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Hell in the Bible
photo credit: SamuelrajHell in the Bible
Hell must be escaped by every person.
by Craig C. White
Hell is a subject that receives little attention. I would say that most of us don’t understand it as fully as the Bible teaches. Hell is two places; one temporary grave for the wicked soul, and one everlasting harbor of torment for both body and soul. This commentary defines the words that express hell then describes their usage. Definitions are from Strong’s Hebrew Greek dictionary.
Sheol is the Hebrew word translated hell or grave or pit in the Old Testament.
sheh-ole’, sheh-ole’
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranian retreat), including its accessories and inmates: – grave, hell, pit.
Sheol is a place where the unbelieving dead go until their final judgment. It is the local temporary jail as opposed to the longer term prison. Its root word means to demand or lay charge to. So each person in sheol has been charged as guilty and must make payment for their sins. The final sentencing will follow latter. Sheol is a place of fire. It is a place in the depths of the earth.
The fires of sheol will one day burn the earth along with everything on it (Mal 4:1-2, 2Pe 3:10).
Deu 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
Sheol is a place for the wicked.
Psa 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Jesus went to sheol for you. Thankfully he didn’t stay there.
Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Earthly wealth will not endure sheol.
Psa 49:14-17 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. 15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. 16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
Every man must face sheol. God delivers the humble from its terror.
Psa 89:48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
A prostitute will lead a man to sheol.
Pro 5:3-5 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: 4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
There is plenty of room in sheol.
Pro 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
The honor, wealth, and power of ungodly men will be swallowed by sheol.
Isa 5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
Do you have an agreement with death and sheol? It is null and void!
Isa 28:18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
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Hades is a Greek word translated hell or grave in the New Testement.
hah’-dace
unseen, that is, “Hades” or the place (state) of departed souls: – grave, hell.
Hades comes from two Greek words meaning not; and known, or understand, or beheld. It is the place where the souls of the dead cannot be seen by the living. It is used to describe sheol, the place of the wicked dead. Like sheol it is in the earth. While all people good and bad go to the grave, hades describes the unfortunate destination of the wicked.
Don’t worry too much about your present poverty. It isn’t your final state. Seek God and he will care for you. Below, the rich man looks up from Hades and is in torment. He isn’t just thirsty, he is burning in flame. Abraham’s bosom is the other side of the grave. It was God’s provision for the faithful in Old Testament times. Abraham’s bosom was under the earth but was carried away to heaven with Jesus at his resurrection (Psa 68:18, Eph 4:8-9). Today the believing soul is with Jesus in heaven (2Co 5:8).
Luk 16:22-24 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Jesus has the keys to hades and death. He can deliver you from both.
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Hades is the temporary holding cell before an unbeliever’s final sentencing. Hades will be at last cast into the “lake of fire”.
Rev 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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Tartaroo is a Greek word that is used only once in the New Testament. It is translated as hell in English.
tar-tar-o’-o
From Τάρταρος Tartaros̄ (the deepest abyss of Hades); to incarcerate in eternal torment: – cast down to hell.
Tartaroo also describes sheol or hades. It is in the earth and is a place of torment. Tartaroo holds a more severe definition than hades in that it describes its deepest darkest depths.
God incarcerated angels in tartaroo for their sin with man shortly after creation (Jud 1:6). These angels will be released on earth to torment the wicked during the seven years “Great Tribulation” (Rev 9:1-11).
2Pe 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
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Sheol, hades, and tartaroo are words describing the same place. There are also other words that describe this place. They are often expressed as pit in the Old and New Testament. Their definitions include hole (especially one used as a cistern or prison): – cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well, a pit (especially for catching animals), corruption, destruction, ditch, and grave. Bottomless pit is defined as the depthless abyss (Rev 9-11, Rev 11:7, Rev 17:8, and Rev 20:1-3).
The pit is a trap each person must escape. Actually the pit can not be escaped, it can only be avoided.
Isa 24:17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
Jesus will send the nations that are Israel’s enemies down to the pit at his coming. Notice that the pit is in the depths of the earth.
Eze 26:20 When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living;
Jesus has the key to the bottomless pit (Rev 1:18). During the “Great Tribulation” he gives it to an angel to release fallen angels from hell to torment the wicked on earth (Rev 9:1-11).
Rev 9:1-2 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
A beast in Bible prophecy is an ungodly gentile principality or empire. The next world empire will be a revived Roman empire. During the seven year tribulation period all world power will fall to one man; the Antichrist. So he will be the final beast (Rev 17:11). His spirit will ascend from the bottomless pit to wreak havoc on earth and then go to the eternal place of judgment.
Rev 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.
Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit for one thousand years (Rev 20:1-3). One thousand years is a long time but it isn’t forever. The bottomless pit is temporary.
Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
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So far we have looked at the transitory holding cell of the wicked. Now we will look at the everlasting terminus.
Gehenna means valley of Hinnom. Hinnom was a Jebusite man. King David purchased the temple mount and hill of Ophel (City of David) from him. The Hinnom valley wraps around the bottom half of the city of Jerusalem. Hinnom is a Hebrew word. It is used 12 times in the New Testament in the Greek form Gehenna. It is translated into English as hell.
gheh’-en-nah
Of Hebrew origin; valley of (the son of) Hinnom; gehenna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment: – hell.
Gehenna is different than sheol or hades. Gehenna is the final and everlasting place of punishment for those who reject God. It is a place of fire and decay. Both soul and body are cast into Gehenna. Gehenna is not in the earth. As a matter of fact I think Gehenna may be in heaven. Read my commentary titled “Map of Heaven”.
The valley of Hinnom was where the Hebrews sacrificed their children in the fire of false gods. In Jesus’ day it was a burning dump.
2Ch 33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Jesus gave the classic description of Gehenna, the final place of judgment.
Mar 9:44-46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Unlike sheol or hades both body and soul are cast into Gehenna.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
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Lake of fire is only found in the book of revelation. It is made of two Greek words meaning pond or lake (having nearness of shore); and fire.
The lake of fire is the same as Gehenna. After the final judgment each person is thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the final and eternal destination of the rebellious.
The Antichrist and false prophet will be the first to be thrown into the lake of fire.
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Satan will finally be thrown into the lake of fire. Then every ungodly person will be judged by Jesus Christ and also be thrown into the lake of fire.
Rev 20:10-15 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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Apoleia is a Greek word translated as destruction, waste, perish, perdition, die, pernicious ways, and damnation.
ap-o’-li-a
ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal): – damnable (-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.
Apoleia is used to describe the act of going to the final place of judgment (2Pe 3:7, Rev 17:11).
Hell is real. God created it, and Jesus is the Jail keeper. Hell must be escaped by every person. Jesus Christ provided the only way to escape hell. We are saved from destruction by Jesus’ blood sacrifice. He died in our place so that we may live.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For more about hell read Saved by Grace in my book God’s Great Expectations
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Steadfast Life
Steadfast Life
Your best life latter
By Craig C. White
Life is uncertain. We fall into traps and misfortune. Sometimes our enemies work against us. Sometimes the people we rely on disappoint us. Even wondering what to do with our lives can be evasive. After all, you only get one shot at life! So we ask, “Am I doing what I ought to be doing?” We all strive to have a better life. We all want to get our share of what life has to offer before it’s too late. Although we don’t believe it we know that one day every one of us will die. This makes us anxious. We must make our one shot at life count!
Take a deep breath and I will let you in on a fantastic secret. It turns out that you may not have only one shot at life. You may actually have TWO shots! Or if you are very lucky then you may actually have one long everlasting life. I am hoping that I will be included in that last category.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
People we know die all the time but the Apostle Paul told us that not every person will die! How is that possible?
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
God came down from heaven to earth in the man Jesus. Jesus died on the cross but he didn’t stay in the grave. Jesus rose up out of the grave alive but he didn’t stay on earth. Jesus went back to heaven to be an intercessor between man and God but not always. Jesus Christ is coming back soon but not to stay. Jesus is coming back to collect every person who ever believed in him. He will collect them both soul and body! If you believe in him your body and life will be renewed. If you reject him now then death will have its way with you. One day the dead in Christ will rise up out of their graves and live. Chances are that somebody you know who has died will become alive again. I’ll bet that some of those people will meet with you then. After all of those people are made alive, then the present day believers in Christ will be changed. Their bodies will be transformed into indestructible everlasting bodies. Chances are very good that I will still be alive on that day. Not until all believers past and present are assembled will they be taken into heaven to be with Jesus. Their lives will no longer be uncertain but instead they will be forever steadfast and enduring.
In order to receive our steadfast lives our hearts must be steadfast toward God. If our hearts are not steadfast with God then our souls and bodies will perish.
Psa 78:7-8 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
Don’t think that this is your best life now. For the believer in Jesus Christ a new renewed life is promised. One day every person who ever trusted God will rise up out of their grave and live. This day could come much sooner than we think. The day of renewed life could come before your current goals are accomplished. Whose life would you rather have; the person who overcame death or your short uncertain life today?
Our lives seem very important to us now. When things don’t go our way we even challenge God. We ask, “God why are you doing this to me?” But God understands that we are in fact not very significant. He knows that none of us will last very long at all.
Psa 78:39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
Life is miraculous, uncertain, and fleeting. God created us to live forever but our troubles overflow us. Upon the resurrection and the renewing of our bodies our lives will become incredibly fantastic, steadfast, and fulfilling forever. This everlasting jubilant life was highly expensive yet freely given. God became a man in Jesus Christ in order to prepare our place before God. Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin. Everlasting life is available to us if we receive it. If we do not then death will consume us forever. Our life in Jesus Christ is much greater than the cares of this world. Our renewed life has an eternal weight. In order to receive our steadfast lives our hearts must be steadfast toward God.
Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
In the verse above the end doesn’t mean the end of time or the end of our lives but it means to the completion of maturity. If you know about Jesus Christ’s payment for your sin but are continually waiting to submit yourself to his authority then your deliverance from sin and death has not reached its end. Your faith has not reached maturity. When Jesus comes to raise the dead and to collect his followers then you will not be taken. At that time God will judge the unbelieving world. A terrible time of tribulation and spiritual darkness will grip the earth. The Bible tells us to trust Jesus now while the light still shines (John 12:35).
Today Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God defending believers against the accusations of Satan. In this way he performs the duty of High Priest for us. He is a High Priest chosen among men who mediates between man and God. In verse 19 below the veil is the way into the holiest part of God’s temple in heaven. Only the High Priest is allowed there. Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice for sin. He presented his sacrifice in heaven before God. This is our steadfast hope of reconciliation with God and our steadfast promise of an everlasting renewed life.
Heb 6:19-20 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
The name Melchisedec means king of righteousness. Many Bible scholars think that Melchisedec was in fact an appearance of Jesus Christ on earth long before he became a man (Gen 14:18). It is said that Melchisedec like Jesus Christ has an eternal life (Heb 7:3, Heb 7:16). Since Jesus lives forever he is able to sustain our relationship with God forever. Our only hope of a steadfast right relationship with God is through his son Jesus.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Our salvation through Jesus is complete and steadfast. Don’t be overwhelmed with the disappointments of life today. No matter how good or bad your life is now it will certainly be short. That is unless you are still alive until the day of resurrection; the day that Jesus returns for his own. Our lives forever will be great. When it comes to life in Jesus Christ the best is yet to come. That is for certain.
Read more about the deity of Jesus Christ in my book God’s Great Expectations
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Peace Peace
Peace Peace
Will Israel peace treaty mark the beginning of the Tribulation?
By Craig C. White
Just before the people of Israel entered into the land that God prepared for them God had a talk with Moses. God told Moses to tell the people how they ought to behave while they are in the land. God started by giving the people of Israel the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1). Thou shalt not serve idols, remember to keep the Sabbath, thou shalt not kill, and so on. One of the last things that God told the people is that they should not make agreements with the inhabitants of the land. The people of Israel should not make allowances for their gods. They should not make treaties with their enemies that they should live in the land with them. God said that making a treaty with their enemies would be a trap that they would be caught in. God repeated this warning for emphasize (Exodus 34:12)!
Exodus 23:32-33 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.
Today Israel is feverishly working to make a treaty with the Palestinian Authority that the Palestinian people should have a place for their god and that they should live in the land with the Israelis. The peace accord aims to create a sovereign Palestinian nation inside of the land of Israel.
Israel has already made allowances for the Palestinians to share their land. About one third of the nation of Israel is occupied and controlled by the Palestinian Authority. The current peace treaty or security agreement will add further territories to Palestinian control and worse it will give all or portions of the old city of east Jerusalem over to the Palestinian Authority. Today the temple mount in east Jerusalem is under the authority of the Islamic Waqf. The Islamic Waqf is a Muslim organization that acquires property to use for charitable causes; all in the name of serving Allah. The Islamic Waqf has severely restricted the Israeli use of the temple mount.
Israel map credit: The World Fact Book http://www.cia.gov
Israel Map: The shaded gray areas show the Palestinian occupied areas. In the south the Negev is a harsh desert and mountainous region. The Negev accounts for almost half of the land mass of the nation of Israel. It has a population of only 200,000.
The land of Israel today does not include the entire portion of land that God gave to Abraham. God gave Israel all of the land from the Nile River to the Euphrates River.
Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
At the same time that God told Moses not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land; God also restricted the geographic area that the Jewish people should first inhabit. The modern day borders of Israel represent that geographic area.
Exodus 23:30-31 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. 31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
Israel is no ordinary nation. Likewise the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is no ordinary peace treaty. As you would imagine there are arbiters on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have the final say in negotiations. Netanyahu has expressed his support for the creation of a Palestinian state but has voiced concerns about insuring the safety of the Jewish people. Netanyahu has appointed veteran lawyer Isaac Molho as his chief negotiator. Another key figure in the negotiations is Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni. Ms. Livni has been a harsh critic of Netanyahu. She is a staunch proponent for creating a Palestinian state in Israel. The exceptional part of these negotiations is that they include international security provisions. In other words Israel will have to agree to rely on US, UN, and perhaps other international military forces to ensure peace in the dual state. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is smack dab in the middle of it all. There seems always to be encumbrances to these negotiations but all parties involved are pushing for a deal within the next two years.
Zechariah 11:16 tells us that God will raise up a rotten ruler in Israel who will not look out for the best interest of his people. He is called the idol shepherd. I think that he will be instrumental in allowing Israel to fall into this trap. Indeed Ezekiel 34:2-8 identifies Israel as having many idol shepherds. Perhaps some of these negotiators are among Israel’s idol shepherds or perhaps we are still looking for Israel’s Idol Shepherd to appear since some of Israel’s leaders still demonstrate concern for their nation. Please read my commentary titled “Woe to the Idol Shepherd” in my book “Israel’s Beacon of Hope”.
At any rate peace and security for Israel is the cry of the day. The problem is that the Bible says that when the rulers of Israel say “peace and security” that is when they are all in big trouble.
1Thessalonians below was written to the church at Thessalonica. So it was written to Christians both Jew and gentile. While it certainly concerns the Jews it was not addressed directly to the nation of Israel. My point is that it is addressed to Christians today.
1Thessalonians 5:1-9 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
The verses above say that Israel will be surprised when the day of God’s judgment comes. They will expect peace but will receive persecution. In fact during the same time that God judges Israel he will also judge the entire world. So the unbelieving world will also be caught unaware of the coming disaster.
Isaiah 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
1 Thessalonians chapter 5 goes on to say that believers in Jesus Christ will not be surprised but that they will see the disaster coming. Verse 9 states that Christians will not suffer God’s judgment but that they will be saved from it. This brings up the concept of the Rapture of the Church. I only want to say that the Rapture (or the taking away into heaven) of Christians may happen before Israel signs their peace treaty. But there is more to consider.
The Antichrist is a political ruler who will become the head of a coming world empire. I think that he will engage in several military conquests; even invading Israel, and that at some point he will make a peace agreement with Israel. In Daniel 9:27 below, the Antichrist will make a peace treaty with the many for seven years. This marks the seven year Tribulation period of Israel. The many may refer to the majority of citizens of Israel or it may refer to many nations. In either case the agreement obviously concerns Israel. At some point Israel has resumed offering daily animal sacrifice. That means that at some point they have built a new temple. After three and a half years the Antichrist causes the sacrifices to stop. The Antichrist makes the temple to become unclean until the suffering of the nation of Israel ends. This last three and a half year period is called Jerusalem’s “Great Tribulation” (Mat 24:21).
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.
Why am I telling you this? I am pointing out that Israel is working on a peace treaty with the Palestinians which also involves world powers. Plus the Antichrist will one day make a treaty with Israel. Are they the same treaty? I don’t know. I am going to give you the short answer. I think that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is the Antichrist (read my commentary titled “Erdogan is the Antichrist!” in my book “Turkey Invades Israel – Halfway to Armageddon”). If Erdogan or somebody else that meets the criteria of the Antichrist is not involved in the signing of Israel’s Palestinian peace treaty then it does not mark the beginning of the Tribulation period. It is important to remember that the treaty that marks the beginning of the Tribulation requires the participation of the Antichrist. It becomes more urgent since Israel may indeed enter into a peace agreement within the next couple of years. Perhaps Israel will sign a separate peace agreement with the Palestinians. Perhaps the hostilities of the Antichrist will finally push an international security agreement to be finalized in Israel. Perhaps the Church will be taken away before any treaty is signed. Whatever happens we all should know that an agreement to live with Israel’s enemies is a trap!
I expect this treaty to be signed after Turkey destroys Damascus and then leads an invasion into the Golan Heights. The Turkish army is already on the march in Syria. All of the nations that Turkey leads into Israel as identified in Ezekiel chapter 38 are now fighting in the Golan Heights of Syria.That means that Israel’s tribulation is coming soon. That means that Christians are leaving sooner.
Read Erdogan is the Antichrist! in my book Turkey invades Israel – Halfway to Armageddon
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Three Unions will combine to form the next World Empire
Three Unions will combine to form the next World Empire
When Jesus returns he will destroy the next World Empire but the three Unions will survive for a little while.
By Craig C. White
Daniel chapter 7 is simpler than we think. Daniel describes four end time beasts or kingdoms. The first three beasts are not World Empires. They are Unions. Three Unions will combine to form the next world empire. The European Union, the new Russian Union, and a new Middle Eastern Union will combine to form the next World Empire. The next world empire is the fourth beast in Daniel chapter 7. The next world empire is being identified simply as “the beast” in Daniel 7:11 below.
Daniel 7:11 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.
When Jesus returns he will destroy the World Empire but the three Unions will continue for a little while.
Read my commentary titled The Leopard is Upon Us!
Read my great first book The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
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Hooks into thy jaws – To lead out
Hooks into thy jaws
To lead out
Ezekiel 38:4
By Craig C. White
Ezekiel chapter 38 describes a multi nation invasion into Israel. Ezekiel says that this invasion will be led by the primary governor of Turkey. I’m going to tell you right now that this Turkish ruler is the Antichrist. In Ezekiel chapter 38 God says that he will “put hooks into the jaws” of the invading armies to turn them back. Most people read these verses and conclude that God will use some political event to draw these armies into Israel. Bible students wring their hands as they try to guess what the “hook” might be. I think that we might not understand what Ezekiel is telling us.
Ezekiel 38:4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
Notice that there are three separate declarations made at the beginning of this verse. 1. And I will turn thee back. 2. And put hooks into thy jaws. 3. And I will bring thee forth. It is a little difficult to understand in the English translation but none of these statements mean that God is going to bring these armies into the land of Israel. Instead they are saying that God is going to bring these armies out of Israel.
The first declaration in Ezekiel 38:4 is easy to understand. God will turn the invading armies back from where they came. In the second declaration the notion of “putting hooks into thy jaws” could be said as “putting a ring in your nose (or cheek)”. God will lead these invading armies out of Israel just like a farmer would lead a bull by a ring in its nose. The third declaration in Ezekiel 38:4 confuses us. It sounds as if God is leading theses armies forward. The Hebrew term that is translated as “bring thee forth” doesn’t mean “to bring forward” or “to bring into”. Instead the term “bring thee forth” means “to bring out” or “to get out” or “to carry out” or “to get away” or “to lead out” or “to pull out” or “to pluck out”. I hope that you can see that “bring thee forth” doesn’t mean to bring into but instead it means to bring out of.
The saying to put a hook into the jaw (or cheek) and to bring forth is used in other passages in the Bible. It always means that God will remove an army from the land of Israel or that God will remove a nation from its own land. It never means that God will lead an army into the land of Israel. It is a declaration of removal and not a depiction of entrance.
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah compares the Antichrist to the ancient Assyrian Kings. The Ezekiel chapter 38 invasion into Israel is similar to the ancient Assyrian invasions described by Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 37 God leads the Assyrian army out of the land of Israel just like a farmer leads a bull by the ring in its nose. In the following verse God is speaking about Sennacherib king of Assyria.
Isaiah 37:29 Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
Notice that God is turning the king of Assyria back in the way that he came from.
We can stop speculating about what sort of hook that God will use to bring an invading army into Israel. Yet we can begin to understand how God will remove this invading army out of Israel. In Isaiah God killed most of the Assyrian army as they slept. That was enough to turn them around and send them back to their hometown. Notice that in Isaiah 37:37, Nineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire.
Isaiah 37:36-37 Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
So God will use a hook to remove the invading army described in Ezekiel chapter 38. But how will he do it? Ezekiel tells us how. God will use a great earthquake. He will cause the invaders to fight each other. God will make the invaders sick. God will make it rain and hail on them, and God will fight them with fire and brimstone.
Ezekiel 38:21-22 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man’s sword shall be against his brother. 22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
We shouldn’t try to identify the hook that God will use to bring an army into Israel. Instead we should understand that God will fight against the invading armies causing them to retreat back to where they came from. In Ezekiel chapter 38 it is important to see that God will fight to save Israel.
Leviticus 26:12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
God promised to take care of Israel forever. Throughout their history Israel has suffered at the hands of other nations. In the near future the nation of Israel will once again suffer but in the end God will save them and finally secure their land forever.
Read all about the Ezekiel chapter 38 invasion in my book Turkey invades Israel – Halfway to Armageddonfacebook YouTube
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This is what it looks like to flee to the wilderness!
This is what it looks like to flee to the wilderness!
Mat 24:15-16 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Photo credit: Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung http://www.flickr.com
Today there are over 650,000 registered Syrian refugees living in camps in the nation of Jordan. They are being fed and cared for by the UN, EU, and many charity organizations. The Bible tells us that the city of Damascus will empty itself of its residents. That day is getting very near! According to Amos 1:5 the Damascus residents will flee to the refugee camp in the town of Kerak, Jordan. During the Great Tribulation the Jews living around Jerusalem will also fee to the wilderness of Jordan. They will also flee very near Kerak in the Moab Province of Jordan. The Jewish refugees will be fed in Jordan for three and one half years.
10 million Syrian refugees
Damascus will flee to Jordan!
By Craig C. White
The Prophet Jeremiah tells us that the citizens of Damascus, Syria will flee from the city before its destruction. Today over 10 million Syrians have already fled their homes. Many have fled from Damascus. Many others have also fled to Damascus. Ultimately the inhabitants of Damascus will leave the city behind along with its young men and soldiers. The armed forces defending Damascus today are looking more like the forces described in Jeremiah 49:26.
Jeremiah 49:23-26 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. 24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. 25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy! 26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
There are currently some 4 million Syrian refugees registered in neighboring countries. Over 9 million Syrians have been displaced from their homes. Even Iraqi refugees that once fled to Syria are now returning to Iraq; many of them are Christians. Here is an account of their numbers as of July 2015.
Syrian refugees in neighboring countries:
Lebanon: 1,172,753
Turkey: 1,805,255
Egypt: 132,375
Iraq: 251,499
Jordan: 629,128 (equal to nine percent of Jordan’s population)For more stats see The UN refugee agency UNHCR http://www.data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/syria.php
The Prophet Amos also condemns Damascus. This prophecy was fulfilled when Tiglath-pileser the Assyrian king conquered Damascus (734 B.C.) and carried the Syrian (Aramean) captives away to Kir which is a mountainous region in western Jordan. However, like many Bible prophecies this may also refer to a future event. There are currently over 620,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan.
In Amos 1:5 below, the plain of Aven is a valley in the northeast part of Lebanon near the Syrian border. Today it is called the Bekaa valley. It has been suggested that Saddam Hussein hid WMD’s here before the invasion of Iraq.
Amos 1:3-5 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron: 4 But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad. 5 I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.
Today the Syrian Army is fighting Al-Qaeda rebels on many fronts. Damascus is under siege but many citizens still remain. About 80,000 Syrian Army troops were fighting inside of Damascus as of November 2013. These numbers include non-military security men or civil guard (see Jeremiah 49:26). According to Amos 1:5 above; the people of Syria will flee to Jordan. 620,000 have already fled there. In Jeremiah 49:23 we are told that Syria’s northwestern cities will hear of an invasion coming from the Turkish border. When the city of Damascus is attacked from the north by Turkey then Jordan may be the only route of escape.
For a verse by verse study read Isaiah 17 predicts the destruction of Damascus
Read my book The complete guide to Syria in end time Bible Prophecy
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Why do the Heathen Rage?
Why do the Heathen Rage?
Rebellion is refusing to humble oneself under the authority of God.
Psalm 2, Acts 4
By Craig C. White
Throughout the Middle East and northern Africa the nations are exercising their “Days of Rage”. It has been widely proclaimed by the media that the nations are fighting to establish democracy. While some hope for democracy; Rage is induced by a different impulse. King David illuminates this timely question. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”
Psa 2:1-2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
The LORD’s anointed is Jesus Christ. The baptism of Jesus and his anointing with the Holy Spirit is recorded in all four gospels. This anointing of the Holy Spirit and the witness of God’s own voice prove that Jesus is the Son of God. We also have the following report of an eye-witness, namely John the Baptist. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Mark 1:9-11 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Psa 2:3-5 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Why do the Heathen Rage? Here is the answer to our question. The heathen declare they will remove any authority or accountability that God the father or his Son have over them. This is of course impossible.
Rebellion is a certain type of sin. It is more insidious than sexual immorality or murder or theft. Rebellion is refusing to humble oneself under the authority of the one true God. The result of rebellion is everlasting punishment.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
The nations rage in order to break accountability to God. This vain rage results in Israel’s sore distress. In “the day of the Lord”, God will break the yoke that the heathen has placed on the neck of Israel. Israel will no longer have to bend to international pressure to give up their land or defend their right to exist.
Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
Read Why do the Heathen Rage? in my book The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
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The Church should not look for the beginning of sorrows.
Earthquake, Canterbury, NZ. Photo credit: Martin LuffWhat shall be the sign of thy coming?
Earthquakes , or the Antichrist?
Matthew 24
By Craig C. White
Many Bible teachers say that there will be earthquakes and wars before Jesus Christ returns for his Church. They say that these signs are the beginning of sorrows mentioned in Matthew 24:8. Well hold on just a minute. Are these signs meant for the Church or do these signs precede Israel’s terrible time of trouble?
In Matthew 24 Jesus is asked the question “what shall be the sign of thy coming?” Which coming is he describing? Is he describing his coming to gather Church age believers, or is he describing the period before he comes to rescue the nation of Israel and set up his throne in Jerusalem?
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
First it is important to understand who Jesus is talking to. He is talking to his disciples. It is important to note that they are all Jewish. They are all looking forward to God establishing his kingdom on earth. It is also important to note when the message was given. It was given by Jesus before his death, and before the gospel was preached to the gentile nations. This message was given before the Church was established.
Then it is important to carefully examine the message itself. Are there clues to which group of people Jesus is prophesying about? Yes, there are very clear indications that Jesus is prophesying about the trails of the Jewish people during the Tribulation period. So Matthew 24 should not be used to illustrate the signs of the rapture of the Church. Also Matthew 24 should not be used to prove that the Church will participate in the Tribulation period.
The gospels are very important since they record Jesus Christ’s genealogy, standards of righteousness, forgiveness of sin, miracles, fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding the Messiah, and Christ’s death as payment for the worlds’ sin. The message of the four gospels is to be understood by Church age believers. We should also understand that most of Jesus’ teaching, parables, and prophecy are specifically directed to the nation of Israel. Jesus was sent especially to seek and to save the lost sheep of Israel.
Mat 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
It is sometimes difficult to know who is being addressed in the New Testament. Is Jesus talking about the nation of Israel or is he talking about the Church? A rule of thumb is that Jesus was sent to the Jews first and primarily. The gospel of the coming kingdom of God was preached first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Jesus primarily taught the nation of Israel. The four gospels were written about Jesus’ life and ministry. They primarily address the nation of Israel. Of course, there is plenty of teaching to be absorbed by Church age believers. The disciples taught the Jews first and then went out to the other nations. The epistles to the churches were written specifically to Church age believers!
Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Let’s take a quick look at Matthew 24. I know that preachers and prophecy buffs like to identify natural disasters as signs of Jesus’ return for his Church, but these signs were written about the nation of Israel during the Great Tribulation. They are signs of Jesus’ second coming to defeat Israel’s enemies and set his throne in Jerusalem forever.
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
So who is Jesus talking about? As we will see, “the beginning of sorrows” in verse 8 above are not signs that Church age believers should be on the lookout for. Instead, they are events that will happen during the first part of the Tribulation period. Jesus is talking to and about the nation of Israel here. In verse 9 below Jesus tells his Jewish disciples that “ye shall be hated of all nations”. The word translated as “nations” is the Greek word “ethnos”. It is often translated as “gentile”. Ethnos refers to non-Jewish nations. It doesn’t refer to all countries in the world. It refers to all families or people groups. In practical terms it refers to old world nations that came from specific families; like the Greeks, Turks, Egyptians, Syrians, Iranians, Saudis, Jordanians, and many more. So in verse 9 Jesus isn’t saying that Church members will be hated, but that the nation of Israel will be hated by all their surrounding nations.
Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
In the verses below Jesus isn’t addressing the Church, but he is warning Jews during the 7 year Tribulation period. Many Jews will disregard God and his promises to Israel. Many Jews will be killed. But those who trust God to the end will be saved. Please read my commentary titled “The Last Jews in Jerusalem” in my book “Israel’s Beacon of Hope”.
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
In Matthew 24:14 below we can see that Jesus is talking about the Tribulation period. The Tribulation period is a seven year span designated for God to show his displeasure for Israel’s rejection of him. In Matthew 24:14 the gospel is preached in all the world. This happens during the Tribulation period as described in Revelation. So we can see that Jesus is addressing people that live during the Tribulation period.
Rev 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,
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The following verses are obviously addressed to Jews living around Jerusalem. The inhabitants of Judea (region around Jerusalem) are called by name in verse 16. So it is very clear that Jesus is describing the coming trials of the nation of Israel, and not the signs of the rapture of his Church.
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
If that isn’t enough evidence that Jesus is describing Israel’s Great Tribulation, then look at Matthew 24:21 below. This is the verse that we get the term “Great Tribulation” from.
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Today the Church is suffering at the hands of the nations, but the nation of Israel is scheduled to suffer 7 years of tribulation. In Matthew 24 Jesus is explaining the trials that Israel will suffer during the Tribulation period. The beginning of sorrows in Matthew 24:8 are the events of the first part of the Tribulation. After the abomination of desolation in Mat 24:15 the worst part of the Tribulation begins (Dan 9:27). It is called “great tribulation” in Matthew 24:21. The second part of the Tribulation lasts 3 ½ years or 42 months or 1260 days (Dan 7:25, Dan 12:7, Rev 11:2-3, Rev 12:6, Rev 12:14, Rev 13:5).
The Tribulation Period is designated to exercise God’s indignation towards the nation of Israel, not for the trying of the Church. The 7 year Tribulation period is the same as the seventieth week prophesied by Daniel (Dan 9:24). It is a 7 year period of trouble for the nation of Israel, not a time for trying the Church. Jeremiah calls the Tribulation “the time of Jacob’s trouble” not the time of the Church’s trouble. The Tribulation period is primarily designed for Israel’s chastisement.
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
In 1 Thessalonians below the dead in Christ are raised from the grave. Those “in Christ” are Church age believers. They are “caught up” or taken by force up into the sky. The gathering of Jews will happen differently as we will see. Please read my commentary titled “The Rapture Day!” in my book “God’s Great Expectations”.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Below, the elect are God’s chosen people (Deu 7:6). They are the people of Israel. The people of Israel will be raised from the dead at the end of the Tribulation period. They won’t be taken into the sky. They will walk back to the land of Israel on foot.
Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Isa 11:11-12 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
God will make a roadway for the Hebrews to return to Israel. God will dry up the Red Sea, and the Euphrates, and Tigris Rivers to make roadways for the resurrected Jewish believers to cross over. In Isaiah 11:15-16 below Jesus dries up the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea (that is the tongue of the Egyptian sea)! He will also dry up the Nile, Euphrates, and Tigris rivers in order to make a way for the resurrected Hebrews to cross over them! Please read my commentary titled “Aliyah Israel Arise Return” in my book “Israel’s Beacon of Hope”.
Isa 11:15-16 And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. 16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
We have looked at the signs of Jesus’ coming to gather Israel. So what is the sign of Jesus’ coming to gather his Church? Well there isn’t one specific event that triggers the Rapture but we are instructed to understand Old Testament prophecy in order to recognize the Tribulation as it approaches! The Rapture will happen before the Tribulation.
In 2 Thessalonians below, Paul is addressing the Church in Greece which was comprised largely of Gentiles, not of Jews. Paul calls them brethren in Christ. So Paul is describing the Rapture of the Church in verse 1. The believers in Thessalonica were worried that the Tribulation was beginning. They were worried that the Rapture had not yet happened! Paul told them that two Old Testament prophecies must take place before Jerusalem’s great tribulation began. Those two events were the falling of Satan from heaven to earth and the revealing of the Antichrist as he sits in the temple in Jerusalem. I think that these two events actually happen during the first half of the seven year Tribulation period. Paul was assuring the Thessalonians that the Tribulation had not yet begun. Paul was assuring the Thessalonians that they would escape the terrible time of trouble on earth. Please read my commentary titled “The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist” in my book of the same title.
2Th 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
In 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 below Paul says that the Church members in Thessalonica will be saved from the coming tribulation. The word “salvation” in verse 13 isn’t describing deliverance from sin, but it is describing physical rescue from God’s wrath on earth during the Tribulation.
2Th 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here are two other verses that indicate that Church age believers will escape from the wrath of the Tribulation period. These people have already been saved from sin. Salvation here is the rescue from physical harm during the Tribulation on Earth.
Rom 5:7-10 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Again physical rescue or “salvation” comes to people who already believe!
If you are still on earth when you see most of the old world nations at full scale war with each other and also hear of famines, and disease outbreaks, and earthquakes happening all over the world, then you are in trouble. You have entered the beginning stages of the Tribulation period. It is High Time to Awake!
Read “What shall be the sign of thy coming?” in my book God’s Great ExpectationsRead The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist in my book The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
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How do I know who is telling the truth about Bible prophecy?
How do I know who is telling the truth about Bible prophecy?
Ask, who’s interpretations are actually happening!
By Craig C. White
There are a lot of different Bible prophecy views out there. Most of them are old presumptions that have become popularized. Too many Bible prophecy interpretations are wrong. I do not follow any teacher. I study the scriptures and derive my views from them.
You will find Bible prophecy interpretations at High Time to Awake that you will scarcely find elsewhere. Many people have asked me, how do we know who is telling the right interpretation? Well I am not a prophet but I do proclaim the messages of the prophets. The Bible says don’t believe the prophet who says something that does not happen! My Bible prophecy interpretations are happening!
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
I am very nearly the only Bible teacher that has examined the book of Nahum and then warned about the flooding of Mosul. Now the world fears that the Mosul dam will burst flooding the city. Read The End of ISIS is near!
I am the only Bible teacher that has examined Jeremiah 49:23-27 and has understood that Syria will be invaded from the Turkish border. Now Turkey has 54,000 troops on the Turkish border and Turkey has just announced its plans to use military intervention inside of Syria. Read The nations are disquieted over Syria
I am the only Bible teacher that has understood that the “chief prince” in Ezekiel chapter 38 and 39 is the primary governor of Turkey. That points to identifying Turkish President Erdogan as the Antichrist. Now Erdogan has claimed to be god and has gained complete power over Turkey. Read Erdogan is the Antichrist!
There are many more examples that I could give. I don’t rely on popular misconceptions in order to form my Bible prophecy interpretations. My views are being vividly proven on the world stage.
Christians! It is High Time to Awake to the end time prophecies that are happening today! It’s time to believe the interpretations that I am explaining. Jesus Christ is about to come for his Church. He is coming for us because there is a terrible time of trouble coming upon the earth and especially upon Israel. Let’s strengthen the body of Christ before he gets here!
Read about what you must know about end time Bible prophecy in The Big Book of Bible Prophecy
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Satan must fall from heaven and then empower the Antichrist to do false signs and wonders before the Tribulation begins.
Satan must fall from heaven and then empower the Antichrist to do false signs and wonders before the Tribulation begins.
Do you disagree?
By Craig C. White
I know that most Bible teachers say that the “falling away” in 2Thessalonians 2:3 is either the apostasy of the Church or the leaving of the Church from earth and the taking away of the Holy Spirit at the Rapture. BUT I don’t agree at all. The Apostle Paul isn’t telling us anything new in 2Thessalonians 2. He is referencing Old Testament Prophets in order to tell us the timing of the Tribulation.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
The Christians in Thessalonica were worried that they had missed the Rapture. They were asking Paul if the Tribulation had begun. It makes no sense for Paul to tell them that the Tribulation hadn’t come because the Rapture hadn’t come. That piece of information doesn’t help Christians to identify the beginning of the Tribulation because if the Rapture happened then they would be gone. Paul referenced the Old Testament Prophets Daniel, Ezekiel, and Isaiah when he said that Satan must fall from heaven to earth and then empower the Antichrist to do false signs and wonders before the Tribulation begins. Now those events are something that Church age believers can recognize even if they occur before the Rapture!
Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Eze 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Paul even directs the Christians in Thessalonica to rely on the Old Testament writings and on his letters in order to determine the timing of the Tribulation.
2Th 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
The message of 2Thessalonians 2:3 is simple. The Tribulation will not begin until Satan falls from Heaven to Earth and then the Antichrist is revealed.
I think that you will agree that Satan must fall before he can empower the Antichrist. It makes sense. Now if you could only see that Paul has been telling us that all along.
Read my commentary titled The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
Read my book The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
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