Before
I get into the study, we should answer the question of sequence for
the seals, trumpets, and bowls. I think we should be careful in
jumping around Revelation too much time wise. It allows for more
personal interpretation in many cases, which always ends up somehow
contrary to the Word, even in little areas. The Bible should
interpret itself. So as to the timing of the seals, trumpets and
bowls, let me share some of my studies on this. Let's start at the
seals, I'll make it short and to the point.
Revelation
8:1,2 And when he had opened the
seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of
half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God;
and to them were given seven trumpets.
This should be evidence enough that the
trumpets don't happen until after all seven seals are opened since
the angels aren't even given their trumpets until the seventh seal.
Even then, they do not blow them until the angel casts the censer to
the earth after the seventh seal.
So what about the transition from the trumpets to the bowls?
Revelation
11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices
in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the
kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for
ever and ever.
We see
here that the seventh angel is sounded in Revelation 11. Notice this
detail about the seventh trumpet...
Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of
the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery
of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants
the prophets.
This tells us that the seventh trumpet
isn't a quick toot, but a blast which lasts for days. Keeping that
in mind, lets examine when the trumpet sounds.
Revelation
11:15 And the seventh angel sounded;
and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of
this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his
Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Several chapters later in Revelation, we
see the angels get their bowls.
Revelation 15:1;
5-8 And I saw
another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having
the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of
God...
...And after that I looked, and, behold,
the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was
opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the
seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their
breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the
four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full
of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and
from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple,
till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
So the angels weren't even given these
bowls until after the seventh angel
began to sound and these bowl judgments are specifically
labeled as the seven last plagues that fill up the wrath of God. Notice how all seven of these
bowls are poured out in one chapter and in pretty short and to the
point ways. I believe this gives the impression of increased
frequency. In fact, I believe that these bowls are all poured out
during the days of the voice of the seventh trumpet. And finally, at
the seventh bowl...
Revelation
16:17 And the seventh angel poured
out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of
the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is
done.
Here's how
I believe it looks laid out in a timeline. Notice the increase in intensity and
frequency of these.
I don't think the second
seal is opened yet, but since I believe the abomination of desolation
(5th seal) will begin in February of 2009,
based on the HIStory,
Our Future Bible studies, it must be coming soon. It could be triggered
at the
destruction of Damascus leading to the
Gog/Magog attack. With the promised retaliation sometime this month
perhaps the tensions will trigger peace being taken from the earth soon. I'm
still watching...
I think the third seal
could be the result of the second and the
current global economic crisis developing now. I believe ultimately this
will lead to a global cashless society where tattoo RFID ink will be used to
mark the population so they can buy or sell in the marketplace, the
mark of the beast. Many businesses already have RFID readers (pay pass)
for VISA and MasterCard in place and the network is already there. If global
economies were to crash and the Dollar collapse, the international bankers
that have all the wealth could institute this global cashless system fairly
easily and wouldn't have to print out currency because it's all electronic.
I think the fourth seal is the
"return" of the 12th Mahdi, the
Biblical false prophet. I believe that Islam will follow after him and
his signs and lying wonders. Once the antichrist is revealed he will direct
their worship to him and Islam will become a force to be reckoned with
around the world, carrying out the policies of the antichrist.
During this time of war and chaos, there will also be a push for peace and
the world that doesn't understand what is going on will be more and more
willing to give control to Europe through the EU and its global peacekeeping
forces being developed legally. You should check out the
video on the Lisbon Treaty if you haven't yet, it's pretty interesting
and shows how global governance is removing national sovereignty and the
voice of the people.
In America,
power in the events of emergencies are being ceded to Europe as well as
trade relations and international law dictating our policies. A "North
American Army" made up of Canadian and American troops was recently signed
into effect in the name of combating terrorism and helping in emergency
situations. This is just a step on the road to the New World Order where all
the globe is run by the dictates of international law being developed out of
Europe in the name of peace and security.
All this is leading to the abomination of desolation and the beginning of
great tribulation following the rebuilding of the temple. I mentioned the
destruction of Damascus and the Magog Invasion already, which I believe will
be the trigger that shifts the nation of Israel away from their current
stance to one more like the time of the Maccabean revolt, which I believe
will be repeated at the abomination of desolation causing one of the heads
to be mortally wounded and triggering the genocide of the Jews in Judea.
Revelation 13:3
That is currently my understanding of the time from now through to the
day of the Lord and our redemption prior to the wrath of God being poured
out. For me, it is easier to see in chart form sometimes and so I have
a web
page of my main charts laying all this out with hyperlinks to the
relevant pages built in.
The Scroll & Seven Seals
Before I
get into the details, we must define what the seals are all about.
Revelation 5:1-10 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne
a scroll written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to
open the scroll, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor
in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the scroll, neither to
look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and
to read the scroll, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith
unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root
of David, hath prevailed to open the scroll, and to loose the
seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the
throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb
as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the
scroll out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he
had taken the scroll, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down
before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of
odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying,
Thou art worthy to take the scroll, and to open the seals thereof: for thou
wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred,
and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Book written inside and on the back -
There are probably as many questions about this phrase as there are letters
that compose it. However, the questions can be grouped under three headings:
(a) function, (b) content, and (c) form. Of the three, function is the easiest question to answer.
a. Function:
First, a sequential nature is established. With the seven seals, the
author indicates the seals are opened one after another. This format will
be repeated in relation to the trumpets and bowl judgments that follow.
The book is built around these three sequences. Second, Christ, who is
uniquely able to break the seven seals, is clearly established as a
sovereign who executes the will of the One seated on the throne—God, the
Father. The Father has willed that the Son oversees its execution.
John 5:22, 27 and
Acts 10:42 indicate that Jesus is
Judge of all. This is the central purpose of the Revelation: to reveal the
Son’s execution of the Father’s judgment against both the living and the
dead. This naturally leads to the question of content.
b. Content:
Once it is accepted that the seven seals are not a part of the contents of
the scroll, but in fact are conditions to its opening, the reader is able
to discern two things. First, John does not explicitly indicate what is
contained in the scroll. However, with the breaking of the seventh and
final seal, the first direct attack against the earth begins in the form
of a trumpet judgment. That the trumpets are judgments of God will be
detailed later. Second, since
Revelation 8-20 contains the
judgment of God against wickedness, the scroll must contain the
eschatological judgment of God, else the contents of the scroll are never
disclosed. This seems highly unlikely given the importance of the scroll
indicated in
Revelation 5.
Ezekiel 2:9-10 speaks of a scroll
similar to Revelation 5. Ezekiel’s scroll contained "lamentations,
mourning, and woe." All three terms are associated with disaster. All
three express deep grief on the part of the afflicted.
c. Form: The
exact form of the scroll is debated. However, taken at face value several
points are obvious. First, the basic book form during John’s time was the
scroll. The fact that all seven seals were visible argues for a scroll.
The fact that the contents of the scroll could not be known until it was
opened argues for a rolled up scroll. There is no historical evidence of a
sealed scroll within a sealed scroll.
Sealed up with seven seals - There
is historical evidence of scrolls containing seven seals. In both the Jewish
and Roman worlds, seven sealed scrolls were very common. Specifically, Roman
law mandated that wills be validated by the seals of five or seven
witnesses. Jewish magic also employed the motif of seven seals.
The Seven Sealed ScrollValleyBible.net -
The Greek word for book here is biblion which is not referring to a book as we know it today. It was a
scroll. A scroll was made up of a long piece of papyrus or treated animal
skin (parchment) and rolled up from both ends. Scrolls of those days
averaged about 15 feet in length. John informs us that it had writing on
both sides. "It was common in the first century for a person in authority to
seal an important document so that its contents would remain secret. Roman
law required a last will and testament to be sealed seven times, as
illustrated in the wills of Caesar Augustus and Emperor Vespasian."215 "Such
documents were sealed with wax or clay and could be opened only by a
qualified person."216"This kind of contract was known all over the Middle
East in ancient times and was used by the Romans from the time of Nero on.
The full contract would be written on the inner pages and described briefly
on the outside. All kinds of transactions were consummated this way,
including marriage-contracts, rental and lease agreements, release of
slaves, contract-bills, and bonds. Support comes also from Hebrew practices.
The Hebrew document most closely resembling this scroll was a title-deed
that was folded and signed, requiring at least three witnesses. A portion of
the text would be written, folded over and sealed, with a different witness
signing at each fold. A larger number of witnesses meant that more
importance was assigned to the document."217 "The scroll John saw in god’s
hand is the title deed to the earth which He will give to Christ. Unlike
other such deeds, however, it does not record the descriptive detail of what
Christ will inherit, but rather how He will regain His rightful inheritance.
He will do so by means of the divine judgments about to be poured out on the
earth (6:12ff.). Ezekiel describes this same scroll in his vision of heaven:
‘Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was
in it. When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and
back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe" (Ezekiel
2:8-10)."218 "It reveals the judgments of God to be poured out on the earth,
Christ’s Second Coming to rightfully inherit and implement the title deed of
redemption to planet Earth, and His righteous rule in the Millennial
Kingdom."219
The scroll cannot be opened without
opening the seven seals that are on the scroll and only Yeshua (Jesus) is
worthy to open the seals. I believe the reason it is so important is that the
end cannot come until the scroll foretelling the end is read. I
believe John wept because he understood that it must be opened to
fulfill prophecy and the second coming of Christ to take the kingdoms.
It highlights the importance of the Lamb, Yeshua.
What is on the scroll?
Given the progression of events through Revelation from the seals to the
trumpets to the bowls, I believe the scroll has written on it the events of
the wrath of God, the 7 trumpets 7 thunders and 7 bowls, that will come upon
the earth culminating like birth pangs closer and more intense toward the
end. I believe scripture backs up this idea of the judgments of the seven
trumpets and seven bowls being what is written on the scroll.
Ezekiel 2 And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak
unto thee. And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and
set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. And he said
unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a
rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their
fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For
they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them;
and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. And they,
whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a
rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among
them. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid
of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost
dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed
at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt
speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will
forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what
I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house:
open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. And when I looked,
behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was
therein; And he spread it before me; and it was written within and
without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and
woe.
Zechariah 5 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and
behold a flying roll [scroll].
And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying
roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof
ten cubits. Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth
forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that
stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every
one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter
into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth
falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house,
and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
I shared this progression at the
top of this page from
Revelation 8:1,2 where the seven
angels are given seven trumpets only after the 7th seal is opened. There is
also only ½ hour time from the 6th seal, where the terrified people of earth
recognize God's wrath, until all the seals are opened and the scroll can be
read. The trumpets and bowls are delivered from heaven upon the earth. They
are outside of man's or Satan's control.
Why would God have to
open the scroll to begin His judgments? I believe that just like this 7,000
years of history will be a testimony of God's immense love for all eternity,
so too is the scroll a witness of God's being outside of created time such
that before anything was begun, even His plan of salvation, the end was known,
and the judgments written. All creation will recognize those judgments as just
and glorify God. It will be yet another eternal proof of God's all-knowing
presence.
This idea was brought up by
someone on a board, but I forgot to get the background links and now can't
find them. I did modify the original version to fit what I've
learned from my studies and add my personal impressions in this format. I don't know if this
relation is valid, but it is very interesting and worth mentioning. If it is
true, then it's an interesting side note. If it isn't true, then it's
looking too deep into something that isn't there. Either way I don't believe
this harms one's understanding. I mention it here in the interest of sharing
what I've come across, which is what this whole website is about. Sharing
information with fellow watchmen during the last days before Christ's
return.
Christ speaking the
Olivet discourse
Matthew 24:4-29
John seeing the seals in a vision
Revelation 6:1-17; 8:1-6
Matthew 24:4-5 And Jesus answered and said unto
them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name,
saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Revelation 6:1-2
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the
seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four
beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he
that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went
forth conquering, and to conquer.
Matthew 24:6-7a
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not
troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not
yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Revelation 6:3-4
And when he had opened the
second
seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to
him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should
kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Matthew 24:7b-8
and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers
places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Revelation 6:5-6
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast
say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat
on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the
midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three
measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the
wine.
Matthew 24:9-14
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and
ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many
be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because
iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that
shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of
the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come.
Revelation 6:7-8
And when he had opened the fourth
seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was
Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over
the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and
with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Matthew 24:15-28 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso
readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into
the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take
any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return
back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to
them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not
in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning
of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days
should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's
sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you,
Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise
false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and
wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very
elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto
you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the
secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the
east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the
Son of man be.
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered
together.
Revelation 6:9-11
And when he had opened the
fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain
for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they
cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost
thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And
white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto
them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their
fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they
were, should be fulfilled.
[These
fellowservants are those who will be killed before the harpazo of the
bride of Christ. When
the harpazo happens, all the dead in Christ rise first and then we who
are alive and remain join them to meet the Lord in the air.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 This is
the harpazo of the bride of Christ.
As Christians,
we should not be deceived by false Christs who come with signs and
wonders because we know how the True Christ, Yeshua will come and how we
will meet Him. We don't need to go anywhere because we will have a
personal relationship with Him and He will do the calling of us up to
Him at the harpazo. All we need to do is watch, pray, and share the love
of God with those around us waiting for that blessed hope to save us
from the wrath to come.]
Matthew 24:29a
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be
darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall
fall from heaven,
Revelation 6:12-17
And I beheld when he had opened the
sixth seal, and, lo, there
was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair,
and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the
earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken
of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled
together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the
chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free
man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And
said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face
of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For
the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 8:1
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven
about the space of half an hour.
[The
day of the Lord comes as a destruction from the Almighty. Isaiah 13:6-13 It also comes after the
sixth seal according to Joel 2:31This is the time we are told comes like a thief in the
night, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, and is likened to the days of Noah and
Lot. This is also describing the coming of the Son of man.
Matthew 24:37-39 I don't
believe this is an accident and so I believe it is at this time of the
day of the Lord and His wrath, that Christ comes to harpazo His bride.
But since
we're
not appointed to God's wrath, our escape will be in His catching
away of His bride to Himself and the marriage of the Lamb. Luke 21:34-36 | Revelation 19:7,8]
[God's wrath
comes after the seals are completed. Does the fact
that the people of earth recognize God's coming wrath at the sixth seal
mean His wrath comes before the seals are done? The
seventh seal is just ½ hour
of silence in heaven so this is still valid because ½ hour could mean
that the trumpets blow that same day. This is the
day of the Lord, which
comes as a destruction from the Almighty. Isaiah 13:6-13 We're told that it comes
like the days of Noah and that is when the Son of man comes.
Matthew 24:37-39]
Matthew 24:29b
and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
[This one phrase covers the entire scope of the
wrath of God, which Christ didn't go into detail about at that time. The
detail was given to John through visions which he wrote down in the book
of Revelation regarding the 7 trumpets, 7 thunders, and 7 bowls
discussed in this page.]
Revelation 8:2-6
And I saw the seven angels which stood before
God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came
and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given
unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of
all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And
the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints,
ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took
the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into
the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings,
and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven
trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
So the seals that are broken by Christ off of the double-sided scroll
that has the judgments of God written on them are completed before God's
wrath comes. The trumpets, thunders, and bowls in Revelation 8 through
Revelation 16 contain the details of the coming judgments which Christ did
not go into in the Olivet discourse. When Christ described the end, He
just used the term "the powers of the heavens
shall be shaken:"
Isaiah 13:6-13 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a
destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and
every man's heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and
sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that
travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as
flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and
fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners
thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations
thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his
going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will
punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and
I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the
haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine
gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will
shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
I believe this shows the same progression that Christ spoke of in the
lead-up to the abomination of desolation, the beginning of the last 3½
years of the end leading to the
1,000
year millennium. So the seven seals' purpose is to seal the scroll
written on both sides, which contains the judgments of the earth, the
seven trumpets, seven thunders, and seven bowls. With this understanding,
let us examine what the seals, trumpets, and bowls represent and what
their breaking, blowing, and pouring will bring to pass.
Revelation 6:1,2 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the
noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white
horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him:
and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Rider has a bowG5115 (from
base
G5088; a bow (apparently as
the simplest fabric): - bow.
[G5088 is: to produce (from
seed) literal or figurative:
bear, to be born, bring forth, be delivered, be in travail])
A crownG4735 (as
a badge of royalty) is given to him.
He spreads out conquering victoriously overcoming
his enemies.
I believe the base
word for "bow" in the Greek gives us greater insight into what is being said
here. I believe
the antichristbrings forth a
deal, the "covenant with many" (Daniel
9:27 -
Is this the ENPI beginning January 1, 2007?) that works
so well that all the kings give him their power. He goes out victoriously
overcoming his enemies, the terrorists
and those viewed as terrorists. In other words, this would be the antichrist
producing an apparent peace covenant that has the affect of stopping
terrorism, which leads the world to give him a crown. Revelation
13:1-10
Daniel 8:25
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and
he shall magnify himself in his heart, and
by peace
[H7962-quietness,
ease, prosperity] shall destroy
[H7843-to
destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay]
many
he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken
without hand.
The above was written about Antiochus IV Epiphanes, in
my opinion. However, the same spirit of antichrist is behind the future man of
sin. I believe this tells of the coming war on religious
fundamentalism. While spouting the reason being peace and security in the
world, the leaders (and specifically the antichrist) will wage a war on
fundamentalism in the name of peace. In this way he will destroy the
fundamentalists and also corrupt his followers. Everyone will be behind him
because they will buy into the concept. I think the
Alliance of Civilizations
will play a part. It isn't until after the
abomination of desolation that the war really turns ugly though. Because that's when the gloves come off and
Lucifer gives his power to the beast.
Madrid: Fifteen Years Later
Herb L. Peters (January
12, 2007) - What follows is a speech given at the
recent Madrid+15 Conference. If you read carefully, and if you
understand the underlying political mechanisms and realities,
you will find all the necessary elements in place for the
beginning of Daniel's 70th week. And, you will hear it coming
from someone other than me. In fact, you will actually hear it
coming from a primary source. What we have is a formally signed,
legally binding covenant with many -- the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership for Peace (Euromed) -- that was established
between the EU and Israel in November 20, 1995. Israel's Euromed
Association Agreement entered into force on June 1, 2000, only
four days before the 10-nation Western European Union's adoption
of Recommendation 666. Israel's European Neighbourhood Policy
(ENP) Action Plan was adopted April 11, 2004. Although not
legally binding, Israel's continuing cooperation to her ENP
Action Plan is the basis for future continuing participation in
all ENP benefits. As of January 1, 2007, the "New" ENP
began and will span a seven-year period. At the EU's
December European Council, the EU's Javier Solana, the author of
both the Euromed and the ENP, received his unofficial seat
within the Commission to oversee the ENP. At the same summit,
Solana was given his official EU mandate to carry the Middle
East peace process foreword. As of January 1, the New ENP has
greatly increased benefits for all participating Mediterranean
partners. But, it also has substantially increased political
requirements -- one of which is to make peace with fellow
Euromed partners. Included in this mix is the UN's new
Alliance of Civilizations (AoC). The AoC provides the forum
whereby the so-called "dialogue of cultures and civilizations"
can be performed. If approved by the Security Council, the AoC
will also provide a vehicle from where a religious war, exactly
as the one foretold in Bible prophecy, can be -- as of 2010 --
effectively waged. As you read the speech that follows, please
consider all the things, since way back in February 2002, that
I've been reporting and saying. -Herb
more...
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This can be seen mirrored in God's covenant with a bow.
Genesis 9:13
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token
of a covenant between me and the earth.
God sets His bow
H7198
in the clouds (From
H7185 in the original sense (of
H6983) of
bending; a bow,
for shooting (hence figuratively strength) or the iris: - X arch (-er), + arrow, bow ([-man, -shot])
[H7185
is: to be dense, i.e. tough or severe (in
various applications):--be cruel, be fiercer, make grievous, be ((ask a), be
in, have, seem, would) hard(-en, (labour), -ly, thing), be sore, (be, make)
stiff(-en, (-necked))] [H6983 is: to bend; used only as denominative for
3369, to set a trap:--lay a snare.])
What's interesting about this current time and this rider given a crown is
how the world is at a loss with what to do with the Middle East. World leaders
are talking peace and security, using the same words Bible prophecy does. And
it all centers around Israel and her land. This is because of
Islam's terrorists,
spurred on by their prophet's
writings. And on a darker revelation of the
New World Order and those secret
societies behind it, we see that this was all part of the plan to bring the
world to accept a
future leader who
will provide the
peace and security
the world desires.
I found Bush's choice of words (as well as many leaders
in the world trying to "solve" the Middle East problem) interesting. The goal
right now for the whole world is to see peace and security with Israel and
"Palestine."
Excerpt from President Bush's state of the union address 1-23-07:
The United Nations has imposed sanctions on Iran, and made it clear that the
world will not allow the regime in Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.
(Applause.) With the other members of the Quartet -- the U.N., the European
Union, and Russia --
we're pursuing diplomacy to help bring peace to the Holy Land, and pursuing
the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state living side-by-side with
Israel in
peace and security.
(Applause.)
Nobody will be expecting the wrath of God when it comes except those who
are watching and praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I
write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and
safety [G803
-security];
then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with
child; and they shall not escape.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as
a thief.
There are two groups spoken of here.
They (non-believers)
Brethren (believers)
Group 1
will have no idea what's coming until the sudden destruction arrives and they
won't escape it.
Group 2
won't be in darkness as to this time that comes like a thief. We also know
from other scriptures that we will escape it.
Luke 21:34-36
In other words, believers will have an idea it's coming. This tells us that
believers are here for this time just
before the sudden destruction, but will
escape the actual destruction.
National Interests and European Foreign Policy
Council of the European Union - Javier
Solana
(October 7, 2008) - I would like to thank the
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik for convening this conference. It
follows a good tradition. For many years it has hosted the NATO Review
Conference. As NATO General Secretary I valued these intense political
brainstormings. It is timely to launch a similar exercise for our Common
Foreign and Security Policy.
Next year, it will be ten years since the Kosovo crisis, which played a
fundamental role in the creation of the European Security and Defence
Policy. The European Security Strategy will see its 5th anniversary in
December. So this is a good moment to look back. But even more to think
about the future. I hope and expect this conference to contribute to
tangible progress in the evolution of Europe's global role.
At the request of the organisers, my intervention will focus on the
question of national interests and how they relate to building a common
European foreign policy. This is not an easy topic. These days, when
debating foreign policy, the concept of "national interest" can seem
outmoded and unattractive. In both public opinion and specialist
circles, we tend to associate the idea with the cynical pursuit of
self-interest.
Take historical figures like Machiavelli: "it is far safer to be feared
than loved". Or Lord Palmerston: "my country has no permanent friends,
only permanent interests". We like to think diplomats have moved beyond
that kind of thinking in the twenty-first century.
In the European context this feeling becomes stronger. European
integration has been built on compromises. So a ruthless pursuit of
national interests sits ill with the European method of
consensus-building. But are national interests and European foreign
policy therefore incompatible?
It would be tempting to say yes. But that would miss an important point.
For I think the relationship
is more complex. Properly defined, national interests have a place in
European policy-making, What has changed in Europe is how people define
their interests and, even more, the structure in which they pursue them.
The point is not that we have abolished national interests in the
European Union. Rather, the point is that we agree that the best way to
safeguard these interests is by working together. Moreover, working
together helps to create and identify common European interests. So, it
is a two-way street. This is a fundamental truth, which bears repeating.
To avoid any misunderstanding: values matter as much as interests. A
foreign policy which is not informed by our values is neither possible
nor acceptable. This very much applies to the European Union. Values are
at the core of our external actions and an expression of our collective
identity. We promote them because of who we are. But also because it is
in our interest to do so.
This explains why the European approach to international relations is
characterised by the primacy of international law; the search for
consensual solutions; and a commitment to making multilateral
institutions effective. This is the European way. What we do abroad is
shaped by who we are. Not only is this approach right. It is also very
effective, as the history of Europe over the last fifty years
demonstrates.
There is another aspect to all this. The very concept of national
interest has changed in our globalised world. In a nutshell:
interests have gone global. We face common problems. You all know
the list: terrorism, climate change and energy security, proliferation,
organised crime, failing states. These are complex and interconnected
problems. They defy simple solutions.
No country acting alone can solve them. So, national and collective
interests are linked. You cannot pursue one at the expense of the
other. Of course there will always be differences of emphasis, based
on history, geography and the electoral cycle. We should be aware of
these differences - and discuss how they can be overcome. But
the collective, common interest is clear. Global and complex issues
require global answers.
So much for the theory. How to do it in practice, in a Union of 27
member-states? By working hard every day. I believe it is possible,
because there is such a thing as common European interests. Let me try
to explain.
First, I believe it is an interest in itself for the 27 Member states to
build unity. Unity is the best way to be heard in a globalised world.
Unity is a precondition for Europe to be effective. In turn, being
effective helps with creating unity, as the Balkan and Georgia conflicts
have shown.
Second, there is the inter-connected nature of the threats that we face,
as I mentioned earlier. We have a common interest in addressing complex
threats, diplomatically and through collective action on the ground.
What is stated in principle must be demonstrated in practice. And Europe
is doing just that, tackling crises in our neighbourhood and beyond.
Let me mention some examples which seem of special relevance.
The Iran nuclear issue is a case in point. The importance of the Iranian
issue cannot be over-stated. At stake is nothing less than the
treaty-based system of non-proliferation. Europe's role has been
central. We have been at the forefront of international efforts to solve
this sensitive and complex issue, working through the multilateral
system. It is consistent with the objectives, interests and values we
uphold. We hope for success, but know that it will require cooperation
of many actors, first of all Iran.
Or take the Western Balkans. The scale of the EU commitment to putting
that region on a path of sustainable peace, reconciliation and growth is
unprecedented. From Bosnia Herzegovina to Kosovo, from Serbia to FYROM
Europe is seen as an indispensable anchor of stability and development.
Europe is committed to the Balkans for good reasons. This is an area of
strategic importance. And our engagement has made the difference, even
in very sensitive issues like relations with Kosovo and Serbia. I do not
deny or downplay the challenge that was posed by Kosovo's independence -
including among EU Member States. But we delivered.
The Union agreed on a common interest in ensuring stability and security
in Kosovo, and deployed the EULEX mission to achieve that aim. We were
right. Since February, we have seen positive trends in both Kosovo and
Serbia, with the EULEX mission gradually deploying and a pro-European
political constellation in Belgrade.
All this would have been impossible without the impulse and political
initiative from the European Union - and especially the incentive of the
European perspective. Compare this situation to the mid- 1990s. The
progress we have made is remarkable.
Then there is Georgia. The initiatives taken by the European Union,
under the leadership of the French Presidency, were key to preventing
further dangerous escalation. It is too early for final judgements at
this stage. But over the last two months the EU has been crucial to
establishing a path through the crisis, and providing the means, with
the EU Monitoring Mission to doing so.
Let me conclude. National interests and European foreign policy have to
be linked. But it should be clear that in a globalised world, national
interests can best be achieved through collective action. European
foreign policy is work in progress. We all know that we can and should
improve the efficiency of our decision-making and the effectiveness of
our actions. But perhaps paradoxically, the Georgian crisis gives me
hope. It showed that strong political will and good co-ordination
between the institutions and Member States is critical. And that it can
be forthcoming when we need it.
Now we need to ensure that the same conditions will be there in the
future.
The Treaty of Lisbon will be a central part of delivering that. A
swift entry into force of that Treaty is clearly in our common interest.
Dear friends, The world today is more complex and interconnected. Our
approach of bringing together member states into collective positions
which are stronger than the sum of their parts, is the only realistic
response. It is in our interest to continue on this path. Thank you very
much.
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1st
Seal
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Europe is being set up as the
model for which the rest of the world should follow suit in working
together and better integrating to make a better world. It sounds
great, but as we've seen historically the leaders with the power
misuse it to the detriment of the people and according to Bible
prophecy, the ultimate incarnation of this will be seen in the man
of sin who will rise to power from the
revived Roman Empire and from among
10 kings to gain global influence and eventually control the
world by his policies.
See chart Just a quick review, the man delivering this
"intervention" has held and holds the following positions:
Ever heard of
him?
So could this really be coming to pass now under the
radar of the world and even Christians? As the financial collapse
helps push international cooperation along with business deals
(shipping jobs and manufacturing overseas) and the war on terror,
are we being smoothly nudged into the New Age that's been talked
about for many years? Considering all the signs from many angles,
I've only been more convinced as time goes on that we indeed are at
that point in the history of mankind as foretold in the Bible. Keep
watching and praying!
Comet
McNaught & The First Seal
by
1whowaits-
Comet
McNaught would appear to possibly be some type of sign. It is being described
as the brightest comet in the past 30 years and it may possibly be the
brightest in all recorded history. A bright comet coming at this particular
time is intriguing in what it might signify, considering the events in Israel
and the EU. One such constellation is that of Sagittarius, the archer.
Sagittarius is pictured in pagan signs as a half-man, half horse figure with a
bow. It is believed the original representation of the constellation of
Sagittarius was that of a man riding a horse and carrying a bow. The
description and location of Sagittarius is more completely described in the
July
2006 newsletter of Biblical astronomy. This has led some to associate
the constellation Sagittarius with the passage of Rev. 6 and the opening of
the first seal- 'I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its
rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror
bent on conquest.' This association with the constellation Sagittarius and the
rider of the first seal was made by Bullinger in his book 'The witness of the
stars', which was published in 1890's, I believe. And Sagittarius is pictured
as described in Rev. on a horse, with a bow and a crown (which has fallen-
pictured as another smaller constellation).
Update on Comets Hale-Bopp and McNaughtDaniel Matson
Newsletter Jesus2006.org
(July 8, 2007)
- Comet Hale-Bopp has always been fascinating. Personally its timing is
easy to remember since our first child was born at this time and I
remember the evening walks clearly seeing Hale-Bopp in the north. I also
remember watching the lunar eclipse on Purim of 1997 and seeing Mars right
next to the moon with Hale-Bopp ever present. Something seemed
significant, but that would come later. It would not be until 2003 when
the research into the comets would continue. Up until that time, the only
Christian researcher who had touched the issue (that I saw) was Avi Ben
Mordechai. In his book, Signs in the Heavens, He mentioned the
peculiarities of Comet Shoemaker-Levy that hit Jupiter on the 9th of Av
with 21 pieces in 1994. Since the 17th of Tammuz to the 9th of Av is the
21 days of mourning, there seemed to be a connection. In 2003 while
working on Signs of the End, it was noted how the 9th of Av 2014
seemed to be a key time according to the layout of Daniel 8 with the
vision of 2300 evenings and mornings. This put Shoemaker-Levy at 20 years
prior to 2014. This also seemed to parallel the conclusion that Hale-Bopp
in 1997 preceded the end of Daniel's 70th Week by 20 years as well.
Further research in 2003 led to the peculiarity of Comets Hyakutake (1996)
and Hale-Bopp (1997). A map of their paths showed an intersection at the
star of Algol. Algol is considered the unluckiest star and is found in the
decapitated head of Medusa (it means trodden underfoot--the head of Satan)
held by Peres (meaning the breaker of the imprisoned--Christ). The comets
crossed this star at right angles on April 11th one year apart. According
to the research put into Signs of the End, April 11th was a very
significant day. Passover will sometimes land on this day and it did in
the 20th Century only on these dates: 1914 (WW1), 1933 (Hitler's
anti-Semitic laws passed this very day), and 1998 (Israel's 50th). The
next occurrence is 2017. Also, if Christ died in 32 AD according to the
model of Sir Robert Anderson, then the most significant Passover was also
on April 11th. Incidentally, Hyakutake, the Japanese discoverer of the
comet named after him, died on April 10th. This then brings us to 2007. At
the beginning of July, an article from Jim Harman was sent showing how
Noah likely saw Hale-Bopp 120 years before the Flood. By doing the math,
the scientists figured out that it was 4,465 years prior to 1997 that
Hale-Bopp also appeared to those on Earth (please see his pdf file). This
puts it at 2469 BC and exactly where a biblical chronology would place the
120 year warning before the Flood in 2349 BC. This was very striking and
immediately it was wondered if Hale-Bopp being ten years ago, might have a
similar warning using 120. Years were ruled out since the generation
principle requires fulfillment by 2017 (100 years from 1917 and within 70
years from 1948). However, with a year having twelve months, it meant that
2007 had seen 120 months since 1997. However, our Roman months are
incorrect since the lunar month is 29.5 days. Looking for a common sense
measuring point, it was found that Hale-Bopp crossed the plane of the
earth's orbit on May 6, 1997. To therefore continue 120 lunar months (120
x 29.5) from that point would mean a total of 3,540 days. This would bring
us to January 14, 2007. Interestingly, a comet was also crossing the plane
of the earth's orbit on January 14, 2007--Comet McNaught. Comet McNaught
was even seen during daylight at this very time. So then, what does Comet
McNaught now warn us? What about 120 days? One hundred and twenty days
from January 14, 2007 is May 14, 2007. This was Israel's 59th anniversary
and the day more attacks began on the tiny nation. Interestingly enough,
if one adds another 120 days from May 14th, one will come to September
11th. However, there may be even more to this. A lunar month is more
accurately represented by 29.5306 days. This adds a completed three days
to the calculation of 3,540 days. This correction would bring the 120
months to January 17, 2007 and about the time tail could last be seen in
the Northern Hemisphere. From this time it is 120 days to Ascension
Day--May 17, 2007. This is of course day 40 after Resurrection Sunday.
Going another 120 days from Ascension Day 2007 will come to September 14,
2007. This appears to be the likely day witnesses in Israel will be able
to see the New Moon to usher in the Feast of Trumpets. And according to 1
Corinthians 15, the harpazo occurs at "The Last Trumpet"--a Jewish
reference to the Feast of Trumpets. The Feast of Trumpets until the Day of
Atonement is known as the Days of Awe, a period of ten days. It is at this
time that the mighty works of God will be seen according to Jewish
understanding. If the harpazo is this year with the Second Coming in 2017,
then from Trumpets 2007 to Atonement 2017 would result in a year for each
day. This then would still have the 70th Week beginning in 2010. Is there
any significance then to the Fast of Gedaliah occurring on day three of
the ten? Will Israel at this time seek God's protection or the "peace of
Egypt"? Unfortunately the answer is known, but God will be victorious in
the end with His people. In all of the research and moving on with the
numbers and coincidences, it does appear that Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah 2007
may be a key day to watch. Will it be the harpazo of the Church? Surely it
is a day to be ready for with all fear. It cannot hurt to do this in the
least. Why is it deemed wrong to prepare and seek to serve the Lord better
and anticipate His return for His Bride? There must be something to all of
this, and if the day does pass, surely God's plan will in the end make
complete sense. Tisha B'Av 2014 is August 5, 2014. 2300 days before that is
April 18, 2008. Still researching...
Revelation 6:3,4 And when he had opened the
second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out
another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat
thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another:
and there was given unto him a great sword.
Rider is allowed
to take peace G1515 (implied prosperity;
rest or quietness) from the earth.
This also initiates
them [people] to kill G4969
each other (butcher:
especially an animal for food or sacrifice)
Implied amongst themselves, not an outside force killing them.
(great - loud,
mighty, strong)
(sword - [possibly derivative of
G3163: battle, figurative: controversy] figurative: war, judicial
punishment
Possible interpretation?
Yeshua is the one who breaks the seal. The first seal was a rider with a
token of a covenant going forth conquering. If this is representative of the
current international cooperation to
bring peace in the Middle East
and uniting in the war on terror, then the second seal would be an
interruption in the peace and reason to further the removal of freedoms in
the name of peace and security. Could the
destruction of Damascus
triggering the Gog/Magog invasion and
possible global terrorist attacks be the peace taken from the earth?
America's border has been open for some time now allowing
unchecked access in an area run by drug lords.
How many of these unchecked people from anywhere in the world could have
already entered into the nation with destructive intentions? Islam is
known for its use of the sword and so I tend to believe they will react
against their enemies, the "great Satan and little Satan" (US and Israel),
with terrorism and the Magog invasion respectively. Israel will be protected
from the invaders, America and the West I'm not so sure about. I
believe humanity's enemy is behind both sides of this war, provoking each
other to bring the chaos from which the blind will seek salvation from. I
question the leaving open of our border given the supposed heightened
concern for security from terrorists and considering
what I've learned
of the history of America's leadership, the possible reasons become much
more clear. Is this all part of the plan to conquer in the name of peace and
security?
Emergency powers have been given to our President as well as Mr. Europe.
Could this taking away of peace be the means to tighten security in ways
like national ID? National ID? How about a global ID?
Info World (August
10, 2007) "Papers please." How quickly could
this turn into the mark of the
beast? With tattoo ink RFID and readers becoming a part of daily
commerce, could it really be that close? And could identity thieves and
emergencies and disasters mixed with economic collapse bring us to this
cashless society suddenly?
Surging inflation will stoke riots and conflict between nations, says
report
Guardian UK (May 23,
2008) - Riots, protests and political unrest could multiply
in the developing world as soaring inflation widens the gap between the
"haves" and the "have nots", an investment bank predicted yesterday.
Economists at Merrill Lynch view inflation as an "accident waiting to
happen". As prices for food and commodities surge, the bank expects
global inflation to rise from 3.5% to 4.9% this year. In emerging
markets, the average rate is to be 7.3%. The cost of food and fuel has
already been cited as a factor leading to violence in Haiti, protests by
Argentinian farmers and riots in sub-Saharan Africa, including attacks
on immigrants in South African townships. Merrill's chief international
economist, Alex Patelis, said this could be the tip of the iceberg,
warning of more trouble "between nations and within nations" as people
struggle to pay for everyday goods. "Inflation has distributional
effects. If everyone's income moved by the same rate, you wouldn't care
- but it doesn't," said Patelis. "You have pensioners on fixed pensions.
Some people produce rice that triples in price, while others consume
it." A report by Merrill urges governments to crack down on inflation,
describing the phenomenon as the primary driver of macroeconomic trends.
The problem has emerged from poor food harvests, sluggish supplies of
energy and soaring demand in rapidly industrialising countries such as
China, where wage inflation has reached 18%. Unless policymakers take
action to dampen prices and wages, Merrill says sudden shortages could
become more frequent. The bank cited power cuts in South Africa and a
run on rice in Californian supermarkets as recent examples. "You're
going to see tension between nations and within nations," said Patelis.
The UN recently set up a taskforce to examine food shortages and price
rises. It has expressed alarm that its world food programme is
struggling to pay for food for those most at need. Last month, the World
Bank's president, Robert Zoellick, suggested that 33 countries could
erupt in social unrest following a rise of as much as 80% in food prices
over three years. Merrill's report said the credit crunch has
contributed to a global re-balancing, drawing to a close an era in which
American consumers have been the primary drivers of the world's economy.
In a gloomy set of forecasts, Merrill said it believes the US is in a
recession - and that American house prices, which are among the root
causes of the downturn, could fall by 15% over the next 18 months.
more... |
Economic Crisis
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Tensions rise in Colombia-Ecuador-Venezuela disputeBreitbart.com
(March
5, 2008) - The crisis gripping South America took a step closer
to open conflict Wednesday, with Venezuela saying 10 batallions were now
on the Colombian border, and Ecuador warning "ultimate consequences"
could ensue. more...
Revelation 6:5,6 And when he
had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I
beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of
balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a
penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Rider has pair of balancesG2218
in his hand. (to
join [especially by "yoke"], coupling, servitude [a law or obligation]
literally: the beam of the balance [connecting the scales])
A voice from the midst of the four
beasts at the throne in heaven says: measure of wheat for a penny, three measures of barley for a penny; and
hurt not the oil and the wine.
Possible interpretation?
A time of financial ruin around the world
where oil (fuel?) and intoxicating wine (selfish pleasure) dominate the
thoughts and desires of the populous? Norm Franz goes into this perspective in
the Ancient of Days
UFO & Bible Prophecy DVD (Disc 2 of 2). His presentation is called,
Iron Mountain, Globalism, & Economics of the New World Order. His position
is that the third seal is a world-wide economic collapse that creates a world
of indentured slaves to the bankers that they can't pay back. He believes the
antichrist may offer a relieving of all debts in exchange for taking his mark
and becoming part of his governmental system by taking the mark of the beast.
Read some news stories related to this view here. A
crippling terrorist attack in the already unstable global financial
situation could prepare the way for the mark of the beast cashless system.
Revelation 14:9-11 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any
man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead,
or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which
is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall
be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and
in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for
ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast
and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
AND/OR
We could also see a coming world-wide famine resulting from the combined
economic collapse and some interesting stories that could lead to famine.
Food crisis looms in East Africa
BBC News
(July 22, 2008) - More than 14 million people in the Horn of
Africa need food aid because of drought and rocketing food and fuel
prices, the United Nations has warned. The UN World Food Programme says
it urgently needs $400m (£200m) to prevent starvation in the east
African region. Ethiopia is worst hit, with 10 million people - some 12%
of the population - in need of extra food supplies. more...
World Bank: Biofuels lift food prices 75 percent
C|net News (July
7, 2008)
- Demand for biofuels in Europe and the United States has forced up food
prices 75 percent around the world, according to a World Bank report
that was leaked and
published in The Guardian newspaper on Friday. The number
stands in sharp contrast to the 3 percent contribution to higher food
pricing estimated by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Meanwhile, a study commissioned by food manufacturers pegs the
contribution of biofuels on food prices at between 25 percent and 35
percent. (Click
here for PDF).
more...
The Truth About Ethanol
Steve Quayle (June 26,
2008) - OPEC sells oil for $135.00 a barrel. OPEC
nations buy U.S. grain at $8.00 a bushel. Solution: Sell grain for
$135.00 a bushel. Can't buy it? Tough! Eat your oil! (See image at
link.)
2008
ICA McAlvany Report Don
McAlvany - This is a video series on YouTube that I've placed
together in order on the page linked above covering the current
financial situation and its controlled nature. I recommend watching it
for a better idea of what is going on in detail.
Rising Prices: Food Slammed on all Sides
Steve Quayle (April 30, 2008) - An
image showing the cause and effects of several factors contributing to
current global food shortages.
Across globe, hunger brings rising anger
International Herald Tribune
(April 18, 2008) - Hunger bashed in the
front gate of Haiti's presidential palace. Hunger poured onto the
streets, burning tires and taking on soldiers and the police. Hunger
sent the country's prime minister packing. Haiti's hunger, that burn
in the belly that so many here feel, has become fiercer than ever in
recent days as global food prices spiral out of reach, spiking as
much as 45 percent since the end of 2006 and turning Haitian staples
like beans, corn and rice into closely guarded treasures. Saint
Louis Meriska's children ate two spoonfuls of rice apiece as their
only meal recently and then went without any food the following day. His
eyes downcast, his own stomach empty, the unemployed father said
forlornly, "They look at me and say, 'Papa, I'm hungry,' and I have to
look away. It's humiliating and it makes you angry." That anger is
palpable across the globe. The food crisis is not only being felt among
the poor but is also eroding the gains of the working and middle
classes, sowing volatile levels of discontent and putting new pressures
on fragile governments.
Bees 'killed by mobile phone signals'
Telegraph UK(April 16, 2008) - An unusually high
number of honey bee deaths in Britain this year may be caused by
radiation from mobile phone signals, say experts. British beekeepers
have called for further research following the release of a German
study showing that radiation can interfere with bees' navigation
systems. In some cases, 70 per cent of bees exposed to radiation
failed to find their way back to the hive after searching for pollen
and nectar, according to the research by Landau University. The
researchers placed cordless-phone docking units, which emit
electromagnetic radiation, into bee hives. Bee experts are
struggling to determine the cause of colony collapse disorder (CCD),
a mystery condition in which bees suddenly abandon their hives and
disappear to die. In America, 24 states are affected and losses of
50 to 90 per cent of colonies have been recorded. CCD recently
spread to Poland, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal and last week
some keepers in Britain reported losses exceeding the 10 per cent of
colonies that usually die during winter. John Chapple, one of
London's foremost beekeepers, said 30 of his 40 hives were empty and
that other hives around London had lost up to 75 per cent of their
bees. If CCD does take hold in Britain it could have far-reaching
implications for farming, as bees pollinate millions of hectares of
fruit trees and crops. The pollination is worth £200 million to
Britain's farmers each year. The total contribution by bees to the
economy is worth up to £1 billion. Brian Dennis, of the Bee
Improvement and Bee Breeding Association, said: "There is so much
being said about CCD in America and [radiation] hasn't been
mentioned. "Until someone does a large study, it is hard to be
sure."
EU defends biofuel goals amid food crises
AFP
(April 14, 2008) - The EU Commission on
Monday rejected claims that producing biofuels is a "crime against
humanity" that threatens food supplies, and vowed to stick to its
goals as part of a climate change package. "There is no question for
now of suspending the target fixed for biofuels," said Barbara
Helfferich, spokeswoman for EU Environment Commissioner Stavros
Dimas. "You can't change a political objective without risking a
debate on all the other objectives," which could see the EU landmark
climate change and energy package disintegrate, an EU official said.
Their comments came amid growing unease over the planting of biofuel
crops as food prices rocket and riots against poverty and hunger
multiply worldwide. UN Special Rapporteur for the Right to Food Jean
Ziegler told German radio Monday that the production of biofuels is
"a crime against humanity" because of its impact on global food
prices. EU leaders, seeking to show the way on global warming, have
pledged to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent by 2020. As
part of a package of measures the 27 member states have set a target
of biofuels making up 10 percent of automobile fuel by the same
year. "We don't have an enormous danger of too much of a shift from
food production to biofuels production," said Michael Mann,
spokesman for EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel.
Mann, like Helfferich speaking to reporters in Brussels, stressed
that the 10 percent target would in part be achieved through higher
yields and increased production. Ziegler also accused the European
Union of subsidising its agriculture exports with effect of
undermining production in Africa. "The EU finances the exports of
European agricultural surpluses to Africa ... where they are offered
at one half or one third of their (production) price," the UN
official charged. "That completely ruins African agriculture," he
added. In recent months, rising food costs have sparked violent
protests in Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Ivory
Coast, Madagascar, Mauritania, the Philippines and other countries.
In Pakistan and Thailand, troops have been deployed to avoid the
seizure of food from fields and warehouses, while price increases
fuelled a general strike in Burkina Faso. The European Environment
Agency, advisors to the European Commission, on Friday recommended
that the EU suspend its 10 percent biofuels target. more...
Food price rises threaten global security - UN
Guardian UK
(April 9, 2008) - Rising food prices
could spark worldwide unrest and threaten political stability, the UN's
top humanitarian official warned yesterday after two days of rioting in
Egypt over the doubling of prices of basic foods in a year and protests
in other parts of the world. Sir John Holmes, undersecretary general for
humanitarian affairs and the UN's emergency relief coordinator, told a
conference in Dubai that escalating prices would trigger protests and
riots in vulnerable nations. He said food scarcity and soaring fuel
prices would compound the damaging effects of global warming. Prices
have risen 40% on average globally since last summer. "The security
implications [of the food crisis] should also not be underestimated as
food riots are already being reported across the globe," Holmes said.
"Current food price trends are likely to increase sharply both the
incidence and depth of food insecurity." He added that the biggest
challenge to humanitarian work is climate change, which has doubled the
number of disasters from an average of 200 a year to 400 a year in the
past two decades. more...
Rice Jumps to Record on Philippine Imports, Curbs on Exports Bloomberg
(April 8, 2008) - Rice climbed to a
record for a fourth day as the Philippines, the biggest importer,
announced plans to buy 1 million tons and some of the world's largest
exporters cut sales to ensure they can feed their own people. Rice, the
staple food for half the world, rose as much as 2.9 percent to $21.60
per 100 pounds in Chicago, before paring gains. The price has doubled in
the past year. Philippine President Gloria Arroyo announced two rice
tenders today and pledged to crack down on hoarding. Anyone found guilty
of "stealing rice from the people'' will be jailed, she said. "We're in
for a tough time,'' Roland Jansen, chief executive officer of Pfaffikon,
Switzerland-based Mother Earth Investments AG, said in an interview with
Bloomberg Television from Zurich today. Unless prices decline, "you will
have huge problems of daily nutrition for half the planet.'' Mother
Earth holds about 4 percent of its $100 million funds in the grain.
China, Egypt, Vietnam and India, accounting for more than a third of
global rice exports, curbed sales this year to protect domestic
stockpiles. The World Bank in Washington says 33 nations from Mexico to
Yemen may face ``social unrest'' after food and energy costs increased
for six consecutive years. The Philippines, which imports about 15
percent of its rice, is tightening controls over domestic sales and
buying more overseas. The government's rice tenders are in April and
May. "I am leading the charge'' against any officials and businessmen
who divert supplies or distort the price of the staple food, Arroyo said
in a televised speech today. "The need to avert social tensions from
high food prices'' has made "food sufficiency even more urgent,'' Abah
Ofon, a soft-commodities analyst with Standard Chartered Plc, said in a
report yesterday. Food importers may not be able to meet their needs
because of the export limits, Dubai-based Ofon said. more...
'Silent' famine sweeps globe
WorldNet Daily
(April 1, 2008) - Rice, fertilizer
shortages, food costs, higher energy prices equal world crisis. From
India to Africa to North Korea to Pakistan and even in New York City,
higher grain prices, fertilizer shortages and rising energy costs are
combining to spell hunger for millions in what is being characterized as
a global "silent famine." Global food prices, based on United Nations
records, rose 35 percent in the last year, escalating a trend that began
in 2002. Since then, prices have risen 65 percent. Last year, according
to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization's world food index, dairy
prices rose nearly 80 percent and grain 42 percent. "This is the new
face of hunger," said Josetta Sheeran, director of the World Food
Program, launching an appeal for an extra $500 million so it could
continue supplying food aid to 73 million hungry people this year.
"People are simply being priced out of food markets. ... We have never
before had a situation where aggressive rises in food prices keep
pricing our operations out of our reach." The WFP launched a public
appeal weeks ago because the price of the food it buys to feed some of
the world's poorest people had risen by 55 percent since last June. By
the time the appeal began last week, prices had risen a further 20
percent. That means WFP needs $700 million to bridge the gap between
last year's budget and this year's prices. The numbers are expected to
continue to rise. The crisis is widespread and the result of numerous
causes – a kind of "perfect storm" leading to panic in many places:
In Thailand, farmers are sleeping in their fields
because thieves are stealing rice, now worth $600 a ton, right out
of the paddies.
Four people were killed in Egypt in riots over
subsidized flour that was being sold for profit on the black market.
There have been food riots in Morocco, Senegal
and Cameroon.
Mexico's government is considering lifting a ban
on genetically modified crops, to allow its farmers to compete with
the United States.
Argentina, Kazakhstan and China have imposed
restrictions to limit grain exports and keep more of their food at
home.
Vietnam and India, both major rice exporters,
have announced further restrictions on overseas sales.
Violent food protests hit Burkina Faso in
February.
Protesters rallied in Indonesia recently, and
media reported deaths by starvation.
In the Philippines, fast-food chains were urged
to cut rice portions to counter a surge in prices.
Millions of people in India face starvation after
a plague of rats overruns a region, as they do cyclically every 50
years.
Officials in Bangladesh warn of an emerging
"silent famine" that threatens to ravage the region.
According to some experts, the worst damage is being
done by government mandates and subsidies for "biofuels" that supposedly
reduce carbon dioxide emissions and fight climate change. Thirty percent
of this year's U.S. grain harvest will go to ethanol distilleries. The
European Union, meanwhile, has set a goal of 10 percent bio-fuels for
all transportation needs by 2010. "A huge amount of the world's farmland
is being diverted to feed cars, not people," writes Gwynne Dyer, a
London-based independent journalist. He notes that in six of the past
seven years the human race has consumed more grain than it grew. World
grain reserves last year were only 57 days, down from 180 days a decade
ago. One in four bushels of corn from this year's U.S. crop will be
diverted to make ethanol, according to estimates. "Turning food into
fuel for cars is a major mistake on many fronts," said Janet Larsen,
director of research at the Earth Policy Institute, an environmental
group based in Washington. "One, we're already seeing higher food prices
in the American supermarket. Two, perhaps more serious from a global
perspective, we're seeing higher food prices in developing countries
where it's escalated as far as people rioting in the streets." Palm oil
is also at record prices because of biofuel demands. This has created
shortages in Indonesia and Malaysia, where it is a staple. more...
Food shortages loom as wheat crop shrinks and prices rise
Times Online
(February
24, 2008) - The world is only ten weeks away from running out of
wheat supplies after stocks fell to their lowest levels for 50 years.
The crisis has pushed prices to an all-time high and could lead to
further hikes in the price of bread, beer, biscuits and other basic
foods. It could also exacerbate serious food shortages in developing
countries especially in Africa. The crisis comes after two successive
years of disastrous wheat harvests, which saw production fall from 624m
to 600m tonnes, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO). Experts blame climate change as heatwaves caused a
slump in harvests last year in eastern Europe, Canada, Morocco and
Australia, all big wheat producers. Booming populations and a switch to
a meat-rich diet in the developing world also mean that about 110m tons
of the world’s annual wheat crop is being diverted to feed livestock.
Short term pressures have compounded the problem. Speculative buying by
investors gambling on further price rises has further pushed up prices.
Though shortages are often blamed on the use of land for biofuel crops,
the main biofuel cereal crop is maize, not wheat. Farmers have brought
millions of acres of fallow land into production and the FAO predicts
that the shortages could be eliminated within 12 months.
World food stocks dwindling rapidly, UN warns International
Herald Tribune (December 18, 2007) -
In an "unforeseen and unprecedented" shift,
the world food supply is dwindling rapidly and food prices are soaring
to historic levels, the top food and agriculture official of the United
Nations warned Monday. The changes created "a very serious risk
that fewer people will be able to get food," particularly in the
developing world, said Jacques Diouf, head of the UN Food and
Agriculture Organization.
Global food crisis looms as
climate change and fuel
shortages bite
Guardian Unlimited (November
3, 2007) - Empty
shelves in Caracas. Food
riots in West Bengal and
Mexico. Warnings of hunger
in Jamaica, Nepal, the
Philippines and sub-Saharan
Africa. Soaring prices for
basic foods are beginning to
lead to political
instability, with
governments being forced to
step in to artificially
control the cost of bread,
maize, rice and dairy
products. Record world
prices for most staple foods
have led to 18% food price
inflation in China, 13% in
Indonesia and Pakistan, and
10% or more in Latin
America, Russia and India,
according to the UN Food and
Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
Wheat has doubled in price,
maize is nearly 50% higher
than a year ago and rice is
20% more expensive, says the
UN. Next week the FAO is
expected to say that global
food reserves are at their
lowest in 25 years and that
prices will remain high for
years.
Wheat
prices reach record levelBBC
News (August
24, 2007) - Wheat
prices have hit record highs
on global commodity markets,
bringing the threat of
rising bread prices. Bad
weather in key grain growing
areas such as Canada and
parts of Europe has limited
supplies as demand has
risen, sparking fears of a
supply shortfall. Surging
prices are also expected to
have widespread fallout for
consumers. While it will
mean higher bread prices, it
could also trigger an
increase in meat and dairy
prices as farmers battle to
pass on rising feed costs.
Global wheat stockpiles will
slip to their lowest levels
in 26 years as a result,
official US figures
predicted earlier this
month. more...
Taiwan stung by millions of
missing bees (April
26, 2007) - Taiwan's bee farmers are feeling the
sting of lost business and possible crop danger after millions of the
honey-making, plant-pollinating insects vanished during volatile
weather, media and experts said on Thursday. Over the past two months,
farmers in three parts of Taiwan have reported most of their bees gone,
the Chinese-language United Daily News reported. Taiwan's TVBS
television station said about 10 million bees had vanished in Taiwan. A
beekeeper on Taiwan's northeastern coast reported 6 million insects
missing "for no reason", and one in the south said 80 of his 200 bee
boxes had been emptied, the paper said. Beekeepers usually let their
bees out of boxes to pollinate plants and the insects normally make
their way back to their owners. However, many of the bees have not
returned over the past couple of months. more...
Vanishing honeybees mystify scientists (April
22, 2007) - Go to work, come home. Go to work, come home. Go to
work -- and vanish without a trace. Billions of bees have done just
that, leaving the crop fields they are supposed to pollinate, and
scientists are mystified about why. The phenomenon was first noticed
late last year in the United States, where honeybees are used to
pollinate $15 billion worth of fruits, nuts and other crops annually.
Disappearing bees also have been reported in Europe and Brazil.
Commercial beekeepers would set their bees near a crop field as usual
and come back in two or three weeks to find the hives bereft of foraging
worker bees, with only the queen and the immature insects remaining.
Whatever worker bees survived were often too weak to perform their
tasks. If the bees were dying of pesticide poisoning or freezing, their
bodies would be expected to lie around the hive. And if they were
absconding because of some threat -- which they have been known to do --
they wouldn't leave without the queen. Since about one-third of the U.S.
diet depends on pollination and most of that is performed by honeybees,
this constitutes a serious problem, according to Jeff Pettis of the U.S.
Agricultural Research Service. "They're the heavy lifters of
agriculture," Pettis said of honeybees. "And the reason they are is
they're so mobile and we can rear them in large numbers and move them to
a crop when it's blooming." Honeybees are used to pollinate some of the
tastiest parts of the American diet, Pettis said, including cherries,
blueberries, apples, almonds, asparagus and macadamia nuts. "It's not
the staples," he said. "If you can imagine eating a bowl of oatmeal
every day with no fruit on it, that's what it would be like" without
honeybee pollination. more... |
Earth Changes | I find this story interesting and it has been building for some time
now. Given the timeline of Bible prophecy revealed in the
HIStory, Our Future
collection of Bible studies, I think
it's possible that this massive disappearance of bees worldwide
could help contribute to the coming famine of the
third seal of Revelation. It would certainly fit the timeline.
Dry Australia Faces Food Imports (April
21, 2007) - Australia's
Prime Minister says some food may have to be imported, if there is no
water for farm irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin this year. John
Howard has said that without heavy rain in the coming weeks there may be
no permits given for irrigating agricultural land. He says it might be
possible in some areas to import the foodstuffs that would otherwise
come from Australian sources. And Australia's National Farmers
Federation also says some foods may need to be imported if there is not
good rain.
The following
theory put forth by MattW:This
destruction of Damascus is even talked about in the 3rd Seal:
Destruction of
Damascus? -
Amos 1
has a passage concerning coming judgment on
Damascus. Many are aware that Syria, has attacked Israel in 3 major wars since
Israel became a nation again in 1948. Could it be that Syria, will actually
attempt a 4th time to do great harm to Israel and in turn be dealt this
extreme judgment from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?
Article:
4 Strikes -
You're Out?
Revelation 6:5,6 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say,
Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black1
horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances2
in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A
measure4a
of wheat for a penny3,
and three measures4b
of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine5.
1. Black =
Death and mourning. 2. Pair of Balances = Judgment from God. 3.
Penny = Lacking 4. Wheat and Barley = Wheat means survive and Barley means destroyed.
See God's judgment of Egypt in Exodus. 4a. A Measure = One part out of four.
4b. Three Measures = Three parts out of four. 5. Oil and Wine = Israel
"You
have been judged by God and were found lacking. 3/4 of you will be destroyed
and 1/4 will survive. Do not harm Israel."
This means the destruction of Damascus is the opening of the 3rd Seal.
It causes the 4th Seal to open and causes Russia to attack Israel at a later
time." [Gog/Magog]
OR
A nation entity coming in the name of
justice (beam of the balance of scales symbolizing justice) that yokes by law
and obligation, servitude by its subjects that results in an upper
echelon to drink and be merry with luxuries while others are concerned with
measures of wheat and barley for food (during famine?). (Possibly the EU, UN,
US?)
Revelation 6:7,8 And when he had opened the
fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I
looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was
Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the
fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with
death, and with the beasts of the earth.
paleG5514
means greenish (verdant
(Green with vegetation; covered
with green growth. Lacking experience or sophistication; naive),
dun-colored)
Rider's name is Death, and HadesG86
(the place (state) of lost departed
souls) accompanies him.
A powerful capacity (token
of control, delegated influence, superhuman, potentate)
was given to them over 1/4 part of the earth, to kill with cabers (long
and broad cutlass), hunger, death, venomous
beastsG2342
of the soilG1093
(symbolic for chemical weapons?)
I don't believe this
passage is saying that 1/4 of the earth will be killed with cabers. I think
it's saying 1/4 of the earth will use cabers, hunger, death, and germ
warfare (venomous beasts of the soil) to kill people on the earth.
I recommend watching this documentary to understand the basic belief of
Islam and how common words don't always have common meaning across
languages.
Meet the Pale Horseby Steve Snider
- A closer look at what the words may mean.
The popular way to kill is beheading with the sword
as we have seen in Iraq many times videotaped for us. It is also the
favorite way of killing believers in the great tribulation.
Their symbol is a green crescent moon and star.
They have shown a distinct lack of sophistication in their aggressions
and are generally riotous crowds that love conflict, looking for the next
reason to riot.
Example1 <movie | Example2
<movie
Their declared goal is world domination and
non-Muslim extermination. Even the news couldn't cover up the Iranian
statements. Watch Farewell Israel to see why there is
miscommunication and how it will bring about our downfall because of our
blindness to it. (Yes we're being played by the master of deception from all
sides. Yeshua is coming though for them that love Him. Share the blessed
hope you have in your faith in Christ. This website is for His glory and the
edification of those who desire to become perfect in selfless love for God
and others.)
The Muslim faith comprises about 20% of the earth's
population (as
of 2000) currently and steadily rising to
25%. Not all Muslims will take up arms I'm sure when the time comes, but I'm
sure there are going to be more than 25% in the world then too. Muslims are
also moving all around the world integrating into other nations and bringing
their religion with them. Their goal is a world of only Muslims which means
they aggressively push their belief. If push comes to shove, the ultimate
goal will be reached in other ways, but it will be reached (that is their
belief) They are killing Christians right now in many places
because they
are Christians.
They are the Eastern leg of the old Roman empire
(Istanbul/Constantinople)
The terrorist blatant lack of regard for life means the introduction of
chemical, biological, and nuclear arsenals to everyday fighting could be a
soon possibility.
Where there is a Muslim dictatorship, there are
usually starving populations. Look at North Africa.
Revelation 6:9-11
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of
them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they
held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and
true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the
earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said
unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their
fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were,
should be fulfilled.
I believe the fifth seal marks around the time of the
abomination of desolation, when the antichrist will go after the nation of
Israel as described in Revelation 12. Those who are killed are told to wait a
little while for their fellow servants to be killed as they had. It is at or
before the sixth seal that we must be removed by harpazo (harpazo) from the
earth. This is because the
wrath of God comes at least ½ hour after the sixth
seal...
The 6th seal, like
the
abomination of desolation, is a very pivotal
time in end-time prophecy. It marks the time just before
God's wrath is poured
out on the earth. It's also important to understand the
great tribulation according to scripture in
order to fully understand how the sixth seal fits into end-time prophecy.
Revelation 6:12-17 And I beheld when he had
opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and
the sun became black as sackcloth of
hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the
earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs,
when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll
when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out
of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the
rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman,
and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the
mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us
from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the
Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to
stand?
Some say that these people hiding in
caves and mountains don't understand when God's wrath is coming and that may
be a valid point, but scripture has more than the testimony of the children
of disobedience. Notice in the following passage that we have the people
going into caves for fear of the Lord. This is the time when He rises "to
shake terribly the earth."
Isaiah 2:12-21 For the
day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon
every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up;
and he shall be brought low: And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that
are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, And upon all
the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, And upon
every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, And upon all the ships of
Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. And the loftiness of man shall
be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the
LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly
abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the
caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his
majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a
man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they
made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To
go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks,
for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth
to shake terribly the earth.
But it is not just the earth that is shaken at this time.
Hebrews 12:23-29 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which
are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of
just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and
to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of
Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not
who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we
turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the
earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake
not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once
more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of
things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may
remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us
have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly
fear: For our God is a consuming fire.
Isaiah 13:6-13 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as
a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and
every man's heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows
shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth:
they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce
anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof
out of it. [Sixth Seal] For the stars of heaven
and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall
be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to
shine. [Day of the Lord: God's Wrath]
And I will punish the world for their evil, and
the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud
to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a
man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
Therefore I will shake the
heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the
LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
Now from
Isaiah 13, we see that in the day of God's
fierce anger, He will shake the heavens with His wrath.
This is the same thing described in Matthew and Mark as happening just after
the sixth seal. I believe the "shaking of the heavens" is almost a 3½ year
period of time as the 7 trumpets and 7 thunders and 7 bowls come upon the
children of disobedience dwelling on the earth. So we see that Isaiah
13:13 connects the wrath of God with the
shaking of the heavens.
But can we know the timing of the sixth seal in the timeline of prophetic
events?
Matthew 24:29-31
Immediately after
the tribulation of those days shall the
sun
be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall
fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
(wrath of God [Isaiah
13:13]) And then shall
appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: (2nd coming in glory) and
then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son
of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he
shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall
gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mark 13:24-27 But in those days, after that tribulation,
the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not
give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall,
and the powers that are in heaven shall
be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man
coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send
his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from
the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
With Matthew 24:29,
the events of the sixth seal are placed immediately after the
time of Jacob's trouble,
about 30 days after the abomination of desolation in accordance with the
time specified for Israel in Matthew 24:15-28,
Daniel 12:1, and
Jeremiah 30:4-7.
Click the link for a more in-depth Biblical analysis of the
great tribulation.
We also can see that the events of the sixth seal are
before the shaking of the heavens, which is the wrath of God.
An interesting possibility was brought to
light by David W. Lowe, author of
Earthquake
Resurrection. His premise is that the resurrection of the just at the
harpazo is accompanied by an earthquake. Given that scripture says our
gathering to Christ is after the man of sin is revealed at the abomination
of desolation, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, and
before the wrath of God, the timing of the sixth seal with its accompanying earthquake would fit in
this timeline. In addition, the fact that the children of
disobedience are going to be caught unawares because the day of the Lord
comes like a thief, it would make sense then that we wouldn't know the day
or hour of the
resurrection/harpazo if it coincides with this time of sudden
destruction. While we won't be in darkness considering this time, we still
do not know the day or hour of it.
1
Thessalonians 5:1-11 But of the times and the
seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves
know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the
night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden
destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and
they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness,
that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of
light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of
darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do
others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the
night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who
are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love;
and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to
wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us,
that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also
ye do.
Matthew
24:32-36 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet
tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise
ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the
doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all
these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words
shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not
the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
We may not know the day or hour, but
we're not in darkness about the times. Could it be that the reason we aren't
told the day or hour is because our resurrection coincides with this event
that is to catch the world off-guard? Biblically, the events all coincide,
so it would seem to make sense.
Un-Blinding of Israel
And
what about Israel? Yeshua said that Israel would be blinded until the
fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
Romans 11:25 He also said that the elect of
Israel obtained it but the rest were blinded by God. We can see this in
Luke 19:41-44 when at the Triumphal entry,
Yeshua blinded Israel because they didn't know the time of their visitation,
the presenting of Himself as Meshiach Nagid.
Zechariah 9:9 He also said that through Israel's blindness, salvation
would come to the Gentiles, or non-Israelites. One more thing He said was
that we, the Gentiles, would provoke Israel to jealousy. To date I am unsure
of any instance where the nation of Israel has been liked much by the world.
Israel has been persecuted by the world as prophesied would happen. I think
Israel is less trusting of anyone enough to be jealous of them.
However, the focus of their jealousy were not just Gentiles, but those to
whom the salvation came due to this rejection of Yeshua, Christians. Now
Israel has a bad history with those who call themselves Christians. This has
given them little trust for "Christians" in general from what I understand.
However, if the Vatican truly stood for Truth in God's Word, many of their
practices would not exist and it would not be possible to mingle with the
world in uniting religions.
So why would Israelites be jealous of Christians? I believe the answer
comes at the sixth seal. Most scripture about the day of the Lord is from
the Old Testament. They know this and this event will be a big deal. I
believe also that the harpazo is/will be known of enough that word would
spread when the true Christians were suddenly gone. God's wrath is about to
be poured out. Is this thefullness of the Gentiles when Israel is un-blinded and provoked
to jealousy from the catching away of those that love Yeshua upon their
escape? Only 144,000
of the 12 tribes of Israel are sealed and all hell is breaking loose. I know
personally I don't want to be on the earth at that time either. If there was
an escape and I missed it, I would be jealous. Those left behind will still
be saved if they accept Yeshua, but there will be a putting to proof,
Revelation 3:10, during the events of God's
wrath and the hatred and murder of Jews and Christians for the next 3 1/2
years.
Daniel 7:25
Other Scriptures about the timing of the sixth seal:
I think the other places
describing the sun/moon/star event fall in line with the sixth seal
description. Specifically because almost all of them are mentioned in
relation to the day of the Lord...
Isaiah 2:10-21 - This
connects the day of the Lord, the people of earth hiding in caves and
mountains for fear of the Lord, and the Lord rising to shake the earth
as the same time. (The 7th seal is only ½ hour of silence in heaven, the
sixth seal and first trumpet can be the same day.)
Isaiah 13:10-13 -
6th Seal is before the
shaking of the heavens (day of the Lord = God's wrath)
Joel 2:1-11 - The signs come before the day of the
Lord (mentioned in context to the signs)
Global Warming & The Day of the Lord - There
is much controversy today about global warming and mans cause of it. However
given the historical data of cyclical warming and cooling periods and
scientific understanding of what affects Earth's climate, I believe there is
another set of reasons ranging from solar activity to underwater volcanic
activity. What could be causing these earth changes? Learn a little about
the electrical nature of the universe and the data that could explain what
is really going on...
The Sixth Seal and Planet X
- Is the sixth seal actually a planetary body in large orbit coming between
the earth and the sun? The description seems to fit pretty well. Check it
out!
Revelation 8:1,2 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about
the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which
stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
Here we see the final seventh seal opened. This is the last seal that needs
to be broken in order to open the scroll. As I mentioned before, the
sequence of the seals, trumpets, and bowls are evident from scripture.
Notice that the seven angels don't even receive their seven trumpets until
after the seventh seal is broken. The half an hour is probably the time it
takes to unroll the scroll and give out the trumpets to the seven angels
before the wrath of God comes ½ hour later. In other words, the
sixth seal and God's wrath will most likely happen on the same day. This
answers the question of how the people of earth could see God's wrath coming
if it is supposed to come suddenly like a thief, it's only separated by ½
hour at the least.
I think the Holy Spirit guided the order
given in Revelation for a reason and we should take it at face value. I
believe the seventh seal isn't concluded in Revelation 6 after the sixth
seal because of this very reason. God wants to make it clear that the order
is sequential. By placing the seventh seal two chapters ahead and just
before the handing out of the trumpets, God makes it clear that the trumpets
cannot occur until all seven seals are broken. It should also be noted that
the Revelation 7, the chapter that separates the sixth and seventh seal, has
this to put into the sequence:
Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo,
a great multitude, which no man
could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,
stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes,
and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying,
Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders
and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and
worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and
thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever
and ever. Amen.
This multitude is in heaven. We
know this because the elders and beasts are there too. This is not on earth.
Verse 14
says, "These are they which came out of
great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb."
Please read the
great
tribulation study and
Matthew
24:29-31 study for more on that. This is the fulfillment of the promise of
Luke 21:34-36 and that to the church of Philadelphia as well.
Revelation 3:10So let's move on to the trumpets, the beginning of the wrath
of God poured out on them that dwell on the earth, the children of
disobedience.
Revelation 8:3-5 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden
censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer
it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before
the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of
the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the
angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it
into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings,
and an earthquake.
Revelation 8:6-7 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared
themselves to sound. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail
and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the
third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Red Rain
- This phenomena was brought to my attention listening to Coast to Coast
AM on October 25, 2007. Given the descriptions in the Bible regarding a
rain of blood beginning at the
first trumpet bringing God's wrath, I thought I should put together
some information regarding this. I suspect it will be blood, but some
other odd things have fallen from the sky including blood. Some more
cases can be read
here. Is this what John saw at the first trumpet? I don't know, but
for the record I thought I would share. One thing of note discussed was
that at high temperatures, this stuff in the water making it red started
multiplying. Perhaps you know more about this, let me know!
In Kerala (2001) - "Heavy downpours
occurred in which the rain was coloured red, staining clothes with
an appearance similar to that of blood."
Revelation 8:8,9 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain
burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea
became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea,
and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
The End: This video is a good visualization of "stars falling
from the sky" or "hail and fire" and "a great mountain burning with fire
was cast into the sea." I believe this is what will be seen immediately
following the time of Jacob's trouble when the sixth and seventh seals are
opened. This is the first and second trumpets being blown, the
beginning of the wrath of God, the day of the Lord.
Revelation 8:10,11 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from
heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the
rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is
called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and
many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
Revelation 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was
smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars;
so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a
third part of it, and the night likewise.
The Three Woes
Revelation 8:13
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven,
saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the
trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Revelation 9:1-11 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto
the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened
the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of
a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the
smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth:
and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And
it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth,
neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not
the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they
should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and
their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And
in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire
to die, and death shall flee from them. And the shapes of the locusts were
like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were
crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had
hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And
they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of
their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their
tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over
them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew
tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
There is a place
on the earth where no matter which direction you go, you are going
South. Likewise there is another place where no matter what direction
you go, you are going North. These are the North and South poles
respectively. I believe this same concept is expressed with the term
"bottomless pit." Where is the only place you cannot go down, only up?
In a 3-dimensional sphere, the very center. No matter which direction
you went, you would be going up. I believe the bottomless pit of the
Bible agrees with the
hollow earth theory. In addition, if there is a core of magma, the
idea of the lake of fire would seem to fit. In Revelation 9,
the fifth trumpet of God's wrath is sounded and an angel unlocks the
gateway to the bottomless pit. From this comes an army of demon locusts
with the power to torment for five months those without the seal of God
on their foreheads. They are led by their king, Abaddon, or Apollyon.
Could this be the ancient god of Greek mythology Apollo?
Revelation 9:13-21 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns
of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had
the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river
Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour,
and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And
the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand:
and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and
them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and
brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out
of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three was the
third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the
brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power is in their
mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had
heads, and with them they do hurt. And the rest of the men which were not
killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that
they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass,
and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither
repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their
fornication, nor of their thefts.
We don't know much about these because John is specifically told
not to write what he saw.
Revelation 10:1-4 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud:
and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his
feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set
his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a
loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders
uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I
was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up
those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
Before the seventh trumpet is blown, the second woe ends.
Revelation 11:3-14 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy
a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are
the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the
earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth,
and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this
manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the
days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood,
and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when
they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of
the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and
kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city,
which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was
crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall
see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their
dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall
rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another;
because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after
three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and
they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.
And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the
city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the
remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second
woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
I find it interesting how each woe are the final three
trumpets. Except the second woe isn't described as passing until after
the two
witnesses are resurrected and caught up even though the sixth
trumpet is described several chapters earlier. I think this helps
define the timing of the two witnesses as ending their 1260 day witness
sometime around the sixth seal.
Revelation 10:5-7 And the angel which I saw stand upon
the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him
that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that
therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea,
and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But
in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall
begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath
declared to his servants the prophets.
This passage tells us that the seventh trumpet is sounded over
an extended period of days, plural. The mystery of God will be
finished, the return of Christ in glory, before the seventh angel stops
sounding.
Revelation 11:15-19 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in
heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our
Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four
and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their
faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O LORD God Almighty,
which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy
great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is
come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou
shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and
them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which
destroy the earth. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was
seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and
voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
This isn't the end though, all seven bowls must be poured out before Christ
returns in glory and before the mystery of God is finished. This is because
God's wrath is not poured out after Christ returns in glory. He returns
at Armageddon, which isn't even started to gather until the
6th bowl. The way this is
resolved is that
all seven bowls are poured out in quick succession while the seventh angels
is sounding over the period of days up until Christ's return in glory with
His wife. Revelation 19:7,8; 11-14
As you
can see above, there's no widespread destruction elaborated in the seventh
trumpet compared to the other trumpets, just an earthquake and great hail.
This is one of three woes, separated out of the bunch for their severity.
But we know that the seventh trumpet is sounded over a period of days. Revelation 10:7 We also know that
the seven bowls are the last plagues. Revelation 15:1 This is primarily
why I believe that the seventh trumpet actually contains the seven bowls. In
other words, during the days when the seventh trumpet is being sounded, the
seven bowls are poured out in quick succession like birth pangs going from
the seals to trumpets to bowls, they are more intense and closer together.
This would also explain why the seventh trumpet is the third woe. When it
sounds perhaps within a matter of days the wrath of God in the last seven
bowls will be poured out and completed. So when the seventh bowl is done, it
is finished and the seventh trumpet is also finished. Babylon is destroyed
in one day and then Christ returns in glory.
The Seventh Trumpet and the Last trump
There are some who view the seventh trumpet as the last
trump, which calls us to the clouds in
the
harpazo. Here's what the seventh trumpet and the last trump have in
common:
They're both trumpets
The seventh trumpet is the last of the trumpet
judgments sounded
That's where I believe the connection ends. Neither of
these are definitive enough to state that they are the same trumpet. Here's
some reasons why I don't believe this is a correct assessment:
The "last trump" associated with our harpazo is the
"trump of God." Are all seven trumpets handed to the angels the "trump of
God?" Are just one of the seven trumpets God's trump? Can angels blow God's
trumpet or is it called the trump of God because God blows it?
1 Corinthians 15:52 states when the
trumpet sounds the dead will be raised incorruptible. Revelation 20:4,5 says that resurrection is after Christ has
returned and Satan is bound. There's no mention of a trumpet at that point.
So is the seventh trumpet after Satan is bound and after Christ has returned
in glory?
Matthew 24:30,31 does have a trumpet
and a gathering of the elect. However, what is commonly overlooked is from
where they're gathered from, heaven. Somehow some of the elect were already
in heaven at this point.
Luke 21:34-36 states that we are
going to escape the wrath of God and stand before the Son of man. If Christ
doesn't return until the end and God's wrath comes before the end, then in
order to stand before Him, we must be taken into heaven. This fits perfectly
with the above scripture saying that heaven is from where we're gathered.
The harpazo is clearly delineated in scripture as pre-wrath.
I don't believe the two common points above based on
assumption can stand up to the scriptural evidence contradicting the
assumption. It's the same thing for the "first resurrection" term that's often
assumed to mean that no resurrection happened before it. I go into the
Biblical explanation
here.
The Seven Bowls (Vials):
Filling up (completing) of the Wrath of God
Revelation 15:1
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and
marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in
them is filled upG5055
the wrath of God.
Filled up
(G5055)
teleō (tel-eh'-o) From G5056; to end, that is, complete, execute,
conclude, discharge (a debt): - accomplish, make
an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.
Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven
angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the
earth.
Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth;
and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark
of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
Revelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became
as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
Revelation 16:4-7 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of
waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou
art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast
judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou
hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out
of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy
judgments.
Revelation 16:8,9 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was
given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great
heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues:
and they repented not to give him glory.
What could this be?
I believe it may be a solar flare
timed with a weakening of the earth's electromagnetic field enough to let the
sun's plasma strike the earth's surface.
Isaiah 30:25-28
And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill,
rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the
towers fall. Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the
sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven
days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and
healeth the stroke of their wound. [Zechariah
13:9] Behold, the name of the
LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is
heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:
And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the
neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity
[self-focus]: and
there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to
err. [Bridle:
History of
the Mystery of Iniquity]
Is a New Solar Cycle Beginning? - Possible peak in 2012
Science@NASA (December
14, 2007) -
The solar physics community is
abuzz this week. No, there haven't been any great eruptions or
solar storms. The source of the excitement is a modest knot of
magnetism that popped over the sun's eastern limb on Dec. 11th,
pictured below in a pair of images from the orbiting Solar and
Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). It may not look like much, but
"this patch of magnetism could be a sign of the next solar
cycle," says solar physicist David Hathaway of the Marshall
Space Flight Center. For more than a year, the sun has been
experiencing a lull in activity, marking the end of Solar Cycle
23, which peaked with many furious storms in 2000--2003. "Solar
minimum is upon us," he says. The big question now is, when will
the next solar cycle begin? It could be starting now. "New solar
cycles always begin with a high-latitude, reversed polarity
sunspot," explains Hathaway. "Reversed polarity " means a
sunspot with opposite magnetic polarity compared to sunspots
from the previous solar cycle. "High-latitude" refers to the
sun's grid of latitude and longitude. Old cycle spots congregate
near the sun's equator. New cycle spots appear higher, around 25
or 30 degrees latitude. The region that appeared on Dec. 11th
fits both these criteria. It is high latitude (24 degrees N) and
magnetically reversed. Just one problem: There is no sunspot. So
far the region is just a bright knot of magnetic fields. If,
however, these fields coalesce into a dark sunspot, scientists
are ready to announce that Solar Cycle 24 has officially begun.
Earth's Magnetic Field May Be
About to Go into Reverse (May
10, 2007) -
The weather
in space is controlled by
events at the centre of the
Earth. A pity, then, that the
magnetic field generated there
may be about to go into
reverse. GREENLAND
was discovered without the use
of magnetic compasses. The
Viking longboats that arrived
here in 982 relied on the stars
and the sun to maintain their
orientation. But it was the
compass (a Chinese invention)
that enabled later European
navigators to bestride the
world. It was the compass, too,
which revealed that the Earth
itself has a magnetic field and
thus led to the first serious
question about the planet's
internal structure: what is down
there that generates this field?
Such a question is not merely
academic. Besides directing
compasses, the Earth's magnetic
field reaches out into space to
direct the flow of the solar
wind around the planet—forming a
structure called the
magnetosphere (depicted above).
When the wind hits this field it
creates a shock wave known as
the bow shock. Most of the
protons and electrons of the
wind go round this shock wave,
and lots of dangerous radiation
from the sun is thus diverted
away from the Earth. There is,
however, a growing body of
evidence that the Earth's
magnetic field is about to
disappear, at least for a while.
The geological record shows that
it flips from time to time, with
the south pole becoming the
north, and vice versa. On
average, such reversals take
place every 500,000 years, but
there is no discernible pattern.
Flips have happened as close
together as 50,000 years, though
the last one was 780,000 years
ago. But, as discussed at the
Greenland Space Science
Symposium, held in Kangerlussuaq
this week, the signs are that
another flip is coming soon.
more...
|
Earth Changes
|
4th Bowl
| I
believe this will be part of the
cause for the fourth bowl of
God's wrath:
Revelation 16:8,
"And
the fourth angel poured out his
vial upon the sun; and power was
given unto him to scorch men
with fire."
With a weakened magnetic field
around the earth and a solar
flare directed at the earth, we
would see plasma from the sun
scorch the earth.
Solar flares will disrupt GPS in 2011
(September 29, 2006)
- Navigation, power and communications systems that rely on GPS satellite
navigation will be disrupted by violent solar activity in 2011, research
shows. A study reveals Global Positioning System receivers to be unexpectedly
vulnerable to bursts of radio noise produced by solar flares, created by
explosions in the Sun's atmosphere. When solar activity peaks in 2011 and
2012, it could cause widespread disruption to aircraft navigation and
emergency location systems that rely heavily on satellite navigation data.
Particularly intense solar activity occurs roughly every 11 years due to
cyclic changes to the Sun's magnetic field – a peak period known as the solar
maximum. Solar flares send charged particles crashing into the outer fringes
of the Earth's atmosphere at high velocity, generating auroras and geomagnetic
storms. more... |
Earth
Changes |
According to the dates arrived at through the merging of the
14,000 days,
Rosh Hashanah, and the
exact day prophecies of
Daniel and John, this time frame of 2011, 2012 is exactly when the fourth
bowl would be poured out.
Sun's Activity Increased in Past Century, Study Confirms (September
26, 2006) - The energy output from the
Sun
has increased significantly during the 20th century, according to a
new study. Many studies have attempted to determine whether there is
an upward trend in the average magnitude of
sunspots and solar flares over time,
but few firm conclusions have been reached. Now, an international team
of researchers led by Ilya Usoskin of the Sodankylä Geophysical
Observatory at the University of Oulu, Finland, may have the answer.
They examined meteorites that had fallen to
Earth
over the past 240 years. By analyzing the amount of titanium 44, a
radioactive isotope, the team found a significant increase in the
Sun's radioactive output during the 20th century. Over the past few
decades, however, they found the
solar activity has stabilized at this
higher-than-historic level.
The Kill Shot
Ed Dames - On
November 4, 2003, an enormous solar flare sent an intense burst of
radiation towards earth. The flare overloaded detectors on multiple
solar monitoring satellites, interrupting the flow of data that
ordinarily enables scientists to estimate the size of such events. Post
event analysis revealed that the flare was the largest ever recorded in
modern history and the flare had crossed the path which earth takes
around the sun. Ed Dames, a remote viewer, says he has seen this event
in remote viewing. While I don't desire to dabble in these things
(because they can open your mind to the demons out there and let in
negative influence), it did strike me as a possibility that the power
from the sun to scorch people could be explained in this kill shot put
forth by Ed Dames.
Revelation 16:10,11 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast;
and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for
pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their
sores, and repented not of their deeds.
Revelation 16:12-16 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river
Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of
the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs
come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and
out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils,
working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the
whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his
garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered
them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
This bowl is evidence that the bowls are poured out completely
before the seventh trumpet is done sounding because Christ's return is to
Armageddon, but the armies aren't even gathered until the 6th bowl. Here's some more information via e-mail from
John Reynolds
that may have to do with the sixth bowl too.
(June 30, 2007)
Hi
everyone, this is a post from the
Koinonia House forum that I placed a couple of days ago. I have known
about this for a couple of years, but I thought given the prophetic
implications of this, all of you would definitely like to know about it…
In Christ, John
I am
not sure if I have posted this yet, but I found out about this a couple of
years ago. Turkey has been constructing Dams for a long time and at one
point in 1991, in order to fill their reservoirs, they nearly turned off
the Euphrates river entirely. In fact, had they wanted to, they could
have, but they honored an agreement with Syria to allow X amount of
gallons per hour to flow. It is called the Southeastern Anatolia project
and it shows how the prophetic river could very easily be dried up to
foment the invasion of the 200 million man army... It is also a striking
example of another piece of prophecy than can easily be fulfilled at any
moment as they already have the capability to do so...
In the
1930s, Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, enacted
policies to survey Turkey’s rivers for energy as a means to meet the
nation’s growing electricity demands. Gauging stations along the Euphrates
and Tigris rivers were established, and geological, topographical, and
groundwater surveys were conducted to maximize both the surface and
subsurface water resources within the basins. By the 1950s, reconnaissance
surveys were extended to Turkey’s 26 different river basins to develop
energy and irrigation potential within all river basins.
During the 1960s and 1970s, separate water resources plans to develop the
Euphrates and Tigris rivers were drawn, which in 1977 were merged into one
water resources development project called the Southeast Anatolian
Project. In the 1980s, the Keban and Karakaya Dams along the upper
Euphrates river were developed and the Southeast Anatolia Project was
later expanded into a multi-sector project that included not only
irrigation and hydropower production, but also urban and rural
infrastructure, forestry, education, and health sectors. The multi-sector
GAP Master Plan was finalized in 1989 and a separate GAP Administration
was established. Construction of the Ataturk Dam was completed in 1990 and
irrigation for the GAP started at the end of 1994, when one of the twin
Sanliurfa Tunnels from the Ataturk Dam was opened.
GAP’s
projected completion date is scheduled for 2010,
provided current financial difficulties and inflation do not further delay
the project. When the GAP is completed, 28.5 percent of the total water
potential of the country will be brought under control through facilities
along the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers. GAP will irrigate nearly 1.7
million hectares of land, or 20 percent of Turkey’s total irrigable land.
Annual energy production from GAP will produce 22 percent of Turkey’s
total energy production with an installed energy capacity of 7476 MW.
Syria
and Turkey: Many Roots to the Recent Quarrel
Syria and Turkey
now say that the agreement signed by them late on October 20 has ended the
feud between them, which had led to a Turkish military buildup along the
Syrian border (See the Last Issue). The Turks are declaring the agreement a
victory for their position, and the beginning of peaceful cooperation with
Syria — if Syria fulfills the obligations it has undertaken.
Based
on initial reports of the text of the minutes arrived at after two days of
negotiations, Syria has agreed that it will provide no support for the
Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), the Kurdish movement fighting the Turkish
government. Arms, logistics, and financial support are all prohibited, and
Syria will no longer permit ’Abdullah “Apo” Ocalan, the head of the PKK (See
the Profile in the Last Issue) to reside in Syria. Turkish Prime Minister
Mesut Yilmaz said that Ocalan had been in Moscow for about a week after
leaving Syria during the crisis, and the Turkish press carried reports that
he is living in the Moscow suburb of Odintsovo. (Turkey asked Russia to
extradite him; Russia said it had no idea where he was.)
The
Syrian-Turkish confrontation was unusual in several ways. Though the matters
in dispute are of long standing, there was no visible provocation forcing
Turkey to act at this time. Rather, the change of Turkish Chief of Staff in
August may have been in part the reason for the confrontation now, since new
Chief of Staff Hüseyin Kivrikoglu is known to be a hardliner on the PKK.
The Syrian-Turkish confrontation also came in the context of growing
concern in the Arab world over the Turkish-Israeli strategic alignment,
which Syria has long considered directly aimed at Damascus.
But
Syria and Turkey have quarreled for decades over a variety of outstanding
issues, of which the PKK is only the latest and, perhaps, developed as a
function of Syria’s attempt to counterbalance Turkish dominance in the other
areas of rivalry. There are three major questions at issue: Syria’s latent,
not actively pursued but not dropped either, claim to the Hatay region, a
dispute dating to the pre-World War II era; the very active
and important dispute over the waters of the Euphrates and the Turkish
Atatürk Dam; and finally, Syrian support for the PKK, now apparently
abandoned. (It should be noted, however, that Syria has made similar
undertakings before, and that it is by no means certain that the agreement
will be honored in full.)
This Dossier examines the varied roots
of the Syrian-Turkish rivalry.
Syrians have long claimed their
country to be the “beating heart of Arabism”, the cradle of modern Arab
nationalism. In the late Ottoman Empire, many of the early theorists of Arab
nationalism were Syrian (or Lebanese), and during the Arab Revolt in the
First World War, some talented Syrian officers from the Ottoman Army went
over to the Arab side. The modern Turkish Republic, the rump remaining from
the dismembered Ottoman Empire, borders only two Arab states: Syria and
Iraq. Neither border has ever been truly quiet; and of course Turkey now
frequently enters northern Iraq in pursuit of PKK Kurdish guerrillas.
Given this history and the geopolitical rivalries of the region, it is
perhaps not surprising that Syria and Turkey have a number of areas of
disagreement. What is perhaps more interesting is the fact that these
disagreements have never led to actual war, though there have been shooting
incidents from time to time, aircraft shot down a time or two, and that sort
of problem.
Clearly, too, of course, there are not just these
immediate causes for quarrel, but geopolitical factors as well: Syria was
aligned loosely with the Soviet Bloc in the Cold War while Turkey was in
NATO; today Syria is alarmed by the Turkish-Israeli alignment.
This
Dossier looks at the major issues in roughly the reverse order in which they
appeared: first at the cause of the recent crisis, the PKK issue; secondly
at the water issues on the Euphrates, and finally the longstanding, if not
terribly active, dispute over the Hatay (Alexandretta).
The
Problem of the PKK
The Ba‘ath Party ruling Syria claims to be an
Arab nationalist movement. Why would an Arab nationalist movement support a
revolutionary Marxist movement of Kurdish separatists, when Arab Syria
itself has a Kurdish minority? The answer is not terribly difficult within
the context of the Middle East: in all the countries which have Kurdish
minorities (mainly Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria, though with some in Armenia
and Azerbaijan as well), there has long been a pattern of supporting Kurdish
movements which destabilize your neighbor, while naturally not encouraging
one’s own Kurds in such ideas.
Syria’s quarrels with Turkey stem, as
this Dossier seeks to show, from many roots. Of them all, it may be argued
that the issue of the PKK is the only one in which the provocation largely
originated on the Syrian, rather than the Turkish, side. Syria has used the
PKK as an instrument to counterbalance Turkish gains elsewhere. Turkey’s
military forces are much superior to Syria, and a conventional military
balance is not really achievable, especially with Syria preoccupied with
Israel on the Golan Heights.
Syria is not the sole supporter of the
PKK. Iraq has also been involved in the past, and today (when the Iraqi
government has no control in the north), the PKK has sometimes fought
aligned with Jalal Talabani’s Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) against
Mas‘oud Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Turkey also charges that
Greece has maintained training camps for the PKK.
But Syria has been
the country whose activities with the PKK most infuriated the Turks. The
exact nature of Syria’s support for the PKK depends on which side one
chooses to believe. Syria basically denies that it has been a major source
of support. Turkey insists that there are training camps in Syria as well as
in Lebanon’s Baqa‘a Valley, the latter under the effective control of the
Syrian security forces. In addition, “Apo” Ocalan has long lived in Damascus
much of the time. Although there have been few, if any, clear instances of
operations directly across the Syrian-Turkish border by the PKK (they
usually strike from Iraq), Syria’s role in training, supplying, and
equipping the PKK has long been alleged by the Turks.
There have
also been reports that Syria has sought to encourage its own Kurdish
minority to support the PKK, perhaps in an attempt to direct any latent
separatism among Syrian Kurds externally.
Under the agreed minutes
signed late on October 20, Syria reportedly undertook to close the PKK
training camps not only in Syria but also in Lebanon, to bar Ocalan from
returning to Syria from his current stay in Moscow, and to prevent all
cross-border operations, and cease any logistical, financial, or arms
support to the PKK anywhere.
The Turks are trumpeting the agreement
as a full Syrian backdown, which, if it is carried out, it would indeed
appear to be. On the other hand, Syria has undertaken commitments about the
PKK before, only to quietly resume activities when attention was not longer
focused on it. It is not impossible that it will do so again.
On the
other hand, it must also be remembered that Syria, in backing down under the
threat of military strikes, is not really giving up any crucial interest of
its own. Like other states with Kurdish populations, it has no intrinsic
interest in encouraging Kurdish separatism. Its support for the PKK was
always a tactical effort aimed at Turkey, not a committed support of the
PKK.
Euphrates Water
If the Kurdish PKK is not a crucial national interest for Syria, water is.
Like every other country in this generally arid region, burgeoning
populations and limited supplies of fresh water have made water a resource
more precious than oil.
And to hear the Syrians and other Arabs
tell it, the Turks are trying to turn off the Euphrates. In 1990, in fact,
they did virtually that.
The Euphrates rises in eastern Anatolia
(Turkey), where its two major component streams come together. It then winds
through Syria into Iraq, where it joins with the Tigris to form the Shatt
al-‘Arab, flowing into the Arab/Persian Gulf. (The Tigris also rises in
eastern Turkey, but enters Iraq directly without passing through Syrian
territory.)
The issue of sharing the Euphrates water has always been
a contentious one between Turkey and its downstream neighbors, with Iraq,
the last in line, generally claiming its share to have been plundered by
both Turkey and Syria. When Syria built the big Asad Dam on the Euphrates,
the Iraqis complained; naturally, when Turkey began its huge Atatürk Dam as
part of its Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP), a master plan involving 22
dams and 19 power plants, both downstream neighbors began complaining anew.
In 1985 Turkey and Syria signed a provisional accord under which
Turkey guaranteed a flow of 500 cubic meters per second to Syria. Syria has
pushed for a permanent accord, and has continued to complain about the GAP.
The issue of water rights is an extremely complex one, and something
of a new cottage industry in Middle East studies. A brief report such as
this cannot assess the various conflicting claims of the impact of the GAP
on the Euphrates water resources; Syrian and Turkish estimates often differ
dramatically.
One of the more delicate moments occurred in 1990
when, to fill the Atatürk Reservoir, Turkey cut off the flow of the River at
the dam for a period of 30 days, 13 January-12 February. There was
considerable uproar that Turkey was cutting off the Euphrates entirely, but
in fact Turkey had not only increased the flow prior to the cutoff, but the
cutoff in no way affected the water from tributaries entering the Euphrates
below the dam. The Turks also say that the total amount released averaged
out, over a period of several weeks, to above the 500 cubic meters a second
committed to Syria.
The Atatürk dam and another big dam, the Keban,
have their flow regulated by further downstream dams, of which one, the
Birecik Dam not far from Syria, is being built currently.As if the water
issues were not complex enough, Turkey has counterclaims against Syria
concerning dams on the al-‘Asi River, the ancient Orontes, which rises in
Lebanon, passes through Syria, and reaches the sea through the Turkish
province of Hatay.
And that brings us, like the Orontes, to the
oldest of the disputes between Turkey and Syria.
The Hatay
(Sanjak of Alexandretta)
In the extreme northeast corner of
the Mediterranean, the Taurus Mountains join the sea, separating Anatolia
from the Levant. There, on the Gulf of Iskenderun, lies the port city of
Iskenderun (known historically as Alexandretta), and in the mountains
inland, Antakya, the ancient city of Antioch. During the Ottoman Empire the
region was administered as the Sanjak of Alexandretta. Like most
borderlands, it has long been ethnically mixed, Arab and Turkish, with
Armenians as well. Historically, Antioch was usually considered a part of
Syria, looking inward to the other cities of the Levant, while Alexandretta
was a more cosmopolitan port.
In the carving up of the Ottoman
Empire at the end of World War I, France won the inclusion of the Sanjak of
Alexandretta in its League of Nations Mandate over Syria-Lebanon. French
policy was to maintain separate administrations for ethnic or religious
groups with a geographic identity, and thus in addition to Christian Lebanon
the Druze mountain of Syria, the ‘Alawite areas around Latakia, and the
Sanjak of Alexandretta were given special status.
In the Treaty of
Lausanne of 1923, Turkey had renounced any claim to its former territories.
But in 1936, when Syria was slated for independence under the mandate, Kemal
Atatürk approached France over the question of Alexandretta. Turkey insisted
that a majority of its population were Turks, and that it should revert to
the Turkish Republic. France insisted that the Sanjak would maintain its own
autonomy within independent Syria.
But this was 1936, and France
remembered that Turkey had joined the Central Powers in World War I. In an
effort to keep Turkey from drifting towards Germany again, efforts were made
to accommodate the Turks. The matter was referred to the League, and Syrian
independence delayed. In May of 1937 the League recommended an autonomous
Sanjak which would control its own internal affairs, but whose external
affairs would be under Syria; it would be demilitarized.
Arab
nationalists insisted there were 125,000 Arabs, Christian and Muslim, and
Armenians in the Sanjak and only 85,000 Turks; the Turks insisted there was
a Turkish majority. A French census found a Turkish population of 46%, a
minority but the largest single group in the population. Neither side
readily accepted those numbers. But France and Turkey subsequently agreed to
a Turkish “preponderance” of influence in the region, which in late 1938
elected a Turkish President and renamed itself the State of Hatay.
Since Syrian independence had been postponed, Hatay was technically still
under French mandate. In June of 1939, with European war imminent, France
signed an agreement on mutual assistance with Turkey and separately ceded
the Hatay to Turkey. Turkey took over, and pressured non-Turks who would not
accept Turkish citizenship to leave.
Syria has never recognized the
incorporation of the Hatay into Turkey. There is still an Arabic-speaking
population in the region, though Turks are now the solid majority. Syria
does not actively press the claim, and in fact during the recent crisis,
Turkish President Süleyman Demirel explicitly warned Damascus not to raise
the Hatay issue. On the other hand, Syrian maps frequently show the entire
region as part of Syria. (Even Syrian official road maps have been known to
do so, doubtless causing confusion for tourists suddenly finding the Turkish
border in the way.) Turkey regularly protests the publication of such maps.
Though the claim is latent, it has never been renounced by Syria, which
holds that France had no right to cede the territory to Turkey under the
mandate. When other issues arise between Turkey and Syria, the old quarrel
over the Hatay is likely to be resurrected, as Demirel obviously feared
might occur this time.
HERE IS ANOTHER INTERESTING EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE... NATO actually
petitioned Turkey to shut off the Euphrates entirely in 1991 according to
this writer... http://www.unesco.org/courier/2001_10/uk/doss01.htm
excerpt:
The Tigris-Euphrates is regularly cited as a flashpoint for a possible
war. How can anyone induce Turkey, probably the most powerful state in the
region, not to pursue its own interests to the detriment of its downstream
neighbours, Iraq and Syria? Everybody keeps talking about the
Tigris-Euphrates as a potential flashpoint, but what’s really interesting
is that in 1991, Nato actually asked Turkey to shut the flow of the
Euphrates towards Iraq. But the government refused and
basically said, “You can use our air space and bases to bomb Iraq, but we
won’t cut off their water.” Since the 1970s, Turkey, Syria and Iraq have had an implicit agreement,
which Turkey continued to respect even while building the dams. And
despite the rhetoric, Syria and Iraq both recognize that they benefit from
those dams because they even out the river’s flow and extend their
farmers’ growing season. Turkey wants to be seen as a fair, good neighbour
for several reasons, including Nato pressure as an ally, internal politics
and attempts to join the European Union. The difficulty lies in making the
implicit agreements explicit.
Revelation 16:17-21 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and
there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne,
saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and
there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth,
so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into
three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in
remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the
fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were
not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone
about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague
of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Some of this will be
review of the details above, but I don't think we should ignore the events
that occur in the seals, trumpets, and bowls and which of these are God's
wrath. The seals are explanations of events happening resulting from Christ
opening the seals. This provides the understanding that He is in control.
His breaking the seal initiates events that transpire on earth.
The first four seals are four horsemen that do things on the earth. God's
wrath comes from Him while these descriptions seem to be describing
happenings on the earth that lead up to God's wrath.
Seal 2:
Red horse - rider given power to take peace
from the earth (Rider takes peace from the earth, not God.)
Seal 3: Black horse -
famine on earth (I think this may have to do with our genetic manipulation
mixed with weather changes and governmental controls...not entirely sure
though.)
Seal 4:
Green horse - Rider is death and Hades
follows him. 1/4 of the earth under their power to kill with sword, hunger,
death, and beasts of the earth (wasn't from God's wrath, but death and
Hades)
Seal 5: Souls under altar
killed because of the Word of God (wasn't from God's wrath)
Seal 6: This event is more
of a sign than wrath brought on the earth. An earthquake does happen that
will probably kill some, but no worse than has already been happening. (Can
we define this as God's wrath?)
Seal 7: ½ hour silence in
heaven (I don't see anything in this that could be considered God's wrath)
That's the seals. We should remember that we're
not appointed to God's wrath, but there really isn't anything here that
appears to be God's wrath, just Christ initiating events showing He is in
control. The actual aggressors result from un-restraining certain people,
groups, etc.
Remember also that the seven seals are all done before the trumpets are handed
out.
Revelation 15:1 Now lets examine what the trumpets do and see if that is
God's wrath.
Trumpet 1: Hail, fire
mingled with blood cast to earth burning 1/3 of the trees and all green
grass.
Trumpet 2: Meteor hits ocean
killing 1/3 of sea life and 1/3 of ships as well as turning 1/3 of it to
blood.
Trumpet 3: Wormwood star
falls from heaven making water bitter and killing many.
Trumpet 4: 1/3 of sun,
moon, stars smitten. (as opposed to sun black as sackcloth, moon blood red,
and stars falling, not darkened)
Trumpet 5:
Woe 1 - Demon locusts from the bottomless pit
and Abaddon (Apollyon = Greek god Apollo?)
Trumpet 6:
Woe 2 - Loose 4 angels bound in Euphrates River
(1/3 of men killed by them)
Trumpet 7:
Woe 3 - Kingdoms of this world are become
kingdoms of the Lord.
How is the seventh trumpet the third woe? There
are lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great
hail, but that doesn't seem like much compared to the first two woes. I
believe the answer comes from scripture:
Revelation
10:5-7 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up
his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who
created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the
things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that
there should be time no longer: But
in the days of the voice of the
seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound,
the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his
servants the prophets.
The seventh trumpet is sounded over a period of
days plural. I believe that the third woe are the seven bowls, the filling up
of God's wrath.
Revelation 15:1
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having
the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
These seven bowls are the seven LAST plagues. It
would follow then that there were plagues before them (7 trumpets) and that
these seven bowls occur after any previous ones. I believe they are actually
the third woe, part of the seventh trumpet being poured out in quick
succession during the days of the seventh trumpet.
Bowl 7: It is done:
Earthquake greater than any earthquake since man has been on the earth and a
plague of hail exceedingly great
I believe all this shows that the seals are
not God's wrath, but that God's wrath begins with the censer and trumpets
and ends with the seventh bowl. I believe what I have presented shows that
these are sequential except for the seventh trumpet which contains the seven
bowls, but it does begin to sound before the bowls. Here is a chart of how I
see the seals, trumpets, and bowls:
Be not overcome
of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
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educational purposes only. Ref.
The weather
in space is controlled by
events at the centre of the
Earth. A pity, then, that the
magnetic field generated there
may be about to go into
reverse. GREENLAND
was discovered without the use
of magnetic compasses. The
Viking longboats that arrived
here in 982 relied on the stars
and the sun to maintain their
orientation. But it was the
compass (a Chinese invention)
that enabled later European
navigators to bestride the
world. It was the compass, too,
which revealed that the Earth
itself has a magnetic field and
thus led to the first serious
question about the planet's
internal structure: what is down
there that generates this field?
Such a question is not merely
academic. Besides directing
compasses, the Earth's magnetic
field reaches out into space to
direct the flow of the solar
wind around the planet—forming a
structure called the
magnetosphere (depicted above).
When the wind hits this field it
creates a shock wave known as
the bow shock. Most of the
protons and electrons of the
wind go round this shock wave,
and lots of dangerous radiation
from the sun is thus diverted
away from the Earth. There is,
however, a growing body of
evidence that the Earth's
magnetic field is about to
disappear, at least for a while.
The geological record shows that
it flips from time to time, with
the south pole becoming the
north, and vice versa. On
average, such reversals take
place every 500,000 years, but
there is no discernible pattern.
Flips have happened as close
together as 50,000 years, though
the last one was 780,000 years
ago. But, as discussed at the
Greenland Space Science
Symposium, held in Kangerlussuaq
this week, the signs are that
another flip is coming soon.
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