By Potpher C. Mbulo
The key to understanding the book of Revelation is to note the year in which it was written by John the Apostle. First of all, we should understand that Potius Pilate the Governor at Jerusalem who witnessed the verdict of crucifying Jesus Christ reigned about 26 - 30 AD. Ofcourse bible scholars say that the Crucifixion occurred in 30/33 AD. The final last fall of Jerusalem (the dispensation of Jews) occurred in 70 AD during the late reign of Nero the Roman. Again, it's worth noting almost all bible scholars agree that the book was written in 90 - 95 AD at an island called Patimos. Perhaps John was at the island because of the dispensation as he was a Jew.
Having stated the hits above, I should go on and say that the Book of Revelation opens with the words in Revelation 1:1
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST THAT WHICH GOD GAVE HIM TO SHOW HIS SERVANTS WHAT MUST SOON TAKE PLACE........
This is the introduction of the book and be careful to note that it does not say WHAT TOOK PLACE but only WHAT MUST SOON TAKE PLACE. Therefore I can safely say that what ever follows hence forth after this first verse, all the way to the end of the book happened or would happen after the period 90 - 95 AD. Thus I conclude that the CRUCIFIXION, the ASSERTION and the DISPENSATION is not included in the book of Revelation. I have allowed scriptures to conclude the matter and hence forth only scriptures should interpret scriptures. Any one who argues with what I will have to say should not USE scriptures but SHOW from scriptures. Only scriptures and not self-reasoning from the blues, and should comply with Rev. 1:1. Let me emphasize:
Rev. 1:11 "WRITE ON THE SCROLL WHAT YOU SEE....."
Rev. 1:12 "I TURNED AROUND TO SEE......
Rev. 1: 19 "WRITE, THEREFORE, WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN, WHAT IS NOW AND WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE LATER."
What did John see?
Answer: The son of man and the lampstands.
What is now?
Answer: It is what he was seeing then.
What will take place later?
Answer: What he was allowed to see thereafter by the son of man in the visions which he, John recorded in the book of Revelation.
Friends the Book contains things that happened after 90 AD. Yes the things since then upto now 2001 and further beyond into our future. No crucifixion, no ascension and no dispensation are contained in this book of Revelation.
THE RAPTURE
It is clear from the book of Revelation that there were to be more than one rapture. Infact the book records the SECOND RUPTURE and the THIRD RUPTURE. The first rapture had already taken place by the time the book was written and thus it does not appear in the book.
1. THE FIRST RAPTURE:
This FIRST RAPTURE occurred in 30/33 AD. You can read about it in Matthews 27: 25 - 53 and also Ephesians 4: 7 - 9. This rapture occurred when Jesus was ascending (during the ascension). The people who were raptured were the saints of the Old Testament. Yes all those who were in Abraham's Bosom (side) which was a part of hell. The word Bosom means side and in this case, the Abraham's side of hell. The souls of these saints could not be in the immediate presence of God because their sins were just covered and but not washed away. Remember that sin could not be forgiven (washed away) by the shading of blood of bulls (Hebrews 10: 1 - 4). Yes David and the rest of the patriarchs had had their sins just covered but never washed away until Christ's death at the cross. Hence they (Old Testament saints) looked forward to the future for Christ to pay for their sins while waiting in Sheol (but in Abraham's side of hell). It is no wonder that David said in Psalms 16: 9 - 10
"THEREFORE MY HEART IS GLAD AND MY TONGUE REJOICES; MY BODY ALSO WILL REST SECURE, BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON ME IN SHEOL NOR WILL YOU LET YOUR HOLY ONE SEE DECAY."
NOTE: The original Hebrew word SHEOL means hell but is rendered as "grave" by many bible translations.
See also Psalms 86:13; Psalms 89:48 and Job 14:13-17.
Abraham's bosom was indeed a part of hell as evident in Luke 16:19-31. Notice that ".....he looked up...." and thus Abraham's bosom was a top part of hell. Jesus also proclaimed in HADES (hell). This is found in 1 Peter 3:18-20. I can also add and say that fallen angels are also chained in TARTARUS the lowest region of hell. See Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4. Now Abraham's bosom is no more because of the FIRST RAPTURE that took place in 30/33 AD See Matthews 27: 25 - 53 and also Ephesians 4: 7 - 9.
2. THE SECOND RAPTURE:
The SECOND RAPTURE is tied to the resurrection of the New Testament saints
Thessalonians 4:13-17.
BROTHERS WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE IGNORANT CONCERNING THOSE THAT FALL ASLEEP, OR TO GRIEVE LIKE THE REST OF THE MEN, WHO HAVE NO HOPE. WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN SO WE BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL BRING WITH JESUS THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN HIM. ACCORDING TO THE LORD'S OWN WORD, WE TELL YOU THAT WE WHO ARE STILL ALIVE, WHO ARE LEFT TILL THE COMING OF THE LORD, WILL CERTAINLY NOT PRECEDE THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP. FOR THE LORD HIMSELF WILL COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, WITH A LOUD COMMAND, WITH THE VOICE OF AN ARCHANGEL AND WITH THE TRUMPET CALL OF GOD. AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL ARISE FIRST. AFTER THAT, WE WHO ARE STILL ALIVE AND ARE LEFT WILL BE CAUGHT UP TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. AND SO WE WILL BE WITH THE LORD FOR EVER. THEREFORE ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER WITH THESE WORDS.
The first letter of Paul to the church at Thessalonia was written during his first missionary journey around 50-51 AD. By that time, the First Rapture had already occurred in 30/33 AD. Paul was looking forward to the Second Rapture which he said was tied to the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ i.e. the new testament saints.
The SECOND RAPTURE is thus to occur in Revelation 6:9-11. Yes it would occur in the opening of the sixth seal:
" WHEN HE OPENED THE FIFTH SEAL, I SAW UNDER THE ALTER THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SLAIN BECAUSE OF THE WORD OF GOD AND THE TESTIMONY THEY HAD MAINTAINED. THEY CALLED OUT IN A LOUD VOICE, "HOW LONG, SOVEREIGN LORD, HOLY AND TRUE, UNTIL YOU JUDGE THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH AND AVENGE OUR BLOOD?" THEN EACH WAS GIVEN A WHITE ROBE (new resurrected body), AND WERE TOLD TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER, UNTIL THEIR FELLOW SERVANTS AND BROTHERS WERE TO BE KILLED AS THEY HAD BEEN WAS COMPLETE.
The question is: where are they to wait?
My answer is the air.
For how long shall they wait?
Answer: For 42 months until mid way the Tribulation for the Third Rapture.
I can say that I for one will be a candidate of this RAPTURE. I might see it take place while I'm still alive unless I die early but surely it's going to take place soon and very soon before the onset of the Great Tribulation.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 you will notice that in verse 17 that the saints (both living and those asleep will be caught up to meet the Lord in the "clouds" (nephele in Greek)̄ and then he repeats but says meet in "air" (aēr in Greek) He did not say we shall meet the lord in paradise (paradeisos in Greek meaning Of Oriental origin, a park, that is, specifically an Eden -place of future happiness, “paradise”).
Paul was careful in the usage of words so that there should be no confusion in our times of unlocking the Prophesy. The Lord Jesus Christ is not going to step on the earth during the SECOND RAPTURE. The word "air" in this case does not mean physical air. If it did then after the rapture, the raptured saints will be seen floating in the air or sky forever as a consequence of verse 17 ".......AND SO SHALL WE BE WITH THE LORD FOR EVER." Ladies and gentlemen, the "air" means a region in heaven.
There are at least three heavens. See 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
2Co 12:2 I know a man in Christ. Fourteen years ago-whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows-that man was snatched away to the third heaven.
2Co 12:3 I know that this man-whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows.
2Co 12:4 was snatched away to Paradise and heard things that cannot be expressed in words, things that no human being has a right even to mention.
If there is a third heaven then there is a first and second heaven. At least we know that the THIRD HEAVEN is paradise as written in verse 4. It seems to me that the man Paul was talking about was himself but twisted the language to cover up in his "boasting". He must have had in his vision traveled through this hayrack of heavens to the third heaven. In the book of Daniel, there is an interesting account of this hayrack of heavens. See Daniel 10:12-13; 20-31 Again read Ephesians 6:12. The "air" is a region in heaven precisely the Second Heaven and is the blockade or barrier where the principalities reside.
By now you realise that all wicked rulers on earth have principalities (demons or Satan's messengers) assigned to them in the Second Heaven which is also called the "air". Indeed Satan is also known as the Prince of the "air" just as it is written: ".....according to the prince of the power of the air (aēr in Greek), the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." [Eph. 2:2]
The first heaven is physical i.e. the outer space. The other two are spiritual realms. The second heaven is the "air" i.e. the region in heaven where principalities reside. The saints will meet the Lord there. But first the devil and his messengers have to be kicked out of the "air" (the Second Heaven). Immediately after that there will be the occurrence of the SECOND RAPTURE. The WAR in heaven is tied together with the SECOND RAPTURE. Friends see Daniel 12:1-4. In this potion of scripture, to "arise" means to battle. Immediately after that, the rapture occurs. Since the resurrection of the New Testament saints is tied to the Second Rapture which is tied to the WAR. Then we have to find this resurrection. It is in Revelation 6:11-12.
It is clear then that the fourth seal Rev. 6:7-8 is the time of distress. This is our days now. The fifth seal contains the Second Rapture. The Great Tribulation is in the sixth seal Rev. 6:12-17 Which will intensify after the Third Rapture in Revelation 7:3-17. Yes the remainder of the 3 and ½ years of the great tribulation are in the Seventh Seal i.e. the seven trumpets of chapter 8, 9 10 and 11 of the book of Revelation. The Seventh seal is itemised into seven trumpets.
It is important to note that Jesus Christ emphasizes on the SECOND RAPTURE by retelling it in form of a vision. Yes the Book of Revelation refocuses again on the SECOND RAPTURE in chapter 12. I know this chapter is very contravention among us believers but I have no apologies to make. If your interpretation is wrong, then you are lacking and you need to hear the truth.
2.1 The Woman, The Son and The Dragon
I advise that you first read the whole of chapter 12 before you listen to what I have to say.
2.1.1 The Woman
To begin with let me say that the woman in Chapter 12 is not Merry the mother of Jesus. I say so because Merry did not go into the wilderness for 42 months after giving birth. It is true, Merry went to Egypt after giving birth to Jesus and then she went to Nazareth (Mathew 2:13-23). But this is not the basis for assuming that the woman is Marry. I had earlier pointed out that the Book of Revelation contains information about things that would occur after 90 AD as specified in Rev. 1:1 In this respect Merry is out of time and thus not applicable.
Again the woman in chapter 12 is not the nation of Israel. I say so because Israelites did not go into the wilderness for 42 months after Jesus was born. It is true, the dispensation occurred there after but not immediately in 4 BC but in 70 AD and lasted many years until 1948 AD contrary to the 3 and ½ years (42 months). Again if it were for so, it would violet Rev. 1:1.
The church is considered or is representatively the bride of the Lamb of God (Christ the Redeemer). See John 3:27-30 Indeed the woman is the church that will be raptured from the earth to the wilderness (empty space or uninhabited region i.e. the "air". Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. The will of the Father is that the Church reaches maturity. Yes this is signified as Christ being "fully born" in the church (body of Jesus Christ). Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. I for one, anticipate a mighty revival to take place soon. It will sweep across the whole world and it has already started. Think about the TV evangelism. Who would have thought of such new methods of reaching out? A hunger for the word of God has already begun. Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. This command will be fulfilled soon. I mean Christ is being preached to all nations as never before amidst our time of distress ( ....crying out in pain in readiness to give birth) Giving birth means therefore reaching maturity and fulfilling the call of Jesus Christ as commanded in Matt. 24:14; and also Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. And also Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Indeed the church (the believers) is the woman in chapter 12 of Revelation. The SECOND RAPTURE is then in Rev.12:6
THE WOMAN FLED INTO THE DESERT (wilderness) TO A PLACE PREPARED FOR HER BY GOD WHERE SHE WILL BE TAKEN CARE FOR 1,260 DAYS” (= 42 months = 3½ years as per Jewish calendar).
The question is how did God prepare the place for her?
The answer is just below that verse. It is amazing that the Jesus Christ posed a bit in the presentation of the vision and then immediately talks of another event that is co-happening along side the giving birth of the woman. Yes John the writer of revelation writes about war in heaven:
Rev. 12:7-8
AND THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN. MICHAEL AND HIS ANGELS FOUGHT AGAINST THE DRAGON AND THE DRAGON (the Devil) AND HIS ANGELS (the principalities or the demons) FOUGHT BACK. BUT WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH, AND THEY (the Devils and the demons) LOST THERE PLACE IN HEAVEN (Second Heaven or the "air")
The writer returns to his talk about the woman in Rev. 12: 13-17 It is important to note that the war in heaven happens before the woman flies away (Second Rapture) to the wilderness. This point is very cardinal just as it is also written in Daniel 12:1-4 about the end times. The Devil and the demons are kicked out of "air" so as to pave way and room for the SECOND RAPTURE.
The church will occupy the "air" for 42 months of 30 days each until the THIRD RAPTURE occurs and will leave together with the THIRD RAPTURE saints to go for the Judgment of the Righteous where rewards will be given. This is the JUDGMENT CITY OF CHRIST where only the redeemed will appear. See 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 and also 1 Corinthians 5:5. You will find it in Rev. 11:18. It will occur in the middle of the Great Tribulation. The raptured believers of the THIRD RAPTURE together with those that will have been waiting in the "air" for 42 months will go to the Judgment Seat of Christ. This will also mark the beginning of the intensified Tribulation that will last for another 42 months. This means the Great Tribulation is 7 years in total. They are shorted to 42 months for believers. The JUDGMENT CITY OF CHRIST is a place in Heaven and is an event - a separate event from the Judgment of the wicked (WHITE THROWN JUDGMENT). The later will occur at the end of the Millennium (1000 years of peace on earth). See Rev. 20:7-15
In chapter 12 of Revelation, the Prince of the "air" will be hurled down from the "air" to the earth while the woman will be raptured. What happens next? Rev. 12:12-17 The Great Tribulation starts and will last for 7 years.
The SECOND RAPTURE marks the end of the Times of the Gentiles. I mean salvation will come back to the Jews. Then and only then will the Jews be saved in masses by believing in the redemption power of the blood of Jesus Christ as atonement for sin. In Romans 11:25-26 you will read that:
"I DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE IGNORANT OF THE MYSTERY, BROTHERS, SO THAT YOU MAY NOT BE CONCEITED: ISRAEL HAS EXPERIENCED A HARDENING IN PART UNTIL THE FULL NUMBER OF GENTILES HAS COME IN. AND SO ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED AS IT IS WRITTEN....."
I advise that you read the whole of chapter 11 of the letter of Apostle Paul to the believers at Rome. Let me show you a mystery and how the mystery works. This "mystery" in Romans 11:25 will occur at the "mystery" of 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 and also at the "mystery" of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and the "mystery" of Mathew 24:26-44 which all are indeed the same "mystery" of Rev. 6:9-11 and Rev. 12:1-16.
2.1.2 The Son of the Woman
Like I said, in this case in chapter 12 of Revelation, the son of the woman is not Jesus but the maturity of the church. Yes their deeds of reaching out caminating into the mighty revival that will sweep across the whole world is represented by the son of the woman.
2.1.3 The Dragon
This is easy! We all agree that the dragon represents the devil and all his powers.
2.1.4 The Devils Angel's
Many think that the devil's angels are fallen angels. But ladies and gentlemen, this is not true. The word angel also means messenger. These are the Devil's messengers or principalities in high places. 2 Peter 2:4 reads:
"FOR IF GOD DID NOT SPARE ANGELS (aggelos) WHEN THEY SINNED, BUT SENT THEM TO TARTARUS (this is a Greek word and it means lowest region of hell) PUTTING THEM INTO GLOOMY DUDGEONS TO BE HELD FOR JUDGEMENT."
Apostle Peter knew about the state of fallen angels so did Jude who is also believed to be one of the brothers of Jesus. Indeed Jude 6 reads:
"AND THE ANGELS WHO DID NOT KEEP THEIR POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY BUT ABANDONED THEIR OWN HOME - THESE HE HAS KEPT IN DARKNESS, BOUND WITH EVERLASTING CHAINS FOR JUDGEMENT ON THE GREAT DAY."
Thus you realize that fallen angels are bound rather locked up in TARTARUS the lowest region of hell. So who are these the devil’s angels residing in the "air" as opposed to being locked up in TARTARUS?
The bible also uses the term "sons of God" to mean the spiritual beings which in this case are the associates of the devil. These are in the business of accusing saints. See Rev. 12:10. These were together with the devil and they come together before God to accuse the saints in Job 1:6.
"ONE DAY THE angels (bane) CAME TO PRESENT THEMSELVES BEFORE THE LORD, AND Satan ALSO CAME WITH THEM."
Notice that the footnote for NIV says the Hebrew Equivalent word for angel (bane in Hebrew) under a foot-note a in verse 6 chapter One of Job means sons of God and that the word Satan under a foot-note b in the same verse 6 chapter One of Job means accuser. This same scenario will be found again in Job 2:1.
In Job 1:6 the word translated “angel” is bane in original Hebrew means a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc.) So as far as the humans were concerned, they considered these strange beings as related to God. Now notice that in 2 Peter 2:4 the word used for “angel” is aggelos in original Greek meaning (one who brings bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication a pastor: - angel, messenger. It is clear then that angel in 2 Peter 2:4 is referring to fallen angel while angel in Job 1:6 is referring to figurative relationship to God
The "sons of God" are also the living beings that Cain feared would kill him as found in Genesis 4:13-15. Remember that before the flood (Noahic flood), the "sons of God" had bodies similar to that for humans and thus had sexual desires too. See Genesis 6:1-4 The by-product or offspring of such a sexual act between the "sons of God" and human women were Nephilims (ancient giants). The sons of God I believe were the inhabitants of the pre-Adamic ere on the earth. I do not believe that the earth is young neither do I believe that the earth and the whole universe was created in Six literal days of 24 hours each. My basis for my belief (theory) is in Genesis 1:1-2. A good bible or the original Hebrew translation state:
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth 'became' formless and empty (void), darkness was over the surface of the deep (sea) and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
If you do not believe me, just check the NIV version of the bible and you will find a foot-note "a" against the word was in Genesis 1:2. Under the description of the footnote, you will find these words: Or possibly became. Actually the word used in original Hebrew is hâyâh pronounced haw-yaw' and this can mean the following: to exist, that is, be or become, come to pass.
What I'm trying to suggest to you is that God created the universe (earth and heavens) billions of years ago. Then God caused a worldwide flood by water (Not Noah's time but pre-Adamic ere). At that time or ere, the sun's rays were hardly reaching the earth's surface perhaps due to a thick cloud cover or what ever and so it was dark on the earth just as the bible says, thus it was very cold in fact it is the ice age which modern scientist have discovered. The first inhabitants of the earth were the sons of God and they are the demons and they lost their bodies. To say when and why they lost their bodies is also a big topic. All I can say for now is that those that claim that demons are fallen angels are in for a lesson. Demons are not fallen Angels. Demons are referred to in the bible as evil spirits or "sons of God" (bad living beings without bodies). Let them read 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6. The fact is that demons possess people even up to date while fallen angels are in gloomy dungeons yes into chains of darkness.
What I'm saying is that the earth had had at least two worldwide floods:
The first was the pre-Adamic flood ( Genesis 1:2)
Then the second was Noahic flood (Genesis chapters 6, 7 and 8)
I do not make a theory on few verses but I have many that support my theory. If you read Genesis 1:3-5
"......Let there be light......"
Bear in mind that this was the first day. Then Jump to and read Genesis 1:14-19.
"Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night....."
This is where God created the sun and it is the fourth day. So how is it possible that the sun appeared on the scene on the fourth day yet there was illumination on the first day. You see that the equivalent word for "day" in Hebrew usage also means period or duration. In short the Six days of creation are not Six literal days of 24 hours each. Thus my theory does not conflict with gathered facts of science and archaeology.
Listen: THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH WHAT THE CLERGY PREACH BUT THAT WHICH THEY IMPEACH. What the bible says is that man humanity) has been on earth for about 6,000 years now. Yes the first man appeared (came into being) on earth in about 4000 BC. Again the bible is clear that the sun started illuminating light much later after the earth was created.
3. THE THIRD RAPTURE:
The Third Rapture is found in Rev.7:14. It is important to notice that events are presented sequentially in the book of Revelation. I mean that unlike the Second Rapture that is in the fifth seal, the Third Rapture is in the seventh seal and to be precise at the end of the sixth trumpet but at the beginning of the seventh trumpet. The seventh seal is itemized into trumpets. In Rev. 10:4 a "mystery" is a "rapture" thus the Third Rapture will occur at Rev. 10:7. Again I want us to realize that Chapter 7 of Revelation is dedicated to the THIRD RAPTURE. Thus sixth seal will last for 3 and ½ years of the first half of the 7 years of the Great Tribulation. At the end of these 3 and ½ years, there is a specific instruction not to harm the believers (i.e. Jews represented by the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel.) These were marked. See Rev. 7:3 Tough luck to the gentile believers during the first half of the great tribulation. The times of the Gentiles will be by then over, hence no "grace" and thus will experience some of the hardships. See Rev. 7:14-17. They will experience the Tribulation hardships. I say so because God will wipe away the tears that will result from the pains of the Tribulation. See verses 16 & 17. Most of them will be killed by the anti-Christ midway the Great Tribulation. This killing will happen also to the Jewish believers. My basis for saying so is found in Rev. 11: 1-11. This prompts me to say that again Jesus Christ re-emphasizes on the THIRD RAPTURE in form of a vision just like he did for the Second Rapture where he talked about a woman. In this case (Third Rapture) he talks about the TWO PROPHETS.
3.1 The First Prophet:
Some think and infact proclaim that Elijah and Moses will come again. They say that the shutting up of the rain is synonymous with Elijah while turning of water into blood is equated to Moses. But I'm glad that my bible said that Elijah would come and that indeed he came in the form of John the Baptist and to which Jesus confirmed that that was the Elijah to come. Dear friends, Matthew 11:13-15 reads:
"IF YOU ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT IT, HE IS THE ELIJAH WHO WAS TO COME. HE WHO HAS EARS LET HIM HEAR."
The question is, are you willing to accept it? Do you have ears? If yes you will hear what Jesus was saying.
If you don't, then you have no ears and you will be deceived and will deceive others because a false prophet is coming (Rev. 13:11). Again I echo the words of Jesus Christ in Rev. 13:9
"HE WHO HAS EARS LET HIM HEAR!!!!!!
and also in Rev. 13:18
"THIS CALLS FOR WISDOM....."
Ofcouse it is written that a prophet like Moses would come. The question is did Moses say "I'm coming again" or that a great prophet like himself would come whom all those that would not listen to what that prophet would say would have eternal condemnation? Friends the prophet that Moses referred to was Jesus Christ. See Deuteronomy 18:15-19 & Act 7:37 Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ. This is why the prophet in question was very crucial because just like God put it through Moses:
"......IF ANYONE DOES NOT LISTEN TO MY WORDS THAT THE PROPHET (Christ) WILL SPEAK IN MY NAME, I WILL HAVE TO HOLD THAT ONE TO ACCOUNT......."
Again I say it: The Prophet like Moses who Moses was talking about came in the man Jesus. Jesus was like Moses because he was a deliverer too. Moses delivered the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt while Jesus delivers the elect out of the bondage of sin.
It is important to note that according to chapter 11 of the book of revelation there will be only two righteous people i.e. the two prophets on earth. The rest of the inhabitants will be sinners (unsaved). I say so because the bible says so in Rev. 11:9-10.
"FOR THREE AND HALF DAYS MEN FROM EVERY PEOPLE, TRIBE, LANGUAGE AND NATION WILL GAZE ON THEIR BODIES (the bodies of the two prophets) AND REFUSE THEM BURIAL. THE INHABITANTS (the rest of the humans) OF THE EARTH WILL GLOAT (rejoice) OVER THEM AND WILL CELEBRATE BY EXCHANGING EACH OTHER GIFTS, BECAUSE THESE TWO PROPHETS HAD TORMENTED THOSE WHO LIVE ON THE EARTH."
Do you think only two persons will be saved during the great tribulation? That is unthinkable. So you see that it is two peoples and not two persons. Hey now you see that the puzzle is about to be solved.
The question is who are these two prophets?
The answer just lies in Rev. 11:4 and reads:
"THESE ARE THE TWO OLIVE TREES AND THE TWO LAMPSTANDS THAT STAND BEFORE THE LORD OF THE EARTH."
Then the next question is what are the two olive trees?
The answer is that they are the lampstands.
Oh yes, then what are the lampstands?
Dear friends, Rev.1:20 reads:
"THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN STARS THAT YOU SAW IN MY RIGHT HAND AND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS IS THIS: THE SEVEN STARS ARE THE ANGELS OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES, AND THE SEVEN LAMSTANDS ARE THE SEVEN CHURCHES."
It is then simple to acknowledge that a lampstand represents a church (a group of believers). I can therefore conclude that there will be two churches during the Great tribulation and these will be the two lampstands which are the two olive trees that are also know as the two prophets. These indeed are the REMNANT OF HER SEED (Rev.12:17). Like I said, the book of revelation was written with a style of emphasizing a point by repeating it in a vision. Hence the two groups of believers are the Jews and the Gentiles you find in chapter 7 of the book of Revelation. Indeed the First Prophet represents the Jews who would believe in the redemption power of the blood of Jesus Christ. These are representatively the 144,000 from the tribe of Israel that will be marked in Rev. 7:3-8. I use the term representatively because they could mean each representing a number of Jews.
3.2 The Second Prophet:
Like I said, this one will be the Gentile believers. This prophet represents the great multitude in white robes that came from every nation during the Great Tribulation. Rev. 7:9-17. Then it is evident that the THIRD RAPTURE is in Rev. 11:12 that reads:
"THEN I HEARD A LOUD VOICE THAT SAID FROM HEAVEN SAYING TO THEM "COME UP HERE. AND THEY WENT UP TO HEAVEN IN A CLOUD, WHILE THEIR ENEMIES LOOKED ON."
Notice that the Seventh trumpet ( Rev. 11:15-19) is sounded immediately after the THIRD RAPTURE and contains the JUDGEMENT OF THE RIGHTIEOUS (Rev. 11:18) The Seventh Trumpet of the Seventh Seal will last for 42 months i.e. the last half of the 7 years of the Great Tribulation. I'm not aware of any rapture that occurs after the THIRD RAPTURE except the resurrections. Now let move on to talk about the ANTI CHRIST
4. THE ANTI-CHRIST
4.1 The First Beast:
The Dragon is Satan and will give his powers to the First Beast in Rev. 13:1-3. Notice that one of the horns (powers or authority) of the First Beast had had been wounded but now was healed. I believe the broken horn is the wound and is always been around but lost its world-wide religious, political and economical powers that it had in the Dark Ages. But a time is coming and has come when most parts of world will be controlled by a group of nations under a central leadership. I believe a time is coming when efforts to have one empire will mushroom but to no avail because Israel, China and Russia will not agree to the demands of the United Europe (Western allies). Indeed just like cray and iron can not mix so shall it be in those days as written in Daniel 2:40-45. I strongly believe the western allies are forming a new world order (one world government) that is represented by the First Beast. However, they will not succeed. There will never be a one nation. The western Allies are indeed a remnant of pagan Roman Empire. The Third World or Developing Nations owe the Western Allies countless sums of money in unpaid debt. It will be easy to convince them to join the First Beast in exchange for some sort of corroboration or union. It seems to me that The First Beast will have the means and the technical know-how of solving the current problems (time of distress) that are facing humanity economically and politically. In this they will succeed for just a short time before plunging the world into untold misery and finally the battle of Armageddon. Yes China and it's Asian allies will come into play at Rev. 16:12. and meet in battle with the rest of the nations in Rev. 16:16 This will be a time when Russia will arise again together with China. See Daniel 11:14-15;44
4.2 The Second Beast:
In the middle of the Great tribulation, there shall arise the Second Beast (Rev.13:11-12) who will kill most believers (Rev. 11:7). The Second Beast is the false prophet. He is likely going to be a Jew because he will resemble the Lamb (Christ) or perhaps a Gentile but from the Middle East in that he will perform great miracles . See Rev. 16:13-14. He will try to force nations to join the allied forces and the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast (666) might be an electronic system embedded in the skin or a disbelief in the true Messiah.
4.3 The Woman On The Dragon:
This woman is also called "BABYLON THE GREAT - THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATION OF THE EARTH."
See Rev. 17:1-18 This woman is a false church or denomination that will yield a lot of political and economic power to the point that she will be controlling the leaders of the nations (Rev. 17:4-7). Plans are already underway to form a one universal religion and will work in conjunction with the New World Order. But in the end, this false church will be destroyed by the leaders of the nations (Rev. 17:16-17 & Rev. 18:2-3). The fact is that the woman on the beast is not the only evil woman. She is the mother of harlots and so there are other prostitutes. These prostitutes are her daughters. All of them are around and present even as I am writing. The challenge is for readers of this article to come out of her (See Rev. 18:4) They should come out of false doctrines and believe in the redemption power of the blood of Jesus Christ. See Rev.12:11 which reads:
"THEY OVERCOME HIM BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMP AND BY THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY...."
5. The Law And Salvation:
Brothers and sisters, salvation is only found in Jesus Christ. He became sin so that we might be righteous as written in 2 Corinthians. 5:21.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” KGV
I believe human beings are naturally evil. My belief steams from the bible. Talking about Christianity, it's only wise to study the bible instead of relying on what one is told by another while the bible is everywhere and is indeed the most printed set of books. I say so because many so called Christians have been deceived by others (the clergy). I'm on record to say that the bible does not teach what the clergy preach but that which they impeach. So my friends you can start your journey of the truth about the bible now. Nevertheless I'll try to give you some things I know about the issue of salvation.
The bible states clearly that no one is put right with God by observing the law (keeping the 10 commandments) or following traditions in the old testament or by good works (charity) or indeed by going to church or by water baptism or by any other baptisms or being born of Christian parents or any other method but by accepting the simple bargain (Christ's death as payment for sin and restoration of mankind). As shown in Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 3:21-29. Well, one may argue that the Law referred to by Paul is not the ten commandments. But listen and understand that Apostle Paul went to a great extent to show that he included the 10 commandments:
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. KGV
Preo to this, he had put it boldly in Rom 3:28 that:
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” KGV
Now “Thou shalt not covet” is the Tenth commandment of the 10 commandments recorded in Exodus 20:1-17. Strikingly enough, I believe Paul sited it because if one were to keep the 10th commandment, it is impossible to break commandment 6, 7, 8 and 9. You will have to covet before you can commit murder, adultery, theft, and forgery that are precisely the “don’ts” of commandment 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively.
Listen, God does not just overlook sin. The requirements of the Law had to be satisfied first. The wages of sin is death. Christ died to meet fully the requirements of the law because God is just and He cannot change His word He could not just overlook seen. Romans 8:2-4 makes interesting reading:
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with sin. He condemned sin in the flesh so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” ASV
The bible says Jesus was not a mere prophet but Christ the Redeemer of mankind. It further says sin is not forgiven unless by the shading of the blood (this is the payment for sin).
What blood?
Answer: The blood of Jesus the Son of God that was shed on the cross about 2000 years ago.
Everything I've stated above concerning redemption of man can be found in Hebrews 10: 1-23 The Law is just a mirror to reflect the truth about yourself and not a means by which you get saved (redeemed or acceptable before God). It only shows you what sin or indeed what evil is. The bible states in Romans 3: 20 that:
"THEREFORE BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW THERE SHALL BE NO FRESH (man) JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT (god's presence): FOR BY THE LAW IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN.
NIV translation says:
"THEREFORE NO-ONE WILL BE DECLARED RIGHTEOUS IN HIS SIGHT BY OBSERVING THE LAW; RATHER THROUGH THE LAW WE BECOME CONSIOUS OF SIN.
To understand what the clergy term as the original sin (though I call it FALL OF MAN), one has to understand that man (both male and female I mean) is composed of three parts: body, soul and spirit. What I came to conclude is that:
A body is what you see.
A soul is the mind.
A spirit is immortal you.
The bible states in Romans 6:23 that
"FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH BUT A FREE GIFT OF GOD IS SALVATION IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD"
See also 1 Corinthians 15:3 It's as simple as that, yes just call on the name of Jesus Romans10:13.
So when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, he died spiritually (lost communion with God) and also started to die physically (death of body) and his mind become corrupt (there is need to renew it daily by the word of God). This was the curse. You know God hates sin.
Now coming to the big question: Is a newborn baby born with sin? My answer is yes. Human depravity is deep rooted. This is the reason why King David in Psalms 51:5 proclaimed that:
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.” ASV
See also:
Psa 58:3 “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” ASV
Or as Apostle Paul puts it this way:
"AS BY ONE MAN SIN ENTERED THE UNIVERSY AND IS PASSED TO ALL MEN, SO BY ONE MAN SIN IS TAKEN AWAY.” [Romans 5:18]
Through whom did sin enter?
Answer: Adam.
Who takes away sin?
Answer: JESUS CHRIST.
So then you ask: What is the fate of a premature and a small child?
Answer: Well Christ paid for both the sin of that inherited from Adam (both male and female) as seen in
Roman 3:25 (notice the words) ....REMISSIONS OF SINS THAT ARE PAST and those we commit day by day. But the later ones are not automatically forgiven unless one accepts the price that Christ paid (Romans 3:22). Notice the words ....UNTO ALL AND UPON ALL THAT BELIEVE.
So what is the essence of water baptism?
Answer: it's a sign of the faith.
What about the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer: power for service.
Trying best to be good does not make one acceptable before the Holy God because even at one's best state of his/her effort only amounts to filthy garments in the sight of God for indeed there was no one righteous before the death and resurrection of Jesus and indeed there is no one righteous apart from Jesus and those in his blood.
The question is was David and the rest of the patriarchs sinners?
My answer is yes, but they only hoped that the Lord (Christ) in future will not forget there souls in hell. But the trouble is the clergy have preach a hell of fire through and through, yet Abraham's bosom was next to a place of torment only that they were separated by a mighty gulf but both were in hell where even Christ discerned after his death to proclaim to the souls of all sinners including those whose sins were only covered and not forgiven by the shading of the blood of bulls (the old testament sacrifices). He went to proclaim and not to preach. There was no second chance in hell and there will never be a second chance. But when he died, the patriarchs were raised from the dead to be in the immediate presence of God since only then and then only were they righteous. On this issue about the patriarchs above, I mentioned the scriptures in my preamble of this article and these are 1 Peter 3:18-19; Matthews 27: 25 - 53 and also Ephesians 4: 7 - 9.
The Ten Commandments can not save anyone but believing that Jesus died for one's sins can? I'm not saying that we should keep on sinning because we have been saved by grace. See my logic in this portion of scripture: Romans 7: 6-7
"BUT NOW, BY DYING TO WHAT ONCE BOUND US, WE HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE LAW SO THAT WE SERVE IN THE NEW WAY OF THE SPIRIT, AND NOT IN THE OLD WAY OF THE WRITTEN CODE. WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN? IS LAW SIN? CERTAINLY NOT! I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN SIN EXCEPT THROUGH THE LAW. FOR I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT COVETING REALLY WAS IF THE LAW HAD NOT SAID, "DOT NOT COVET"
Notice that "Thou shall not covet" is the Tenth Commandment. Really observing the Ten Commandments can not save anyone.
See also Romans. 5:19 through to Romans 6:1-2
"FOR JUST AS THROUGH THE DISOBEDIENCE OF ONE MAN (Adam) THE MANY WERE MADE SINNERS, SO ALSO THROUGH THE OBEDIENCE OF ONE MAN (Jesus Christ) THE MANY WILL BE MADE RIGHTEOUS. THE LAW WAS ADDED SO THAT THE TRESPASS MIGHT INCREASE. BUT WHERE SIN INCREASED, GRACE INCREASED ALL THE MORE, SO THAT, JUST AS SIN REIGNED IN DEATH, SO ALSO GRACE MIGHT REIGN THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS TO BRING ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN? SHALL WE GO ON SINNING SO THAT GRACE MAY INCREASE? BY NO MEANS! WE DIED TO SIN; HOW CAN WE LIVE IN IT ANY LONGER?"
Again: Ephesians 2: 8-10
"FOR IT IS BY GRACE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED, THROUGH FAITH - AND THIS IS NOT FROM YOURSELVES, IT IS A GIFT OF GOD - NOT BY WORKS, SO THAT NO-ONE CAN BOAST. FOR WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO."
So the truth is that we are saved by grace through faith by believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins and confessing our sins and asking him to forgive us and give us a new begining and asking him to come into our hearts. Salvation does not come by the Law but by grace through faith. But we are not to live in sin else the truth is not in us. We are to do good works. I'm righteous because I accepted the bargain BUT I do my best to be good and I do good works. Mark my words and see that I did not say that:
FAITH + OBSERVING THE LAW + GOOD WORKS = SALVATION
What I said is that:
FAITH = SALVATION but the one that is saved is expected to live a life that is worthwhile and pleasing in the sight of God. If He doesn't, then he is a liar and the truth is not in him.
Guess what? I like this simple truth that Jesus did on the cross and it has changed me. To others it is foolishness but to me it means everything. Jesus (in Hebrew that is YESHUA meaning God saves or simply salvation) is just that by name showing his purpose for coming on earth. See Luke. 24: 44-49, Hebrews 5:5 and 1Timothy 2:3-6 This is the more reason why I named my son as Yoshuah (equivalent name in my native language). If I had named him JESUS, the fanatical Christians would have said that I was full of untold heresy, but somehow they are content with the name Yoshuah. I'm confused at the way they act like daughters of Babylon. I try always to show them what is written but yet they believe what someone told them about the things in that someone's head. I fail to see the logic in their approach to finding the truth.
5. <span>THE MILLENIUM</span>
Prior to this (Rev. 20:1), there will be the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the 7 years of the Great Tribulation. There will be a resurrection of the righteous only at the end of the Great Tribulation (Rev. 20:4) Satan will be thrown in the Abyss (Bottomless Pit meaning lowest region of hell) and peace on earth will reign for 1000 years (the Millenium).
6. THE JUDGEMENT OF SINNERS
The Judgement of Sinners is also known as THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT. It is found in Rev. 20:11-15. This takes place after the Devil is released from the Abyss (Rev. 20:7-10). The Devil will then mass up support among the nations but will be caught and thrown in the Lake of Fire together with the unbelievers and the demons and the fallen angels.
7. THE NEW JERUSALEM, THE NEW EARTH AND NEW HEAVEN
Read Revelation Chapter 21 and 22.
I believe man lost the dominion over all the earth through sin. I believe Jesus is in the business of restoration. I believe that the righteous shall inherit the earth. Thus I believe in a literal New Earth and New Heavens and New Jerusalem (The New Paradise). I'm prompted to believe so because of chapter 2 and 3 of second epistle of Apostle Peter. See 2 Peter 3:10-14.
8. ETERNITY
Eternity will be living endlessly without death and in the spiritual realm. It will be eternal lake of fire for sinners. It will also be eternal peace on the New Earth for the redeemed. This will start at the end of the Judgement of Sinners.
Shalom! Shalom!
Ever-loving
Potpher C. Mbulo
