Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

New Dead Sea Scroll fragments, world's oldest basket found in desert cave

Sections of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets scroll discovered in the Judean Desert expedition prior to their conservation. (photo credit: SHAI HALEVI / ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY)

Jpost MARCH 17, 2021

Some 1,900 years ago, Jewish refugees fleeing the Romans made their way to the Judean Desert. Among the belongings they carried with them were scrolls featuring the biblical books of Zechariah and Nahum. Two millennia later, fragments of those texts have reemerged, the Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced Tuesday.

It is the first such discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947 and the early Fifties.

The inhospitable environment was considered a safe haven as the war between the Roman Empire and the Judean rebels led by Shimon Bar Kokhba raged around 130 CE. Jews found shelter in the caves and brought what they thought they needed for their new life.
In recent decades, the caves have been targeted by looters eager to find artifacts to sell on the private market. For this reason, a few years ago, the IAA, in cooperation with the Civil Administration’s Archaeology Department, launched a rescue operation to survey all the caves in the area.

 

Monday, November 30, 2020

Bibles and newspapers ‘would be banned under new hate crime law’

The Times  November 08 2020

Books, bibles and newspapers would be seized and destroyed under the SNP’s plan to criminalise “inflammatory” publications, religious and secular organisations have warned.

An unlikely alliance of chapels, kirks, gurdwaras, humanists, secularists, artists, writers and journalists have united in condemnation of the Scottish government’s Hate Crime Bill.

Only Muslim Engagement and Development (MED), an Islamic rights lobby group, and the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (Scotjec) argued that the bill did not go far enough in the latest round of scrutiny by Holyrood’s justice committee.

Saturday, April 25, 2020

If men would but take the Bible as it reads, a great work would be accomplished

The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt and darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are false teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared, “Ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God.” The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed. Christ has given the promise, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” If men would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished that would make angels glad, and that would bring into the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error.   RH June 28, 1906

Friday, November 29, 2019

Is the Holy Spirit a personal Holy Spirit?

Behold those disciples, hidden in that upper chamber for fear of the priests and rulers. They were to go everywhere to preach the Word. They were to speak with new tongues, not a foreign language, but words eloquent from lips which had been touched with a live coal from off the altar. After the disciples had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the priests and rulers marveled at the words which they spake, for they knew them as unlearned and ignorant men. But they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. 

Their teaching was a second edition of the teachings of Christ, the utterance of simple, grand truths that flashed light into darkened minds, and converted thousands in a day. The disciples began to understand that Christ was their advocate in the heavenly courts, and that He was glorified. They could speak because the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” [Psalm 119:130].  

Bible truth spoken by sanctified lips is eloquence and power. The disciples had a saving understanding of the words of Christ. Because they were united with Christ, eating His flesh and drinking His blood, the inspired book was to them spirit and life. We may understand the Bible as we understand other books, but it is not thus taken into our minds and hearts as the living bread from heaven...

“Greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.” He would then intercede for them, and would send His own representative, the Holy Spirit, who would attend them in their work. This representative would not appear in human form, but by faith would be seen and recognized by all who believe in Christ....

Before He left them, Christ gave His followers a positive promise that after His ascension He would send them the Holy Spirit. “Go ye therefore,” He said, “and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father [a personal God] and of the Son [a personal Saviour], and of the Holy Ghost [sent from heaven to represent Christ]: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” [Matthew 28:19, 20]

This positive assurance was given to the disciples, to be given to all who should believe on Him to the close of this earth's history.  

Christ desired His disciples to understand that He would not leave them orphans. “I will not leave you comfortless,” He declared; “I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also” [verses 18, 19]. A precious, glorious assurance of eternal life! Even though He was to be absent, their relation to Him was to be that of a child to its parent.  

The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. We do not see Christ and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as in another. He works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of the Spirit reveal the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.   MR 12 pp 257-261

- Definitions -

Name:  Authority; behalf; part; as in the name of the people. When a man speaks or acts in the name of another, he does it by their authority or in their behalf, as their representative.  Webster

Baptize: To administer the sacrament of baptism to; to christen. By some denominations of christians, baptism is performed by plunging, or immersing the whole body in water. Webster

Personal:  1. Of, relating to, or affecting a particular person; 2. Done in person without the intervention of another; 3. relating to the person or body; 4. Relating to an individual or an individual's character; 5. a) being rational and self-conscious;  b) having the qualities of a person rather than a thing or abstraction. Webster 
1. Relating to an individual; 2. Pertaining to the corporal nature; 3. Present in person; not acting by representative. Webster 1828

Representative:  1. Exhibiting a similitude; 2. Bearing the character or power of another; 3. One that exhibits the likeness of another.  Webster

Represent: 1. To show or exhibit by resemblance; 2. To describe; 3. To exhibit; 4. To personate; to act the character;  5. To supply the place of; to act as a substitute for another; 6. To show by arguments, reasoning or statement of facts; 7. To stand in the place of. Webster

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

China appears to have banned the Bible as Beijing and the Vatican negotiate a historic agreement

Sales of the Bible appear to be banned in China
Independent April 6 2018
China appears to have banned the 'Bible' from being sold online or in large book stores, as Beijing and the Vatican negotiate a historic agreement.

Searches for the book on e-commerce platforms JD.com and Taobao brought up no results, while staff at one of Beijing's biggest book stores said they no longer sell it.
There are currently tensions between China and Rome over a landmark deal that observers believe is close to being signed.

It would give the Vatican more control over the appointment of bishops in China but has sparked concern among some Chinese Catholics who believe recognising Beijing's role in the Church would represent a betrayal of their faith.

China's ruling Communist Party is officially atheist, but the Chinese government recognises Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism and Catholicism.

Chinese leaders have called for increased efforts to "Sinocise" religion in comments seen as being part of a wider clampdown on Western ideas.

Monday, May 22, 2017

A record low percentage of Americans believe that the Bible is "actual word of God," with more calling it a "book of fables," according to a new survey

A record low percentage of Americans believe that the Bible is "actual word of God," with more calling it a "book of fables," similar to Aesop's, according to a new survey.
Gallup reports that just 24 percent believe the Bible should be taken "literally, word for word."
"This is the first time in Gallup's four-decade trend that biblical literalism has not surpassed biblical skepticism," said the pollster.
By comparison 26 percent view the Bible as "a book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man."
And the largest group, at 47 percent, believe it is the "inspired word of God but that not all of it should be taken literally."
Among Christians, 30 percent believe the Bible is the word of God, and Protestants more than Catholics agree.
Gallup said that the long decline in the authority of the Bible could have significant moral impacts.
"Americans in all age groups still largely accept the Bible as a holy document, but most of these downplay God's direct role in it. That could mean people are more willing than in the past to believe it is open to interpretation — if man, not God, wrote the Bible, more can be questioned. And that, in turn, may have consequences for where Americans come down on a number of morally tinged issues. The country may already be seeing this in growing public acceptance of a variety of behaviors that were once largely frowned on from a Christian perspective — ranging from gay marriage and premarital sex to out-of-wedlock births and physician-assisted suicide."       Washington Examiner

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Truth is solid as solid as the rocks of Zion National Park, Utah



However, at the second coming of Jesus, the rocks will fall, for the "...heavens (will) depart... and every mountain and island (will be) moved out of their places... and men... (will hide) themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains, and (say) to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne..."  Revelation 6:14.15.16.
In contrast to the crumbling rocks of this world, God's Word -- the Bible -- can never fail.    It is the foundation of all doctrine.
Bible truth is a solid as a diamond.    It cannot fail. If the doctrine we believe is not in the Bible, it is not salvational truth.   We may have believed it all our lives.   Our parents may have believed it and our grand parents.   But if it is not clearly seen in God's Word, it is not truth.
Of course there is much truth not in the Bible, but Christian doctrine can only be found there.  Unless we can show our beliefs from the Scriptures, they must be put aside.   Prayerfully we need to begin searching for the truth, absolute truth.
Truth is not relative.   It does not change according to culture, time or place.   God's truth is eternal.
The truths of the Bible did not come "by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."  2 Peter 1:21.   This is true of prophecy as well as other teachings of Scripture.   It is not to be privately interpreted, but line upon line must be compared and studied.
Our prayer will be 'Give me your truth Lord.   I want truth that can be clearly seen as truth, so that I might stand on the Word with confidence.   When challenged I want to be able to prove it from the Scriptures.'
We must love truth, not just the truth we know, but truth not yet revealed, even if it is different to what we already believe.   Am I willing to put aside those doctrines that do not have their foundation in the Bible, no matter how much I love them?   We may have believed error all our lives and found it comforting, but if it is error, it has no saving grace. Am I willing to put it aside, even if I have to stand alone -- at home, in church and society.   If I am called a heretic, so be it.
However, our love for truth must go beyond the doctrine to men and women who have not yet discovered it. We must love them at all cost, even if they become our enemies.   Jesus is our supreme example.   He was the truth, yet they put Him to death.  He is "the way, the truth and the life" today.  John 14:6.   There is not one way for you with your truth and one way for me with my truth.   Jesus is the only way.   He is the only truth.  God's Son is the one truth for all men, and eternal life comes through Him alone.
We are told not to add or take away from Scripture or we will lose eternal life. Revelation 22:18.19. It is serious.
If I refuse to believe the doctrine of the Bible, am I not taking away from truth?    If I believe something not in the Bible, am I not adding to truth?  
Those who do not love the truth will soon believe a lie, for "God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."   2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.    The errors we believe are not the righteousness of God.
"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever.   And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:24.25                                        Margaretha Tierney

Saturday, October 29, 2016

The 7 Kings of Revelation 17

and one is, and the other is not yet comeRev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

Is this the correct interpretation of this prophecy?
What Kingdom has “not yet come”? Is it Pope Benedict who was the Seventh king?  Is John Paul 2 the next Pope or Pope Peter as predicted by St. Malachi?  Or is that a misinterpretation of God’s word.  Let’s read the answer in verse 12.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
One is “not yet come”(Verse10)….”No Kingdom as yet”(Verse12)(THIS IS IT THE TEN HORNS)
“Continue a short space”(Verse10)…”Power as Kings One Hour”(Verse12) (Again the Ten horns)
Unless Pope Benedict is the 10 horns, he is not the one which continues a short space.  So that very popular prophecy does not fit if we allow the bible to interpret itself and is a misinterpretation and also a private interpretation.
The 10 Kings that reign for 1 hour/short space. United Nations.  The 7th Kingdom of Revelation 17.  Notice that the 10 kings, receive one “kingdom” and continue a short space, and have yet to receive their kingdom.  They are the one that is to come.   So they fit the 7th.  And if we look with care, all of this will make much more sense.
Who are the “Five are Fallen” and “One Is”?
 The 10 Kings that reign for 1 hour/short space. United Nations. The 7th Kingdom of Revelation 17.
The clues are given.  If we read carefully we see the horns of the beast in this prophecy of Revelation 17 have No crowns, whereas in Revelation 13 it has 10 crowns.  And in Revelation 12 it has 7 crowns. The time to which it has 10 crowns are during the 1260 day prophecy.
Rev 13:5  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
At which point the beast receives a “deadly wound”(verse 3) where it’s power and authority are taken from it.  In other words “no more crowns”.    This is significant when we look at the beast in Revelation 17 and figure out the time as to when the “one is, and the other is not yet come”.
If the beast in Revelation 17 has no crowns, then the time at which “one is” is when there is no power or Kingdom “as of yet” is given to the ten horns.(Rev 17:10, 12)
Notice the red dragon has 7 crowns before the 1260 day prophecy of Revelation 12.
red dragon Rev 12:3  And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten
horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
The 7 crowns would signify that the time period referred to here is before the 1260 days.  The beast in Revelation 13 did not conquer the 10th kingdom until 538AD when the final horn of Daniel 7 was uprooted. [The Ostrogoths]. See also the Justinian Code.  This is when the beast of Revelation 13 with the 10 crowns received its power.
This prophecy is symbolic of the kingdoms that have reigned on the earth. The conglomerate beast lost the crowns at the end of the 1260 day prophecy when its kingdom was taken.  Let’s examine this beast as there are clues to the other kingdoms before it and we will be able to find the 5 which are fallen.
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
This beast has 10 crowns.  It is given its power from the dragon which has 7 crowns.
“Whatever Roman elements the barbarians and Arians left … [came] under the protection of the Bishop of Rome, who was the chief person there after the emperor’s disappearance. The Roman Church in this way privily pushed itself into the place of the Roman World-Empire, of which it is the actual continuation.” Adolf Harnack, What is Christianity? (New York: Putnam, second edition, revised, 1901), pp. 269, 270.
“The mighty Catholic Church was little more than the Roman Empire baptized… The very capital of the old Roman Empire became the capital of the Christian empire. The office of pontifex Maximus was continued in that of the pope” (The Rise of the Medieval church, Alexander Clarence Flick.)
In other words, Pagan Rome(The Dragon) gave it’s power to Papal Rome(The Beast).  These powers are seen in Daniel 7.  But also there are 3 other beasts listed from Daniel 7 in this conglomerate beast.  They are the lion, the bear, and the leopard.  This gives us the clue as to who the first kingdoms in this prophecy in Revelation 17 are.
leopard beast bear lion dragonWe see 5 beasts listed in these verses.  Now consider carefully the 5 that are fallen. 
  1. Lion = Babylon
  2. Bear = Medo Persia
  3. Leopard = Grecia
  4. Red Dragon 10  horns 7 crowns = Pagan Rome before 538 AD.
  5. Conglomerate beast of Revelation 13, has all characteristics of the above listed beasts.  And is given its power by the red dragon. (Rev 13:2).  Therefore this is the 5th kingdom.  And it reigns for 1260 days until the crowns are taken.  It has 10 crowns until it falls.
At which point the deadly wound occurs.  The power is taken from this 5th Kingdom which ruled the world for 1260 years during the dark ages.
Rev 17:3  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
No Crowns.  Clearly the time period referred to here is after 1798.
Now we’ll come back to this beast in Revelation 17 as well as the woman shortly.  We’ll see who this woman is, and also who this beast is.   God has not left us in the dark on these issues.  This issue should become very clear shortly.  But first before dealing with this beast under the woman, as well as the woman, and the 10 horns, let’s first look at the beast that comes up as the 6th or the “one is”(Rev 17:10)
“One Is”

The rule of the Papacy ended in 1798 exactly 1260 years after the destruction of the Ostrogoths and the implementation of the Justinian decree in 538AD.  Pope Pius vi was taken captive by General Berthier of France. The destruction of the Papacy was thought to be sure when there were more than 1000 priests murdered at that day. This is well known as the deadly wound to the Papacy which is mentioned in Revelation 13.
beasttwo hornsAt the time of the Pope going into captivity we see another beast rising out of the earth. 
Revelation 13:10-12  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
(11)  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
(12)  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
“In 1798 General Berthier made his entrance into Rome, abolished the papal government, and established a secular one.” -Encyclopedia Britannica 1941 edition
Right around the time that the Pope Pius was taken captive, we see another beast coming up out of the earth with 2 horns.  No crowns on these horns.   This beast was representative of America, the 2 horns symbolizing Republicanism and Protestantism.  America was founded as a constitutional republic and had declared independence from King George and England in 1776.
This land was declared the land of the free.  It came out of the earth like a lamb and thousands upon thousands sought its shores to escape the tyrannical governments overseas.
“And he had two horns like a lamb.” The lamblike horns indicate youth, innocence, and gentleness, fitly representing the character of the United States when presented to the prophet as “coming up” in 1798. Among the Christian exiles who first fled to America and sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance were many who determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty. Their views found place in the Declaration of Independence, which sets forth the great truth that “all men are created equal” and endowed with the inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” And the Constitution guarantees to the people the right of self-government, providing that representatives elected by the popular vote shall enact and administer the laws. Freedom of religious faith was also granted, every man being permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity. The oppressed and downtrodden throughout Christendom have turned to this land with interest and hope. Millions have sought its shores, and the United States has risen to a place among the most powerful nations of the earth. (Ellen White Great Controversy Page 441)
It came up like a lamb, but it will eventually shed it’s principles found in the constitution, and it will stop protesting, and will speak like a dragon.
By the end of the 1260, the beast in Rev 17 has 0 crowns, no monarchy, and 5 are fallen. So the time when 5 are fallen is therefore when there is no monarchy or one world Kingdom reigning the earth as in the past.
1. Lion – Babylon
2. Bear – Medo Persia
3. Leopard – Greece
4. Dragon – Pagan Rome
5. Diverse Beast – Papal Rome Got power from Dragon(Rev 13″2)
“One is”….
6.  America…Second Beast…Not a monarchy…No Crowns
“The other is not yet come”…
7.  10 Horns…These have one mind…Uni…United Nations. Reign for 1 hour as a Kingdom. They have yet to receive the monarchy and ruled as Kings at this point in time. The head being the woman or Papacy, and they are given power apostate Protestant America.
And the 8th which is of the 7 is the beast which was, is not and is.
Protestant America is the 6th.  It begins to speak like a dragon, and finally gives its power to the Papacy.  Quoting Ellen White on the ten horns we read the following.
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.Revelation 17:12, 13. 
As we approach the last crisis, it is of vital moment that harmony and unity exist among the Lord’s instrumentalities. The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head—the papal power—the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses.
woman riding red dragon 7 heads 10 horns 10 crownsWhat is it that gives its kingdom to this power? Protestantism, a power which, while professing to have the temper and spirit of a lamb and to be allied to Heaven, speaks with the voice of a dragon. It is moved by a power from beneath.
“These have one mind.” There will be a universal bond of union, one great harmony, a confederacy of Satan’s forces. “And shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” Thus is manifested the same arbitrary, oppressive power against religious liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, as was manifested by the papacy, when in the past it persecuted those who dared to refuse to conform with the religious rites and ceremonies of Romanism.
In the warfare to be waged in the last days there will be united, in opposition to God’s people, all the corrupt powers that have apostatized from allegiance to the law of Jehovah. In this warfare the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the great point at issue; for in the Sabbath commandment the great Lawgiver identifies Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. (Ellen White Maranatha Page 187)
So let’s note a few things from this quote.
1.  The lamblike beast or Apostate Protestant America which speaks like a dragon gives it’s power to the Papacy,
2. The Papacy is the woman on the beast,
3. The ten horns when they receive ten crowns or their kingdom which is the seventh kingdom, these have one mind and give their power unto the beast. These eventually hate the whore.(Rev 17:16, 17)
Now who is the beast under the woman?
Woman = Church  –  Beast = Kingdom
In prophecy a woman represents a church.  The Papacy lost its power.  This woman being a whorish woman did not consider Christ as her king and thus she fornicated with the Kings of the earth.  The mother of the child in Revelation 12 is seen here in the following passage.
Galatians 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Jerusalem is the mother of us all, and is a symbol of the church of the firstborn, God’s church, the woman in Revelation 12.
Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Babylon being the counterfeit and one which does not regard Jesus as her husband and King and has played the harlot with the kings of the earth.  She trusts in the world rather than in God, however she tries to portray herself off as the true bride of Christ.
Rev 18:3  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.
This woman likes power, and she also likes to rule and reign.  She wants to rule like Jezebel using the kingly power to persecute Gods people.
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Scarlet Beast = Red Dragon

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Is this another red beast?  Or is this the same beast offering the woman the chance to rule?
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
The only difference I’ve noticed between the beast in Revelation 12 and 17 is the number of crowns.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
This beast stood before the woman….Is it offering her a ride? In the following verse the woman stood before the beast.
Leviticus 18:23  Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
Or in other words the Hebrew word for confusion in this instance is “Babel”.
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
The red or scarlet beast or dragon is standing before the woman.  It is ready to give her a ride?  And in Revelation 17 she drunken with  the blood of the saints, and she ruled over the kingdoms of the world.
Jesus was also offered all the kingdoms of this world.  Who could offer the kingdoms to him?  “The great dragon… that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world”(Revelation 12:9)
Matthew 4:8-10  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
(9)  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
(10)  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Who is it that has power to give the Kingdoms of the world to the Church?  The one in possession of them.
Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The dragon can represent more kingdoms than just Pagan Rome.  And Pagan Rome is a secondary application.  In the same sense the dragon continues even to the end to make war with the saints.  Therefore his dominion is not yet taken from him in 538AD.
“In the twelfth chapter of Revelation we have as a symbol a great red dragon. In the ninth verse of that chapter this symbol is explained as follows: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Undoubtedly the dragon primarilyrepresents Satan. But Satan does not appear upon the earth in person; he works through agents. It was in the person of wicked men that he sought to destroy Jesus as soon as he was born. Wherever Satan has been able to control a government so fully that it would carry out his designs, that nation became, for the time, Satan’s representative. This was the case with all the great heathen nations. For instance, see Ezekiel 28, where Satan is represented as actual king of Tyre. This was because he fully controlled that government. In the first centuries of the Christian era, Rome, of all the pagan nations, was Satan’s chief agent in opposing the gospel, and was therefore represented by the dragon.” {Ellen White Great Controversy 1888 679.4}
Now in this last day, we know that the red dragon is still here, what agent does he work through today? He will work through America and finally through the United Nations.  .  Consider the following carefully understanding that the 6th beast was the beast that came out of the earth and the ones who have sought its shores for safety.
Revelation 12:16-17  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
(17)  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Now if the dragon was done reigning in 538AD, how then can it “make war with the remnant of her seed” after the 1260 day prophecy mentioned in Revelation 12:6 and 12:14?  After the ten horns, the woman, and Apostate Protestantism give their power to this beast, we read that this beast is making war with the saints.
Rev 17:13  These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Rev 17:14  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
The dragon makes war with the saints at the end.  This explains the mystery of the beast which was, and is not, and yet is.
Revelation 17:8-11  The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
(9)  And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
(10)  And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
(11)  And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
The beast is not the Papacy, since the Papacy is the woman riding the beast.  The beast is Satan, the horns represent the Kingdoms Satan has and is able to offer to the church.  Satan here again is symbolically represented by a scarlet or red beast.
Was = Had Power(kingdoms, crowns)
Is Not = No Power(kingdoms, crowns)
Shall Ascend(future) = Given Power(Rev 17:13) (kingdoms, crowns)
Revelation 12 and 17 explain the 2 women, Babylon and Jerusalem, one which accepts the power and kingdoms Satan offers to her and she rides the beast.
And these horns will hate the whore or Papacy, and she will be burned with fire.  Clearly the beast and the horns are not the Papacy or woman.
Revelation 17:16-17  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
(17)  For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
In this passage, some careful notes must be taken.  The beast which is also the eighth which is Satan is given the kingdom by the 10 horns after the whore is burned.  This therefore is another confirmation that the beast is not the Papacy, neither are the 10 horns.  The beast is symbolic of the people that the Papacy gets power over.  The Papacy is the head of the State until the point at which the State burns her with fire.
Leviticus 21:9  And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
After burning the whore and fulfilling God’s will for this woman, they then lament for her since she was their way of retaining riches and power.
Rev 18:9  And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
This is where Satans last great deception takes place.
The Personation of Christ
Jesus comingSome are teaching that Satan will come back as John Paul the 2nd and this is the fulfillment of the 8th which is of the 7.  But clearly the 8th is the beast which the Papacy is sitting upon.  Since the Papacy is burned with fire, this beast is a different power from the Papacy.  And when Jesus comes we see the beast as well as the image or false prophet, but the Papacy is not there to make war.
Revelation 19:19-20  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
(20)  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Rev 17:11  And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
This beast clearly is not the Papacy as we’ve learned already.  And therefore it is not John Paul the second resurrecting.  However it does symbolize Satan, and Satan will personate someone at the end time.  He will personate Christ, not John Paul the second.  Let’s look at the prophecy.
“When Jesus LEAVES THE MOST HOLY, His restraining Spirit is withdrawn from rulers and people. They are left to the control of evil angels. THEN such LAWS will be made by the counsel and direction of Satan, that unless time should be very short, NO FLESH COULD BE SAVED.”(Testimonies Vol. One, p204)
When Jesus has left the Most Holy Place, then there is no place left to repent as there is no mediator in the sanctuary above.   Some may question what point there is for any test now.  But this is when Satan has that power.  When this comes to pass, the saints then cry for deliverance.
“I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was DONE in the sanctuary, and THEN will come the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A DECREE went forth to SLAY THE SAINTS, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance.” (Early Writings 36-37)
They then cry day and night as the plagues are falling, no place is found for deliverance for the wicked.  Satan hears their cry.  And what does he do when he hears the cry of the saints?
“Satan sees that he is about to LOSE HIS CASE. He cannot sweep in the whole world. He makes ONE LAST DESPERATE EFFORT to overcome the faithful by deception. He does this in personating Christ… One effort more, and then Satan’s last device is employed. He hears the UNCEASING CRY FOR CHRIST TO COME, FOR CHRIST TO DELIVER THEM. This last strategy is to PERSONATE CHRIST, and make them think their prayers are answered.” LDE 164-165
This is his last deception.  His last and final effort.  This occurs after Christ has left the most holy place, after probation is closed on the world, after the plagues have started to come down, and into the time of trouble such as never was.  We see this briefly outlined in Matthew 24.

  1. Jesus leaves most Holy Place, Probation closed
  2. Plagues Fall
  3. Wicked enraged
  4. Decree made
  5. Causes Saints to Cry for Deliverance
  6. Satan hears Cry for Deliverance
  7. Satan Personates Christ
Time of Trouble and Personation of Christ in Scripture.
Matthew 24:21-23  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
(22)  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
(23)  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
The order of events here is clearly different than that which has been outlined in many of the videos that are proposing that Satan will personate the Pope John Paul the 2nd and resurrect.  This is not sound biblical interpretation.
So let’s review what we’ve learned.
1. Lion – Babylon
2. Bear – Medo Persia
3. Leopard – Greece
4. Dragon – Pagan Rome
5. Diverse Beast – Papal Rome Got power from Dragon(Rev 13″2)
“One is”….
6.  America…Second Beast…Not a monarchy…No Crowns
“The other is not yet come”…
7.  10 Horns…These have one mind…Uni…United Nations. Reign for 1 hour as a Kingdom. They have yet to receive the monarchy and ruled as Kings at this point in time. The head being the woman or Papacy, and they are given power from apostate Protestant America.
“Beast which was, is not, and is yet to come”
8.  Satan  or The Red or Scarlet Dragon, the beast which was, and is not and ascends out of the bottomless pit and can represent many kingdoms, not just pagan Rome, and is the 8th which is of the 7.
The Woman riding this beast = Papacy                                     COTFB

Sunday, May 15, 2016

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine

Image result for charismatic preachers
1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19Salute Priscilla and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletus sick.
21Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.