REVELATION OF ST. JOHN OF PATMOS AND END TIME PROPHECIES

Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindred of the Earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, amen. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." Rev 1:7-8.

What is seen, what you've seen and what will happen afterward: the three parts of the Book of Revelation, the vision, the situation in the seven churches and the events in chapters 6-22.

Each of the seven letters to the churches follow the same pattern: address; description of the exalted Christ; blame/and or praise for the church addressed; threat/or admonition; final exhortation and promise to all Christians.


Ephesus
To the angel of the church of Ephesus:"'The one that holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands, I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. But you have this in your favor, you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I will give the right to eat from the garden of God."'

Smyrna
To the angel of the church of Smyrna: The first and last, who once died but came to life: "'I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan. Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you in prison, that you may be tested and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor shall not be harmed by the second death."'

Pergamum
To the angel of the church of Pergamum: ": The one with the sharp two-edged sword: I know that you live where Satan's throne is, and yet you hold fast to my name and have not denied your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives. Yet I have a few things against you. You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites; to eat food sacrificed to idols and to play the harlot. Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of the Nocolatains. Therefore, repent. Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna; I shall also give a white
amulet upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it."'

Thyatira
To the angel of the church of Thyatira: "'The Son of God, whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished brass: "'I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the first. Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry. So I will cast her on a sickbed and plunge those who commit adultery with her into intense suffering unless they repent of her works. I will also put her children to death, thus shall all the churches come to know that I am the searcher of hearts and minds and that I will give each of you what your works deserve. But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira who do not uphold this teaching and know nothing of the so-called deep secrets of Satan: on you I will place no further burden, except that you must hold fast to what you have until I come. To the victor, who keeps to my ways until the end, I will give authority over the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. Like clay vessels will they be smashed, just as I received authority from my father. And to him I will give the morning star. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'


Sardis
To the angel of the church of Sardis: "'The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you. However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. The victor will thus be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and of his angels. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

Philadelphia
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia: The holy one the true, who holds the key of David, who opens and no one shall close, who closes and no one shall open, I know your works (behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close). You have limited strength, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the assembly of Satan who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying, behold I will make them come and worship at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to
come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming quickly.  Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take your crown. The victor I will make into a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never leave it again. On him I will inscribe the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, as well as my new name. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the spirit says to the churches.

Laodicea
To the angel of the church in Laodicea: The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God's creation, I know your works, I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything, and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me. I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

********************************************************************************
THE SEVEN SEALS, TRUMPETS AND PLAGUES
The First Six Seals: I watched while the Lamb broke open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures cry out in a voice like thunder, "Come forward." I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown, and he rode forth victorious to further his victories. When he broke open the second seal, I heard the second living creature cry out, "Come forward." Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given power to take peace away from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And he was given a huge sword. When he broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature cry out, "Come forward." I looked, and there was a black horse, and its rider held a scale in his hand. I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures. It said, "A ration of wheat costs a day's pay, and three rations of barley cost a day's pay. But do not damage the olive oil or the wine." When he broke open the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature cry out, "Come forward." I looked, and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades accompanied him. They were given authority over a quarter of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and plague, and by means of the beasts of the earth. When he broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the witness they bore to the word of God. they cried out in a loud voice, "how long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?" Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little while longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers who were going to be killed as they had been. Then I watched while he broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; the sun turned as black as dark sackcloth and the whole moon became like blood. The stars in the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs shaken loose from the tree in a strong wind. then the sky was divided like a torn scroll curling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. The kings of the earth, the nobles, the military officers, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid themselves in caves and among mountain crags. They cried out to the mountains and the rocks, "fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come and who can withstand it?" Rev 6:1-17

The 144,000 Sealed: After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on land or sea or against any tree. Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea. Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites twelve thousand were marked from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand from the Tribe of Gad, twelve thousand from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand from the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand from the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand from the tribe of Joseph, and twelve thousand were marked from the tribe of Benjamin. Rev 7:1-8.

Triumph of the Elect: After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb." All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed: "Amen. Blessing glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

Then one of the elders spoke up an said to me, "Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?" I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows." he said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "For this reason they stand before God's throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Rev 7:9-17


SYMBOLISM AND MEANING OF REVELATION CHAPTERS 6 AND 7
This chapter provides a symbolic description of the contents of the sealed scroll. The breaking of the first four seals reveals four riders. The first rider (of a white horse) is a conquering power, the second (red horse) a symbol of bloody war, the third (black horse) a symbol of famine, the fourth (pale green horse) a symbol of Death himself, accompanied by Hades (the netherworld). The breaking of the fifth seal reveals Christian martyrs in an attitude of sacrifice as blood poured out at the foot of an altar begging God for vindication, which will come only when their quota is filled; but they are given a white robe symbolic of victory. The breaking of the sixth seal reveals typical apocalyptic signs in the sky and the sheer terror of all people at the imminent divine judgment. An interlude of two visions precedes the breaking of the seventh seal, just as two more will separate the sixth and seventh trumpets. In the first Vision, the elect receive the seal of the living God as protection against the coming cataclysm. The second vision portrays the faithful Christians before God's throne to encourage those on earth to persevere to the end, even to death.

The Seven Trumpets: When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about half an hour. And I saw that the seven angels who stood before God were given seven trumpets.

The Gold Censer: Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with burning coals from the altar, and hurled it down to the earth. There were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

The First Four Trumpets: The seven angels who were holding the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. When the first blew his trumpet, there came hail and fire mixed with blood, which was hurled down to the earth. A third of the land was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all green grass. When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a large burning mountain was hurled into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the creatures living in the sea dies, and a third of the ships were wrecked. When the third angel blew his trumpet, a large star burning like a torch fell from the sky. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The star was called "Wormwood," and a third of all the water turned to wormwood. Many people died from this water, because it was made bitter. When the fourth angel blew his trumpet, a third of the sun, a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them became dark. The day lost its light for a third of the time,as did the night. Then I looked again and heard an eagle flying high overhead cry out in a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe! to the inhabitants of the earth from the rest of the trumpet blast that the three angels are about to blow!"

The Fifth Trumpet: Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the Earth. It was given the key for the passage to the abyss. It opened the passage to the abyss, a smoke came up out of the passage like smoke from a huge furnace. The sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the passage. Locusts came out of the smoke onto the land, and they were given the same power as scorpions of the Earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the Earth or any plant or any tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not allowed to kill them but only to torment them for five months; the torment they inflicted was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person. During that time these people will seek death but will not find it, and they will long to die but death will escape them. The appearance of the locusts was like that of horses ready for battle. On their heads they wore what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, and they had hair like women's hair. Their teeth were like lions' teeth, and they had chest like iron breastplates. The sound of their wings was like the sound of many
horse-drawn chariots racing into battle. They had tails like scorpions, with stingers; with their tails they had power to harm people for five months. They had as their king the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon. The first woe has passed, but there are two more to come.

The Sixth Trumpet: Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the gold altar before God telling the sixth angel who held the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the bands of the river Euphrates. So the four angels were released, who were prepared for this hour, day, month, and year to kill a third of the human race. The number of cavalry troops was to hundred million;I heard their number. Now in my vision this is how I saw the horses and their riders. They wore red, blue, and yellow breastplates, and the horses' heads were like heads of lions and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur. By these three plagues of fire, a third of the human race was killed. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like snakes, with heads that inflict harm. The rest of the human race, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, to give up the worship of demons and idols made from gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic potions, their unchastity, or their robberies.

The Angel with the Small Scroll: I saw another mighty angel come down from Heaven wrapped in a cloud, with a halo around his head; his face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire. In his hand he held a small scroll that had been opened. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and then he cried out in a loud voice as a lion roars. When he cried out, the seven thunders raised their voices, too. When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to write it down; but I heard a voice from Heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have spoken, but do not write it down." Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to Heaven and swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created Heaven and Earth and sea and all that is in them, "There shall be no more delay. At the time when you hear the seventh angel blow his trumpet, the mysterious plan of God shall be fulfilled, as He promised to his servants the prophets.'

Then the voice that I had heard from Heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, "Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey." I took the small scroll from the angel's hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then someone said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.

The Two Witnesses. Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and I was told "Come and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who are worshiping in it. But exclude the outer court of the temple; do not measure it, for it has been handed over to the Gentiles, who will trample the holy city for forty-two months. I will commission my two witnesses to prophesy for those twelve hundred and sixty days, wearing sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the Earth. If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone wanting to harm them is sure to be slain. They have the power to close up the sky so that no rain can fall during the time of their prophesying. They also have power to turn water into blood and to afflict the Earth with any plague as often as they wish.

When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will wage war against them and conquer them and kill them. Their corpses will lie in the main street of the great city, which has the symbolic names "SODOM" and "EGYPT," where indeed their Lord was crucified. Those from every people, tribe, tongue, and nation will gaze on their corpses for three and a half days, and they will not allow their corpses to be buried. The inhabitants of the Earth will gloat over them and be glad and exchange gifts because these two prophets tormented the inhabitants of the Earth.

But after the three and a half days, a breath of life from God entered them. When they stood on their feet, great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from Heaven say to them, "Come up here." So they went up to Heaven in a cloud as their enemies looked on. At that moment there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell in ruins. Seven thousand people were killed during the earthquake, the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of Heaven. The second woe has passed, but the third is coming soon.

The Seventh Trumpet: Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet. There were loud voices in Heaven saying, "The Kingdom of the world now belongs to our Lord and to His Anointed, and He will reign forever and ever." The twenty-four elders who sat on their thrones before God prostrated themselves and worshiped God and said: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who are and who were. For you have assumed your great power and have established your reign. The nations rages, but your wrath has come and the time for the dead to be judged, and to recompense your servants, the prophets, and the hold ones and those who fear your name, the small and the great alike and to destroy those who destroy the Earth."

Then God's temple in Heaven was opened, and the Ark of His Covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and violent hailstorm.

SYMBOLISM AND MEANING OF REVELATION CHAPTERS 8-11
The breaking of the seventh seal produces at first silence and then seven symbolic disasters, each announced by a trumpet blast, of which the first four form a unit as did the first four seals. A minor liturgy is enclosed by a vision of  seven angels. Then follow the first four trumpet blasts, each heralding catastrophes modeled on the plagues of Egypt affecting the traditional prophetic third of the Earth, sea, fresh water, and stars. Finally, there is a vision of an eagle warning of the last three trumpet blasts.

Wormwood: an extremely bitter and malignant plant symbolizing the punishment God inflicts on the ungodly. Woe! Woe! Woe!: each of the three woes pronounced by the angel represents a separate disaster. The final woe, released by the seventh trumpet blast, includes the plagues in chapter 16. The fifth trumpet heralds a woe containing elements from the eighth and ninth plagues of Egypt, but specifically reminiscent of the invasion of locusts. The four angels: they are symbolic of the destructive activity that will be extended throughout the universe. Blue literally means "hyacinth-colored." Yellow literally "sulfurous." An interlude in two scenes precedes the sounding of the seventh trumpet. The first vision describes an angel astride sea and land like a colossus, with a small scroll open, the contents of which indicate that the end is imminent. The second vision is of the measuring of the temple and of two witnesses, whose martyrdom means that the kingdom of God is about to be inaugurated. The seven thunders are God's voice announcing judgment and doom, where thunder, as the voice of Yahweh, is praised seven times. Heaven and Earth and sea are the three parts of the universe. No more delay.

The mysterious plan of God literally means "the mystery of God," then end of the present age when the forces of evil will be put down, and the establishment of the reign of God when all creation will be made new. The small scroll was sweet because it predicted the final victory of God's people; it was sour because it also announced their sufferings.

The two witnesses, wearing sackcloth symbolizing lamentation and repentance, cannot readily be identified. Do they represent Moses and Elijah, or the Law and the Prophets or Peter and Paul? Most probably they refer to the universal church, especially the Christian martyrs, fulfilling the office of witness. The two olive trees and the two lampstands, the martyrs who stand in the presence of the Lord; the imagery is taken from Zec 4:1-3, 11-14, where the olive trees refer to Zerubabel and Joshua. These stories are derived from stories of Moses, who turned water into blood (Ex 7:17-20) and of Elijah, who called down fire from Heaven (1 Kings 18:36-40; 2 Kings 1:10) and closed up the sky for three years (1 Kings 17:1; 18:1)

The beast from the abyss, the Roman emperor Nero, who symbolizes the forces of evil, or the Antichrist.

"Sodom" and "Egypt" are symbols of immorality and oppression of God's people, where indeed their Lord was crucified, not geographically but the symbolic Jerusalem that rejects God and his witnesses.

The seventh trumpet proclaims the coming of God's reign after the victory over diabolic powers.


Revelation holds all the keys to the end of time as we know it. If we are to understand the imminent coming of Jesus Christ, then we are to study Revelation in it's entirety to pull from it what we are to prepare ourselves for and to be able to recognize the signs that Jesus is prepared to intervene in this world and bring us back to salvation. I believe that we are already in the beginnings of some of the signs where Revelation outlines the beginning "signs." I believe the seven churches represent certain Christians and how they have conducted their lives and what is to become of them. We should begin to cleanse our souls, repent for our sins and be ready to meet our Savior in all His resplendent glory. Do not find yourself unprepared for the coming of Jesus Christ by closing your eyes and ears to world conditions or by being distracted by worldly pressures and worldly pursuits and worldly love, that you become unaware that this great event is taking place. Rededicate yourself to the principles and laws of the Bible, do not be lead astray by the Beast (false prophets, false messiahs, false churches, false religious doctrines) and realign yourself spiritually for everlasting life and all the good things God promises those of us who persevere until the very end, in New Jerusalem.

HEAVEN AND EARTH GOD'S CREATION

Who has measured the waters in the mere hollow of his hand, and taken the proportions of the heavens themselves with a mere span and included in a measure the dust of the earth, or weighed with an indicator the mountains, and the hills in the scales? Who has taken the proportions of the spirit of Jehovah, and who as his man of counsel can make him know anything? With whom did he consult together that one might make him understand, or who teaches him in the path of justice, or teaches him knowledge, or makes him know the very way of real understanding? Isaiah 40:12-14

“If you do look for Jehovah your God from there, you will also certainly find him, because you will inquire for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in sore straits and all these words have found you out at the close of the days, then you will have to return to Jehovah your God and to listen to his voice. For Jehovah your God is a merciful God. He will not desert you or bring you to ruin or forget the covenant of your forefathers that he swore to them". Deuteronomy 4:29-31

The Bible admonishes us: "Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; because everything in the world-the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one's means of life-does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

Most people today are motivated by fleshly desires-uncontrolled sexual appetite, greedy pursuit of money, and abusive use of power. But to be on Jehovah's side, one must overcome such desires.—Collossians 3:5-8.

"That which is made crooked cannot be made straight." (Ecclesiastes 1:15) The crooked system of things cannot be straightened out. Is it reasonable to make oneself "a friend of the world" by trying to save a worldwide system that God is determined to eliminate?

ONCE YOU HAVE FLED STAY AWAY
It is one thing to flee from the endangered system, but it is quite another to remain in the protective care of "the whole association of brothers." (1 Peter 2:17) Let us not forget the farmers who, after being evacuated, went back to check their fields near Mount Fugen. (On June 3, 1991, a sudden eruption and explosion of hot gases swept nearly 3 miles (5 km) from the mountain, killing 43 volcano observers and reporters. Among the journalists and volcanologists killed in 1991 was Harry Glicken (1958-1991), who had been scheduled to observe Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980.  His replacement, David Johnston, was killed in that eruption.)Probably, they were anxious to return to the "normal" life they used to have. But you realize that their decision to go back was unwise. Perhaps that was not their first attempt to cross the line. They might have stepped into the perilous area just for a little while and nothing happened. The next time, they might have stayed a little longer, and still nothing happened. Likely, they soon became accustomed to crossing the protective line and were emboldened to linger in the endangered area.

DO NOT LOOK BACK
What is meant by this is that we as God's people must not be pulled into worldly pursuits, because worldly pursuits are passing away. What does this say to us as human beings? It says that if you are a friend of the world you cannot possibly be a friend of God. Literally speaking, if you put all your trust and hopes on a world that is passing away, then you cannot possibly believe in what God has in store for you or be prepared for New Jerusalem. Do not be troubled by what others may think or say about any of your decisions concerning God, since when you fully open up yourself up to God and accept the Kingdom of God, you will no doubt be misunderstood. You will be hated, persecuted, laughed at, mocked, and have every manner of evil men pursue you, plan and carefully orchestrate your demise, because Satan knows that you understand the intricate workings of this world and are not attracted to it. Satan will indeed put up walls, where there should be roads, put obstacles in place and aim people's insincerity and hatred against you, but be steadfast and hold onto God's Word. Do not be deterred from your goal of being at Christ's side when he comes back to reclaim the world, and do not be put off by anything or anyone that Satan will surely send your way to attack you and take your crown. When you think of sacrifice, think of the Apostles who sacrificed all they had to follow Christ, when at that time it wasn't quite the greatest thing to do. To inherit the Kingdom of God means that there is no sacrifice too good that would come between you and the call of God. I experience Satan's wrath in my own life, which I re-dedicated to God some time ago. Satan has sent all sorts of people to remove me from God, but Satan has not triumphed. I have opened myself up fully to the Power of God, submitted myself in totality to Him and am a catalyst through which God uses me for His own purposes. I do not consider myself a great orator or writer, but I believe I can reach people by what I write, through inspiration to read what comes from God! Anything I write or post on this blog is directly an inspiration from God. Anything I reprint and use from anywhere else, is also an inspiration from God, and it is my desire to reach people this way.  It is my sincere hope that I can touch as many people on this Blog and bring them to know Jehovah. This is what I am doing and intend to keep doing. Satan has no hold on me, since he did not create me! I hope that when people read my posts, that they will take from them what I do, a deeper understanding of Jehovah and his laws and principles. I welcome any comments from anyone wishing for a deeper relationship with God. It is also my hope that we can all come together as a people of God and put aside our differences and truly know God and worship Him in everything we do and say.

HOW SATAN TRIES TO DERAIL US
Satan is an intelligent entity that realizes when God sends people to accomplish His work here on earth. Satan will put every obstacle in your way and cause people to attack, persecute, slander and do every kind of evil against you. Satan trembles at the thought of Jesus Christ reclaiming the Earth and will do everything in his power to deflect God. He will make men instruments of hate, doing vile things, putting people at odds with each other, because when you divide, you conquer! Do not be put off by Satan's vile words that are vocalized through people that are there to derail you. Do not let Satan ruin your relationship with God. Satan's converts mistakenly believe that they can ruin everything God has ordained, when in reality they are only furthering and strengthening God's purpose. Satan's cohorts are constantly trying to create disorder and to distract us from God's true Word. How can we as a people dismiss Satan? It is a lot easier than we can imagine. When you hear hateful words from any of Satan's cohorts, dismiss it immediately. When Satan's henchmen come after you and try to set everyone against you, know that he is only strengthening you for battle against him. Satan has no hold on anything ordained of God!

GOD'S PERFECT ORDER IN YOUR LIFE
Believe that God already has everything in perfect order and balance and has already put in place everything you need for what purpose He has chosen you to carry out. I have had people use their power, influence and finances to derail me and make a mockery of my life because of what I represent from a Biblical perspective and my refusal to move away from God. Satan has inspired my detractors to calculate out my birthday, time of birth, place of birth etc., using Biblical numerical calculations. This in turn has caused them to build up a set of beliefs, bringing them to the conclusion that I am possibly a part of God's Master Plan. There are many similarities with myself, my family members, our dates of birth, our names, and occupations that closely align up with passages in the Bible. That being said, I believe, is why Satan has employed this set of people to try and derail me. I am so overjoyed that they (Satan's army) have studied me so carefully and put so much time and energy into knowing who I am and what I represent because it IS a part of God's Master Plan and not my own. Even though they do not yet realize it, they are a part of God's Master Plan also! In the near future I will put up information about myself and what I believe to be some of the reasons why my detractors have decided to poison people against me, slander myself and my family, and to silence me when I talk about God and the Kingdom of God. That by the way, will never happen! I will continue to put up inspirational things concerning God and coming back to Him and I will continue to inspire people to know God.

EVERYTHING GOD HAS MADE FOR HIS PURPOSE

What else will result from our rolling our works upon Jehovah? "Everything Jehovah has made for his purpose," says the wise king. (Proverbs 16:4a) The Creator of the universe is a God of purpose. When we roll our works upon Him, our life becomes filled with purposeful and meaningful activity, void of futility or vanity. And Jehovah's purpose for the earth and man upon it is eternal. (Ephesians 3:11) He formed the earth and created it "to be inhabited." (Isaiah 45:18) Moreover, what he originally purposed for mankind on earth is bound to become a reality. (Genesis 1:28) A life devoted to the true God will be unending and have meaning forever.

God has made "even the wicked one for the evil day." (Proverbs 16:4b) He did not create the wicked, for "perfect is his activity." (Deuteronomy 32:4) However, he has allowed them to come into existence and continue living until he sees fit to execute his adverse judgment. For example, Jehovah said to Pharaoh of Egypt: "For this cause I have kept you in existence, for the sake of showing you my power and in order to have my name declared in all the earth." (Exodus 9:16) The Ten Plagues and the destruction of Pharaoh and his forces in the Red Sea were indeed memorable demonstrations of God's matchless power.

Jehovah can also make circumstances work out in such a way that the wicked unknowingly serve his purpose. The psalmist said: "The very rage of man will laud you; the remainder of raging you [Jehovah] will gird upon yourself." (Psalm 76:10) Jehovah may allow his enemies to express their rage toward his servants--but only to the extent necessary to discipline his people and thus train them. What is in excess of this, God takes upon Himself.

While God supports his humble servants, what about the proud and arrogant? "Everyone that is proud in heart is something detestable to Jehovah," says the king of Israel. "Hand may join to hand, yet one will not be free from punishment." (Proverbs 16:5) Those "proud in heart" may band together in mutual support, but they will not escape punishment. We are wise, then, to cultivate the spirit of humility regardless of how knowledgeable we are or how capable we may be or whatever service privileges we may have.

IN THE FEAR OF JEHOVAH
Born in sin, we are prone to err. (Romans 3:23; 5:12) What will help us to avoid making plans that will lead to a bad course? Proverbs 16:6 states: "By loving-kindness and trueness error is atoned for, and in the fear of Jehovah one turns away from bad." While by his loving-kindness and trueness Jehovah atones for our sins, it is the fear of Jehovah that serves as a deterrent to committing sins. How vital it is that along with love for God and appreciation for His loving-kindness, we cultivate fear of displeasing Him!

The fear of God enters into our heart when we develop reverence and respect for God's awesome power. Just think of his power reflected in the creation! Being reminded of the manifestation of power in God's creative works helped the patriarch Job to readjust his thinking. (Job 42:1-6) Are we not likewise affected when we read and reflect on the accounts of God's dealings with His people as recorded in the Bible? The psalmist sang: "Come, you people, and see the activities of God. His dealing with the sons of men is fear-inspiring." (Psalm 66:5) Jehovah's loving-kindness is not to be taken for granted. When the Israelites 'rebelled and made God's holy spirit feel hurt, Jehovah was changed into an enemy of theirs; he himself warred against them.' (Isaiah 63:10) On the other hand, "when Jehovah takes pleasure in the ways of a man he causes even his enemies themselves to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7) What a protection the fear of Jehovah is!

"Better is a little with righteousness than an abundance of products without justice," says the wise king. (Proverbs 16:8) Proverbs 15:16 states: "Better is a little in the fear of Jehovah than an abundant supply and confusion along with it." A reverential awe of God is certainly essential for staying on a righteous course.

THE HEART OF EARTHLING MAN MAY THINK OUT OF HIS WAY
Man was created a free moral agent, able to choose between right and wrong. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20) Our figurative heart has the ability to consider different options and fix its aim on one or more of them. Indicating that making choices is our responsibility, Solomon says: "The heart of earthling man may think out his way." Once this is done, "Jehovah himself does the directing of his steps." (Proverbs 16:9) Since Jehovah can guide our steps, we are acting wisely if we seek his help in 'making our plans firmly established.'

As previously noted, the heart is treacherous and is capable of carrying out false reasoning. For example, a person may commit a sin, and his heart may resort to self-justification. Instead of abandoning his sinful course, the individual may reason that God is loving, kind, merciful, and forgiving. Such a man has said in his heart: "God has forgotten. he has concealed his face. He will certainly never see it." (Psalm 10:11) However, it is improper and dangerous to presume upon God's mercy.

THE JUST INDICATOR AND SCALES BELONG TO JEHOVAH
Shifting his focus from the heart and the actions of earthling man to those of a king, Solomon says: "Inspired decisions should be upon the lips of a king; in judgment his mouth should not prove unfaithful."

Identifying the source of justice and righteousness, the wise king says: "The just indicator and scales belong to Jehovah; all the stone weights of the bag are his work." (Proverbs 16:11) Just indicators and scales are provided by God. Such standards are not for a king to come up with according to his preference. When on earth, Jesus said: "I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative; just as I hear, I judge; and the judgment that I render is righteous, because I seek, not my own will, but the will of Him that sent me." We can expect perfect justice from the Son, to whom the Father "has committed all the judging."--John 5:22, 30.

What else can be expected of a king who represents Jehovah? "The doing of wickedness is something detestable to kings," said the king of Israel, "for by righteousness is the throne firmly established." (Proverbs 16:12: The Messianic Kingdom is governed by God's righteous principles. It has no alliance with "the throne causing adversities."--Psalm 94:20; John 18:36; 1John 5:19.

REVELATION: THE 144,000 CONCLUSION

While imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos, more than nineteen centuries ago, the Apostle John received an extraordinary vision that took him on a spiritual journey far into the future. As his supernatural vision unfolded, twelve vital keys were revealed. Each key is a clue that helps solve the longstanding mystery surrounding the 144,000. Together these twelve keys form a body of unimpeachable evidence that finally reveals the identity of this fascinating group of people.

The 144,000 are sealed with the holy Spirit as servants of God. They are an exact number of people who have been redeemed from among men. They stand on Mount Zion--the New Jerusalem, a city of whose dimensions are multiples of twelve and which has the names of the twelve tribes inscribed upon its gates. The 144,000 are destined to rule from this magnificent structure. They are the first fruits--spiritual Israel--God's true Church. They will rule alongside Christ, as kings and priests throughout the millennium, and beyond, for all eternity.

The 144,000 are those who have not allowed themselves to be defiled by the false doctrine, superstition, and practice of the counterfeit religions of this world. They are virgins--clean and pure--ready to marry Christ at His return. They are part of a better covenant with better promises--heirs to a better citizenship and a better resurrection (Hebrews 8:6, 11:16, 11:35).

The 144,000 are the first resurrection, raised up to work personally with Jesus Christ. The final members of this elite group will be finally chosen before God executes His wrath on the Earth. These will join the New Testament apostles, ancient prophets, righteous kings and holy people of God from all ages. They will be Christ's bride. They will be His friends and coworkers for eternity.

The rest of mankind will come up in another resurrection. Unlike the first resurrection of 144,000, this resurrection will not be limited in number. Rather, it will be a multitude that is so vast it cannot be numbered by men. Because of God's love and never ending mercy, He desires that all people who ever lived on earth be saved. The Apostle Peter tells us that: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).

God loves all mankind, no matter what color or culture. No matter how squalid our lives once were, He loves us all. For this reason, He will give every man and woman a chance for salvation. Once God makes that chance available, most of mankind will likely be brought into the family and Kingdom of God by choosing to live His way.

A REWARD WORTH WORKING FOR
Although the vast majority of mankind will one day be saved, the greatest rewards are reserved for the 144,000. Jesus will marry only one bride. At present he is working with a comparatively few number of people who will be included in the 144,000--the elite group that will be His bride.

At the same time, He is preparing a wonderful home in excited anticipation of His bride to be. The New Jerusalem will be the home of Christ's beloved wife. This magnificent edifice will contain the palatial estates where God the Father, Jesus Christ, and His bride will live and work for all eternity.

The future of the 144,000 is truly staggering to the imagination. It is a future more glorious than anything the human mind could ever conceive. Compared to it, the material rewards and physical pursuits of this life pale into utter insignificance. Nothing else can equal the promise of such a wonderful and stupendous future.

This incredible future has been the motivation of the faithful men and women of God throughout history. They were willing to give their lives, if necessary, to attain this goal. They understood the magnitude of what God is offering. Do we?

Abraham looked to a city "whose builder and maker is God"--the New Jerusalem! The inspired prophets of old also envisioned the time of the Kingdom, and they were fueled by this same hope. It is what transformed the Apostles--men who once ran in fear--into men willing to die if necessary, to continue preaching the gospel message of the Kingdom. The apostle Paul also confirmed that this future, which God offers us, is worth more than any sacrifice we might make. He writes: I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:).

Winning Christ means having the exhilaration of working directly with God the Father, and Jesus Christ. Imagine the excitement of eternally sharing an intimate relationship with Jesus, discussing intimate details of his projects, hopes, and dreams for man and the universe. Imagine enjoying God's sense of humor, and sharing in the pleasures He experiences. For those who are called during this age, it is more than the opportunity of a lifetime. There is nothing greater, and nothing more compelling. Christ explains: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it (Matthew 4:44-46).

Christ is saying that in comparison to what God will give His servants, no sacrifice is too great. It would be worth losing literally everything we count valuable in this life, if it means gaining the Kingdom.

At present, among those who enjoy this glorious atmosphere at the the throne of God are the twenty-four elders. These magnificent and glorious beings, who apparently act as advisers at God's throne, are so awed by the decisions and judgements they witness that they cast their crowns before God in praise. These twenty-four elders are not simply programmed to do this automatically. Instead, this is a spontaneous reaction done in deep and profound admiration (Revelation 4:10).

Is it possible that in His Kingdom, Christ will include the 144,000 in His decision-making process, much as a man counsels with his wife? The thought of being able to think and plan with the very God of the universe is more than thrilling! This thought should inspire Christians everywhere, lifting our imaginations to the very heights of God's throne.

A NEW BODY
Each individual included in the 144,000 will be given a new body to complement his or her position and office of responsibility in the Kingdom. Christians often wonder, "What will this new body be like?"

Paul explains that what is sown in corruption will be raised in incorruption. What is sown in weakness and dishonor will be raised in power and glory. These weak, corruptible, physical bodies will be changed into powerful, glorious, spirit bodies (I Corinthians 15:42-44). The new spirit bodies will shine with the brilliance of the sun and stars (Matthew 13:43; Daniel 12:3).

Just as stars vary in brilliance, some spirit bodies will shine much brighter than others. God designed life so that the physical reflects the spiritual. Therefore, Paul explains that each spirit body has a different glory, as do the sun, the moon and the stars (Romans 1:20; I Corinthians 15:40-41).

In this life, some have more beauty than others. Some people are blessed with hair and skin that seems flawless-their bodies sleek and beautiful, the differing beauty of each human being pictures the fact that each person in the resurrection will also differ in glory.

Human beings can be very beautiful, but God is much more than beautiful. He is glorious. He radiates a resplendent glory, majesty, and dignity so awesome that humans cannot look upon Him and survive. Christ's hair is white as snow, and His feet appear as brilliantly burning brass. Looking into the face of Jesus as He now appears, is likened to looking into the very heart of the fiery sun (Revelation 1:15-16).

God is offering those who will be the 144,000 this same kind of glory. Paul describes the change that will take place in the resurrected Christian. He says the Christ will: Change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself (Philippians 3:21).

Those who are a part of the 144,000 will have greater glory than the great multitude. They will be more beautiful to behold. As John writes in his first letter: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is (I John 3:2).

When the 144,000 stand before Christ, He will perform a miracle in each one. He will put each person's reward in their body. It will be visible--evident to all. The apostle Paul explains: For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (II Corinthians 5:10).

Our spiritual reward will be reflected in our body. Even in this life, to a greater degree than most people realize, a person's body is a reflection of who and what he or she is. Most psychologists realize that personality traits, talents, and abilities are tied to a genetic code that is reflected in the physical body.

In a similar way, our spirit bodies will reflect who and what we are in the family of God. Depending on the gifts that God has given us, and what we do with those gifts, our new spirit bodies will shine brightly, radiating a beauty and brilliance befitting our reward.

SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
With the realization that all we will become depends on what we do in this life, we should be more diligent in our quest for the Kingdom of God. If we truly comprehend the glory of the first resurrection, it will become our consuming desire. We should, and yes, we must, seek it with all our might and with all of our strength (Matthew 6:33).

We cannot allow anything to stop us from pursuing this most magnificent quest. The problems we experience, the setbacks we endure, the pain we suffer--these are nothing compared to the glorious future God has in store for us. As Paul writes: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:16-18).

Unimaginable glory can be yours, if you have been called to be one of the 144,000. The glory which shall be eventually given to us is worth any sacrifice--any effort. Make up your mind now to push toward the "finish line" in this extraordinary race. Pick up the pace and give your whole heart to seeking God's Kingdom. Commit all resources to it!

Do not let down! Even if you have let down in the past, even if you have failed miserably in some way--don't quit! Instead, commit yourself to overcoming. Fast often to draw close to God. Talk to Him in prayer on a continual basis. Listen to what He has to say through reading and meditating on His Word. Strive to fill your thoughts with the mind of God. Work at truly understanding and living God's perfect, spiritual laws of liberty.

SEEK HIM WHILE HE CAN BE FOUND
There now exists a window of opportunity for each of us who has been called. There is still time for us to change our lives. There is still time to overcome, and to succeed in attaining the first resurrection.

The time is coming, however, when the window will be closed. The door will be shut, and there will be no more time left (Revelation 10:6; Matthew 25:1-5). There will be no more time to overcome, and no longer a chance to qualify for this magnificent reward. Notice Gods warning: He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give every man according as his word shall be (Revelation 22:11-12).

Right now is the time to begin to DO more and to BE more. Now is the time to prove to God that you belong in His Kingdom. Now is the time to give God reason to finally say about you, as He did Abraham, "Now I know." Seize the moment! Give God the best that you have. Use this remaining time to rededicate your life to God, and strive to develop the qualities of the 144,000.

TWELVE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
The Scriptures reveal twelve keys that identify the 144,000. These keys are the character traits that qualify these individuals to attain the first resurrection. Therefore, these are literally our keys to God's Kingdom. We must recognize who and what God is, and the incredible price He was willing to pay to redeem each individual. We must see that our real value lies not in our material possessions, or even our own talents and abilities, but in what God is creating within us.

We must strive to be led by the Holy Spirit which seals us. We must become faithful servants of God--not servants of the self, or Satan. We must live up to our covenant name--Israel.

Before God will allow us to rule over others, we must first allow God's Spirit to rule over us. We must study to understand God's law and meditate on how to apply it in everyday life. We must then strive to live by that law. We cannot permit ourselves to be defiled by the doctrines, and practices of this world's counterfeit religions.

We must seek to emulate God's holiness, and work at keeping ourselves pure. We must strive to follow Christ in every way--to think and act as He would in every situation.

To be His firstfruits, we must eliminate hypocrisy, and become a people who are completely sincere. We must become what Christ saw in Nathanael--a people who live without guile.

TWELVE KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE IDENTITY OF THE 144,000

KEY------ATTRIBUTE---------APPLICATION
(1) They are sealed---Christians are sealed by the Holy Spirit
(2) They are servants of God---God's servants are converted, obey Him, and will be resurrected
(3) They are a precise number, consisting of 144,000--Their number is a factor of twelve picturing divine government
(4) They are spiritual Israel---Spiritual Israel is the Church
(5) They stand on Mount Zion before God's throne---They stand at the base of New Jerusalem in Heaven
(6) They sing a song no man can learn---They are the only ones in the first resurrection
(7) They have not be defiled by women---They have not accepted doctrine from the false churches
(8) They are virgins---They are qualified to marry the High Priest, Jesus Christ
(9) They follow the Lamb---They are Christ's followers
(10) They are the firstfruits---This is the first resurrection
(11) They are redeemed---They accepted Christ, overcame and are resurrected
(12) They are without fault,having no guile---They lived without deceit, and raised as faultless

The 144,000 are sealed by the Holy Spirit in their foreheads (minds). Revelation 14:1 shows that this sealing is done by writing the Father's name there. Jesus' very last prayer was that His church would be kept--preserved, guarded--in the Father's name (John 17:11). This suggests that the 144,000 are set apart, and thus protected (in an eternal sense), by God's work of building character in them, as God's name identifies and defines His character.

So, like those is Ezekiel's day who "sigh and cry over the abominations that are done," the 144,000 will be sparred the terrors of the Day of the Lord because they have proven their sterling character before God. Their sealing is obviously based on their spiritual condition rather than their physical descent.

They are also called "redeemed from among men,...firstfruits to God and the Lamb" (verse 4). This can only mean that they are those who take part in the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6; I Corinthians 15:23). They are a special first "crop" of God's harvest, who are given special rewards and privileges because of their struggles in overcoming of Satan and their sins--Hebrews 11:35 calls it "a better resurrection".

The 144,000 are a unique group of people who overcome their sins and grow in character, and their reward is to live and rule forever by the side of Jesus Christ."

RUN THE RACE
We are now living in the lull just before the storm of the last days. It is a time of sifting in the Church. God is separating the wheat from the chaff. It is a time of final decision-making about who will be accounted worthy for inclusion in the 144,000.

The Scriptures tell us plainly that judgement is now upon the Church (I Peter 4:17). God is watching and making decisions about where we will fit in His Kingdom, or even if we will fit there at all. Our purpose should be to dedicate ourselves to proving to Him that we do!

This time of proving ourselves has been compared to running a race. The Apostle Paul makes this analogy to convey the urgency of this critical time in our lives. He writes: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain (I Corinthians 9:24).

Not all who run this race will reach the finish line, and not everyone who is called will automatically be chosen. Many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). Christ is very selective when it comes to choosing whom He will marry. Many run the race, but not all will obtain the prize. The apostle Paul reaches down and pulls from his vast personal experience in order to give us an important warning message. He writes: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we are incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others I myself should be a castaway (I Corinthians 9:25-26).

Some will be castaways! Paul realized that even he could be disqualified. For that reason, he ran the race with diligence. He worked to bring himself into subjection to Jesus Christ in all things. While there is yet time, we must also run the race. The end is nearer than before. We must be diligent, and continue to run with renewed zeal.

HANG IN THERE
Far too many in God's church today seem willing to let the prize slip through their fingers. Some are completely turned off to the Church. They complain that the Church has wronged them or failed them. Perhaps they have been hurt by the ministry or offended by another Church member. Some have simply been disappointed by their own failure to measure up.

Others have become distracted by the pressures and cares of this world. They have been caught up in careers, investments, and the pursuits of this physical life. In this age of spiritual indifference, few pay real attention to the spiritual anymore. Many have become weary of well-doing and have begun to let this precious calling slip through their fingers. What about you?

Perhaps you have seen the poster that captures the image of a somewhat frantic little kitten suspended in mid-air, while desperately clinging in wide-eyed panic to the most precarious of paw holds. The caption under the kitten reads, "Hang In There, Baby."

Many of us have felt like this kitten during difficult times in our Christian walk. Sometimes the trials we face while striving to live God's way can make us feel as if we are desperately holding on for dear life, but we cannot afford to give up. We must hang in there! The following story is a fitting illustration of this point: Off the coast of New England many years ago, a fishing boat was being tossed about in a rough sea. Suddenly, a seaman noticed a young man clinging to the mast, lashed by the biting wind. In horror, the seaman ran to the Captain and exclaimed, "Look, Captain, it's your son up there in grave danger. If he lets go he'll be dashed to pieces!" The Captain looked up calmly and replied, "He won't let go. He's my son! He won't let go!"

In the story, the Captain knew what his son was made of. He knew that he would not let go. What about your Captain, Jesus Christ? Does He know that you won't let go? Will you let go of the magnificent calling God has given you? Is there anything that could cause you to let go of the fantastic reward God offers to those who endure to the end?

The understanding of God's Word that you have been given is priceless. You now know who the 144,000 are. You now know what it will take to be counted among them. Let this knowledge motivate you. Realize that you are being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with absolutely fabulous rewards that will last for all eternity. Recognize what has been laid at your feet. Pick it up and run with it. Overcome! Strive to be worthy of your calling and be chosen as one of the 144,000.

This information relates to the end of time as we know it and includes information on the 144,000, or the servants of God who will be sealed and set apart from the rest of humanity at the end of time. Jesus' explanation of the 144,000 states: They are of the tribes of Israel, 12,000 of each tribe (verse 4). In Galatians 6:16, the church is called "the Israel of God," so this separation into "tribes of the children of Israel" may be a spiritual designation rather than physical lineage, meaning that these 144,000 will be of a spiritual nature rather than only descendants of Israel as we know it. So that being said, everyone can be included in this number! Take the time now to bow your head and go deep inside of yourself and put yourself out there humbly to God. We must subject ourselves to Jesus Christ and hold steadfastly to our belief of being saved.

Jehovah, Lord most High, I put my life in your hands and ask to be included in this 144,000 and pray that every human being may come to rely on You and You alone. I worship You from the bottom of my heart and hearken to hear Your Word. Thank you for all you have done for me when I pour out my heart to You. I only pray that EVERY HUMAN can know You as I know YOU!

REVELATION: THE 144,000

The book of Revelation clearly reveals twelve distinct keys that identify the 144,000. Each key is a characteristic that unmistakably proves that this unique assembly is the first resurrection in its entirety--but what about the great multitude? Are they not also in the first resurrection? Doesn't the Bible state that they attain this reward, having gone through the Great Tribulation that comes on the whole world? The Apostle John continues his vision, he states: After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues...These are they which came out of a great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-14).

Many read these verses, and assume they refer to the Great Tribulation which comes upon the whole world at the end of the age. Armed with this assumption, readers may then conclude that the great multitude must be a part of the first resurrection.

All the evidence, presented thus far, has shown that the 144,000 are the entirety of the first resurrection. They are spiritual Israel, the redeemed, and the firstfruits. Therefore, the great multitude cannot be part of the first resurrection.

If this is true, then what does the Scripture mean when it states that the great multitude come out of great tribulation? The answer is found in the fact that there are different tribulations mentioned in the Bible. One type comes upon individuals, another upon specific churches, and one is a worldwide ordeal that lasts three and one-half years at the end of man's misrule. Which of these does the great multitude experience?

THE GREAT TRIBULATION THAT COMES ON ALL THE WORLD
The word "tribulation" has a wide range of usage in the New Testament. In the broadest sense, it means any difficulty or trouble. In all but one case in the New Testament, the word "tribulation" is translated from the Greek word "Thlipsis," which can mean "trouble," "pressure," "affliction," "anguish," or "persecution."

When the disciples asked Jesus about the end of the world, the Savior used this word, "thilipis" to describe the time of terrible trouble called the "Great Tribulation." The Lord answered them, saying: For then shall be Great Tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:21).

The Tribulation that Christ speaks of in this Olivet Prophecy occurs only one time in the whole history of mankind. It is so awesome, frightening, and destructive that if God did not intervene, there would be no flesh left alive on the earth (Matthew 24:21-22).

This Tribulation is a three and one-half year period of Satan's wrath, beginning shortly after the armies of the beast surround Jerusalem and the abomination that makes desolate is set up (Matthew 24:15-16). It culminates in Christ's triumphant return to rule the earth as King of kings.

This end time Tribulation is perpetrated by a political, military leader the Bible calls the beast. This beast leads a united Europe, fueled by religious fervor. This combined European power forges an awesome military machine that will control Eastern Civilization. It will destroy any opposition, whether it be military or religious.

This Great Tribulation will span the entire globe, but it primarily focuses upon the modern day descendants of Israel. As Jeremiah states: Alas! for the day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it (Jeremiah 30:17).

The modern day descendants of Jacob, including the United States, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, will suffer more than any other people ever have. They will experience an even greater time of trouble that the Jewish people suffered during world War II.

Eventually, the other great powers, such as Russia, India, China, and Japan will be pulled into the fray, but only at the very end (Revelation 16:12). Small groups in many third world countries, described in Revelation seven as "every tribe and tongue," may be little affected by the Tribulation until the day of the Lord. This "day," which lasts an entire year, is God's wrath. It will affect all the inhabitants of the world.

Some believe that this is the "Great Tribulation: from which the innumerable multitude emerge. However, such a belief contradicts all the previous evidence that makes it clear that the 144,000 are the entirety of the first resurrection.

Consider the fact that the majority of those who lose their lives in the end time Tribulation are physical Israelites. The description of the great multitude as being "of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues," cannot possibly apply to a group primarily composed of Israelites.

Is it possible that the tribulation which the great multitude comes through is not the Great Tribulation that engulfs the whole world at the end time? Could it be that the Bible be speaking of another type of tribulation?

TRIBULATION EXPERIENCED BY SPECIFIC CHURCHES
The Bible also speaks of tribulation that is to come on specific churches. The messages in Revelation, chapters two and three, were sent to seven Churches on a mail route in Asia Minor. Each of these individual churches were representative. Each pictured the entirety of God's Church during a specific era of time as history flowed down through the centuries culminating at Christ's return.

The first church on the route was Ephesus, and Christ explained that this church experienced tribulation (Revelation 2:9). This tribulation was the persecution by the Jews and the martyrdom perpetrated by the Roman Emperor Nero.

Jesus also predicted ten days (years) of tribulation that would fall upon the church of Smyrna (Revelation 2:10; Ezekiel 4:6). This was actually fulfilled by a ten year persecution against Christians instituted by Diocletian in 303 AD and abolished by the edict of toleration in 313 AD.

Christ further threatened Thyatira, representing the Church during the Middle Ages, with "great tribulation." Jesus Christ said: Behold, I will cast her (Thyatira) into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds (Revelation 2:22).

The "great tribulation" spoken of in the above verse was actually the Crusades and the inquisition, not the Great Tribulation which will come at the end of the age. It is not the tribulation the great multitude experiences, nor is it the one to come on the entire world at the end of the age. The great multitude come out of a kind of tribulation different than either of the two types mentioned thus far.

TRIBULATION ON INDIVIDUALS
While imprisoned and suffering on the island of Patmos, John spoke of being a companion to other Christians who were in tribulation (Revelation 1:9). In another case, Christ explained to His followers that Christians should expect tribulation simply because they were required to live in this world (John 16:33).

Paul also suffered many difficulties and troubles as he performed God's work of preaching the gospel. As a result, this great apostle reminded believers down through the ages that Christ's followers should also anticipate tribulation. Paul taught Christians: To continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

While tribulation is certainly part of the Christian life, non-Christians are by no means exempt. Suffering occurs in even greater degrees to those who know nothing of the truth. Paul states that every person who does not obey the truth will suffer tribulation.

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the gentile (Romans 2:9).

It is this kind of anguishing tribulation from which the great multitude emerges. Rather than being firstfruits, the great multitude is all the rest of mankind who are not now called to salvation. They are not God's true Church, and are not sealed with the Holy Spirit during this life. Instead, they are those who, in their lifetime, have experienced the tremendous suffering that all mankind has endured throughout the ages--the consequence of sin.

OUT OF GREAT TRIBULATION
Every generation has suffered tribulation in its lifetime. Violence has covered the globe. Terrible atrocities have been endured, but also perpetrated, by virtually every race and religion throughout the history of mankind.

Jews, Albanians, Rwandans, Kurds, Armenians and Africans, to name just a few, have all suffered terrible tribulation during their lifetime--some even the specter of genocide. Many who will read this are facing some sort of suffering and tribulation of their own even now.

Beginning with Cain and Abel, man's history has been a parade of violence, and a path of blood. Since mankind was evicted from the garden of Eden, and cut off from God, the character of our world has not changed. In the last four thousand years, the world has only known some two hundred and fifty years of relatively calm and peaceful times!

The vast numbers of people, since the time of Adam and Eve, have experienced tribulation of one kind or another! All have borne some of the heartache, pain and suffering that this present life brings. All have witnessed the terrible ravages of illness and disease such as smallpox, cancer and AIDS, and more recently mankind's latest affliction, SARS. Everyone eventually loses loved ones, and everyone eventually comes face-to-face with his or her own death (Hebrews (9:27).

In the course of human history, there have been millions who have suffered terrible upheavals of nature. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, bitter cold, scorching heat and floods have exacted a heavy toll in the form of human lives. Many have lost everything.

The earth naturally responds to the anguish mankind has brought upon it. From God's perspective, the planet actually groans with the suffering of this world. It convulses within itself as a consequence of all the destruction inflicted upon both it and mankind (Romans 8:22-23).

In addition, the vast majority of people on earth exist in suffocating poverty and oppressive squalor. Most inhabitants of the west have no idea of the tribulation that afflicts those who live in third world countries on a daily basis. For many millions of people around the world the greatest challenge, each day, is to find enough food to survive one more day.

The tribulation this world suffers is a direct result of man's human nature. Man's greed and self-centered way of life have caused pain to everyone. None have escaped the tragic consequences of living in Satan's world (II Corinthians 4:4; James 4:1-6).

This is the kind of great tribulation the innumerable multitude comes out from. It is the tribulation each person experiences from living in Satan's world.

Although Satan is prevented from influencing the world during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, he is once again loosed at the end of the thousand years. He will once again create the kind of suffering that man has repeatedly known for 6,000 years. He will influence men to wage war.

Christ will put down this rebellion, but people will again suffer under the devil's power and influence. Those who live at this time will be required to overcome his sway, both in the world and in their personal lives.

This is what the Scripture means when it states that the multitude come out of "great tribulation." It is not speaking of the Great Tribulation that comes on the whole world just prior to Christ's return. It is speaking of the tribulation that each person experiences while living in a world influenced by Satan, both during the first six thousand years of human history and the "little season" when Satan is once again free to sway the minds of men.

The great multitude is a collection of all those who will be saved after a second resurrection. All those who lived and died without knowing the true Jesus Christ will be raised.

They will be given physical life at the end of one thousand years of God's Kingdom, and with that new life, their real and first chance at salvation. This is their time of judgement (Revelation 20:5-6; 12). During this time, the great multitude must overcome Satan's influence. In this way, they follow the example of the 144,000, but are called at a different time and for a different purpose. They are not called now. They are not called to be Christ's bride, or to have rulership roles in the Kingdom.

They will receive salvation and have eternal life, but not the same reward as those who are called to the first resurrection. For this reason, they are not called firstfruits, or Israel. Instead, they are called the "great multitude." Their story is a fascinating one, and it also proves the identity of the 144,000.

WHO REALLY RULES THIS WORLD?

Most people would answer the above question with a single word--God. But significantly, nowhere does the Bible say that either Jesus Christ or his Father are the real rulers of this world. On the contrary, Jesus said: "The ruler of the world will be cast out." And he added: "The ruler of the world is coming. And he has no hold on me."--John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11.

So the ruler of this world is in opposition to Jesus. Who could this be?

A CLUE FROM WORLD CONDITIONS
Despite the efforts of well-meaning humans, the world has suffered terrible throughout history. This causes thinking persons to wonder, as did the late editorial writer David Lawrence: "'Peace on earth'--nearly everybody wants it 'Good will toward men'--almost all the peoples of the world feel it toward one another. Then what's wrong? Why is war threatened despite the innate desires of people?"

It seems a paradox, doesn't it? When the natural desire of peoples to live at peace, they commonly hate and kill one another--and with such viciousness. Consider the cold-blooded excesses in monstrous cruelty. Humans have used gas chambers, concentration camps, flamethrowers, napalm bombs, and other heinous methods to torture and slaughter one another mercilessly.

Do you believe that humans, who long for peace and happiness, are capable, in themselves, of such gross wickedness against others? What forces drive men to such loathsome deeds or maneuver them into situations where they feel compelled to commit atrocities? Have you ever wondered whether some wicked, invisible power is influencing people to commit such acts of violence?

THE RULERS OF THE WORLD IDENTIFIED
There is no need to guess at the matter, for the Bible clearly shows that an intelligent, unseen person has been controlling both men and nations. It says: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." And the Bible identifies him saying: "The one called Devil and Satan...is misleading the entire inhabited earth."--1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9.

On an occasion when Jesus was "tempted by the Devil," Jesus did not question Satan's role as the ruler of this world. The bible explains what happened: "The Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to him 'All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.' Then Jesus sad to him: 'go away, Satan!'"--Matthew 4:1, 8:10.

Think about this. Satan tempted Jesus by offering him "all the kingdoms of the world." Yet, would Satan's offer have been a real temptation if Satan was not actually the ruler of these kingdoms? No, it could not. And note, Jesus did not deny that all these worldly governments were Satan's which he would have done if Satan did not have power over them. So, then Satan the Devil really is the unseen ruler of the world! The Bible, in fact, calls him "the god of this system of things. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Yet, how did such a wicked person ever come into this powerful position?

The one who became Satan had been an angel created by God, but he became envious of God's position. He challenged God's rightful rulership. To this end he used a serpent as a mouthpiece to deceive the first woman, Eve, and was thus able to get her and her husband, Adam to do his bidding rather than obey God. (Genesis 3:1-6' 2 Corinthians 11:3) He also claimed he could turn all of Adam and Eve's yet unborn offspring away from God. So God allowed time for Satan to try to prove his claim, but Satan has not succeeded.--Job 1:6-12; 2:1-10.

Significantly, Satan is not alone in his rulership of the world. He was successful in persuading some of the other angels to join him in rebellion against God. These became demons, his spirit accomplices. The Bible speaks of them when it urges Christians: "Stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.'--Ephesians 6:11, 12

RESIST WICKED SPIRITS
These unseen, wicked world rulers are determined to mislead all mankind, turning them away from the worship of God. One way wicked spirits do this is by promoting the idea of survival after death, even though God's Word clearly shows that the dead are not conscious (Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Ezekiel 18:4; Psalm 146:3, 4 Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) thus, a wicked spirit, imitating the voice of one who has died, may talk with that one's living relatives or friends, whether through a spirit medium or by a "voice" from the invisible realm. The "voice" pretends to be the departed one, yet it is actually a demon!

So if you ever hear such a "voice" do not be deceived. Reject whatever it says, and echo Jesus' words: "Go away, Satan!" (Matthew 4:10, James 4:7) Do not allow curiosity about the spirit realm to cause you to become involved with wicked spirits. Such involvements is called spiritism, and God warns his worshipers against it in all its forms. The Bible condemns "anyone who employs divination...or anyone who consults a spirit medium or a professional foreteller of events or anyone who inquires of the dead."--Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8.

Since spiritism brings a person under the influence of the demons, resist all its practices regardless of how much fun, or how exciting, they may seem to be. These practices include crystal--ball gazing, use of Ouija boards, ESP examining the lines of one's hand (palmistry), and astrology. Demons have also caused noises and other physical phenomena in houses that they make their territory.

In addition, wicked spirits capitalize on the sinful bent of humans by promoting literature, movies, and television programs that feature immoral and unnatural sexual behavior. The demons know that wrong thoughts if not expelled from the mind will cause indelible impressions and lead humans to behave immorally--like demons themselves.--Genesis 6:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Jude 6.

True, many may scoff at the idea that this world is ruled by wicked spirits. But their disbelief is not surprising, since the Bible says: "Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14) His most clever deception has been in blinding many to the fact that he and his demons really exist. But do not be deceived! The Devil and his demons are real, and you need to resist them continually.--1 Peter 5:8-9.

Happily, the time is now near when Satan and his cohorts will be no more! "The world [including its demon rulers] is passing away," the Bible assures, "but he that does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:17) What a relief it will be to have that evil influence removed! May we, therefore, be among those who do God's will and enjoy life forever in God's righteous new world.--Psalm 37:9-11; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21: 3,4.

I am very grateful to Jehovah for holding my hand each and every day and providing me with good counsel to endure what I have endured throughout the years. You (Jehovah) have provided me with manna that no living creature could possible provide me with. My undying faith in You and Your Divine Power and Universal Sovereignty over all living creatures and the entire universe, have humbled me time and time again. When I look up to the Heavens and ask for Your Divine help, You have always heard my prayers and responded to me speedily. I don't understand what I have done or not done for You to hear my prayers and provide me with the knowledge only You can provide. I know You love each and every one of us so very much, but sometimes I am baffled as to why You have given me such sweet counsel! I am forever Your humble servant and worship You from the bottom of my heart and hope that all living creatures can find their way to YOU. I WORSHIP YOU JEHOVAH AND PUT NO ONE ABOVE YOU! I AM FOREVER YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT AND INTEND TO DO WHATEVER YOU ASK OF ME. ALL PRAISES AND ETERNAL WORSHIP IS YOURS FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

REMOVING OUR MASKS

I happened to be watching television today and heard a sermon by Pastor John Hagee on one of the religious stations. I was moved almost to tears while watching this and thought I would blog something about what he talked about. He basically was talking about the seven steps to happiness and I don't know of anyone who is not interested in finding happiness or more happiness. Sometimes happiness escapes our best efforts to achieve it and sometimes there is no concrete reason as to why happiness is so fleeting and seldom achieved. He put into words what he believed to be the cause of unhappiness. He said when you move out from under the guidance of the Almighty and move closer to sin then you will be indeed unhappy. He also said that not liking ourselves produces unhappiness, which in turn causes us to dislike those around us. which then creates unhappiness. I think we have all been so afflicted by self loathing and the inability to look at ourselves in the mirror. (Paraphrased from Pastor Hagee) We are racked with fear, self hate and panic that if anyone knew the true person behind the mask: the one who on the outside is laughing, but on the inside is crying, and who on the outside is happy, but very sad on the inside, who is well put together and confident, but on the inside is so moved by confusion that we push ourselves into a corner and cower at the thought of removing ourselves from that corner we have painted ourselves into. Who is pained by the thought of not being loved if we were really to be ourselves. But how do we better understand what God wants of us, and then how do we behave in that manner? Pastor Hagee mentioned the Beatitudes, of which had long escaped my mind throughout the years. I learned them in catholic school as a youngster, but how quickly we forget these things when so much is going on around us and in us. I will now tell you the beatitudes:

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness; sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one lot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven, but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3-19.

This is food for thought. We may hide ourselves from the world and put on a face that is pleasing to others, but deep down inside we cower of the thought of ourselves. In this season of Christmas I would hope that myself and everyone reading this passage could peel away the false layers of who we really are and show this person to the world. I believe it is better to show your true self and not be accepted, than to alter yourself and be falsely accepted by those who do not mean anything to us.