I strongly disagree with Jesus having a bad day. From the day He was born He was headed to the cross to be the Passover sacrifice. Until we can get past this point everything else is pointless.
Summary of Bible references on the Rapture
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Because it paid the price for our sin, it was the proof that Jesus loved us, that was the price that redeemed us from sin, and Jesus was victorious over sin and death, raised from the dead, and ascended to the throne in the heavens. Not only so but this was Jesus' attitude when he took a tour of hades to let all the fallen ones know that they had been defeated.
Satan was put to an open shame on the cross, not Jesus, Satan. The cross of Christ was a very bad day for Satan, not Jesus.
So defeating death is not a good day? Defeating Satan? Defeating sin, the world, and freeing all those enslaved by sin and you count it a bad day because it left some scars? Those kind of scars are glorious.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
There is only one possible interpretation for this and that is that the Bible and the gospels tell us perfectly about the times and seasons. That this was perfectly described prior to Paul's ministry. For example, the seven days of creation being equated to 7,000 years. That is in Genesis 1. Then you have the law of Moses which gave us the Feasts of the Lord and said they were "holy convocations" which means "dress rehearsals". The year begins with Passover, Jesus dying on the cross to redeem us from our sins. This begins a seven day feast of unleavened bread which depicts the church age where we have removed all the old leaven, the old religious traditions, from our house. At the same time, after three days, you celebrate the first feast of first fruits, that is the resurrection. The church age begins with us abiding in the death of Christ but continues with us walking in resurrection and the newness of life. Then after seven complete sabbaths, on the eighth day, Jesus ascends to heaven to rule and reign as king over all given to the church as the head. This coincides with the feast of first fruits for the wheat harvest. Christians are likened to grains of wheat, we are being trained to rule and reign with Jesus Christ. Fifty days later you have Pentecost, the Feast of new wine, this is the ceremony for the engagement in which the Spirit is poured out as a promise, like an engagement ring, of the coming marriage. According to this Galatian ceremony the bridegroom has two years to build a dwelling place for his bride. Since we believe that Pentecost took place in either 32 or 33 AD that would mean Jesus needs to return for His bride prior to Pentecost in either 2032 or 2033 AD. This is also supported by Jesus' word that you forgive 7x70 times. 7x70 refers to 70 weeks. We saw this in Daniel, where his prophecy describes the salvation of the Jews as taking 70 weeks. However, with the Gentiles the Bible says the gospel goes to the "four corners of the earth". So the period of forgiveness, the period known as the age of grace, is going to be 4x7x70 = 1,960 years. The completion of the rejection of the Jews took place in 70 AD when the temple was destroyed, the day after Pentecost. If we add 1,960 years to that then you get Pentecost of 2030 is when the age of grace runs out of time, no more forgiveness. According to Revelation this would be when the wrath of God is poured out in the second half of the seven year "tribulation" known as "the great tribulation". We are told specifically in the New Testament and it is repeated in this chapter by Paul, that we are not appointed to wrath. So then if you subtract 4 years from 2030 it would place you in a time frame immediately before the start of the seven year tribulation, or at the start of that time. Now if you notice there is a gap from the cross of Christ and Pentecost to the start of this period of 1,960 years of forgiveness known as the "age of grace". Jesus also explained this, He told the Jews when their religious leaders officially rejected Him as Messiah that if they do that there is no forgiveness. They in turn asked for a sign and He said they would get the sign of Jonah. Yes, that sign is Jonah being in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Jesus death and resurrection were that sign. But the sign of Jonah also includes 40 days where Jonah walks to and fro through the city warning of the coming destruction. We know that for 40 years from 30 AD to 70 AD the temple records show that God never once accepted the atoning sacrifice. We also know that Jesus' ministry as well as the apostles warned the Jews in Israel and in Jerusalem of the coming destruction of that city. This tells me that this word from Jesus that they had committed the unforgivable sin took place on the 9th of Av in 30 AD.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
How do we know this perfectly? Once again, this is how the bridegroom in a Galatian wedding comes. He comes in the night to "steal away" the bride. If you understand that the bible is a love story, and that the wedding of Ruth and the book of Esther both depict the bride of Christ, if you read the book of Ephesians where Paul tells us "this mystery is great but he speaks with regard to Christ and the Church" then you would know this perfectly. Jesus told us the same thing when He described his return as a merchant seeking fine pearls, he finds one of great worth, goes and sells all to buy the field where that pearl is. If everyone knows about this pearl of great worth then the price of that field would be higher. This merchant is keeping this information on the down low, he wants to own the field first, before that gets revealed. We know perfectly well that this is how businessmen act. Jesus likened the church as "night watchmen" who were watching for His return. If a priest were caught sleeping while being on night watch duty for the temple they would set his clothes on fire and he would wake up on fire, throw off his clothes and go running naked out of the temple. That is the picture given to us concerning those left behind at the Lord's return. So then, as nightwatchmen watching for the Lord's return we know perfectly well that it comes as a thief in the night. What is going to be stolen? The church, they will be raptured. When Israel was delivered from Egypt Pharaoh knew that his slaves were being stolen, which is why he pursued with his army. A picture of this is Samson's death. He pushes out the two pillars holding up the temple. The church is the pillar and base of the truth, when the church is removed, everything else collapses. Paul said that is the removal of the restrainer. Those pillars are restraining the temple from collapsing, once they are removed everything collapses. Suppose you wake up in the morning and a thief has come and stolen everything you have. That is how the world feels right after the rapture.
There is only one possible interpretation for this and that is that the Bible and the gospels tell us perfectly about the times and seasons. That this was perfectly described prior to Paul's ministry. For example, the seven days of creation being equated to 7,000 years. That is in Genesis 1. Then you have the law of Moses which gave us the Feasts of the Lord and said they were "holy convocations" which means "dress rehearsals". The year begins with Passover, Jesus dying on the cross to redeem us from our sins. This begins a seven day feast of unleavened bread which depicts the church age where we have removed all the old leaven, the old religious traditions, from our house. At the same time, after three days, you celebrate the first feast of first fruits, that is the resurrection. The church age begins with us abiding in the death of Christ but continues with us walking in resurrection and the newness of life. Then after seven complete sabbaths, on the eighth day, Jesus ascends to heaven to rule and reign as king over all given to the church as the head. This coincides with the feast of first fruits for the wheat harvest. Christians are likened to grains of wheat, we are being trained to rule and reign with Jesus Christ. Fifty days later you have Pentecost, the Feast of new wine, this is the ceremony for the engagement in which the Spirit is poured out as a promise, like an engagement ring, of the coming marriage. According to this Galatian ceremony the bridegroom has two years to build a dwelling place for his bride. Since we believe that Pentecost took place in either 32 or 33 AD that would mean Jesus needs to return for His bride prior to Pentecost in either 2032 or 2033 AD. This is also supported by Jesus' word that you forgive 7x70 times. 7x70 refers to 70 weeks. We saw this in Daniel, where his prophecy describes the salvation of the Jews as taking 70 weeks. However, with the Gentiles the Bible says the gospel goes to the "four corners of the earth". So the period of forgiveness, the period known as the age of grace, is going to be 4x7x70 = 1,960 years. The completion of the rejection of the Jews took place in 70 AD when the temple was destroyed, the day after Pentecost. If we add 1,960 years to that then you get Pentecost of 2030 is when the age of grace runs out of time, no more forgiveness. According to Revelation this would be when the wrath of God is poured out in the second half of the seven year "tribulation" known as "the great tribulation". We are told specifically in the New Testament and it is repeated in this chapter by Paul, that we are not appointed to wrath. So then if you subtract 4 years from 2030 it would place you in a time frame immediately before the start of the seven year tribulation, or at the start of that time. Now if you notice there is a gap from the cross of Christ and Pentecost to the start of this period of 1,960 years of forgiveness known as the "age of grace". Jesus also explained this, He told the Jews when their religious leaders officially rejected Him as Messiah that if they do that there is no forgiveness. They in turn asked for a sign and He said they would get the sign of Jonah. Yes, that sign is Jonah being in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Jesus death and resurrection were that sign. But the sign of Jonah also includes 40 days where Jonah walks to and fro through the city warning of the coming destruction. We know that for 40 years from 30 AD to 70 AD the temple records show that God never once accepted the atoning sacrifice. We also know that Jesus' ministry as well as the apostles warned the Jews in Israel and in Jerusalem of the coming destruction of that city. This tells me that this word from Jesus that they had committed the unforgivable sin took place on the 9th of Av in 30 AD.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
How do we know this perfectly? Once again, this is how the bridegroom in a Galatian wedding comes. He comes in the night to "steal away" the bride. If you understand that the bible is a love story, and that the wedding of Ruth and the book of Esther both depict the bride of Christ, if you read the book of Ephesians where Paul tells us "this mystery is great but he speaks with regard to Christ and the Church" then you would know this perfectly. Jesus told us the same thing when He described his return as a merchant seeking fine pearls, he finds one of great worth, goes and sells all to buy the field where that pearl is. If everyone knows about this pearl of great worth then the price of that field would be higher. This merchant is keeping this information on the down low, he wants to own the field first, before that gets revealed. We know perfectly well that this is how businessmen act. Jesus likened the church as "night watchmen" who were watching for His return. If a priest were caught sleeping while being on night watch duty for the temple they would set his clothes on fire and he would wake up on fire, throw off his clothes and go running naked out of the temple. That is the picture given to us concerning those left behind at the Lord's return. So then, as nightwatchmen watching for the Lord's return we know perfectly well that it comes as a thief in the night. What is going to be stolen? The church, they will be raptured. When Israel was delivered from Egypt Pharaoh knew that his slaves were being stolen, which is why he pursued with his army. A picture of this is Samson's death. He pushes out the two pillars holding up the temple. The church is the pillar and base of the truth, when the church is removed, everything else collapses. Paul said that is the removal of the restrainer. Those pillars are restraining the temple from collapsing, once they are removed everything collapses. Suppose you wake up in the morning and a thief has come and stolen everything you have. That is how the world feels right after the rapture.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 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.
This is Paul's response to "no one knows the day or hour". He doesn't tell us the day or the hour, but he does tell us what we will hear immediately before the day and hour. We are to listen to a declaration of "Peace and safety". Now this is going to have to be global. We have had previous examples of "Peace and safety" being spoken, the main example being Neville Chamberlain's appeasement of Hitler. But although that gave us the playbook, they didn't have the capability for this "sudden destruction" to be global and as "sudden" as they have now. They didn't have missiles, they didn't have nuclear bombs, and they didn't have the IMF and an interwoven global economy. Notice how Paul distances himself and the church from this. He doesn't say that "we say this" but rather "they shall say this". He doesn't say sudden destruction comes on us, but sudden destruction comes on them. He doesn't say that we shall not escape but that "they shall not escape". This word is a betrayal, it is a lie, it is deceitful, it is designed to set up a surprise attack like Pearl Harbor. The ones who say this are appointed to wrath, so they are the elites, the rulers of this age, the bastard children of the fallen ones. Paul does not say "when everyone says Peace and security". No, the ones who say this are appointed to wrath. They are plotting sudden destruction and yet there is no hope of escape for them, no hope of salvation.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
This is the mistake that many in Christianity make. They think we are in darkness because we don't know the day or hour. We don't need to know the day or hour, we know the signal. The signal is when the elites, the rulers of this age, say "Peace and security" and we know that it is a lie because we are walking in the light. We are the night watch men, we have been paying attention to every single sign and prophecy given to us in the Bible. We know perfectly well the times and seasons, we know perfectly well what the Lord is doing for His bride. This term "the day should overtake you as a thief" refers to the victim. The bride is not the victim. When Israel was delivered from Egypt Pharaoh was the victim, he was the one that was robbed. When Samson pushed out the pillars in the temple all the pagan worshippers were the victims. When Noah's flood started all those not in the ark were the victims. When Lot was delivered from Sodom all those abiding in Sodom and Gomorrah were the victims.
This is Paul's response to "no one knows the day or hour". He doesn't tell us the day or the hour, but he does tell us what we will hear immediately before the day and hour. We are to listen to a declaration of "Peace and safety". Now this is going to have to be global. We have had previous examples of "Peace and safety" being spoken, the main example being Neville Chamberlain's appeasement of Hitler. But although that gave us the playbook, they didn't have the capability for this "sudden destruction" to be global and as "sudden" as they have now. They didn't have missiles, they didn't have nuclear bombs, and they didn't have the IMF and an interwoven global economy. Notice how Paul distances himself and the church from this. He doesn't say that "we say this" but rather "they shall say this". He doesn't say sudden destruction comes on us, but sudden destruction comes on them. He doesn't say that we shall not escape but that "they shall not escape". This word is a betrayal, it is a lie, it is deceitful, it is designed to set up a surprise attack like Pearl Harbor. The ones who say this are appointed to wrath, so they are the elites, the rulers of this age, the bastard children of the fallen ones. Paul does not say "when everyone says Peace and security". No, the ones who say this are appointed to wrath. They are plotting sudden destruction and yet there is no hope of escape for them, no hope of salvation.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
This is the mistake that many in Christianity make. They think we are in darkness because we don't know the day or hour. We don't need to know the day or hour, we know the signal. The signal is when the elites, the rulers of this age, say "Peace and security" and we know that it is a lie because we are walking in the light. We are the night watch men, we have been paying attention to every single sign and prophecy given to us in the Bible. We know perfectly well the times and seasons, we know perfectly well what the Lord is doing for His bride. This term "the day should overtake you as a thief" refers to the victim. The bride is not the victim. When Israel was delivered from Egypt Pharaoh was the victim, he was the one that was robbed. When Samson pushed out the pillars in the temple all the pagan worshippers were the victims. When Noah's flood started all those not in the ark were the victims. When Lot was delivered from Sodom all those abiding in Sodom and Gomorrah were the victims.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Think about when Gideon's army attacked the Midianites. They are all talking about a dream, their was a lot of speculation about what was going on, but they were in darkness and when Gideon's army blew the horns they were panicked and were in complete confusion. This is what is going on with the news and the internet and social media. The whole world is in darkness. With deep fakes no one knows what is real and what isn't. What is imagined and what they are really seeing and hearing. We are not of that. We are not getting our information from click bait, we are getting our information from the word of God. That is the light that is shining on our path.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
This is the point. Many people in Christianity use "no one knows the day or hour" as an excuse to sleep like the world is doing. Paul is telling us not to do that. We know precisely what to watch for, we know precisely what to listen for, we have been given all the signs. True, we don't know the day or the hour, but we do know the signal.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
The world is drunken on the worldly things. Think of how they behaved during the pandemic. That was like a drunken stupor. They were illogical, they were stumbling about, and it was all because they were drunk on the worlds befuddling mixture of fear and panic over a global contagion mixed with the clueless doing whatever someone in a uniform tells them to do.
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.
There is a lot of stuff trying to hit us in the head, make us fear concerning what we see coming. We need that helmet of salvation knowing that the Lord will rescue us. Faith is a breastplate that protects our heart. Because of our faith in the Lord we can walk in love towards the ignorant and foolish.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
This is a big promise. We see Armageddon and the wrath of God being prepared. But we are not appointed to that. We will be rescued prior to that.
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Jesus dying for us is a powerful testimony that He loves us and has not appointed us to wrath but will do whatever it takes to rescue us.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Think about when Gideon's army attacked the Midianites. They are all talking about a dream, their was a lot of speculation about what was going on, but they were in darkness and when Gideon's army blew the horns they were panicked and were in complete confusion. This is what is going on with the news and the internet and social media. The whole world is in darkness. With deep fakes no one knows what is real and what isn't. What is imagined and what they are really seeing and hearing. We are not of that. We are not getting our information from click bait, we are getting our information from the word of God. That is the light that is shining on our path.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
This is the point. Many people in Christianity use "no one knows the day or hour" as an excuse to sleep like the world is doing. Paul is telling us not to do that. We know precisely what to watch for, we know precisely what to listen for, we have been given all the signs. True, we don't know the day or the hour, but we do know the signal.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
The world is drunken on the worldly things. Think of how they behaved during the pandemic. That was like a drunken stupor. They were illogical, they were stumbling about, and it was all because they were drunk on the worlds befuddling mixture of fear and panic over a global contagion mixed with the clueless doing whatever someone in a uniform tells them to do.
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.
There is a lot of stuff trying to hit us in the head, make us fear concerning what we see coming. We need that helmet of salvation knowing that the Lord will rescue us. Faith is a breastplate that protects our heart. Because of our faith in the Lord we can walk in love towards the ignorant and foolish.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
This is a big promise. We see Armageddon and the wrath of God being prepared. But we are not appointed to that. We will be rescued prior to that.
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Jesus dying for us is a powerful testimony that He loves us and has not appointed us to wrath but will do whatever it takes to rescue us.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
This is one long, complicated sentence. The conclusion is that Jesus Christ will be glorified in His saints when He comes.
The reason He is glorified in the saints is because they were patient in persecutions and tribulations as they witnessed concerning the Lord. They didn't become bitter, didn't lash out, their love towards others abounded. The fact that they were enduring these persecutions was a token that others could see of God's righteous judgment that we may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God. I don't know if I have ever heard this taught in Christianity. We focus on Jesus Christ being worthy, and that we stand on His blood. Both of those things are true. However, "standing on HIs blood" while patiently enduring trials, tribulations and persecutions so that you might be counted worthy, that is a very different perspective. This explains what the Lord shared in Matthew 18. He forgave this man of all his sins, but then he went out and would not forgive someone who had sinned against him. The Lord told him that since his debt had been forgiven by the Lord he also should have forgiven the person who sinned against him. So yes, our sins have been forgiven by the Lord, that is our only standing, but it should also result in our response, patiently enduring persecutions where people sin against us, and our enduring these things is a manifest token of God's righteous judgement. We understand that at the end of the age the Lord will be manifested with His angels, taking vengeance on those that know not God and don't obey the gospel. That is why we are patient, enduring trials and tribulations, built up in the faith, abounding in love, so that we might, if possible, pull some out into salvation.
For example, I heard this testimony this past Lord's day about twelve teachers who were killed by Islamic soldiers in some country in Africa, I think it was Ghana. The leader of the teachers prayed for the soldiers who were about to kill them knowing that they were about to do something horrible and would be wracked with guilt. So he prayed that someone would come to them and share the gospel of the Lord's forgiveness so that they could be saved. The teachers then sang a hymn about how they were coming to the Lord. Afterwards the leader of these soldiers was wracked with guilt, sought out someone who could share the gospel with him, got saved and shared this story.
This is one long, complicated sentence. The conclusion is that Jesus Christ will be glorified in His saints when He comes.
The reason He is glorified in the saints is because they were patient in persecutions and tribulations as they witnessed concerning the Lord. They didn't become bitter, didn't lash out, their love towards others abounded. The fact that they were enduring these persecutions was a token that others could see of God's righteous judgment that we may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God. I don't know if I have ever heard this taught in Christianity. We focus on Jesus Christ being worthy, and that we stand on His blood. Both of those things are true. However, "standing on HIs blood" while patiently enduring trials, tribulations and persecutions so that you might be counted worthy, that is a very different perspective. This explains what the Lord shared in Matthew 18. He forgave this man of all his sins, but then he went out and would not forgive someone who had sinned against him. The Lord told him that since his debt had been forgiven by the Lord he also should have forgiven the person who sinned against him. So yes, our sins have been forgiven by the Lord, that is our only standing, but it should also result in our response, patiently enduring persecutions where people sin against us, and our enduring these things is a manifest token of God's righteous judgement. We understand that at the end of the age the Lord will be manifested with His angels, taking vengeance on those that know not God and don't obey the gospel. That is why we are patient, enduring trials and tribulations, built up in the faith, abounding in love, so that we might, if possible, pull some out into salvation.
For example, I heard this testimony this past Lord's day about twelve teachers who were killed by Islamic soldiers in some country in Africa, I think it was Ghana. The leader of the teachers prayed for the soldiers who were about to kill them knowing that they were about to do something horrible and would be wracked with guilt. So he prayed that someone would come to them and share the gospel of the Lord's forgiveness so that they could be saved. The teachers then sang a hymn about how they were coming to the Lord. Afterwards the leader of these soldiers was wracked with guilt, sought out someone who could share the gospel with him, got saved and shared this story.
This is what it means to be "worthy of your calling".
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are called to be witnesses of the Lord Jesus, that includes being witnesses of His forgiveness of sins. Praying for those who persecute you and kill you is a witness that is worthy of this calling and it brought glory to Jesus Christ when these soldiers saw how these men were filled with faith and not afraid of death.
The stage must be set first
2 Thessalonians 2:1 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.
I don't like this translation "at hand", this word is usually translated present. A believer would not be shaken that the Day of Christ was imminent, that is the standard teaching and can be understood as "at hand". However, if you teach the Day of Christ is present, or even is past, well then, that would shake people that they "missed it". This is proof that the Day of Christ begins with the rapture. Preterists teach that the Day of Christ took place in 70 AD, so there are clearly those who are teaching this heresy.
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; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
There are three things that must come first, before the tribulation begins. First, the "falling away". This is like the orgy we saw in Exodus when Moses was still up on the mountain and he comes down and breaks the ten commandments. We are seeing this now with the LGBTQ+ churches and the "Once Saved Always Saved" doctrine telling people they can live in sin and as long as they prayed something 20 years ago it doesn't matter, they are still saved. In the book of Revelation this church is Laodicea. It means that people are doing what is right in their own eyes and Jesus Christ, the incarnated word of God, has been kicked out of the church. If a church does not believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, then they are Laodicea, the falling away. Second, the man of sin must be revealed, the son of perdition. Judas is a type, an example for us. He was revealed when he betrayed Jesus. Think of that moment in the gospels when Jesus says that if He is the one they want they should let the others go as a type of the rapture. The word Harpazo means to be snatched out of the way of certain destruction. The day of Christ's judgement on this evil world begins with the monkey trials. We are told that He said that to the soldiers so that none of those who were following Him would be lost. That is our blessed hope, we follow Jesus as the good shepherd knowing if we stay close to him we will be safe from the wolves. We are seeing the stage set for this where Evangelical Christians will be classified as criminals that can be punished by death. This is known as the "Noahide" laws and the three major Abrahamic religions have joined together on this point (Catholicism, Judaism and Islam). Then the third point is the Antichrist sets himself up in the temple. This is where many Christians have created an erroneous doctrine that the Temple must be rebuilt on the Temple mount first. The word for "temple" is not the word that they use for the stone temple on the temple mount. This word is used exclusively for the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. They were inside that stone temple on the temple mount, but they were also inside the Tabernacle prior to the Temple being built. This verse in no way supports a doctrine that the stone temple must be rebuilt. Instead, the only prophecy in the Old Testament on this issue is that the Tabernacle of David will be raised again in Shiloh. Sure enough, when the Red Heifer was sacrificed in Shiloh on July 1, 2025 it was done according to the law in the Torah which means it had to have been looking into the Holy place in the tabernacle. This means that the stage is also set for this part of the prophecy. The tabernacle has been raised and so we have the "Temple" already here where Antichrist will seat himself.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 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.
I don't like this translation "at hand", this word is usually translated present. A believer would not be shaken that the Day of Christ was imminent, that is the standard teaching and can be understood as "at hand". However, if you teach the Day of Christ is present, or even is past, well then, that would shake people that they "missed it". This is proof that the Day of Christ begins with the rapture. Preterists teach that the Day of Christ took place in 70 AD, so there are clearly those who are teaching this heresy.
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; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
There are three things that must come first, before the tribulation begins. First, the "falling away". This is like the orgy we saw in Exodus when Moses was still up on the mountain and he comes down and breaks the ten commandments. We are seeing this now with the LGBTQ+ churches and the "Once Saved Always Saved" doctrine telling people they can live in sin and as long as they prayed something 20 years ago it doesn't matter, they are still saved. In the book of Revelation this church is Laodicea. It means that people are doing what is right in their own eyes and Jesus Christ, the incarnated word of God, has been kicked out of the church. If a church does not believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, then they are Laodicea, the falling away. Second, the man of sin must be revealed, the son of perdition. Judas is a type, an example for us. He was revealed when he betrayed Jesus. Think of that moment in the gospels when Jesus says that if He is the one they want they should let the others go as a type of the rapture. The word Harpazo means to be snatched out of the way of certain destruction. The day of Christ's judgement on this evil world begins with the monkey trials. We are told that He said that to the soldiers so that none of those who were following Him would be lost. That is our blessed hope, we follow Jesus as the good shepherd knowing if we stay close to him we will be safe from the wolves. We are seeing the stage set for this where Evangelical Christians will be classified as criminals that can be punished by death. This is known as the "Noahide" laws and the three major Abrahamic religions have joined together on this point (Catholicism, Judaism and Islam). Then the third point is the Antichrist sets himself up in the temple. This is where many Christians have created an erroneous doctrine that the Temple must be rebuilt on the Temple mount first. The word for "temple" is not the word that they use for the stone temple on the temple mount. This word is used exclusively for the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. They were inside that stone temple on the temple mount, but they were also inside the Tabernacle prior to the Temple being built. This verse in no way supports a doctrine that the stone temple must be rebuilt. Instead, the only prophecy in the Old Testament on this issue is that the Tabernacle of David will be raised again in Shiloh. Sure enough, when the Red Heifer was sacrificed in Shiloh on July 1, 2025 it was done according to the law in the Torah which means it had to have been looking into the Holy place in the tabernacle. This means that the stage is also set for this part of the prophecy. The tabernacle has been raised and so we have the "Temple" already here where Antichrist will seat himself.
God will send them a strong delusion
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
Paul teaches the Bible. From the very beginning Satan has tried to put himself into the place of worship instead of God. We see that with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. "You will be like God", an imitation that looks like God. We see this arrogance when they talk about where Satan came from as a chief archangel. We see this in the New Testament when Paul says that Satan can appear as an angel of light. Sheep in wolves clothing, you shall know them by their fruit, etc. The Bible, both old and new is full of this deceitful spirit woven throughout.
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
Think about the ones who killed Jesus. They appeared to be men of God, but in reality they were one with Satan. What was holding them back? People knew the word of God, they needed a valid reason to kill Jesus. Eventually they were forced because of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. That was when they realized if they didn't act now they would lose everything. But what they were afraid of, what was holding them back, was the fact that the people knew the word of God. This is why they had to arrest him in the dead of night and try and convict him by 9 AM so that by the time the people had learned what had happened it would already be over. Imagine a man charged with murder is arrested at midnight and by 9am he is convicted and in the process of being executed. This is what it means when they say "peace and security then sudden destruction". Judas came and kissed Jesus, all is well, followed by sudden destruction.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
This word letteth can be translated as "seize" or to stay with someone, or to keep or take. Think of a dog on a leash. The mystery of iniquity is like a dog on a leash. They can operate, but they are restricted by the law.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
During the tribulation that dog is let off the leash. A lot of people reject what the Bible tells them about Satan, the fallen angels, demons and hell. They need to see that dog let off the leash before they will repent and call on the Lord Jesus for salvation.
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Think of all these UFO developments. The same people who refuse to receive the love of the truth concerning Jesus Christ, the ones who reject a creator, or the ten commandments, these same ones believe that aliens travel many light years to get to the US as some kind of benevolent civilization. All of these sci fi movies about this are simply "lying wonders with all deceivableness of unrighteousness".
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
God is going to punk them. They refused to receive the truth because they were all "evolved" and "scientific" so instead they will play the total fool believing fallen angels, kicked out of heaven and here to pour out their wrath, are "benevolent" aliens. They are arrogant thinking they are so smart and Christians are these gullible fools. So then they will be the ones who play the fool and will be put to an open shame.
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
This is an extremely hard word, difficult for many to reconcile with the Bible. We are in the age of grace, there is a period of grace where you can be forgiven for your sins, for your arrogance, for your persecution of Christians, your mockery, your ridicule, your insults, etc. But that time of grace has a set time limit and will expire and when it does those who have still refused to repent because they take pleasure in unrighteousness, they will be damned.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
Paul teaches the Bible. From the very beginning Satan has tried to put himself into the place of worship instead of God. We see that with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. "You will be like God", an imitation that looks like God. We see this arrogance when they talk about where Satan came from as a chief archangel. We see this in the New Testament when Paul says that Satan can appear as an angel of light. Sheep in wolves clothing, you shall know them by their fruit, etc. The Bible, both old and new is full of this deceitful spirit woven throughout.
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
Think about the ones who killed Jesus. They appeared to be men of God, but in reality they were one with Satan. What was holding them back? People knew the word of God, they needed a valid reason to kill Jesus. Eventually they were forced because of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. That was when they realized if they didn't act now they would lose everything. But what they were afraid of, what was holding them back, was the fact that the people knew the word of God. This is why they had to arrest him in the dead of night and try and convict him by 9 AM so that by the time the people had learned what had happened it would already be over. Imagine a man charged with murder is arrested at midnight and by 9am he is convicted and in the process of being executed. This is what it means when they say "peace and security then sudden destruction". Judas came and kissed Jesus, all is well, followed by sudden destruction.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
This word letteth can be translated as "seize" or to stay with someone, or to keep or take. Think of a dog on a leash. The mystery of iniquity is like a dog on a leash. They can operate, but they are restricted by the law.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
During the tribulation that dog is let off the leash. A lot of people reject what the Bible tells them about Satan, the fallen angels, demons and hell. They need to see that dog let off the leash before they will repent and call on the Lord Jesus for salvation.
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Think of all these UFO developments. The same people who refuse to receive the love of the truth concerning Jesus Christ, the ones who reject a creator, or the ten commandments, these same ones believe that aliens travel many light years to get to the US as some kind of benevolent civilization. All of these sci fi movies about this are simply "lying wonders with all deceivableness of unrighteousness".
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
God is going to punk them. They refused to receive the truth because they were all "evolved" and "scientific" so instead they will play the total fool believing fallen angels, kicked out of heaven and here to pour out their wrath, are "benevolent" aliens. They are arrogant thinking they are so smart and Christians are these gullible fools. So then they will be the ones who play the fool and will be put to an open shame.
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
This is an extremely hard word, difficult for many to reconcile with the Bible. We are in the age of grace, there is a period of grace where you can be forgiven for your sins, for your arrogance, for your persecution of Christians, your mockery, your ridicule, your insults, etc. But that time of grace has a set time limit and will expire and when it does those who have still refused to repent because they take pleasure in unrighteousness, they will be damned.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 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.
There are few churches where these verses are taught. Most Christians don't even understand what Paul is saying. Each one of us, when we were "born again" were chosen by God to salvation through sanctification. All of Christianity teaches that we are saved by the blood of Jesus. That is true, that is a salvation from hell. But that is not the salvation through sanctification. Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified by His word. The word sanctified means to be set apart, that is a simple and easy to see sanctification. You take a loaf of bread and put it in the Holy Place, it is set apart to God. Likewise, you take a believer and you set him apart and put him into a church, in fellowship with others, going to bible studies and prayer meetings, that is to be sanctified. But sanctified also means to be made holy. The best illustration is petrified wood. Each molecule of the wood is replaced with a molecule of jasper. The wood is reconstituted and is no longer composed of carbon, but of silicon dioxide. Three atoms, one of silica, the most abundant earth element and it depicts Jesus Christ the son. Then two oxygen atoms. The first depicts God the father, the source of life and the second depicts the Holy Spirit, the breath of life. Jasper is triune, one molecule, three atoms. The way petrified wood is petrified is to be immersed into a supersaturated liquid, like being baptized into the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This transformation of believers will in turn result in obtaining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what Paul says, if we are buried in baptism in the likeness of the Lord's death we will also be raised in the likeness of His resurrection.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Hold fast refers back to that word "let". Remember that word can mean to seize, to hold, to keep. What is the apostasy trying to do? To convince you to let go of the word of God. Satan will use the great delusion and all lying wonders to convince you to let go. Paul is telling us to "stand fast and hold". This is a warfare, we must do all to stand.
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.
Every good word and work should be a warfare where you are standing fast and holding the truth. When we are in the midst of this battle we need the assurance that Jesus Christ and God have loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. We look to Jesus Christ and God to comfort our hearts and establish us in every good word and work.
There are few churches where these verses are taught. Most Christians don't even understand what Paul is saying. Each one of us, when we were "born again" were chosen by God to salvation through sanctification. All of Christianity teaches that we are saved by the blood of Jesus. That is true, that is a salvation from hell. But that is not the salvation through sanctification. Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified by His word. The word sanctified means to be set apart, that is a simple and easy to see sanctification. You take a loaf of bread and put it in the Holy Place, it is set apart to God. Likewise, you take a believer and you set him apart and put him into a church, in fellowship with others, going to bible studies and prayer meetings, that is to be sanctified. But sanctified also means to be made holy. The best illustration is petrified wood. Each molecule of the wood is replaced with a molecule of jasper. The wood is reconstituted and is no longer composed of carbon, but of silicon dioxide. Three atoms, one of silica, the most abundant earth element and it depicts Jesus Christ the son. Then two oxygen atoms. The first depicts God the father, the source of life and the second depicts the Holy Spirit, the breath of life. Jasper is triune, one molecule, three atoms. The way petrified wood is petrified is to be immersed into a supersaturated liquid, like being baptized into the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This transformation of believers will in turn result in obtaining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what Paul says, if we are buried in baptism in the likeness of the Lord's death we will also be raised in the likeness of His resurrection.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Hold fast refers back to that word "let". Remember that word can mean to seize, to hold, to keep. What is the apostasy trying to do? To convince you to let go of the word of God. Satan will use the great delusion and all lying wonders to convince you to let go. Paul is telling us to "stand fast and hold". This is a warfare, we must do all to stand.
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.
Every good word and work should be a warfare where you are standing fast and holding the truth. When we are in the midst of this battle we need the assurance that Jesus Christ and God have loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. We look to Jesus Christ and God to comfort our hearts and establish us in every good word and work.
1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Paul urged Timothy and besought him to stay in Ephesus, not to teach. That was not the primary mission. The primary mission was to stand against those who taught other doctrines. He was there to put a stop to that. He was also watching out for anyone swerving from the path to pursue after anything other than "godly edifying which is in faith". Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. This is what we are to focus on in the word, being built up in the faith. It is possible to chase after a thousand other things. You can talk about UFOs, you can talk about the Nephelim and the Elites, and the council of 13, etc. Why do people want to focus on genealogies? There are two possible reasons, one is because the genealogy leads to Jesus Christ and reveals that Jesus is the Christ. This is why Matthew and Luke have genealogies in their gospels. They are not "endless genealogies" there is a point, a conclusion. Another reason is they want to show that the sins of the father are visited on the children to the third generation. We learn a lesson in righteousness and how sin leaves a lasting mark. Again, that is not an endless genealogy, it has a point, a conclusion. A third reason is they want to show that God's blessing is to the tenth generation. Once again, that genealogy has a point, a conclusion. But an endless genealogy does not conclude in Jesus Christ, it does not demonstrate God's righteousness or blessing. An endless genealogy says that these people are special because of who their parents are, or these people are cursed because of who their parents are, and that never ends. The point of the New Testament is that Jesus broke the curse on the cross when He became a curse for us. Not only so but we are blessed in Jesus Christ. When we are born again we inherit all those blessings that God wants to bestow on the generations that are birthed by Jesus Christ.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
Paul is pointing out that this principle applies to the entire law. It also has an "end", a "conclusion" a point. It is summed up in the two greatest laws, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself and thou shalt love God with all thy heart. Not only so, but the law explains how to have a good conscience. The sin offering and peace offering and trespass offering are all designed by God that we would have a good conscience. Finally the law is extremely strict, because of the law Jesus Christ needed to be crucified. In the same way we are commanded to take up our cross and follow Jesus. It is terrifying and the only way you can do this is if you have faith unfeigned. This will power wash away all the phonies, all the pretenders.
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
What an incredible term "vain jangling". This is the only book in the New Testament that uses this term. Every book in the New testament has unique terms, unique words, which convey the unique burden of that book. This book is written to Timothy, the pastor of this church. The unique burden for pastors is to keep them from swerving aside to "vain jangling". This word "having swerved" is used three times in the New Testament and only in the books of 1 and 2 Timothy. It means to miss the mark. The point is you can teach the Bible while still "missing the mark".
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
Paul urged Timothy and besought him to stay in Ephesus, not to teach. That was not the primary mission. The primary mission was to stand against those who taught other doctrines. He was there to put a stop to that. He was also watching out for anyone swerving from the path to pursue after anything other than "godly edifying which is in faith". Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. This is what we are to focus on in the word, being built up in the faith. It is possible to chase after a thousand other things. You can talk about UFOs, you can talk about the Nephelim and the Elites, and the council of 13, etc. Why do people want to focus on genealogies? There are two possible reasons, one is because the genealogy leads to Jesus Christ and reveals that Jesus is the Christ. This is why Matthew and Luke have genealogies in their gospels. They are not "endless genealogies" there is a point, a conclusion. Another reason is they want to show that the sins of the father are visited on the children to the third generation. We learn a lesson in righteousness and how sin leaves a lasting mark. Again, that is not an endless genealogy, it has a point, a conclusion. A third reason is they want to show that God's blessing is to the tenth generation. Once again, that genealogy has a point, a conclusion. But an endless genealogy does not conclude in Jesus Christ, it does not demonstrate God's righteousness or blessing. An endless genealogy says that these people are special because of who their parents are, or these people are cursed because of who their parents are, and that never ends. The point of the New Testament is that Jesus broke the curse on the cross when He became a curse for us. Not only so but we are blessed in Jesus Christ. When we are born again we inherit all those blessings that God wants to bestow on the generations that are birthed by Jesus Christ.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
Paul is pointing out that this principle applies to the entire law. It also has an "end", a "conclusion" a point. It is summed up in the two greatest laws, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself and thou shalt love God with all thy heart. Not only so, but the law explains how to have a good conscience. The sin offering and peace offering and trespass offering are all designed by God that we would have a good conscience. Finally the law is extremely strict, because of the law Jesus Christ needed to be crucified. In the same way we are commanded to take up our cross and follow Jesus. It is terrifying and the only way you can do this is if you have faith unfeigned. This will power wash away all the phonies, all the pretenders.
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
What an incredible term "vain jangling". This is the only book in the New Testament that uses this term. Every book in the New testament has unique terms, unique words, which convey the unique burden of that book. This book is written to Timothy, the pastor of this church. The unique burden for pastors is to keep them from swerving aside to "vain jangling". This word "having swerved" is used three times in the New Testament and only in the books of 1 and 2 Timothy. It means to miss the mark. The point is you can teach the Bible while still "missing the mark".
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
Why the apostasy must come first.
Luke 20:14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
The church in Laodicea is where Jesus is "cast out of the vineyard". He is outside knocking. This is what happened in the US. The mayflower compact dedicated this land to the Lord, and in the last hundred years they have cast him out of every aspect of the country. Apostasy is to depart from the Lord who is the incarnated word of God. This is what the government has done and it is also what many "churches" have done.
16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
This is why the apostasy must come first, it is what prompts the day of the Lord, the day of judgment on this earth.
17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
In all three synoptic gospels they have this parable of the unrighteous tenants and they quote the verse about the stone which the builders rejected becoming the head of the corner. But in Matthew and Mark it concludes "and it is marvelous in our eyes". Only in Luke does it conclude with "whoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken and whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."
The three synoptic gospels apply to three specific groups, Matthew is to the Jews being saved as a nation, Mark to the left behind Christians during the tribulation and Luke to those who are raptured before the tribulation. In all three cases the path of salvation is very similar, which is why these three gospels are very similar. However, there are specific distinctions in these gospels which give us clues as to the distinction prior to the tribulation, during it, and the end of it. All three gospels say that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and the "builders" rejected Him. But which builders? Are we talking about global elites like Pharaohs and Kings? Are we talking about the Jewish religious leaders who rejected Jesus? Or are we talking about the apostasy at the end of the age with Christianity and Laodicea? This is an important question before the rapture because you will have these three groups. But after the rapture the Antichrist will be revealed, the ones who are in direct rebellion with the Lord, they know what they are doing, and they are not savable. Genuine Christians who are left behind will then fall into one of two categories. Some have "stumbled over Jesus". He is the stone of stumbling. Think about all these ones who are horrified at what has happened to Gaza. They are stumbling at "righteous judgement of God". God is merciful, He is long suffering, but He is also righteous and the day will come when He will judge. We do not know the full story, we are not omniscient, God is. As a result we may think the judgement is too severe, but that is simply because we do not know men's hearts and we don't know the full story. But then there are also those on whom this stone falls and grinds them to powder. That is very similar to a mill stone which grinds grain into flour. I heard this testimony of a man, Ron Archer, who went through horrific experiences as a child, tried to kill himself, but he got saved and has since planted many churches impacting millions of people. Jesus Christ is the savior, if you come into contact with the savior you will be saved. That includes those who stumble on Him and those on whom He falls.
So then in this parable of the unrighteous tenants we see four groups of people. First, we see the unrighteous tenants, they will be miserably destroyed and the vineyard will be taken from them and given to others. The rulers of this age will be cast down and the Christians have been trained to rule and reign and replace them. The second group refers to Jesus and all the "sent ones" who were sent to the unrighteous tenants to collect rent. These are those who are raptured. In Matthew and Mark they both saw the rapture and it was marvelous in their eyes. What they didn't see was that these ones were broken or ground into powder. That is the process of being saved. However, the raptured ones see this and are giving a testimony that this is the path to salvation and it is the path that those who are left behind will take. The tribulation is a time where you will be ground to powder, and you will be broken.
Luke 20:14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
The church in Laodicea is where Jesus is "cast out of the vineyard". He is outside knocking. This is what happened in the US. The mayflower compact dedicated this land to the Lord, and in the last hundred years they have cast him out of every aspect of the country. Apostasy is to depart from the Lord who is the incarnated word of God. This is what the government has done and it is also what many "churches" have done.
16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
This is why the apostasy must come first, it is what prompts the day of the Lord, the day of judgment on this earth.
17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
In all three synoptic gospels they have this parable of the unrighteous tenants and they quote the verse about the stone which the builders rejected becoming the head of the corner. But in Matthew and Mark it concludes "and it is marvelous in our eyes". Only in Luke does it conclude with "whoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken and whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."
The three synoptic gospels apply to three specific groups, Matthew is to the Jews being saved as a nation, Mark to the left behind Christians during the tribulation and Luke to those who are raptured before the tribulation. In all three cases the path of salvation is very similar, which is why these three gospels are very similar. However, there are specific distinctions in these gospels which give us clues as to the distinction prior to the tribulation, during it, and the end of it. All three gospels say that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and the "builders" rejected Him. But which builders? Are we talking about global elites like Pharaohs and Kings? Are we talking about the Jewish religious leaders who rejected Jesus? Or are we talking about the apostasy at the end of the age with Christianity and Laodicea? This is an important question before the rapture because you will have these three groups. But after the rapture the Antichrist will be revealed, the ones who are in direct rebellion with the Lord, they know what they are doing, and they are not savable. Genuine Christians who are left behind will then fall into one of two categories. Some have "stumbled over Jesus". He is the stone of stumbling. Think about all these ones who are horrified at what has happened to Gaza. They are stumbling at "righteous judgement of God". God is merciful, He is long suffering, but He is also righteous and the day will come when He will judge. We do not know the full story, we are not omniscient, God is. As a result we may think the judgement is too severe, but that is simply because we do not know men's hearts and we don't know the full story. But then there are also those on whom this stone falls and grinds them to powder. That is very similar to a mill stone which grinds grain into flour. I heard this testimony of a man, Ron Archer, who went through horrific experiences as a child, tried to kill himself, but he got saved and has since planted many churches impacting millions of people. Jesus Christ is the savior, if you come into contact with the savior you will be saved. That includes those who stumble on Him and those on whom He falls.
So then in this parable of the unrighteous tenants we see four groups of people. First, we see the unrighteous tenants, they will be miserably destroyed and the vineyard will be taken from them and given to others. The rulers of this age will be cast down and the Christians have been trained to rule and reign and replace them. The second group refers to Jesus and all the "sent ones" who were sent to the unrighteous tenants to collect rent. These are those who are raptured. In Matthew and Mark they both saw the rapture and it was marvelous in their eyes. What they didn't see was that these ones were broken or ground into powder. That is the process of being saved. However, the raptured ones see this and are giving a testimony that this is the path to salvation and it is the path that those who are left behind will take. The tribulation is a time where you will be ground to powder, and you will be broken.
PROPHECY-- TIME'S UP
Haggai 2:99 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
My son, I have spoken today to My Remnant, and the words spoken are TIME'S UP.I have had great joy in seeing My children seek Me in prayer. Many are now preparing for the GREAT HARVEST. I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind.Those who are ready with soft hearts will hear My calling and will repent. Those whose hearts are hardened will be made soft, and they will repent.The OUTPOURING will be like no other time - ever. My true churches will be overflowing with new babies, all hungry and wanting more of My Word.
My son, TIME'S UP, and the HARVEST is now beginning. NOT by the big megachurches, but by the small church on the corner, whose pastor has been on his knees, praying without ceasing.I AM GOING TO SHAKE THIS NATION TO WAKE UP THE CHURCHES!I WILL REMOVE THE FALSE PASTORS AND WILL PUT IN MY FIREBRANDS, AND THE CHURCHES WILL THEN BURN WITH MY HOLY FIRE.
My son, continue to seek Me in all things, for soon the Northeast will light up with My HOLY FIRE. No more dead churches, but churches where My presence is, and where miracles and healing will be commonplace. People will not want to leave because My GLORY will fill the churches. Yes, the judgments will continue to fall, but My GLORY will fall more. More churches will catch FIRE with My Spirit and spread across this nation. Then will I gather My Bride - on FIRE and gloriously powerful.
My son, TIME'S UP, and THE TIME IS NOW. I will bless My Remnant to be able to accomplish the work I have called you to do. Do not fear man, for I AM is with you in all things.TIME'S UP! NOW IS THE TIME that all have been waiting and praying for! Be braced in My Word, and stay in prayer always.Do not ever stop praying!!Do not ever stop believing!!And never, ever quit!!I AM with you all, My Beloved Remnant! IT'S NOW GLORY TIME!!
Amen.
Lord Jesus
Firebrand Definition: 1. A piece of burning wood.2. A person who is very passionate and fiercely devoted to a particular cause. God's firebrand is someone, like the prophet Elijah, characterized by intense zeal and passion for God's presence, serving to stir up faith, to ignite spiritual revival and "set the world on fire" with the gospel. One who has been through the fire and is chosen to serve as an agent of spiritual revival, often described as a "brand plucked from the fire."
NYC is the one who says she sits here a queen
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.
I think it is essential to understand who Babylon the Great refers to. Then we can understand when this event takes place. Revelation 17 gives us some background on who Babylon the great is, but the verses three through seven give is a very specific and clear reference.
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.
We were told earlier in the book of Revelation that she is a great city that reigns over the earth. So this city is involved in global influence. The influence is based on her "befuddling wine" and economic transactions with the merchants of the world and her wealth.
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.
The Lord is calling for His people to come out of her. That would strongly indicate that "Babylon the great" is a "Christian" city. Jesus told us a parable about the end of the age being a field where He planted wheat and then his enemy came and planted Tares. At the end of the age you have to separate out the wheat from the tares before throwing the bundles of tares into the fire.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
This city has all of her sins heaped up into a great mountain. This reminds us of the Lord's word in Matthew 18 that if you are guilty of abusing children it is better for you if a millstone is tied to your neck and you are tossed into the ocean. This imagery is repeated later in this chapter when it describes the judgment coming in one hour.
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.
This greatly narrows it down. How many cities on this earth can be characterized as Christian? Quite a few, the US is called a "Christian nation" so that would count, the Mayflower compact consecrated the new world as a field to God, so that would also count, we have several cities in the US with global influence in both causing people to drink their wine and being wealthy cities for global trade. Primarily NYC and LA. NYC has Madison avenue, the marketing in Madison avenue is designed to get people to drink our wine, and of course LA has Hollywood which could be considered befuddling wine. However, NYC also has the NY Stock Exchange and that could refer to people getting rich through her delicacies.
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.
To "sit here a queen" indicates she is wearing a crown. That would only refer to NYC and the Statue of Liberty. When we consider the comparison between a field that the Lord owns with both wheat and tares growing side by side, it suggests a "melting pot". When we consider that, plus the US being the only nation on earth characterized as a "Christian nation" along with the incredible influence NYC exerts on the rest of the world, something confirmed by the UN placing headquarters in NYC, as well as the incredible influence on global trade and the NY Stock Exchange. There really is no other city that can fit the bill as well as NYC and the Statue of Liberty being equated to this city is just further proof. Rome can't compare, they are hardly credited with making all the merchants of the earth rich. The US is the greatest consumer nation on earth. We buy stuff that merchants sell and so we make them rich. In fact, no city in Europe would be so arrogant as to say I "shall see no sorrow". WW2 is still fresh enough in everyone's mind to make such a statement idiotic. Without a doubt this eliminates London from consideration and it also eliminates Rome. However, since the US has not suffered an invasion in over 200 years it is certainly something the US and NYC might say. The sense here is of her arrogance and refusal to repent. So 911 actually adds to this, God warned NYC with the attack on 911 to repent, so for her to continue with this arrogant attitude even after 911 is even more damning.
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.
I think it is essential to understand who Babylon the Great refers to. Then we can understand when this event takes place. Revelation 17 gives us some background on who Babylon the great is, but the verses three through seven give is a very specific and clear reference.
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.
We were told earlier in the book of Revelation that she is a great city that reigns over the earth. So this city is involved in global influence. The influence is based on her "befuddling wine" and economic transactions with the merchants of the world and her wealth.
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.
The Lord is calling for His people to come out of her. That would strongly indicate that "Babylon the great" is a "Christian" city. Jesus told us a parable about the end of the age being a field where He planted wheat and then his enemy came and planted Tares. At the end of the age you have to separate out the wheat from the tares before throwing the bundles of tares into the fire.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
This city has all of her sins heaped up into a great mountain. This reminds us of the Lord's word in Matthew 18 that if you are guilty of abusing children it is better for you if a millstone is tied to your neck and you are tossed into the ocean. This imagery is repeated later in this chapter when it describes the judgment coming in one hour.
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.
This greatly narrows it down. How many cities on this earth can be characterized as Christian? Quite a few, the US is called a "Christian nation" so that would count, the Mayflower compact consecrated the new world as a field to God, so that would also count, we have several cities in the US with global influence in both causing people to drink their wine and being wealthy cities for global trade. Primarily NYC and LA. NYC has Madison avenue, the marketing in Madison avenue is designed to get people to drink our wine, and of course LA has Hollywood which could be considered befuddling wine. However, NYC also has the NY Stock Exchange and that could refer to people getting rich through her delicacies.
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.
To "sit here a queen" indicates she is wearing a crown. That would only refer to NYC and the Statue of Liberty. When we consider the comparison between a field that the Lord owns with both wheat and tares growing side by side, it suggests a "melting pot". When we consider that, plus the US being the only nation on earth characterized as a "Christian nation" along with the incredible influence NYC exerts on the rest of the world, something confirmed by the UN placing headquarters in NYC, as well as the incredible influence on global trade and the NY Stock Exchange. There really is no other city that can fit the bill as well as NYC and the Statue of Liberty being equated to this city is just further proof. Rome can't compare, they are hardly credited with making all the merchants of the earth rich. The US is the greatest consumer nation on earth. We buy stuff that merchants sell and so we make them rich. In fact, no city in Europe would be so arrogant as to say I "shall see no sorrow". WW2 is still fresh enough in everyone's mind to make such a statement idiotic. Without a doubt this eliminates London from consideration and it also eliminates Rome. However, since the US has not suffered an invasion in over 200 years it is certainly something the US and NYC might say. The sense here is of her arrogance and refusal to repent. So 911 actually adds to this, God warned NYC with the attack on 911 to repent, so for her to continue with this arrogant attitude even after 911 is even more damning.