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Is America Missing in Prophecy?

Posted: August 14, 2022 in America, End Times
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Chapter 18 – Is America Missing in Prophecy?

Two Play options – This Plays Whole Chapter
This Plays only 1st Part of 3 Parts

NOTE: This chapter, with audio, was actually written twenty years ago as a stand-alone article. However, in light of all we have reviewed thus far, it is being included here in hopes it will now serve as a lasso to help pull together much of what we’ve covered to provide a solid answer to the question above and the one below.

We hear it all the time, “Isn’t it amazing that the scriptures are silent about America?” I once thought the same thing myself, but after prayerful re-examination of the history of America and scripture, I don’t believe that is true anymore. Therefore, I submit the following for those open enough to examine for themselves whether or not America is mentioned in scripture. Though, I admit nowadays with the rising flood of endtime theologies, it is getting harder to convince most people that it is. As Mark Twain once said, “It is easier to fool someone than it is to convince them they have been fooled.” Likewise, it has been proven over and over again, that the greatest hindrance to people accepting the truth is a prejudice, or verdict against it before they fully hear a matter.

He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and a shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13)

I must first start by asking that you please do not hastily jump to the wrong conclusion that I am anti-America for writing this article. I have written it out of conviction and simply because I believe that a holy and righteous God must deal with the sins of America the same way He would with any nation. The supporting information provided in this article is only a fraction of the information available and even this tends to be overwhelming for most people when first considering this concept. So, let’s begin with this verse –

Revelation 17:9 – And here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits. 10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Revelation chapters 13-19:4, speak of an end-time’s judgment of the LAST in a succession of seven empires now being summed up in the last days as a final eighth empire. Though these chapters begin with concentrating on a seven-headed “beast rise up out of the sea,” the primary focus of this prophecy is that last empire which the angel eventually clarified as being “The Eighth,” that goes into perdition, or total annihilation. In order to gain understanding of whom or what the eighth spiritual Babylon might be, one must first give heed to the clues given to John by the angel in chapter 17.

One critical clue given to John concerning this succession of empires was when the angel said the “the beast that was, and is not, yet is.” This clue reveals there would be an interruption in this succession of what could be called “spiritual Babylons” represented on this seven-headed beast; a time when this beast “was not” going to be represented in history by a literal country. However, after an unstated duration of time, the beast system would again briefly exist as the seventh head, or seventh empire. Lastly, it would “rise up out of the sea” as that final and last beast, or empire, which would fulfill all these prophecies. Thus, the whole imagery of a “seven-headed beast” is designed specifically to expose that last, eighth, and final empire that “goeth into perdition,” or complete annihilation.

The “sea” from out of which the beast rises up, and upon which the woman sits, we are told in 17:15 represents “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” This is one of the verses in this chapter that leads many to conclude that this beast and/or the woman upon the beast is the Roman Catholic Church since Rome has established itself in every corner of the earth. Regardless, I am persuaded this symbolic beast with the woman is a multifaceted-representation and must be recognized as demonstrating a succession of specific political entities or nations, as well as their particular religious institutions.

I believe this clue given by the angel also reveals to us that having a knowledge of Israel’s history is a critical key required if the door of understanding is going to be unlocked concerning just who this Eighth Beast is, as well as who is the woman shown to later be riding upon it. Only from there can a firm foundation for understanding be built from which we can properly discern the correlation of each of these empires to Israel. For scripture and history corroborates that Israel, like the beast, “was, and was not, and yet is.” That is not in any way to suggest Israel is either the beast or the woman, rather to substantiate the correlation between the seven-headed beast and Israel. Nevertheless, we can see in scripture where Israel is “spiritually called Sodom and Egypt,” (Revelation 11:8).

The majority of the Jews rejected Jesus and the purpose of His crucifixion, which was evident by their continuance in the Mosaic Law. By Jesus having fulfilled the Law, meaning the Ceremonial Law’s official intent was now exhausted, having accomplished its purpose, which was to strongly emphasize and foretell the necessity of a perfect sacrifice, with the shedding of blood, for redemption and forgiveness of sins. The law, with its various actions through its mandatory sacrifices and oblations, altogether served only as a prophetic disclosure of the final and complete sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Therefore, by rejecting Jesus’ death and atoning blood, the Jews defiantly chose to remain in a now dead and decaying institution, and having completed its purpose, was rapidly waxing old and ready to vanish away, .

Hebrews 8:13 – In that He saith, A new covenant, He has made the first old. Now that which is decaying and waxing old is ready to vanish away. 

For this reason, Israel is now “spiritually called Sodom” to signify how any manner of religion they now practice can be nothing more than a perversion of the truth since they lack both the temple and priesthood which were destroyed for their rejection of their Promised Deliverer, Jesus the Christ. Likewise, Israel is “spiritually called Egypt” to signify that without Jesus’ atonement they remain under the bondage of sin and death.

Another key point to remember is that the subject of Revelation chapters 13-16 is the rise and fall of the final Eighth Beast and the introduction of the woman sitting upon it. When the judgment foretold starts to fall upon them, the beast and the woman become synonymous in chapters 17-19. This is conceivably due to a legal arrangement and thus (though perhaps unwittingly) a spiritual covenant that joins them inseparably, comparable to the covenant of marriage whereby two are made one flesh in the eyes of God. Such is why the angel tells John, “I will show you the judgment of the great whore that sits on many waters” and “I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her.” The angel’s clue to this “mystery” reveals how the woman and the beast consent to unite and thus merge together as one to war against God and His holy people in these last days.

The woman, representing false religions all throughout history, will in the last days be greatly exemplified in the leaders of pseudo-Christianity and their followers. These are those who have prostituted themselves with the Eighth Beast for political and economic reasons, and willfully diluted the teachings of Christ in order to maintain their influence and power over the ignorant.

I know this might be difficult for many to receive, since for many it is just the way it has always been. But Christians need to honestly reconsider how their churches and faith-based organizations in America have willfully agreed to submit to government oversight in exchange for their tax-exempt status. Many have assumed it was mandatory, but it’s not. But people forget that government will always imply, take, and keep all authority you allow it. And so the blind compliance of America’s former religious leaders has set a precedence that now compels others to blindly follow in their tracks. The nearsighted wisdom of these carnally minded church leaders, who thought it was all going to remain profitable and benign, has in reality proven it all to be malignant and powerfully advantageous to Satan. For we are now witnessing the end of his strategy as he begins to try and exercise his authority about what can be “legally” taught from the pulpits and must be performed in church sanctuaries, i.e., sanctioning homosexual marriages. 

Similarly, the beast’s seven heads prophetically represent seven actual empires, each with their particular false religious system which are all but a disguise for Luciferianism, or the worshipping of fallen angels and demons, with each empire having its time of direct interaction with the nation Israel. And another clue the angel gives John is “here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits.” This is where many began to talk about the Seven Hills of Rome and want to apply all this to Catholicism. However, the Holy Spirit saw to it that the word was translated “mountains” and not “hills,” and continued clarifying with “There are seven kings, five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come.”

Both biblically and historically we can accurately verify six of these seven mountains with their seven kings, as six distinct and literal empires that have had a direct impact on the nation Israel, which at the time of John’s vision was still intact as a nation. Mentioning that fact makes this a suitable time to recall the clues given by the angel that the beast “was, and is not, and yet is,” and concerning these kings the angel also clearly told John that at that time “five are fallen, and one is.”

It is actually rather simple to determine who these six empires are. Clearly, the sixth one existing at the time was Rome. As prophesied through Daniel, Rome “had great iron teeth: it devours and breaks into pieces, and stamps the residue with the feet of it and was diverse from all the beasts that were before it.” Thus, it was Rome that fulfilled God’s promise of judgment against Israel, as was forewarned in Deuteronomy 28, for the Jews not cleaving unto Him and obeying His voice. Therefore, in 70 A.D. Israel had ceased to exist as a functioning nation. Just like the beast, Israel which “was,” soon became an “is not” as the Roman General Titus was obliged to execute God’s judgment upon them when he was unable to negotiate peace with the stiff neck and rebellious Jews. 

By recognizing that the seven heads of the beast are intended to represent seven empires which have a direct correlation with the nation Israel, all we have to do to verify their identity is to simply start with the birth of Israel to see who these empires are.

We will start our review with Joseph who was betrayed by his brothers and sold as a slave, only to end up sitting on a throne in Egypt. While out of jealousy his brothers meant it for evil, God meant it for good. For through this brotherly betrayal came the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham; to make his descendants a mighty nation and give them for an inheritance the land of Canaan.

However, after 400 years the Egyptians grew fearful of the multiplication of the Jewish settlers in their land and therefore enslaved them. Through all of this it was God’s intent to show both the Jews and the Egyptians the greatness and the surety of His word, and to date God is still showing it to the entire world. As a result, Egypt is head number one of the beast, for out of it Israel as a nation was born.

Many years later, after the death of King Solomon, his son Rehoboam was confronted by Jeroboam who represented the ten northern tribes. Jeroboam had come to petition Rehoboam to lower the high taxes which his father Solomon had placed upon them. Rehoboam first sought the tried and proven wisdom of “the old men that stood before his father… But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him,” (1 Kings 12). The result of Rehoboam walking in their ungodly counsel was a division of the nation Israel.

Having revolted, the ten northern tribes made Jeroboam their King. However, Jeroboam soon became concern that, “If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of the people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah… Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”

Jeroboam’s sin of turning the people to idols brought God’s judgment upon them by His rising up Assyria to take the ten northern tribes of Israel into captivity. Making matters worse, in their captivity they continued rejecting God’s commandments and intermarried with the Assyrians. Losing the purity of their heritage as Hebrews they became the despised Samaritans. Thus, the ten northern tribes were lost, not by misplacement, but rather by forfeit of their pure identity as Hebrews. Consequently, Assyria is the second head of the Beast.

Over two hundred years later we see Judah to the south falling into idolatry and committing whoredoms against God, so she too was carried away captive by Babylon for seventy years. So, Babylon becomes the third head of the beast. In Daniel 8:20-21, we see the two empires to follow Babylon prophesied by the angel Gabriel would be the Medes/Persia Empire and Greece: heads number four and five of the Beast. So, at the time of the Apostle John’s vision the five that had fallen were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medes/Persia, and Greece, the sixth head being Rome which destroyed Israel as a nation.

From Israel’s destruction in 70 A.D. and prior to 1948, maps did not recognize any land as “Israel,” for Israel “which was, was not.” Yet faithful to His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God preserved their descendants and gathered them back to the land of their inheritance. Thus, today the whole world beholds Israel “that was, and is not, yet is” today. Therefore, as it has been with Israel, so has it been with the seven-headed beast.

Now what worked to re-establish Israel as a nation (apart from God’s sovereignty) was a near global sympathy for the Jews after their persecution in World War II, whereupon at that time, the land was still recognized as part of the British Empire.

History tells us that while Britain was willing to allot a portion of land for Jewish settlers, they did not want to relinquish control or possession of the land. After the Jews increasing frustration with England and Arabs, on December 1st, 1947, the Arab Higher Committee proclaimed a three-day strike as Arab bands began attacking Jewish settlements. The Jews, initially being placed on the defensive as war broke out against them, quickly moved to the offensive and prevailed, gaining control and occupancy of more land. At which point England conceded and (under international pressure) gave the land to the Jews so they could once again be a people and a nation.

Now this all may seem to be all good and well on England’s part, except God requires that a gift must be given cheerfully and of one’s free will if it is to be acceptable and thus blessed by Him. Otherwise, it is not a true gift of charity. Therefore, England, who did not cheerfully choose to bless the descendants of Abraham with a free will offering, ultimately forfeited the blessing of God. This can be seen in that though Britain and its allies were ultimately victorious in the war, the Empire rapidly began to decline.

India and Pakistan gained their independence in 1947, and in 1948 King George the VI abandoned the title Emperor of India. In 1949 Ireland formally declared it a republic and left the Commonwealth. In 1950 India became a republic and King George adopts the new title of Head of the Commonwealth. Through all this, King George the VI was afflicted with health issue to which he succumbs and died in 1952. Thus, it is historical fact that George VI, King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, lived only four short years after the rebirth of Israel, only to be succeeded by his elder daughter, Elizabeth. England, therefore, governing the land of Israel’s rebirth, is the seventh head of which prophecy predicted, “when he cometh, he must continue a short space,” (Rev. 17:10).

Revelation 17:11 – And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Rising up out of the sea comes the Eight Beast, which we are told is “of” or from, the seven. Could this mean that the Eight Beast is a mixture “of” the seven heads or empires, a great melting pot of cultures? For in it are “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” Or does “of the seven” refer to it being a direct descendant or offspring “of the seventh” empire? Either way, we find America alone as the Cinderella for this glass slipper, for she is both a land of immigrants as well as the offspring of England. Remember, Revelation 13-16 is about the rise and fall of the Eight Beast that goes into perdition, and in chapter 17 we are given clues to help clarify who is the eighth by giving us a progression of empires.

So I ask, what was it that catapulted America to the place of global supremacy she had held for a long time? Was it not the same thing that set the stage for the decline of the British Empire and the rebirth of Israel, World War II?

Now then, if this Eighth Beast could in fact be America, it obligates us to reconsider a section of scripture that has constantly been applied to an individual. For in Revelation 13:3 where we see the Eighth Beast received a wound to one of its heads “as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” How then do we connect this to America if verses 1-3 have actually been speaking of an empire and not an individual as many interpret it?

Knowing some are being painfully forced to set aside their long-held beliefs here, I seriously proposed the possibility this wound to the head, from which the beast amazingly recovered, was Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, a historical event which significance keeps resurfacing. It was the attack on Pearl Harbor that rallied the people of America into one mind to go to war, thus we entered WWII. Despite Japan’s fury, speed and might, Pearl Harbor somehow survived the attack and was able to defend itself, though suffering great loss of life and resources.

But recall now how the war ended, with the dropping of The Bomb on Hiroshima and the second bomb on Nagasaki. Such display of power was never before witnessed. It could fittingly be asserted that the posture of the whole world was, “Who is like unto the beast?” and “Who is able to make war with Him?”

How did these things come to pass? In his vision John beheld “another beast coming up out of the earth and he had two horns of a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the power of the first beast.” This second beast whose appearance is like a lamb (having two horns) and SEEMS to be for peace is that person who, “exercises ALL the authority of the first.” If the first beast “from the sea” is America, then this second beast from “the earth,” would be none other than the office of the Presidency. Though seeming to be for peace, his mouth is really promoting the agenda of the dragon, “… and he does great wonders, so that he makes fire, come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,” (verses 11-13).

Upon having ascended to a position of global supremacy, American presidents soon began asserting their power and meddling in the affairs of other sovereign nations under the guise of peaceful intentions. Regimes fell, and puppet leaders through American backing rose to power to assist an agenda that surpasses the greedy intent of mere men, for it is clear that “The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority”

Since President George H. W. Bush Sr. postured America against Israel by proposing “land for peace,” every president since has continued to assert the right for a Palestine State to exist, and the necessity for Israel to forfeit its covenanted land. As lambs supposedly laboring in the name of peace, these American presidents and statesmen have relentlessly pressured Israel with the threat of losing American support if they fail to comply with imposed mandates against them under the banner of “peace talks.” Now read again the fate of the Eighth Beast from Revelation 13-18, and honestly ask yourself, who fits this better than America?

The Woman on the Beast

At the revelation of the rise of the Eighth Beast in Revelation 13:1, initially we can see there is no mention of a woman sitting upon the beast at the time of its ascension to “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Chapters 14 and the beginning of 15 speak solely of the iniquities of the beast and the rest of chapter 15 and 16 speak of the judgment that would befall it. This vision so overwhelmed the Apostle John, that in chapter 17 we see the angel comes to him to clarify all he had seen, and then continues to reveal how God’s judgment would surely come upon both the beast and the apostate religious system which would be riding the beast into the end of history. Thus, chapters 18 and 19 speak of the absolute destruction of the beast and woman, while also proclaiming the praise and glory given to God for all His righteous judgments.

When the Eighth Beast rises to its might in Revelation 13 there seems to be a respectful separation between the beast, (the civil system) and the woman, (the religious system) as the woman is not mentioned, perhaps representing a separation between church and state. BUT, in order for the civil government to do what it is prophesied to do in the last days and initiate a new joint identification and economic system, it will need the support of the religious sector, or faith-based organizations, to assure that such a new system is benign and ok with God, hence in chapter 17 the woman now rides the beast.

Foolishly, churches in the mainstream religious system have subjected themselves to be fully regulated by the beast’s system in exchange for their tax-exempt status. Hence these dead religious churches will feel obliged to assure their congregants that the implementation of the new identification mark that the beast says is necessary for the restructured economic system is not the damnable “mark of the beast.” This will not be difficult for the whoring daughters of Babylon to do, for having perpetuated so many false end time doctrines they have only “waxed worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” and now openly celebrate their joyful embracement of clear damnable heresies and moral atrocities.

Our adversary has spewed out of his mouth a flood of false end time messages and lying doctrines that he might cause the true Church to be carried away with the flood of error that is rampant in today’s churches which are seeking to serve men and mammon rather than God; sacrificing God’s truth for increased attendance lest they offend their contributors.

Revelation 12:15 – And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

Now, we know from the scriptures that God has always had His civil and spiritual leaders, so likewise the devil imitates this structural order in his attempt to defeat God’s people; hence the beast and the woman who rides it. Because of their greed for power and filthy mammon in these final days they will selfishly merge and become “one” in heart and purpose.

Remember, no one can serve both God and mammon.

Plays 2nd Part of 3

 

The following is a compilation of interesting quotes and points in history deserving of your attention and consideration:

 An excerpt from President Roosevelt’s speech after the Pearl Harbor attack:

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan . . . As Commander in Chief of the army and navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victoryWith confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God…”

Considering President Roosevelt’s expressed confidence in “the American people in their righteous mightthat they will surely “win through to absolute victorydue to “our armed forces-with the unbounding determination of our people,” I am compelled to ask just what does the word of God say about one who boasts in the strength of their flesh? Some may wish to immediately object and demand the direction of my attention to President Roosevelt’s inclusion of “so help us God…”

But I must simply point out that nowhere did he express his confidence to be in either God’s righteousness or His might, as if they were the foundation and strength whereby the American people through their unwavering faith in God would surely overcome their enemies. No, this short inclusion of “so help us God,” has actually been the last four words attached to many threats of revenge by proud and indignant people. Perhaps those who are more patriotic and loyal to their country than they are concerned about the kingdom of God, or even their own personal godliness, to such President Roosevelt’s speech may well have sounded sufficiently religious enough by his employing such phrases as “righteous might” and “so help us God.” But in truth, an honest critique exposes the usage of these phrases for what it was, the white-washing declaration for the successful implementation of a strategic agenda that was designed to rally the citizenry of America to not only support a foreign war effort, but to create a patriotic willingness among them to send their fathers, husbands, and sons into it as well. Can anyone say 9/11?

So, again I am asking, just what does the word of God say about one who boasts in the strength of the flesh?

Jeremiah 17:5 – Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 

It is interesting, and so I must make note here, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt suddenly died nearly three and a half years after making this famous speech and therefore did “not see when good cometh” at the conclusion of the war. I say nearly, because if we use the Julian calendar, it was only 3 years, 4 months, and 4 days excluding the end date. However, scripture reveals God calculates time differently, using both the solar and the lunar cycles. One solar cycle was an approximate biblical year which was adjusted periodically with an extra month approximately seven times during nineteen solar cycles. The biblical months varied between 29-30 days based upon the lunar cycle which fluctuates and therefore the months average out to approximately 29.5 days. Since it was a total of 1,221 days duration from President Roosevelt’s speech to his death, we can simply divide that time and see it was a duration of 41.39 biblical months, or 42 months according to the Jewish tradition of counting time, that any whole measure of a unit of time with a partial measure of a following, would be counted as two. Such as a period of thirty hours would be counted as two days. Perhaps even more interesting is the timing of President Roosevelt’s death which actually occurred on the New Moon of April 12, 1945.

Revelation 13:5 – And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Obviously, my studies have brought me to the conclusion that America is this eighth and final beast. For who cannot see that America “the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” The tsunami of evil deception in America continues to rise with a flood of sorcery, paganism, Wicca, false cults, blatant corruption, wickedness, immorality, disobedience to parents, hate groups, etc., etc.

Also, I do acknowledge that there are many studious believers which earnestly believe the Catholic Church is the beast and harlot system. However, she fails to meet the full criteria of the plurality of “seven kings, five of which have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must continue a short time.” For it is evident that the beast is always referenced in the masculine with its kings.  We simply must recognize both as separate entities, civil and religious, church and state, that join forces in an unholy union for a final ride into perdition. 

Nevertheless, the Catholic Church is undoubtedly part of the spirit of this whorish woman who rides the beast; but it is not the beast itself. Furthermore, the Catholic Church has been a hoarder of wealth, but not a distributor of it. For where, or when, could we apply to the Catholic Church how “the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies?” Or “Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!?”

How does one apply this to the Vatican? – “Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.”

“Sorceries” implies witchcraft, or the calculated manipulation of men’s wills to consent to sin. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,” (1 Samuel 15:23). It is evident that America’s leaders have failed to embrace God’s word and have refused to be subject unto Him. Rather they have continually tried to exalt themselves higher and higher while constantly seeking to manipulate both the minds and wills of the people that they might control them, and so further the agenda of the dragon.

There are many other things that have worked together to strongly persuade me that America is the Eighth Beast. There are specific details and events in our founding history that have been suppressed from public awareness but are still openly evident, too many to thoroughly disclosed here. However, there are the Masonic symbols on our currency, government buildings, as well as the curious layout and design of certain parts of District of Columbia which virtually mirrors some aspects of the Vatican in Rome. 

The designation “District of Columbia” can accurately be rephrased the “Realm of the control of the Queen of Heaven,” referencing the goddess Columbia. Columbia has also been worshipped through history and regions of the world under the names, Isis, Semiramis, Ishtar, Diana, Artemis, Ashtoreth, Astarte, and Libertas.  It is not mere coincident that the Statute of Liberty has mimicking aspects to many of these female pagan idols.

Plus, there are specific details that have been made public under the Freedom of Information Act concerning various memorandums, discussions, military exercises, and other various events that have exposed covert efforts of the American government to manipulate situations so as to assure our involvement in WWII, and ultimately those events that led to the ending of the war.

Americans had for the most part become isolationists after World War I,  having virtually no interest for any interference or involvement in foreign wars. According to a pre-war Gallup poll, 88 percent of Americans were solidly opposed to any involvement in the rapidly expanding European war. It was this temperament of Americans that was successfully exploited by President Roosevelt while campaigning, as he promised over and over again, “Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.” As a result, he won the election.

However, as early as 1940, a code clerk at the U.S. embassy in London had discovered secret communications between President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill revealing a strong determination on Roosevelt’s part to engage America in the war. Unfortunately for the clerk he was caught trying to smuggle some of the documents out of the embassy. Consequently, he was charged with obtaining documents that “might be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy” and in a secret British court was convicted and therefore confined to a British prison until the war ended. The clerk’s name was Tyler Gatewood Kent.

On October 7, 1940, A memorandum from Lieutenant Commander Arthur H. McCollum, head of the Far East desk of the Office of Naval Intelligence, advocated eight specific actions that were deemed suffice to provoke Japan into attacking the United States. In it the Commander wrote, “If by these means Japan could be led to commit an overt act of war, so much the better.” Consequently, President Roosevelt over the following year enacted all eight of McCollum’s recommendations.

Later in January 1941, President Roosevelt’s close advisor, Harry Hopkins, met with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and informed him, “The President is determined that we [the United States and England] shall win the war together. Make no mistake about it. He has sent me here to tell you that at all costs and by all means he will carry you through, no matter what happens to him – there is nothing he will not do so far as he has human power.” 

March 1941, President Roosevelt sold munitions and convoyed them to belligerents in Europe, both acts of war and both violations of international law; specifically, the Lend‑Lease Act.

June 23, 1941, Advisor Harold Ickes wrote in a memo to President Roosevelt the day after Germany invaded the Soviet Union, “There might develop from the embargoing of oil to Japan such a situation as would make it not only possible but easy to get into this war in an effective way. And if we should thus indirectly be brought in, we would avoid the criticism that we had gone in as an ally of communistic Russia.” 

July 25, 1941, President Roosevelt froze all Japanese assets in US cutting off their main supply of oil, forcing them into war with the United States while all intelligence information was withheld from Hawaii from this point forward.

August 14, 1941, At the Atlantic Conference, Prime Minister Churchill noted the “astonishing depth of Roosevelt’s intense desire for war.” Consequently, Churchill cabled his cabinet “(President Roosevelt) obviously was very determined that they should come in.”

October 16, 1941, Secretary of War Henry Stimson wrote in his diary, “We face the delicate question of the diplomatic fencing to be done so as to be sure Japan is put into the wrong and makes the first bad move – overt move.” 

October 18, 1941, Diary entry by Secretary of Interior Harold Ickes: “For a long time I have believed that our best entrance into the war would be by way of Japan.”

November 25, 1941, Secretary of War Henry Stimson wrote in his diary that FDR said an attack was likely within days, and presented the question, “How we should maneuver them into the position of firing the first shot without too much danger to ourselves. In spite of the risk involved, however, in letting the Japanese fire the first shot, we realized that in order to have the full support of the American people it was desirable to make sure that the Japanese be the ones to do this so that there should remain no doubt in anyone’s mind as to who were the aggressors.” Thus, Stimson made another entry that day stating, “The question was how we should maneuver them [the Japanese] into the position of firing the first shot…” 

November 26, 1941, an ultimatum was sent to Japan’s ambassadors demanding as prerequisites to resumed trade a complete withdrawal of all troops from China and Indochina, and in effect abrogate her Tripartite Treaty with Germany and Italy.

Therefore, we can see why in 1944, British Minister of Production, Oliver Lyttleton stated, “Japan was provoked into attacking America at Pearl Harbor. It is a travesty of history to say that America was forced into the war.”  

In his 1948 biography, “Roosevelt and Hopkins: An Intimate History,” Robert Sherwood wrote, “If the isolationists had known the full extent of the secret alliance between the United States and Britain, their demands for the President’s impeachment would have rumbled like thunder through the land.” 

All this being noted is in no way an attempt to deny or excuse Japan’s ferociousness in its war efforts, for there can be no excusing their heinous actions against the people and government of China and Indochina. However, as Christians, we must not allow ourselves to be so blindly patriotic that we willfully shut our eyes to the truth that the American government, as an aggressor, intentionally provoked Japan to blame them and to get involved in the war. For prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Roosevelt administration froze Japan’s assets in America, restricted them from use of the Panama Canal, ceased vital exports which were necessary to Japan’s war efforts, and ultimately joined Britain in an all-out embargo.

So, again I ask, “How did these things come to pass?” True to the Apostle John’s vision, there is “another beast” that came “up out of the earth; and he had two horns of a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the power of the first beast.” History proves that though this second beast had the appearance as like a lamb and claimed to be for peace, he was really promoting the agenda of the dragon. For over and over President Roosevelt promised the American people, “I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.” Nevertheless, it was the President of America who authorized “…great wonders, so that he makes fire [that is, The Atomic Bomb], come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” 

I admit that initially for years I only casually researched this, but was stunned when I ran across The Frank Report of June 11, 1945. It is a “Memorandum on Political and Social Problems of the Bomb by scientists at the Metallurgical Laboratory of the University of Chicago, Manhattan Project.” This report was written for delivery to President Truman, who inherited the “Project” after President Roosevelt died.

However, President Truman never received this letter before giving the order to drop the bomb on Hiroshima. That is because Secretary of War Mr. Stimson had intercepted it. In regard to bombing decisions on Japan he is documented as stating, “This is one time I’m going to be the final deciding authority. Nobody’s going to tell me what to do on this.” 

(http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/library/correspondence/grovesleslie/corr_diary_groves.htm)

“The President never received the letter, and all the scientists’ initiatives were frustrated because of the opposition of Byrnes, Groves, Oppenheimer, and other policy makers and scientists in control of the nuclear program.”

(See “A PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,” 3rd paragraph, @ http://www.dannen.com/decision/45-07-17.html).

The following is “Dwight Eisenhower’s expressed view on using the Atomic Bomb”

“In 1945… Secretary of War Stimson visited my headquarters in Germany, [and] informed me that our government was preparing to drop an atomic bomb on Japan. I was one of those who felt that there were a number of cogent reasons to question the wisdom of such an act . . . During his recitation of the relevant facts, I had been conscious of a feeling of depression and so I voiced to him my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that Japan was already defeated and that dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary, and second because I thought that our country should avoid shocking world opinion by the use of a weapon whose employment was, I thought, no longer mandatory as a measure to save American lives. It was my belief that Japan was, at that very moment, seeking some way to surrender with a minimum loss of ‘face.’ The Secretary was deeply perturbed by my attitude, almost angrily refuting the reasons I gave for my quick conclusions.”

Here is perhaps the most startling excerpt from “The Franck Report” that was signed by the top scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project. 

All of us, familiar with the present state of nucleonics, live with the vision before our eyes of sudden destruction visited on our own country, of a Pearl Harbor disaster repeated in thousand-fold magnification in every one of our major cities.” (See the Franck Report: http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/keyissues/ethics/issues/scientific/franck-report.htm)

A thorough reading of the Franck Report will show just how President Truman and other government leaders rejected the counsel of the wise, just like Rehoboam rejected the wisdom of his father’s counsellors when he was asked by Jeroboam to lower the taxes. After the scientists realized their letter had not been delivered, they wrote a second petition to President Truman, from which the following excerpt was taken. 

“The war has to be brought speedily to a successful conclusion and attacks by atomic bombs may very well be an effective method of warfare. We feel, however, that such attacks on Japan could not be justified, at least not unless the terms which will be imposed after the war on Japan were made public in detail and Japan were given an opportunity to surrender.”

“If such public announcement gave assurance to the Japanese that they could look forward to a life devoted to peaceful pursuits in their homeland and if Japan still refused to surrender, our nation might then, in certain circumstances, find itself forced to resort to the use of atomic bombs. Such a step, however, ought not to be made at any time without seriously considering the moral responsibilities which are involved.”

“The development of atomic power will provide the nations with new means of destruction. The atomic bombs at our disposal represent only the first step in this direction, and there is almost no limit to the destructive power which will become available in the course of their future development. Thus, a nation which sets the precedent of using these newly liberated forces of nature for purposes of destruction may have to bear the responsibility of opening the door to an era of devastation on an unimaginable scale.

(http://www.dannen.co…n/45-07-17.html)

To read these solemn warnings that were given to President Truman, and to think he rejected their counsel is horrifying. Even General MacArthur, who was leading the war against Japan, petitioned strongly against the use of the bomb. He didn’t even know there was such a bomb until 48 hours before the first one was dropped. Upon being made aware he bitterly objected to its usage, stating the war was over. It was just a matter of negotiating the surrender, so as to allow the Japanese people to save face because they were a proud (honorable) people.

Still, or perhaps regardless, President Truman was the one who ordered the “fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” Now listen to the righteous judgment of God, “If any man has an ear, let him hear. He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword [or weapon of war,] must be killed with the sword, [or the same weapon of war].”

Revelation 18:8 – Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.”

Russia and China are not America’s only threats, but rather sincere concern needs to be given to all the European and Middle East nations. People might laugh, but I will simply remind them what the Bible says, the ten horns . . . shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God has put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”

Some have argued there isn’t a national army over there big enough, (at least not at the time of the original writing of this in 2002.) However, the initial formation of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) was headed up by a German General. Didn’t Germany contribute greatly to the start of the two World Wars? And remember the scriptures clearly state, “…the ten horns which thou saw upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God has put in their hearts to fulfil His will…”

And what will be the lure of Satan dragging men to war again? Money and power of course. We in America are rapidly falling headlong into an Electronic Identification and Electronic-Cash-Credit-Debit system. As far back as 1998 an article in Time magazine predicted one could send their daughter in college E-Cash and she “can store the money any way she wants-on her laptop, on a debit card, even (in the not too distant future) on a chip implanted under her skin. And, perhaps best of all, you can program the money to be spent only in specific ways.”  (Time APRIL 27, 1998 VOL. 151 NO. 16)

Also mentioned in this article in Time was how the “smart card” with an RFID for the E-cash system could ALSO keep your medical history. Wasn’t it President Clinton and his wife Hillary who were trying to get all Americans issued such a card so they could all have medical insurance? Is it really about OUR health and well-being? Or is it really about THEIR wealth and control? And now we have Presidential Obamacare, of which it has been rumored  will eventually require all to have an implantable RFID chip.

Back in 2002 when I first wrote this article, I spoke about how the European Union was rapidly printing out their new “Euros” and ready to begin distribution that year. I commented on how the European Union’s common currency would only prove to add to the conflict of global monetary standards. The Bible says, “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit” (Proverbs 18:11).

Now, with the current global economic crisis, I am persuaded America will eventually attempt to force upon the European Union (and perhaps parts the rest of the world) a new E-cash credit/debit method of economics…  which I presently suspect the European Union and other nations will deceptively consent to. For again, the ten horns which thou saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

Their deceptive acceptance of America’s proposal (which will most likely be pushed forcefully upon the European Union and other countries with the same arrogance that led to the dropping of the bombs), will only be for the purposes of their buying time to carry out a plan to finally eliminate the competition.

While admittedly I am only speculating as to why and how the ten horns/kings “receive power as kings one hour with the beast,” it nevertheless remains a biblical fact that “God has put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled… these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God has put in their hearts to fulfil His will.” 

Last and Final Part

Further points worthy of prayerful consideration: 

Evidence that the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a crime against International Law

Title: PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN POPULATIONS AGAINST BOMBING FROM THE AIR IN CSSE OF WAR – Unanimous resolution of the League of Nations Assembly,

Dated: September 30, 1938

To: The Assembly,

Considering that on numerous occasions public opinion has expressed through the most authoritative channels its horror of the bombing of civilian populations;

Considering that this practice, for which there is no military necessity and which, as experience shows, only causes needless suffering, is condemned under the recognized principles of international law;

Considering further that, though this principle ought to be respected by all States and does not require further reaffirmation, it urgently needs to be made the subject of regulations specially adapted to air warfare and taking account of the lessons of experience;

Considering that the solution of this problem, which is of concern to all States, whether Members of the League of Nations or not, calls for technical investigation and thorough consideration;

Considering that the Bureau of the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments is to meet in the near future and that it is for the Bureau to consider practical means of undertaking the necessary work under conditions most likely to lead to as general an agreement as possible:

  1. Recognizes the following principles as a necessary basis for any subsequent regulations:
    1. The intentional bombing of civilian populations is illegal;
    2. Objectives aimed at from the air must be legitimate military objectives and must be identifiable;
    3. Any attack on legitimate military objectives must be carried out in such a way that civilian populations in the neighborhood are not bombed through negligence;
  2. Also takes the opportunity to reaffirm that the use of chemical or bacterial methods in the conduct of war is contrary to international law, as recalled more particularly in the resolution of the General Commission of the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments of July 23rd, 1932, and the resolution of the Council of May 14th, 1938

(Documents located at: http://www.dannen.com/decision/int-law.html#D & http://www.dannen.com/decision/int-law.html)

NEXT

Appeal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Aerial Bombardment of Civilian Populations, September 1, 1939 –

The President of the United States to the Governments of France,

Germany, Italy, Poland and His Britannic Majesty, September 1, 1939

The ruthless bombing from the air of civilians in unfortified centers of population during the course of the hostilities which have raged in various quarters of the earth during the past few years, which has resulted in the maiming and in the death of thousands of defenseless men, women, and children, has sickened the hearts of every civilized man and woman, and has profoundly shocked the conscience of humanity.

If resort is had to this form of inhuman barbarism during the period of the tragic conflagration with which the world is now confronted, hundreds of thousands of innocent human beings who have no responsibility for, and who are not even remotely participating in, the hostilities which have now broken out, will lose their lives. I am therefore addressing this urgent appeal to every government which may be engaged in hostilities publicly to affirm its determination that its armed forces shall in no event, and under no circumstances, undertake the bombardment from the air of civilian populations or of unfortified cities, upon the understanding that these same rules of warfare will be scrupulously observed by all of their opponents. I request an immediate reply.  FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

(Documents located at: http://www.dannen.com/decision/int-law.html#E & http://www.dannen.com/decision/int-law.html)

 NEXT

President Truman’s Speech, August 9, 1945:

In a radio speech to the nation on August 9, 1945, President Truman called Hiroshima “a military base.” It seems likely, considering his July 25 diary entry, that he personally was not aware that Hiroshima was a city. Otherwise, he was being untruthful about the nature of the target. Truman delivered his speech from the White House at 10 P.M. Washington time on August 9, 1945. By this time, the second atomic bomb had already destroyed the city of Nagasaki. Because of the great length of the speech, most of which dealt with Germany, only the relevant paragraph is quoted here.

“The world will note that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, a military base. That was because we wished in this first attack to avoid, insofar as possible, the killing of civilians. But that attack is only a warning of things to come. If Japan does not surrender, bombs will have to be dropped on her war industries and, unfortunately, thousands of civilian lives will be lost. I urge Japanese civilians to leave industrial cities immediately, and save themselves from destruction.”

What does this all mean? It means the bombing of Japan was not only against the counsel of those who developed the bomb; it was also illegal according to international law and contrary to President Roosevelt’s international petition.

U.S. Government and Military Leaders’ Responses To Dropping the Bomb

FIRST QUOTE:

Harry S. Truman, the President of the United States who ordered the Atomic Bombing:

“This is the greatest thing in history.”

(http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/library/biographies/bio_truman-harry.htm)

NEXT QUOTE:

General Henry “Hap” Arnold, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Forces Under President Truman:

“It always appeared to us that, atomic bomb or no atomic bomb, the Japanese were already on the verge of collapse.”

NEXT QUOTE:

General Dwight D. Eisenhower:

“I had been conscious of depression and so I voiced to (Sec. Of War Stimson) my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that Japan was already defeated and that dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary, and secondly because I thought that our country should avoid shocking world opinion by the use of a weapon whose employment was, I thought, no longer mandatory as a measure to save American lives. It was my belief that Japan was, at this very moment, seeking a way to surrender with a minimum loss of ‘face.’”

 NEXT QUOTE:

General Dwight D. Eisenhower:

“Japan was at the moment seeking some way to surrender with minimum loss of ‘face’… It wasn’t necessary to hit them with that awful thing.”

NEXT QUOTE:

Admiral William D. Leahy, Former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

 “It is my opinion that the use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender… My own feeling was that in being the first to use it, we had adopted an ethical standard common to the barbarians of the Dark Ages. I was taught not to make war in that fashion, and wars cannot be won by destroying women and children.”

NEXT QUOTE:

John McCloy:

 “I am absolutely convinced that had we said they could keep the emperor, together with the threat of an atomic bomb, they would have accepted, and we would never have had to drop the bomb.”

NEXT QUOTE – This one just absolutely stunned me:

From President Harry S. Truman’s diary entered July 18, 1945 – just 17 days before the bombing of Hiroshima:

“P.M. Churchill & I ate alone. Discussed Manhattan [PROJECT] (it is a success). Decided to tell Stalin about it. Stalin had told P.M. of telegram from Japan Emperor asking for peace.”

NEXT QUOTE:

Stewart L. Udall, US Congressman and Author of “Myths of August”

 “Some of my conclusions may invoke anger and even ridicule. For example, I offer my belief that the existence of the first atomic bombs may have prolonged – rather than shortened – World War II, by influencing Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson and President Harry S. Truman to ignore an opportunity to negotiate a surrender that would have ended the killing in the Pacific in May or June of 1945. And I have come to view the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings that August as an American tragedy that should be viewed as a moral atrocity.”

NEXT QUOTE:

From: U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey’s 1946 Study:

 “Certainly prior to 31 December 1945, and in all probability prior to 1 November 1945, Japan would have surrendered even if the atomic bombs had not been dropped, even if Russia had not entered the war, and even if no invasion had been planned or contemplated.”

NEXT QUOTE:

J. Samuel Walker, Chief Historian, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission:

 “Careful scholarly treatment of the records and manuscripts opened over the past few years has greatly enhanced our understanding of why Truman administration used atomic weapons against Japan. Experts continue to disagree on some issues, but critical questions have been answered. The consensus among scholars is the that the bomb was not needed to avoid an invasion of Japan… It is clear that alternatives to the bomb existed and that Truman and his advisers knew it”

NEXT QUOTE:

1995 – Nagasaki Mayor Hitoshi Motoshima:

“It was a matter of course for atomic bombs to have been dropped on Japan, which had launched a war of aggression. Japan does not have the right to criticize the atomic bomb.” for Kyodo News’s interview. He is also quoted as saying, conversely, that the bombing was “one of the two great crimes against humanity in the 20th Century, along with the Holocaust”

NEXT QUOTE:

March 16, 1995 – Los Angeles Times 

Heading: Japanese Mayors Call A-Bomb Attacks a Crime

Underscoring a wide “perception gap” between Japan and the United States, the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Wednesday sharply challenged the prevailing U.S. view that the nuclear attacks on their cities were necessary to end World War II.

Nagasaki Mayor Hitoshi Motoshima called the attacks “one of two great crimes against humanity in the 20th Century, along with the Holocaust.” Although he conceded that the attacks helped hasten the war’s end–a concession Hiroshima Mayor Takashi Hiraoka refused to make–he questioned the price.

“Does avoiding the death of servicemen justify the sacrifice of tens of thousands of guiltless noncombatants?” Motoshima asked, pointing out that the bombs indiscriminately killed men, women and children. “This is tantamount to killing a flea with a sledgehammer. It can hardly be called a justified act, even in wartime.”

The bombs, dropped in August, 1945, killed and injured 130,000 people in Hiroshima–almost half the city’s population–and 74,000 in Nagasaki. Hundreds of thousands of survivors suffered cancer and other radiation aftereffects.

The mayors, in a joint appearance before foreign correspondents, argued that the United States dropped the bombs mainly to intimidate the Soviet Union, verify the weapons’ effectiveness and justify the $2 billion spent to develop them.

LAST QUOTE:

Osama bin Laden, when asked by ABC reporter John Miller-

 “Mister bin Laden, you have issued a fatwah calling on Muslims to kill Americans where they can, when they can. Is that directed at all Americans, [or] just the American military, [or] just the Americans in Saudi Arabia?”

Osama bin Laden’s answer, “…The Americans started it and retaliation and punishment should be carried out following the principle of reciprocity, especially when women and children are involved. Through history, America has not been known to differentiate between the military and the civilians or between men and women or adults and children. Those who threw atomic bombs and used the weapons of mass destruction against Nagasaki and Hiroshima were the Americans. Can the bombs differentiate between military and women and infants and children? America has no religion that can deter her from exterminating whole peoples. …We believe that the worst thieves in the world today and the worst terrorists are the Americans. Nothing could stop you except perhaps retaliation in kind. [Therefore] We do not have to differentiate between military or civilian.”

(http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/who/interview.html)

Shocking I know, and very uncomfortable to hear and consider these things. Doubtless many are so angry at seeing Osama bin Laden being quoted that they have nearly forgotten all the quotes of the American leaders who likewise were offended by America being the first to make use of The Bomb.

Sin is sin whoever commits it, be they American, Arab, Christian, Jew or Muslim. However, in light of all this, please consider afresh what God has stated in regards to the use of weapons and His judgments –

“If any man have an ear, let him hear, He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword [or whatever weapon of war] must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints,” (Revelation 13:9).

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man [or nation] soweth, that shall he [or it] also reap,” (Galatians 6:7)

Let us therefore give more earnest heed to Jesus’ admonition, “Watch therefore, praying in every season that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of man,” (Luke 21:26).

The title of this post is probably one of the most important questions people need to be asking themselves. If you are one who might eagerly say “yes,” then you need to make a list of all the reasons you think so, and then prayerfully consider how God might fit into your equation.

Some will point out that being so rich, President Trump cannot be bought.
Some will point to his astute ability to “make the deal.”
Some will say he is a no-nonsense guy, that whether you like what he says, or how he says it; that if Trump said it, then he means it and will get it done.
Some will even say, as it has made its sweep across “Christians” in America, that President Trump is another prophetic Cyrus, a man sent of God to set God’s people free, expose the wicked, and of course, Make America Great Again.

However, this post is to share my personal perspective concerning what is happening with President Trump and with the United States of America. To begin, let me first say that nearly 4 years ago I moved to Costa Rica after writing a book about America in prophecy and her prophetic destruction where she will one day be utterly destroyed in one hour. Yes, there is a verse for that… BTW, the book was the fruit of over three decades of prayerful studying regarding this matter, and I assure you it is not a book or message I like.

However, while being fully persuaded that God in His faithfulness led several others and myself to come out of America, as witnesses for those who might hear what His Spirit is saying to the church, I must admit that I doubted whether President Obama would leave office. Partly because, as it was obvious to many of God’s people, he was a blatant liar who only professed to be a Christian, yet clearly lived as an arrogant, immoral Muslim. Over and over Barack Obama openly mocked Christians and God’s word, even from the very podium of the presidency; not to mentioned that whole creepy Obama Messiah thing that happened everywhere… and amazingly is still lingering.

But as time drew closer to the 2016 election, I knew in my heart and understood by God’s word that Hillary would not be elected, but that is not the subject now. However, I couldn’t understand why God was being so long-suffering with America. It certainly required much prayer on my part and seeking God about it all; for having left both family and friends behind in the USA, many of them have since felt justified and that they were right to stay… and I foolish to leave. After all, look at the economy all the POTUS has done.

But let me share with you the process of how God begins to judge a nation. First, He exposes the sins of the people, and in order to do that He first uses the voice of His people, the watchmen, to cry out and define the wickedness of the people. In doing so, they tell everyone, the wicked and religious alike, that God will not be mocked. For the soul, or souls, that continue in sin are on a head-on collision course with Jesus Christ and will indeed be destroyed.

BUT, (and pay attention here,) before God destroys the ungodly and wicked, He purposely both tries and exposes the hearts of those who profess to be His people. That is because those who have taken His name in vain by calling themselves “Christians,” but are not seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, are in fact themselves to be counted among the wicked. God was very clear that He would not hold them guiltless who takes His name in vain.

Exodus 20:7 – Thou shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.

2 Timothy 2:19 – Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Do you think I’m wrong? If so, then I think you need to read your bible and reconsider all that God not only allowed to happen to His own people, but purposely caused. For those who He once rejoiced over to save, He later rejoiced over their destruction. Why? Because by continually rejecting His word and doing what was right in their own eyes, they frustrated and exhausted His sufficient grace, and therefore failed to so love Him as He requires; with all their heart.

Deuteronomy 28:63 – And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

Being carnally minded, many are in love with themselves, the world, and the pleasures of the world, more than they are in love God. For loving pleasures MORE THAN God, the Jews of the Old Testament simply would not obey. They, like many Christians nowadays who refuse to pick up their cross and deny themselves, daily, refused to obey and follow God wherever He leads. Rather, doing what was right in their own eyes, they strayed from the truth and never missed it.

Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 21:2 – Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

John 10:27 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Remember, God’s people are called to be the light and salt of the world. BUT, if they have double eyes by only looking to Jesus to save them from hell, and then to the world for their satisfaction, then the so-called light in them is in truth darkness. They are deceived, for their light is darkness and their truth is error; for while they are supposed to be salt, they have lost their saltiness; therefore, Jesus said they are “good for nothing, unfit even for the dung-heap; so are cast out and trodden underfoot of men.”  Do you understand this, that a pile of dung is actually too good for such professors of Christ?

People, I am persuaded what God is doing with President Trump, is that He is proving the heart of those who claim to be His people in the USA. The test they must past is whether they are more interested in making America great again and it having a booming economy with hopes they’ll get to live out their American Dream in a comfortable retirement, or are they fervently praying for God’s kingdom to come and His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven; without reservation or hesitation. Are they truly looking for and hastening the coming of Christ their Savior? OR, having itchy ears have they rallied around President Trump as their hope for a better life here and embraced all the “prophetic words” about him being another “Cyrus?” Is it possible you too are hoping to have your “best life” now?

See, God’s righteous judgment MUST BEGIN IN THE HOUSE OF GOD. Thus, God tries the hearts of those professing Christ, that He is their God, to prove where their real affections rest. Because if they are not loving God with all their mind, heart, and strength, I can assure you they do not have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. For if you do not have ears to hear, then yours is a vain self-serving religion which lacks a true God-pleasing, saving-faith. Bold statement? Well know this, saving faith works by love and those who are truly Christ’s hear His voice and will faithfully follow Him.

1 Peter 4:17 – For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

It is a fact that President Trump is the president of a nation divided, perhaps more now than ever since the Civil War. That alone is a disturbing sign, for Jesus said a kingdom or house divided against itself CANNOT STAND. Plus, never before has a president of the USA been so viciously hated by the opposition; that they conspired to keep him from winning the election, and has deceitfully plotted plan after plan to try and impeach him. If that won’t work, I am sure they are already desperately looking for another way or means to get him out of office; by violence if necessary. They have to, because otherwise at this point, too many are going to be exposed, publicly humiliated, and jailed for their crimes and treason.

For what has been done by the wicked controlling the deep state is now all being exposed; much to the glee of many on the right. For Jesus assured us that what was done in darkness will be brought to light, and that said in secret will be shouted from the rooftops. Yet sadly, there will actually be some “Christians” out there who are completely clueless to all I have been talking about; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, because in truth their hearts are harden towards God… because they simply love this world and want to save their life in it.

2 Timothy 3:4 – …lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

People, be assure that God is using President Trump at this time to both prove and expose hearts. So, is your heart passing the test? For I do not know how much longer God will long-suffer with a lukewarm church whose affections are not on His kingdom, but I do know that it isn’t much longer…

1 Corinthians 15:34 – Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Note: I am posting chapters 12 thru 18 of my book (The Eighth Beast” in succession for ease of reading. The book deals with America in Prophecy, and these chapters address certain modern conceptions of eschatology that are in fact fairly contemporary.

Many believers nowadays are ignorant that most of the end-time theology which is being taught and widely accepted by both non-Catholics and Catholics alike concerning the antichrist, the rebuilding the temple, and his becoming a world leader, was originally taught by a French monk known as Adso of Montier-en-Der who died in 992 A.D. Though he was a prolific writer of poems, hymns, and biographies of the lives of saints, Adso’s most famous work was his “Letter to Queen Gerberga on the Place and Time of Antichrist,” which became known as the “Little Book on the Antichrist.”

However, Adso’s theology, which was so articulated over a thousand years ago, was presented basically as a rebuttal to the Protestants vehement protest against the papacy and Catholicism. At the time, it  was vehemently rejected by essentially every protestant commentator who sought to defend the truth of the Gospel with their pen. For the earlier commentators both agreed and therefore acknowledged Paul’s speaking in II Thessalonians 2:3 of “a falling away first” as the rise of Roman Catholicism, and “that man of sin… the son of perdition” as being the succession of popes. In the second century, Polycarp, deemed to be an apostolic father, in his Letter to the Philippians, paragraph 7, warned the Philippians that everyone who preached false doctrine was an antichrist. Polycarp’s use of the term “antichrist” agrees with the Apostle John who does not reference a single antichrist, but rather a class of people functioning under a spirit of antichrist. It is also interesting that the Apostle John, who coined the phrases “antichrist” and “many antichrists” DID NOT used those phrases in his writing of the Book of Revelation.

Nevertheless, the historical understanding of the Protestant churches concerning “a spirit of antichrist” that works to advance false prophets and teachers has for the most part been completely abandoned by non-Catholics today; most probably because most believers nowadays are ignorant of both scripture and history. Which means it would be prudent for the earnest seeker of the truth to ask what scriptural and historical justification the Protestant commentators have for interpreting it the way they used to, and why they have now embrace an eschatology that was birthed out of Catholicism itself. That and more is what is addressed in The Eighth Beast as I examine America in prophecy.

Sadly, most people’s understanding of end-time theology is similar to their hiking an old familiar trail where the slopes and turns have become so instinctive to them it requires very little focus (or faith) to navigate it. However, every so often along the way there is a hint of a old path that forks off the main trail where only the inquisitive will turn aside to see where it leads. Many never aware of the fact that beaten they always take is actually a newer path someone once took looking for an easier way and everyone else just followed, while the old path slowly becomes forgotten and less traveled. If someone wants to be sure they’re on the right path for where they’re wanting to go, they must be willing to leave the trail and take on the difficulties of climbing up to reach a vantage point that is open and clear enough to verify the path they’re on is correct for safely reaching their desired destination. As it says in Jeremiah 6:16 – Thus saith the LORD, “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” But they said, “We will not walk therein.”

I share all this because in my book “The Eighth Beast” I re-introduce an old, yet to many, a whole new perspective that is going to require a willingness to endure the difficulties of setting their current theology on the altar of God and take that climb to where the perspective becomes clear if they are going to understand why America is headed for perdition; and why God has warned us to, “Come out of her, My people, that you partake not of her sins and receive not of her plagues…”

 

Chapter 12

Before the Conclusion of the Seventy Weeks

It is asserted by those who embrace the doctrine of a seven year tribulation period that its primary scriptural foundation comes from Daniel chapter 9. In this chapter the angel Gabriel tells Daniel that “At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.” Gabriel then continues by telling Daniel that “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city.”

We must remember that Gabriel was sent forth at the beginning of Daniel’s supplications when he was confessing his own sins and the sins of Israel. Therefore the “matter . . . and the vision” which Gabriel was sent to help Daniel understand was connected to his prayer for Israel in captivity. In all, there were seven specific things Gabriel prefaces to the “understanding” of the vision with –

  1. It was a period of time(a) regarding Daniel’s people and the holy city(b)
    1. Seventy weeks
    2. Jerusalem
  2. It was to “finish the transgression”
  3. It was to “make an end of sins”
  4. It was to “make reconciliation for iniquity”
  5. It was to “bring in everlasting righteousness”
  6. It was to “seal up the vision and the prophesy”
  7. It was to “to anoint the most Holy”

The Angel Gabriel continues explaining to Daniel that the seventy weeks are going to be divided into three specific time periods, whereby each will serve specific prophetic purposes with outlining events and definite conclusions –

  1. Seven weeks                    7
  2. Plus sixty two weeks           7 + 62 = 69 weeks total
  3. Plus the last week              1 + 69 = 70 weeks total

Let’s quickly review these verses to give us a fresh recall of them before we continue-

Daniel 9:20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

It is that last week in verse 27, commonly referred to as Daniel’s seventieth week that has become accepted and known as the Seven Year Tribulation and linked to this verse in Daniel. Originally I had intended starting this post by listing the particulars of this seventy weeks revelation from the angel.

At this time I must entreat your patience, as I originally had intended starting this post with addressing the particulars of this vision from the angel. However, before tackling the seventieth week, there are some noteworthy observations regarding the method of Daniel’s writing this prophetic book that should be addressed first.  Additionally, there are various key players in Daniel’s book, including the angel Gabriel, which it would be prudent to briefly investigate since there are several visions seen by various individuals; some of which are associated to Gabriel’s presence and interpretations while others are not. Some visions address events immediately on the horizon for the Kingdom of Babylon and Daniel, while others have events are far off and the understanding of them were sealed until the end.

Daniel 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Sadly, I know this will require more effort and energy to properly consider than even most Christians are willing to invest, but considering the gravity of this vision and the times in which we are living, it would stand as an indictment of lukewarmness and carelessness if I did not invest time to present to others this perspective of the final seventieth week of Daniel.

The first observation that is important to take note of is that the book of Daniel was not entirely written in Daniels own language of Hebrew, a fact that must be recognized as significant if we are to “rightly divide the word of truth” in trying to define the key players in Daniel; especially those involved with these seventy weeks. Daniel begins writing in Hebrew, but in chapter 2:4 he switches to the language of his conquerors. From that point all the way to the end of chapter 7 Daniel wrote in Chaldee. The explanation given by Commentator Adam Clark is as follows, “As the Chaldeans had a particular interest both in the history and prophecies from Daniel 2:4 to the end of Daniel 7:28, the whole is written in Chaldee.” Concerning chapter 8 to the end of the book, Adam Clarke continues explaining that Daniel wrote in Hebrew “as the prophecies which remain concern times posterior to the Chaldean monarchy, and principally relate to the Church and people of God generally, they are [therefore] written in the Hebrew language, this being the tongue in which God chose to reveal all his counsels given under the Old Testament relative to the New.”

Adam Clarke’s profound statement is worthy of prayerful consideration, that the prophecies in Daniel after chapter seven are “posterior to the Chaldean monarchy” or post Babylon. I think this detail gives good foundation for believing that many living today upon earth will witness the destruction of Mystery Babylon before the final “sealing up of the vision and prophecy… upon thy people and upon thy holy city.” Meaning, it is feasible that The Eighth Beast goes into perdition (destruction) before the conclusion of the seventieth week. To simplify that even further, America, being The Eighth Beast will be completely destroyed before the final prophecies of the vision regarding Israel are fulfilled prior to the Lord’s return.

My next observations and thoughts would be directed temporarily to the angel Gabriel. In the Bible we only have four passages that mention him. The first we will but briefly address is where Gabriel is commissioned to explain to Daniel his vision of the ram and the he-goat, and to give the prediction of the 70 weeks.

Daniel 8:15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

Now I want to remind the reader that this vision is separate from the seventy weeks vision. Daniel was given this vision while Babylon was still an intact sovereign empire.

Daniel 8:1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

Now even though Babylon was still intact, all the prophecies about it were already given and were about to be fulfilled. Here in chapter eight Daniel returns to writing in Hebrew because from now on the vision and prophecies are dealing with Israel post Babylon.  However, this vision in chapter eight is somewhat a continuance of one Daniel had earlier under  the rule of Belshazzar, King of Babylon.

Daniel 7:1  In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. 2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

These “four great beasts came up from the sea” represent four great monarchies. For the sake of clarity and presentation,we must set our discussing Gabriel aside temporarily and address these four beasts who are actually four of five key players in chapter seven.

Daniel 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

This first beast “like a lion” with eagle’s wings represents Babylon which invaded Israel quickly. Appropriately, in scriptures we find Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, being depicted as a lion and his conquests as swift as an eagle.

Jeremiah 4:7 The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

Jeremiah 48:40 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.

Isaiah 5:29 Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.

Ezekiel 17:3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar.

Nebuchadnezzar’s army conquered Israel and destroyed Jerusalem. The walls of the city were pulled down, the gates burned, the temple robbed of all its treasures and destroyed. In the process, a considerable percentage of the Israelites were killed, while the choicest of the young men were carried away captive, leaving only the poorest behind as miserable farmers.

Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

This second beast, represented by a bear, was the Medo-Persian Empire. It’s been noted by some commentators how the bear, being the largest species of these four beasts, were found in the colder mountainous regions of Mede/Media (modern Iran). The Medo-Persian Empire is compared to a bear on account of their aggressiveness and thirst for blood.

However, with the Jews in captivity, we see how the sovereignty of God moved the Medo-Persian Empire leaders to allow a return of the Jews back to rebuild Jerusalem. It is under this empire that we have both the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Daniel 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

The third beast, a four headed leopard with four wings of a fowl, is the Macedonian, or Greek Empire which rose to power under Alexander the Great. The swiftness with which Alexander accomplished his conquests is appropriately represented by “a leopard… with four wings of a fowl.” For though the Babylonian Empire was embodied in a lion with two wings to witness the speed of Nebuchadnezzar’s conquests, Alexander’s empire has four wings; since up till that time in history no other empire was its equal. The four heads of the leopard prophetically foretells the dividing of the Macedonian Empire upon Alexander’s death between his four generals.

It is important to note in verse 6 that “dominion was given to it,” meaning the triumphs of the Greek Empire were not due to of Alexander’s own the skill or even the courage of his troops, rather the nations were given to him. Bishop Newton stated that, “had he not been assisted by the mighty power of God, how could he [Alexander the Great], with only thirty thousand men, have overcome Darius with six hundred thousand; and in so short a time have brought the countries from Greece as far as India into subjection?” It was God who gave Alexander his dominion, for we must remember the vision and prophecy are specifically concerning “thy people and upon thy holy city.”

 Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

Note that this fourth beast is not identified with a known species as it “was diverse from all the beasts that were before it.” It is the Roman Empire, dreadful, terrible, and exceeding strong and it devoured, and breaks in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. This not only witnesses to its absolute triumph over all the other nations, bringing them to naught, but more significantly points to how Rome destroyed Israel in 70 A.D. scattering the remnant thereof throughout the nations of the world.

Before I continue, I need to make a short run down a rabbit trail… God created man to be responsive to Him and to live under the discipline of His holy precepts, delighting in His laws and meditating therein night and day. When a man is responsive to God, he is being responsible and therefore permitted to freely enjoy the benefits of God’s creation and Kingdom. Humanity has no rights or privileges apart from their responsibilities to the Kingdom of God. This is important to acknowledge if we are going to be found  fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Hence the angel stated that Rome “was diverse from all the beasts that were before it,” for history reveals it was a republican form of government in contrast to the preceding monarchal empires. Perhaps this fact serves as the foundation as to why it was not identified with a known species. Though God created man to have dominion, He never intended for men to govern their own selves. Such a government therefore is unnatural, being a creation of man and not of God. The only form of government God can truly approve is a monarchal kingdom, which alone under His guidance can be fashioned and ruled so as to prophetically represent His own, where He is honored as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Nevertheless, when men reign over other men, they will eventually reject God’s word and His Kingdom. Then it is no longer man that reigns, but sin. Such lesson can be verified not only in the history of each of these empires, but in Israel’s history as well. For when sin reigns, it will always be found to be dreadful, terrible, and exceeding strong for it devours and breaks in pieces, and stamps the residue with its feet as it will seek every opportunity to trodden underfoot the Son of God, and count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and despites the Spirit of grace.

Back on point, the “ten horns” on the beast were prophetic of the fall of Rome and how later it would be divided into ten smaller kingdoms which to the best of my knowledge forsook the republic governing structure of Rome and returned to monarchies and  have been surmised to be the following –

1. The Roman senate

2. The Greeks

3. The Lombards

4. The Huns

5. The Alemans

6. The Franks

7. The Burgundians

8. The Saracens in Africa and a part of Spain

9. The Goths

10. And the Saxons

The Little Horn

 Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

This little horn is almost too quietly mentioned when contrasted against the weighed of “the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea” and “the four great beasts came up from the sea.” However, there are a few points worthy of prayerful consideration I would like to make, hoping those reading will have read my previous post and have already placed all their current persuasions on the altar of God so as to be open to examine these things afresh.

First, this little horn’s origin comes from “among them,” this to me speaks of a nation or empire that will rise up, not only out of the “ten horns,” but in all probability predominantly from one in particular. This is why it is prudent to compare each of these four beasts with the diverse attributes assigned to the Eighth Beast that rises up out of the sea.

Revelation 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 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.

Second observation, notice the “little horn” has “eyes like the eyes of man.” These “eyes of a man” speaks primarily to the lust of the eyes of men, signifying the little horn is never going to be satisfied till all it sees comes under its control and influence. Therefore he will be cunning, flattering and given to endless lies to achieve its conquests. The ‘little horn” also has “a mouth speaking great things,” which also can be associated with the Eighth Beast–

Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.  6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

God has been long-suffering and forbearing with the folly of humanity from the beginning, permitting many seemingly great things to occur that many people perceive to have been accomplished through the wisdom and might of men. Yet all this ultimately is permitted only to prove to the whole world there is in fact a God and Creator before whom all the nations are reckoned but dust in the scales, for all the souls of such powerful men will still stand before Him to give an accounting, acknowledging that His alone is the Kingdom, the power, and glory forever and ever.

Isaiah 40:15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

AGAIN, please also recall how the three other horns were “plucked up by the roots” by the little horn. Consider again the verse –

Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

It is simple history that originally the colonization of America was attempted by three of those ten horns; England, Spain and France. However, all three of these have been “plucked up by the roots” so to say and lost all sovereign claims to American soil.

It is evident that it was because of “the great words which the horn spoke . . . the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.” Again, this too can be seen attributed to the Eighth Beast who is destined to be destroyed by the ten horns–

Revelation 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Revelation 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Daniel saw both the rise and fall of this “little horn” which was confirmed to be under the sovereign watch of the “Ancient of days.” No kingdom, even though they may appear to be running rampant in defiance to His great authority, has ever gone beyond the tolerance of the Lord’s great power and restraint.

Daniel 7:9  I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.  10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. 12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

At this point, I would like to stress the importance of noting that the destruction of this “little horn,” which became a great beast and was destroyed by fire, that its judgment does not bring the same timely end to the other horns or “beasts.” It is clear that they lose some of their power, but they are permitted to continue on “for a season and time.” I hope to address this more thoroughly later in a post on the Seven Year Tribulation.

Lastly, I wish to return our focus to Gabriel where he appears to Daniel in chapter eight. Again, this is where Daniel returns to writing in Hebrew after the prophecies concerning Babylon which were written in Aramaic. This is only a couple of years after Daniel was given the vision of all the beasts above; now he was given another vision in the “third year of the reign of King Belshazzar.”

In this vision Daniel foresees the coming of the Mede/Persia Empire (2nd beast) represented here as a ram with two horns, one higher than the other. As he was pondering the ram and its horns, a great he-goat appears with a single great horn between its eyes. This horn in chapter 8 is Alexander the Great, previously the third beast in chapter 7 (the leopard) to which “dominion was given.” As stated earlier, this dominion was not just over the other nations, but is specifically given to him over “thy people and the holy city.” Here Alexander the Great/Greece as the “he goat” moves so quickly it is said to not to even touch the ground –

Daniel 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

In the vision the he-goat smites the ram, breaks his two horns; taking away its power to stand and casts the ram down to the ground. After which the he-goat/Greece becomes a greater empire until the notable horn/Alexander the Great is broken and he dies. This leaves his empire to be divided among his four generals.

Daniel 8:8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. 9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

There is not much said about the four note able ones that came up, for the emphasis of the verse straight way goes to another “little horn” that came forth from one of them. Now many people and commentators believe that this little horn is the same as the little horn in 7:8, but I disagree. The 7:8 horn comes from the remnants of the fourth beast’s ten horns, where this little horn comes from one of the four horns of the third beast. Also, this later second little horn is place in a time frame of “the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full,” which simply means the measure of Gods patience with the sins of the transgressors has come to an end; judgment is now eminent.

To put it simply here, I am strongly incline to believe this little horn was Antiochus Epiphanes who polluted the temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar of God, blaspheming His name and was later defeated by the Maccabees. Antiochus died suddenly of worms and ulcers supposedly in 164 BC, in harmony with Daniel 8:25 which says “but he shall be broken without hand.”

I truly regret the length of this post, as I know many will not give themselves to read through all this. I would much rather be discussing Jesus Christ and His promises to us, but I felt some of these points needed be established for a foundation before entering the subject of the seventy weeks in chapter nine. However, for those that have read through thus far I would like to make one last point that concerns a clue given to us through an angel speaking to another asked concerning the duration of this vision–

Daniel 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

If the prophetic day here is to be understood the same as it is in chapter nine, then we can conclude the duration will be 2300 years that “the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot.” It has always been my strong inclination that the retaking of the Temple Mount in 1967 was a significant event, one which would not have happen unless God had foretold it by His prophets.

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.

If we subtract 1967 years from the 2300 we end up with 333 years from year 1 D.C. to 1 A.D. there is only 1 year to be counted since there is no O (zero) year to be counted in the timeline. Though we do not know the months or exact time of year, this is the very close if not exactly to the time of Alexander the Great entrance into the Persian-ruled Asia Minor in 334 B.C. 

Josephus in “The Antiquities of the Jews” Book XI, chapter VIII, paragraph 5, tells this story of Alexander the Great arriving in Jerusalem:

“And when he (the High Priest) understood that he (Alexander the Great) was not far from the city (Jerusalem), he (the High Priest) went out in procession with the priests and the multitude of citizens. The procession was venerable, and the manner of it different from that of other nations … and when the Phoenicians and the Chaldeans that followed him (Alexander the Great), thought that they should have liberty to plunder the city, and torment the high priest to death, which the king’s displeasure fairly promised them, the very reverse of it happened; for Alexander, when he (Alexander the Great) saw the multitude at a distance, in white garments, while the priests stood clothed in fine linen, and the high priest in purple and scarlet clothing, with his miter on his head, having the golden plate whereon the name of God was engraved, he (Alexander the Great) approached by himself, and adored that name (the name of God), and first saluted the high priest. The Jews also did altogether, with one voice, salute Alexander, and encompass him about; where upon the kings of Syria and the rest were surprised at what Alexander had done, and supposed him disordered in his mind (They thought Alexander was crazy for bowing before the High Priest). However, Parmenio alone went up to him (Alexander the Great) and asked him how it came to pass that, when all others adored him, he should adore the high priest of the Jews? To whom he replied, “I did not adore him, but that G-d who hath honored him with his high-priesthood; for I saw this very person in a dream, in this very habit (high priestly garment), when I was at Dios in Macedonia, who, when I was considering with myself, how I might obtain the dominion of Asia, exhorted me to make no delay, but boldly to pass over the sea thither, for that he (God) would conduct my army, and would give me the dominion over the Persians; whence it is, that having seen no other in that habit (high priestly garment), and now seeing this person in it, and remembering that vision, and the exhortation which I had in my dream, I believe that I bring this army under the divine conduct, and shall therewith conquer Darius, and destroy the power of the Persians, and that all things will succeed according to what is in my own mind.”

When the high priest went outside Jerusalem to meet Alexander the Great, he took the book of Daniel to show Alexander the prophecies concerning him. To which Alexander was so moved that he went to the temple to offer a sacrifice and worshipped God.

Summary

1. I strongly believe there is profound prophetic significance in that Daniel 2:4 thru 7:28 was written in Aramaic dealing with Babylon and its fall. This signifying to me that after the Eighth Beast and Mystery Babylon the Great falls, there will still be a brief period for other prophecies to come to past in the last days. That further indicates a necessity to prayerfully consider a literal interpretation of Revelation 18:4, to “”Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

2. Before we see the conclusion of the seventieth week of Daniel, we will have witness the fall of Babylon the Great, i.e. America, The Eighth Beast being completely destroyed before the final prophecies of Daniel’s visions regarding Israel are fulfilled just prior to the Lord’s return.

3. The “little horn” that plucks up three other horns by their roots agrees with America having fought and gained her independence from England, Spain and France.

4. That Gabriel comes after Babylon and declares the ends and beginnings of other events on God’s predetermined timeline. Commissioned to explain to Daniel the vision of the ram and the he-goat and gives the prediction of the seventy weeks (Da 8:16; 9:21) in the Old Testament. Later in the New Testament he appears to Zacharias proclaiming the birth of John the Baptist, and then later to Mary, announcing the birth of Jesus (Lu 1:19, 26). Thus, again, I feel the conclusion of the seventieth week of Daniel will be preceded by the fall of Babylon the Great.

5. All this is crucial to understanding the seventy weeks as a prophetic period of time pertaining to Daniels people and the holy city.

(Continued below)

(Note: This is Chapter 13 of 21 from my book “The Eighth Beast” about America in Prophecy)

Daniel 9:27 – And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

This is the only “seven year” scriptural reference I know of that is foundationally used for the complete duration of the seven years tribulation with the perceived division being “in the midst of the week” when, according  to popular understanding of the doctrine, the antichrist does away with the animal sacrifices that were reinstated in a rebuilt temple.  There are however, many scriptural references to “seven years”  –

  1. There were the both the seven years which Jacob labored for Rachael and was given Leah instead, then the next seven years for which he indeed received  Rachael.
  2. The seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine with Joseph in Egypt.
  3. The seven years of famine under David and Samuel
  4. The seven years of famine with Elisha
  5. The seven years of burning weapons after the war with Gog and Magog  (which if there is a seven-year tribulation immediately before the return of Christ this war must needs be before it then)

There are also several three and half year periods in scriptures referred to as “time, times, and half of time” or 1260 days even 1290 days even 1335 days. It is astounding the extreme that men have labored to know and define these times for years when scripture clearly states in regards to some of them that these things are sealed until the end. I am personally persuaded that for anyone to assume that each of these times mentioned are referencing to the same time period would be as imprudent as to believe all the previously mentioned seven-year periods were the same, which a simple reading of them all would easily bring a ready dismissal of such nonsense.  Therefore one must take caution when asserting things from scriptures because they can quickly earn the title of “false” teacher or prophet.

Nonetheless, in regards to Daniels seventieth week, one can certainly prayerfully consider the text in search of understanding by the Holy Spirit’s illumination. Perhaps reaping the greatest reward of avoiding being carried away by the flood of false doctrines brought forth by both demons and ignorant men thinking themselves to be something they are not.

True understanding is given by commandment of God. It is never the product of clever men being able to calculate their way through hidden codes in scripture; Harold Camping’s date setting errors should be a sufficient warning to any aspiring date setter. But that doesn’t mean we cannot know the times in which we are living. For I am persuaded that Peter understood full well the duration of time left for fulfillment before the Lord’s return

Jesus affirmed that for those true disciples who would keep His words that to them it would be given to know the truth, and the truth would set them free. Those true disciples who are truly seeking to know Him and not just gain knowledge, that to them it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;  32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Mt 11:25 At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.

Mt 13:11 He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.  12 For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.

Mt 16:17 Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

1Co 2:10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.  11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit.  12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.  13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.  14 Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Heb 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

I must re-emphasize that it was a consequence of Daniel’s supplications that the angel Gabriel was sent forth at the beginning of when confessing his sins and the sins of Israel. This fact establishes an unbreakable connection between the “matter . . . and the vision” Gabriel was sent to help Daniel understand and his prayer for his people in captivity.

To help keep this seventieth week in proper context, let’s look again from the beginning of the chapter –

Dan 9:1 In the first year of Darius . . . of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans 2 . . . I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.

This is by far one of my favorite passages, for the reason that Daniel clearly states he “understood” that the duration of the Jewish Babylonian captivity was coming to an end “by the books” of Jeremiah the prophet. Some things are not hidden, and therefore they can both bless and establish accountability on all who read or hear it.

Jer 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.  12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.

 Jer 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform My good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.

Knowing the 70 years was about to conclude, Daniel therefore “set” his “face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes” God’s grace and mercy for the sins of Israel that they may find His favor to be restored. Oh, if only every believer in America so sought God’s face like Daniel did using every means of petitioning God’s mercies through “prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.” Have we truly forgotten Jesus’ words concerning “Blessed are they that mourn?”

But nowadays too many churches have taken the shame out of sin by presenting the amazing grace of God as something so cheap and conveniently affordable like a common commodity on the shelf of a nearby convenient store, leaving professors of Christ’s name to carelessly commit sin the way the government spends never worrying about the consequences because they have “grace.” What else can this be but the “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ?”

What is amazing is Daniel’s faith and how it is evident in his prayer to God . . .

Dan 9:10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. 11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed Thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey Thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him. 12 And He hath confirmed His words, which He spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy truth. 

There are two parts in Daniel’s prayer for God’s people to embrace. First, how he believed God proved the certainty of His words by judging Israel according to His law as written by Moses. Second, having witnessed the certainty of God’s word . . . Daniel turns to prayer to remind God of the purpose of His judgments,” that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy truth.”

Dan 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Daniel’s was a faith pleasing unto God and because it was true faith which came by means of a heart open to hearing the word of the Lord as he read Jeremiah’s writings. Humbled by God’s righteous judgments, Daniel sought further understanding of the future events concerning his people and their fate. Therefore God sent Gabriel to reveal unto Daniel the future events which would unfold . . .

Dan 9:20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

It is evident that the angel was there to give Daniel a clear understanding of this vision. Yes, there are other visions which were given to Daniel which when he sought understanding and was told, “Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” But that is not the case here. This time the angel is there to explain these specific things to Daniel, things specifically concerning the Jewish nation, Jerusalem, the temple and the Messiah. In verse 24, the angel clarifies what Daniel’s vision is all about . . . and the duration of time to be given to it.

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Again for convenience, here are the seven specific things the angel Gabriel is there to give Daniel “understanding” of the vision regarding –

  1. It was a period of time1 regarding his people and the holy city2
    1. Seventy weeks
    2. Jerusalem
  2. It was to “finish the transgression”
  3. It was to “make an end of sins”
  4. It was to “make reconciliation for iniquity”
  5. It was to “bring in everlasting righteousness”
  6. It was to “seal up the vision and the prophesy”
  7. It was to “to anoint the most Holy”

The first thing is the time element; “Seventy weeks are determined . . .” These “seventy weeks” represent a total duration of 490 years. The most difficult part of this vision deals with determining the exact time from which the time frame starts . . . and there are multiple views upon that point. I will submit my perspective a little later to you.

Daniel was praying in regards to when the 70 years of Babylonian captivity was to be finished when the angel comes to tell him about when another captivity will be over as well, the captivity of sin. Gabriel shows him “seventy weeks determined” relative to this captivity of sin, its solution and Redeemer, Messiah the Prince. These 70 weeks, representing a total of 490 years is said to begin with the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Apart from the fact that Daniel’s weeks represent a seven-year period is recognized by most commentators, biblical confirmation can be supported by God’s commandment to give the land a Sabbath every seventh year.

Lev 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a Sabbath unto the LORD. 3 Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; 4 But in the seventh year shall be a Sabbath of rest unto the land, a Sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. 8 And thou shalt number seven Sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.

The 490 years appears to be divided into three segments of time, two of which are mention there in verse 25. The first is a 7 week period representing a period of 49 years. During these 49 years “the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times” in Jerusalem. The second is a 62 week period representing a period of 454 years which concludes with the coming of “Messiah the Prince.” The total time here is 483 years.

Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

While it may be difficult for men to agree on when the commencement of these periods begin, “from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem,” the angel Gabriel tells specifically what event concludes at their end, “unto the Messiah the Prince.” This clearly means that the coming of the Messiah would be 483 years after the commandment was issued. Jesus gives us the best indication of the time’s conclusion –

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

If the time fulfilled wasn’t the time mentioned by Gabriel to Daniel, then students of the word are obligated to affix another prophetic time to Jesus words, of which no other do I know of. Consider also these other verses by the Apostle Paul –

Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.

There were students of God’s word at the time of Christ who, like Daniel, knew the meaning and purpose of these verses and were therefore in anticipation of their fulfillment during the days of Jesus birth.

Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, 31 Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people . . . 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Certainly the scriptural justification for these people to be looking for the redemption of Israel in their days was because they, just like Daniel who “understood by the books,” also understood the time in which they were privileged to live because of the book of Daniel and his vision concerning the 70 weeks. They knew the 484 years till the coming of Messiah was not far off and were eagerly looking for Him.

However, perhaps the greatest proof of Jesus’ ministry being the fulfillment of Daniel’s 69 weeks comes from His admonition of the people of Israel.

Lu 19:41 When he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it,  42 saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes.  43 For the days will come on you, when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side,  44 and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.

Now, in Daniel 9:24 there are six specific events mentioned which would be the consequences of the incarnation of our Lord –

  1. To finish (bring restraint to) the transgression. This was placed in effect by the preaching of the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, and pouring out of the Holy Ghost among men.
  2. To make an end of sins <chatta’ah>. This does not mean an end to sin itself, rather “to make an end of sin-offerings” This Jesus our Lord did when He offered his spotless soul and body on the cross once for all. The lawful offering of sacrifices unto God ended with the self-sacrifice of Jesus.

<chatta’ah>– an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender:–punishment (of sin), purifying (-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).

A few examples of where the same Hebrew word in 9:24 translated “sin” was translated “sin offering” (Translated such 199 times in O.T.) –

Ex 29:14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it [is] a sin offering <chatta’ah>.

Ex 29:36 And thou shalt offer every day a bullock [for] a sin offering <chatta’ah> for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

Ex 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering<chatta’ah> of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it [is] most holy unto the LORD.

Le 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering <chatta’ah>.

Le 4:8 And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering <chatta’ah>; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that [is] upon the inwards,

Le 4:20 And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering <chatta’ah>, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them. 21 And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it [is] a sin offering<chatta’ah> for the congregation. 24 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it [is] a sin offering <chatta’ah>25 And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering <chatta’ah> with his finger, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.29 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering <chatta’ah>, and slay the sin offering <chatta’ah> in the place of the burnt offering. 32 And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering <chatta’ah>, he shall bring it a female without blemish.

3. To make reconciliation, or “to make atonement” for iniquity; which Jesus did by the once offering up of Himself upon the cross. Therefore the sacrifices, or sin offerings <chatta’ah> had become totally unnecessary, and to offer them would be to “sacrifice Christ afresh.”

4. To bring in everlasting righteousness, that is, “the righteousness, or righteous ONE, of ages.” That person who had been the object of the faith of mankind, and the subject of the predictions of the prophets through all the ages of the world, beginning with the promise God made to Eve that she ultimately would bring forth “seed” that would avenge her and bruise the head of the serpent.

5. To seal up, or “finish or complete” the vision and prophecy. That is, to put an end to the necessity of any farther revelations, by completing the canon of Scriptures then given by Jesus fulfilling the prophecies which related to His person, sacrifice, and the glory that should follow.

6. And to anoint the Most Holy, which signifies the consecration or appointment of our blessed Lord, the Holy One of Israel, to be the Prophet, Priest, and King of mankind.

Again, Daniel’s seventy weeks, or 490 years, are divided into three distinct periods, to each of which particular events are assigned.

Seven weeks, that is, 49 years.
Sixty-two weeks, that is, 434 years
One week, that is, 7 years

The first seven weeks period was for the restoration and repairing of the wall and streets of Jerusalem, where we see Ezra and Nehemiah also employed in restoring both the sacred constitutions and civil establishments of the Jews. This work lasted forty-nine years after the commission was given by Artaxerxes.  Including the second period of 62 weeks brings us to 434 years, at the end of which the prophecy says “Messiah the Prince” would come. This conclusion of both these periods must take in the ministry of John the Baptist for Jesus our Lord says, “The law was until John.”

Mt 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Many feel this means “the prophets and the law” were only up until John, but not including John. However, the Greek word <heos> is the same word used in the genealogies of Mt 1:1,7 “So all the generations from Abraham to <heos> David are fourteen generations; and from David until <heos> the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto <heos> Christ are fourteen generations.” It is evident that the first period “from Abraham to <heos> David” is defined by the inclusion of David. Therefore it is not appropriate to exclude John the Baptist from “all the prophets and the law” which were to “prophesied until” <heos> the coming of our Lord . . . which begins the third period, or the seventieth week of Daniel. It is during this time that someone would “confirm the covenant with many for one week.”

It is this seventieth week of Daniel which has become known as “the great tribulation” or simply “The Tribulation.” Yet nowhere has the angel Gabriel mentioned any such thing taking place. However, Gabriel does mention an “overspreading of abomination” and the destruction of the temple.

Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

This is where “7 year tribulation” theology takes off with the antichrist interpretation, seeing the “prince” as the antichrist which “shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.” They say that he, the antichrist, will make a treaty with the Jews resulting in a peaceful solution to the Middle East crisis. Sometime during or before all this the Temple is expected to be rebuilt, which then depending on who you may asked, either the Jews or the antichrist then re-institutes animal sacrifices in the temple. (To address all that now would be too much of a side track.)

But, then according to come seven-year tribulation theology the antichrist will “in the midst of the week,” or after 3 ½ years, break his covenant with the Jews and “cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease” thus issuing in the later 3 ½ years and worst part of “The Seven Year Tribulation.”

However, as it should be clear to all reading, I am not fully persuaded that this interpretation is the truth. The “vision” of Daniel is about the Jewish people, Israel, Jerusalem and their Messiah, Jesus Christ; God manifested in the flesh.

My conviction is that this last seven-year period, or the “seventieth week of Daniel,” that this is the period of time in which God tabernacles with man as Jesus Christ “confirm[s] the covenant with many.” However, I do believe this seventieth week is divided by a specific event –

“. . . and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease . . .”

What divides the 70th week is “the sacrifice and the oblation” are caused to cease. But how? By the antichrist breaking an alleged covenant with the Jews? Or by Jesus fulfilling God’s covenant to them?

Remember what was stated above? What the angel said would be accomplished within the 70 weeks? Six distinct things would be accomplished. Listed again below are numbers 2 and 3 previously mentioned above.

2. To make an end of sins. This does not mean an end to sin itself, rather “to make an end of sin-offerings” This Jesus our Lord did when He offered his spotless soul and body on the cross once for all. Therefore the lawful offering of sacrifices unto God ended with the self-sacrifice of Jesus.

3. To make reconciliation, or “to make atonement” for iniquity; which Jesus did by the once offering up of Himself upon the cross. Therefore sacrifices were totally unnecessary, and to offer one would be to “sacrifice Christ afresh.”

Therefore for the Jews to reject the true Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, and continue to offer animal sacrifices instead would be an abomination in the eyes of God. For them to continue to offer animal sacrifices would truly be an “overspreading of abominations.” Yet that is exactly what happened. They rejected Jesus Christ and continued in their now dead and empty rituals “crucifying Christ afresh.”

Heb 9:13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh:  14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Heb 10:4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.  5 Therefore when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering You didn’t desire, but You prepared a body for Me; 6 You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.  7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God.'”  8 Previously saying, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them” (those which are offered according to the law), 9 then He has said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first, that Ye may establish the second, 10 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, (see all Hebrews 9 & 10).

That which was once commanded by God to be done as holy prophetic action to proclaim that which was planned from the foundation of the world, the death and passion of our blessed Lord and Savior would then become a continual testimony of the Jews’ rejection of God’s provision for their reconciliation and these very sacrifices would then become an “overspreading of abominations” for which “He,” that is God, “shall make it [the Temple] desolate, even until the consummation [the end], and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

What does all that mean? Remember the words of Jesus?

Matt 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house [temple] is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

(For saving of time and space and avoid being “prohibitively long” here I would refer you to my “Matthew 24” post for the possible fulfillment of these words.)

However, if these things are possibly true, then there is more to Daniel 9:27 which is profitable to reason and address. Such as (1) what is the covenant Jesus was confirming? And (2) how did He confirm it? And if the seventieth week is for the “confirming the covenant” for the duration of 7 years was divided by His death, causing the ceasing of the sacrifices and oblations to be accepted by God, (3) then what about the remaining 3 ½ years?

Let me submit some possible answers to these questions for further prayerful consideration of you, the readers.

First, what is the covenant He/Jesus was confirming? What is the covenant that Jesus confirms to Israel and to the entire world? It is the promise of certainty to which righteous Job wrote the following –

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

The covenant is the promise of the resurrection. Not just Jesus’ resurrection, but ours as well. Jesus confirmed the truth of the resurrection to His disciples –

Matt 5: 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; 27 And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

John 6:39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 11: 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

John 14: 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in Me, and I in you.

Here are also some Old Testament verses which proclaimed the covenant / promise from which Jesus would have preached and confirmed by His resurrection

Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah 26:19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Eze 37:12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O My people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

Hosea 13: 14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from Mine eyes. 

Job 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. 13 O that Thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past, that Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands.

Psm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 
10 For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psm 17: 15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.

In light of all these scriptures from which Paul would have preached it is easy to see  is why he would have continued with the confirmation of the covenant while declaring the certainty of the Gospel.

Rom 6: 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.

 I Cor 6: 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by His own power.

I Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

I Cor 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.

II Cor 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

II Cor 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. 

Phil 3:10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

The Apostle John was not silent, for he too confirmed the certainty of God’s covenant –

I John 2: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

Now, exactly how did Jesus confirm the covenant/promise of a resurrection? He confirmed the covenant with His own bodily resurrection. He proved He had the power to not only raise Himself from the dead, but others as well . . .

Matt 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

John 20: 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.

Roman 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Now if Jesus confirmed the covenant with the Jews, both by His preaching and ultimately His bodily resurrection, just where are the remaining 3 ½ years of the 70th week???

I have come to believe that the final 3 ½ years will be fulfilled by the ministry of the two witness in Jerusalem ministering to the Jewish people the last days mentioned in Revelation chapter 11. These two witnesses will be again confirming the covenant of God to the descendants of Abraham testifying that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah the Prince. “And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them,” meaning that as the devil as stirred up wicked men throughout the history of humanity to murder the righteous, these two will killed and left unburied in an attempt to discredit the “myth” of Christianity.

Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

These two witnesses will know exactly who they are, and like Jesus they too will testify in their last days that they also will be martyred . . . but they too, like Jesus was, will be raised from the dead. This testimony will infuriate the Jewish people, but a remnant will listen and watch, for they will be pierced in their hearts and convicted by the Sword of Truth. These are the ones who will give glory unto God after the resurrection of the two witnesses.

Rev 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The only way any man can give glory unto God is to honor the Son as the Father . . .

John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them [the covenant]; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. 22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him.

This remnant giving glory unto the Son as their Redeemer will be the in-grafting back in of the Jews resulting in the fulfillment of the Vision of Daniel ushering the resurrection of the dead.

Ro 11:15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

Lu 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Lastly, one more reason why I believe that Daniel 9:27 “in the midst of the week” is referring to Jesus causing “the sacrifice and oblations to cease” is because Jesus also died in the midst/middle of the week, on a Wednesday. For clarification of that please see my Trip to the Tomb thread.

(excerpt from post)

. . . in Mark’s account we see that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where and how the body of Jesus was buried (Mark 5:47). Then, “when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome” purchased sweet spices that when they came to the tomb they might anoint the body of Jesus for a proper burial because His body was prepared and buried in haste “before” sunset prior to a High Sabbath. This is a point that most fail to discern, that the week of Jesus’ crucifixion there were actually two Sabbaths. This “Sabbath” mentioned by Mark is not the seventh day weekly Sabbath, or Saturday, mention earlier in Matthew’s account. This “Sabbath” was day one of seven consecutive days of observance of the Feast of the Unleaven Bread, a “high holy day” and was therefore observed as a Sabbath since no servile work was to be done, see John 19:31.

. . . that Passover was on a Wednesday, which would have (regardless of our assumption) been the fourteenth day of the first month, (Lev 23:2). Then the Fifteenth day would have been Thursday, day one the Feast of the Unleaven Bread, declared by God to be a holy convocation and a High Sabbath. Therefore after the fifteenth day “was past” Friday came, they went out and “bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him” (Mark 16:1) and then, “prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the [fourth] commandment,” (Luke 23:56).

Summary

If these things have plausible credibility, then the whole seven-year tribulation message that has been taught and widely promoted by such fables as the “Left Behind” series, then we as believers have need to been diligent in our seeking to rightly discern the times and the seasons in which we are living and to pray that we may be found worthy to escape the wrath to come have posted before all the New Testament verses on tribulation in my post But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you . . .

Therefore we should give earnest heed to the words of our Savior and His apostle –

Lu 21:34 “So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. 35 For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth. 36 Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

2Th 1:5 This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.  6 Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,  7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted ~!-++giving vengeance to those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,  9 who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,  10 when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day.  11 To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power; 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Continued below)

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Though the book has been available in Kindle format for over 2 years,

it is now availble in paperback.

This book is extensive and examines many aspects of modern endime theologies in light of both scripture and history. Due to the severity of the times and the endless volumes of end-times theologies being preached, for decades I have patiently sought the Lord that I might understand certain passages concerning prophetic end time events and the key players mentioned therein. My earnest desire as a husband and father is to obey the exhortation to “prove all things” that I might faithfully lead my family in the things of God appropriately and “hold fast to that which is good” and sound doctrine.

To start, I would like to prepare some by stating that the conclusions of my studies will be found to be very different from predominant beliefs held by many who have unquestioningly embraced the view point of the admittedly fictional “Left Behind” series which became very popular, even among non-Christians. It was amazing, even making news headlines while the public impatiently waited for the next release, eager to ingest each of the “16 best-selling” fictional Christian novels written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Sadly, that fact alone affirms what the Apostle Paul wrote under the unction of the Holy Spirit, that in the latter times men would not be able to endure sound doctrine. But instead they would willingly swallow mere fables or the fictional stories of men as if they were the truth of God.

II Timothy 4:3 – For 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; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Many of these popular Christian “fables” will ultimately be found to have served as deceitful milestones in the religious journey of many so-called believers; as they subtly validate false doctrines of devils designed to hinder true faith. It never ceases to amaze me how easily people can be steered away from the truth, spiritual reality and saving faith, and be lured into trusting what is presented to them in fiction, simply because they are told it is “based upon the Bible.”

Mark Twain’s once said, “It is easier to fool someone than it is to convince them they have been fooled.” This has been proven over and over again, that the greatest hindrance to people accepting the truth is an already established belief or presupposition that prejudices them against it before completely hearing the matter. I therefore encourage everyone interest in reading The Eighth Beast to place their beliefs upon the altar of God were they will be safe, that you might be able to continue with sincere and prayerful humility and remain open to consider the things yet to be presented. For in it you might find some thoughts that are different from what you’ve always believed or heard from your parents or pastor. Each of us are obligated to prove all things, for Truth must be proven with a thorough examination and cross-examination of scripture. Just because some of our beliefs may align with certain passages doesn’t mean they necessarily agree with the whole of them.

For that reason, it is my intention is set forth for your examination those biblical and historical points that have brought me to my present persuasion. Let it be here duly noted that I fully expect many readers will be shaken both theologically and emotionally by my positions, which in some points are sharply different from what is being widely preached and accepted. Some readers will dismissively abandon this book; others will recognize that a shaking of their theology is healthy, for what stands will be proven to rest on a solid foundation. For much of what is being embraced nowadays by many non-Catholics professing to be followers of Jesus Christ has in fact only become fashionable to believe within the last hundred or so years. Those willing to invest minimal research will discover that this theology now being widely accepted by believers is in discord with what was understood, believed and therefore taught by many scholarly protestant believers just a hundred years ago.

That is why we must prove all things the best we can, for God rewards the diligent seeker and not those who lazily trust in other men’s labor to get by. Those who study to show themselves approved by rightly dividing (and applying) the Word of God will not just learn theology and memorized its proposed scriptural support, rather with diligent, prayerful study of God’s word, will be rewarded with an understanding that often excel their teachers.

Psalm 119:98 – Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts.

Now do not think that I consider my position on all points to be completely unshakable, for certainly many of you may very well find them to be nothing more than a square three-legged table, if that. However, by reading The Eighth Beast, if you discover some of these points do in fact have a measure of credibility, then regardless what you have always believed or been taught by whoever, scripture would obligate you to re-examine and prove all things; that you may hold fast to that which may yet be waiting to be found by you and confirmed as sound and solid doctrine. So once again, I encourage a thorough reading of all scripture provided, and even taking further pursuit of them in their full context in your own bibles.

As an added note, when scriptures are given only as references in books, most people rarely take the time to look them up. Sure, when a point being asserted crosses ones long-held opinion, some references might actually get checked out. But sometimes when beliefs are so ingrained, it is too easy to automatically judge the other’s perspective to be wrong without ever bothering to examine the foundation of scripture provided whereupon the author’s statement is being asserted. Others are either so confident or indifferent, they simply dismissively quit reading the article and casually move on to the next, or without any examination simply toss a book aside deeming it unworthy of their time. How far remove many believers are today from that noble Berean spirit that once searched the scriptures to see if the things being stated were true, (Acts 17:10, 11).

But those who do authenticate other writers’ words with the scriptures referenced are well aware of the increased work and additional time that must be spent to responsibly prove the author’s message. Therefore, it is my practice to include all scripture referenced in my writing; except for the one above placed there to make my point.

The labor of any Christian author should be like the labor of one who strings pearls to make a necklace to grace the neck of the one who chooses to wear it. However, what I have written here can hardly be considered worthy to be the string whereby such priceless oracles are to be joined, seeing they were given to holy men of God. Men, who like the oyster, were often required to endure severe trials before the grace of God brought forth those glorious pearls of truth for the benefit of those who would receive them. Nevertheless, I assure you that this book is a labor of love and obedience to my Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 3:19 – The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens. 20 By His knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

Therefore, it is my earnest recommendation that the reader make a commitment now before the Lord to read through all the verses in their entirety. After all, these pearls are His words and their inclusions are here for your benefit, so please take advantage of them.

For funsies…

Here’s a couple of very old and interesting pictures from National Geographic.

Be sure to read their captions…

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Stay blessable, onfire, and unburnable!

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This is the third and final edition.

It is asserted by those who embrace the doctrine of a seven year tribulation period that its primary scriptural foundation comes from Daniel chapter 9. In this chapter the angel Gabriel tells Daniel that “At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.” Gabriel then continues by telling Daniel that “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city.”

We must remember that Gabriel was sent forth at the beginning of Daniel’s supplications when he was confessing his own sins and the sins of Israel. Therefore the “matter . . . and the vision” which Gabriel was sent to help Daniel understand was connected to his prayer for Israel in captivity. In all, there were seven specific things Gabriel prefaces to the “understanding” of the vision with –

  1. It was a period of time(a) regarding Daniel’s people and the holy city(b)
    1. Seventy weeks
    2. Jerusalem
  2. It was to “finish the transgression”
  3. It was to “make an end of sins”
  4. It was to “make reconciliation for iniquity”
  5. It was to “bring in everlasting righteousness”
  6. It was to “seal up the vision and the prophesy”
  7. It was to “to anoint the most Holy”

The Angel Gabriel continues explaining to Daniel that the seventy weeks are going to be divided into three specific time periods, whereby each will serve specific prophetic purposes with outlining events and definite conclusions –

  1. Seven weeks                    7
  2. Plus sixty two weeks           7 + 62 = 69 weeks total
  3. Plus the last week              1 + 69 = 70 weeks total

Let’s quickly review these verses to give us a fresh recall of them before we continue-

Daniel 9:20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

It is that last week in verse 27, commonly referred to as Daniel’s seventieth week that has become accepted and known as the Seven Year Tribulation and linked to this verse in Daniel. Originally I had intended starting this post by listing the particulars of this seventy weeks revelation from the angel.

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Three times in Revelation it is stressed how the nations of the world have become guilty before God for having become drunken by indulging in the wine of the harlot’s fornication.

Revelation 14:6 – And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that Great City, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Revelation 17:1 – And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Revelation 18:1 – And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

In the first verse, Revelation 14:8, it states Babylon “made [potizo] all nations drink [potizo] of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” A quick reading of that would almost make it sound as if Babylon was forcing the other nations to drink this wine. However, when examining the Greek word, it doesn’t support the idea of a forced consumption, but simply that of offering or making available. The word “potizo” by the Strong’s Greek Interlinear, simply means to furnish drink or to irrigate. It is further illustrated with “give (make) to drink, feed, water.” The implication of “give make to drink” is in the sense of irrigation, so as to “make” it possible for the land to drink the water. “Potizo” is from a derivative of “pino” which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses and means to imbibe, swallow, guzzle, gulp, and absorb (literally or figuratively): or simply “drink.”

Having done a study on the Greek word “potizo,” I found that it is used twenty-three times in only fifteen verses in the New Testament and has been translated the following ways:

2 times: give/gave…drink
6 times: give/gave
7 times: drink
1 time:   watering (an animal)
3 times: watereth (a crop)
1 time: fed (milk)
1 time: have been
1 time: made to drink
1 time: made

In none of those verses has the idea been implied “to force” intoxicating drink upon anyone. As a matter of fact, potizo’s very first usage in scripture recorded in Matthew’s Gospel was by Jesus.

Matthew 10:42 – And whosoever shall give to drink [potizo] unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

The verse where it was translated “fed”-

I Corinthians 3:2 – I have fed [potizo] you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

The verse where it was translated “watereth” –

I Corinthians 3:6 – I have planted, Apollos watered [potizo] but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth [potizo] but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth [potizo] are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

The verse where it was translated “have been” and “made to drink” is also in I Corinthians.

I Corinthians 12:13 – For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been [potizo] all made to drink [potizo] into one Spirit.

Again, in none of the verses above or any of the verses can the notion of forcing drink upon anyone or thing be justified. The idea is simply that of offering, making available, or supplying by means of irrigation.

Therefore, when it says in Revelation 14:8 that “Babylon is fallen… because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,” it is because she was “providing or irrigating” the nations, “watering” them as it were with the “wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Babylon wasn’t forcing the nations to drink, rather the fruit [outcome] of her fornication [sins] was causing the wine [temptations] thereof to spillover to all the other nations, who freely received and drank of them. For that reason, they too are deserving of the wrath that God will pour out in His indignation upon Babylon.

This accusation in Revelation, that all the nations became drunk because of the wine of Babylon, actually goes back to a prophecy in Isaiah.

Jeremiah 51:7 – Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Once “a golden cup in the LORD’s hand,” Babylon was used by God to chastise Israel for her sins in order to bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness in her. God even gave unto Babylon one of His greatest prophets to help guide it by allowing Daniel to go into captivity. For Daniel’s righteous presence served as an effectual light in Babylon, as God used Daniel repeatedly to warn Nebuchadnezzar of things to come, and even to address the king’s pride; something that would have cost any other man his life.

However, after many years Nebuchadnezzar grew older and his son Belshazzar ascended to the throne. It did not take long before Daniel’s proven importance became overlooked and neglected. That is till one night in drunken arrogance, Belshazzar “brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.” The boldness of his sin made it evident that Belshazzar had not only abandoned the wisdom of his father mentioned just a few verses earlier; he trampled it underfoot by celebrating his own egotism to the thorough frustration of God’s longsuffering and patience.

Even though Babylon had once been “a golden cup in the LORD’S hand,” when Belshazzar its king so grievously sinned by treating what was holy as profane, he foolishly poured out any residue of God’s mercy and filled up his own cup with the wine of the wrath of his fornication to worthless idols of other gods.

Daniel 5:1 – Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

Thus when the fullness of time that God foretold through Jeremiah had concluded and His grace towards Babylon now frustrated, God was going to force Babylon to drink the cup of His fury for their sins of arrogance and their forgetting His words given them through the Prophet Daniel.

Jeremiah 25:12 – And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations. 13 And I will bring upon that land all My words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations. 14 For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands. 15 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto Me; Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. 16 And THEY SHALL DRINK, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.

 As it was with the fall of Babylon, that “great city” and capital of the Chaldeans, so shall it be with the fall of The Eight Beast and Mystery, Babylon the Great. For their leaders have given way to drunken arrogance and have completely abandon both the wisdom and the fear of God of their founding fathers; trampling it underfoot while celebrating their egoistic narcissism to the absolute frustration of God’s longsuffering and patience. For today in America, whatever was once considered holy is now treated with disdain as profane.

For America was once a nation of which it could be said stood as a light for the whole world, boasting on its currency that was once valued above all others that “In God We Trust.” The Ten Commandments once being boldly displayed in public buildings; engraved on walls and monuments of stone to constantly remind us of both their eternal immutability and the stability they gave to all who acknowledged them. Likewise, pledges of loyalty to uphold the integrity of the nation’s many offices of government were once publicly affirmed with true reverence on the foundation upon which she was built; as a nation recognizing the responsibilities of men to their Creator. A concept that was later summarized as “One nation, under God” and added to the Pledge of Allegiance  in a response to the threat of godless communism in 1954.

But now, just as it says concerning Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, who holds a “golden cup in her hand, full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication,” so too America been providing this same maddening wine and irrigating all the nations with/by the excess of her iniquities. That’s because too many Americans, be they government leaders or just common citizens, have carelessly forgotten what was committed to their charge. Therefore, they are either spiritually dead or dying, being lukewarm in their faith and love for God and therefore derelict in their obligations… all the while quoting how they’re still “saved by grace.” Therefore, America’s churches will be held accountable for having received God’s grace in vain, and for yielding to those who have now successfully changed the godly’s “Freedom of Religion” into the wicked’s freedom from religion. Having risen to power, these apostates will now tirelessly wage war to purge all traces of God and His word from the public eye.

Sadly, the most popular “churches” in America are now acually the perpetuating source of her curses instead of the procurers of her blessings. Huge mega-churches, mere religious-corporations, are growing like malignant tumors all across America; literally racking in the money while they instruct their congregants how to be happy by living their new “Purpose Driven” lives in dedicated service to the church and community.

What happened to real men of God living holy lives and teaching others the fear of the Lord, and how to love God and effectually apply His word to the glory of God? Or instructing people how to pray and wait on the Lord; so as to hear His voice and be led and empowered by His Holy Spirit?

But no, instead it is the blind are leading the blind as these so-called “Christian leaders” are making their fortunes promoting their own concocted self-help methods to “Become a Better You,” and promising those eagerly waiting in line to buy their next book that they too can have “Your Best Life Now.”

If the likes of Joel Osteen is openly being called “America’s Pastor,” how can they or their followers avoid the ditch that is set before them? Have they not read what Jesus said to such leaders whose eyes are no longer on His Kingdom, but their own? Probably not, for they are forsaking His righteousness for the riches and popularity of this world…

Matthew 15:14 – Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Matthew 23:13 – But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

We’re here at the edge of the ditch folks. The judgment of America will doubtless begin (if it hasn’t already) with a judgment getting ready to be poured out upon the churches; for judgment must begin in the house of the Lord. As accountable stewards, they have not been faithful; as watchmen, they have not warned the people there was an enemy creeping in among them unaware. Christians really do need to wake up and face the facts: it is because the churches have fallen that America has fallen. They have compromised and settled for institutionalism over intimacy with God; programs instead of walking by the Spirit. They have become worthless salt, good for nothing; not even fit to throw upon a heap of manure.

Matthew 5:13 – Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Luke 14:34 – Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

God will reward ALL these vain so-called “believers” with a “greater damnation” who “knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will.” Therefore, they are no longer “fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill.” Such is why judgment will be rewarded unto her in double portion.

Revelation 18:6 – Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow [or wars on my land].

The godly standard has been removed, therefore Americans today can’t see how far removed they are from the original pilgrim settlers’ Puritan work ethic, morality and desire to sincerely promote and live by the gospel before a lost and dying world. Just how deep America has fallen into iniquity is probably best attested to by what is now asserted to be her largest two exports, both being trash. One of these exports is America’s literal refuse and recyclable debris, and the other is our moral garbage, i.e. pornography whereby America’s sins have overflowed her borders and have caused the “kings of the earth [to] have committed fornication with her.” Now they too will drink of the wrath of God; though America will have “the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.”

Here’s a few other translations of Revelation 18:3 that I found to be “revealing.”

…because all the nations have drunk of the wine of the fury of her fornication; and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have been enriched through the might of her luxury. (Darby’s Translation)

For all nations, having drunk the wine of the frenzy of her fornication, are fallen; And the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, And the merchants of the earth have grown rich by the power of her wantonness.” (Montgomery’s New Testament)

…for she has caused all the nations to drink of the wine of her raging whoredom; and the kings of the earth have committed whoredom with her, and the merchants of the earth have been enriched by the abundance of her luxuries. (Living Oracles New Testament)

For, after drinking the maddening wine of her licentiousness, all the nations have fallen; while all the kings of the earth have had licentious intercourse with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich through the excess of her luxury. (Twentieth Century New Testament)

Sadly, America has so deteriorated it has become the habitation of embezzlers and purloiners with people on both sides, employees and employers, greedily trying to take advantage of each other.  Most people now feel they deserved to be paid simply because they have to wake up and go to work and cannot go off wherever and just do whatever they want whenever they want… and now here we sit buried under trillions and trillions of dollars in debt. And what do the leaders do? They’re still borrowing and spending with no end in sight. In America they have forgotten God’s law of the harvest, that if a man will not labor, plow and plant his seeds, he simply will not have a field from which to reap a harvest.

Jeremiah 5:25 – Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. 26 For among My people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. 28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. 29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? 30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

 Forgive me if I sound like I’m just ranting… but oh how I truly do agonize over these things and wish they were not so…

City of Destruction

One of my all time favorite books is Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan, so I am starting this post with a short excerpt from the beginning of the first chapter –

“As I walk’d through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a Den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a Dream. I dreamed, and behold I saw a Man cloathed with Rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a Book in his hand, and a great Burden upon his back. I looked, and saw him open the Book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry, saying What shall I do?

“ In this plight therefore he went home, and refrained himself as long as he could, that his Wife and Children should not perceive his distress, but he could not be silent long, because that his trouble increased: Wherefore at length he brake his mind to his Wife and Children; and thus he began to talk to them: O my dear Wife, said he, and you the Children of my bowels, I your dear friend, am in myself undone by reason of a Burden that lieth hard upon me; moreover, I am for certain informed that this our City will be burned with fire from Heaven; in which fearful overthrow, both myself, with thee my Wife, and you my sweet Babes, shall miserably come to ruin, except (the which yet I see not) some way of escape can be found, whereby we may be delivered.

“At this his Relations were sore amazed; not for that they believed that what he had said to them was true, but because they thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head; therefore, it drawing towards night, and they hoping that sleep might settle his brains, with all haste they got him to bed: But the night was as troublesome to him as the day; wherefore, instead of sleeping, he spent it in sighs and tears. So, when the morning was come, they would know how he did; He told them Worse and worse: he also set to talking to them again, but they began to be hardened: they also thought to drive away his distemper by harsh and surly carriages to him; sometimes they would deride, sometimes they would chide, and sometimes they would quite neglect him.

“ Wherefore he began to retire himself to his chamber, to pray for and pity them, and also to condole his own misery; he would also walk solitarily in the fields, sometimes reading, and sometimes praying: and thus for some days he spent his time. Now, I saw upon a time, when he was walking in the fields, that he was, as he was wont, reading in his Book, and greatly distressed in his mind; and as he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, What shall I do to be saved?

“ I saw also that he looked this way and that way, as if he would run; yet he stood still, because, as I perceived, he could not tell which way to go…”

I believe the only wise way to “go” in order to flee the City of Destruction my friends is to “Come out of her My people.” Now please rest assured that I know John Bunyan was speaking about leaving the world and sin and seeking first the Kingdom of God. I love the book and I have read it joyfully and with tears many times. But in scripture, sometimes things we read are not just parables and proverbs for teaching us principles. Sometimes they are actual instructions revealing the will of God for His people their need to flee the wrath to come.

It is easy to find “believers” who readily acknowledge that the call to “come out from among her My people” applies to one’s spiritual life to live as it were separate from the world; I mean it’s a whole lot easier to find those who admit that than do it. But I am persuaded time is running out and it is rapidly becoming necessary (for all those who can) to wake up and literally comply with this call of God to physically, geographically, separate themselves from wherever He is getting ready to pour out His judgment and wrath, and right now it looks like it is America. (more…)

destruction

Why is it we don’t hear anyone crying out about this entity called “the eighth” that scripture tells us is headed for perdition?

Why are preacher’s so silent regarding it?

How is it they miss it when the angel clearly tells John that Revelation chapters 13-18 is all about the rise of “the eighth” and final empire in the last days that will go into destruction?

Revelation 17:9 – And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

So why don’t preachers talk about this? Why aren’t they searching this out and teaching their people these things? Especially if the angel clearly connects the willful ignorance and consequent confusion of those who fail to understand these things with those who names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life?

Revelation 13:8 – And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 17:8 – The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Have you ever considered these things?

Do you know where you stand before the Lord when it comes to all this?

Does it matter to you if you understand these things or not in light of the two verses above?

Because the angel makes it very clear that the seven heads on the beast are there as prophetic imagery to stir up your mind and heart so that you would seek divine wisdom. For these clues are given so that the diligent seeker might have a starting point from which to search out understanding of the significance of the rise and fall of these empires; some of which are recorded in scripture both historically and prophetically specifically for our benefit today; all them having a direct correlation to the nation of Israel.

Are you one of those who is diligently seeking?

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

I am desperately trying to stir up as many people as I can, because the seduction of false religion has crept into the church and is everywhere today. Sadly, it is lulling so-called “believers” into a deep sleep of procrastination causing them to believe it’s really no big deal and doesn’t matter one way or the other whether they understand these things or not.

II Peter 2:1 – But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Jude 1:4 – For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yet that is precisely how this Jezebellian spirit seduced the other empires represented by the seven heads of the beast, through their false religious systems that were full of empty promises and lies. All of which was the angel reveals was stemming from this Mother of Harlots that has “sat” upon all them throughout the ages. This can be clearly witnessed in scripture. (more…)

I believe this is even more timely today than it was back in 2012

I am truly interested in everyone sharing their thoughts...

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The Lord amazing worked things out to slip me into My People Pray 2012 event as the final speaker. It was truly a God thing, as it was arranged without my knowledge and simply needed my approval afterwards.

I was led about a month ago to go to the seat of America and to pray for our country and therefore sought out any possible prayer events in Washington DC, and there scheduled was My People Pray 2012.

As time drew closer I had some brothers in the Lord who wanted to go as well, and the day before we leave one contacted the organizers to see if he could volunteer to assist in anyway. The moderator called him when she heard we were coming from Florida and during the conversation mentioned that 15 of the 16 slots for topical prayer were filled, but the final spot concerning the coming of the Kingdom had not. My brother then suggested that they consider me.

Before leaving for Washington DC, as I was taking care of last minute business, my friend calls me to tell me that everything’s taking care of and that I was going to be closing speaker and began to explain to me what took place. Immediately I stated that I wasn’t sure about it and that I simply felt a need to go and pray for the America, that I wasn’t prepared for such. But after a few moments of prayer I felt as if the Lord admonished me, “Did not I put this on your heart? Do not I direct your steps?” So in obedience to the Lord I went in . . .

Revelation 18:4 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Christians are called to be a distinct people, who though living in the world are still separate from it, not succumbing to its various social norms and economic ambitions. Furthermore, Christians are supposed to be spiritually alive and discerning and thus withdrawn from the vain and dead “camp” of religiosity; be it antinomian or legalistic in nature. Still, even apart from all the other religious systems in the world, the Christian pendulum of faith will often be found ignoring the holy plumbline of God’s righteousness and swinging to the extremes of warring dogmas. On one side some are defiantly holding to an effortless believism of mere mental assent to justification, while the other extreme demands a strict adherence to distorted biblical regulations compounded by embellished definitions of self-denial and legalism.

That’s the problem with “-ism’s,” regardless to which side of center the pendulum swings, they all ignore the “legality” of the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus that sets men free from the law of sin and death. God’s law has never been and never will be against faith, for even faith has a legal side to it or else there could be no “law of faith.” (more…)

After my first message, I was asked back to speak again in more depth on America in scripture at Covenant Love Fellowship . May the following message both bless and awaken you.

Live for the King!!

I am admittedly late with this post as I felt the Lord impressed this upon me as everything was happening with Kim Davis, the county clerk of Rowan County, Kentucky who was jailed for contempt of court by U.S. District Judge David Bunning for defying his order for her to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. How much more does all this need to said now that the Appeals Court has rejected her lawyers request for an appeal today, Thursday, September 17th which just so happens to be Constitution Day?

What few people seem to grasp, the judge included, is that licenses are regulated by legislation that specifically defines the parameters whereby a license can be obtained. While that is not the heart of this post, let’s just ever so briefly address it for those who still might not be getting the real point here with legal licensing issuance. To make the concept perhaps easier for people let’s look at other licenses that are required by law, legislated law, for certain privileges enjoyed in the sovereign states of the good ole’ USA.

Since almost everyone aspires to have and maintain a driver’s license, let’s first look at that license. There are many regulations that control the issuing of them, from age requirement, driving ability and both knowledge and compliance with the law. We all know if the certain laws are broken then one’s drivers license can be revoked. What we see here is that drivers licenses are considered “a privilege” and in order to secure one a person must be able to satisfy multiple requirements that are spelt out in the regulatory laws governing their issuance.

Next consider briefly the issuance of business and professional licenses. Now we all know that there are very few professions nowadays that are not regulated by stringent government requirements if one is to legally run a business or be licensed as a professional, be it a lawyer, doctor, plumber, building contractor, etc., etc. So no one legally can just put up a sign out front and just start doing business as a professional unless they have proven they met the legal requirements that were legislated to protect the public.

Now with that brief backdrop, a marriage license (which isn’t mentioned  in scripture as it intrudes into institutions of established and ultimately regulated by God) in Kentucky is still primarily regulated by the simple legislated stipulation that it is for the marriage between one man and one woman. If those seeking a marriage license fall into any other combination of gender then there currently doesn’t exist a legal foundation on which a Kentucky marriage license could lawfully be issued to them; meaning all  such issued marriage licenses lack the authority of the law behind them. Just because people are forced to dispense them doesn’t make them legal anymore than saying over and over again that the SCOTUS made it a federal law makes that fallacy a reality.

Now to the point, scripture states that “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” That verse right there is perhaps the greatest foundation for truly gaining understanding as to why God allowed what happened to Kim Davis, a fairly young yet firm believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. For God allowed her to be put nationally into the public eye while a variety of governing and political powers began to publicly issuing condemnations against her on the foundation that an elected government official is required to both keep and enforce the laws that exist under their jurisdiction whether they agree with them or not.

However, though grossly misrepresented as a law-breaker, Kim Davis was in truth doing exactly the exact opposite of what they accused her of. Which now brings the following passage of scripture into play concerning their stance before the Judge of the whole earth.

Matthew 7:1 – Judge not, that you may not be judged. 2 For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again.

For it is evident to most of us that many of Kim’s accusers themselves have histories of their own willful negligence to enforce clear legislated laws under their personal jurisdiction and/or abusively enforcing them well outside their legal parameters for the promotion of their own political agendas. Do you think all this isn’t significant? Be not deceived. Consider Peter’s admonition below –

1 Peter 3:14 – But if you also suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear, nor be troubled, 15 but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that while they speak against you as evildoers they may be ashamed, those falsely accusing your good behavior in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God wills it, to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.

Peter wrote “that while they speak against you as evildoers they may be ashamed, those falsely accusing your good behavior in Christ,” and that Greek word translated “ashamed” is the same word that was used in confounded God choosing “the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” For when the righteous are so persecuted, then let the wicked understand that Jesus stated, “inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of these My brothers, you did it unto Me.”

Do you think God will show mercy on those who falsely condemned the righteous so blatantly and refused to measure out mercy? May your answer be correctly founded upon the words of Jesus Christ.

Luke 6:32 – For if you love those who love you, what thanks do you have? For sinners also love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do you have? For sinners also do the same. 34 And if you lend to those of whom you hope to receive, what thanks do you have? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. And your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. 38 Give, and it shall be given to you, good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over, they shall give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured to you again.

Be not deceived, for God has used righteous His servant Kim Davis in such a way so as to permit the wicked rulers of America to openly condemn their own selves and actions before a whole world that is watching and witnessing boldface hypocrisy. Though the righteous see it, none of the wicked lay it to heart. Be assured, this was all a God-sent prelude to their judgment to justify their own destruction that is not far off. For those who know American revival history will recall how Jonathan Edwards sermon that invoked the Great Awakening was founded upon the scripture below. Shall it not also be the one that brings her final judgment upon her?

Deuteronomy 32:35 – To Me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

I am afraid that too few realize that what God allowed to happen to His servant Kim Davis is a sure sign that we are drawing nigh to that “due time” for America and her “calamity is at hand.”

“That the Reason why they are not fallen already,
and don’t fall now, is only that God’s appointed
Time is not come. For it is said, that when
that due Time, or appointed Time comes, their
Foot shall slide. Then they shall be left to fall as
they are inclined by their own Weight. God won’t
hold them up in these slippery Places any longer,
but will let them go; and then, at that very Instant,
they shall fall into Destruction; as he that stands in
such slippery declining Ground on the Edge of a
Pit that he can’t stand alone, when he is let go he
immediately falls and is lost.”

From the sermon “Sinners in hands of an angry God” delivered to America by God through His faithful servant Jonathan Edwards

Please  take the time to also read Chapter 18, “Is America Missing in Prophecy” from my book The Eighth Beast also available on Kindle

Those who have followed my blog for any length of time know that I believe that America is the prophetic “eight that goeth into perdition.” But for those who are here for the first time please let me briefly address a few points before we get in where New York City’s destruction is foretold in scripture as “the city of the nations fell.” This very post was ran back on July 4th under the heading “Will New York City be nuked this Fourth of July?” That was after Rep. Peter King, member of the Homeland Security Committee told Megyn Kelly that New York City officials are concerned about a dirty bomb attack on the 4th of July.

Revelation –  17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.  10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.  11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

It amazes me that I never hear anyone anywhere talking about the above passage in regards to the Beast of Revelations chapter 13, let alone connecting it to America. Yet when the angel says to John, “Here is the mind which hath wisdom…” you would think more people wanting wisdom and understanding of who the beast is would jump on this verse to find out what it all means. Yet the only people who seem to look at the verse and discuss it are people who think it all applies to the Catholic Church and that it deals with a succession of popes a long time ago.

While I don’t have time to get into The Eighth Beast and America again now, I do want touch on Washington D.C. and New York City real quick here in this post after hearing the alert. But first let me present a quick outline for those who want to look into this further on their own before we get into the heart of the matter.

Revelation chapters 13-18 are about the rise and fall of this eighth empire which can also be identified by its direct correlation with the nation of Israel. In chapter 13 the seven-headed beast rises up out of the sea which represents multitudes, nation and languages and tongues, meaning it is a nation of multiple ethnic backgrounds and cultures, a land of immigrants.

The eighth beast rises to its height of power the same time the preceding global superpower, England, is waning and declining from its zenith prior to the rebirth of Israel. All this happens because there was a war where one of the heads of the beast received a deadly blow but was able to recover and the second beast of Revelation 13 called down fire from heaven in the sight of the men and the consensus of the whole world was “Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

For the sake of brevity I am simply going to state for now that I believe there is strong scriptural and historical evidence the event of “fire from heaven in the sight of the men” was the world’s introduction to nuclear warfare as President Truman ordered the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which brought an end to the WW2, at which time the British Empire was fading and Israel was about to be born again as a nation. For more information please review The Eighth Beast or America.

Let me be forthcoming in stating that I believe the position of the President Of The United States is that second beast which scripture states had “two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon” and “exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” For while the succession of POTUS’s have tried to maintain the image of (a lamb) being for peace, history reveals they have actually been promoting the agenda of the dragon and constantly given to meddling in other sovereign nations and promoting self-serving wars. (more…)

Revelation 18:4 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Christians are called to be a distinct people, who though living in the world are still separate from it, not succumbing to its various social norms and economic ambitions. Furthermore, Christians are supposed to be spiritually alive and discerning and thus withdrawn from the vain and dead “camp” of religiosity; be it antinomian or legalistic in nature. Still, even apart from all the other religious systems in the world, the Christian pendulum of faith will often be found ignoring the holy plumbline of God’s righteousness and swinging to the extremes of warring dogmas. On one side some are defiantly holding to an effortless believism of mere mental assent to justification, while the other extreme demands a strict adherence to distorted biblical regulations compounded by embellished definitions of self-denial and legalism.

That’s the problem with “-ism’s,” regardless to which side of center the pendulum swings, they all ignore the “legality” of the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus that sets men free from the law of sin and death. God’s law has never been and never will be against faith, for even faith has a legal side to it or else there could be no “law of faith.”

Romans 3:27 – Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith… 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

And thus one’s faithfulness to obediently walk according to the leading of the Spirit of Truth will result in the righteousness of the law being fulfilled in them. For true faith always “works” by love.

John 14:15 – If ye love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; 17 Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. 21 He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him. 24 He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.

Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 2:5 – But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

Many believers readily admit that the call to “come out from among her My people” applies to one’s spiritual life. But I am persuaded it will soon become necessary (for all those who can) to literally comply with this call of God geographically, to physically separate ourselves from this country. For this warning in Revelation 18 to “come out” appears to be the last call for those hoping to escape those judgments that are ready to befall the Eight Beast as it falls headlong into perdition. A call that must be heeded just as literally as the first century church did when Jesus instructed them to “flee to the mountains.”

Luke 21:20 – And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

There are a lot of Christians in America who need to quit spiritualizing everything and come up with a sound scriptural reason as to why this call to “Come out of her, My people,” should not be taken just as literal as it was given in these following passages. For is this not the exact same word which was given by God admonishing the Israelites to flee Babylon because of the wrath that was about to be poured out upon her?

Jeremiah 51:6 – Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense.

Jeremiah 51:45 – My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.

Many believers are complacent because they have been taught that this is the rapture call of Christ’s coming to steal away His bride. However, I am persuaded it is intended to be taken just as it was by the saints in Jeremiah’s and Noah’s time; as a stern call to obedience by God for the righteous to prove their hearts and thus condemn the wicked for their disobedience.

Hebrew 11:7 – By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Similarly, the obedience of the godly to this admonishment to “come out from among them” may well prove to be the final witness of the Spirit against the wicked in America that they have gone too far. And now having been weighed in the balances, they have been found lacking as their judgment imminently hangs above them like a sword.

Revelation 13:10 – He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

 Prayerfully consider this “Come out of her, My people” in the light of Jesus’ words when He sent forth the seventy after giving them power to be witnesses that the Kingdom of God had in truth come unto man.

Luke 9:5 – And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Luke 10:10 – But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,  11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.  15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 16 He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.

Now compare the verses above with Paul’s actions towards the rebellious Jews in Macedonia.

Acts 18:5 – And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

This call to “come out” may very well be the greatest witness the Church of Jesus Christ in America can give to the unbelievers of the world into which they go. As the body of Christ once again exercises the same faith as Abraham, and leaves their natural country trusting God who has prepared for them an eternal City to provide for them here in their obedience. However, please understand there cannot be a survivalist motive or mentality in this coming out. No seeking to save our own lives, no trusting in the wisdom of man, or the strength of the flesh or confidence in silver and gold. Just simple obedience for the glory of His Name alone, for that is the nature of true faith. This call is to be a testimony of God’s righteousness and a witness against the wicked, similar to Noah’s faith in his days, of whom scriptures says he condemned the world to its destruction by his own obedience, or that of just Lot who left all his possessions obediently fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction.

You too may know sincere believers who are preparing for the hard times they know are coming to America, but with many it is out of fear and in the wisdom of their flesh. They are hording up silver and gold trusting in its earthly worth, stockpiling food, buying guns and ammo and are getting ready to fight in order to survive and to keep what is theirs. But what does any man have that is truly his? Or when did God ever deliver His people through filthy mammon or the arm of the flesh? HOWEVER, please do not take that as a blanketing statement dismissing any wise preparation that is done in true obedience to the Holy Spirit’s leading, rather as a warning to be careful of where your confidence is and to scrutinize the motives of your heart, for regardless of peace or war, whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Jeremiah 9:23 – Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. 25 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised.

Zephaniah 1:14 – The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hastes greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. 17 And I will bring distress upon men,that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

Even now judgment is sweeping our land, but for all this they will not hear and will not see.

Revelation 18:6 – Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Some will remember when President Bush Sr. began to use his position to openly promote the “New World Order” agenda to the citizens of America and the world. The key to his plan to bring peace to the Middle East was to begin with the division of the heritage of Abraham with Israel’s enemies.

Genesis 12:2 – And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed… 6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Genesis 17:7 – And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Psalm 105:7 – He is the LORD our God: His judgments are in all the earth. 8 He hath remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations. 9 Which covenant He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.

President Bush’s plans laid the foundation for now popular “peace initiative” that is rapidly filling up America’s cup of iniquity to the brim. Thus for decades God has been faithful to recompense America with judgments according to her works that she might see her sins and be humbled and repent. There are many, many examples of this that can be given, as God often faithfully correlates these judgments within a twenty-four hour period or less with the actions taken by America’s leaders against His holy land Israel. Though time and space prohibits cataloging every event and detail, the following is a short list I once prepared for a men’s prayer breakfast; mostly gleaned from William Koenig’s excellent book “Eye to Eye.” The following is only a minute drop in the bucket of the consequences of America’s recent leaders’ hardness of heart of rejecting God and deceitfully dealing with Israel while embracing their enemies.

  • On October 18, 1991 – the administration of Senior President Bush sends letter of invitation to each participant of the Middle East Peace Conference in Madrid, Spain to introduce the “Land for Peace” concept. Consequently, on October 20, 1991 the Oakland Hills Firestorm, the East Bay Hills Fire, and the Tunnel Fire erupt and ultimately killed 25 people and injured 150 others. At least 1,520 acres were destroyed including 3,354 single-family dwellings and 437 apartment/condominium units resulting in an economic loss estimated at $1.5 billion.
  • Through October 30 – November 2, 1991 – the Madrid Middle East Peace Conference transpires while the Perfect Storm, also known as the No-Name Storm develops and moves up along the east coast and into President Bush’s home in Kennebunkport Maine where the windows are blown out as 30 foot waves hurl 100 pound stones into his living room – Total damage estimated to be $208 million with 12 deaths. Worst storm in 100 years.
  • Between February 18-25, 1993 – having already been to Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon, U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher of the Clinton administration visits Israel in an attempt to reopen the Arab-Israeli negotiations. Consequently, on February 26, 1993 the World Trade Center bombing occurs with $750 million in damage.
  • On March 2, 1997 – having been granted an audience with President Clinton, PLO Chairman Arafat arrived in Washington D.C. for requested meeting to protest Israel building housing units in East Jerusalem. Consequently, on March 1-2, 1997 severe weather conditions developed causing Mississippi and Ohio flooding and tornadoes. President Clinton’s home state of Arkansas was devastated by tornadoes where a total of 67 died (26 in Arkansas), and an estimated $1 billion damages. On March 4 the New York Times headline read “In storm’s wake, grief and shock” and was adjacent to photo of President Clinton and Chairman Arafat with caption reading “President Clinton rebukes Israel.”
  • On September 24, 1998 – President Clinton announced meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and PLO Chairman Arafat. The purpose of the meeting was to pressure Israel to give up 13% of her land. Consequently, on September 24-28, Hurricane George develops in Gulf of Mexico on the 24th and makes landfall in three days later with 110 mph winds, heavy rains and extensive flooding resulting in an estimated $5.9 billion in damages.  Hurricane George dissipated when Arafat left the U.S.
  • Next year September 13, 1999 – is the first meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister and PLO official to work out Palestinian State borders. From September 7th to the 17th Hurricane Floyd grows into a monstrous storm on Sept. 13th causing the greatest evacuation in U.S. history. Total estimated $6 billion in damages.
  • March 31, 2001 – President George W. Bush Jr. welcomes both Egyptian President Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah II to the White House. Their purpose was to persuade him to be more aggressive in Middle East talks and to continue pressure and support the “Land for Peace” initiative. Consequently, on the same day a Chinese fighter “bumps” into a highly technical U.S. reconnaissance plane and forces its 24 member crew to make an emergency landing in China.
  • August 25 – September 10, 2001 – according to an article in the Washington Post, President Bush, Secretary Powell, and Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer together with cooperation with the Saudis worked on the most comprehensive plan concerning “Land for Peace” proposal which was scheduled to be delivered by Secretary Powell on September 24th to Israel. Consequently, on September 11, Terrorist reportedly used 2 airplanes to attack the World Trade Center towers in New York City and supposedly a 3rd was used to attack the Pentagon, while a 4th plane which was intended for the White House has its debris scattered in Pennsylvania leaving almost 3000 dead and $40 billion in damages.
  • On November 7, 2002 – President Bush hosted a dinner at the beginning of Ramadan for Arab Ambassadors. The President publicly honors the Koran and Islam by saying, “We see in Islam a religion that traces its origins back to God’s call on Abraham. We share your belief in God’s justice and your insistence on man’s moral responsibility.” Consequently, on November 9-11, 88 Tornadoes ripped through 7 states; some are category F-4 with 200 mph winds, one of the worst November outbreaks on record.

Quoting Weather.com, “Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year and just about anywhere in the world. However, the unique geography of the United States helps to produce some of the most favorable conditions for their development. The months with the greatest number of tornadoes overall are April, May, and June, but tornadoes can and do occur during any month of the year. Tornado seasons vary in different parts of the United States. In the Southeast, the peak season for tornadoes is February through April. In the northern Plains, tornadoes are most likely to develop from June through August.” Therefore these 88 tornadoes in November stand out significantly as “acts of God.”

  • On January 31, 2003 – Secretary Powell states President Bush would become more involved in Israel-Palestine talks, laboring towards the goal of a Palestinian state by 2005. Consequently, on February 1, Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart directly above Palestine, Texas, while re-entering the earth’s atmosphere. This was the first time an Israeli was included on board as a member of the shuttle mission.

It is worth mentioning how the Space Shuttle Columbia had a very similar appearance to that of a shooting star or meteorite as it was disintegrating upon its re-entry. This tragic event was telecast live and thus witness worldwide. However, shooting stars and comets are often considered bad omens, and therefore I consider this event to have been a harbinger and reliable witness to the prophetic verse in Revelation 16:10, which speaks of how “the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain.” Such terminology could be an accurate description of the results of a nuclear detonation in or over Babylon, the original seat and capital of Chaldea. This makes it all the more noteworthy here when we consider that the seat and capital of America is the District of Columbia.

This pattern of America’s defiance to God and its deceitfulness to Israel continued through Presidents Clinton and Bush Jr. and with even greater intensity into President Obama’s administration, though now coupled with an undeniable disdain for Netanyahu and Israel. And thus so did God’s judgments on America as was easily witnessed on April 19, 2010 as Israel was celebrating its independence. Gallups stated in the narration on a video, “On April the 19th, Fox News reports that the U.S. will no longer automatically support Israel in the United Nations.” April 20th, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explodes. Since then we have been witnessing record drought and fires, record flooding displacing thousands, tornadoes setting new records in strength and intensity and cost of lives and damages, while the whole earth is quaking… and for all this the wicked still will not seek God, repent or amend their ways.

All these various judgments have been, as it were, prophetic blows of the axe being laid to the root of the tree of America.

Matthew 3:10 – And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

As it was with Babylon of old, America’s sins and pride have overtaken her. The rebellion steadfast too long, and now judgment is certain and the tree condemned. As with the cutting down of any tree, there comes a time when the axe-man can stop striking the tree, for its strength is broken and ready to fall. All the axe-man needs to do is lay his hand against the tree and gently push and its descent begins with what seems to be slow motion as it will soon come crashing down in a whip like fashion.

It cannot be ignored when considering “the axe is laid unto the root of the tree,” that America has experienced profound noteworthy events with significant trees that I would assert are further prophetic testimonies to her fate. First, on February 19, 2011, a Colorado Spruce which served as the National Christmas Tree, planted in 1978 in the Ellipse south of the White House was snapped by high winds, leaving only a broken stump standing.

Daniel 4:11 – The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches.

Daniel 4:23 – And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

Another important event regarding significant trees in America happened on September 11, 2001, when a steel beam falling from one of the collapsing towers struck a sycamore growing on the grounds of St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City and destroyed it. For those who are not aware, St. Paul’s Chapel is part of Trinity Church. Later the tree’s root system was casted and eerily recreated to serve as memorial to the 9/11 event in New York City. The original stump with its remaining roots was removed and treated for preservation that it might then be displayed in the churchyard at St. Paul’s. This church is literally the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan.

What makes all this overwhelmingly important is that America’s first president, George Washington, commenced his office of presidency by escorting on foot the Vice President and all members of the Senate and House of Representatives to St. Paul’s Chapel for the purpose of dedicating America to both God’s sovereign care and service. It was there upon bent knees with solemn prayer that the leaders of America humbled themselves and asked for God’s favor and blessings to be upon this nation. It was at that very moment that little parcel of ground, next to where the Twin Towers would later be built and where America was dedicated, became perhaps the most hallowed ground in all America and an undeniable landmark of profound significance to our nation.

Therefore, consider those words which are recorded in the Congressional Record of the Senate which were spoken by Senate majority leader Senator Tom Daschle, when on the very next day following collapse of the Twin Towers on September 12, 2001 as he stood before the house, God, and the world, and boldly stated “America will emerge from this tragedy as we have emerged from all adversity – united and strong. Nothing… nothing can replace the losses of those who have suffered. I know there is only the smallest measure of inspiration that can be taken from this devastation. But there is a passage in the Bible from Isaiah that speaks to all of us at times like this, ‘The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.’”

Since the sycamore tree was destroyed when the World Trade Center collapsed, it was later replaced in November 2003 with a 20-foot Norway Spruce that was confidently given the name “Tree of Hope.”  However, though the spruce was ceremoniously planted with another public reading of Isaiah 9:10, having refused to grow, it withered and died and was therefore was quietly removed and all this remains virtually unknown to many sleeping Americans.

According to Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, the author of The Harbinger, “The keepers of the Tree of Hope did everything they could to save the withering tree. They even changed the soil in which it grew. But no matter what they did, the tree continued to wither away and die. Finally, in the spring of this year, the tree planted in the place of the fallen sycamore of Ground Zero, the symbol of a rising America, was uprooted. … The seventh harbinger is no more.”

So, America’s Tree of Hope planted defiantly in the face of God’s judgments on the most hallowed ground of America, where she was birthed as a nation and dedicated to God, has withered and died, been uprooted and destroyed.

 Revelation 18:7 – How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.  8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is your judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. 20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee.

The next verse in this passage is perhaps the scariest verse pertaining to judgment of America’s imminent fall.

Revelation 18:23 – And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

This is not just the power grid being crippled and taken out, leaving people sitting in dark, powerless houses. It is far worse than that, no more light of the Gospel, no more the voice of Christ the bridegroom being heard pleading with men to repent, no more is the church, the bride with her watchmen crying out “Repent,” warning  “This is the way, walk ye in it.” The time is at hand when Christ will once again say the time is fulfilled; it is over, and will then be too late to repent.

Revelation 22:11 – He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.