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My Thoughts on Christianity and Other Things

Archive for the tag “Religion Bible Prophecies”

26 Sep 2014

Revelation 18

Revelation 18, Four more chapters to go. If you are new to this blog, I must tell you to check what I say. I am not a pastor, nor a theologian. I have never been to seminary, Bible college, or have had any training at all. For most of my life I have been a mechanic. It would be very wise to test everything I say. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 says so.

Hiroshima, Japan after dropping atom bomb 1945 – AP Photo/Files

Hiroshima, Japan after dropping atom bomb 1945 – AP Photo/Files

We are nearing the end of God’s judgment. But to start with Revelation 18 we need to go back to Revelation 17:14, where the ten kings will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will defeat them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Anyway the beast and the ten kings will turn on the prostitute, God put the idea to do so in their hearts.

So now we start Revelation 18. First an angel announced that the great evil city of Babylon has fallen. This city is not only full of commerce, but also evil. Lots of evil. It is also a very arrogant city. But Revelation 18:8 says it will be destroyed in one day. The people will mourn for Babylon. Revelation 18:12-13 tells of everything that passes through Babylon ports. Including human slaves. That’s what the New Living Translation says. English Standard Version says human souls.

People I believe these are slaves for labor. Instead I believe these are slaves for sex. A few years ago I found there were sex slaves all over the whole world. Many of them are even bought and sold in nearly every country. If you would like to help do something about this evil problem, here is a list of organizations.
http://gpseattle.net/
https://www.ijm.org/
http://slaverymap.org/

London WWII, Two Women – National Archives, US Government

London WWII, Two Women – National Archives, US Government

Revelation 18:20-24, is The Lord’s judgment for the sake of God’s people. Babylon is now gone.

When I was doing this post, I also read Isaiah 13. It’s amazing how Isaiah 13 and Revelation 17:14 through Revelation 18:24 seems to go hand in hand. Just like Revelation, Isaiah tells of the Lord calling the armies to fight Babylon. Isaiah also tells of Babylon being wiped out. Never to be inhabited again.

There is one more thing that Isaiah says that I must point out. Isaiah 13:11-12 says: “I, the Lord, will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their sin. I will crush the arrogance of the proud and humble the pride of the mighty. I will make people scarcer than gold— more rare than the fine gold of Ophir.

People, I have heard from many people who asks “Why does God allow evil, if He is so loving?” the answer is found in Ezekiel 18:23. “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.

If we have all done wrong, and we have, then who will live? The answer will come in a few weeks.

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03 Sep 2014

Revelation 17

XXX - RATED

For awhile I was not looking forward to writing about Revelation 17. Too much of it was a mystery. Who was or is the prostitute? Where is Babylon? How does this all fit together? Well I prayed and read again. I have no idea how often I have read Revelation since I started this series. I lost count.

I do not believe there are any of God’s people in Revelation 17. Whether you believe in pre-trib or mid-trib, I believe we’ll be gone. But what if we’re taken away pre-trib and more people come to be believers when the anti-Christ is here? I believe they maybe gone too by now. (However I hope it’s possible that a few more people will turned to God, even after this.) I wonder if Revelation 17 is so hard for me to understand, is because it’s not about us.

Babylon will be a place where God’s people have been murdered. And if they haven’t been murdered there, then at least the orders or the permission came from there. Revelation 17:5-6 A mysterious name was written on her forehead: “Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World.” I could see that she was drunk – drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. I stared at her in complete amazement.

Anyway as I was reading Luke the other day, when I came across Luke 13:33-34 where Jesus says: “Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem! O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” But is Jerusalem really Babylon?

Revelation 18:24 was talking about Babylon when it says “In your streets flowed the blood of the prophets and of God’s holy people and the blood of people slaughtered all over the world.” This doesn’t sound like it could be Israel. To be honest, Babylon could be anywhere.

Isaiah 1:21 See how Jerusalem, once so faithful,
has become a prostitute.
Once the home of justice and righteousness,
she is now filled with murderers.
But, this was a long time ago and many nations have prostituted themselves against God today. They have strayed from God’s true word and started following false teachings.

Revelation 17:9 the seven hills and also seven kings. I looked up cities with seven hills and was amazed of how long the list was.

So where is Babylon and who is the Great Mother of All Prostitutes? I don’t know. But I do not believe it is Jerusalem or any where in Israel. It can’t be Jerusalem because Revelation 18 talks about Babylon as being a seaport. Jerusalem is not a seaport.

It cannot be Israel itself because Babylon will be destroyed, never to be found again.

USSR Cold War Missiles

USSR Cold War Missiles

In Amos 9:14-15 God said He would bring the people of Israeli back from exiled, which He did back in 1948. He also said that the people of Israel would never be up rooted from their land again. But watching the news, you know that many people would like Israel to be gone.

Many people would like Israel destroyed by any means possible. Isaiah 54:16 says “I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy.” Only since WWII has there been weapons of destruction.

Also in Isaiah, this is what God says about the future of Israel: But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. Isaiah 54:17

I don’t know where Babylon is or where it will be; but it’s not Israel.

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28 Jul 2014

Revelation 16

“Go your ways and pour out on the earth the seven bowls containing God’s wrath.” And that’s how Revelation 16 starts.

MRSA - Centers for Disease Control US Government

MRSA – Centers for Disease Control – US Government

Revelation 16 is pretty much straight forward and easy to understand. The first angel poured out his bowl full of wrath and it caused festering sores on people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. For those who know anything about open sores that get infected, you know they can stink. Now just think of a large part of the population smelling of infection.

The second angel poured out his bowl and the sea turned to blood and the sea life died. After that the third angel poured out his bowl and caused the springs and rivers to turn to blood. Revelation 16:6 explains why all the blood. Now there’s the smell of infected sores and of blood and dead things.

I remember years ago my wife and I were driving through Idaho, when off in the distance I saw a black animal laying in the middle of the road. What was it? A dog that’s been hit by a car, maybe? I couldn’t tell. As we got closer I could see a white stripe on the black fur. Oh no! Somebody had hit this poor animal and killed it. Now there’s a dead skunk laying in the middle of the road, and we have to drive by it!

Now I know there was a funny song back in the 1970s call ‘Dead Skunk In The Middle Of The Road‘ but this was horrifying! Even though I never hit that animal, we could still smell that thing for miles.

Sun Spots and Solar Flares – NASA

Sun Spots and Solar Flares – NASA

When the fourth angel poured out his bowl of wrath on the sun, it caused the sun to scorch the people with heat. This does two things. One, it makes life very miserable. Think Texas and Arizona gets hot? People then, may wish for that cooler climate. The second thing it would do is to make the first three bowls of wrath stink more. Like my Dad would say “It’s enough to gag a maggot.”

Now think of the hottest day you can imagine. There is a strong stink of blood, dead animals and dead fish, plus the smell of infected sores. Now imagine all this with the sores on you. What’s amazing is after all this, people still won’t repent. They refuse to stop their sinning. They cursed God. Revelation 16:9

Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. His subjects ground their teeth in anguish In pain people still cursed God and still refused to repent. I wonder about the darkness. Will it be just over Jerusalem because that’s where the anti-Christ will be, or will it be over the whole world? The Lord has done this before to the Egyptians shortly before the Israelites left Egypt. Exodus 10:20-22

When the sixth angel poured out his bowl the Euphrates River dried up so the armies of the east could march across. What’s interesting is in Revelation 16:13, John said that three unclean or evil spirits came from the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, looked like frogs. I remember many years ago someone said they saw a demon and it looked like a shadowy frog. But someone else said they saw what looked like a shadowy blob. It left the person, moved across the floor and out the room.

Revelation 16:15 is the reason why many people say that Jesus will not come until after the anti-Christ gets here. I really hope He comes long before that. However we must remember Jesus said in Matthew 25:13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” So be ready.

Revelation 16:16-21 talks very briefly of the world’s armies meeting at Armageddon. But things don’t go very well for them, or anyone else. Horrifying earthquakes that will turn cities into rubble. Imagine New York City, Hong Kong, Mexico City, and many others laying in complete ruin. Guam and Hawaii and other islands, gone. And to make it worse, they get 75 pound (34 kilogram) hailstones falling on them. And the people still cursed God. Amazing.

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15 Jul 2014

Revelation 15

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Looking back at my last post Revelation 14, I said something that may have been misleading. I wrote: “I believe that these people that are ripe for God’s judgment, are those who have worshiped the beast.” This made it sound like the people who worshiped the beast, were destroyed right then and there. But Revelation 16:2 clearly shows this isn’t so. I do not want anyone mislead. And I’m sorry if you were.

And now for Revelation 15. It’s a very short chapter. In fact the whole chapter fits quite nicely on my laptop screen.

There are seven angels holding the seven bowls that will complete God’s wrath. What I find interesting is the sea of glass in Revelation 15:2. It seems to be like glass mixed with fire. But the sea of glass in front of God’s throne was sparkling like crystal. So, in the area of the angels holding God’s wrath; what was causing the sea of glass to look like it was mixed with fire? Was it the angels, or was it the bowls of God’s wrath? What was the glass sea reflecting? I believe its the bowls of God’s wrath, which will be talked about in chapter sixteen.

Anyway standing on the sea glass are all the people who were victorious over the beast and his statue. (some versions say image) This is clear that not everyone will fall for the beast. And all these people will be given harps and will sing the song of Moses and of Jesus. Revelation 15:3-4

Then in Revelation 15:5-8 John saw the Temple in Heaven thrown wide open. God’s glory filled the whole Temple. And the four living creators that I talked about in Revelation 4, were handing out the seven bowls of God’s wrath to the seven angels. Also because God’s glory filled the Temple, no one could enter it until the angel finish pouring out the plagues.

Job 26:7-8

Job 26:7-8

Looking ahead, is interesting and baffling. Some time ago I came to believe the part of the Bible was written only this point in time. For an example: some people seem to think that none of the Bible is true. They say none of it can be trusted. Also they say none of it can be backed scientifically. Well they can think that. But they may have a problem with with Job 26:7 God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing. Either they except the fact that the Bible says the earth floats in space or they better start explaining why they don’t believe it.

About prophesy, the Bible sometimes talks about Israel and Jerusalem in the end times. For many, many years people thought that Israel and Jerusalem were going to be some vague, or spiritual place. But now after 1900 years, we have Israel with Jerusalem. I know many people don’t like the idea of Israel and may believe that Israel has no right to exist, but it does. And there is nothing anyone can do about it. Israel is here to stay.

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03 Jul 2014

Revelation 14

Washington State University

Washington State University

One day many years ago there were three 9 year old boys picking on one seven year old boy. Nothing physical, just a lot of name calling and teasing. This young boy ran into the house very upset. What these nine year old boys didn’t know, was this little seven year old boy had a very big eighteen year old, 6 foot 4 inch (193 cm) brother. Me!

I ran after these boys and chased them up the street, up their driveway, and through the gate going into the backyard. I don’t know what I would have done if I had caught up with them. I hadn’t thought that far along. When I went into the backyard, I very quickly came to a stop. There stood their parents and their friends parents standing by the BBQ grilling. Now what? I did say in front of their parents to stop picking on my little brother.

The point to this is when God has had enough of the world picking on His people, He’s going to do something about it. But with God no one can stop Him. His wrath will be unstoppable.

Revelation 14 is the beginning of God’s wrath. It won’t happen all at once. Just like when He brought judgment against the Pharaoh of Egypt when Moses asked to let the Hebrews go. When God did this, then the Pharaoh did that. Then God did something else, and Pharaoh mocked God some more, and did something else. Pharaoh never repented so finally God killed the Pharaoh’s army. This is basically how the next several chapters will be, until God will finally kill His enemy’s army.

Revelation 14 starts with Jesus standing on Mount Zion with the 144.000 Israelis/Israelites standing with Him. These people have been kept pure, and alone have been purchased from among the people.

Now there is an angel flying through the air telling everyone on earth to turn to and worship God. But why would the angel tell people to repent if God is about to do judgment? Because God really doesn’t want anyone to die.

Then another angel is flying, shouting that the City of Babylon has fallen. I wonder where is this Babylon. Many think that it’s Rome. Maybe. But I wonder; if the Anti-Christ restores a country, (and I believe he will) then could he also rename a city? Again, like I say many times before, I don’t know.

Now there is a third angel saying that anyone who gets the mark of the beast, or worships his images will be tormented forever with fire and burning sulfur. People, this is very scary stuff. Imagine every part of your body burning. Even your sensitive parts. And unlike being burned here on earth, where your nerves burn then became numb, there your nerve endings will never burn. Therefore you will always feel pain.

People, any of God’s people still here by this time must stay true to God. Ezekiel 18:23-24 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.

I wondered about Revelation 14:14 where it says “someone like the Son of Man”. It’s either Jesus or it’s not Jesus. After reading it several times and also reading several commentaries, I think I understand. I believe it’s like seeing several people at a distance and going, “ Hey, isn’t that so-n-so?” Anyway, He is seated on a cloud, has a gold crown and a sickle.

Another angel came from the Temple in Heaven and shouted to the one on the cloud, “Swing the sickle, for the time of harvest has come; the crop on earth is ripe.” and it was done. If the one sitting on the cloud is Jesus, then the angel that came from the Temple might be relaying a command and not giving one.

Old winepress. Once used at Nichelini Winery in California

Old winepress. Once used at Nichelini Winery in California

The rest of the chapter says that another angel came with a sharp sickle, and then still another one came that can destroy with fire. And he shouted to the angel with the sickle that the harvest is ready. The grapes are ripe for judgment. The grapes went into God’s winepress and the outcome was a lot of blood.

The grapes of course are the people of the earth. I believe that these people that are ripe for God’s judgment, are those who have worshiped the beast. This sounds like the end, but it’s not. There are seven plagues coming.

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19 Jun 2014

Revelation 13

Entitled “Earthrise,” it was taken by astronaut William Anders during an orbit of the moon as part of the Apollo 8 mission. - NASA

Entitled “Earthrise,” it was taken by astronaut William Anders during an orbit of the moon as part of the Apollo 8 mission. – NASA

Revelation 22:18-19 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. I take this very seriously. Please check what I say. The last thing I want to do is mislead anyone.

Back in June 2013 I wrote about the Anti-Christ. Looking back, I can see my views about it have changed some.

First, I believe (for the time being anyway) that the beast may be a scuba diver, or was stationed on a submarine, because Revelation 13:1 says he came up out of the sea. But looking at Revelation 13 carefully I now wonder other things about the beast. And the dragon. Many times I have heard that the seven heads and the ten horns and ten crowns are the European Union. I also heard many times that it’s the Vatican, because of the seven hills. And as far as one of the heads being killed and brought back to life… Well I’ve heard the Anti-Christ himself is killed and brought back to life. And for many years I believed it. But now, since the other night, I question it.

For a long time I have believed that the United States of America will fall. I base this on Genesis 12:3 and Deuteronomy 30:7 just to name a couple. There are more. The way we are treating Israel is not good. If we continue we will pay for it. I believe God will see to it.

Satan is called the ‘ruler of this world’. John 12:31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.

Revelation 12:3 Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads.

Blue Marble – NASA

Blue Marble – NASA

If Satan is the ruler of the world, and the world has seven continents, then could the seven heads be the seven continents? If the US falls, we could bring down the North American continent.

Revelation 13:1-5 says the dragon (Satan) will give his authority, power, as well as his throne to the beast. One of the heads was wounded beyond recovery and yet was healed. What if, when the North American continent falls, the beast through the power of Satan, heals the US, plus Canada, plus Mexico? That would be amazing. Besides bringing someone back to life from an injury is fairly common place, these days.

So now I wonder if the seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns are the seven continents, and the ten horns and ten crowns are possibly ten nations that he owns, or controls.

So now for the next 42 months, the beast will be allowed to speak great blasphemies against God, and he was given authority to do whatever he wanted. And he did. He even waged war against God’s people. And everyone who belongs to the world, that is who does not have their name in the Book of Life from the beginning, will worship the guy. Revelation 13:5-8

I know that Revelation 13:8 says All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, may seem to go against John 3:16, but it doesn’t. I used to have a big dog who loved riding in the back of my pickup. How she gets into the back of the truck was her choice. But I knew my dog. I knew she would jump up and down, run across the street into the neighbor’s yard, then run full speed and jump into the back of the truck. The point is, God knows us so well, even before time itself, He knows what we’ll do.

Now a second beast comes with the authority of the first, does miracles, have people worship the first beast, and then had what I still believes is a 3-D video made of the first beast. Everyone who does not worship the 3-D video of the first beast will die. Revelation 13:11-15

Finally the beast, (I believe the first one) will have everyone get a mark either on the hand or the forehead. If they don’t they can’t buy or sell. My guess is everyone will be more than willing. Now what causes the mark, I don’t know. Revelation 13:16-18

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01 Aug 2013
3 Comments

Into The Future III

Isaiah 42:9
Everything I prophesied has come true,
and now I will prophesy again.
I will tell you the future before it happens.”

As I have said before, there is so much I don’t understand about Bible prophecies. Well here I go again.

I was reading Isaiah 19 and, well, it brought up a lot of questions. Isaiah 19:2-4 talks of a lot of unrest in Egypt. Could this be Egyptian Arab Spring? If so, what about the other countries in the Middle-East that are going through turmoil? Like Syria? Why would Egypt be singled out?

During the Egyptian Arab Spring there was riots in the streets then the Muslim Brotherhood took over. But now only a short time later, there is trouble in Egypt again. This group is against that group, and there are so many groups that are against each other that I can’t keep up with it. (To be honest, I really haven’t tried.) All I know is you hear about it on TV news and the internet.

So now Isaiah 19:2-4 is starting to make sense.

2 “I will make Egyptian fight against Egyptian—
brother against brother,
neighbor against neighbor,
city against city,
province against province.
3 The Egyptians will lose heart,
and I will confuse their plans.
They will plead with their idols for wisdom
and call on spirits, mediums, and those who consult the spirits of the dead.
4 I will hand Egypt over
to a hard, cruel master.
A fierce king will rule them,”
says the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

But what about Isaiah 19:5-10 where it talks about the Nile River drying up? I have done some research on this and found that the Nile River has never failed to flood. It also has never completely dried up either. So obviously this part of the prophecies hasn’t happened yet. But I wonder; will this be because of climate change, or because somebody built a dam.

But what really interests me is Isaiah 19:17-25 where Egypt becomes afraid of Israel. Then some of the Egyptian cities will start speaking Hebrew and start worshiping God. How can this be? I have never known or heard of Jews forcing their beliefs on others. So why would Muslims give up and willingly abandon Allah and willingly follow the true God of Israel?

Here are my thoughts about how this might happen. Of course I’m no expert, but looking over my notes I think I can put together a possibility.

In Jeremiah 30:20, talking about modern Israel, God says He will punish any who will hurt Israel. With the Obama administration seemingly wanting to under cut Israel as far as security and it’s capital Jerusalem; I believe the United States will either fall or at least not be a great nation any more. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t believe I am. With the US out of the way some of the Muslim countries may feel empowered to attack Israel, and they will. Right now, many of them are already quoting Psalms 83:4.
“Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation.
We will destroy the very memory of its existence.”
However they will fail. Psalms 83:13-18 says Israel’s enemies will become terrified, ashamed, and utterly disgraced. They will learn the Lord God of Israel, alone is Most High.

Psalms 83:13-18
13 O my God, scatter them like tumbleweed,
like chaff before the wind!
14 As a fire burns a forest
and as a flame sets mountains ablaze,
15 chase them with your fierce storm;
terrify them with your tempest.
16 Utterly disgrace them
until they submit to your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be ashamed and terrified forever.
Let them die in disgrace.
18 Then they will learn that you alone are called the Lord,
that you alone are the Most High,
supreme over all the earth.

Psalms 83:5-8 has a list of the countries involved. According to the maps I looked at, the modern names of the countries involved are Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt. These are the countries that will go to war against Israel and lose. Big time. In the end people from both Egypt and Syria will be worshiping, freely the God of Israel and not Allah. They will also be at peace with Israel according to Isaiah 19:23-25.

I believe the war that the Anti-Christ creates against Israel will come later and it will be a very bad war involving many of the countries of the world. It will look very bad for Israel. But then God Himself will step in and fight for Israel. Israel will again win. Then the Lord Himself will sit on the throne as King in Jerusalem, Israel. He will come from the line of David. Many people today know Him as Lord Jesus. He will be our King.

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