel
preached.
Still, Jesus did not say every person would hear the
gospel, but that every nation would have a witness of the
gospel. "Then," Jesus predicted, "shall the end come." The
Greek word used here for "end is telos. It refers to the time
when a person or a thing ceases to be what he or it was up to
that point. It refers to the final state of something. In other
words, Jesus could not return until the gospel had reached the
all the nations of the world. For the first time in history, that is
happening at a great pace - right now!

Number Five: The Alignment Of The Nations

The nations mentioned in the end time prophecies are

aligning and allying themselves just as the prophets saw it
thousands of years ago. For example, in Ezekiel 38 & 39, the
prophet had a vision of a war in the Middle East that involved
a coalition of nations who invaded Israel to take a spoil of gold,
silver, cattle, and goods (Ezekiel 38:13). Listed among the
invaders of Israel are some nations that, forty years ago, were
friends of Israel and the West. Today they are nations
dominated by radical Islamic leaders or nations on the verge of
distancing themselves from the West and Israel. Below is a
partial list:

B IBLICAL NAME MODERNS NAME

Persia (Ezk. 38:5) Iran

Ethiopia (Ezk. 38:5) Ethiopia

Libya (Ezk. 38:5) Libya
Gomer (Ezk. 38:6) Germany
Togarmah (Ezk. 38:6) Turkey, southern Russia
 These nations will be led by a northern army that most
scholars identify as Russia. Remember, a number of
predominately Muslim states were once part of the former
Soviet Union. If an Islamic war (jihad) is declared by a
prominent Islamic leader, then the nations listed above could
decide to unite for the destruction of Israel. As far as Germany
goes, historically she has always been anti-Semitic and now,
along with France and other European countries, has a large
Muslim population.
Another example is found in Daniel's prophecy. This book
reveals that the future Antichrist will direct many wars in the
Mediterranean region. During these wars, the nations of Egypt,
Libya, and Ethiopia will be taken by him (Daniel 11:43). For
some reason, the area of Edom, Moab, and the chief children of
Ammon shall "escape out of his hand (Daniel 11:41). The tribal
territory described here comprises the modern nation of Jordan.
During the Roman time the capital of Jordan (Amman) was
called Philadelphia. It was later changed back to Ammon - the
same name the prophet Daniel spoke of 2,600 years ago!
This illustrates just how specific God is in His Word. He
knew the names of countries that would be used in the end of
days and used those names. Someone might say, "But Persia is
Iran. Why didn't God call it Iran in the prophecy?" True, Iran is
the modern name, in fact, paying tribute to the Aryan tribes of
the northernmost provinces of the country. Nonetheless, the
Iranian people by-and-large refer to themselves by the ancient
name - "Persians!" Yes, the nations are aligning according to
the prophetic pattern recorded thousands of years ago!

Number Six: Signs Occurring More Frequently

 There have always been famine, pestilence, and
earthquakes. There have always been wars and rumors of wars.
Yet, since 1900 there has been an amazing increase in the
volume of this activity and the frequency of occurrences. Some
have argued that the supposed increase in the number of
earthquakes is due to the fact that technology has made it
possible to detect them. No doubt, this is true to an extent. Yet
more and more, earthquakes that require no sophisticated
technology to detect - that is, we can see the destruction they
cause - seem to be increasing throughout the world. The Bible
alludes to this increased seismic activity.

"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth

in pain together until now." - Romans 8:22

Paul tells us that Creation - the earth - is groaning and

travailing. Travail is a word often used to signify birth pangs. It
stands to reason that if the earth is, as Paul said, travailing,
then as the time comes for the child to come forth (our
redemption), these birth pangs would increase in intensity and
frequency. We believe that this spiritual phenomena manifests
itself, partly, in the form of earthquakes.
Presently, the earth is home to over six billion souls, many
of them in third world countries that do not share the same
degree of blessing as those of us in the West. Tragically,
thousands have died of disease and starvation. The fact that
the drastic increase in the world's population accounts for the
increase in hunger and sickness does not dull the sting of
death, nor does it necessarily account for the appearance of
plagues, such as the AIDS virus. Furthermore, can we logically
explain why serums and inoculations that have heretofore
prevented such diseases as polio and malaria don't seem to
have the same effect? It is my belief that this increase in
pestilence and hunger is a startling sign of the times in which
we live.
On June 28,1914, a young Serb by the name of Gavrilo
Princip stepped into a busy Sarajevo street and approached the
automobile carrying Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the
Austro-Hungarian throne. The Archduke accompanied by his
wife the Grand Duchess had, perhaps unwittingly, timed their
visit to coincide with the anniversary of the Serb defeat in
Kosovo exactly 525 years earlier. Princip and his fellow
conspirators felt that for the Archduke to visit Bosnia on the
Serb national day was a slap to the face of all Serbs, so they
conspired to lull him.
Princip was one of many Serb nationalists who, at that
time, was making a bid for Serbian expansion in the region.
Bosnia, which in 1914 was part of the Hapsburg empire, was a
region in which the Serbs wanted autonomy. So to drive that
message home, Princip approached Ferdinand's car and
pumped several bullets into the Archduke and his wife. The
couple died moments later. Princip could not have known that
his actions would plunge the human race into a phenomena
unique to modern times - World War!
Never, until the 20th century, has war claimed so many
lives so quickly and so viciously. With the advent of modern
weaponry and tactics such as aerial warfare, the machine gun
and the tank, not to mention nuclear weaponry, the art of war
has been taken to a frightening extreme. By the time World War
I had concluded, nine million servicemen had died and over
twenty-one million were wounded - many maimed for life. This
figure does not take into account the many civilian deaths.
If you consider that World War II (European theater) was
only an extension of World War I, you can add an additional
nineteen million deaths. And why all this carnage and blood
letting? Because this ethnic group did not trust that one. Both
World Wars and many other conflicts that have followed were
a direct result of what Jesus referred to when He said,

"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against

kingdom." - Matthew 24:7

Literally, Jesus said, "Ethnos shall rise against ethnos, and

basileia against basileia." The Greek word ethnos is the word
from which we derive "ethnic," and from the word basileia is
derived the word "basilica." In short, Jesus was saying that
there would be an increase in ethnic and religious wars. Both
World Wars were a result of ethnic conflicts. Many regional
wars since then - i.e. Saddam Hussein's campaign against the
Kurds - have been the result of ethnic clashes or, as in the case
of the Kosovo crisis, a showdown between religions. The
increase of this activity and the suffering that ensues is
another sign that we live in the time of the end.

Number Seven: Holy Spirit Is Being Poured Out

Both Joel and Peter mention the outpouring of the Spirit in

the last days.
"It shall come to pass afterwards, I shall pour out my Spirit
upon all flesh." - Joel 2:28

"It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour
out my spirit upon all flesh." - Acts 2:17

One of the greatest signs of the end of the age is the fresh
outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is sweeping through the
world. This outpouring is breathing life into many lifeless
churches. In many of my meetings it is now common to see as
many as ten denominations represented in one service.
Remember, it was MAN and not God, who built the walls and
barriers that keep the saints from worshiping together. If we are
going to stand on the heavenly sea of glass and worship
together around the Jasper Throne (Revelation 5), then we
need to practice before we arrive! That the Holy Spirit is
bringing the true remnant together is a great sign of the soon
return of Christ.

HOW DO THESE SIGNS AFFECT YOU?

Paul said, "We are not in darkness that the day should
overtake us as a thief" (1Thessalonians 5:4). Signs are given to
get our attention. Therefore, these seven signs should
encourage us to believe Christ will soon return. That is the
most positive effect that any believer could hope for. To think
that our time in this wicked day is soon to be over should bring
great joy. Yet, we shouldn't neglect the opportunity and the
responsibility that the day has bestowed upon us. These signs
should also give us an incentive to begin sharing the good
news with friends and family members, preparing them for the
great day.
So then, we should, as the Bible tells us, "be not drunk
with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit"
(Ephesians 5:18). The Greek text literally reads, "Keep getting
filled with the Spirit." In Acts 2:1-4 the disciples were "all filled
with the Holy Ghost." Then in Acts 4:31 the disciples were "all
filled with the Holy Ghost and spake the Word of God with
boldness."
The message to people across the world should be, "Get in
on the pouring out!" The whole purpose of the early and latter
rain is to prepare the fruit (souls) for the harvest. James reveals
this when he wrote:

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.

Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the
earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early
and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for
the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." - James 5:7-8

The rain of the Holy Spirit is preparing the end-time

harvest of souls on the earth. We can all get in on the great
move of the Holy Spirit in these final days, but we have to be in
a spiritual condition to do so. These and the other signs we will
talk about should serve as incentives for us to clean up our
lives and to get in on the outpouring of God's Spirit. If we do
this, then we will be prepared to take God's plan to the next
step.
 Many unsaved persons are interested in what the Bible
teaches about end time prophecy. We have discovered that
multitudes who do not attend any church are inclined to listen
when Bible prophecy is being taught. The Body of Christ
should provide written, audio and visual material to those who
express an interest. Often it is difficult to explain all the events,
so the printed page, along with audio and visual aids, make it
easier to enlighten these people.
You can participate in one of the greatest prophecies of
our time - assisting in getting the Gospel out to the nations.
This can be accomplished through giving and by actually
traveling to the various nations to preach, teach, bring food,
carry Bibles and so forth. It is our belief that the blessing of
God will rest upon those who are active in winning souls.
As you will soon learn, there are many more than these
seven signs - some specifically prophesied, some not - that are
appearing in our generation. What are these signs? How are we
to interpret them? What significance does their fulfillment have
for this generation? If we are the concluding generation, what
does the Bible teach we will see and experience? How will the
prophecies concerning judgment and the tribulation affect us?
As we continue, I will explore these and many more
questions, but before we do go on, I want to address another
issue. When I have presented the case to support that we are
living in the times of the end, some have suggested that
previous generations thought and wrote the same thing. In
other words, those who have come before us documented their
"evidence" as to why they were the "last generation" and so
how can we be so sure that we are really living in the time of
the end?
 To answer that question, it is necessary to understand that
earlier generations, though well intended, miscalculated the
times because they did not grasp an important concept that
would be self-evident only to those who are part of the last
day generation, and that is the "fullness of time."
2
IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME

"Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days,
walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is
the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the beginning of
creation.' "- 2 Peter 3:3-4

By reading the Scriptures, it is obvious that the apostles

and early followers of Christ believed in His imminent return
(James 5:8). Some of the disciples even believed that John the
Revelator would be alive when the Messiah returned (John
21:23). Yet after John died around 95 AD that mindset changed
into one of believing that Tribulation would come before the
Messiah returned. In fact, John had left the early church with a
warning from Christ that tribulation would indeed come.

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.
Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that
you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be
faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." -
Revelation 2:10 (NKJV)
 That warning specified that "ten days" of tribulation
would come and those who would be faithful would receive a
crown of life from Christ. As the persecution of the early
church intensified, many were convinced that they were in the
midst of the Tribulation. Adding to their belief was the fact
that, oddly enough, there were ten distinct persecutions at the
hands of the Roman emperors.
The first came when Nero came to power in about 67 AD.
When Rome burned for nine days Nero blamed it on Christians.
The result was thousands of believers were tortured and
executed.
The second persecution came under Domition, starting
around 81 AD. It was this Roman leader who slew the Bishop
of Jerusalem and who, reportedly, put the Apostle John into a
cauldron of boiling oil.
The third assault on the Church came around 108 AD.
Thousands were killed for their faith, many of them crucified, in
fact during this persecution, Mt. Ararat became the sight of
many crucifixions.
The fourth came when Marcus Antonius rose to power
around 162 AD. This tormentor of Christians was noted for
beating and scourging the soles of their feet and then making
them walk on nails, broken shells or other sharp items.
The fifth persecution came around 192 AD and is noted for
the many beheadings of the faithful including many women.
The sixth came under Maximus in 235 AD, the seventh
under Decius (240 AD); the eighth under Valtian (257 AD); the
ninth under Aurelian (274 AD); and the tenth under Diocletian
in 303 AD. The names of the tormentors changed but the
animosity toward the Church and the torture and execution of
the believers did not - that is until Constantine came to power.

THE ROLE OF CONSTANTINE

There are many theologians and laymen alike who see the
rule of Constantine as something positive for Christianity. True,
he ruled without persecuting the Church and, for those being
tortured and murdered, that was a good thing. Legend tells us
that as Constantine was approaching Rome one evening, he
saw a cross in the sky with the declaration: "In hoc Vince" ("In
this sign overcome.") Thus, Constantine allegedly converted
to Christianity and made it the official religion of Rome.
It should be pointed out that, the reason Constantine was
approaching Rome was because he was embroiled in a battle to
solidify the empire and his empirical powers. Adopting
Christianity as the state religion served to further his political
and military objectives more than to enhance his spiritual life.
In the end the church and the state were mixed. Furthermore,
the vast Roman Empire -now officially Christian - wanted to
popularize this new faith among the diverse citizenry of the
empire and thus permitted them to mix their particular religious
practices and traditions with those of Christianity.
All of this and the fact that the "ten days" - the ten
persecutions were over - led to a change in theology especially
where the coming of the Lord was concerned. In fact, by the
late fourth to early fifth century the teaching concerning the
return of the Lord had changed completely. In short, there was
little or no emphasis on the return of Christ.
 One of the most notable early Church fathers, Augustine
(354 - 430 AD), wrote a series of books collectively called The
City of God. In this work Augustine suggested that the book
of Revelation was merely an allegory of good vs. evil. He did
not consider it to be speaking of literal events or having any
futuristic connotations. He and many others believed that,
because the ten persecutions had stopped and Christianity had
empirical backing, the church was in the process of setting up
the 1,000 year reign.
In the span of about three hundred years, the Church had
gone from believing in the imminent return of Christ to
believing that the Church was positioning itself to rule for one
thousand years and then Christ would return - if He returned at
all! What happened to create this change in thinking? In my
opinion, the misinterpretation and allegorization of prophetic
Scriptures accompanied with a simple miscalculation of time
tainted the Second Coming message for many, causing them to
question the "promise of His coming."

A 1500 YEAR MISCALCULATION

Early Church leader Hippolytus (170 - 236 AD) was born
less than a century after John received the Revelation on the
isle of Patmos. Not only was he the pastor in Rome but was an
associate of the early Church father Ireaneus who in turn was a
disciple of John. It would be easy to see why the early
Christians would lean heavily on his writings for guidance in
matters concerning prophecy. Here is some of what he wrote
concerning the Second Coming.
"We are obligated to discuss the matter of the times, of which
a man should not speak hastily, because they are a light to
him. For as the times are noted from the foundation of the
world, and reasoned from Adam, they set clearly before us the
matter with which inquiry deals. For the appearance of our
Lord took place in Bethlehem, under Augustus, the year of
our Lord 5500: and he suffered in the thirty third year. And
6,000 years must need be accomplished, in order that the
Sabbath may come, the rest, the holy day, on which God rested
from all of his works . . . For the Sabbath is the type and
emblem of the future kingdom of the saints, when they shall
reign with Christ . . . since then in six days God made all
things, it follows that 6,000 years must be fulfilled. And they
are not yet fulfilled, as John says: 'five are fallen, one is, that
is the sixth and the other is not yet come.' "

Basically, Hippolytus said that, counting from Adam,

Christ was born in the year 5500 and died in the year 5533 with
the implication being that, from the death of Christ, there only
remained 467 years until the millennial reign of Christ began. To
Hiipplytus and his peers that meant that Christ would return
sometime around the year 500 AD. Other early church writings
confirm this belief.

"From the birth of Christ we must reckon that 500 years

remain to make up the 6,000, and thus the end shall be."

How did they determine that Christ was born five hundred
years after Adam? One reason is because many of their
calculations were based according to the Septuagint, the Greek
translation of the Old Testament. The problem being that some
Hebrew words cannot be translated into Greek as precisely as
one would hope. Another theory arrived at this conclusion by
using the dimensions of the Ark of the Covenant. The
Scripture tells us that the Ark was 2 1/2 cubits long x 1 1/2 wide
x 1 1/2 cubits high. Some men surmised that the total of the
measurement (5 1/2 cubits) equated to 5500 years - that being
the sum total of the Law - and thus designated the birth of
Christ. As is the habit of mankind, once that theory had been
postulated, everyone got on the bandwagon with the same
belief or a variation of it.
In the 3rd century Lactantius calculated that 5,500 years
had elapsed since creation placing the end of the six thousand
years and the beginning of the Millennium somewhere around
800 AD. Eusebius (265 - 340 AD) calculated that, in his day
5200 years had elapsed since creation, meaning that the
Millennium would begin at about the year 1,000. Cyprian (200 -
258 AD) was another who believed that the end of the sixth
millennium was close. He wrote:

"It is an ancient adversary and an old enemy with whom we

wage our battle; six thousand years are now nearly completed
since the devil first attacked man."

Many early writings reflect an opinion that mankind was

allotted only six thousand years and then the end would come.
For many in the early Church, the crucifixion of Christ not only
confirmed their belief that the end would come at the end of the
5th century, but provided a clue that man had been given six
thousand years before Christ would establish His kingdom on
earth. In the gospels it is recorded, "Now it was the 6th hour"
(referring to when Christ was upon the cross). This was
interpreted as meaning the 6,000th year since Adam.
Consequently, in the waning years of the 5th century, learned
men reading this and other Scriptures believed that they were
fast approaching the end time - based primarily on the notion
that man only has six thousand years allotted to him and that
Christ came 5500 years after Adam.
As to the belief that mankind only has six thousand years
allotted before the end comes, I completely agree. There is
indeed a six-thousand-year cycle that can be easily seen in
Scripture and is confirmed in other writings as well. For
example, according to the Talmud:

"The world as we know it will exist for 6,000 years. The first
2,000 will be chaos. The second 2,000 will mark the years of
the Torah and final 2,000 will include the Messianic age."

Using this commentary as an outline, notice that every two

thousand years a significant event occurs. The first 2,000
spans the time from the creation of Adam to Abraham leaving
Ur of the Chaldeans. The second 2,000 years takes us from the
birth of Isaac (the promised seed) to the birth of Jesus (the
Promised Seed). The third and last 2,000 covers the time from
Christ's resurrection to present day.
The disciple of John the Revelator, Irenaeus, wrote:

"For as many days as this world was made, in so many

thousand years shall it be concluded . . ."
 Hippolytus wrote:

"And 6,000 years must needs be accomplished, in order that

the Sabbath may come, the rest, the holy day, on which God
rested from all of his works. . ."

Many believed that the story of Elijah provided another

hint at the six thousand years attributed to mankind. In the
Bible it is recorded:

"Yet, I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees

which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath
not kissed him." - 1 Kings 19:18

The belief was that, because Elijah was to come before the
great day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5), the seven thousand
prophets of God hinted that the day of the Lord would come at
the end of six thousand years or at the beginning of the
seventh millennium. Again, it is apparent that the six-thousand-
year cycle is valid.
When it comes to the notion that Christ was born 5500
years after Adam, however, it is equally apparent that these
calculations were completely off. The genealogies in Genesis
plainly tell us that from Adam to the flood was at least 1,656
years. From Adam to Abraham was 1948 years. From Abraham
to Boaz was only ten generations. From King David, the great-
grandson of Boaz, to Christ was about 1,000 years.
The point is that, the birth of Christ came closer to 4,000
years from Adam than 5500. Look at the obvious - if Christ had
been born 5500 years after Adam and we are here two
thousand years after His birth, then according to the 6,000
cycle, we should be half way through the millennium. Of course
that is not the case and so, obviously, some of the early fathers
made a miscalculation in time.
Here are a few things to note as it pertains to the fallout
these miscalculations led to. In the fifth century Augustine
taught that the book of Revelation was an allegory. On
Christmas Day 800 AD, Charlemagne attempted to restore the
Roman empire. Around 1000 AD most of Europe believed it
was time to take the Holy Land away from the Muslims. The
point being that, when Jesus didn't return when some
eschatologists predicted He would, others concluded that the
Church must establish the Kingdom and reign for the
millennium then Jesus would come. In short, this was the root
of the post millennial belief.
Yet, by the 1500s everybody knew something with their
eschatology was wrong. Obviously, Jesus didn't return in 500
or 800 or even 1500. They were wrong and because their
"evidence" failed to pan out, many today would argue that to
suggest we are now living in the end and on the verge of
seeing the return of the Lord is merely repeating the errors of
the past. Yes, they were wrong in many of their prophetic
conclusions and, yet strangely enough, about the time it was
obvious that they had missed the mark some significant events
with prophetic implications began to transpire.
For instance, in 1517 the Turks took Palestine and
Jerusalem along with much of the Middle East (they would
hold on to it for 400 years). On October 31,1517, Martin Luther
wrote what became known as The 95 Theses which effectively
initiated the Reformation. By that time, a new continent had
been discovered and named "America" and was in the
embryonic states of beginning explored. It was with that
discovery and the ensuing development of the continent that a
new wave of prophetic understanding and teaching was
ushered in.

AMERICA'S LINK TO PALESTINE

In 1812 some Americans were already realizing that the
Hand of Providence was at work commenting that, "the
tabernacle of God will soon be pitched among men. . ." In that
same year, Levi Parson, speaking of the Holy Land and
America said, "Zion will prosper." In 1815 an unknown
Connecticut minister said, "We have now entered that period
to prepare of the millennium."
In 1819, the first Protestant missionaries left Boston for
Palestine to help restore the Jews to the land and to win souls.
In 1842, American missionaries established schools in Lebanon
and Istanbul. In 1862, the first Protestant school in Syria was
established. In 1881, American Christians set up an American
colony in Jerusalem. Here is the point: almost from the
founding of the country, Americans have been missions
oriented with Jews and the restoration of Israel in mind. Why?
Because, it seems, many Americans understood the
significance of the times in which they lived and further
understood the necessity of preparing the land of Israel for the
return of the Messiah.
 The so-called Restoration Movement began to burn with a
fervor in the 1810s - 1820s. This movement was dedicated to
restoring Christ's rule on earth and and its adherents moved
upon the leaders of America to do what they could to see that
events were set in motion - especially where Israel and the
Jews were concerned. Dwight Talmage of Brooklyn Tabernacle
fame and a close friend of President Grover Cleveland was a
restorationist. Another restorationist, William Blackstone,
wrote to President Benjamin Harrison about Jews returning to
Palestine. Teddy Roosevelt helped Armenian Arabs (many of
them Christian) to obtain independence. President Woodrow
Wilson chose to protect American missionaries in the Middle
East.
Why were Americans so interested in the restoration of
the land of Israel and preparing for the coming of Christ? It was
in part linked to the concept of Manifest Destiny that had
taken hold of the country by the 1840s. The early Puritans
believed that America was a new "Promised Land." Their
descendants took hold of the baton and carried the concept
even further with the expansion to the West. New York
journalist John O'Sullivan believed that America's destiny was
to, "establish moral dignity and salvation among men . . . and
to disseminate its principles, both religious and secular
abroad." Hence the reason many missionaries were sent abroad
and with the support of the US government.
In an 1844 treatise, a Hebrew professor by the name of
George Bush (isn't that interesting) called for elevating Jews to
the rank of "honorable repute among the nations of the earth."
Such restitution, he argued, would benefit not just Jews but all
of mankind. He based this belief, in part, upon the prophecy in
Ezekiel 37 concerning the revival of the dry bones. In short, he
believed in the literal restoration of the Jews to the land.
Some years later, D.L. Moody and Charles Finney, among
others, read the Word and saw that, it was not the Church who
would establish the kingdom, but the King would set up the
Kingdom. With the teachings of these men and others like
them, true prophetic revelation came forth. They taught that:

God will restore the nation of Israel (Isa. 669)

God will restore Jerusalem (Ps. 102:16)
God will restore the Israeli people (Jer. 31:7-9)
God will restore the land itself (Isa. 35:1-7)
God will pour out His Spirit in the fullness of time.

THE FULLNESS OF TIME

For us, time is a concept measured in seconds, minutes,
hours, days and years! But how does time, as we understand it,
become full? Consider the following.
When seconds elapse, "fullness" comes when the count
reaches sixty. That fullness marks the end of one cycle (60
seconds) and accounts for one minute in time. Yet, that same
fullness also signifies that another cycle is beginning
simultaneously. In other words, after sixty seconds (or one
minute) has elapsed, the count begins again. This continues
until the count arrives at sixty minutes. At that point, another
level of "fullness" (one hour) has been attained. The end of
that cycle signals the beginning of yet another cycle.
 This process continues until 24 hours have elapsed,
marking a full day. Three hundred and sixty-five days becomes
a year; ten years becomes a decade; one hundred years (ten
decades) makes a century and one thousand years (ten
centuries) comprises a millennium.
It should be noted that as all of these cycles come to an
end or, shall we say achieve "fullness," they also signify the
beginning of another cycle. This concept illustrates that the
"fullness of time" means an era of time and all of the events
that transpire within that era must occur in order that the
subsequent events of the next cycle can happen. In other
words, if something in one cycle of time gets left out, it has a
detrimental bearing on the next. Consider this simple truth:

59 seconds is not a minute.

59 minutes is not an hour.
23 hours is not a day.
350 days is not a year.

Only when a cycle is completed does time become full.

Imagine what would happen if, on New Year's Eve in New York,
the giant ball started dropping at 11:30 PM instead of just
before midnight. People would feel like the next year was not
going to be "just right." Every minute detail that God has
ordained for each cycle of time must occur in order for all
things to come to pass.

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted that your sins may be

blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which
before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive
until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath
spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world
began." - Acts 3:19-21

Notice how this Scripture teaches that certain things must

happen before others can.

First, repentance precedes refreshing.

Refreshing leads to restoration.
In the times of restoration, the heavens will release
Christ.

Now couple this information with another well known

Scripture.

"Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we

shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-

When the heavens reveal Christ, then the dead will be

raised followed by the living who will be changed in a
MOMENT, faster than the twinkling of an eye. The Greek word
translated as "moment" is atomos. This hints to us that the
living will be changed in less than 1/100th of a second - that is
fast! Yet, this event is dependent upon the first one we
mentioned - repentance (Acts 3:19).
There are many Biblical examples of the "fullness of time"
concept. For instance, Abraham was told that his seed would
be in Egypt for 400 years because the "iniquity of the Amorites
is not yet complete" (Gen. 15:16). In God's plan, it was
necessary that Israel remain there until it was time. In fact,
legend has it that over 30,000 Ephraimites left Egypt a
generation before the Exodus and all perished in the
wilderness. Why? Because it was not the "fullness of time."
The deliverer Moses had to be born to lead. In fact, God timed
things so that Moses birth came 80 years before the fullness of
time.
It is clear that, in Scripture, certain things are determined to
happen before other and equally important events can
transpire. In my opinion, this critical element was missing from
the prophetic conclusions that many church fathers held to,
hence their faulty predictions of when the end would come.
Therefore, when trying to determine when the end shall come,
we must understand that it cannot occur until all things
determined are full. Paul told us:

"That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might

gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in
heaven and which are on earth in Him. "
- Ephesians 1:10 (NKJV)

So then, in order to know if we are in the time of the end,

we must discern whether certain things have become "full."
According to the Scripture, there are at least three things that
must come into fullness before the end of this age. By
examining these three particulars, we can know if we truly are in
the last days. They are:

The fullness of the Gentiles

"For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of

this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that
blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of
the Gentiles has come in." - Romans 11:25 (NKJV)

The fullness of the Gospel

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the

world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
come." - Matthew 24:14

The fullness of transgression

"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the

transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce
countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall arise."
- Daniel 8:23

When these three have reached fullness, at the set time,

Christ will return and everything will be restored to the way it
was in the beginning.

THE END IN THE BEGINNING

In the Hebrew language the concept of fullness and cycles

is represented by the Hebrew letter called samekh. This letter,
which is shaped like a circle , is said to represent a cycle
(completion) and, by extension, eternity. Interestingly enough,
its numerical value is sixty (60 seconds, 60 minutes etc.).
Hebraic thought concludes, therefore, that because the end of
one cycle is the beginning of another, the end is actually the
beginning and the beginning is, in reality, the end. They are, in
essence, one and the same.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God said:

"Remember the former things of old for I am God, and there is

none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the
end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things
that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will
do all my pleasure." - Isaiah 46:9-10

In short He says, the proof positive of the fact that He

alone is God is that He alone can, from the beginning, declare
the end. He is capable of causing things to come "full circle."
Imagine a circle and then affix a starting point for that circle.
Follow the circle around and when you get to the end, you are
"full circle" or at the exact place you started. In other words,
the beginning of the circle is the end and the end is
simultaneously the beginning. So, the One who is at the
beginning can tell you the end because He is already there.
Our solar calendar is determined by a 365-day year.
However, prophetic time is calculated on the basis of a 360-day
year. That is interesting when you consider there are 360
degrees in a complete circle, or shall we say, cycle. The
connection between 360 days and a complete cycle goes back
into ancient times. The Greeks used a calendar of twelve
months of 30 days each. Ancient India and China each used a
360 day calendar. The Romans used a calendar with ten months
of 36 days each. The Incan calendar was comprised of twelve
quilla that had 30 moons. The Mayans utilized 72 weeks of 5
days each (totaling 360 days). In ancient Arabia, what is now
known as the Ka'aba in Mecca once housed 360 different idols
situated in a complete circle. The ancient Japanese had a similar
shrine with 360 idols in the palace of Dairi. The point is, the
ancient world connected a circle to time.
The circumference of the Earth is about 25,000 miles
around, measured at 360 degrees. All of the other planets are in
circular form. All of these planets revolve around the sun in a
circular pattern. The twelve constellations of stars move
around the heavens in a circle. Why did God make things this
way? It seems that the Creation is a reflection of the Creator.
For instance, in Heaven, there are twenty-four thrones
surrounding the throne of God; a rainbow forms a circle around
that throne (Rev. 4:3-4). It would appear that God, and
consequently His Word, is to be "understood as being cyclical
in nature. By that I mean, He teaches us, instructs and deals
with us in cycles. Thus, the end is the beginning and the
beginning is the end. As Scripture declares:
"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that
which is done is that which shall be done; and there is no new
thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said,
See, this is new? It hath been already of old time, which was
before us." -Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

When you closely examine Jesus' life and ministry you can
see this principle clearly. At the beginning of His life here on
earth there was a Herod (the Great), a Mary (His mother) and a
Joseph (His mother's husband). The same is true at the end:
there was Herod (the tetrarch), Mary (Magdalene) and Joseph
(of Arimathaea). At the beginning of His ministry, He was
secluded for forty days of fasting and then He went to
Jerusalem. At the end of His ministry, after His resurrection, He
was seen alive for forty days and then He went to Jerusalem
and ascended from the Mount of Olives. Because He ascended
from the Mount of Olives, Scripture tells us that He will return
to the Mount of Olives - completing the cycle.

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he

was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And
while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, which also
said, 'Ye men of Galilee; why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven." - Acts 1:9-11

I should also point out that, even before Jesus ascended

from the mountain, His return to it had already been prophesied
to occur.

"And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives,
which is before Jerusalem on the east."
- Zechariah 14:4

The point of this is to demonstrate that the end repeats the

beginning because the beginning determines the end.
Furthermore, Scripture tells us that the testimony of the
Messiah is the "spirit of prophecy" (Rev. 19:10) and so, if His
life and ministry reflects the fact that the end is the beginning,
then all of the Word and all of prophecy will bear this
characteristic.
Compare Genesis to Revelation - the beginning and the
end - and you will again see this distinction. In Genesis 1 & 2,
there was no sin, no sorrow, no tears and no death. God
resided among man in a garden watered by a crystal clear river
and adorned by the Tree of Life. In Revelation 21 & 22 we see
that this condition has been restored. The end is the
beginning.
So then it should be understood that, as we approach the
end of the age, things will start to more closely resemble things
the way they were in the beginning. Remember, Christ said that
the days just before His return at the end would be like the
days of Noah, just before the flood (Matt. 24:37-39). This
concept is, in essence, what the "fullness of times" is speaking
of and that is what, in my opinion, many of the previous
generations could not understand. It seems that this is
something that only those living in that time could understand.
Still, there is so much more to learn - so many things that have
remained hidden from us until now.
3
THE INVISIBLE SIDE OF
PROPHECY
"Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be
with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee,
open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes
of the young man and he saw; and behold, the mountain was
full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." - 2
Kings 6:16-17

Most of what we see happening in the physical realm is

only a reflection or consequence of what has already
transpired in the spiritual realm. Many battles that we may have
endured in this life have been won or lost in the spiritual battle
that preceded it. As we enter the final stages of this era of
history, and as we see more and more prophecy being fulfilled,
we can be sure that heavenly warfare is going to be at an all
time high. We must realize that prior to the physical
manifestation of a prophetically significant event, a spiritual
campaign between the forces of darkness and the Kingdom of
God has been fought. There is an invisible side to prophecy.

SPIRITUAL BATTLES AT THE END OF THE

AGE
No matter who you are, at some point in these last days,
you are going to be drawn into a spiritual conflict that is
directly related to the time of the end. Perhaps you already
have, but don't get too complacent - it will happen again.
Spiritual conflict seems to come in cycles. If the mail we receive
at our ministry center is any indication of the truth, then cycles
of spiritual conflict are a fact.
For months, cards and letters will pour in, testifying of
miracles and answered prayer. Suddenly, the content changes.
Testimony turns into lament as people recount tales of broken
homes, rebellious children and personal conflict. The prophetic
word makes it clear - there will be an increased level of spiritual
warfare as the time of the end begins to peak.
Spiritual warfare consists of two major elements: the battle
against spiritual rebels - we call them demons - and the battle
we have within us - the battle of the mind. A majority of
spiritual warfare teaching has concentrated on trying to beat
up the devil. However, the problem is our own carnal nature
and not some evil spirit sitting on our shoulder!
Whenever the apostle Paul wrote about "war" and
"warfare," he often used a derivative of the Greek root word
stratos. This word means "an encamped army." The word is
used metaphorically of a spiritual conflict. On four different
occasions in the New Testament, the word "war" is used in
relation to spiritual conflict:

"According to the prophecies that went before on thee, that

thou mightest war a good warfare." - 1 Timothy 1:18
"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of
this life: that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a
soldier." - 2 Timothy 2:4

"From whence come wars and fightings among you?"

- James 4:1

"Fleshly lust that war against the soul." - 1 Peter 2:11

The words "war" and "warreth in these four passages

deals with mental bondage and the works of the flesh. Paul
emphasized this in his address to the Corinthians:

"For though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ."
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

The warfare that most believers encounter on a daily basis

is the battle of the mind. We are constantly locked in a struggle
to cast down thoughts and images that are contrary to the
Word of God. Too often, Satan is blamed for what is nothing
more than the careless actions of a carnal Christian. Temptation
begins in the mind; therefore, some of the most crucial spiritual
battles we will fight will be mental ones.
Unfortunately many believers tend to lose the advantage
in battle by being led astray of their own lusts (James 1:14).
Thus, being led astray they allow themselves to be isolated
while under attack. This is a critical mistake, because it is at this
point that the enemy can come in and finish what our lusts
have started. Peter seems to address this same issue when he
admonished us to:

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a

roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
- 1 Peter 5:8

Have you ever watched a lion hunt? A lion does not attack
an entire herd. Instead he focuses on that one weak animal that
has been isolated from the rest of the herd. This is the one he
moves in on to kill. This is why Peter said to be sober and
vigilant. Don't let your guard down, because if you do, you can
be led astray and become isolated, and thus, you could become
the enemy's prime target. When we are grappling with a
particular temptation in our minds, the natural inclination is to
tell no one, not even those closest to us, for fear they would
think ill of us. Yet, we must subject the natural inclination to the
supernatural inclination. That is, we must not allow ourselves
to be isolated.
As long as the battle in our mind is our little secret, the
potential for disaster is there. Yet, the moment we bring
someone who is trustworthy into our confidence and make
ourselves accountable to them, it is no longer a dark little war
being fought by one person. It is now a battle being fought by
you and another. When you confess your weakness to another
mature believer, you are, in effect, shining light into a dark
place. When light invades the dark, darkness leaves. There is
scriptural basis for this battle tactic. James writes:

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much." - James 5:16

If we learn how to win the battle of the mind, then we are

well on our way to winning the war. In this evil day in which we
live, we must be good soldiers, prepared and trained for any
assault the enemy plans to launch against us, our families, our
churches and our nation.

THE ATTACK OF SPIRITS

In the New Testament, Satan is introduced as "the
tempter" (Matthew 4:3). This is Satan's most common role in
his campaign against the believer. As the time of the end
proceeds, Christians will sense an increased pressure placed
upon them to sin. This pressure is what we call temptation.
There are several key truths you must know about temptation.

God Does Not Tempt You With Evil

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for

God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man."
- James 1:13

Satan is the Source of Temptation

"And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son
of God, command these stones to be made into bread."
- Matthew 4:3

All Men Are Tempted With the Same Temptations

"There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to

man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make a way
of escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

Jesus Was Tempted But Did Not Sin

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with

the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as
we are yet without sin." - Hebrews 4:15

Temptation can be summed up in this manner. Temptation

is a carnal thought, introduced into the mind by the enemy, in
an effort to coax you to disobey God. The sin is not the
thought, but the yielding to and the acting upon it.

"When lust is conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin bringeth

forth death" - James 1:15

THREE TYPES OF TEMPTATION

All men are subject to three kinds of temptation.

The Common Temptation (1 Cor. 10:13)

The Seasonal Temptation (Luke 4:13)
The Hour of Temptation (Rev. 3:10)

The common temptation is one that we are all subject to

have. Typically, it is something that you deal with on a
continual basis - it is "the sin" that so easily besets you. To
overcome this temptation, one must keep their mind renewed,
lest they fall into a snare of the enemy. After tempting Jesus,
Satan "departed from him for a season" (Luke 4:13).
We, too, have to grapple with seasonal temptation. When
God has delivered you from a habit or a sinful practice, often
the enemy will return every few weeks or months to test you,
hoping that you will revert back to that practice or habit. If he
can succeed, he will once again enslave you in the bondage
from which you have been freed. This is a frustrating cycle for
those who have fallen victim. It leaves them thinking that there
is no hope for them and they might as well give up on living
according to God's Plan. Time and time again, we see people
who were once set free, only to find them, months later, back in
the same condition and full of despair.
It is imperative that we understand that temptation is not a
sign of defeat. If anything, it is a sign that we are striving to
live a life that brings glory to God. It is the choice to resist or to
give in that determines victory or defeat. Every man is subject
to seasons of testing, pressure and temptation. Only by
walking in the Spirit can a person keep from fulfilling the lust of
their flesh (Galatians 5:16).

THE HOUR OF TESTING

The hour of testing is mentioned in Revelation:

"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also

keep thee from the hour of testing that is coming upon the
whole earth." - Revelation 3:10

The hour of testing is the ultimate struggle. Abraham's

hour was when he took Isaac to Mount Moriah in order to offer
him up to God (Genesis 22). Joseph was tested in Egypt's
prison, until God brought him out. Moses lived forty years in
the desert until the time came for him to step out and deliver
the Hebrews from slavery. Job experienced his hour when
Satan attacked him, destroying his wealth, family and his health
(Job 1-3).
During the forty-two months of Jesus' ministry, the enemy
could not touch Him because, "His hour had not yet come"
(John 7:30; 8:20). When Christ's hour had come, He knew it.

"Now before the feast of Passover, when Jesus knew that his
hour had come .. ." - John 13:1

Christ's hour of testing reached its pinnacle in the Garden

of Gethsemane. This is where He prayed until his sweat turned
into great drops of blood. After this, He went to the cross!
Satan couldn't touch Christ until the "hour had come" (Luke
22:53). At some point in our life, each of us can expect to have
an hour of testing. Furthermore, there is an hour of testing
coming upon the entire earth. It will bring such pressure than
many will fall by the wayside! The pressure of these spiritual
attacks will increase because:

Iniquity abounds in the earth (Matt. 24:12-13)

There is an increase in Satanic activity (1 Tim. 4:1)
Satan knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12)

HOW EVIL SPIRITS OPERATE

In the New Testament, what we now refer to as demons are
called "evil spirits" (Luke 7:21), "unclean spirits" (Matthew
10:1), and "foul spirits" (Mark 9:25). These are spirit beings that
take possession of a human body and perform their own will
through that person. Once a person is controlled by an evil
spirit, there is no limit to the evil that person can perpetrate.
But how does this happen? How do evil spirits take control of
a person?
Years ago, I became acquainted with a Jewish man who
had professed Christ as Messiah. Before his life as a believer,
this gentleman had been involved in a New Age Church. He
recounted some of his experiences in this church, specifically,
how he would channel spirits and how, at times, the spirits
would manifest visibly before him. The man explained that the
spirits in a major city were very large, about the size - these are
his words - "of a large gorilla." In contrast, he said, "In the
Bible belt, I have seen evil spirits, but they are not as large in
size as those over other cities." When asked why, his response
was, "Demonic spirits feed off of iniquity and sin. If a person
ate non-stop, they would gain weight and become large. Sin
and evil are what feeds these spirits. They literally grow larger
because they feed on the sins of that city!"
When a person gives in to certain sins and determines to
do evil, they subject themselves to the possibility of
possession. As that person continues in that lifestyle, the evil
spirit will grow stronger and larger in that person, spurring
them to other, more despicable acts. It may seem strange, but I
believe this is true. This explains why the warfare with spirits is
increasing.
Fifty years ago in America, we seldom heard of adultery or
sodomy in public conversation. Abortion was taboo, even
among those who never attended church. Now, every
conceivable vice and practice is permitted and regarded as
acceptable behavior. Pornography has moved from behind the
counter and into the living room. It is becoming common for
men to marry men and for women to marry women, even in the
heart of the so-called Bible belt. If spirits feed off of sin, then
they are constantly gaining strength and size in our nation,
while spiritually, people are becoming weaker!

SPIRITS THAT ARE TO BE LOOSED

During the Tribulation, the underworld will unleash a
hoard of wicked and destructive spirits. In Revelation 9, the
bottomless pit is opened and millions of strange creatures are
released upon earth to torment mankind. A fallen angel, whose
name is Abbadon, leads this demonic army (Revelation 9:11).
John also tell us that four fallen angels, now bound in the
Euphrates river, will be unchained and granted the freedom to
provoke unprecedented carnage during the final half of the
tribulation (Revelation 9:14-18). Three unclean spirits appearing
as frogs, come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast and
the false prophet (Revelation 16:13).
The tribulation is a time when vicious spirits will freely
roam the earth. War, plagues, and death beyond comparison
will be common. In fact, men will go into the mountains asking
the rocks to fall upon them (Revelation 6:16). Men who are
being tormented physically will seek death, only to find that
death evades them (Revelation 9:6).
Though these spirits we've just discussed are going to be
unleashed in the future, we need to understand that there are
several spirits being unleashed in our time. We are facing
spirits that destroy homes, families, churches and lives.
THE SEDUCING SPIRIT

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times

some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits and doctrines of devils." - 1 Timothy 4:1

The phrase, "the Spirit speaketh expressly," implies this

warning was an audible utterance given through the gift of
prophecy. Paul warned that spirits would successfully seduce
people in the latter times. According to W.E. Vines Expository
Dictionary, the word "seducing" means "a wandering, then
deceiving."" When we think of being seduced we tend to think
it refers only to a sexual seduction. This was the case in
Revelation 2:20, when, in the early church, a woman named
Jezebel seduced the servants of God and caused them to
commit fornication! But seduction is not always sexual in
nature.
In the context of what Paul was expressing to Timothy,
there are spirits whose task is to draw people away from truth
and Biblical doctrine. When these people have been seduced,
they can become ensnared in a deadly deception.
We receive many letters from women whose husbands
have left them for a younger woman. There has never been a
case when it happened overnight. First their eyes wandered,
then their thoughts. Soon their conversation began to wander,
and eventually they convinced themselves it was in their best
interest to forsake their wife. Usually, adultery does not happen
because of a sudden fit of lust and passion. It most likely
begins with wandering eyes. The Bible calls them "eyes full of
adultery that beguile unstable souls" (2 Peter 2:14).
A seducing spirit controlling one person, can lock in on
another person like radar. There are both men and women who
carry this spirit. They pet it and allow it to work in their mind.
Suddenly a strange attraction is formed, often without ever
really knowing the person. A "soul tie" is usually the next thing
that develops. This is the process of seduction. Anyone who
finds themselves in this predicament would do well to learn
from Joseph. The best thing to do is run! Potiphar's wife was
after Joseph and came on to him in the strongest terms. Joseph
knew that lust was nothing to play with, so he removed himself
from the seductive atmosphere. As a result he saved his soul
and later the entire Hebrew nation (Genesis 39-41).
Sexual sin is readily available, sad to say, even within the
church. Natural desires are an easy door, perhaps the most
common, for a seducing spirit to work in a person's life.
Remember, however, there are other ways to be seduced. In the
time of the end, one of the greatest seductions will draw
believers away from the truth.

DISCERNING TRUTH IN THE END TIMES

"The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their
ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
- 2 Timothy 4:3-4
 Scripture tells us that we are to serve the Lord "in sincerity
and in truth" (Joshua 24:14). David sang that only those who
"walk uprightly and work righteousness and speak the truth in
his heart" shall be able to abide in God's presence (Psalm 15:1-
2). Jesus teaches us that no man can approach the Father
except he first come by truth (John 14:6) and that the Father is
seeking those who will worship Him "in spirit AND in truth."
We cannot hope to freely worship God in spirit only.
Why? Because it is the truth that sets us free to worship (John
8:32), and we can only know that truth if we know God's Word
(John 17:17). Everything dealing with our relationship with God
hinges on the truth. Therefore, we should not be surprised to
discover that perhaps the biggest end-time battle will be fought
over the truth. It is critical that, as believers, we are able to
discern what is true so that we will not be blown about by
every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). We must be able to
detect spiritual slight of hand when it shows up in our family,
our community, our nation and in our church.
Paul lets us know that this battle will determine what
spiritual direction many believers will go. Sadly, it seems that
many will desert doctrinal truth for more palatable beliefs. Even
now, many "Christians" repeat Pilate's question - "What is
truth? Isn't it just relative to the society in which we live?" The
answer is that God's Word is eternally true. It was true when it
was written, and it remains true today, despite the best efforts
of devils and men to discredit that fact.
When the Lord returns to judge earth, "He shall judge the
world with righteousness, and the people with His truth"
(Psalm 96:13). This tells us that the standards He set for the
people of the 1st century still apply to people of the 21st
century. Yet, if the enemy can, through politicians, entertainers
and even ministers, get people to think that these Biblical
truths are not for our times, then there are no boundaries.
Everything formerly accepted as proper and decent behavior
will be cast aside and replaced with modern and more liberal
practices.
Sound familiar? Paul's letter to the Romans helps us see
that, throughout history, mankind has remained fairly
consistent.

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became as fools, and

changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image
made like to corruptible man . . . who changed the truth of God
into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than
the Creator." - Romans 1:22-23, 25
Apparently, what we see going on today is no different
from what has happened for centuries. Maybe we don't erect
graven images in our town squares, but we have our idols just
the same. As the last days progress, more and more, those who
stand on the truth of God's Word will come under fire, perhaps
from places they would have never dreamed possible.

CASTING TRUTH TO THE GROUND

The Bible tells us that the Antichrist will "cast truth to the
ground" and will prosper (Daniel 8:12). The very essence of his
nature is a lie because he opposes the truth. His source of
power is Satan, who is the father of lies (John 8:44). Couple this
with the fact that his cohort, the false prophet, is some type of
religious leader - perhaps from a "christian" background - who
deceives "with all power and signs and lying wonders" (2
Thessalonians 2:9). The apostle Paul reveals that:

"For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed
not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." - 2
Thessalonians 2:11-12

If the time when the Antichrist rules is the zenith of

prophecy fulfillment, and if his and the false prophet's very
nature is falsehood, then it would stand to reason that the
closer we get to this time, the more we will see an assault on
truth. Quite frankly we are already seeing that. We live in a day
when the truth is a lie and a lie is the truth. The sad part of it all
is that this seducing spirit is finding its way into the church.
Paul has warned us that:

"In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving
heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies
in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with hot iron." -
1 Timothy 4:1-2

I hate to admit it, but presently there is as much carnality

in the church as there is in the secular world. In fact, sometimes
it is easier to discern what is and what is not truth in the
secular world. In the church you have to look beyond the
religiosity to find the truth. That religiosity is, to a seducing
spirit, what a pile of coffee grounds is to a worm - a good, dark
place to hide out.
In these last days the church needs to understand that
what looks like God and acts like God may not be God. Things
are not always what they seem to be. The apostle Paul
addressed this issue in his letter to the church at Corinth.
There were "ministers" who were claiming to be doing the work
of God, yet Paul calls them phonies and adds:

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an

angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose
end shall be according to their works."
- 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

I have had the opportunity to meet many good and solid

Christians who have been so confused by what they see
happening in their churches. On the surface, things seem to be
in order, yet something just does not feel right. They leave
church feeling frustrated, like something is wrong with them.
Not all the time, but sometimes, this feeling of frustration is the
Spirit of God within us letting us know that something going
on is not in harmony with the truth. To feel this way is not
being rebellious. In fact, John exhorts us to listen to the Spirit
of God within us.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into
the world." - 1 John 4:1
 Any spirit that we suspect is not of God needs to be
compared to what the Word of Truth has to say. If in any point,
it contradicts what Scripture has to say, then we know that this
is not of God. Many people may have a hard time with this
subject matter, but we know for sure that the diluting of truth
within the Body of Messiah will be one of the most commonly
used tactics by the forces of darkness in the time of the end. If
he can succeed with his assault on truth, then those who fall
victim will be hard pressed to properly discern what is going on
as prophecy is fulfilled.
Paul gives us further insight into what we should expect to
encounter in the end-time church. A literal reading of,
"speaking lies in hypocrisy" would be, "as actors in a role,
they teach false doctrine." The reason that these one-time
believers have decided to teach lies is because they have
allowed their conscience - their moral compass - to be
cauterized. In other words, it would be like someone taking a
hot iron and burning a piece of tissue so badly that it is
rendered totally useless, incapable of ever having any
sensation. Your conscience is that part of you that challenges
you to deny your lusts and your will when it clashes with what
is right. To have that part of your soul rendered useless is
catastrophic, and yet that is exactly what Paul says will happen
in the end-time church!

GIFTS OR VIRTUE?

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever

things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

Those of you who know me realize that I would never

launch an assault on what the Lord Himself instituted - the
Church of Jesus Christ. Instead, because I love the church, I
want to sound an alarm for us all to heed. We need to be sober
in these last days and, unfortunately, the church at large has
gone to sleep. Who can deny that there has been a breakdown
in our character? How many public failures would we need to
list to prove our point? For the Body of Messiah to be effective
in the time of the end, the church needs to return to a virtuous
lifestyle, because character and virtue listen to the voice of
conscience.
When we continually ignore that part of us that provokes
us to deny self, we stray farther from the truth. Sooner or later,
we give in to self, and self wants to be coddled and caressed.
In a religious setting, one of the most lucrative tools the enemy
has at his disposal to exploit those who ignore their conscience
is that person's gifts. Let's face it - certain gifts attract
attention, and humans, especially those who are walking after
their own lusts, love attention.
The church, and in particular Pentecostal and Charismatic
churches, have overemphasized gifts and talents for too long.
Don't misunderstand me. Gifts are an integral part of our
Christian walk. "Every good gift and every perfect gift comes
from above" (James 1:17). Paul said, "The gifts and calling of
God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29). Paul also said,
however, that we "covet earnestly the best gifts; and yet shew
I unto you a more excellent way. . . . though I have the gift of
prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge;
and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,
and have not charity - a virtue - I am nothing" (1 Corinthians
12:31, 13:2).
He also said, "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of
spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the
church (1 Corinthians 14:12). In other words, as important as
gifts are, they are not the most important attribute of our
Christian lifestyle.
We must be balanced believers. Our talents and gifts
should only compliment the spiritual fruit that we bear. Jesus
didn't shower blessings on the fig tree because it was gifted
with beautiful branches and covered with leaves. No, He
cursed it because it was bearing no fruit. John the Baptist
exclaimed that, "The ax is laid unto the root of the trees;
therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down, and cast into the fire" (Matthew 3:10).
A person's gifts do not always guarantee fruit. Gifts are
tools that God has given us to use for His purposes - they are a
means to an end. Too many times, however, we focus so much
on the gifts of the Spirit, that we neglect the fruit of the Spirit.
To put it bluntly, how many people do you know who speak in
tongues but have run off with someone else's spouse? How
many churches or ministries have exploded onto the scene,
growing by leaps and bounds, and then suddenly reach a point
where they begin a slow and steady decline into oblivion?
Sadly, they are too numerous to count.
Many times, it is because that church has been built
around someone's gift. Gifts can only take us so far. When a
church or ministry reaches that point, if character and virtue is
missing, then that church or ministry is destined to suffer or
even crumble. On many occasions, talented people have given
in to seducing spirits and have used their gifts and anointing
for their own purposes. Remember, God does not take our gifts,
talents and calling away from us just because we don't use
them for His purpose - they are without repentance.
Unfortunately, we know of gifted people who became so
engrossed in themselves, that they refused to acknowledge
their own conscience and have, true to Paul's prediction, begun
to teach false doctrine. I know of one very gifted man who falls
into this category. He has the gift of prophecy and has been
used many times by the Lord. However, somewhere along the
way, he began to crave the attention and recognition the gift
had brought him. He began to focus on himself instead of
those he was called to shepherd. Before long, he was teaching
"new revelations," as he referred to them. These new
revelations - one of them was that the concept of hell was only
allegorical - were not scriptural. The disturbing thing is that,
because the people were so focused on his gift, they readily
accepted his teaching.
Recall the story of King Saul. He was given the gift of
prophecy (1 Samuel 10:11), but because he was so consumed
with pride and refused to embrace the truth, the Spirit of the
Lord departed from him and an evil spirit came upon him (1
Samuel 16:14). He prophesied under a satanic anointing as he
began to plan David's murder (1 Samuel 18:10). Saul was so
consumed with jealousy for those he knew God's hand was
upon, that he killed the men of God associated with him (1
Samuel 22:18). Finally as a last ditch effort to once again hear a
"word from God," he began to conjure up spirits (1 Samuel
28:11).
To think that people in the church today could resort to
that type of activity is, to some, unbelievable. Yet, it is
happening. For decades, many Christians have been taken in
by so called apparitions of "Jesus" and "Mary." Thousands of
Christians, many who claim to be spirit-filled, pack into
churches and caves where Jesus or Mary are said to be
appearing. Many claim to have been healed in the presence of
a bleeding or crying icon. These people are so enamored with a
gift, that they have thrown truth out the window.
This is really disturbing when you consider where things
are heading. In Revelation 13, we read that the deceiving power
of the false prophet will be so great that he convinces people
to build an image of the Antichrist. The word "image" in
Revelation 13 is eikona. This is the feminine form of the word
from which we derive the English word "icon." In other words,
the people in Revelation 13 fashion an icon of the Beast. Much
to their amazement, the false prophet causes the icon to speak
and live. People all over the world begin to worship this icon
and will, at the icon's instruction, take the mark of blasphemy -
the mark that dooms them for eternity.
Here is the point. Many Christians do not feel that they
could be taken in by such a scam. Yet, I have personally seen
"Christians" bowing before what they thought to be an
apparition of the Virgin Mary. The events of Revelation 13
illustrate how people will, in fact, bow down and worship
something they perceive as supernatural, in spite of the fact
that God's Word says;
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image . . . Thou
shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the
LORD thy God am a jealous God." - Exodus 20:4-5

The fact that many Bible-believing Christians have already

been willing to pray to a bleeding icon or what they perceive to
be an authentic apparition, is a sure sign that the false prophet
will have no problem convincing unbalanced Christians that he
is from God. In effect, these people who pray to these
apparitions are chasing what they believe to be supernatural
gifts. This type of behavior betrays the condition of their
spiritual walk. If they were grounded in the Word of Truth, they
would know that God is not behind these apparitions, any more
than He will be the cause for the image of the Beast to speak
and live.

FRUITFUL TREES ARE GROUNDED IN

GOOD SOIL
A century ago, an honorable man would not think of
seeking a political office, because it was said that the office
should seek the man. This belief illustrated that recognition has
a way of finding those of virtuous character. Anyone who
exhibited those kinds of characteristics was considered to be
from good stock and well grounded in principle. Jesus taught
this same principle in a parable.

"And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, . . .

saying unto them, when thou art bidden of any man to a
wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more
honorable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade
thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and
thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou
art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he
that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up
higher; then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them
that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall
be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." -
Luke 14:7-11

In these last days, we cannot afford to neglect virtue in

our quest for recognition. When we prefer gifts over virtue and
character, it is an indication that there may be something in us
that wants people to notice us. The attention we gain by
overemphasizing our talents will stroke our ego. This is the
antithesis of the fruit of the Spirit and certainly does not depict
a virtuous lifestyle. This type of behavior is dangerous and
eventually leads to a departure from truth and might open the
door for a seducing spirit to come in. I think it prudent to also
point out that this sentiment was exactly what got Lucifer
expelled from heaven (Isaiah 14:11).
How can we keep from falling into this snare? We avoid it
by discerning the truth and being grounded in it. We avoid it
by listening to our conscience and the still small voice of the
Holy Spirit as they witness to our spirit. We avoid it by
denying ourselves. As last day pressures accumulate, it is
going to be easier to see who has been grounded in truth and
who has not. Pressure has a way of exposing a person's true
nature. Many talented people can discipline themselves just
enough to hide their true character, but eventually, something
will happen to bring the real nature of that person into the light.
Truth is not a gift, it is a virtue. Being grounded in truth,
being able to discern truth, means that we have listened to the
voice of our conscience and have acted wisely and
responsibly, in spite of consequences. Peter said:

"His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain
unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that
hath called us to glory and virtue; whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might
be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust. . . . Add to your
faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge
temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience
godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you and
abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful . . . but he that lacketh these things is blind, and
cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from
his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to
make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall." - 2 Peter 1:3-10

Peter tells us that if we are to be able to stand in these last

days, we must place emphasis on character and virtues. With
the help of the Holy Spirit, we must strive to emulate the
character - not only the gifts - of Jesus Christ. If we accomplish
this, we will be in harmony with God's will and His truth. Full of
the virtues that Peter listed, we will rightly divide the word of
truth and will be able to discern the truth from a lie. Jesus said,
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow
me" (John 10:27).
Living in these last days requires all believers to realize
that there is a heavenly war occurring right now. This war is
being fought to determine the course of history. Thankfully we
can be confident that our God, the sovereign of the Universe,
has everything in His control. Nothing is going to prevent the
plan of God from being fulfilled. Still, in war there can be
casualties. We are the enemy of the forces of darkness;
therefore, they want to stop us from being effective soldiers.
Spiritual attacks on believers will be unleashed at an
unprecedented level. Yet, if we know this in advance, we can be
prepared.
Seducing spirits are out in force in an effort to lure
vulnerable believers into a trap. They will use natural desires
and weaknesses to accomplish this goal. One of the greatest
lures will be the clouding of what is true and what is not. This
has been the enemy's most successful tactic since the dawn of
time (Genesis 3). If you remove your spiritual armor, you will be
vulnerable to the fiery missiles of Satan. Therefore, let us heed
the words of Paul:

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod
with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking
the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians
6:14 - 17
END TIME STRATEGIES

Know the Word, Renew Your Mind

Many people the world over believe in God. Yet, how

many of those same people know God? Likewise, of all the
people who believe the Word, how many actually know it? We
live in a day when it is not enough to believe the Word, we
must know it. Many times, what people believe is what
someone else told them. Generally speaking, that is how many
Christians fall into false teaching. They believe the Word of
God says a certain thing, when in reality, it does not. We must
know the Word and the doctrines contained therein if we are to
survive the onslaught against truth. When we arm ourselves
with God's Word, not only can we discern the lies and
entrapments of the enemy but we will be able to conduct
ourselves with clarity of mind, for by studying the Word, our
minds are renewed.
The renewing of the mind has to be a daily practice. Just
as dust collects on furniture, the carnal dust of this world
eventually collects in our mind. We must sweep it out with
daily prayer, the reading and study of the Holy Scriptures and
meditating upon pure and holy thoughts (Philippians 4:8).

Guard Your Heart

One of the gravest mistakes a military force can make is to

underestimate the enemy. Human nature is that, when we feel
secure, we drop our guard. Remember, the strongest and the
greatest have fallen because of weak flesh. We are to "guard
our heart with all diligence, for out of it proceeds the issues of
life" (Proverbs 4:23). Guard yourself as you would your own
children. Remember, there is no discharge in this war
(Ecclesiastes 8:8). We either overcome and win or we lose. So a
person must keep the door closed to the various seducing
powers. If we succeed in this, we will be free to accomplish
goals for the Kingdom of God.

Make Yourself Accountable

So many times, we keep our guard up in our strengths and

neglect the areas where we are weak. We try to ignore those
areas, because if we think about it too much, it clashes with our
perception of ourselves as victorious Christians. This attitude
can be a fatal mistake. A good general does not fortify his
strengths. He knows that his enemy will not attack him there.
On the other hand, the enemy will attack where you are weak,
so a good general knows to pay special attention to where he
is weak.
One of the greatest battle tactics we have at our disposal
is confession. Every believer needs someone that they can
confess their weaknesses to. In a marriage, that someone
should be your spouse. I confide in my wife what I would tell
no other human. Your spouse should be your closest friend
and confidante. Assuming the marriage is a healthy
relationship, no other person is going to be as concerned for
your welfare as your spouse. Do not keep a secret from them. If
you are troubled, tell them. Remember, Satan cannot control
what you reveal and bring into the light! Exposing areas of
weakness can determine the difference between spiritual life
and death.
If you do not have a husband or wife, confide in a close
spiritual friend - someone you can trust. Tell them when you
are under an attack, and have them pray for you. They can
become what Aaron and Hur were to Moses. They held up his
hands all during the battle until the victory was accomplished
(Exodus 17:12).

Be A Balanced Believer

Solomon said, "A man's gift maketh room for him, and
bringeth him before great men" (Proverbs 18:16). Paul wrote,
"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that
ye may prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1). Paul exhorted Timothy
to "stir up the gift of God, which is in thee" (2 Timothy 1:6). We
all need to perfect and use the gifts and talents that God has
given us to use for His glory. Still, we need to remember that
they are spiritual tools designed to help us in our quest to
fulfill God's purposes for us.
God's will is that we be balanced believers, neither
neglecting nor overemphasizing our gifts. Instead He wishes
for us to use them in their proper manner as He shapes and
molds us into men and women of integrity and virtue. In many
of the parables, Jesus taught that the gifts we present to God
should never be considered the most important thing, but
instead, should take a back seat to matters of virtue.
"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there
rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave
there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be
reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
- Matthew 5:23-24

When confronting religious leaders of the day, He exposed

the hypocrisy in lavishing exorbitant attention upon gifts at the
expense of virtue.

"Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your

tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and
mother, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the
death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his
mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by
me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free.
Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by
your tradition. Ye hypocrites."
- Matthew 15:3-7

The Lord desires that we be whole, balanced men and

women of God. Our worship of Him should be in "spirit and in
truth," not "in spirit or in truth." We cannot afford to be found
guilty of the same mistake the Pharisees of old made. They
placed more attention and importance on the gift rather than
what made the gifts holy (Matthew 23:16-22). Jesus rebuked
them when He said:
"Yes, woe upon you, Pharisees, and you religious leaders -
hypocrites! For you tithe down to the last mint leaf in your
garden, but ignore the important things - justice mercy and
faith. Yes, you should tithe, but you shouldn't leave the more
important things undone." - Matthew 23:23 (TLB)

In other words, it is very important to bring our gifts and

talents into the House of God, but we need to pay closer
attention to the virtues that God wants evident in our life. The
Greek word that is translated "virtue" is arete (pronounced ar-
et-ay). Arete comes from the Greek word that means "man." In
other words, virtue was considered synonymous with being a
man. I feel that God sees it that way too. To be a balanced man
or woman of God, we must exhibit virtues. To win prophecy's
invisible war, we must be a balanced believer.
Not only that, but consider when in the past God has
judged nations and peoples for their sins, has He typically
protected those who are gifted or those who are virtuous?
Considering what is on the horizon prophetically, God's people
must strive to be virtuous and stand for Godly principles in the
midst of a godless society. It might prove to be the difference
between life and death.
4
THE REVENGER OF BLOOD
"The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when
he meeteth him, he shall slay him." - Numbers 35:19

"For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do

that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in
vain: for he is the minister of God a revenger to execute wrath
upon him that doth evil." - Romans 13:4

Before we go further into what is happening and what is

going to happen, we first need to discuss why it is happening
and why it will happen. When the final wrath of God is poured
upon the earth, it will be because of man's willingness to
continue in sin without repenting. As a nation, America has
always known how to pray during a crisis, but we have
forgotten how to repent! During the first part of the tribulation,
some will turn to God and be willing to die for their testimony
and faith in Christ (Revelation 20:4). But during the latter part,
the Bible teaches that men will not repent of their evil deeds
(Revelation 9:20; 16:9 & 16:11). God allows intense judgment to
bring men to repentance. When men are no longer willing to
repent, then the wrath of God will be unleashed without
restraint!
 For many years, America was a nation that turned to God
in times of trouble. Presidents, governors and civic leaders
would call for a day of prayer, fasting and repentance in times
of great calamity. Today, when a crisis arises, we are
encouraged by leaders to pray, but there is no mention of
repentance. We live in a day when mankind is no longer willing
to acknowledge mistakes and refuses to take responsibility for
his actions. We see it in our political and spiritual leaders; in
our neighborhoods and schools and even in our own families.
This is a childish attribute that should dissipate as we
develop into men and women. Paul said, "When I became a
man, I put away childish things" (1Corinthians 13:11). Yet, it
seems that the present generation has opted to continue in
their wrongdoing and has chosen to excuse it as their
democratic right, regardless of the consequences. Repentance
is not saying, "I'm sorry." Repentance is acknowledging your
error, taking responsibility for it and making restitution.
Unfortunately, as a nation, we are a far cry from that.
In 1994, a devastating earthquake hit the Los Angeles
area. The epicenter of the quake was located in Northridge,
which just happened to be the heart of America's pornography
industry. Up to that point, it was one of the costliest disasters
in U.S. history at a staggering $20 billion in damages. In human
costs, twenty-two thousand were left homeless; over eight
thousand were injured and sixty-one were killed. Instead of
being moved to repentance, however, the porn moguls adopted
an attitude of ridiculing those who determined the quake was a
sign of God's disfavor. They simply rebuilt their facilities and
continued cranking out their filth.
In San Francisco, men and woman march in parades with
signs proclaiming, "God is gay" even as the earth quakes
beneath them! They do not fall to their knees in repentance. To
the contrary, they only laugh at those who believe the
trembling ground to be a divine wake up call. When
earthquakes, tornados, floods, fires and hurricanes such as
Katrina (which we'll discuss in a later chapter) no longer
humble the proud and cease to cause men to seek God's mercy,
then the time of tribulation cannot be far off.
The Tribulation will be the full measure of God's wrath
upon the earth. The end result will be that God will "destroy
sinners from off the earth (Isaiah 13:9). The sins of the world
are accumulating before God in the heavenly winepress. When
the winepress of God's wrath is full, then the inhabitants of
earth will receive their just punishment (Revelation 14:19).

THE ULTIMATE REASON FOR JUDGMENT

The average Christian would say God is judging the world
because of sin. This is a true statement, but very general. If I
asked, "Which sins?," there would probably be a wide range of
answers. Some would feel that belligerent homosexuality would
be a prime candidate. After all, that is why He judged Sodom
and Gomorrah. Reading Genesis 19, we find that the men of
Sodom were exceedingly wicked. So vile was their heart, that
they banged on Lot's door and demanded that he turn over to
them the strangers that had come into town, so that they may
have sexual relations with them. The next morning, the city and
its inhabitants were reduced to ashes. It would seem the motive
for God's judgment on the cities of the plain is pretty easy to
see. Yet, many Christians are not aware that there were four
major sins of Sodom mentioned by Ezekiel the prophet.

"Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride,

fullness of bread, the abundance of idleness was in her and in
her daughters. Neither did she strengthen the hand of the
poor and needy." - Ezekiel 16:49

Judgment came for several sins, but nowhere does it

mention homosexuality. The reason is that sexual perversion
was not the root of the problem, but only a fruit of the problem.
The four sins that Ezekiel mentioned paved the way for
Sodom's citizens to follow every vain imagination in their heart.
These four sins, by the way, are found in every nation of the
world.
Yet, in today's world, there is none who compares to the
United States in transgression of these four sins.
Consequently, we too are faced with belligerent homosexuality,
the kind that dares anyone to come against it. For the sins that
America has committed, she will pay greatly in the time of
Tribulation, and perhaps in some measure before then.

THE SUN OF PRIDE

"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not

seek after God; God is not in all his thoughts." - Psalm 10:4

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before

a fall." - Proverbs 16:18

The Bible could not be any clearer. There is no room in the

heart of the proud for God. To acknowledge God and
dependence upon Him would suggest that we are fallible and in
need. Pride seduces you into thinking that you alone can
accomplish anything set before you. Pride was what filled the
heart of Nebuchadnezzar as he looked upon his capital city
Babylon and proclaimed, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have
built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power,
and for the honor of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30).
The Bible says that while the words were still in his mouth,
a voice announced that the kingdom would be taken away from
him. For seven years, the most powerful man on earth behaved
as an animal. His pride and haughty spirit had paved the way
for his destruction.
Likewise, America is in danger of a fall. We pride ourselves
on being independent of anything and everyone. This is not
the heritage our forebears left us. They declared independence
from a tyrant, even as they professed dependence upon
Almighty God and interdependence upon one another. Still,
most Americans either cannot, or will not, bring themselves to
believe that anything destructive or catastrophic could ever
happen to America. Those people should pay close attention
to the words of the prophet Obadiah, who wrote:

"The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest
in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in
his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though
thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest
among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the
Lord." - Obadiah 1:3-4

It is interesting to note the terminology used by Obadiah -

"Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle. . . though thou set thy
nest among the stars." Is it possible that this prophecy has an
application for our times? If so, is this an allusion to the
American eagle? Is it referring to the stars of our national
standard, the Stars and Stripes? Or perhaps it is alluding to our
space exploration. Remember, we were the first to land on the
moon and plant our standard upon that heavenly body. Recall
the immortal words of Neil Armstrong as the first space module
from Earth landed on the moon: "Tranquility base here. The
Eagle has landed."
No matter how lofty a status we have attained as a people
and as a nation, if we are guilty of pride to the degree that
Sodom was, how then can we expect to escape God's
retribution? Unrepentant, we will not. We have a deep, ugly
root called pride growing in our society. The fruit of pride -
sexual perversion, violence (Psalms 73:6), etc. - knows not
repentance, but only selfish indulgence. There is coming a day
when we shall reap the bitter rewards of that fruit. We are sure
to feel the sting of God's words as given to Obadiah, "I will
bring you down, says the Lord."

FULLNESS OF BREAD
What was intended to be, and should have been, a
blessing to a nation became a sin. It has always been a flaw in
human nature, that we cannot discipline ourselves to properly
use the blessings of God in the manner they were intended. As
we are blessed, we may at first acknowledge God's goodness,
but then pride opens the door for excessive behavior. Sodom
had "fullness of bread" - in other words, they had an
abundance of food and wealth. Yet, it became a curse to them.
They indulged themselves in the abundance of their nation and
forgot from whom these blessings had come.
Besides being sexual predators, they had become
drunkards and gluttons. Hear what the Bible has to say.

"This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our
voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard. And all the men of his
city shall stone him with stones, that he die; so shalt thou put
evil away from among you." - Deuteronomy 21:20-21

"Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh; for

the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and
drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." - Proverbs 23:20-
21

Notice how the word "glutton" is associated with

"drunkard." This is because both flaws are related to excessive
living. The very word "glutton" carries with it the idea of being
unprincipled and undisciplined, being susceptible to every
kind of excess. In one instance, God commands for this type of
person to be put out of society - permanently! In the other
Scripture, Solomon warns that the end of this person, who
once reveled in abundance, will be poverty and rags!
In America, we also have "fullness of bread." In material
wealth, we are the richest nation the world has ever known. We
have anything we want. But what was once intended to be a
blessing, what once was a gracious answer to fervent prayer
has now become another way for us to revel. True, despite our
wicked ways, we continue to prosper. We are so wealthy in
fact, that some of our teenagers can transport their pipe bombs
and assault weapons to school in BMWs! God help us all. In
the hands of a proud people, fullness of bread becomes a
curse.

THE ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS

In plain language, this means "prosperity of peace" or
"abundance of quiet." On the surface it sounds very nice. Who
doesn't want to have peace and quiet? The implications of this
phrase, however, go far beyond simple peace and quiet. It
implies that, because they were wealthy - they had "fullness of
bread" - and had most everything life had to offer, the deficit of
time spent in labor compared with idle time became greater. In
other words, the wealthier they became, the more luxury time
they had. If a people were righteous, that would translate into
more time to spend in communion with God and more time to
spend in service to God. For a wicked and proud people, it
becomes the inspiration for the old saying, "An idle mind is the
devil's workshop."
How else can you explain the fact that two teenage boys
are able to accumulate an arsenal of over thirty bombs, several
guns and hundred of rounds of ammunition to use on their
fellow students in Littleton, Colorado? Both of these boys
came from fairly well-to-do families. Neither of these boys had
to worry about making money or helping to provide for their
family, not that a teenager should neccesarily have to.
According to news reports, they spent most of their time
on the internet and playing violent video games, such as
DOOM. The point is that an abundance of wealth and idle time
can be a deadly combination when the society in which you
live is proud and arrogant enough to forget God.

NEGLECTING THE POOR AND NEEDY

Many Americans are under the impression that we do a lot
to "strengthen the hand of the poor and needy." We pay taxes
that fund social programs such as Social Security, Food
Stamps, Medicaid, etc., so that those who are less fortunate
than we are taken care of. First of all, the plight of the poor and
needy is as much a political issue as a social one. True, there
are some government officials who are truly concerned for the
welfare of the poor. Then there are those who use the social
issue as a political platform with no serious intention of doing
anything about it.
The reality of the situation is, if you have an electorate
that is dependent on you for their welfare, then you are
somewhat insured of a long political tenure. In short, all the
Federal and State governments have done for the poor, with
some exceptions, is to maintain the lifestyle these people
already had and keep them dependent on state supported
funding. This is not "strengthening" the hand of the poor and
needy.
Many Americans, including Christians, have the attitude
that, because they pay taxes, their obligation to the poor is
fulfilled. In other words, they do not want to be bothered with
it. They are in a hurry to get to the golf course, or perhaps,
they don't have it to spare because they are saving up for a
new swimming pool. Jesus decried this type of person as one
who is full of darkness.

"The lamp of your body is the eye. When you have a good eye
[that is, when you are generous] your whole body is full of
light; but when you have an evil eye [when you are stingy], you
body is full of darkness." - Luke 11:34 (JNT)

Apparently, this was the spiritual condition of the

inhabitants of Sodom. Sadly, it is also the condition of our
nation. Yes, we do send a lot of aid to other countries when
they are hit with a disaster. True, we do have social assistance
programs to help some of our own citizens. But do we fulfill
what is required of us? Scripture tells us that to whom much is
given, MUCH is required (Luke 12:48).Are we truly concerned
about our fellow man as much as we are concerned about
ourselves?
It seems a bit hypocritical to think of ourselves as some
great humanitarian society on a grand crusade for human rights
when we have so much blood on our hands. You see, a proud
and arrogant society immersed in revelry, absorbed with evil
thoughts and disinterested in the plight of their fellow man,
sooner or later turns to violence. We must understand that the
men of Sodom were violent.
The two angelic strangers were not their "partners" and
yet the Sodomites wanted to abuse these two. Had they not
been struck with blindness, they would have stopped at
nothing to have their way. That is where we are as a society.
Our abundance and revelry has created a nation of flesh
junkies. There is nothing sacred anymore. There is nothing that
will prevent us from satisfying every carnal and animalistic
desire we can contrive - not even the sanctity of human life!

THE VOICE OF BLOOD

For too many years, America has shed innocent blood. We
have murdered for political reasons or for something so trivial
as a little spare change. Perhaps the most atrocious murders,
however, are being perpetrated under the protection of federal
law and under the political cover of "Pro Choice." Since the
Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, America has aborted on
average 1.5 million babies each year. These precious babies are
not a blob of tissue, or just a fetus. They are living, breathing
human beings, created in the image of Almighty God. The Lord
told Jeremiah:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and I ordained

you to be a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5

God Himself has settled the issue of whether the unborn

baby is a human or not, if with no other statement than that
one. Who are we to now tell God, "You made a mistake. While
he was in his mother's womb, Jeremiah was inanimate fetal
tissue."
There are many mysteries and miracles associated with
birth and life. One of those mysteries is the soul. The Bible
says, "The life of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11).
The Hebrew word used here for "life" is nefesh and many times
is translated "soul." Therefore, Leviticus 17:11 could be
interpreted, "The soul of the flesh is in the blood." So you see,
blood is comprised of more than just red and white cells, DNA
and chromosomes. Blood contains an eternal life force,
destined to spend eternity somewhere.
Our soul contains our consciousness, our pattern of
thought and our expression of it. God has given us the ability
to express those thoughts through words. Put simply, our soul
has a voice. Likewise, our blood also has a voice! When Cain
killed Abel, God said to Cain, "Where is your brother? . . . The
voice of thy brother's blood cries up to me from the ground"
(Genesis 4:10).
Hidden within the Hebrew text is an interesting point. In
the Hebrew text, the word "blood" should actually be
interpreted as "bloods" - plural. It should read, "Thy brother's
bloods cry up to me from the ground." The rabbinical
commentaries teach that, by using the plural form of the word,
the Scripture conveys the idea that Cain killed, not only Abel,
but all of Abel's offspring that would have been born, had he
lived. Therefore, it was not only Abel's blood crying out to
God, but all of his descendant's blood cried out for vengeance
as well. Thus, the rabbinic adage:
"When a person kills one man, it is as if he has killed an
entire world."

THE VOICE OF THE SHOFAR

"Blow ye the trumpet (shofar) in Zion, and sound an alarm in

my holy mountain." - Joel 2:1

In the Bible, "horn" denotes power. Likewise, the shofar,

the ram's horn, and its associated sound denotes power, for the
shofar is the representative voice of innocent blood. We must
recognize that for us to hear the sound of the shofar, an
innocent gave its life; and remember, innocent blood has a
voice (Gen. 4:10). Every time we hear the shofar, the voice of
innocent blood cries out to be heard. Churches across America
have been led by God to incorporate the blowing of the shofar
into their services. Why? One reason may be that God wants to
use the symbolism of the shofar to drive His message home.
That message is, that the voices of innocent blood, which has
been spilled on American soil, are crying out to Him for
vengeance. The shofar is announcing that the time to avenge
them has come.
When you consider the shofar is a picture of the
substitute sacrifice and ultimately the true substitute sacrifice,
the Promised Seed - Jesus - the power of the shofar becomes
even more evident. The voice of the shofar becomes the voice
of God Himself, calling out for us to remember our sin, both
individually and corporately. The shofar calls upon us to be of
a repentant heart and, through the power of the substitute
sacrifice - Jesus the Messiah - to return to God. Unfortunately,
many will never hear this voice, or will not heed its warning. So,
the carnage continues. While you have read these two
paragraphs, the blood of another innocent child has stained
the conscience of our country in some federally protected
abortion clinic.
Abortion destroys many lives. Every woman who has had
an abortion is scarred in some way for life - some physically
some emotionally and some both. Abortion not only destroys
the life of one child, but every child that would have been born
through that child's lineage. The Bible says, "Abel being dead
yet speaketh (Hebrews 11:4). When the blood of the innocent
hits the ground, it begins to cry out to God for vengeance. This
is exactly what the souls of the martyrs are doing in heaven.
The souls of the righteous throughout the ages are under
Heaven's Sea of Glass. The Bible teaches that they cry out to
God saying, "How long will it be until you avenge us of our
blood on earth?" (Revelation 6:10). The voice of innocent
blood has God's attention. God will not allow His Creation,
fashioned in His own similitude, to be vandalized and thrown
away as if it were a mere piece of trash. We do not believe that
He will allow those who sit idly by and silently witness the
murder of innocents to go unscathed.
We cannot embrace Cain's attitude - "Am I my brother's
keeper?" - and expect God not to hold us accountable. We
must speak out against this tragedy and call for justice in the
land. The value of human life, young and old, is far greater than
anything this world has to offer. We must not be found guilty
of condoning murder, for God will exact a great price of the
nation that allows its children to be "passed through the fire"
(Leviticus 18:21).
In the future, God will destroy Mystery Babylon, that
religious system which has murdered millions in the name of
religion. He will burn it to the ground. The Bible tells us that He
takes vengeance upon those who have shed the blood of the
prophets and the saints (Revelation 18:24)! It is our belief that,
ultimately, America's judgment will come because of the
shedding of innocent blood. True, there are many other
transgressions that our nation is guilty of and, no doubt, God
will deal with each one. Still, it seems that no crime committed
against God brings such a swift and vengeful response as does
the shedding of innocent blood.
We are a violent nation, to the extent that even our
children think nothing of taking someone's life. In Jonesboro,
Arkansas, in 1998, eleven and thirteen-year-old boys killed four
classmates and a teacher. In Littleton, Colorado, two misguided
teens killed thirteen people and wounded twenty-three others.
One of their victims, a young woman, was asked, "Do you
believe in God?"" When she responded in the affirmative she
was shot in the head. As her blood cries out for vengeance, the
revenger of blood prepares to go through the land, and there is
no place to hide.

EXAMPLES FROM THE BIBLE

The stories of the Old Testament are given to us as an
example to learn from (1Corinthians 10:11). We believe that
contained within some of these Old Testament narratives are
clues to America's future. Furthermore, the patterns these
stories reveal may indicate where God's judgment will strike
first.

The Judgment Of Egypt

As Israel began to populate in Egypt, there arose a
Pharaoh who "knew not Joseph (Exodus 1:8). This king feared
that the Hebrews would become powerful enough to sweep the
dynasty he represented from power. Like the evil demagogue
who would follow him in history, he enslaved the Hebrew
people and forced them to live in the ancient equivalent of
concentration camps. Not satisfied with this, he came up with
his own version of the Final Solution and demanded that all the
midwives kill all newborn Hebrew males. For fear of God, the
midwives refused. Pharaoh then commanded:

"Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every
daughter ye shall save alive." - Exodus 1:22

As this began to happen one Hebrew mother hid her

newborn son, Moses, in the reeds of the Nile River. There is
no estimate of how many innocent babies became food for the
crocodiles, but undoubtedly, their blood began to call out to
God for retribution. Many years later, when God's judgment
came upon Egypt, one of the first things to feel God's wrath
was the Nile - the life source for all of Egypt. As if to illustrate
to Egypt why He was there to judge, God turned the waters of
the river into blood (Exodus 7:17-20). The king of Egypt shed
the blood of the Hebrews, therefore, the revenger of blood gave
them blood to drink!
 This same type of revenge will occur in the coming
Tribulation. The Bible tells us that the rivers and sea will
become bloody. God declares, "For those who have shed the
blood of the innocent and the righteous, they will have blood to
drink."

"For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou
hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy."
- Revelation 16:6

By the time God's wrath had subsided, Egypt lay in ruins.

The last and most terrible judgment was upon Egypt's
children. From every household, including the palace of
Pharaoh, came wails of lament as each family discovered the
lifeless form of their firstborn child. Egypt had been so
unconcerned for the sanctity of life where the Hebrews were
concerned. They had tossed crying babies into the Nile
because it was the law of the land. Now, they were living with
the consequences of that despicable act. Now they were the
grieving parents. No one was spared, not even Pharaoh. He
was personally paying for the treatment of the Hebrew
children. His ultimate demise came just a few days later.
As Israel, surrounded by canyons and Egyptian chariots,
began to cross the Red Sea the waters they passed through
formed a wall on either side of them (Exodus 14:22). When
they were safely on the other side, Pharaoh and his army
began to pursue them, but what was salvation and liberty for
the Hebrews, became a grave for Egypt's lung. The walls of
water caved in on Pharaoh and his men and drowned them all.
Egyptian law had thrown Israel's children into the water, and
now Egypt's symbol of law and power perished in the water, as
well (Exodus 15:19).

The Collapse Of Jericho

When Joshua and Israel crossed over the Jordan to take

possession of the Promised Land, there was only one city
where God caused the walls to fall down. That city, as you
know, was Jericho. Why did God bring those walls down for
Israel, and not repeat the miracle as they conquered other
cities? The answer is very interesting and alarming.
If you have ever had the privilege of traveling to Israel,
perhaps, you were able to tour the ancient site of Jericho. As
you gaze upon the ruins, you can still see rubble remains of
the ancient walls. Years ago, an Israeli guide pointed out to me
the remains of a clay jar within the ancient brick walls. The
guide said, "When this place was excavated, the archaeologist
discovered a large jar within the wall containing the bones of
an infant."
Archaeology has discovered that the inhabitants of
Jericho were members of a religious cult which practiced
ritual offerings of children to an idol god. After the child had
been sacrificed, they would place the body into a jar and
enclose the vessel into the city walls for "good luck." I could
clearly see that there were still bone fragments mixed in with
the brick. It was then that I realized that God's judgment upon
that city had to include bringing down the walls, because the
innocent blood of children cried out from within the wall. The
revenger of blood brought the wall down to avenge the
slaughter of the innocents, and the entire city was purged with
fire!

The Walls Of Jerusalem

In ancient times, a large idol sat in the valley of Hinnom,

situated on the western side of Jerusalem. Moloch, as it was
called, was fashioned from iron and was portrayed as half bull
and half man. An opening was cut into the belly of the image so
that fires could be kindled within the iron beast. As part of a
cult ritual, parents would offer their children to Molech. This
was called "passing your children through the fire." It was
forbidden in the law of Moses for Israel to participate in such
idolatry (Deuteronomy 18:10).
Strange as it may seem, the wisest man in the world,
Solomon, broke the command and allowed his children to be
offered to Molech and to be "passed through the fire." Four
hundred years later, the Babylonians surrounded the walls of
Jerusalem and destroyed the city - including Solomon's
Temple - burning it to the ground. Solomon used fire to
destroy children, and when God allowed judgment to come
upon the city, Jerusalem was itself engulfed in flames.

The Warning Of Christ In 30 A.D.

In the days just before Jesus went to the cross, through

tears He announced to the inhabitants of Jerusalem:
"Upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the
earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to Zecharias whom ye
slew between the porch and the altar . . . O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stoned them
which are sent unto thee; how oft would I have gathered thy
children together" - Matthew 23:35, 37

Notice Jesus said "righteous blood." In other words,

innocent blood. The slayers had no justifiable reason to kill
these godly people. Notice also that He said from "Abel to
Zacharias." Basically, Jesus was announcing that the
judgment for 4,000 years of bloodshed was coming upon one
generation and one city! Why? Because they were visited by
the Messiah and rejected him! Within a generation, the words
of Jesus came to pass. In 66 A.D., the Romans lay siege to the
city. Before it was over, mothers were eating their own
children! After three years of siege, the Roman legions
breached the city's fortifications and destroyed the wall. They
entered in and set fire to the Temple.

HOW THE LAND BECOMES CURSED

The Torah makes it clear. When innocent blood is shed
and there is no repentance, then the land becomes cursed. God
established the law of innocent blood in Deuteronomy 21. If a
man was found dead near a city, then the elders of that city had
to go to the closest city and meet with the elders there. In the
presence of witnesses, they were to slay a heifer, then take a
bowl of water and wash their hands with the blood of the heifer
mingling with the water. They then declared they were
innocent of the blood of the slain man. If they refused this law,
then their land was cursed by God.
This is what happened when Christ was crucified. Three
times Pilate declared Jesus innocent and just. He then washed
his hands in the presence of the crowd. Every Jewish member
of that audience knew the importance of what Pilate was doing.
Suddenly they cried out, "His blood be upon us and upon our
children" (Matthew 27:25). Because Jesus was an innocent
man, the land of Israel came under a curse; furthermore, the
people pronounced judgment upon themselves! They knew the
law of Moses.
However, in His compassion Jesus prayed, "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
With this simple prayer, Jesus removed the curse from these
individuals, but the curse upon the land remained intact. For
the past two thousand years, the land of Israel has been under
a curse. It has continued to be the backdrop for many deaths of
innocent victims. Until recently, very little would grow there. It
has only been in the last few decades that the land has shown
any signs of coming back to life, just in time for the return of
the Messiah.
Innocent blood causes the land to be cursed. Think about
this. In our country, regions that have historically been the
biggest contributors to our food supplies have suffered
immensely. Florida, California and other regions have battled
massive wildfires. Torrential rain and mud slides affect one
region while, simultaneously, other regions suffer severe
drought. As a consequence food supplies are critically
hampered - and this is while things remain relatively "good."
One can only speculate what will happen in the coming months
and years.
To make matters worse, neither the American people nor
our leadership have a clue as to what is going on. Many will
pass these problems off as a result of global warming! It is
getting hotter alright, but not just because of pollution
emissions. Another temperature is rising. The heat and anger
of a righteous God is beginning to be felt. It seems we have
reached a time where His patience is wearing thin.
The pattern is there. Abortion is nothing more than
legalized murder. There is a fraction of adult society that
thinks nothing of physically and sexually abusing our kids.
The courts think nothing of letting them off relatively easy.
Jesus said it would have been better for these to tie a millstone
around their necks and be cast into the sea (Matthew 18:6).
When we reach the point where we defile and murder our own
children - God's precious gift - then we have reached a point
where God must act.
America shall not escape. As a nation, we will face the
same judgments that ransacked the ancient empires. God's
voice will allow our hedge of protection, the walls around
America, to fall violently. Just as surely as the shofar blasts
flattened the walls of Jericho, the voice of innocent blood will
bring the walls of our nation raining down. Just as Pharaoh
and his army perished as the walls of the Red Sea came
crashing down upon them, so too will this nation feel the blast
of God's fury as He avenges the blood of the innocents we have
slaughtered.
The walls of Jerusalem, the city of the great King, were
judged. Just because we are America, the most blessed nation
in the history of mankind, can we expect to escape His justice?
No. The walls of America will also come down.
Recall that when God judged Sodom for its sin, it was the
cities of the plain, the coastal region, that felt the heat of God's
anger. If, on one extreme, we have violent storms, then the
other extreme will be drought. As you all are aware,
Hurricane Katrina completely devastated the Gulf Coast in
parts of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Then the
subsequent flooding of New Orleans created not only a
financial drain on the country but also further exposed the
political strain in the US. Furthermore, instead of bringing
people to repentance, the flood waters provoked those who
were determined to rebuild the Crescent City to do so that the
debauchery associated with her could continue.
Almost simultaneously, the southeastern US has been
experiencing what is called a "100 Year Drought." During
this terrible drought Atlantans have, at times, feared that they
would have no water at all. Think about it - two cities within
five hundred miles of one another: one under water and one
without enough water. I am fearful that these circumstances
are but the beginning of many such instances. More and more
we shall see the effects of the curse upon our land.

AMERICA'S CHILDREN
Everyone remembers the terrible tragedy that occurred at
Littleton Colorado's Columbine High School. That is where
two teenage boys, armed with sawed off shotguns, assault
weapons and home-made bombs, marched into their school and
gunned down over thirty of their classmates. Twelve students
and one teacher died. After the killers knew that they could
not escape, they put a gun to their heads and pulled the
trigger.
More recently, a disturbed Virginia Tech student
massacred thirty-two of his fellow students and teachers
before taking his own life. This murderous rampage is
currently the most deadly school shooting on record. The
question that is always raised when something like this
happens is "WHY?" Why is this country experiencing this
frightening trend of senseless killings? Perhaps the Bible
gives us the answer.
Egypt's lust for control and power seduced them into
thinking that they could murder children and get away with it.
They mingled innocent blood with the waters of the Nile. Years
later, God stirred up that blood and made them drink it.
Moreover, because they had not preferred the life of an
innocent child over their own lusts, He took their children
away from them through death.
Because Jericho did not hesitate to destroy the lives of
innocent children for the sake of their own lusts, God
pronounced that the city and all its inhabitants were cursed
(Joshua 6:17). God instructed Joshua that no one, whether
they be young or old, save the harlot Rahab, should live. That
means that many of the inhabitants of Jericho saw their
children slain.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders partook of
a ghastly ritual that required the lives of their innocent
children. These people were not pagans. These were people
who had known God and had witnessed His displays of might
and power. How could they have possibly been seduced into
thinking that they could get away with this? Still, they caused
their own children to "pass through the fire." In retribution,
God caused them to pass through the fire. Don't overlook the
fact that before that happened, history records that many of the
inhabitants of Jerusalem ate their own children. So, what are
we to make of this?
It seems that in each case, because that nation's lusts
drove them to such barbaric acts as to murder innocent
children, that when judgment did visit them, something
happened to their children. It was as if their crime demanded
"an eye for an eye." Could it be that this is why we see our
children being molested? Is it possible that, because we think
nothing of sucking the brains out of an unborn baby, the
brains of our teenagers and even our preteens are being
twisted and manipulated to the point that they will rape,
murder and commit suicide? You be the judge!
If God's judgment does fall upon America soon then know
that ALL will be affected. This is why - He causes it to rain
upon the just and the unjust. However, we must understand
that judgment does not necessarily have to be a bad thing.
When a plaintiff and a defendant go into a courtroom, someone
will leave vindicated, and someone will leave having a decision
rendered against them. Someone will leave feeling that justice
was finally served. Hopefully, someone will leave repentant of
what landed them in court. If you and I are present to witness
God's judgment and we have been found pure before Him, we
can trust that His judgments will vindicate us. What caused
the wicked Egyptians to grope in darkness only served to
distinguish the light that was in Goshen.
When judgment comes, perhaps God wants us to be there
so that He will have the opportunity to show a wicked
generation how God cares for his own and brings retribution
upon those who defy Him. Someone needs to be in a position to
tell those groping in darkness how to come into the light.
There will be many questions and many opportunities and
platforms for God's people to provide the answer.
Judgment is also intended to bring people to repentance -
not just the wicked, but the Christian as well. Many
Christians are living lives unbefitting of a Christian
testimony. Like children, we sometimes push our heavenly
Father to His limits, leaving Him no other choice but to
chasten us in an effort to bring about a change in our heart. If
this is you, then when the revenger of blood comes through the
land, He may have to deal with errant children as well as the
wicked.
There are some examples in Scripture that should cause
us to take account of our sin and repent. Likewise, there are
stories in Scripture that should cause us to take heart. When
God determined to judge Sodom and Gomorrah, the
relationship that Abraham had with the Lord spared Lot and
his family. It is not the time to throw up our hands and say, "all
is lost." To the contrary, let us pray fervently for our children.
They, even more so than we, are feeling the consequence of
our mistakes and the mistakes of the prior generation.
Though it does not seem fair, still that is reality.
In this life, outside of salvation through the Messiah, our
children are the most precious gift we have. We should be
determined as never before to stand in the gap for the children
of this nation. Find one who needs a holy influence in their life
and become that influence. Pray for your country and its
leaders. After all, the problems we have in our country are
only a reflection of the condition of the church. There is hope!
The Lord has promised us that:

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble

themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their
wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14
 5
PATTERNS IN PROPHECY
Whether you know it or not, patterns affect you everyday.
After all, we are all created according to a pattern. When God
designed us, He did not just throw us together. He had a plan -
a blueprint, if you will and a blueprint is just another way of
saying pattern. Our parents, our childhood - everything about
us - is a pattern that influences how we live. In this chapter I
want to stress to you the fact that, beyond the normal
everyday patterns, there are patterns in Biblical and secular
history that affect each and everyone of us.

"Whatever is, has been long ago; and whatever is going to be

has been before; God brings to pass again what was in the
distant past and disappeared." - Ecclesiastes 3:15 (TLB)

There exists a principle in the Bible that teaches significant

events of today almost always have a historical precedent.
Moreover, it is God Himself who established the pattern in the
beginning and who causes it to be repeated in the future.

THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL

A great example of this truth is found in the Seven Feasts
of Israel. Basically, all seven festivals were, and still are,
considered patterns for future events. For example, the
crucifixion of Messiah was prophesied in Scripture long before
Jesus ever walked the earth. Psalm 22 is a good example of this,
but no prophetic pattern is so obviously direct as the story of
Passover. If one studies all facets of the Passover story and
compares it to the crucifixion of Jesus, you will discover that
Jesus' execution fits the Passover pattern in every detail. Below
is a list, in very brief detail, of some of the similarities between
the story of Passover and the New Testament account of the
Crucifixion.

E XODUS 12 GOSPELS
Lamb taken into house Jesus enters Temple
Lamb without blemish "No fault" in him

Lamb examined 4 days Jesus tested 4 days

Lamb slain on 14 Aviv Jesus crucified on 14 Aviv

Lamb killed at 3 pm Jesus died at 3 pm

As we all know, three days after the crucifixion, Jesus

arose from the dead, bringing with Him all the saints of old who
had died. The Bible teaches us that He presented them unto
God (Ephesians 4:8). That particular Sunday morning following
Passover would have been the Festival of First Fruits
(Leviticus 23:10-14). At the time Jesus was coming from the
tomb, accompanied by the resurrected saints of old, men and
women would have been proceeding to the Temple to offer the
firstfruits of their spring harvest to the Lord. This is why Paul
referred to Jesus as the "firstfruits of them that slept" (1
Corinthians 15:20).
There are many more examples of how Jesus fulfilled the
Passover pattern - too many, in fact, to go into here. We just
wanted the reader to see that God does fulfill prophecy
according to patterns of the past. Passover is just one example.
There is another good example found in Exodus 19. This
particular chapter relates the story of how Israel received the
revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai. God came down upon
the mountain and spoke to the people audibly, giving them the
Law of Moses. The day that God came down upon the
mountain would later be called Shavuot or, as we say,
Pentecost. Within Exodus 19 and the story of Pentecost lies
another pattern for a future event.
We need to interject at this point that Pentecost and
Passover are linked. For Israel to correctly calculate when to
celebrate Pentecost, they had to start the calculation at the
Feast of First Fruits which we just mentioned. (We should note
that Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits all fall within a
seven day period initiated by the Passover celebration.) That
means that Jesus' death, burial and resurrection are all linked to
the feast of Pentecost and, specifically, the events of Acts 2.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all
with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound
from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them
cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
- Acts 2:1-4

Had it not been for the Passover in Egypt, including the

death of the firstborn, there would have been no deliverance of
Israel and thus, no revelation at Sinai. Likewise, had it not been
for the resurrection, the events of Acts 2 would have never
occurred. Furthermore, Jesus, before He went away,
commanded them that they should wait in Jerusalem until this
event had taken place. By doing this, He was connecting His
death, burial and resurrection to the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit. Now understanding this, let us take a closer look at the
pattern that Exodus 19 establishes.
We know that when God descended upon Sinai, there was
thunder, lightning, and the noise of a shofar. The mountain
itself smoked and quaked to the point that the people in the
camp trembled (Exodus 19:16). We also know that God began to
speak to the people in an audible voice from out of the midst of
a fire (Deuteronomy 4:10-12). What the Bible does not share
with us directly, however, bears mentioning as well.
Jewish tradition tells us that, besides all the things
mentioned above, many other strange manifestations
accompanied the giving of the Law at Sinai. Listed below are
the most peculiar:

God spoke in all languages known to man.

God's voice issued forth as a flame of fire.
God's voice divided into tongues of fire.

This is very interesting in light of what Acts 2 tells us

about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of
Pentecost.

They heard a loud, roaring wind.

Cloven, divided tongues of fire appeared over them.
People of every nation heard in their own language.

Here again, we see how God established a pattern and

then fulfilled prophecy at a later time according to that pattern.
In addition, it seems possible that God is not completely
finished with the pattern of Pentecost. It may, in fact, offer
some clues about another future event - the Resurrection.
Compare what happened in Exodus 19 to what we know about
this great event.
First of all, the Bible tells us that the catching away will be
preceded by a loud voice and the sound of a trumpet.

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and
the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the
Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for

the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
-1Corinthians 15:52
This is exactly the pattern that we discover in Exodus 19.

"And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that

there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon
the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that
all the people that were in the camp trembled. . . . And mount
Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD
descended upon it in fire; . . . And when the voice of the
trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses
spake, and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD came
down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount; and the
LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount and Moses went
up." - Exodus 19:16, 18-20
Notice the similarities between those scriptures relating to the
coming of the Lord and the passages in Exodus.

AT MT. S INAI COMING OF THE L ORD

Came down on the 3rd day The Third Day (Hosea 6:1-3)

Came down in clouds Coming in clouds (Acts 1:9-11)

Noise of the trumpet Trump of God will sound
God came in a five Comes in fire (2 Thess. 1:7-8)

God answered with a voice A shout and voice of archangel

God descended from heaven Christ descends from heaven
God called Moses up All believers caught up

Moses went up Believers meet him in the air

Now, if we tie all this together, this is what we see

developing within the pattern. The accounts found in Exodus
describe how Israel was delivered out of the hands of Pharaoh.
Through the shed blood of the Lamb, God provided for their
salvation. He led them through the Red Sea and on to Sinai. At
Sinai, He displayed His mighty power and majesty, speaking to
them audibly. It was there that He gave them the Law of
Moses. The Rabbis teach that the freedom they obtained at
Passover would not have been complete without the revelation
at Sinai. Only then could they proceed to the Promised Land.
In the New Testament, Jesus is our Passover Lamb.
Through His death, we are delivered from the bonds of
Pharaoh (Satan). After His death, God poured out His Spirit on
the day of Pentecost with awesome signs, just as He did at
Sinai. When God pours out His Spirit upon us, it is as if He
writes His law upon our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).In addition,
because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (our
Passover Lamb) and the outpouring of God's Spirit, we can
now look to the future with great hope. We expect that any day,
the Son of God will announce His descent from heaven with a
shout and the voice of a trumpet.

THE BOOK OF RUTH

While we are on the subject of Pentecost, it seems this
would be a good time to introduce the pattern found in Ruth's
story. Each year at Pentecost, the book of Ruth is read in
synagogues around the world. This is a very interesting point
because, hidden within this short but fascinating story, we
believe, are two possible patterns - one which has been fulfilled
and the other is, perhaps, yet to be fulfilled.
We will not take the time to recount the entire story here.
We encourage the reader to take the time to read the account
and familiarize yourself with the details of the story. So, in
summary, this is what we find. A Jewish woman, Naomi, had
wandered among the Gentiles for several years. During that
time, she had lost her husband, her sons and her inheritance.
The only thing she did have was a faithful daughter-in-law who
decided to return with Naomi to the land of her birth,
Bethlehem of Judah. The daughter-in-law, Ruth, not only
returned with her, but professed faith in the God of Israel.
The duo arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the
barley harvest (Ruth 1:22).We know that would have been in
early spring. It was around that time that Ruth was introduced
to Boaz, a wealthy kinsman of Naomi. After gleaning in his field
for some time, Ruth finally went to him so that he could take
her in. That occurred when the barley was being threshed
(Ruth 3:2). Interestingly, that would have been about the time
of Passover.
It was that very night, at midnight in fact, that Boaz
promised this virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11) that he would
redeem her and Naomi. Before she left, he gave her a gift of six
measures of barley in addition to the promise. The Bible says
that on that very day, Boaz went to the city to find the one
kinsman who was a closer relative to Naomi than he was. In the
presence of ten elders, he challenged this man to redeem
Naomi's inheritance and to take Ruth as his bride. After he
refused, Boaz declared that he will take Ruth as his wife.
Tradition says that just a few weeks later, during the wheat
harvest or as we know it, Pentecost, Boaz and Ruth were
married. In fact, this is one of the main reasons that the book of
Ruth is read during Pentecost. Here is the pattern.
Naomi represents the Jewish people. For centuries they
had been forced to wander among the Gentile nations, having
lost their inheritance - the land of Israel. After some time, they
returned with the aid of some righteous Gentiles. Ruth
represents those Gentiles who profess faith in the God of Israel
and who link themselves with their Jewish brothers and sisters
and join them at Bethlehem, which means "house of bread."
Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, represents the Messiah.
Notice that Boaz did not take Naomi as his bride, but took
Ruth, the Gentile. Likewise, the bride of Messiah is comprised
mainly of Gentile believers. Yet, because of the Gentile bride
being joined to the kinsman redeemer, Israel is also reunited
with her inheritance. It is Naomi who takes the offspring of
Boaz and Ruth to her bosom and becomes nurse to it (Ruth
4:16). The fact that Boaz had to challenge the jurisdiction of
another kinsman in the presence of ten witnesses alludes to
how Jesus (Boaz) "saved" his bride instead of their nearer
kinsman - the Law of Moses (represented by ten witnesses).
Notice also that Boaz (Messiah) and Ruth (Gentile bride)
meet at the barley harvest (Passover) and wed at the wheat
harvest (Pentecost). This is a perfect picture of the covenant
Messiah made with mankind at Passover and which was
confirmed at Pentecost with the birth of the Church.
Ruth's story may also allude to another future event. If we
consider that, although Ruth was betrothed to Boaz at
Passover, she did not enter the wedding chamber until
Pentecost. Consider also that this story is read at Pentecost, a
festival whose pattern was established at Mount Sinai. It was
at Mount Sinai that God descended with the blast of a trumpet
and many other awesome sights, painting a beautiful picture of
the Rapture. Perhaps the story of Ruth serves as a confirming
witness of Pentecost's pattern for the future and portrays a
picture of the future marriage of Messiah and His bride.
Though Enoch's story has nothing to do with Ruth, it is
interesting to note that, traditionally, Enoch, like the Church,
was born on Pentecost. Also, traditionally, it is believed that
Enoch was translated on Pentecost. Enoch is one of the most
interesting personalities in the Bible. In fact, in my opinion,
Enoch is a picture of the Church.

He is the seventh man from Adam, seven being the

number of completion, perfection and rest.
He lived 365 years which represents the cycle of a year.
He was translated alive (Gen. 5 & Heb. 11)

PROPHECIES WITHIN GENEALOGIES

Thus far, we have seen how Biblical laws and festivals and
even a person's life paint a picture of some future event. Now
we would like to illustrate how even the most overlooked
portions of the Bible can contain patterns for the future.
Perhaps this is the answer to the question many have asked:
"Why did God put those boring genealogies in the Bible?"
Genesis 5 is a chapter rich in patterns and mysteries and also
contains a prophetic "message" within the passages.
 Several years ago, Chuck Missler published in his
magazine, Personal Update, an interesting find based on the
key figures in Genesis 5. Mr. Missler's article centered around
an exhaustive word study on the ten men mentioned in the
genealogy. It was discovered that the meaning of their
respective names, when read in chronological order, contained
a prophecy. Beginning with Adam and continuing through
Noah, we would like to show the reader what is revealed.

Adam means "man" (Gen. 5:2)

Seth means "appointed" (Gen. 5:8)
Enos means "mortal" (Gen. 5:11)
Cainan means "sorrow" (Gen. 5:14)
Mahalaleel means "blessed God (Gen. 5:17)
Jared means "shall come down" (Gen. 5:20)
Enoch means "teaching" (Gen. 5:24)
Methuselah means "his death brings" (Gen. 5:27)
Lamech means "despairing" (Gen. 5:28)
Noah means "rest" (Gen. 5:32)

When Moses inscribed the words of Genesis 5 on the

sacred parchment 3,500 years ago, within the words was a
prophecy concerning God's plan for redemption. The prophecy
stated that "Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow (but the) blessed
God shall come down teaching (that) his death brings (the)
despairing rest." This is simply amazing, but take a look at
another genealogical prophecy.
 If you combine the information contained in Genesis 5 with
the genealogy in Genesis 11, you will discover that from Adam
to the birth of Abraham (Genesis 5:3 to 11:26) totals 1,948 years.
This is very interesting for the following reason: Abraham is
considered to be the first Hebrew, because he was the first to
cross over the Jordan. The Hebrew word translated as "cross
over" is avar, from which we get the word ivri or "Hebrew."
Of course, since he was the first Hebrew, you could say
that Abraham was the father of the Israeli nation. So, from
Adam to the establishment of "Israel" was 1,948 years. Now as
we know, Jesus is referred to as the second man, or the last
Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45, 47). We also know that the
Gregorian calendar dates time as either B.C. (Before Christ) or
A.D. (Anno Domini - year since Christ's birth). On May 15,
1948 - which is 1948 years after the birth of Christ - Israel
became a nation once again. Here again, another prophetic
pattern is concealed in, of all things, a genealogy!

THE FUTURE IS HIDDEN IN THE PAST

The Bible is clear on the subject - there are patterns in
Scripture that dictate how things will turn out. For instance, in
Genesis 1 & 2, there is no sin, no pain and no sorrow.
Everything is in harmony with God's will. Compare this with the
last two chapters of the Bible, Revelation 21 & 22, and you will
find that things are exactly as they were in the beginning of
human history. Even the Tree of Life is present in the end of the
Bible just as it was in the beginning. When it comes to human
history, things will end the way they began!
 When we look at the life of Jesus, we can see the evidence
of this truth. In the beginning of Jesus' earthly life, we find
there are four notable people mentioned. They are:

Mary (Matthew 1:18)

Joseph (Matthew 1:18)
Herod (Matthew 2:1)
Simeon or Simon (Luke 2:25)

At His death we find four other people by the same name:

Mary (Matthew 27:56)

Joseph (Matthew 27:57)
Herod (Luke 23:7)
Simon (Matthew 27:32)

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry we find that He we was

tempted by Satan. Three times Satan challenged Jesus with:

If you are the son of God (Matthew 4:3)

If you are the son of God (Matthew 4:6)
If you will fall down and worship me (Matthew 49)

At the close of His earthly ministry, we see that Satan is

still taunting Him with "If you are the Son of God."
"And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads and
saying, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three
days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from
the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with
the scribes and elders said, He saved others; himself he
cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down
from the cross, and we will believe him."
- Matthew 27:39-42

"The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering

him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save
thyself."- Luke 23:36-37

There are many other examples of this pattern throughout

the life of Jesus. Additionally, there are patterns found in the
life of Jesus that relate to His return. Once again, these patterns
illustrate how the beginning has already determined the end. In
the beginning of His ministry, Jesus was introduced as the
Lamb of God (John 1:29). At the close of His ministry, Jesus is
once again referred to as the Lamb of God (Revelation 22:3).
The resurrection was accompanied by a great earthquake
that shook Jerusalem (Matthew 28:2). When Jesus returns to
earth, there will be another great earthquake that will shake
Jerusalem. In fact, this one will cause the Mount of Olives to
cleave into two parts (Zechariah 14:4).The Mount of Olives is
where the Lord will return, because this is where He left the
earth (Acts 1:9). The two men in white apparel announced at
that time, that He would return in like manner (Acts 1:11).
PARALLELS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND
JESUS
In every way possible, the man Jesus fulfilled the plan of
God for the nation of Israel. It is only fitting that the two share
similarities. Both were born in Canaan. Israel had to move to
Egypt in order to be spared from death (Genesis 46:6). Likewise,
Jesus had to be taken to Egypt in order to live (Matthew 2:13).
Israel began their conquest of the Promised Land after they
crossed the Jordan. Jesus began His ministry after He was
baptized in the Jordan at the very place where Israel crossed
over.
Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Jesus
went into the wilderness to be tempted for forty days. Israel
was comprised of twelve tribes under the leadership of Moses
and Joshua. Jesus had twelve disciples. When Joshua
(Yehoshua -"He will save") died, he left Israel in the charge of
the elders. When Jesus (Yeshua - "He saves") ascended to
heaven, he left the disciples to carry on the work. From there
the pattern seems to continue.
As Israel moved in to possess the land, God had allowed
certain enemies to remain in order to test His people. As the
Church began to possess the kingdom, they encountered an
enemy who still persists today. In time, Israel forsook the Lord.
During those times, God raised up deliverers to challenge the
people to return to God. Likewise, throughout her history the
church has forsaken the Lord. In those times, God raised up
reformers who called the Church to repentance.
It seems that the story of Israel also provides a pattern for
the future, as well. After some time, Israel began to cry out for a
king so that they could be like the nations of the world. In the
future, the nations of the world will forget God and embrace a
dictator unlike any the world has ever seen. The man Israel
made king eventually turned on the priesthood and persecuted
them. As we know, the Antichrist will persecute God's people,
Israel.
At Saul's death, David was made King. After seven years,
David conquered Jerusalem and subdued his enemies. At the
close of a seven year tribulation, King Jesus will subdue all His
enemies and make Jerusalem His capital. David's son, Solomon,
built a temple upon Mount Moriah and established a kingdom
that enjoyed unprecedented peace. When Jesus comes to rule
and reign, He also will construct a Temple and be sovereign of
the world in a time that will see one thousand years of peace.

SIGNS AT CHRIST'S FIRST AND SECOND

COMING
The more we compare Jesus' first coming with the times
preceding His second coming, the more interesting the parallel
becomes. In the time before the birth of Christ, the entire
Mediterranean world was under the occupation and
sovereignty of the Roman Empire. This time was known as the
Pax Romana, or "Roman Peace." In the time preceding the
Second Advent, we believe the Bible teaches that there will,
once again, be a world-wide government promising universal
peace. We call this anticipated global government the New
World Order. Paul corroborates that there will indeed be a
space of time when the world will announce an era of peace
and safety (1 Thessalonians 5:3), which will be followed death
and destruction.
At the time of Jesus' birth, the world was filled with wicked
rulers. Herod was so ungodly that he ordered the death of
countless numbers of young Jewish children. Today, we also
live in an era of wicked rulers who have forgotten the value of
human life. Every year, under the protection of these leaders
and their government's laws, thousands of innocent children
are slaughtered within their mothers' wombs.
To announce His birth, God placed a cosmic sign in the
heavens - the star of Bethlehem. Jesus said that the days
before His return would be marked by signs in the sun, moon
and stars (Luke 21:25). These, as well as other signs, stirred the
people of the First Century. In that day, many people were
expecting the Messiah to be revealed. This is one of the
reasons that John the Baptist was queried, "Are you the
Messiah?" (John 1:19-20). Today, many are interpreting the
signs to mean that very soon, the Messiah will once again be
revealed to the world. There are many Jews who agree with us,
not on who that person will be, but on the fact that we are
living in the days of redemption.

THE COMING OF ELIJAH

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the corning
of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." - Malachi 4:5
 As we know from this passage, there will come a day when
Elijah, who has never tasted death, will be sent back to earth to
herald the coming of God's judgment and the Messianic
Kingdom. It is commonly believed that Elijah is one of the two
witnesses that John writes of in Revelation 11:3. This
knowledge, coupled with the truth that, "what has been will
be" (Ecclesiastes 3:15), provokes us to compare events from
Elijah's life with events described in Revelation. We have
prepared a comparison table below to illustrate the similarities
of Elijah's ministry in the Old Testament with that of the
Tribulation Period as described by John in the book of
Revelation.

E LIJAH'S DAY T RIBULATION PERIOD

1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 2 Revelation 6 - 13

42 months of judgment 42 months of judgment

42 months of no rain 42 months of no rain

Famine in the land Famine in the world

Food rationing Food rationing
Brook dried up Rivers dry up

Faithful in the caves A faithful remnant

Fire from Heaven Fire from Heaven
A false religion A false prophet
7000 did not bow to Ba'al 7000 die at the resurrection

Caught into heaven Caught up after 3 days

This comparison reveals that there are no less than ten

points that are common between the two time periods, again
illustrating that the ending is revealed in the beginning.

PATTERNS IN SECULAR HISTORY

We have seen quite clearly how patterns for the future can
be revealed in Biblical history, but what about secular history?
Can it be that there are lessons to learn from our history
books? The answer, I believe, is emphatically "Yes." We must
understand that it is God who influences the course of history,
whether it is recorded in the Bible or not. Therefore, it is logical
to assume that we can glean important information from the
secular past, and may even be able to discern certain aspects
of the future from what we know of the past. There seems to be
a Biblical precedent for this, for the Bible says:

"And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had

understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do . . .
and all their brethren were at their commandment."
- 1 Chronicles 12:32

There are two key words found in this particular passage

of Scripture - "understanding" and "times." In Hebrew, the
word "understanding" is binah and means "enlightenment" or
"illumination." Something about the "times" stirred these men
to the point that they could predict what course of action Israel
should take. That "something" seems to be indicated by the
word "times."
 In Hebrew, the root of this word is et. According to
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, this word has at least
two dimensions. First of all, it means "time" in the sense of
experiences. In other words, they understood the significance
of the past. Secondly, it means "time" in the sense of
occurrences. In other words, they understood the significance
of the present when compared to the past. So, the children of
Issachar had understanding of the past and the present and by
comparing these two factors, they could accurately predict
what Israel should be doing in preparation for the future.
Notice that all of Israel listened to what they had to say.
In short, these men understood that historical patterns do
repeat throughout the cycles of history. They understood that
Ecclesiastes 3:15 - "that which has been, shall be" - was for
secular as well as Biblical history. That being understood, let
us now take a look at two events in American history separated
by a century that nevertheless seem to be connected.

LINCOLN - KENNEDY CONNECTION

One of the most fascinating examples of patterns in secular
history is the Lincoln-Kennedy connection. Below is a table
that compares the similarities.

Elected 100 years apart (1860 & 1960 respectively).

Both Presidents had seven letters in last name.
The election of each President was divisive.
Both Presidents were involved in civil rights.
 Lincoln warned not to go to theater, Kennedy warned
not to go to Dallas.
Lincoln shot in a theater, Kennedy's killer hid in a
theater.
Both Presidents slain on a Friday
Both wives were sitting next to their husband when
shot.
Both had successors named Johnson.
Both successors born 100 years apart (1808 & 1908).
Both successors were southern Democrats.
Both successors were former Senators.
Both President's remains carried on same caisson.
Both assassins killed before coming to trial.
Booth and Oswald were born 100 years apart.
Booth and Oswald were southerners with radical
ideals.
The names of both assassins each contain fifteen
letters.
Kennedy was riding in a Lincoln automobile when
shot.

How anyone could deny the existence and repetition of

historical patterns after reading this is hard to comprehend.
Still, there are others to contemplate.

AMERICAN - ISRAELI CONNECTION

 As many of you may already know, I hold to a strong
conviction that America and Israel share a common spiritual
bond. I believe that God raised up America for a particular
purpose just as surely as He raised up Israel for a purpose.
That is not to say, however, that we have permanently replaced
Israel; to the contrary, we also strongly feel that God is slowly
turning His attention back to that tiny country. Still, the point I
would like to make here is that critical events and dates in
Israeli history seem to have parallels in American history.
For instance, Columbus' voyage to the New World was to
have begun on 9 Av - an important Hebrew date. But for fear of
bad luck, Columbus, who may have been of Jewish ancestry
decided to postpone the departure for one day. When he did
arrive at what he christened San Salvador about ten weeks
later, the Hebrew date was 21 Tishri. On this date the Jews were
celebrating Hoshana Rabba, the last day of the Feast of
Tabernacles - a feast that commemorated the Jews wandering
through the wilderness. The fact that Columbus' discovery of a
land that would offer safe haven to Jews on that particular date
is especially noteworthy.
If we move ahead further in American history we find other
significant events in American history occurring on significant
dates in Israeli history. In 1607, English settlers landed in
present day Virginia, establishing the first permanent English
colony of Jamestown in the New World. What is so incredibly
interesting though, is that they stepped off the boat onto the
sight that would be Jamestown on May 14, 1607. May 14, as
you know, is significant in prophetic history, for this is the day
in the year 1948 that David Ben Gurion announced that the
Jews were establishing the modern state of Israel.
 Almost two centuries later, the descendants of those and
other English colonists were under the tyranny of England's
king. Tensions on both sides were mounting when, on April 19,
1775, those tensions exploded into what history calls the "shot
heard 'round the world" - the American Revolution. The
situation was this: a small, rag-tag force of farmers faced the
most powerful and up-to-date military force in the world,
commanded by the most powerful tyrant in the world.
If you think about it, that is exactly what Israel faced when
they were in Egyptian bondage. Of course, we know that God
passed through the land one night and delivered them. That
night we now know as Passover. Interestingly, April 19, 1775,
on the Hebrew calendar, fell during the Passover week!
If the struggle for our independence began in the Spring, it
concluded in the fall of 1781 - October 19, 1781, to be exact.
This marked the surrender of the British forces under
Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. (Coincidentally, Yorktown was
only a short distance from Jamestown). The British had been
under siege for almost a month at that point and faced
annihilation. During that siege, important American and French
operations against the British seemed to coincide with three
very important Biblical dates - the feast of Trumpets, Yom
Kippur and the Feast of Tabernacles.
In other words, the American Revolution, which began
during Passover, for all practical purposes came to a close
during the Fall feasts. Once again, it seems that American
history has a very Israeli flavor. Though the war would
continue officially for another two years, all historians agree
that American independence was decided at Yorktown. It took
seven years to establish and solidify our hold on the American
colonies and to forge them into a united government. Likewise,
the Bible says that, though David was anointed king, it took
him seven years before he would conquer Jerusalem and unite
all of Israel under him.
The Bible also tells us that David reigned for forty years.
He was succeeded by Solomon, who also reigned forty years.
After Solomon's death, the kingdom of Israel split into north
and south and remained divided. If we establish that 1781 is the
date that American independence was secured and move
ahead eighty years (corresponding to the combined reigns of
David and Solomon) we come to the year 1861. It was in that
year that the United States of America was divided into North
and South.
Thankfully, God saw fit that the Union would not remain
divided as was the case with Israel. If so, perhaps we would
have ceased to exist, as did the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
We could go on and on, but suffice it to say that there are
many parallels between American and Israeli history, some of
which we will discuss later in the book. But for now we want to
look at one last pattern in Israeli history that may have an
influence on American history.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FORTY-TWO

If you are a student of the Bible, then you realize that there
is often significance in the use of certain numbers. For
instance, most people realize that the value seven is associated
with completion or perfection. We want to focus in on the
value forty-two and show the reader how this number may be
significant to Americans in the very near future.
As we go through the Bible and compare the verses where
this value is used, there are two things that come to light. One
is that this number is associated with judgment and death. On
three different occasions we find this to be so. When Elisha
returned from witnessing the translation of Elijah, the young
people of the area began to mock. For their irreverence, Elisha
cursed them and the Bible says that bears came out of the
woods and killed forty-two of them (2 Kings 2:24). This is an
interesting picture. We live in a day when our countrymen
think nothing of mocking the Bible and those who believe it.
This, coupled with the fact that one of our notable political and
military opponents is symbolized by a bear, prompts some
serious thought on whether there is a prophecy hidden within
that ancient story. We will have to wait and see.
On another occasion, Jehu - the man God chose to bring
judgment on Ahab - finds forty-two men who were on their
way to pay homage to the king. The Bible says that he killed
every one of them (2 Kings 10:14). The third occasion is found
in Ezra 2:24. This Scripture simply says, "The children of
Azmaveth, forty and two." The name Azmaveth means "strong
one of death." So, here again, we see the association the value
forty-two has with death.
The second thing we discover about the value forty-two is
its association with finality or perhaps a better way to phrase it
would be, the fulfillment of time. For instance, the first chapter
of Matthew lists the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The genealogy
tells us that "From Abraham to David are fourteen generations;
and from David to the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen
generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto
Christ are fourteen generations" (Matthew 1:17).
Everything that God promised Abraham was made
possible by the advent of Christ, so it is appropriate that Jesus'
birth should mark the fulfillment of that promise. His birth was
the final generation logged in the genealogy. If we combine the
three sets of generations, we will find that the total number is
forty-two.
The book of Revelation also mentions the number forty-
two on two different occasions (Revelation 11:2 & 13:5).These
two verses allot forty-two months to a specific period of time.
The first occurrence of forty-two is the amount of time that the
temple will be trodden underfoot by the Gentiles. The second
occurrence is the time allotted to the Beast to continue. We
believe that this space of time is one and the same - the final
forty-two months of the Tribulation.
Yet, Revelation 11:3 mentions another space of time - a
thousand two hundred and sixty days - whereby the two
witnesses will prophesy. Based on the Biblical calendar, these
men will prophesy for a total of forty-two months, but not
during the time the Beast is in control of the Temple. Therefore,
it must be the previous forty-two months. By comparing these
Scriptures with Daniel's prophecy, we can ascertain that the
seven-year Tribulation is divided into two forty-two month
periods.
The first time span is when the two witnesses will be
allowed to prophesy. When their time is fulfilled, they will be
killed by the Antichrist who is just coming to power
(Revelation 11:7). From that point, the Antichrist, being the
final kingdom of man, will have forty-months to rule and make
war.

THE FORTY-TWO KINGS

Judgment, death and finality - these are the elements
associated with the value forty-two. Nowhere is that
exemplified more clearly than with Israel's kings. Throughout
the history of the Israeli monarchy, the Bible states many times
that these men were evil, leading the people into idolatry and
wickedness. Finally God said that is enough and decided that
He would put an end to it.
The final Jewish monarch was Zedekiah. The Bible says
that this man was evil and "prophesied lies in the name of the
Lord (Jeremiah 29:21). Before his reign was over, the once
prosperous people of Jerusalem were going hungry and being
threatened by foreign powers. The most interesting fact about
Zedekiah is that he was the forty-second king. After him, there
were no others!
Many books have been written on the subject of numbers
in the Bible and their significance. One such book, Number In
Scripture, was written by the renowned scholar E.W. Bullinger.
Of the value forty-two, Mr. Bullinger wrote, "Forty-two is a
number connected with Antichrist." If there is something to
this cycle, and if we do witness a severe declination of
American power, it could open the door to the infamous man
we know as Antichrist. Interestingly secular history provides a
vivid picture of what this man may be like and how he could
come to power.
ADOLE HITLER: AN ANTICHRIST
PROTOTYPE
Several years ago, I heard a supposedly true story about a
group of missionaries who were ministering in Tibet in the early
1930's. The story goes that one morning in 1933, the
missionaries awoke to find many of the natives running around
in a frenzy. When they asked what the commotion was about,
they were told that the Tibetan monks claimed something
unusual was transpiring in the supernatural world. These
monks claimed that all of their chief deities had left the
Himalayan region and had moved to Germany. Not long after
that, the missionaries learned about the election of Adolf Hitler.
They also learned that the very day he came to power was the
same day the monks had been so upset.
Adolf Hitler is one of the most despised men in history,
and with good reason. How is it possible that an insignificant
wallpaper hanger, a failed painter and lowly corporal in some
obscure Bavarian regiment could attain such power and
infamous notoriety? Some would blame the aftermath of World
War I and what it unloaded on the German people as the
culprit. Some would say that the West, because they did not
counter his aggression soon enough, was to blame. These
things certainly set the stage for the war that would come, but
that still does not explain how Hitler managed to get to that
level of power in the first place. It seems as if the powers of
darkness were in league to ensure Hitler would rise to power.
There is an interesting story that sheds some light on how
Hitler's meteoric rise to power came about. Supposedly, young
Adolf Hitler visited a museum in Vienna, Austria. In the
museum was a spear said to be the one that pierced the side of
Christ. The spear had been dubbed the Spear of Destiny. The
legend that accompanied the spear said that whoever was in
possession of the spear would rule the world. Hitler, it is said,
saw an apparition - the Spirit of the spear - and was, on that
very day, possessed by this spirit. The story suggests that
from that day forward marked the rise of Adolf Hitler.
Even if this story is more fable than fact, it is well known
that high ranking Nazis were well acquainted with the occult
and practiced many dark rituals. Heinrich Himmler, the
Reichsfuehrer of the Schutzstaffel (S.S.), employed many
occultic practices in his recruitment of S.S. officers. Joseph
Goebbels, Hitler's propaganda minister, and Frau Goebbels
were deeply involved with occultic practices. Hitler embraced
and encouraged these pagan beliefs, in the belief that it was
Teutonic heritage.
Perhaps the Tibetan monks were correct. It seems very
possible, if not likely, that demonic activity was concentrated in
and around the Germanic nations during the 1930s and 40s. If
so, it would certainly go a long way in explaining how just one
man could be responsible for so much death and destruction.

THE FINAL SOLUTION

One cannot think of Hitler without thinking of the Jews. He
and the people he tried to destroy are forever linked by the
crimes Hitler incited his followers to commit. This, in fact, is
why this man came to power. If Hitler was possessed, it seems
the object of that possession was to exterminate the Jewish
race. Of course, Satan would have every possible motive for
killing them. First, he has been attempting it for thousands of
years without success. Secondly, if there was some way he
could pull it off, then the integrity of God's Word would
crumble, because God declared that the Israel would continue
as a people.
The Bible tells us that this is the very thing that the
Antichrist will try to do. No doubt, this is one of the primary
reasons ministers of the 30s and 40s claimed that Hitler was the
Antichrist. One really cannot blame them for thinking this way
because, in almost every way, Hitler was a perfect example of
what this man of sin will be. Of course, we now know that Hitler
was not the Antichrist, however, the Bible seems to hint at the
persecution Hitler brought about.

"Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even
the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it."
- Jeremiah 30:7

Most people assume that "Jacob's trouble" refers to the

time we call the Tribulation, which as the reader should know,
will last seven years. We relate the Tribulation to Jacob's
trouble because Jacob had to work seven years or one week in
order to marry Rachel (Genesis 29:27-28 & compare with Daniel
9:24-27). This relationship is partly true. However, the Bible
teaches that Jacob had already worked the previous seven
years and married Leah. So, Jacob's trouble actually involves
two spans of time, each seven years in length. I believe that the
second span of seven years is the Tribulation. I believe that the
first seven year period may have been the Holocaust (1938 to
1945).
Kristallnacht - "The night of broken glass" - officially
served notice to the Jews to leave Germany. This terrifying
event occurred in the fall of 1938. By September 1941 the "Final
Solution" - a plan to exterminate all Jews in the German sphere
of power - had come into being. Interestingly from September
1941 until April 1945 - the end of the war - is approximately 3
1/2 years! There are numerous similarities between Hitler and
the coming Antichrist. Below are some of the examples.

HITLER ANTICHRIST
Insignificant beginnings "Little Horn" (Dan. 8:9)

Political & military leader Political & military leader

Propaganda minister Goebbels False Prophet (Rev. 13:11)
Allied with Mussolini (Rome) False Prophet from Rome?

Persecuted Jews for 7 years 7 year tribulation (Dan.9:27)

Final Solution was 3 1/2 years Great Tribulation is 3 1/2 years

Swastika was his mark Mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:18)

Tattooed Jews in camps His mark will be upon people

Body was set on fire Cast into the Lake of Fire

Before it was all over, Hitler and the Nazis were responsible
for the deaths of over six million Jews, not to mention the
nineteen million soldiers and countless civilians who died
during the war. No one before or since has been responsible for
so much death, and no one will until the day the man of sin is
revealed. Until then, we have Hitler as a good example of what
this man will be like.

REMEMBER: THE ENDING IS IN THE

BEGINNING

"Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there

is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring
the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things
that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will
do all my pleasure." - Isaiah 46:9-10

As I said earlier, the beginning of everything contains the

blueprint for all that is to follow. The seed comes first, yet,
contained in the seed is the tree and from the tree will come the
fruit. As we have shown, this same concept applies to history.
As events take place today, they seed the field of time for the
future. Things we see happening today are the fruit of what
happened yesterday. I want to show the reader another graphic
example of how this principle provides a pattern for end time
events.
For centuries, rabbinic scholars have practiced an ancient
letter substitution system within the Hebrew language called
atbash. In this system, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet is
substituted for the first, the second-to-the-last for the second,
and so on. In essence, the first becomes last and the last
becomes first; the beginning is tied to the end. Many Bible
commentators believe that this is the system Jeremiah
employed twice in his book when referring to Babylon.

"How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole

earth surprised! How is Babylon become an astonishment
among the nations!" - Jeremiah 51:41

Notice that Jeremiah refers to a "Sheshach" as well as

Babylon. By using the atbash system, the Hebrew rendering of
Babel - - would become Sheshach . Thus, Sheshach
was code for Babylon. (Jeremiah uses this system in Jeremiah
25:26 as well.) If the prophet did, in fact, utilize this system, it
further legitimizes what we are about to tell you.
Understand that there are twenty-two letters in the Hebrew
alphabet. The way atbash works is that starting with the alef
(the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet), one would count ahead
to the eleventh letter. The twelfth letter would become
interchangeable with the eleventh letter; the thirteenth with the
tenth; the fourteenth with the ninth and so on. See the table
below.

ATBASH
THE FUTURE HIDDEN IN GENESIS
Hopefully you have grasped this principle as it relates to
the Hebrew language. Now we are going to apply the atbash
principle to the Bible. Of course, we must start at the beginning
of the Bible in Genesis 1. If we do this and count ahead to
Genesis 11 (corresponding to the eleventh letter of the
alphabet) we come to the story of the tower of Babel. To remain
faithful to the principle of atbash, we must now work
backwards, in other words, Genesis 10 will follow Genesis 11,
then Genesis 9, followed by Genesis 8 and so on, until we get
back to Genesis 1.
When we do this, we discover that there is a possible
outline for the order of events during the seven year
Tribulation. Genesis 11 describes a world whose leaders and
populace desired to be one people with one language. In other
words, they were seeking to be a New World Order. Their
leader was wicked and rebellious and encouraged the people to
build a city and a tower that would defy heaven (Genesis 11:1-
4). Before they could complete this task, God came down and
confused their language, so that they had to scatter abroad
(Genesis 11:7-8).
This sounds very similar to our present day. Though there
is no global government as of yet, we see that already men are
seeking to come together and be one world under one system
of government, one system of finance and eventually one
religious system. Thanks to computer technology and the
Internet, more and more, mankind is becoming universal in
language - the computer language. Leaders are wicked and
rebellious and encourage their citizens to be likewise. Soon,
this global government will, in fact, materialize. Yet, the Bible
indicates that this government will only have a short space of
time to operate (Revelation 17:10). After that time is expired,
God will confuse the New World Order and disrupt their
technology and their power base.
In Genesis 10, there are at least two passages worth
noting. First of all, the tenth chapter is when Nimrod
established the kingdom of Babylon (Genesis 10:10). Secondly,
the Bible records that in the days of Peleg - which means
"division" - the earth was divided (Genesis 10:25). It is my
belief that when the New World Order has completed the time
allotted to it and this global system comes to an end, the power
vacuum created will lend to the rise of the Prince of Babylon
and the kingdom of the Antichrist. If that is so, shortly after the
supposed global union of the New World Order will come war
and division - nation fighting against nation. It will be unlike
anything the world has ever seen.
There are three characteristics of Genesis 9 that fit the
pattern for the future: shedding of innocent blood (Genesis
956), drunkenness (Genesis 9:21), and homosexuality (Genesis
9:22-24). After the Antichrist comes to power, no sin will be
restrained. Everything that man has imagined to do will be
accentuated in the Antichrist's lawless society. Murder,
sodomy, rape and every type of perverse vice will run rampant
in the cities and countrysides of the world's nations. No one
will be safe.
In spite of all this turmoil, God will still be present for those
who call on His name, for Genesis 8:1 tells us that "God
remembered Noah . . . and made a wind to pass over the earth."
The Bible also states that "he sent forth a dove from him"
(Genesis 823). These verses seem to imply that even in the
midst of the Tribulation, God is still listening to the cries of the
repentant heart. The word for "wind" in Genesis 8:1 - ruach - is
the same word that is interpreted "spirit." In addition, the dove
represents the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16). This seems to be an
allusion to the fact that God's Spirit will continue to move
through the earth in spite of the flood of iniquity that will
inundate the planet.

THE OPENING OF THE ABYSS

Genesis 7 records the beginning of God's unrestrained
wrath. The Bible says that "All the fountains of the great deep
were broken up and the windows of heaven were opened"
(Genesis 7:11). It also records that the flood waters "prevailed
upon the earth an hundred and fifty days" (Genesis 7:24).
Using the Biblical calendar of twelve months of thirty days,
one-hundred-fifty days would be equivalent to five months.
The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament,
reveals something very interesting about Genesis 7:11.
Where the Hebrew text uses tehom, interpreted as "the
great deep," the Greek translation uses the word for "abyss."
Thus, this phrase states literally that the "spring of the abyss
was ripped open." So, the deluge was actually a combination of
waters from the abyss and the rain that fell from heaven. This
water remained upon the earth for five months.
Tradition says that, as the waters receded, they retreated
into the plain of Shinar and emptied into a large hole there.
There is some speculation that this hole was the one which
opened at the beginning of the flood, allowing the "fountains
of the great deep" to issue forth. It is also believed that, as the
water drained into this area, the remains of those who were
destroyed by the flood collected here. It is suggested that this
is one of the reasons Nimrod decided to build his city in Shinar.
In other words, he used the remains of their drowned
forefathers to incite the people to rebel against God. Please
note that this area is Mesopotamia - "the land between the
rivers." The rivers, of course, referring to the Tigris and the
Euphrates.
Jude mentions that there are angels who "kept not their
first estate, but left their own habitation" and are bound in
chains until the day of judgment (Jude 6). Peter echos this
revelation. He also reveals that these angels are bound in hell
until the day of judgment. Yet, Peter adds another layer to the
revelation. He links these bound angels to what occurred
during the flood of waters described in Genesis 7 (2 Peter 2:4-
5).
In Revelation 9, we find that at some point in the
Tribulation, the bottomless pit, or the abyss, will be opened
(Revelation 9:2). When this abyss is opened, locust-like
creatures will be loosed, the Bible says, in order to torment men
for five months or one-hundred-fifty days (Revelation 9:5, 10).
Note that this is exactly how long the flood waters were upon
the earth. There seems to be some link between the opening of
the abyss in Revelation 9 and the opening of the abyss in
Genesis 7. Now take a look at what Revelation 9:14 has to say:

"Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river
Euphrates." - Revelation 9:14

These four angels have to be the angels that Jude and

Peter mentioned. These angels committed a sin so egregious
that God decided to lock them up underneath the Euphrates.
But when the abyss is opened up, they will be loosed because
the day of judgment has come. All this seems to point to the
probability that the gate of the abyss is located somewhere in
Mesopotamia, perhaps at the mouth of the Euphrates. Notice
that the king of the abyss is called Abaddon (Revelation 9:11).
There is today, at the mouth of the Euphrates, an island city
called Abaddan (in Hebrew, these two names are spelled
identically). Is it possible this modern site marks the gate of the
abyss?
So, here is what I believe all of this means. There is a direct
relationship between Genesis 7 and Revelation 9. When God
decided to destroy the earth in Noah's day it was because
violence filled the earth, but also because these angels may
have been procreating with human females (Genesis 6:2). God
ruptured the opening to the abyss, allowing the waters to
spring up and flood the earth. Five months later, the waters
drained, possibly into an opening somewhere in the
Mesopotamian region. As this occurred, God bound these
angels in the abyss, there to stay until the day would come that
God would judge the entire earth once more. Therefore,
Genesis 7 is the prophetic seed that will blossom in Revelation
9.

THE GENESIS PATTERN CONTINUES

In Genesis 6, God notices that the entire earth is filled with
violence (Genesis 6:13), and He decides that His Spirit will not
always strive with man (Genesis 6:3). Man's fate is sealed at
that point. After the initiation of God's wrath in the Tribulation,
there is no turning back. Those rebels and pagans who would
not repent "of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their
fornication, nor of their thefts" (Revelation 9:21) are destined
for destruction.
In Genesis 5, the righteous man Enoch is translated. The
Bible says that "Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for
God took him" (Genesis 5:24). The book of Hebrews testifies to
this as well.

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death;
and was not found, because God had translated him; for before
his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." -
Hebrews 11:5

Many people feel that Enoch is one of the two witnesses

mentioned in Revelation 11:3. If this is so, Enoch's translation
in Genesis 5 may be the pattern for the witnesses' rapture in
Revelation 11:11-12. Notice that they are active in their ministry
until the beast that ascended out of the abyss comes to make
war against them. In fact, it is this beast that kills them
(Revelation 11:7). In addition, it could be that Enoch's
translation is a pattern for the translation of the 144,000 who
were marked in Revelation 7, but who are standing upon the
heavenly Mount Zion in Revelation 14. It is likely that these
male virgins are translated at the sound of the voice that calls
the two witnesses up to heaven (Revelation 11:12).
In Genesis 4, we find that Cain, a murderer, receives a mark
upon him and is commanded to leave God's presence and
wander the earth for the rest of his days (Genesis 4:12-16).
Following the death and resurrection of the two witnesses, the
Beast will come into the fullness of his power. It is at that point
that his cohort in crime, the False Prophet, will issue a mark that
all who wish to buy and sell must receive (Revelation 13:16-17).
For those who receive this mark, their fate is sealed. They will
be separated from the presence of God for all eternity
(Revelation 14:9-11).
Genesis 3 prophesies that there would come a day when
the head of the serpent would be bruised (Genesis 3:15). In the
Hebrew text, the word used for "bruise" implies that the
serpent would receive more than just a mere bruise. Actually,
the word infers that the head of the serpent would be crushed!
Of course, we know who that serpent is - it is none other than
Satan. At the close of the Tribulation period, the Bible tells us
that the serpent - the Devil and Adversary of our soul - will
come to his end.

"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the
Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years."
 -Revelation 20:2

"In the day the LORD with his sore and great and strong
sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even
leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon
that is in the sea." - Isaiah 27:1

"Thou breakest the heads of leviathan in pieces"

-Psalm 74:14

Notice Isaiah says that God will punish Leviathan, who is

the dragon that is in the sea. This obviously refers to the
seven-headed Beast who rises from the sea (Revelation 13:1).
The Psalm verifies this, because it states that Leviathan has
more than one head. Furthermore, we should not overlook the
fact that these heads of Leviathan are crushed into pieces,
fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 3.
Genesis 2 deals with the seventh day, the Sabbath. It is the
day when God rested from His work. It also chronicles how
God created the man and gave him and his bride dominion over
all the earth. After Satan is bound in the abyss, mankind will
enjoy a day like none we have seen since the Garden of Eden.
On that day, that Great Sabbath rest, we will enjoy one
thousand years of peace and tranquility under the rulership of
the Messiah Jesus. As His bride, we also will be given the
authority to rule and reign with Him (Revelation 5:10).
Finally in Genesis 1 there is God; there is eternity.
Likewise, after the Millennial reign of Messiah, there will be
eternity (Revelation 21:1). There is no Satan to contest us
(Revelation 21:27) and for all eternity we will worship God
(Revelation 22:3) and reign with Him (Revelation 22:5). Thus we
see that the end is the beginning and the beginning is the end.
Furthermore, from beginning to end, patterns outline and
define everything concerning our future.
It is my hope then that you will be more sensitive to what
is happening around you and recognize how these historical
precedents affect your life. If you do, with the aid of the Holy
Spirit, you can be a son of Issachar - that is, you will know
what you and your family need to do for the future. Keep this
in mind as you continue to read, for you are going to see even
more patterns in history and how God even placed patterns in
the heavens above.
6
PATTERNS AND SIGNS IN THE
HEAVENS
According to Scripture, God will never allow anything to
happen without first warning His people. The prophet Amos
wrote:

"Surely, the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his

secret unto his servants the prophets." - Amos 3:7

Understanding this, Jewish sages have long placed great

importance on the patterns of history and Scripture and the
signs they believed to be from God. They knew that He was
trying to warn them of some impending danger or advising
them on what course the nation should take for the future. You
will recall the sons of Issachar were renowned for their ability
to correctly interpret the signs of the times (1 Chronicles 12:32).
Through centuries of experience, the art of correctly
interpreting these patterns and signs was written down for
posterity in certain commentaries. You may be surprised to
know that many entries in these commentaries deal with the
patterns and signs as revealed by the sun, moon and stars.
The historian Josephus mentions, on several occasions,
how the heavenly bodies played such an important part in
Israeli life. For instance, Josephus described the garments of
the High Priest, the holy vessels and the tabernacle itself as
representations of certain aspects of the universe, and, in
particular, the heavenly bodies (Antiquities Of The Jews; Book
III, Chapter VII, Section 7). His description was in no way
suggesting that these were to be worshiped, but instead to
signify how the Creation was to submit itself in obeisance to
the Creator.
Josephus also records that the appearance and movement
of heavenly bodies was sometimes seen as warning signs.
Josephus relates that, just before the destruction of the Temple
in 70 A.D., there were many such signs that went unheeded.

"They did not attend nor give credit to the signs that were so
evident, and did so plainly foretell their future desolation, but,
like men infatuated, without either eyes to see or minds to
consider, did not regard the denunciations that God made to
them. Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood
over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year." - Wars
of the Jews; Book VI, Chapter 5, section 3

Other Jewish writings comment on the use of celestial

bodies as instruments of warning. For instance, the Talmud has
a lot to say on the subject of lunar eclipses.

"When the moon is in eclipse, it is a bad omen for Israel . . . if

its face is red as blood, [it is a sign that] the sword is coming
to the world." - Sukkah 29a
 Suffice it to say, for centuries, Israel has looked to the
heavens for signs and instruction from God. I realize that some
Christians may have a problem with this topic. When
contemplating what signs can be gleaned from the stars, the
first thing that pops into many people's minds is astrology,
which the Bible condemns (Deuteronomy 18:10). We must
realize that astrology seeks to guide the fortunes of man - it
esteems the Creation instead of the Creator.
However, there is a science of the stars called astronomy.
Astronomy tracks and analyzes the movement and position of
heavenly bodies so that we can learn more about the cosmos.
The more we know about the Creation, the more we learn of the
majesty of the Creator. The Psalm proclaims:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament

sheweth his handiwork." - Psalm 19:1

"The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people

see his glory." - Psalm 97:6

For the ancient people of God, the study of the heavens

was not used as a form of worship of the Creation, but was
used to understand the glory of the Creator. In fact, Josephus
writes that the wisdom that comes from studying the heavens
could be attributed to Adam and his son Seth, whom he
described as being righteous and virtuous men.

"They lived long on account of their virtue, and the good use
they made of it, astronomical and geometrical discoveries,
which would have not have afforded the time of foretelling
unless they lived 600 years." - Josephus, Chapter 3, Section 9
"They (Seth's family) also were the inventors of that peculiar
sort of wisdom which is concerned with the heavenly bodies,
and their order and that their inventions might not be lost
before they were sufficiently known; upon Adam's prediction
that the world was at one time to be destroyed by the force of
fire and at the other time by the quantity of water, they made
two pillars; one of brick and the other of stone; they inscribed
their discoveries on them both."
- Antiquities, Book I, Chapter 2, Section 3

Scripture tells us that Adam lived 930 years and Seth 912
years. According to Josephus, their long lives were, in part,
that they may pass down to subsequent generations all the
knowledge they had accumulated! This would include one of
their descendants, Enoch, who walked the earth for 365 years
(Gen. 5:23).
Tradition has left us with what has been called the Book of
Enoch, writings said to have been penned by the patriarch at
age 65 after a visitation to heaven. Part of what was revealed to
him, so say some rabbis, was the workings of the planetary
bodies including some of their names. The Bible reveals some
names of these stars and planets and that means that people
had this knowledge at least 3,500 years ago.
Job, the central figure in the oldest book in the Bible, lived
before the Exodus and even before Abraham. This is important
because Job, a person who lived about 2,150 years before
Christ and 1000 years before Homer and the Greeks, mentions
Arcturus, Pleides, Orion and the chambers of the south (Job 99,
38:31). The point of this is, by the time of the patriarchs, the
constellations were already known and named. There must be
an important reason for God entrusting this knowledge to them.

FOR SIGNS AND SEASONS

The Bible says that God created the lights in the heavens
for four different reasons (Genesis 1:14-15). They were created
to:

Divide the day from night.

Be for signs and seasons.
Calculate days and years.
Give light upon the earth.

Pay close attention to what these two passages teach us.

The luminaries serve to provide light, to help us know when to
work and when to rest, and to aid us in keeping a calendar.
However, do not overlook that one of their primary purposes is
to serve as "signs" and harbingers of "seasons." This is why
Adam, Seth and their children paid such close attention to and
gained such knowledge from the study of the heavenly bodies.
It was because God had placed the sun, moon and stars in the
sky for that very purpose.
The Hebrew root of the word used here for "signs" is ote.
Not only does this word mean "sign" but can also be
interpreted as "a warning" or "omen." The root of the word
used for "seasons" is moed. As we discussed in the opening
chapter, the word moed means "appointed time" and is used in
the Bible most frequently to describe the seven Biblical
festivals - Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, etc.
The point is that we believe God's intention for the sun,
moon and stars was and is more than just calculating days and
years. A significant purpose for these celestial bodies is to
administer warnings or signs of appointed times. Think about it
for a just a moment. How did the magi know to follow the star
to the newborn King of the Jews? Is there any reason to
believe that these men bowed and worshiped the star? They
knew where to go and what to do because they had read the
prophecy recorded in the Torah:

"I see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there
shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of
Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the
children of Sheth" - Numbers 24:17

The Bible says that these wise men were from the East,
possibly Babylon. If that is true, we know that they were
acquainted with the science of the stars, as well as pagan
practices associated with the stars. Yet, they came to Jerusalem
to worship the King of the Jews because they saw his star
(Matthew 2:2). That means, dear reader, that God provided a
cosmic sign that stirred their hearts. They saw the sign and
understood what it meant. They understood its significance
and acted upon it.
 Why is it that the sun was darkened as Christ hung upon
the tree? It was because God orchestrated a solar eclipse so
that all of Israel would bear witness to the fact that something
extraordinarily significant was unfolding before them. God has
used the heavenly bodies as signs to mankind all through the
past. Likewise, we need to understand that God presently uses
celestial bodies to alert us to what is about to transpire in the
world. When prophecies speak of the moon being turned to
blood or the sun becoming sackcloth (Revelation 6:12), it is
referring to lunar and solar eclipses - cosmic signs! Jesus
Himself said:

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in
the stars." - Luke 21:25

Can we ignore what Jesus has taught us? He emphatically

states that in the time of the end, signs will appear in the
heavens. Jewish commentary bears witness to this fact and
contains countless prophecies about cosmic signs that will
accompany the appearance of the Messiah. We must be in a
spiritual condition to perceive those signs and to properly
interpret what those signs portend.
According to rabbinical writings, eclipses - whether they
are lunar or solar - are not supposed to occur more than seven
times in a year. Those years where there are seven eclipses are
believed to be extremely important. Interestingly enough, there
are two years we would like to comment upon that each
witnessed lunar and solar eclipses totaling seven for the year.
In 1917, there were four eclipses of the sun and three of
the moon. In 1917, the entire world was in the throes of the
greatest conflict ever known up to that time. Much of Europe
was facing terrible famine, persecution and death and the war
was reaching a fevered pitch. Meanwhile, tired of hunger and
poverty, Russian peasants revolted under the leadership of the
Bolsheviks and overthrew the Czarist government. This
revolution marked the beginning of a seventy year reign of
terror in Eastern Europe.
1917 also saw significant events that would eventually
lead to the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the Jews and
Jerusalem. That year witnessed the signing of the Balfour
Declaration, which opened the door for the establishment of a
Jewish homeland. Also, in December 1917, the seventh eclipse
of that year coincided with the Turkish loss of Jerusalem to the
British under General Allenby - a devout Christian. All in all,
1917 was one of the most significant years in Bible prophecy in
the 20th century.
The year 1973 also witnessed seven different eclipses of
both the sun and moon. As was true with 1917, the year 1973
also proved to be significant in the fulfillment of prophecy. In
the fall of that year, Israel came close to complete defeat as her
Muslim enemies invaded her during what became known as the
Yom Kippur War. Had it not been for the intervention of God,
Israel may have ceased to be a nation.
As a direct result of that war, Arab oil countries (OPEC)
discovered that they had a unique weapon they could wield
against the West and all friends of Israel. From October 1973
through March 1974, members of OPEC refused to export any
oil to countries who supported Israel. In the United States, fuel
prices quadrupled in just a few months, intensifying an
international monetary crisis. Some of you will remember those
days.
In 1973, twenty-eight different nations were suffering
through a severe drought. That year also marked the largest
known explosion on the surface of the sun - perhaps another
sign of the times. My reason for pointing this out is, there were
significant cosmic events transpiring in years that play
prominent roles in the overall prophetic picture. There are signs
in the heavens!

COSMIC SINGS OF JUDGMENT

"And fearful sights and great signs shall there be from

heaven." - Luke 21:11

Before Jesus returns, there is going to be an increase in

frequency and peculiarity of cosmic signs. Jesus Himself said
this. The above Scripture teaches that these signs will
probably be more dramatic than anything we have heretofore
seen. If we were to break this Scripture down word by word
and expound upon its meaning, it would be saying that, in the
atmosphere - where the clouds gather - and in the skies where
the stars are positioned, there are going to appear great
miracles and tokens along with sights that will cause such
fright among people, that they will run in terror.
This description makes it sound as if this is more than just
a shooting star or conjunction of planets. Jesus infers that the
signs to appear in the heavens are, perhaps, unexpected and
unprecedented, so much that even we, with all our knowledge
and technology, can not explain it away by the laws of nature.
Make no doubt about it, the greatest cosmic activity is still
ahead of us.
Furthermore, Jesus teaches that the very "stars shall fall
from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken"
(Matthew 24:29). The word "stars" in the original text is the
word astares. From this word we derive the English word
"asteroid." It would seem that Jesus is saying, or at least
hinting, that asteroids, large enough to warrant fear, will fall
from heaven. His words also announce that the natural forces
of the universe will be toppled. In other words, when all this
activity begins to accelerate, cosmologists will not be able to
tell people what is happening, because the basic laws of the
cosmos will be in chaos.
The signs that we have witnessed in the 20th and early
21st centuries and the signs that we will witness in what
remains of this era of human history, all serve to warn us of
what lies ahead and to instruct us how to walk in these perilous
times. What lies ahead, ladies and gentlemen, is the wrath of
God. The Lord wants us to know this, so that we may prepare
accordingly. The Bible says that "The wrath of God is revealed
from heaven" (Romans 1:18).

REDEMPTION IN THE STARS

Even though God's wrath is revealed from heaven,
nevertheless, His mercy and deliverance is also revealed in the
heavens. In fact, judgment is really intended to bring about
God's purposes and His ultimate purpose is to restore "all
things" (Acts 3:21). So then, if the heavens hint at coming
dreadful events, these signs are actually to serve as indicators
that God is bringing deliverance and complete restoration to
His people.
Throughout Scripture we see that, in order to fulfill His
purpose, God usually uses a person or persons. Thus, I could
argue that many of these celestial signs serve to announce that
someone (a person or group of people) is about to emerge from
their obscurity.
For instance, three years before Moses' birth Jupiter and
Saturn were in conjunction with Pisces. The Egyptians
interpreted this sign as one that foretold the birth of a child of
destiny and, furthermore, they considered it to be favorable to
Israel. This favor was indicated by Pisces, a constellation
thought to represent Israel because it is two fish joined by a
band. By this sign, the Egyptian soothsayers predicted the
defeat of Egypt at the hand of the Hebrews and so, as
Josephus records it, they counseled Pharaoh to order the death
of the Hebrew males (Josephus Antiquities ii, 9).
Of course, the greatest example of this is the birth of
Christ. Just as with the birth of Moses, the birth of Jesus was
preceded with the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. The
eastern wise men saw the alignment and called it "his star." The
Persians believed a prophet above all prophets was coming to
the earth. When this new star appeared it was described by
Ignatius thus: "It sparkled brilliantly above all stars." It
allegedly shined throughout Jesus' lifetime. In 125 BC
Hipparchus saw it and drew it in his catalog. In 150 AD,
Ptolemy reportedly saw it but commented that it was becoming
faint.

THE CIRCLE OF THE HEAVENS

Earlier I spoke about cycles and their relationship to the
value 360. Again, a complete circle is 360 degrees and so,
because a circle speaks of patterns and is important in marking
prophetic time, we should not be surprised to see this pattern
of cycles in the heavens.
The first thing that comes to mind is the revolution of the
planets around the sun. We also see this pattern in the cycle of
the moon. Earth's only satellite makes twelve complete
revolutions around the earth. During those twelve months the
moon moves across the star belt. This is more commonly
referred to as the "zodiac" (from the root zoad, which means
"to walk or go up steps.") and this is what most dramatically
demonstrates the patterns in the heavens. From ancient times,
a 360 degree circle has been linked to the ecliptic, and that
suggests the twelve major constellations of the zodiac tell a
story from beginning to end.
The ecliptic is the path in which the earth moves around
the sun. It moves 30 degrees every month and at the end of the
twelve month (360 degree) cycle, it starts over again. As earth
moves across the ecliptic, certain constellations become
prominent at their appointed time. Those twelve signs are:

Virgo (the Virgin)

Libra (a pair of balances)
 Scorpio (a scorpion)
Sagittarius (half horse, half man holding a bow)
Capricorn (a dying goat-fish)
Aquarius (man pouring water from an urn)
Pisces (the two fish)
Aries (ram / lamb with horns)
Taurus (rushing bull or ox)
Gemini (twins)
Cancer (a crab)
Leo (a lion with a snake under his feet)

While I certainly want to expound upon this pattern in the

stars, I should mention that to exhaust this particular subject
would require a book devoted to just this. Nevertheless, I wish
to mention some of the highlights of the "gospel in the stars"
so that the reader will appreciate that God does speak to us in
patterns - even in the heavens.
Well over a century ago, E.W. Bullinger did devote an
entire book to this subject. In his classic work, A Witness In
The Stars, Bullinger details the message contained within the
twelve constellations and, specifically, by defining the ancient
names of the stars that comprise them. There are similar books
that echo what Bullinger wrote, but all agree: the Creator
designed the heavenly bodies to teach mankind of His
purposes. From the very first sign, Virgo (the Virgin), through
the last one, Leo (the Lion), God told, in detail, His intentions
from the very beginning of Creation, most importantly - the
birth, death, burial, resurrection and ultimate return of the
Messiah. He wrote the gospel in the stars!
Beginning with the constellation known as Virgo, this
virgin is depicted as holding an infant and a branch. Of course,
we know that Scripture declared that a virgin would give birth
to a child, the promised seed (Gen. 3:15, Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:23) and
other Scriptures referred to this Promised One as the branch
(Isa. 11:1; Jer. 23:5-6; Zech. 3:8, 6:12; ). This picture is due
primarily to the star in her left hand, Spica (which in Latin
means ''an ear or seed of corn"). In Hebrew this star is called
zerah or "seed." This is, by the way, the same Hebrew word we
find in Genesis 3:15 where God promised to send into the world
the "seed of the woman." Yet, the oldest Hebrew name for this
particular star is tzemach which is "a branch."
There is a related decan constellation of Virgo called
Coma. This constellation is depicted as a woman seated and
holding and feeding a child. Coma means "the desired one." In
the book of Haggai a derivative Hebrew word is used to
describe the longed-for Messiah:

"And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations
shall come." - Haggai 2:7

Another decan constellation of Virgo is called Centauras

and is depicted as being half man and half horse, suggesting
that the "seed and "branch and "desired one" would have a
dual nature. The Hebrew name for this decan is Bezeh which
means "despised." I should point out that this is the Hebrew
word used in Isaiah 53:3 which mentions that the Promised One
would be "despised."
 One other decan of Virgo I wish to mention is the one
called Bootes. This constellation is often depicted as a
shepherd holding a sickle. It is believed that the Greek bootes
comes from the Hebrew bo, which means "to come." One of the
primary stars in bootes is Arcturus and is mentioned by Job
(Job 9:9, 38:32). The meaning of Arcturus is basically the same -
"He comes." Scripture tells us that when Christ comes He will,
as Great Shepherd, divide the sheep from the goats (Mt. 25:31-
32) and will thrust in His "sharp sickle" (Rev. 14:14-15).
Between the initial sign of the Virgin and the last sign, the
Lion, there are other significant constellations which tell their
part of the story. Again, to detail each and every one would
require much more time and space than I wish to in this book,
but suffice it to say each of them is as convincing as the first
(Virgo) and the last (Leo).
For instance, the constellation Libra, "the scales" or
"balances" depicts judgment. A decan constellation of Libra is
Crux or better known as the Southern Cross. It is believed that
this grouping of stars was seen in the Northern Hemisphere up
until the time of Christ. In fact, it seems that the death of Christ
may have been about the time this constellation stopped being
seen in the north and began to be viewed in the southern
hemisphere. This suggests, at least to me, that though man
deserves "judgment," Christ died on a cross that we might be
reconciled to God.
The next constellation, Scorpio, the scorpion signifies
death. This scorpion is trying to sting the heel of a mighty man
who is wrestling with a snake called serpens or "serpent." It
was the serpent who seduced mankind into sin which,
consequently, required judgment. The mighty man who
wrestled with the serpent had his heel bruised when He died
upon the cross (see Gen. 3:15). Yet, because He died and rose
again, you and I can enjoy the blessings of God as depicted by
another interesting constellation called Aquarius. This
constellation is a man holding a water urn and pouring out the
water. This speaks, subsequent to our new birth, God pours
out upon us His Holy Spirit.
The story as written in the heavens climaxes with the
constellation called Leo or "the Lion." This constellation is
seen as an adult lion about to pounce upon his enemy the
serpent called Hydra. In Hebrew this is called Aryeh ("the lion
who rends") and is associated with the tribe of Judah. Of
course we know that Jesus is referred to as the "Lion of the
tribe of Judah who will "prevail" (Rev. 5:5). The position of the
Lion suggests that his paw is about to crush the head of the
serpent Hydra (Gen. 3:15).
The Adversary, Satan, is a prominent fixture in the entire
zodiac. Besides the serpent Hydra there is Serpens as well as
the constellation Draco (the dragon). Draco, by the way, is
also seen as having its head beneath the heel of a mighty
warrior. Obviously, because He knew all things in advance, God
interspersed within the story in the stars other particulars such
as the war between righteousness and evil, Satan, the
Antichrist etc. Scripture says:

"By his spirit He hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath
formed the crooked serpent." - Job 26:13

PROPHETIC PARALLELS
 Because there are twelve primary constellations and
because they paint a prophetic picture from beginning to end, I
want to suggest that these twelve constellations can be
divided into three groups. The first group (the first four
constellations) foretold of Christ's earthly ministry. The second
group tells of the present ministry of Christ. The third group
portends the future ministry of Christ.
This last group would include, for instance, the
constellation Taurus or the "bull." Within this constellation
there is a grouping of seven stars (a.k.a. seven sisters) called
Pleiades. These seven surround one primary star and are
collectively called, in Hebrew, the "accumulation." Here is one
reason I find this so interesting. In the book of Revelation,
Christ appears to John holding seven stars in His right hand.
Scripture tells us the meaning of this vision.

"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right

hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are
the angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks
which thou saw are the seven churches."
- Revelation 1:20-21

Keep in mind that the Pleiades is seven stars (sisters)

surrounding one star. Jesus was standing in the midst of the
seven golden candlesticks which He said represented the
"seven churches." In other words, they are accumulating
around Him. Furthermore, the seven churches that Jesus
addressed in Revelation 1 were all in present day Turkey,
situated at the base of what is called the Taurus mountains!
Though there were seven literal churches two thousand years
ago, most scholars agree that Jesus' message was, not only to
them, but to those who would be living in the end of days. In
other words, the constellations give us a pattern of what to
look for as we come into the "fullness of time." I am convinced
that we are fast approaching the end, that is, the Lion called
Leo.
Before the the very end - Leo - comes the constellation
known as Cancer. In modern times this is depicted as a crab,
but in ancient days, it more than likely was considered a
"sheepfold." The most ancient meanings of cancer is said to
come from Arabic terms khan and cer (khancer), meaning "the
resting place encircled" inferring something akin to a
sheepfold.
In Scripture we are told that one of the signs of the soon-
coming Messiah would be that He would gather all of His
people as sheep into a sheepfold.

"I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely

gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the
sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold."
- Micah 2:12

By studying the names of the different stars in this

constellation and the associated decan constellations, there is
no doubt that this next to last star grouping speaks
prophetically of when God would begin to assemble all of His
people before the Lion of the tribe of Judah would, at last,
come.
 One of those decan constellations is called Argo and is
considered a "ship" that is about to dock. The name Argo
comes from Greek mythology, specifically from the story of
Jason and the Argonauts - men who took a perilous journey to
recover treasure from the serpent who guarded it. However,
there are those who believe that, at first, this ship was an "ark."
This is important because, just before Christ (the Lion) returns,
there will be perilous days that Jesus likened unto the "days of
Noah (Mat. 24:37). Positioned between Argo and the
conquering lion Leo is a snake, Hydra, who, if you look at chart
of the constellations compasses one-third of the ecliptic!
Scripture tells us that, at the end, something happens that
alerts the Dragon to know that he has but a "short time" (Rev.
12:12). Furthermore, Revelation 12 tells us that when he is cast
down from heaven:

"His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to
the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was
ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was
born." - Revelation 12:4-5 (NKJV)

It is my belief that the days of Noah are here and a flood

called the Tribulation is coming in the near future. Soon, the
serpent is coming down with wrath and one third of the angels
with him. During that time, God will then begin to pour out His
judgments upon the earth. Interestingly enough, some of those
judgments are called "bowl judgments" (Rev. 15). One of the
associated decans of the constellation Leo is called Crater and
is considered a "cup" or "bowl." Revelation tells us that those
who worship the beast and his image will:
"Drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out
without measure into the cup of his indignation."
- Revelation 14:10

During this time, Scripture describes a scene in which

"every one lifted up shall be brought low" (Isa. 2:12). At that
time the "day of wrath will destroy sinners out of it" (Isa. 13:9).
Joel says the "day of the Lord is as destruction" (Joel 1:15)
when the sun will be darkened and the moon turned to blood
(Joel 2:31). It is a "day of waste, trouble, distress and gloom"
(Zeph. 1:15), Yet in the end we see that, Jesus, the Lion of the
tribe of Judah shall prevail over the dragon!

"And one of the elders saith unto me, weep not; behold, the
Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to
open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."
- Revelation 5:5

In that day, the day of the Lord, Satan will be bound and
the millennial reign of Christ upon the earth will begin. In that
day, according to the patterns in the heavens, the feet of the
Lion will be planted firmly on the head of the serpent.
7
THE DAYS OF NOAH

"But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the
Son of man be." - Matthew 24:37

Just what did Jesus signify by those words? Many great

sermons have been preached about how the vile propensities
of our generation parallel those of Noah's day. Surely, the
wickedness that prevailed at that time is thriving in ours.
Unrestrained fornication, violence, corruption and robbery are
all signs that we live in those days spoken of by the Lord.
Judgment must be just around the corner.
Sadly, just as Noah had to endure the ridicule of those
prediluvian scoffers, the modern prophet is mocked as he or
she tries to warn of God's impending judgment. Unless
repentant, the unbelieving of this generation will meet the same
tragic end as those who, as Jesus said, "knew not until the
flood came, and took them all away" (Mat. 24:39). These and
other signs abound to serve as proof that we are living in the
era which will see the return of the Son of Man. Is it possible,
however, that the greatest signs of the times are cloaked
behind the obvious? In other words, did Jesus have more in
mind than just "eating, drinking and marrying" when he likened
the days preceding His return to the days just before the
flood?
It is my opinion that, in the days preceding the flood, God
warned through a series of signs, at least one of which was a
sign in the heavens. According to ancient Jewish literature,
Noah was witness to, not only violence and perversion, but
cosmic signs to confirm to him that judgment was indeed
coming. Remember, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven.
Noah, a preacher of righteousness, warned people that the
coming judgment was an impending flood of waters. That
generation ignored God's warning and, as we know, they were
all destroyed. Likewise, the current generation dismisses
warnings that come through things like signs in the heavens as
the wild ramblings of madmen and doomsday preachers.
Unfortunately, the majority of those in the end will, like those
of Noah's time, be swept away with the coming flood of
tribulation.
Now I wish to raise this question: considering that Noah
and the emphasis of his life's story centers upon a flood of
waters, is it possible that the "days of Noah before Christ's
return will be characterized by signs in the waters as well? In
other words, is God trying to warn this generation with signs in
the heavens and signs in the seas?

THE ROARING SEAS

"In the sixth hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second

month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all
the fountains of the great deep broken up and the windows of
heaven were opened." - Genesis 7:11

As I have already mentioned, the Septuagint (the Greek

translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) uses the word for
"abyss" to define the "the great deep." It seems that the abyss
was ripped open and in addition to this upheaval of water,
torrential rains began to fall from heaven. Since the days of
Noah are a picture of the last days, is it possible that, in our
time, the breakup of the fountains of the deep is synonymous
with the seeming swelling number of tsunamis? Likewise, could
it be that the "windows of heaven" being opened could be
something akin to the growing intensity of hurricanes?
Scripture makes it clear that God has, in times past, used
the seas to bring judgment In the time of Noah, the flood
waters destroyed the wicked. In Lot's day, the five cities of the
plain ended up at the bottom of the Salt Sea, (a.k.a the Dead
Sea). Because she looked back, Lot's wife died when incredible
amounts of extremely salty water transformed her into a pillar of
salt. The point is, tsunamis and hurricanes are comprised of
salt water and salt water has been instrumental in the past
when God judged the wickedness of mankind.

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in
the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with
perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing
them for fear, and for looking after those things which are
coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be
shaken." - Luke 21:25-26
 Consider how some of the other translations render this
verse.

"Dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea

and the waves." (NASU)

"Distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment

and perplexity (without resources, left wanting, embarrassed,
in doubt, not knowing which way to turn) at the roaring (the
echo) of the tossing of the sea." (AMP)

"And down here on earth the nations will be in turmoil,

perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides." (NLT)

The Scriptures tells us that, at this time, the "powers of

heaven will be shaken." In Greek, the word translated as
"powers" is dunamis. It means "a force, strength, mighty."
What is the powers of heaven? Perhaps it is referring to the
force, strength and violence of the wind.
When it says that these powers are "shaken" the Greek
language suggests that these powers are going to be agitated
and disturbed. The root word that is translated as "shaken"
comes from salos which is a vibration or a wave and, so, it
seems that the sea will be forcibly agitated to the degree that
men's hearts will fail them. This description seems to go hand-
in-hand with what the writer of Hebrews foretold of the end of
days.
"Whose voice then shook the earth; but now he hath promised,
saying, 'Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also
heaven.'" - Hebrews 12:26

Now pay attention to the verse that precedes the one

describing the sea and waves roaring.

"And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led
away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem shall be trodden
down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be
fulfilled." - Luke 21:24

When we look at the complete picture being presented to

us, Scripture says that at the end of days, the Gentiles would
lose their grip on Jerusalem. Following this, cosmic signs
would be evident and then the seas would begin to toss and
turn to the distress of mankind.

THE JERUSALEM CONNECTION

After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., almost 1900 years
passed before Jerusalem was again under Jewish control.
Beginning with the Romans in 70, the Byzantines, the Ottoman
Turks and finally the British in 1947, all the nations who ruled
Jerusalem during that 1900 years were Gentiles. That changed
in the 1967 Six Day War with the reunification of the city of
Jerusalem.
Interestingly enough, two years later in July 1969, man
landed on the moon - a sign? Since that time, there have been
other, perhaps, more dramatic signs in the heavens. For
instance, the Shumaker-Levi comet that struck the planet
Jupiter in 1996 was an interesting sign. Sixteen fragments of
this comet struck the surface of the planet with the impact of
atomic bombs. The interesting thing about this is that rabbis
consider Jupiter to be the planet of King David. Is it just
coincidental that this occurred when the Oslo peace accords
were being secretly signed?
Another cosmic sign that comes to mind is the appearance
of the Hale-Bopp comet in 1997. What made this particular
comet so incredible was the fact that it could easily be seen
with the naked eye and for several nights. Moreover, it was
concluded that the last time this particular comet had been
visible from earth was about 4,500 years ago. That would have
been about the time of Noah and the flood.
That brings us now to what the Scripture said would
happen next - the sea and the waves roaring. Hurricanes and
tsunamis have always been with us. However, there are those,
myself included, who think that these types of phenomena may
be intensifying. In 2004, for instance, four major hurricanes
struck Florida - that was bad enough. Yet soon after those
terrible storms, perhaps the most destructive storm to ever
afflict the US struck the Gulf Coast and the affects of the
ensuing disaster are still with us. That storm was Katrina.

THE KATRINA FACTOR

Some say that hurricanes like Katrina are "natural
disasters" or acts of "Mother Nature." When anyone raises the
issue of the timing of these types of disasters with significant
world events, some cite that these storms are the result of
normal storm cycles. Yet in Scripture we see that sometimes
these events come about as an attack from the Adversary. The
whirlwind mentioned in Job 1 was obviously brought about by
Satan.
As believers, we understand that some of these storms
come about because prophecy is being fulfilled just as we see
in Luke 21:24. We also see that, unfortunately at times, these
storms are a method of divine chastisement. Many people are
of the opinion that Katrina was the latter - chastisement for
America's flagrant debauchery. The fact that the converging
waters of the Mississippi and the Gulf submerged a large part
of New Orleans is a topic worth investigating.
First of all, it is reported that around 15% of the population
in New Orleans is involved in voodoo and the occult. A typical
night on Bourbon Street is pretty raunchy when compared to
most of Main Street USA, but the perversion that goes on
during Mardi Gras and other special "events" is mind boggling.
For instance, since 1972 the Southern Decadence
Celebration - occurring on the Sunday before Labor Day - is a
city-wide party that hosts well over one-hundred thousand
predominately gay men dressed in drag. According to one
news report that monitored one of these celebrations:

"When the time comes to march, the Grand Marshal blows

his-her-its whistle and the whole drunken, rowdy group
weaves its drunken way down the streets of one quarter, one
year cutting through St. Louis Basilica while a Mass was in
progress. . ."

Just before Katrina struck it was reported that:

"The Crescent City is gearing up for one of the largest

Decadence celebrations in history bringing in over 125,000
revelers. . . . Not even the fire from a dragon's breath would
keep participants from assembling in the 1200 block of Royal
Street on the first Sunday before Labor Day for a celebration
that has gotten bigger and more wonderfully insane each year
since its casual creation in 1972."

Two days later, Katrina struck.

THE AMERICA-ISRAEL LINK

"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that
curseth thee." - Genesis 12:3

Recall that Luke 21 connects the "sea and waves roaring"

to the city of Jerusalem and, by extension, the land of Israel.
Therefore, it is believed by many that the destruction Katrina
caused was due, not only to the perverseness of New Orleans
as a city, but to our national complicity in forcing Israel to
surrender and evacuate land to be handed over to their
enemies.
Think back with me - Noah's family was removed from their
homes for the duration of the flood. Lot's family had to leave
behind homes, possessions - even family members - and had to
live in a cave. Now consider the forcible removal of 9,000
mostly religious Jews from their homes in Gaza in August 2005.
The evacuation began on 9 Av which, on the Hebrew
calendar, is a solemn day of mourning. I remember seeing the
images of crying women and children being loaded on buses
against their will. I remember seeing groups of men defiantly
waving Israeli flags as they stood on the roof of the
synagogue, refusing to leave. Eventually, though, all were
evacuated by force and taken by buses to relocation centers.
Later their homes were bulldozed. America's policies toward the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict played a large role in what
eventually took place in Gaza.
So then, we should not be surprised to see that, because
of our involvement, the very thing that happens to Israel ends
up being repeated in the United States. Israel has fought wars
with Islamic nations five different times. Now we are fighting
wars in Islamic nations. Israeli soldiers have been attacked by
homicide bombers. Now, our soldiers are being murdered by
roadside bombings. Why? It seems obvious that God deals
directly and harshly with those who interfere with and
undermine His purposes in the land of Israel. Consider the
following passages:

"And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin

double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled
mine inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable and
abominable things." - Jeremiah 16:18
"I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into
the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for
my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have
scattered among the nations, and parted my land." - Joel 3:2

Understanding this, can it be coincidental that as plans

were being prepared to forcibly remove Israelis from their
homes, and at the insistence of the US government I might add,
that Katrina was forming off the coast of Africa? As those
plans went into action, Katrina strengthened and began to bear
down on the US and, ultimately, the Gulf coast. Is it just a
coincidence that, in the end, thousands of US citizens had to
be, in some cases, forcibly removed from their homes and
relocated? I don't think it a coincidence at all.
According to Christ's words in Luke 21, the sea and the
waves roaring is one of the final signs that the times of the
Gentiles is coming to a close and the return of Christ is at hand.
8
AMERICA IN THE LAST DAYS
A common question pertaining to prophecy is, "Where is
America in Prophecy? What happens to the US in the last
days?" Some cite Isaiah 18 as a cryptic clue identifying the
United States at the end of days (I have taught on this myself
at times). There are those who consider America to be the
modern Babylon and use Jeremiah 50 and 51, as well as
Revelation 17-18 to advance this idea. While I do believe that
"Babylon" infects every nation on earth, including our own, I
still tend to believe that Babylon means Babylon - as in Iraq.
Through the years I have pointed out that, in the vineyard
parable of Matthew 21, Christ stated that the kingdom given to
Israel would be temporarily given to another nation. That
nation, Jesus says, would exist for one purpose - to bring forth
fruit in its season. After years of study, I am convinced that
America is that nation. Who can deny that God ordained this
country to be a counterbalance to much evil in the modern era?
Who can refute that God's Hand was in the very founding of
this nation? While this nation has degenerated morally,
ethically and spiritually, nevertheless, the U.S. is still the
country leading the way when it comes to extending tangible
aid to nations in need and, most importantly, declaring the
message of the Messiah to those abroad.
 Therefore, I believe that America's spiritual pattern is
linked to Israel - the other unique and God-ordained nation.
However, when it comes to our political, economic and
governmental patterns - because these enhance mankind's
interests - I am afraid they are most likely linked to ancient
Rome and, yes, Babylon. Because all things modern - including
America - have ancient roots, I believe that, in order to explain
America's future, we must discuss the past. Solomon explained
it this way:

"That which hath been is now, and that which is to be hath

already been, and God requireth that which is past."
- Ecclesiastes 3:15

DANIEL'S FOUR BEASTS

In Chapter 7, the prophet Daniel revealed that five empires
would arise on the world scene. Each was identified by a
particular beast whose nature represented the personality and
character of that particular empire. Those beasts were:

Lion with eagle's wings. (Dan. 7:4)

Bear with three ribs in its mouth. (Dan. 7:5)
Four-headed, leopard with wings. (Dan. 7:6)
Beast with iron teeth and ten horns (Dan. 7:7)

Of the first beast, Daniel says that the wings were

"plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to
stand on two feet like a man" (Dan. 7:4). The second beast, the
bear, was told to, "Arise, devour much flesh (Dan. 7:5). The
third beast, the four-headed leopard was given dominion (Dan.
7:6). When he describes the fourth beast, Daniel makes it clear
that this beast is totally different from the rest; it is "dreadful
and terrible, exceedingly strong." With its teeth it devoured
and with its feet it broke into pieces whatever stood in its way.
As he was observing this very unique beast, Daniel says:

"I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a
little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the
first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this
horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking
pompous words." - Daniel 7:8 (NKJV)

The traditional interpretation of this prophecy concerning

the identity of the beasts goes something like this: the lion is
Babylon; the wings plucked out alludes to Nebuchadnezzar's
breakdown. The bear is Medo-Persia, an empire which
overthrew the Babylonians. The leopard refers to the Grecian
empire, the swift rise of Alexander the Great and the division of
his empire into four sectors upon his death. The fourth, non-
descript beast is identified as the great Roman Empire. The
"little horn" and the "ten horns" are the future antichrist who
arises from a coalition of ten nations that have resurrected the
Holy Roman Empire.
I certainly agree with this interpretation. Babylon had
winged lions carved upon their walls to "guard" their city
gates. Some of the largest bears in the world were once located
on the mountains of Persia. The leopard is swift, revealing the
speed in which Alexander the Great swept into world by the
age of 32. The fourth beast, Rome, had "iron teeth," denoting
that Rome would be the "iron kingdom," a kingdom of military
power; a fierce fighting machine that would trample anyone
who interfered with it's agenda.
Yes, this all makes sense and, yet for many years, some
prophetic teachers have noted that there are modern nations
whose emblems and character resemble the description of the
four beasts seen by Daniel. Moreover, just as the ancient
empires formed in order, from Babylon to Rome, these four
modern nations formed in the same order indicated by Daniel.

THE FOUR BEASTS OF OUR TIME

It is interesting that Great Britain has, for centuries, been
identified with a Lion. During World Wars I and II, people
spoke of the British "Lion." America's emblem is the bald eagle.
Remember, the eagle's wings were plucked from the lion and
lion became a man with a compassionate heart. America came
about after being "plucked" from the British empire and stood
on it's own feet and became a nation of compassion among the
nations of the world.
According to Daniel a bear would follow the Lion and rise
of the Eagle. Certainly the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and
the rise of the Soviet Union fits the description. The symbol of
Russia is the bear! In Daniel's prophecy the bear is laying on
one side; the Soviet Union spread to one side of the globe. The
three ribs in its mouth perhaps allude to the three primary
leaders, Lenin, Stalin and Krushchev. Communism certainly
"devoured much flesh as it's reign of murder and terror endured
for more than seventy years.
The next major empire, the leopard, would have to arise
after the Russian "bear." Less than twenty years after the rise
of the Soviet Union, Germany propelled the world into one of
its darkest hours - World War II. The swift rise of Hitler can
certainly be compared to the quickness of a leopard. With
lightning speed - blitzkrieg - Hitler and his Third Reich swept
throughout Europe and even Africa, leaving the stench of
death and destruction in its path. Oddly enough, Alexander's
reign lasted only about twelve years; Hitler's Third Reich also
lasted just over twelve years.
If all of this is a valid interpretation, then another empire
must form and out of this diverse and unique empire will come
the infamous Antichrist of Bible prophecy. As far as I am
concerned, it is clearly not the European Union because it is
"diverse from all the beasts" (Dan. 7:7). In reality the EU is a
coalition of nations held together by trade and a single
monetary unit. Presently, the EU does not fit the description of
the warring, destructive nature of the ancient Roman beast nor
does it is resemble the beast as revealed in Revelation. That
beast is continually "making war" (Rev. 13:4; 7)), beheading all
who oppose it (Rev. 20:4).
People who believe the fourth beast will be a revised Holy
Roman (European) Empire like to trumpet the economic power
of the EU and their amassing political clout. However, I would
argue that the oil producing nations are the ones swimming in
money, and with billions in assets not to mention the resource
that the entire world depends on - oil - it is the Muslim
countries who are currently displaying their political power.
 Consider that in the Gulf nation of Dubai, the most modern
and accessorized city in the world is being built with the
intentions that it will become "the" vacation mecca of the
world! Because some of these sheiks have so much money
they can't possibly spend, they are purchasing man-made
islands complete with luxurious hotels that house indoor ski
resorts. It is a city literally rising from the sea! If that were not
enough, many of the buildings being constructed there are
built in the form of towering "horns."
The real wealth of late has been in oil and much of that
"black gold" comes from the deserts of Islamic nations. Today,
the revenues from the sale of this oil is being channeled into
the West, not to assist, but to purchase land and businesses,
and to construct mosques - in many cases on the site of closed
churches.
In other words, I believe that the last empire is in the
process of organizing and will soon rise to power. I believe that
fourth beast Daniel describes - a beast that is "dreadful and
terrible" - will be a coalition of Islamic nations ruling from the
Middle East (the ancient Roman Empire was comprised of lands
in Europe, Africa and the Middle East). Out of this revived
Islamic kingdom (the Ottoman Turks were a powerful Muslim
empire for 400 years) will arise the "little horn" or the
Antichrist. He will seize ten nations (10 horns) and, through his
seizure of vast oil deposits and revenues, effectively control
the global economy.
In Revelation, this final kingdom is compared to a lion
(ancient Babylon) a bear (ancient Persia) and a leopard (ancient
Greece).
"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." - Revelation 13:2

This passage suggests that the final beast will swallow up

the territory of Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. Today this
would include the nations of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq,
Syria, Lebanon, parts of Turkey, parts of Greece, and a small
area in Bulgaria (Macedonia). With the exception of Greece and
parts of Bulgaria, these areas are predominantly Muslim.
Now getting back to America's fate: in consideration that
the beasts in Daniel 7 not only describe ancient kingdoms but
also modern nations, then the fourth beast - the kingdom of the
Antichrist - is going to bring to an end the global stature of the
lion (Britain), the eagle's wings (America), the bear (Russia) and
and the leopard (Germany, perhaps representing Western
Europe).
We know that the Antichrist will control the economies of
the world, at least indirectly, through a system utilizing a mark,
a number or the name of the beast. How is this control possible
considering he has to humble some of the most powerful
nations of the earth?
I should point out that, currently, the demographics of
Europe, including Great Britain, are swiftly changing. That is to
say that, with every passing day, there are fewer and fewer
Christians and more and more Muslims. Much of what was the
former Soviet Union is Muslim and Russia itself has always
shown a willingness to align itself with powerful Muslim
nations. When it comes to America, though the Muslim
advance here has been slower, it is no doubt progressing. So
now the question is, "Of these - Britain, America, Russia,
Germany (Western Europe): who will be the last to fall?"
Considering that America is currently the leading power in the
world, I submit that the answer to the question is "America." If
so, there is soon to be a dramatic decline in American power
and sovereignty.

AMERICA: THE LAST GREAT EMPIRE

The time is coming when many nations, in order to sustain
or expand their power and influence, will find it necessary to
surrender their individual sovereignty and unite in various
coalitions and confederacies. To some degree this is already
happening. So then, America as we know it today may possibly
be the last great sovereign power in world history.
America was founded by men and women seeking
religious freedom who arrived by ship from Europe. The
founding fathers transformed thirteen colonies into a union of
people with a common goal - life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness. As a young America developed, the founders
further expressed our national mandate in the Preamble of the
US Constitution:

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more

perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity."
 It is obvious that the founders of this nation placed a
premium on liberty and justice. Where did their inspiration
come from? Their own writings tell us - the Bible! The
Scriptures and the principles contained therein provided the
moral and ethical outline to the laws they enacted in order "to
form a more perfect union."
As America grew, so did our influence and power. By the
close of World War II, America had been elevated to the level
of "superpower." As our power and influence grew, so did our
sin. We shouldn't be too surprised by this outcome, because
this is exactly what happened to ancient Rome.
While the founders truly acknowledged the need for
biblical principles in government, they were equally inspired by
the ancient Greco-Roman world as well. Consequently, they
employed many of the governing principles they learned from
the ancient world. For instance, they founded what they called
a republic; the same term used to describe the government of
the Roman Empire. So, as I mentioned previously, while I do
believe that spiritual America parallels Israel - politically,
militarily and even economically - we follow the pattern of the
ancient Gentile powers, especially Rome, and that is not good!
When studying the past empires of Biblical prophecy,
there appears to be four common threads woven into the fabric
of each one - Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. I
believe the same four traits are stitched into the fabric that is
America.

Military Authority
 Every previous empire dominated the world through a
powerful and seemingly undefeatable military machine. The
Babylonians were the first to conquer the known world. The
Medes and Persians conquered the Babylonians with their
military. Through the military prowess of Alexander, 30,000
highly motivated Greeks conquered over one million Persians.
Eventually, it was Romans who developed the most powerful
army in world history, spreading their influence to nations and
regions previously untouched by past empires.
Just as ancient Rome was noted for its great military
power, America has also been acknowledged as the most
powerful military force in the world. Some suggest that Russia
is equal to or surpasses America in military strength. This is a
false assumption. While Russia does possess an arsenal of
nuclear weapons, the collapse of the Soviet Union brought a
deep division into the Russian military. Many high ranking
officials defected to other nations. Many Soviet soldiers went
for months without pay.
Russia is still a dangerous force, primarily due to their
willingness to sell high tech weapons to rogue nations like
Iran. Still, America's advanced technology and military
discipline is the envy of the world. The fact that we currently
have the greatest military is a characteristic that connects us to
the empires of the past.

Economic Dominion

In some way, each of the ancient empires drove and

affected the global economy in their time. Babylon was rich
with gold while the Persians abounded in silver and spices.
Through an extensive road system and merchant marine, the
Romans conducted trade at unprecedented levels, bringing in
incredible revenues. Each empire dominated their day through
economic strength.
In the modern era, most nations have their own currency.
Israel uses the shekel, Japan has the yen, England the pound-
sterling and so on. Yet over the last fifty years or so, the only
currency that is desired and recognized universally is the
American dollar. Even Saddam Hussein hoarded nearly one
billion American dollars in anticipation of a getaway. After the
2007 Israeli conflict with Hezbollah, the same Islamic terrorist
who called for death to Israel and the destruction of America
handed out $12,000 in American currency to each Lebanese
who had lost their home in the conflict (I might note here that
the strength of the dollar is beginning to wane).
The growth and strength of global markets are many times
determined by what happens on Wall Street. A negative drop in
New York almost immediately impacts Asian and European
markets. In short, for the past 50 years much of the world's
global economy has been directly linked and driven by
America's currency and economic power.

Political Influence

To be a leading empire you must be the leading policy

maker among the nations. Your political clout must extend
beyond you own borders and influence the decisions of other
world leaders. This political power is directly related to one's
military and economic strength. In other words, a nation will be
influenced by the empire who is capable of bringing prosperity
or destruction to their borders. From early times, economic and
military strength was the foundation upon which political
power was built. This three-fold cord (military, economy,
political) was what enabled an empire to remain in power.
During World War I, Britain was the prominent world
power. It was said that the sun never set on the British Empire.
After WW II, Britain realized it was becoming too expensive to
be the guardians of the world. Eventually, the British withdrew
their troops from areas such as Iraq and Palestine, making room
for the state of Israel - and eventually Saddam Hussein.
As the British left these areas, a certain degree of a power
vacuum was created. It was America who stepped in to fill the
gap and to stabilize the geo-political tempest that has been
brewing since the British relinquished their role as superpower.
Consequently, the world now looks to America to resolve
political conflicts and to assist in war efforts, including forging
peace treaties. While the ancient world looked to Rome for
Pax-Romana ("Roman peace"), America is almost always
called upon to be the mediator and peacemaker. This is the
primary evidence that we are, at least now, the greatest political
force in the world.

REMOVING THE FINAL EMPIRE

Most of the dominant empires of history have lasted
anywhere between 200 to 500 years.

The Medo-Persians ruled for about 330 years.

The Greeks ruled for about 300 years.
 Rome (the Western leg) lasted 500 years.
The Ottoman Turks ruled for 400 years.

Though Columbus was credited with discovering the New

World in 1492, America did not build her first colony until 1607
in Jamestown, Virginia. From the forming of Jamestown unto
the year 2007 was four hundred years. I mention this because a
four-hundred year cycle is first found in Genesis 15:13.
God revealed to Abraham that his descendants would live
in a strange land (Egypt) for four hundred years. Afterwards,
God said He would bring them out of captivity and back into
the Promised Land. As He brought them into the land, God
would use Israel to destroy the immoral and idolatrous tribes
that had possessed the Promised Land. Another interesting
thing to consider is that, from the last Hebrew prophet,
Malachi, to the revelation of John the Baptist, there was a
period of four hundred years.
It seems then, a four-hundred year cycle often hints at the
"fullness" and completion of something, which then leads to a
transition of stature. In other words, at the end of the four-
hundred years, Egypt went from being the dominant power to a
nation reduced to shambles. When John came and prepared
the way for Christ, many stopped looking at the religious
leaders as the "last word" and started looking to Christ.
Since there appears to be some element of this four-
hundred year cycle in our county, it is my belief that America's
"cup of iniquity" is becoming full and a major transition of
power and influence is about to occur. When judgment does
indeed come, America will decline in military, economic and
political strength. In essence, you and I are witnessing the last
gasps of the great American Empire. When this finally comes,
we will not be able to say that we did not understand or we
can't believe God would allow this to happen.
God warned Israel that judgment would come if they would
not repent. They didn't and judgment came. The same warnings
He issued to them, He has issued to us. Why? This country
shares a spiritual connection to Israel. Unfortunately, we also
share a connection with the pagan and idolatrous empires -
fallen empires I might add - of the past.

AMERICA AND ISRAEL: PARALLEL

WARNINGS
Throughout the Five Books of Moses, commonly known
as the Torah, God instructed Israel in every aspect of life; from
what is good for food and how one should respect a neighbor's
property to how, when and where one was to worship the
Almighty. Throughout these instructions God was always
careful to warn the people that, after entering into this
covenant, should they decide to rebel and turn away from
God's instructions, certain consequences were sure to come
upon them. These "curses of the law" are recorded in two main
passages: Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26.
It was this same moral and spiritual law penned by Moses
that became the foundation for the moral and spiritual law in
America. As a matter of fact, according to President Harry
Truman, the founding documents of America - the
Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, etc. - were all
based upon the Torah, the Prophets and the four gospels.
Think about it: in the past we rejected homosexuality, bestiality
and pornography because, according to Scripture, it was
wrong. Now, however, just like Israel we are turning away from
what had so long guided us as a nation and turning to what we
deem to be right. Just as with Israel, God has been issuing
warnings to America that we had better turn around.
God told Israel:

"If ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these
commandments; and if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your
soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my
commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do
this unto you." - Leviticus 26:14-16

God then detailed seven warnings for the nation who

rejects His covenant with them.

I will appoint over your terror (Lev. 26:16)

Your heavens will be brass; I will withhold the rain
making a drought (Lev. 26:19)
Your fruit trees will not yield their fruit (Lev. 26:20)
You cattle will be destroyed and your highways empty
(Lev. 26:22)
Pestilence will strike and I will allow your enemies to
defeat you (Lev. 26:25)
You will see food shortages (Lev. 26:26)
Cities will become desolate and your sanctuaries
 (churches) empty (Lev. 26:31)

Let's compare America's recent conflicts with these Biblical

warnings.
God said he would "appoint" (or visit) you with terror.
Since September 11, 2001, America has been engaged in a
global war on terror. Islamic fanatics entered our nation and
executed a well-orchestrated plan, claiming close to 3,000
victims. Beyond the deaths, the attack eliminated over one
million jobs and the ensuing war has cost billions of dollars -
and more deaths. As of this writing, young men are still dying
in defense of the nation. Terror has visited America.
The Almighty then warned that, following the terror, there
would be a lack of rain. Drought has been partially responsible
for huge fires in the west and midwest. Since September 11th,
tens of thousands of acres have burned due to wild fires, some
the result of arson. Recently, the lack of rain has resulted in one
of the worse droughts the southeastern United States has
experienced in well over a century. This drought has been
especially harsh on the state of Georgia and her principal city
Atlanta.
In the midst of this drought, Atlantans were being warned
that, unless a large amount of rain doused the area soon, the
city of 5.4 million could soon be without drinking water! This
has never happened to any American city in the modern era. It
should be noted that, over the last several years, Atlanta has
become the "San Francisco of the south," meaning it has
become a popular haven for the homosexual community. I also
wish to point out that several of the mega-churches and
ministries in the area have been caught in unbelievable sexual
scandals. Certainly, we have experienced terror and drought.
The third warning was the fruit trees would not produce
their fruit. A drought would naturally affect the growth of fruit
and vegetables. However, there may be another angle on this
warning. In late autumn 2006, many beekeepers began to notice
that their hives were dying and the bees were gone! By spring
2007 this phenomena, dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder or
CCD, was being reported globally.
At first people theorized that cell phone towers were
interfering with the internal navigation system of the bee - this
was later rejected. The prevailing theory was that a virus had
spread through the colonies and was killing the bees.
Whatever the cause, the potential consequence is that the die-
off would have a significant impact on food supplies,
especially fruit-bearing trees.
The next warning concerns livestock. One of the
ramifications of the recent drought in the southeast was a
shortage of hay. Not only that, but because of the bee
phenomena, there were fears that alfalfa (a staple in the cattle
industry and a plant pollinated by bees) would be in short
supply. Many ranchers ended up selling a great deal of their
livestock for fear of starving animals. Furthermore, it has come
to my attention that, in certain states, unreported diseases
have been discovered in cattle - and these cattle are being sold
for slaughter.
The next warning appears to allude to travel. God warns,
"Your highways will be desolate." The Hebrew word translated
here as "highways" is derek, meaning a road, a path, a way." If
this is to be understood as a road for travelers, then it is empty.
How could America's extensive highway system become
empty? One logical conclusion is that the price of gasoline has
become so high that the average American can't afford to travel
as they once did. Just in the last few years we have seen crude
oil go from $72.00 a barrel to $100.00. This price increase is
blamed on an array of causes - hurricanes, political unrest,
demands from China, etc. Imagine how much of a spike a
prolonged war in the Middle East could cause - $150, $200 a
barrel? This would translate into as much as $10 a gallon for
gas. These kind of conditions could realistically empty
America's highways.
I could go on but I believe the reader can easily see the
pattern that is developing. America's sins are creating
circumstances in the same manner that Israel's sins provoked
God to act. That means America is ripe for the same level of
judgment. I believe that the great American empire is at its
peak. Furthermore, I believe that the four-hundred year cycle is
evidence that a transition of power and influence from a
sovereign America is forthcoming. In order to survive at any
level, America will be forced to give up its sovereignty and
become a part of a coalition of nations. This, at least, is what
the patterns of prophecy seem to indicate.

THE COMING COALITION OF NATIONS

We can begin to see the signs - a new form of government
rising from the sea of nations. Instead of one main superpower,
the world's political climate is poised to see different coalitions
emerging, forged by the common denominator of geography,
culture, religion or ethnicity.
One of these has already evolved - the European Union,
now consisting of over a dozen individual nations. Within the
E.U., national borders, to some degree, have been removed,
thus allowing travelers to move from country to country
without a passport and to spend a common monetary unit, the
Euro.
Not to be left out, many Asian countries are looking into
the prospects of forming their own coalition. Interestingly, the
Bible identifies a group of leaders called the "lungs of the east"
(Rev. 16:12). The Greek word translated as "east" is anatole,
and alludes to the "rising light." Since the sun rises in the east,
it is presumed that the "kings of the east" are from Asian
nations. Please note that the Japanese flag is a white field with
a "rising" sun. Could it be that China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam,
Korea and other regional nations form a coalition in the future?
Still, the one that stands out above the others is the
coalition of "ten kings" who give their kingdoms over to the
Antichrist in one hour (Rev. 17:12). These ten kings are the
"ten toes" on the metallic image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream
(Dan. 2:41). They are also the ten horns on the fourth beast
Daniel saw (Dan. 7:24). Since the Antichrist will uproot three of
the ten horns (Dan. 7:20-24) - identified by the early fathers as
Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia (Dan. 11:42-43) - this coalition
appears to be linked to Islam. As a point of interest, fanatical
Muslims have plans to overthrow Egypt and have threatened
Libya for cooperating with the United States.
Presently, one coalition has formed in Europe (the EU).
Others are poised to take shape and one in particular will be
Islamic. So then, where does this leave America? It would seem
America must consider forging a western coalition in order to
survive. The environment for this union has already been
created through the North American Free Trade Agreement.
(NAFTA). As hard as it is to believe, this was only the first
step in what will eventually become an American Union. Plans
are developing whereby the borders between the United
States, Canada and Mexico will be erased and, like the
Europeans, this Union would promote one common currency,
the Amero.
There are, thankfully, roadblocks that must be overcome in
order for this union to succeed. The first one is the sovereignty
of each nation. The US Constitution was written in such a way
that an American government that would seek to wrest liberties
from the people would have to launch a major assault against
the Constitution and the ancient laws of the land. Should the
American people devolve to the level of being willing to "sell
their birthright" for a mess of pottage, then this union could
begin to materialize.
A second hindrance is the American economy. One
primary reason illegal immigrants are pouring into America is to
work. There are hard working individuals who send a large
portion of their income back to Mexico. For this reason the
Mexican government is reticent to prevent their citizens from
crossing the border. If, however, America's economy began to
collapse and the dollar lost its buying power (as the German
Mark was prior to Hitler's rise), then the union could evolve
along with its official currency, the Amero. One indication that
governments are planning for this probability is a trade
thoroughfare is being built from the Mexican border through
the heartland of America and all the way to the Canadian
border.
Realizing that for many this is hard to comprehend, let me
remind the reader that we thought September 11th unlikely. Yet
that day changed the way we live overnight. Similar events or
those with the same ability to change our way of life overnight
can happen and most likely will.

AS ROME GOES, SO GOES AMERICA

As I have pointed out, the United States shares similarities
with the ancient Roman Empire. Notice several of the
fascinating parallels between these two historic empires.

The greatest superpower of its day.

The greatest military in the world.
The eagle is the national emblem.
Have a Senate on a "Capitol Hill."
Have a national anthem.
Pledge allegiance to their flags.
Enamored with sports stars.
Built stadiums for sporting events.
Allowed for the killing of infants.
Both promoted homosexuality as normal.
Tolerant of all beliefs - for a while.
 Persecute true believers who stand for truth.

When Rome was at its peak under Trajan (98-117 AD),

foreign gods began to receive sanctuary. Yet, this also brought
a persecution of the people who believed there was only one
God who deserves worship as He prescribes - Jews and
Christians! This was consistent with the policy of squashing
anything they considered seditious. Typically, the military was
used to put a stop to rebellions throughout the empire. This
was in addition to their normal duties of protecting the borders
of the empire and invading rival nations.
As the military was called upon more and more to preserve
Pax Romana (Roman peace) in the world, the empire's debts
increased. Increased taxation was employed to offset the
expenses but that caused once prosperous farmers, who could
not pay their tax debt, to quit farming. Rome, then, was forced
to develop a "welfare system to assist those in financial
distress. Eventually a poor Roman citizen had one of three
choices: he could join the army for food and a salary, leave
Rome and colonize a new land, or go on the welfare system and
depend upon government assistance. According to history,
many chose the third option.
In order to fund this scenario, The Roman Senate
concluded that they should "tax the rich to assist the poor."
Eventually the taxes became such a burden that even more
people left their jobs to be supported by the government. In
time a law was passed that, if you had a job, you could not quit
work. The vicious financial cycle they had created began to
take its toll on the empire. In time, the tolerance of sin, lofty
political and military policies, extreme wealth and heavy
taxation bred so much corruption that the once great Roman
Empire began to crumble from within.
Though Rome's military seldom lost to an opposing army
on the battlefield as with previous empires, Rome was
nevertheless overrun by Germanic tribes. I would argue
though, that this was made possible, not by the strength of the
foreign tribes, but by the weakened state of the empire brought
on by its immorality and corruption. The Roman empire had
become the proverbial "house of cards." The external forces
that toppled the empire merely applied the appropriate pressure
at the right spot and that hastened the end.
The prophetic parallels are undeniable. Currently, America
has the greatest army on the planet; however, we are forced to
fight a war in two theaters - Iraq and Afghanistan. If threats
continue to come from Iran, another battlefield may soon
develop there in ancient Persia. Here is the point: the cost of
effectively waging war and keeping peace has become a huge
drain on the economy. This is rather interesting considering
that, in times past, war has been the impetus of a robust
economy. World War II actually brought America out of the
Great Depression.
It seems logical to presume that, as time goes on, the
people of America will be called upon to pay higher taxes in
order to sustain our military. While I certainly believe it is our
civic duty to do all we can to keep our military well funded, the
fact that many on Capitol Hill who live by the credo, "tax the
rich to help the poor" want your taxes to fund other programs,
including the ever expanding welfare system. Rome adopted
this strategy and it failed and it is failing in America as well. As
much as we might not like the lifestyles of the "rich," they are
the ones with money to give jobs to those less fortunate.
Through excessive taxation jobs are lost and the poor end up
suffering. When you tie the hands of the small businessman -
the backbone of the US economy - you hasten the decline of
the economy and, if the trend continues, you hasten the end of
the empire.
While these components are interesting to contemplate,
however, idolatry, seeking sensual pleasure and the tolerance
of immorality is what truly suffocated the Roman empire.

THE RETURN OF ANCIENT SPIRITS

Many people consider an idol to be something formed of
wood, stone or metal. Yet Scripture makes it clear that an idol is
anything that is bigger in your heart and mind than God. It is
anything you put before or worship besides the Almighty. It is
anything you trust other than God or His Word. What makes
this so important to understand is the fact that, ancient idols
had evil spirits - devil worship if you will - connected to them!
This should come as no surprise for we read in Scripture
that Satan desired to be like God. In Isaiah 14, Lucifer (in
Hebrew heilal, or "morning star") wanted his throne to be like
the Almighty's. In Ezekiel 28, as the "anointed cherub," Satan
allowed pride to take root in his heart. It seems logical that his
objectives have remained the same - he wants to ascend into
heaven and exalt himself to be like God. He desires to be
worshiped. When he tempted Jesus his intentions became clear
when he said, "all these things (kingdoms of the world) will I
give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (Mt.4:9). I
suggest to the reader that idol worship, in any form, can
ultimately be traced back to Satan and his desire to be
venerated.
In considering the nature of the three most prominent idols
found in ancient Israel - Molech, Ba'al and Ashteroth - it can be
said that the same spirit and allure of these idols can be found
in America today. I believe the spirit of these idols is at the
heart of the corruption we see in our country.

The Spirit of Molech

"And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to
Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am
the LORD." - Leviticus 18:21

Molech is mentioned multiple times in Scripture and it is

clear that God detests the worship of this idol. In fact, God
pronounced a death penalty on any parent who worshiped
Molech by passing children through the fire.
It is believed that this particular idol was worshiped
outside the walls of old Jerusalem in the Hinnom valley
(gehenna or "hell"). Molech, made of iron and brass, was
depicted as part human and part bull. The belly of the image
was hollowed out so that a fire could burn within the opening.
It was here that children were "passed through" and burned as
an offering, some believe while still alive.
As hard as it is to believe, the wisest man who ever lived,
Solomon, was so influenced by strange women that he began
to worship Molech (1 Kings 11:7). The worship of Molech
represents child abuse in the worst form. We can't imagine
someone so cold as to allow an innocent child to be burned,
perhaps alive, as worship to a piece of metal.
Yet in America, some Catholic dioceses are going bankrupt
because errant priests give in to pedophilia. Almost everyday
there are reports of a child being kidnapped, raped or killed.
Some parents are killing their children and claiming that "God
told them to do it." Fathers are molesting their own children.
All these things are happening and are more common than
anyone would like to admit. The truly alarming element of all of
this is, a great deal of these disturbing acts are being
committed by people claiming to be Christian! Of course, as I
mentioned earlier in the book, there is abortion: basically the
slaughter of millions unable to defend themselves.
All of this amounts to parents offering their seed as a
"sacrifice to devils." It is absolutely no different than causing
children to be passed through the fire to Molech.
Unfortunately, we now live in a country that ridicules anyone
who stands against this type of demonic behavior. Where
abortion is concerned, even the Congress and the Supreme
Court uphold and support the right of people to continue the
slaughter - all to the glory and obvious glee of Satan himself.

The Spirit Of Ba'al

This god, known by many other names, was considered to

be "male" in nature and was considered synonymous with the
sun. As an image, Ba'al was most often depicted as an ox or
bull. This was the same god that the Egyptians knew as Apis.
Apis was worshiped at Memphis and at the priest city of
Heliopolis (a.k.a On) which, by the way, bordered the land of
Goshen where Israel lived for hundreds of years. This god
personified the animal that was used to plow fields from which
came food. So then, Apis or Ba'al was associated with material
things - food, clothing and wealth.
When Israel was in the wilderness and there was no
evident food source, perhaps this is why they chose to fashion
a golden calf. The Bible says that they took gold jewelry and
transformed them into a golden calf and cried, "This is your
god O Israel who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (Ex.
32:4). While most of us wouldn't consider doing anything like
that, we would nevertheless follow the ways of modern culture
when it comes to the worship of Ba'al. By that I mean, many
think nothing of taking their earnings and investing them into
the Stock Market. In and of itself, there is nothing wrong with
investing. The problem is when your stock portfolio becomes
more important to you than the spiritual welfare of your family.
When greed overtakes you, that is idolatry - that is the spirit of
Ba'al. Oddly enough, in New York's Financial district there sits
a brass bull - symbolizing a "bull market." James warns us of
this type of sin.

"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that
shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your
garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered;
and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall
eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together
for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have
reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud,
crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered
into the ears of the LORD of hosts. Ye have lived in pleasure
on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts,
as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just;
and he doth not resist you."
- James 5:1-6

I should also point out that history clearly teaches us that

one of the last things God allows before bringing judgment
upon a nation is prosperity. David Wilkerson wrote,
"Throughout the Scriptures, we detect a pattern. Whenever
nations turned away from God he sent them warnings through
prophets. If the people didn't respond, God sent them violent
storms and drastic weather changes and plagues to wake them
up. And if that didn't work, God sent them one final message:
He inundated them with prosperity. It was a last great mercy
call."
In 1 Samuel we see that a prophet was sent to the High
Priest Eli and told him that in a day of prosperity, judgment
would come (1 Sam. 2:32). Before Judah was carried off into
Babylon they were enjoying such wealth and prosperity they
didn't think it possible that God would permit judgment to
come.
So what does this say about those who teach the
"prosperity message"? Is it coincidental that this is a message
that most often emanates from American pulpits? In light of
Scripture, are they not hastening the day of judgment? Could it
also be said that they are conditioning a large segment of God's
people to be completely overwhelmed by what is truly coming
upon our nation?
 The Spirit Of Ashteroth

While Ba'al was the sun god, Ashteroth was considered a

female - sometimes moon - deity. She was depicted as having
many breasts and was synonymous with fertility.
Consequently, sexual acts were performed in her temples as
means of worshiping the one who could bring fertility. She was
also connected to the concept of "mother earth."
In today's world there are those who worship nature -
trees, rocks, etc. There are people who, by way of astrology,
also worship the sun, moon, and the stars. Many of these
"sects" find their way into Wicca, which is nothing more than
witchcraft. Within Wicca and related beliefs, fertility - sexual
acts - take front and center. Now I realize that many people
don't adhere to the tenets of Wicca; however, have you noticed
just how prevalent sexual perversion is in American society? It
is this very same ancient spirit and that spirit can be found
throughout America.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are repeating the same mistakes
that Israel made. We have gone after "other gods" and,
because we parallel Israel in spiritual matters, God will not allow
us to be exempt from correction. Yet, consider something else.
Where did Israel learn of these other gods? They learned of
them from the other nations and empires that had such an
influence upon them. Likewise, America, by following in the
parallel path of ancient Israel is also succumbing to the
tendencies of the pagan empires, i.e. the ancient Romans.

AMERICA - CENTER OF CHRISTIANITY

 Another interesting parallel between Rome and America is
this: ancient Rome eventually became the center of Christianity.
With all due respect to those with a Catholic background, I
would argue that, in today's world, America has become the
Christian center. Over 80% of our population claim Christianity
as their religion. This does not mean they are "born again" or
have a true relationship with Christ, but it does indicate that
Christian teaching has penetrated and influenced the culture of
the nation. Nevertheless, like the Romans before us, America
continues to slide deeper into a immoral and backslidden
condition from which we may never recover.
The problem is, while America still knows how to pray,
America no longer knows how to repent. Without repentance,
ladies and gentlemen, there is no hope for the nation. As
painful as it is for me to say that and for you to read, that is the
reality of the situation. Furthermore, Scripture makes it clear
that Jesus Christ is not returning to establish His throne in
Washington D.C., but in Jerusalem. That means that, during the
reign of Christ, Jerusalem will be the center of the worship of
the one and only God. You see, there is coming a transition -
the times of the Gentiles is fast coming to a close.

AMERICA'S FINAL ASSIGNMENT

Throughout history Gentile nations have affected and
infected Israel. When the power of the Gentiles is broken it is a
sign that the Millennial reign is soon to commence. Seeing that
we are living in those times, what can we say has been
America's assignment? Here is a short list that I think
summarizes it.

We have helped spread the Gospel.

We helped to restrain evil in the earth.
We helped those in financial need.
We have been a beacon of liberty.
We have supported the state of Israel.
We help bring the Jews back from the nations.

These last two items are indeed important because

America is spiritually linked to Israel's history in ways that no
other nation could claim. I have documented these parallels at
length in my book, Plucking the Eagle's Wings and so, for the
sake of time, I will simply say this - America's mission has, in
large part, been to see to it that prophecy concerning the
nation of Israel and the return of her people comes to fruition.
As a matter of fact, Scripture says that Israel will return from
the north, south (Jer. 23:7-8, 31:8), and the west (Isa. 49:12,
Zech. 8:7)! Something is going to happen that will enable Israel
to come back into the land from the West. Now consider the
following scripture:

"And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that
she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is
nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face
of the serpent." - Revelation 12:14

In this passage the woman, who most eschatologists

consider to be Israel, is carried into the wilderness by the
wings of an eagle. Is it possible that this is describing our final
mission as a nation? If so, at the conclusion of that mission,
what becomes of America? Ladies and gentlemen, there can be
no doubt that the times of the Gentiles are coming to an end.
Furthermore, the Scriptures are clear that there is to arise a final
and most dreadful empire, one that is bent upon destroying
Israel. For this to happen, one must arrive at an unsettling but,
nevertheless, inescapable conclusion - America's time is
running out.
When that comes, I believe it will be clear that the reasons
will be the same as they have been for every other great power.
All the wealth, power and military success caused us to look to
ourselves as the source of these benefits and indulge
ourselves in whatever perversions we thought necessary. We,
like the Romans, have become that "house of cards." All that is
needed for us to topple is for external pressure to be applied in
just the right place. I think you can see where this is going.
So, let us now take a look at the what the Bible has to say
about the emergence of the next and last empire - that fourth
and fearsome beast that spawns the Antichrist.
9
THE RISING ISLAMIC
CRESCENT
Off the coast of Turkey is the tiny island of Patmos. It was
here that the last of the twelve disciples, John, saw a vision of
the future (95 AD). Since he recorded these series of visions in
the book of Revelation, men have debated the cryptic
meanings John described. Many are of the belief that the entire
book is merely an allegory. Some feel that all the events
prophesied have already occurred in the distant past. For the
record, I am a futurist - that is, I believe that John's book deals
with time of the end.
The theme of the book is a seven year tribulation - the day
of the Lord, the time when the wrath of God and the Lamb is
poured out upon the earth. Though I don't believe we are quite
there yet, I do believe that we are seeing the early signs of
what is coming later.
To understand the book of Revelation one must try and
understand the symbolism, the animals, colors, etc. Now, here
is the key to that understanding. Most of what John describes
is not new. In other words, John is shown things using the
same symbols that are found in the Law and the Prophets.
People often misinterpret the book of Revelation because they
do not understand the book of Genesis, if they read it at all. If
you don't study Daniel's prophecies, you cannot hope to
understand John's mysterious writings in Revelation. God does
not reveal the end from the end, but from the beginning (Isa.
46:10).
For our purposes, we begin in the heavenly Temple with
Jesus breaking a seven sealed scroll. With the breaking of the
first four seals we see that four horses with riders are
introduced into the earth. These four horsemen have become
somewhat iconic even in the secular world symbolizing death,
destruction and mayhem in general. Still, does the Bible tell us
what they truly represent? And how do these symbols relate to
events right now?

HORSES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR

The Bible makes a point of describing both horse and rider
and tells us what they are sent to do.

The White Horse

"And I saw, and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him
had a bow; and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth
conquering, and to conquer." - Revelation 6:2

The Red Horse

"And there went out another horse that was red; and power
was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth,
and that they should kill one another; and there was given
unto him a great sword." - Revelation 6:4

The Black Horse

"And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third
beast say, 'Come and see;' And I beheld, and 10 a black horse;
and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand." -
Revelation 6:5

The Pale (green) Horse

"And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name that sat
on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was
given unto them over the fourth part of the earth; to kill with
sword and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of
the earth." - Revelation 6:8

As I alluded to before, most are of the opinion that John is

the first to mention most of what is described in Revelation.
Actually though, many of the earlier prophets had already
discussed much of what is confirmed to John. One book in
which we see such similar imagery is in Zechariah's prophecy.
In fact, you could say that Zechariah is miniature Revelation.
Everyone is familiar with the two witnesses of Revelation (Rev.
11:1-3) but how many have taken the time to see that the wit
nesses of Revelation are the fulfillment of what Zechariah saw
in a vision (Zech. 4:14) centuries before? Revelation describes
the battle for Jerusalem (Rev. 11:13) but Zechariah described it
first (Zech. 13 & 14). Zechariah also wrote of the Messiah's
return to Jerusalem and His ruling on earth (Zech. 14:4-16) long
before John wrote of it in his book (Rev. 19 & 20).
Likewise, the first mention of different colored horses is
not in Revelation but in Zechariah 6:1-7. Where the four horses
of Revelation had riders, the horses in Zechariah are attached
to chariots. The Bible describes the four different chariots
having:

Red horses.
Black horses headed north.
White horses following the black ones.
Gristle horses (green) going south.

"And the angel answered and said unto me, 'These are the
four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing
before the Lord of all the earth.' " - Zechariah 6:5

As I said, the four horses in Zechariah are harnessed to

chariots whereas in Revelation they are being ridden. Yet, and
here is the point, the colors are the same. Seeing that we have
four colors to discuss, I will make four points. First, history
reveals that emperors and many conquerors rode in chariots
pulled by white horses. The first rider in Revelation carried a
bow. In Greek the word translated as "bow" is toxon and is to
be understood as the "bow of a warrior." The first rider also
wears a crown. That Greek word - stephanos - is a "wreath or
crown given as a prize at games.
 Now, perhaps you have been wondering what this all has
to do with the rise of an Islamic empire. As you have already
seen, evidence seems to indicate that as the powers of today
begin to decline this will create a shift in power. Furthermore,
you have already seen that I am of the belief that Scripture
presents evidence that this final empire is an Islamic kingdom
rising out of the Middle East.
When it comes to these four horses and their riders, the
scenario remains consistent. In other words there are beliefs
within in Islam that can be tied to these four riders and the
colors of their horses. For instance, many Muslims believe,
because the first rider is seated upon a white horse, that rider is
their coming world leader - al Mahdi.
According to Islamic eschatology, al Mahdi is the twelfth
and last imam and will appear at the end of days to form an
Islamic empire. It is also understood that, when he comes, he
will kill Jews and any Christians who do not convert to Islam.
The most favored way of executing such "infidels" is
beheading. Finally, according to the hadiths (Islamic
commentaries), al Mahdi will emerge from the desert riding a
white horse coming as a conqueror.

"It is clear that this man the Mahdi who will ride the white
horse and judge by the Quran (with justice) and with whom
will be men with marks of prostration on their forehead
(marks from bowing down in prayer with their heads to the
ground five times a day.)"

"I find the Mahdi recorded in the books of the prophets. . . for
instance the Book of Revelation says: 'And I saw and behold a
white horse. He that sat upon him went forth conquering and
to conquer.' "- Hadith interpreter Ka'b al Ahbar

The Bible says that this man would come using "peace" in
order to conquer. Daniel says that he "confirms (strengthens)
the covenant with many for one week" (Dan. 9:27). Daniel
further reveals that "by peace he shall destroy many" (Dan.
8:25). Remember that Paul warned that in a day when men
would cry "peace and safety," then sudden destruction would
come upon them (1 Thes. 5:3).
Therefore we see that, if the coming Mahdi is the
Antichrist, then he will set out to make peace treaties and in
particular with Israel. Yet, it will be a false peace.

"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the

transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise,
having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes. His
power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; he shall
destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; he shall
destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. And by peace he
shall destroy many." - Daniel 8:23-25

The word that is translated here as "peace" is not the

Hebrew word that most associate with peace, that is shalom.
Instead, the word used here is shalval, meaning "security
(false or genuine)"; "making things quiet." When it says he will
"destroy" many, the Hebrew word means, "decay, cause ruin"
and to "lay them waste." It implies that if you follow his laws,
you will have security. If you don't follow his laws, you will be
ruined and laid waste. Perhaps his laws are called sharia
(Islamic law). Could it be said that there are Muslims in the
world aggressively pursuing a goal whereby sharia becomes
the law for all peoples? The answer is "yes."
The Bible teaches that he will promote his agenda through
"peace" and, as we have just seen, it is not shalom. Now
consider the Islamic principle of hudna - the word in Arabic
translated as "peace." To the Muslim world, hudna does not
mean an accord between two peoples who agree to coexist with
respect to each other's way of life. Hudna is the "peace" that is
attained by a cease fire - it never considers respecting the
opponent's views and opinions. The cease fire is called when it
becomes apparent that the armies of Islam are not yet strong
enough to carry out the demands of jihad.
In other words, hudna is the term ascribed to "peace" but
it is understood, at least in the Muslim world, that this is a
peace that will not last. As soon as Islam is strong enough, the
enemies of Allah will be attacked and annihilated. Consider
what Islam has to say about future peace treaties.

"The prophet said there will be four peace agreements

between you and the Romans. The fourth will be mediated
through a person who will be from the progeny of Hadrat
Aaron (honorable Aaron the brother of Moses) and it will be
upheld for seven years." - The Mufti A.H. Elias

"The prophet said . . . He will divide the property, and will

govern the people by the Sunnah of their Prophet, and
establish Islam in the earth. He will remain seven years then
die, and the Muslims will pray over him."

"The prophet said, 'The Mahdi will fill the earth with equity
and justice as it was filled with oppression and tyranny, and he
will rule for seven years.' "

At the beginning of the tribulation (the first forty-two

months), a man will come conquering through war and by false
peace. According to the Scriptures, his conquests will include
Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia (Dan. 11:42-43). I believe
wholeheartedly that this white horse rider is the leader of the
coming Islamic empire, the eighth king of Revelation 17 who is
destined to rule and terrorize the world for three and one-half
years.

THE RED HORSE OF WAR

Red is a prominent color in the book of Revelation. There
is a red dragon (Rev. 12:3), a scarlet colored beast (Rev. 17:4)
and a scarlet clothed harlot (Rev. 17:4). The second horseman
rides a horse that is red with the objective of taking peace from
the earth. The Greek word that is used here infers that this rider
is going to bring continual unrest. The text says that he carries
a great sword, and in Greek, the word megas means that it is a
mighty sword. Of course, a sword symbolizes aggression,
conflict and blood (perhaps the red horse alludes to blood).
How can one come on a white horse conquering and yet
peace be taken by the red horse? Remember that Daniel said he
would accomplish his goal of destroying by using the promise
of peace - "by peace he will destroy many." In short, this leader
will insist that the people of the world follow him and the laws
he upholds or suffer war and destruction.
Now consider what is currently happening in many
predominantly Islamic nations. Indonesia constantly makes the
news because of the Islamic induced fighting. In Nigeria,
Muslim terrorists attack and kill innocent tourists and
Christians. The same can be said of the Muslims in the Sudan.
In Pakistan there is political unrest between those who think
the country should be secular and those who think it should be
guided by sharia law. It should also be noted that this country
has nuclear weapons.
Few Christians are aware that, on average, 160,000
Christians are killed for the sake of the Gospel every year.
Many of the victims are in Islamic nations, murdered by
fanatical Muslims. Unbelievably, 25% of Americans think it is
okay for homicide bombers to kill in order to protect and
advance the Islamic religion. My point is that Islamic terrorism
is taking peace from the nations.
What is it that is provoking them to murder in such a
vicious manner? First of all, Muslims understand that jihad -
holy war - will never end until all the world submits to Allah. If
you want a preview of what that would be like, consider the
quality of life (especially for women and Christians) in
Afghanistan before the fall of the Taliban. The frightening
thing about that is, the majority of the insurgents in Iraq are
not Iraqi, but from many of the other Muslim nations. They
pour into Iraq in the belief that now is the time for the Islamic
Crescent to ascend and for the armies of Allah to defeat the
Zionists and the infidels, namely "great Satan" (the US) and
"little Satan" (Israel). Consider this: if the greatest political,
economic and military power on the face of earth proves unable
or unwilling to defeat a mob of ragtag warriors armed with
roadside bombs, who will be able to defeat them? The answer
is, no one and thus the world will cry:

"Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with
him?"-Revelation 13:4

THE BLACK HORSE OF FAMINE

Concerning the black horse and its rider, the Bible says

"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures

saying, 'A quart of wheat for a denarius and three quarts of
barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.'"
- Revelation 6:6 (NKJV)

Imagine what the aftermath of a war when a great

conqueror comes to change the world into something unseen
or unheard of since the time of Nebuchadnezzar. The many
battles, the bloodshed, not to mention the drain on the various
economies of the antagonists, would create chaos throughout
the world. As in any war, primary roads would be heavily
damaged, bridges would be destroyed and communication
would be interrupted if not completely cut off in some places.
With all of this confusion and uncertainty, isn't it logical to
assume that the production and distribution of food would be
severely curtailed? The advent of the third horseman and his
black horse certainly seems to indicate that food will be in
short supply.
While the Scripture indicates that there will be some food -
wheat and barley - it nonetheless paints a bleak picture. One
quart or one "measure" of wheat will cost a denarius. For some
people, this doesn't mean much, but let me put it to you in
familiar terms. One "measure" or quart is equivalent to about
1.5 pints, which is about one day's ration for one person.
A denarius refers to an ancient coin that would be
compensation for one day's work. In other words, the black
horse signals a time of famine so severe that a person must
work all day in order to purchase enough food to feed just him
for one day! Apparently, barley will be a bit more affordable,
allowing a day's wage to purchase enough for him to feed
himself and two other family members for one more day.
The rider of the black horse is described as holding scales,
which might be hinting at food rationing during this incredible
global famine. Still, people will be selling barley and wheat, and
it would appear oil and wines as well. It is just that they are
much more expensive.
You will recall that, earlier, I mentioned the fact that
honeybees have been disappearing in many nations
throughout the world. The so-called Colony Collapse Disorder
has been recognized in at least 35 US states as the culprit in
massive hive die-offs. I also mentioned that the problem with
this lies in the fact that bees pollinate about one-third of the
plants and trees from which we derive our food. In fact, they
pollinated over ninety fruits and vegetables. Is it possible that
this problem in conjunction with other issues - climate
changes, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), threats of
nuclear war, etc. - could create a famine unheard of in modern
history, one nevertheless described in Revelation 6:6?
There are a few other factors to consider. According to
John's record of the future, the earth will go without rain for
forty-two months (Rev. 11:6). Obviously, this would result in
famine and may be the reason that the Euphrates River dries up
(Rev. 16:12). The Bible also predicts that an asteroid called
"wormwood will strike the earth, polluting one-third of the
waters and thus causing the deaths of millions. It stands to
reason that if a third of the world's waters are polluted then a
vast amount of food would be rendered inedible. The result
would again be famine.
How would an Islamic empire play a factor in this type of
scenario? If the world's food supplies are down and the
demand is up, the basic laws of economics dictate that the
price will increase. When the price increases who do you think
will be first in line to get the available food? Obviously, those
with money and power! I submit to you that, in today's world,
the one who controls oil supplies not only has the money but
the power to manipulate all nations dependent upon petroleum.
I have no doubts that the Antichrist will attempt to control as
much of the world's food supplies as possible, either directly or
indirectly, and then use his influence in determining who gets
food and who does not. If the Antichrist is of an Islamic
background, he would not hesitate to use food as a bargaining
chip to advance his agenda - that is to bring the world under
the control of Islam.
It should be pointed out here that the false prophet will
insist that people take a mark in order to buy and sell. Could it
be that, through his immense wealth and power, the Antichrist
could enforce his demands, not only upon those peoples
directly under his heel, but upon others by blackmailing them.
Furthermore, consider that Muslims are not permitted to charge
other Muslims usury. As a result, many people have converted
to Islam simply to save money. Might they do the same in order
to eat?
It seems to me that these things the Bible predicted so
long ago are taking shape before our very eyes and are being
corroborated by scientists, astronomers, politicians, and the
daily news. Scoff if you want, but the sound of hoofbeats can
be heard if you listen closely. A conquering warrior is coming
and in his wake, war, bloodshed and famine. As bad as these
things are, the Bible says that yet one more horse and rider
must come upon the scene.

THE PALE HORSE

In Greek, the word translated as "pale" is chloros or "pale

green." When someone is pale, we associate that with "green."
Have you ever heard the phrase, "green in the gills"? The point
is, this particular horse and rider represent sickness unto death.
It makes me wonder if this particular rider is basically a
summary of the previous three.
Take into account that, by the time this horse comes upon
the scene, the world will have experienced war at an
unprecedented level - peace will be taken from the earth. In
conjunction with this will come great food shortages, brought
on both by the wars and the natural disasters that have struck.
Rivers, lakes and streams will be polluted with all types of
contaminants further advancing pestilences. It has been
established in the past that as many people die from starvation,
disease and depression AFTER a battle as do soldiers in the
battle itself. So then, this horse represents the sickness,
disease, and death that comes as a direct result of war and
hunger.
Notice what the Scripture says when describing this horse.

"Power was given to THEM over one fourth of the earth to kill
with sword, hunger, death and the beasts."
- Revelation 6:8

Does "them" refer to Death and Hell or does it hint that,

collectively, the four horses have the power over a quarter of
the earth's population? That is interesting to consider because
one-fourth of the earth's population today would equate to
about 1.5 billion. Incredibly, it is estimated that, between the
years 2015-2020, one quarter of the world's population will be
Muslim.
Think about all of this. A conqueror riding a white horse
sounds very similar to Muslim expectations of the future.
Through his policies he will take peace from the earth by the
sword (of Islam?). As a result of a "take no prisoners"
"mentality, the world will be plunged into unprecedented
famine with the man of sin deciding who lives and who dies.
Now consider that TODAY there are already those in the world
working very hard to make this type of scenario a reality.
THE RISE OF ANTICHRIST
Scripture tells us that this man will rise from the
Mediterranean ("great") Sea area (Dan. 7:2) and will be great to
the south, the east and Israel (Dan. 8:9). Five times the book of
Revelation mentions that he will make war against many
people. It appears that he experiences a setback but then
rebounds very strong (Rev. 13:3) and especially in Assyria and
Babylonia (Isa 14). Eventually, he will invade Jerusalem and
start killing God's people (Rev. 12). Everything mentioned here
fits in perfectly with an Islamic Antichrist and Muslim tradition
as it pertains to the end of days.
Before Muhammad died, he failed to name a successor but
did take time to predict that a final Muslim leader - al Mahdi -
would come in the last days to bring Islamic rule and law to the
world. Upon his death, Islam split into two factions - the
followers of Ali (Shi'a Islam) and Abu (Sunni Islam). The Shi'a
leader, Ali, was killed in present day Iraq in Kufah near the
"holy city" of Najaf. A shrine exists there today to
commemorate Ali's death and burial there.
In addition to Ali, ten other Shi'ite leaders were killed by
the Sunnis - the 10th and 11th (Ali and Hussein) were killed in
Sammarah. Both were buried there and the Golden Mosque (Al
Askaryi) was built. It is believed by many Muslims that the
twelfth imam, for fear of death, was hidden in a well beside the
mosque. No one is sure about what happened to this imam. It
should be noted that Cain, a prototype of the Antichrist, said,
"I shall be hidden from your face" or better, "I am going to hide
where you can not find me."
 This is important to understand because most of the
American deaths since the fall of Saddam Hussein have come
at the hands of people who believe that they are to fight in
preparation of the return of the twelfth imam. They believe that,
soon, their al Mahdi will coming riding out of the deserts of
Iraq upon a white stallion. Before he comes, many of the
faithful believe that certain signs will precede his arrival. One of
those beliefs is, two European countries will be attacked (some
specify it will be Spain and Britain). They also believe that a
war between the eastern powers and the western powers
engulfs the world.

"As believers of the traditions, we believe in a savior who will

come first, before Jesus Christ. We have in our traditions his
name, which is Muhammad d'ul Mahdi. He is coming but his
arrival will be after a great war. It will be the fight of the big
powers with each other. And in that war the savior will come
like a divine hand from heaven to stop the war."

"There will be a great war break out between the east and the
west. There will be strong fighting. Very many people will be
killed. Then the Lord will command al-Mahdi Alaihi as-
Salam to appear. Now, he is in a cave, in a big, deep cave. No
one can approach it. Jinns (genies) are protecting and
guarding him." - Turkish Grand Sheik

I wonder if those four "jinns" are the four angels now

bound in the great river Euphrates (Rev. 9:14)? At any rate,
according to the tradition, the west is to be defeated and the
eastern powers will rise. Just look at what is happening now.
The signs that follow include cosmic events, namely, the belief
that three stars will be aligned on one axis. A new star, never
seen before, will appear and then another war, involving Syria
and Turkey will break out, all in preparation of the coming
Mahdi.

THE MAHDI ARMY

According to the Pentagon, the so-called Al Mahdi
Militia has replaced al-Qaeda in Iraq. This militia was started
by a Muslim cleric named Muqtada al-Sadr. I remember, when
the Second Gulf War broke out, speaking to a friend in the
military. During this conversation, he mentioned this militia and
noted that this army numbered only a few thousand. Now, this
completely Shi'ite militia has somewhere between 60,000 -
80,000 members and and controls thirty seats in the Iraqi
Parliament. This group, a violent antagonist to American
presence in Iraq, is a key part of al Malaki's coalition.
Have you noticed that al-Sadr always wears a black
turban? I have often wondered why. To find the answer we
must, once again, turn to the hadiths. It is there that we read:

"When you see the black banners coming from Khurasan

then go to them even if it means crawling over the snow. The
deputy of Allah, the Mahdi, will be among them. It is also
reported that Muhammad said, 'the black banners will come
from the east and their hearts will be as firm as iron.' "
 It seems that thousands have perceived the sign and are
heeding the call. Behind the every headline concerning a
roadside bomb incident or a suicide bomber in the heart of
Baghdad there is dedicated servant of Allah who believes that
the time for al Mahdi to return is here. When this time comes
and whoever the person turns out to be, one thing is sure - he
will be hailed as the Islamic deliverer by millions of Muslims
worldwide.
That he comes from this part of the world, ancient
Babylon, there can be no doubt. The Bible is clear that the last
empire, the kingdom of the Antichrist, comes out of the the
Middle East and rules throughout the region and into Europe.
This is the area that the previous empires of prophecy came
from and this last kingdom will be no different. Recently I saw
some new Iraqi currency that, as of now, is not being
circulated. On each of these notes there is watermark. Upon
inspection of the watermark one can clearly see the image of a
white horse - perhaps a cryptic allusion to a long-held
eschatological belief?
As the beast rises, rest assured that it will seek to destroy
every perceived enemy that stands in the way of its advance.
Front and center is Israel and America. I think it is fair to say
that both of these nations can expect more aggressive behavior
from the forces of Islam in the future. Moreover, because it
seems apparent that Usama bin Ladin and others like him
recognize that, to destroy Israel, America must first be
neutralized, it stands to reason that America is probably at the
top of their list for destruction.
Were we a moral nation, devoted to scriptural principles
and worship of the true God, then I would say that we have
nothing to fear. However, as we all know, that is not the case.
Though I will not predict what will happen in America's near
future and beyond, what I have already stated in previous
chapters, I will again. The stage is set for the culmination of
what Scripture has predicted. It is obvious that we are living
very near the "fullness to time."
10
ENDURING TRIBULATIONS

"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been
since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever
shall be." - Matthew 24:21

The word "tribulation" is mentioned nineteen times in the

New Testament and each time it translated from the same Greek
word thlipsis. This word conveys "affliction, anguish, burdens,
and persecution." Tribulation is something that individuals or
groups can experience and Scripture is clear:

"We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of

God." - Acts 14:22

The purpose of the preceding chapters has been to

demonstrate to you that we are truly "living in the final
chapter." It is a fact that, before it gets better it will get worse,
and you and I are right here in the middle of what is taking
shape. That means, then, that unpleasant and bothersome
events are in the short term forecast. Instead of instilling fear,
God's purpose for warning us is to give His people time to
prepare our body, mind and spirit. Moreover, He has given us
examples of those who had to endure tribulation in order to
step into their ultimate purpose - Joseph, David, even Jesus. So
then, to face the possibility of trials and tribulations is not a
new development for the New Testament speaks of three
distinct tribulations.

The tribulation Paul went through (2 Cor. 1:4).

The tribulation believers will encounter (Acts 14:22).
The tribulation of the future (Rev. 7:14).

THE FUTURE TRIBULATION

It is this last tribulation that most people are concerned
about. People want to know whether or not we will be here to
see it. They ask, "Will the Church go through it? Must I
prepare to give my life? Would I take the mark of the beast?"
Some concede that, "If I can't do what is right now, how will I
make it if I have to endure the tribulation?" The Scripture says:

"If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,
then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of
peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will
you do in the flood plain of the Jordan?"
- Jeremiah 12:5 (NKJV)

The main point here, and the one I wish to stress, is that
the future tribulation isn't the real culprit when it comes to
draining God's people - it is the present tribulation that is
wearing them out. Jesus said in the Parable of the Sower.

"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is
he that heareth the word, and with joy recieveth it; yet hath he
not root in himself, but endureth for a while, for when
tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word,
eventually he is offended." - Matthew 13:20-21

So there is some truth to the idea that, if a person can't

endure tribulations now, how could they possibly endure them
in the Great Tribulation? Take into account another statement
Christ made on this subject:

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved."-Matthew 24:13

It is clear that you and I must be prepared to "endure unto

the end." The question is, endure to the end of what? It seems
to me that there are three distinct possibilities. Considering the
context of the verse, was Jesus referring to the end of
Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple? Those who
heeded His warning concerning the city being surrounded by
armies fled the city and were saved.
Another possibility is that He was referring to the end of
one's life. In other words, was He saying that the one who
stays saved until the end of their life would make it into the
Kingdom? The last possibility is that He was talking about
those who endure the trouble that is coming upon the last
generation - those would be saved. This last interpretation is
what I have heard taught more than any other.
In Matthew 24:1-7, Jesus spoke of wars, rumors of wars,
earthquakes and various other troubles. Those at the end
would have to endure these troubles coming to the earth in
order to be saved. Of course, these signs are the beginning of
the birth pangs (Mt. 24:8) leading up to the Messianic
Kingdom. But look at what the Bible says just before Jesus
instructs us to endure.

"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill

you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
and then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another,
and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise
and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the
love of many shall wax cold."
- Matthew 24:9-12

ENDURING OFFENSES AND BETRAYAL

One of the main reasons most people are not in church is
because of what they perceive to be hypocrisy and/or an
offense. The Greek word translated here as "offense" is
scandelon. That should look familiar to you for it is the origin
of our word "scandal." In other words, scandals do as much to
keep people away from church as the Adversary does.
Scripture says:
"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and
their contentions are like the bars of a castle."
- Proverbs 18:19

If the Adversary's trap intends to cause you to fall away

from God, then the bait to that trap is the offense. That is what
draws so many people into a state of mind that equates God
with the one who hurt them. The offense is the stumbling block
for so many. So, it is possible that Jesus was also saying, "You
must be able to endure the offenses that are sure to come." It
will prove to be difficult for some because, once a person
becomes offended they will attempt to pull others into their pit
of despair and say anything just to bring people around to
their way of thinking. It is interesting to note that, within this
context, Jesus twice mentioned false prophets (Mt. 24:5, 11).
Jesus warned us that people will "prophelie."
There is another type of offense that we should take note
of. John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, hailed him
as the "Lamb of God" (Jn. 1:36)." He also acknowledged that
"He must increase while I must decrease." Not long after this,
John was arrested - for being political incorrect I might add. It
was while he was imprisoned, enduring his own tribulation,
that he sent representatives to Jesus with a question:

"Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?"

- Matthew 11:3

Was John confused? He had said Jesus was the Lamb; he

acknowledged that he must decrease. He boldly declared while
John baptized with water, the one coming after him would
baptize with fire. Notice how Jesus answered John.

"Go and tell John the things which you hear and see. The
blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the
deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel
preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended
because of Me." - Matthew 11:4-6

In other words, it seems that Jesus was saying to John,

"You know who I am so don't be offended that I don't come
and get you out of jail." The facts are these: John was placed in
jail for speaking the truth and the Lord did not go and bust him
out of jail. It would seem then that God's purposes included the
need for John to "endure" tribulation and "endure" the offense
he may have felt for being left in jail. John was allowed to die -
it was his time.
I can't tell you just how many good people are offended at
God. I have received countless emails from people complaining
about unanswered prayer. They have paid tithes and are still
just getting by. A sick loved one took communion daily but got
sicker and died. They thought that if they did the right thing,
God would keep bad things from happening to them. They
expected one thing and God did something else. I can't explain
why it turns out "good" for one person and "bad for another
but I can point you to what the Bible shows us.
There was no one like Job and, yet, God allowed him to go
through hell. In the midst of his tribulation Job said, "I know
my Redeemer lives." Joseph was tossed into prison because he
did the right thing. Many Christians would have thrown in the
towel then and there; thankfully, Joseph did not. But Joseph
was of a different time and mindset. Our culture and our
generation wants to placate those who are "seeker sensitive"
(and I emphasize the word "sensitive"). Here is why - because
they are so easily offended and in today's world there is no
theology to accommodate tragedy.
Consequently, there are churches and pastors who never
mention "hell" because it is too hot a subject. They never
mention the gifts of the Spirit because some don't believe in it.
They play down the need to confess sins because they like to
explain that we are all on a journey. All in all they don't do and
say anything that might be offensive for fear of running off
those who are sensitive.
Our Church culture argues that, if we have faith, that will
keep us from sickness. Don't tell that to Elisha, a prophet of
God who died of sickness. We think we're exempt from tragedy.
Don't tell Stephen's family. He was a faithful follower of Jesus
and he was stoned to death. This generation believes that all
who believe will have plenty of money. Really? Paul had to
make tents in order to eat. Again, though the Bible says
otherwise, people today think that nothing bad should happen
to us if we go to Church and try to live right. That translates
into this: we are living in a generation that is in no way
prepared to endure tribulations and offenses.
The reason Holland became so liberal is because their
prayer that Hitler would not invade their tiny country wasn't
answered. Consequently, Holland turned their back on God. It
is said that when Ted Turner's sister died, he became bitter and
turned against the gospel. These are just a couple of examples
of the ramifications of being unable to endure tribulation. Let
me give you an example of someone who did.
This amazing story is based in the 1930s and centers upon
Charles Greenway, the pastor of a small Assembly of God
church in Elba, Alabama. He desired to go to the missions field
but could not because of his child Daniel. Daniel had become
sickened with leukemia and was not responding to treatments.
Pastor Greenway wondered why miracles would occur in his
meetings but there seemed to be no healing available for his
son. Finally, he went into his bedroom and told his wife, "I can't
stand to see him suffer anymore." He prayed that God would
perform His will and at two o'clock in the morning, Daniel died
in his arms. According to the story, Pastor Greenway said,
"God, I don't understand but I'll not go to hell over a mystery."
Later, he was accepted as a missionary and had two
children born in the field. He established 17,000 churches, 13
Bible colleges and preached on every continent. This one man
touched the entire world because he learned to endure
tribulation. His spouse, on the other hand, never recovered
from the loss and, so, every time he saw a child he would pray
for his wife.
Remember that when Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten,
and thrown into jail for preaching the Gospel, they did not start
singing the blues. Instead, they sang praises unto God. At
midnight there was an earthquake resulting in the jailer and his
entire family being saved. If they had not been thrown in jail,
the jailer might have gone to hell. If Joseph had not been
imprisoned (for resisting the advances of a married woman no
less) then he would have never met the butler. Had he not met
the butler then he could not have interpreted his dream and
ultimately elevated to great power and influence. If he had not
been in that position of power, then it could be argued that
Israel would have ceased to exist.
The point is that, when tribulation comes, don't let the
enemy steal your song because what you perceive as
tribulation might just be the very thing that brings you into
what God has purposed for you life. In other words, as all these
alarming events begin to take shape don't get scared, rather get
prepared for the destiny God has designed for you. The Bible
says that, for the joy that was set before Him, Jesus endured
the suffering and shame of the cross (Heb. 12:2 ). Paul said that
we are "joint heirs with Christ" and will be "glorified together"
if we suffer with Him (Rom. 8:17).
I am not suggesting that we should resign ourselves to a
life of suffering, destitution and gloom; to the contrary, I feel
we should strive to live a life that is healthy, joyous and
victorious in spite of the tribulations that come our way. On the
other hand, when tribulations do come, we should not turn our
backs on God but turn our hearts toward him. We must learn to
endure these tribulations for those who endure to the end, they
shall be saved.

IN CONCLUSION
As the Bible prophecies are fulfilled more and more, no
doubt there will be times of fear and uncertainty. These are the
times that we will need to lean on God as never before. One of
the tools He has given us to help us through those times is His
ever-present Spirit. When the early believers were filled with
the Spirit in Acts 2, they began to preach the Gospel with
power. Predictably, persecution arose. Yet, they didn't melt
away and accuse God of injustice. Instead that same group got
together, prayed and were all refilled with the Holy Ghost. That
is good advice for us today, because this is the final chapter.
Another help that God has supplied us with is the
fellowship of like-minded believers. There is power in
agreement. Furthermore, when the early Church was being
persecuted, they sought support and comfort from their own
fellow believers (Acts 5).
Finally we must prepare ourselves to exercise faith and
patience during these perilous times. Scripture admonishes us
with these words:

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect
and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:3-4

"So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for

your patience and faith in all your persecutions and
tribulations that ye endure; which is a manifest token of the
righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of
the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer." - 2 Thess. 1:4-5

"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through

faith and patience inherit the promises." - Hebrews 6:12

To inherit the promises, to be worthy of the kingdom of

God, we must be consistent in our faith and exhibit endurance
in the face of adversity. We must be able to look beyond all of
the alarming signs and what they portend for the immediate
future and recognize that our Father in Heaven is the One who
orchestrates history. He is the One who is bringing His
purposes to fruition and that boils down to this truth. Though
we are certainly "living in the final chapter" of man's dominion,
that final chapter only heralds the beginning of a new book -
the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ. Consequently, you
must conclude that this generation - you and I - were chosen
for such a time as this.
So then, if you are reading this and have become alarmed
by the signs of the times, search your heart. If you find that
you are in need of forgiveness, then I encourage you to let this
day be the last day in which you continue in an uncertain state.
Don't let another moment pass before you confess your sins to
the Father and find peace and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Today, close the chapter on that part of your life and begin the
first chapter of a brand new life. God bless you!