rollinTHUNDER

We shall know soon enough. According to Jonathan Cahn this is a shemitah year. Many believe the economy will collapse this September. And Mark Biltz has gone as far as claiming that if Daniel's 70th week doesn't start by then, then we'll have to wait for another seven year cycle. I don't know, but we will soon see. Cheers

For a number of reasons Jesus' ministry has been widely accepted as 3.5 years long. The main reason is that 4 Passover feasts, including the final crucifixion moment, are clearly recorded in the gospel during Jesus' ministry which makes his ministry definitely 3 years and some months, yet not quite 4 years. But adding strength to this, we can date the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan to sometime between the beginning of 26AD and the spring of 27AD. John the Baptist started his ministry during the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1) , which can be dated to the earliest 26AD. Jesus first Passover feast of his ministry was during the 46th year of the rebuilding of Herod's temple (John 2:20) which is the spring of 27AD. This frankly does not leave much time for all the preaching and baptising of John to the whole of Israel, plus all the ministry of Jesus until the first Passover of his ministry. It would be fair to split this ~1 yr period in approximately half, giving John the Baptist a little time to preach before he baptised Jesus. We therefore need to place Jesus baptism around autumn of 26AD , his first Passover in spring 27AD, which then places the crucifixion in the spring of 30AD. This date of 30AD has been widely accepted for a number of reasons, which is possibly a subject for another thread. So its not conclusive, but definitely Jesus' ministry was 3 years and some months. It would then be naive to ignore the possibility of Jesus fitting those first 3.5 years when Jesus did give strength to God's promise to send a Messiah. It could be argued that this was the greatest hope and expectation of the people of God for over 1000 years. To then over-emphasize a possible antichrist covenant could be biblically naive in the face of this really great Jewish covenant which was actually fulfilled within the special 490 year Jewish period. this brings to question how Jesus could be the "he". This is possible if one studies history surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem, then one can see that those that corrupted and ruined the city before the Romans even entered the city were actually Galilean Jews. So the Galilean Jews, Jesus own countrymen, were the people to ruin the city before the Romans came in like a flood to complete its destruction. So the people of the prince who ruined the city were Jesus' own people, Galilean Jews. This improves the grammar of verse 25 and verse 26, which both refer to a coming prince without any indication of a change of character from one verse to the other. This view then highlights a further fault of the standard "antichrist" view. MOST English translation actually identify TWO characters in Daniel 9:27, not just one. These translations describe HE as confirming the covenant, and ONE/DESOLATER as setting up the abomination. Most translations therefore contradict the standard view of the antichrist doing both those deeds. Regarding your point about Christ putting a stop to sacrifices, Jesus was the last and final acceptable sacrifice for sins. Hebrews describes this clearly. After Christ there was no further need for the priests to continually sacrifice, The fact that they did continue is irrelevant to the fact that Jesus fulfilled the law and they were continuing to sacrifice needlessly. You've done a nice job putting this together, but as I said, this is not for me. It really doesn't matter so much to me whether or not Christ' ministry was 3 1/2 years. Scripture says that He was cut off after 69 weeks, not 69 1/2 or in the middle of the 70th week. I take it as cutting Him off completed 69 weeks. Also, the new covenant is a covenant in blood and is an eternal covenant, not a seven year covenant. If we say this covenant began when He was baptized, then it was missing the blood. He came to die for our sins, and that required His blood. So since you are placing His blood in the middle of the week, any ministry before that had no power. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Cheers

Hi BJ66, Thanks for explaining your view, but it just doesn't work for me. You said that Christ' death on the cross occurs in the middle of the week. There's quite a few that have come to believe this, but I don't. First, you must assume that Christ' ministry lasted exactly 3 1/2 years, but there's no way to prove this. I don't even think we can look to His baptism as confirming the covenant with many. He introduced the new covenant the same night they captured and arrested Him after the last supper, so I don't think His ministry has anything to do with it. And Christ did not put a stop to sacrifice and offering when He was crucified either. These continued another 40 years until AD 70. And He most certainly was not the abomination that causes desolation. So when exactly do you suppose the man of sin/son of perdition will go into the Temple and claim he is God, or do you believe this was already fulfilled as well??? I believe this theory is dead in the water. Cheers

Hi William, You may believe Matt. 24:9 is the 5th seal, but Christ says clearly in verse (6) the end is not yet. He was telling His disciples that they themselves would be hated and killed for His name's sake. Then in verse (14) He tells them the gospel will be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then the end shall come. Then finally, in verse (15) we see the abomination of desolation. Welcome to the time of the end! Disagree if you like, but the moon is very telling here. In fact, it's the only thing that tells us anything. The sun gets dark every day, so that won't tell us. Meteor showers can last for weeks, so that doesn't help either. But there is a HUGE difference between a new moon and a full moon. It takes about 15 days to go from one to the other. You'll see the full moon once every 29.+ days, so yes, this has everything to do with it. It appears you're in denial because it doesn't fit your theory. That's funny! Swirling falling stars. You're kidding, right? Cheers

So where does the abomination of desolation come into play? And what about the Temple? Cheers

Hi Jeff, Yes, these are different times as seen in the phases of the moon, but the stars falling is just meteor showers. Cheers

It's the next scene John sees in heaven. John did not say when they got there. They were already standing around the throne when he saw them. The resurrection/rapture has nothing to do with the seals, but it occurs before God's wrath. I believe they will arrive before the fifth seal is opened, as they are kept from the hour of trial, unlike the martyrs (lukewarm). John does "say when they got there": Rev. 7:14 "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation..." Now, either this means that they came from the midst of the trib, or, they came through and thus out of the trib. Hi William, It appears you are contradicting yourself here. You claim John does say when they got there, so when is it, in the midst of, or through the great tribulation? These would not be the same time if those days are shortened for the sake of the elect. Obviously the martyrs are not the elect that will be ready. And this is why I say the rapture occurs before the 5th seal is opened. Disagree. Rev. 6:17 tells us, “... the great day of His wrath came [and continues: aorist verb tense], and who is able to stand?” This verse reveals that the wrath begins after the opening of the 6th Seal. So we can see that the Lord has already come for his Church by this time. Verse 16 tells us that the people of earth say, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!" -- which means that they have seen them! When does everyone see Jesus? Rev. 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will wail because of Him. Even so, Amen. And this is what we see 6:16-17, after the 6th Seal is opened: the peoples of earth are wailing because they have seen the coming of Christ and have recognized him. They are wailing because they had reviled and rejected him, and are now greatly afraid of the consequences. I agree the Lord has already come (rapture) before the 6th seal, obviously, since I believe He comes before they start killing the martyrs (5th seal). By the way, Revelation 6 is only referring to the tribulation martyrs who are killed (after) the rapture, because martyrs who were killed before the rapture will be resurrected with the dead in Christ. God is waiting to unleash His wrath after all of these tribulation martyrs have been killed, which will also be the end of the first resurrection or the resurrection of the just. Now, as to when every eye will see Him and all the tribes mourn? This is back in Matt. 24. Matthew 24:29-31 - Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 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. The sun, moon and stars appear to be the same in Matt. 24 and the 6th seal, but they are not. They are very different. The phases of the moon are completely different. The moon doesn't give her light in Matt. 24, but we see a blood moon when the 6th seal is opened. When the moon isn't seen or does not give it's light, this phase is known as a new moon, but a blood moon is a full lunar eclipse, which would come two weeks later. Also, the tribes of the earth are not mentioned with the 6th seal, like they are in Matt. 24:30 and Rev. 1:7. Instead, we find the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the chief captains and the mighty men, every bond man and free man hid themselves in the dens and rocks of the mountains, crying out for the mountains to fall on them and to hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. The rapture has already passed at this point, but when these men see the blood moon, then they will know it's the sign for the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31/Acts 2:20). This also tells me that the tribes of the earth, are the remnant and the scattered tribes of Israel, who are finally mourning for the one they have pierced when they see the sign of the Son of man appear and those who are ready gathered in the clouds to meet Him in the air (rapture). Then they will lift up their heads and know that their redemption draws near. I should also note, that once the first sliver of the new moon appears, this is the signal for the feast of trumpets to begin. And I believe that is the phase the moon will be in, just before He descends in the clouds and then sends His angels to gather His elect Matt. 24:30-31. Matt. 24:30-31 corresponds with 1 Thes. 4:16-17. Each reveals the sounding of a trumpet, Christ coming in the clouds, and a meeting or gathering. Cheers

I don't see anything in the 5th seal suggesting the martyrs will be killed for 42 months. The beast will be given authority and continue for 42 months, but I see nothing to indicate the 5th seal lasts for 42 months. We don't know when exactly they will force everyone to take the mark of the beast. But we do know it will be in the end, because God will not avenge their blood until all martyrs have been killed, but this does not tell us when the killing begins. Cheers

Great questions! These are the righteous dead and Christ's faithful servants who will be ready when the Son of man appears. It's the resurrection/rapture. It's the next scene John sees in heaven. John did not say when they got there. They were already standing around the throne when he saw them. The resurrection/rapture has nothing to do with the seals, but it occurs before God's wrath. I believe they will arrive before the fifth seal is opened, as they are kept from the hour of trial, unlike the martyrs (lukewarm). Cheers

It's incredible to see how many Christians are still telling their children lies about the mythical Santa Claus, hoping they will believe in him. How does that glorify Christ? The first thing we did when coming out of this nonsense was repenting of this. We sat our kids down and apologized for telling them lies and told them the truth. To some it's just little white lies which they believe are okay.

Very true! That's why I condemn no one, for I am not the judge. All we can do is follow our own heart and convictions. We simply withdraw and choose not to join in the festivities. Cheers That I understand, but your claim that Christmas is pagan, is a historical claim. If you can't verify that claim historically, why continue believing it is true? This is what I've come to believe after my own research. What is the nature of your research? What is the nature of the evidence you have turned up? What do you mean by "twisted Scripture?" I mean I realize that the Bible doesn't give us the number of wise men and I realize that there as no innkeeper mentioned in the text, nor a stable. But in what way is Scripture "twisted?" Or the fact that the wise men (magi) didn't show up until Christ was about two years old? There's nothing wrong with the scripture itself. It's fulfilled prophecy that shows how Christ would come into the world. But it's how the Romans twisted it to concoct their cute little Christmas story. If nothing else, it should be very telling to everyone that the word "Christmas" is nowhere to be found in God's Word. If this is really a Christian holiday, why is it that almost the entire world is celebrating it, when most of them hate Christ? 95% of the 24 houses on my street are all decked out with lights and Christmas trees, yet only three other families are Christians.

Very true! That's why I condemn no one, for I am not the judge. All we can do is follow our own heart and convictions. We simply withdraw and choose not to join in the festivities. Cheers That I understand, but your claim that Christmas is pagan, is a historical claim. If you can't verify that claim historically, why continue believing it is true? This is what I've come to believe after my own research. Would you feel better if I said it was a mixture of paganism and twisted scripture? It's either all truth or it isn't. Many say we need to keep Christ in Christmas, assuming that He was in it from the beginning. The real question is: Was Christ ever in Christmas to begin with, or has scripture been twisted to create the so-called Christmas story?

Very true! That's why I condemn no one, for I am not the judge. All we can do is follow our own heart and convictions. We simply withdraw and choose not to join in the festivities. Cheers

Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad He came to save us in the way that He did. I'm in no way trying to diminish His birth, but many believers don't even realize that He already existed before, and that nothing was created without Him. I think most people just blindly go along with their family's tradition, without giving much thought about its origins. This can be a very touchy subject and it's good that we have kept the peace in this discussion. Cheers And that's the thing... The "origins" being pagan isn't really substantiated. There a lot of claims being made, but there is not one archeological piece of evidence that has ever uncovered a "Christmas" tradition in the ancient pagan world. What you have is one guy quoting another, who quoted someone else and there is not one actual piece of evidence that is offered up. People just assume the claims are true and they run with it. It's like that verse cited above from Jeremiah. it is assumed by some to be referring to the Christmas tree, but there is not one example from the ancient ear eastern world at the time of Jeremiah where such a tradition existed. It's just that when we really break down these claims that Christmas comes from a pagan religion and we put that claim to the test, we come up with nothing.. Well, I can only speak for myself and my own convictions, and I agree it is difficult to get a good handle on it because it goes back so far in history. But it's clear to me that it did not originate from God's Word and believers in the first century did not celebrate it. I know that it's very difficult to come away from it, mostly because it's hard to get your relatives to understand. I remember the early years, telling them that if they couldn't understand it, at least respect it, and even that was a struggle for a few years. They seemed to feel guilty for leaving us out, so they would try to go around it, sending things after the new year instead. We stood firm, though, and did not give in. We returned everything to them and did not even open any cards. They finally quit sending the gifts but they kept sending the cards anyway, so I just kept telling them they would go into the garbage unopened. They do respect our beliefs now, but now the struggle is with brethren in our church. I refuse to set foot in a church that has a Christmas tree up. And this holiday has gotten very out of hand now. Christmas day has become so commercialized these days that it is no longer just a day, but it's become a season. Immediately after Thanksgiving, the next Sunday they set up the tree and it stays up until after the new year comes in, so we just stay home during their new season. I can truly say that we aren't missing anything, for no truth is taught during this time anyway. And it's nearly impossible trying to tell the multitude that greets us with "merry Christmas," that we don't celebrate it. There was never enough time to explain to each and every one so we found our only option was not to go during that time. It was always depressing and sad to see our brethren keeping their traditions going. As long as we keep our distance at that time, we feel blessed and that God is very pleased that we came out of it. But to each his own. Cheers

Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad He came to save us in the way that He did. I'm in no way trying to diminish His birth, but many believers don't even realize that He already existed before, and that nothing was created without Him. I think most people just blindly go along with their family's tradition, without giving much thought about its origins. This can be a very touchy subject and it's good that we have kept the peace in this discussion. Cheers

Those verses are usually cited in reference to the Christmas tree tradition, but the Christmas tree tradition is not a near eastern custom. It originated in Germany during the Reformation and is generally attributed to Martin Luther. The verses in Jeremiah that you cite above pertain to the old pagan custom of chopping down trees and carving the trunk into the form of one of their gods. They would stand it up and they would plate the image with either gold or silver and then dress the idol in purple robes. When we look at much later images of statues in ancient Greece that depict their gods, all we see today is white marble, but back in ancient times, those statues were painted in hair and skin tones and clothed with royal robes and stuff. So those verses in Jeremiah really have nothing to do with Christmas. Any connection there is spurious. We could go on and on about the many rituals and traditions associated with this pagan festival. I'm sure all Catholics are on board with it, but that does not make it biblical. Christ came to die for our sins, and He told us to remember one thing, (His death until He comes). There is nothing in God's Word about remembering or celebrating His birth. What company does truth have with lies? Think about it, if you were Christ, would you want to share your glory with a mythical fat man in a red suit? I think not. In fact, I'd be shocked if He does not put an end to Pope Gregory's Gregorian calendar when He returns. And we know from scripture that when He returns to reign in the millennium families from all nations will have to go to Jerusalem every year to worship Him, which takes us back to one of God's appointed times/festivals. I don't know about you, but I see some big changes coming to this dark world, and Christmas will be one of them! Cheers

Hi OneLight, How can you keep Christ in Christmas, when He never was in it to begin with? This has become a very long running tradition in most Christian homes and a very large percentage of unbelieving and atheist families around the world as well. But the question is, when did this tradition begin? Why didn't Christ' disciples celebrate Christmas? The New Testament was written several years after Christ ascended back to heaven, so why is there no mention of the word "Christmas" anywhere in God's Word? Christ, Himself, told His disciples to do one thing in remembrance of Him, and that one thing was not Christmas. He left heaven and came into this world to die for the sins of the world. Not only did the Romans crucify our Lord and kill most of His disciples, they also hijacked the church for quite a while, which led the world into the dark ages. Christians were kept in the dark, as there was no access to God's Word. The Romans corrupted God's Word and used it for political purposes to gain power over the people and many believers were killed for their faith during that time. It all started in the 4th century, when Constantine wrongly tried to Christianize the entire Roman empire, which is when the celebration of Christmas first began. To accomplish this, they had to get those who worshipped pagan gods to worship Christ, so they took the fulfilled prophecies that foretold Christ' birth and introduced them into their pagan celebrations, mixing the two beliefs together. But just as Christ told Peter, the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church. After more than a thousand years the reformation began, and before long Bibles were printed, bringing His light back into the world again. But unfortunately, after hundreds of years, Christmas had become a long running tradition which is still running strong today. Most believers still call it the christmas story, even though the word Christmas was never in God's Word. Now don't get me wrong, I don't condemn anyone that celebrates Christmas, because most believers simply do not know the truth behind it. I think most believers have been doing it for so long that most really don't even want to know the truth, even though some may suspect that some things just doesn't add up, so they keep looking for ways to defend this tradition of men. I just thank God that His truth has set me free. I quit celebrating Christmas about 22 years ago. Hallelujah!!! It simply is not biblical, no matter what any man says or believes. Jeremiah 10:2-4 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. By the way, I don't celebrate Easter either. Christ was resurrected on the Feast of First Fruits, not Easter. I also don't celebrate Halloween, St. Patrick's Day, St. Valentines Day, Good Friday or any other pagan holidays recognized on Pope Gregory's modern calendar. But Thanksgiving and the 4th of July are okay. Cheers

I agree. This may be why the peace settlement will seem necessary.

As for your other possibilities, I like option #2. We know it's coming, and it will be preceded by more attacks/war.

Hey Spockster, Erroneously? I wonder if you have as much confidence in this as you did in those southern teams in the college playoffs? There's a lot of believers that are placing all of their faith in this theory that's not even found in the Bible. It's one thing to hope for a pre-trib rapture, but if you're putting all of your eggs in this one basket, watch out! When it fails, and they did not prepare to endure like the wise virgins, life is going to become very difficult for most of them. The good thing about the pre-trib theory is that it will be the first theory to be proven false. Those who believed in it will have much egg on their faces, but at least they will be able to re-adjust their beliefs. Unfortunately, the bad thing about it is that world economy will collapse making it very difficult for the foolish virgins to prepare at that point. I would highly, highly recommend that if anyone is leaning towards this theory, that they will hope for the best and prepare for the worst. That's the best advice I can give, because the Lord never promised anyone a pre-trib rapture, whether you believe it or not. Now back to your scheduled blood moons program. Cheers

Well said. Obviously prophecy is subject to interpretation, but if anyone honestly thinks about the wording its pretty obvious that the second coming occurs at the 7th trumpet. What if someone honestly thought about the wording and it was pretty obvious that the rapture occurs at the 7th trumpet instead? What makes this so obvious to you? Cheers

Hi Marilyn, It is commonly believed that the body of Christ will be returning will Him at the second coming. I'll add three scriptures. The first shows that the martyrs that refuse the mark of the beast will be among those who will reign with Christ in the millennium. Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the martyrs are not the only ones who will rule and reign with Christ during the millennium, because those who are ready and meet Him in the clouds (rapture) will reign with Him as well. Matthew 24:44-47 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. So the body of Christ (saints) will return and reign with the Lord during the millennium. Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. Cheers ====================================================================================== The Group in Rev 20:4 are the "Tribulation Saints" that are identified here... (Revelation 7:13-14) "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? {14} And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." They are not the same as this group (The Slain under the Altar)..... (Revelation 6:9) "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:" This is an Equivocation (Fallacy) with the Term "Martyrs". The Group in Revelation 20:4 were "Beheaded" and yes Martyred... and Yes the Group under the Altar were Slain; Ergo, "Martyred". But the Group in Rev 20:4 were Literally....."Beheaded" and are a Specific Type.... with some other unique identifiers that settles the matter: not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands. These Identifiers (and "Beheaded" because not all the Slain under the Altar were "beheaded") Preclude the Slain under the Altar from being in the same group. As a side note: I have some startling information concerning these "Beheadings" but I will not post on an open forum. PM me and we'll discuss. Please identify "The Church" in you Passage....? Especially when "The Mystery of The Church" wasn't revealed until it was Paul's Honor to do so.... (Ephesians 3:1-6) "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, {2} If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: {3} How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, {4} Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) {5} Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; {6} That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" And you're Equivocating (Fallacy) "saints". There's OT "Saints", Tribulation "Saints", New Testament "Saints". I guess I never officially told you, but since you keep quoting me and trying to draw me into a discussion, I probably should tell you that you have been on my ignore radar for a pretty long time now. I've seen some of your recent posts and it's clear you have not changed. So please look for someone else to discuss your beliefs with. Thanks

Hi Marilyn, It is commonly believed that the body of Christ will be returning with Christ at the second coming. I'll add three scriptures. The first shows that the martyrs that refuse the mark of the beast will be among those who will reign with Christ in the millennium. Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the martyrs are not the only ones who will rule and reign with Christ during the millennium, because those who are ready and meet Him in the clouds (rapture) will reign with Him as well. Matthew 24:44-47 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. So the body of Christ (saints) will return and reign with the Lord during the millennium. Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. Cheers

Hello Pete, There are many misconceptions and assumptions associated with the term "antichrist" and I'm one who likes to steer away from such. John was the only disciple to use the term "antichrist." Years later, he also wrote the book of Revelation, yet he never mentioned the name antichrist anywhere in Revelation. There’s still a great possibility that the beast won’t even be a man, but instead, it may be a kingdom, an empire or even a world government. It’s also very possible that the term antichrist that John mentioned may have already been fulfilled in the first century. Especially when you consider that the Romans were not only responsible for the destruction of the Temple, but they also crucified Christ, and martyred almost all of His disciples as well. Christ told His disciples that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church. Could this be what John meant when he said that antichrist would come? Satan meant to destroy the kingdom, but God used it against him as Christ rose victoriously. John escaped, but was later imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation, in which there was no more mention of antichrist. We may never know the answer to this, but I see no reason to assume that antichrist is a single man that will come in the future and/or the beast in Revelation. The man of sin/son of perdition will most definitely come in the future, but let’s not assume that this is what John meant by the term "antichrist." According to John, every unbeliever of Christ had the spirit of antichrist, not just Islam. Furthermore, Mohammed wound not come for another 400 years later, so there would be no need for Christ to warn His disciples about the rise of Islam. Cheers

Hi Butero, I believe you are correct about this passage being the rapture. Many claim that only Paul taught about the rapture, but that's just not the case. Paul taught this mystery to the Gentiles, but it was none other than Christ, Himself, that had already taught this truth to His disciples. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. His disciples later asked Him about the sign of His coming. Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” So Christ used the rest of chapter 24 AND the entire next chapter (25) to answer this question. The (sign) of the Son of man appears immediately after the tribulation, which occurs after the abomination of desolation. Many will tell you that Matthew 24 is about the second coming, but it's the rapture (sign of His coming). The second coming is not mentioned until Matt. 25:31-46, when He returns to judge the nations (sheep & goats), which also answers the last part of the disciples question about the sign of the end of the age. So there are two different events. Verse (31) is key in both chapters. Matt. 24:31=Rapture Matt. 25:31=Second Coming All of the parables in between contain clues for understanding the gathering of His elect (rapture), and I do not believe every believer will be ready. Why would Christ repeatedly warn us to be ready, if we are all going to be raptured anyway? I mean, what's the point? The reason the rapture is so confusing and controversial is because most Christians don't know that there will be three rewards for believers. It's funny in a way. Some believe they will escape via the rapture; some think they will be martyred; and then some believers think they will be protected until the second coming. But the question is, which of these scenarios is correct? Answer: (all of the above) Cheers