WHERE ARE WE
IN GODS CALENDAR?
By Ivan Foster
The Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony
CM2 MB
Web-site: WWW.SCAT.ORG
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(This booklet contains a summary of two sermons preached in
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to
shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass (Revelation 1: 1).
And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God
of the holy prophets sent His angel to shew unto His servants the things which
must shortly he done ... I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these
things in the churches (Revelation 22: 6, 16).
Pinpointing just where we are in the unfolding of Gods plan,
is not merely difficult but, in a sense, it is dangerous in that it is all too
easy to come to a wrong conclusion and from that, to enter upon a path that
would lead one astray.
In the order of things, we may, however,
discover where we are in the revealed purpose of God.
1. As
we begin our study, I wish to refer you to some verses which I feel are very
relevant to our subject. But there is a God in heaven that revealeth
secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the
latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these
(Daniel 2: 28).
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing,
but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the
prophets (Amos 3: 7).
Henceforth I call you not servants;
for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:
but I have called you friends; for all things that I
have heard of My Father I have made known unto you (John 15: 15).
When I read these passages I come to
the conclusion that God is eager to share His purpose and plans with His
people.
2. To find out where we
are in Gods calendar requires us consulting the Word of God ALONE for it is
there God has revealed His purpose amongst the nations. As Daniel did, so may we. In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which
was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; in
the first year of his reign I Daniel
understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of
Jerusalem (Daniel 9: 1-2).
ALL that the Lord would have us to know He
has written in His Word.
3. As
with Simeon, Anna and a remnant in
These were a remnant, known to Anna, who were
moved by the Spirit of God to recognise that the time of the coming of the
Messiah was drawing very near and doubtless consulted the writings of the
prophets.
4. Being commanded by
Christ to watch then it surely follows that there are
recognisable signs which will tell us of the approach
of the end. Watch therefore, for ye know
neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matthew 25: 13). In Mark
13: 28-37,
we have the parable of the Fig Tree and the application by the Lord Jesus of
the simple means that men have of telling the seasons of the year. So it is with the Word of God which, like the Fig Tree, will
tell us the signs of the times!
We have not been given the day and the hour when the Saviour
will return; but we are told to watch for those signs which
will herald His return. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the
stars; and upon the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity; the sea
and the waves roaring; mens hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the
earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a
cloud with power and great glory (Luke 21:
25-27).
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 he shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:
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 (Matthew
24: 29-30).
As the time draws near, we will be able to see by the signs
that the return of Christ is fast approaching! Being commanded to watch we must therefore be able to see and to observe
the signs which tell of Christs near return. This, of
course, requires a knowledge of Gods Word where the signs are recorded.
The Book of the Revelation opens with these words and I repeat them for emphasis: The
Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto
Him, to shew unto His servants things which must
shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified
it by His angel unto His servant John: who bare
record of the word of God, and of the testimony
of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they
that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written
therein: for the time is at hand (Revelation 1: 1-3).
The phrase, which must shortly come
to pass would be better translated, which
will come to pass in a short space of time. It is not that the events
revealed were soon to take place back some 2000 years ago but that when these
events started to unfold the time taken for them to take place would be short.
Indeed, these events centre chiefly upon the seven years of the prominence of
the Man of Sin, the
Antichrist, and more particularly upon the final three and a half years
of his reign.
We are told in Revelation 13, which gives us much information
about the Antichrist, that there was
given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months,
(verse 5). Now from the day of his revealing,
there begins a countdown period of three and a half years, or a thousand two
hundred and threescore days, or times, time and half a time, or forty and two
months. These measurements all refer to the same period. Many will miss this
sign, being utterly deceived by the allurements of the devil and the Antichrist
and unheeding of the Word of God. But for the believer
at that time there is given a very precise indication of just where they are in
Gods calendar.
I believe that there is in the Seals, Trumpets and Plagues of
the Book of the Revelation a repeating and reiterating of the information the
Lord would have His people understand of the events that mark the end of this
age. This is the method of any good teacher.
There is a strong emphasis on the events in and around
If you can grasp it, the Seals
and Trumpets and Plagues cover the period from the beginning of the closing
sequence of events revealed to us in the Book of the Revelation
to the return of Christ. In other words, from the events
revealed in chapter 5: 13 until the return of Christ in chapter 19.
I. THE BOOK OF GODS PUPOSE FOR
OF AND ITS UNSEALING MARKS THE BEGINNING OF GOD PUTTING INTO
MOTION THE FINAL DEVELOPMENT OF HIS PLAN FOR
The last question of the apostles before the Saviour ascended
to Heaven was: Lord, wilt Thou at this time
restore again the kingdom to
I believe that it was the book of the
promises to
These blessings include the promises made to Abraham in such
verses as Genesis
15: 18. In the same day the
LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates, as well as the eternal blessing of ALL the elect set forth in such verses as Revelation
21: 1-5.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;
and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy
city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of
heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is
with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people,
and God Himself shall be with them, and be their
God. And God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes; and there shall
be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
there be any more pain: for the former things
are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said,
Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are
true and faithful.
The blood of Christ has purchased all of Gods blessings
promised to the nation of
The opening of the seals are, I
believe, the first events that are preparatory to the return of Christ.
The opening of each seal is marked by
specific evidences on the earth of Gods revealing of His wrath toward, and judgment
of the Gentile nations. This opening of the seals is a precursor to the Lord coming to claim the earth as His. I believe
that these scenes are not successive but merely different aspects of Gods
judgment taking place at the same time.
II. THE SEALS
ARE FOLLOWED BY TRUMPETS
The trumpets are the ancient
instrument that signalled battle! Christ is come to war
against rebellious mankind. And I saw
heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness He doth judge and make war
(19: 11).
The final Trumpet brings us right up to the very doorstep of
the new age as it were. 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 (Revelation 11: 15).
There is a stirring in Heaven as Christ readies Himself to
take to Himself His place as the King of the whole earth (verse 15). 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 (verses 16-18). Note, Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead.
[* NOTE: Here is further proof of the Intermediate State and Place of the Holy
Dead in Sheol (Gen.
37: 35) /
Hades (Matt.
18; Luke 16:
23, 31,
R.V.), and the future fulfilment of Hebrews 9:
27, 28: And inasmuch it is appointed unto men once to die, and
after this [i.e., death] cometh
judgment, [28] so Christ
also, having been once offered to bear the sins
of many, shall appear a second time, apart
from sin, to them
that wait him, unto salvation! Those who wait for him unto salvation
are the saints who are alive, and left unto the coming of the Lord (1 Thess. 4: 15, R.V.):
they will have to suffer under Antichrists persecutions: but the holy
dead will be judged according to their
works (in sheol / Hades
- in the heart of the earth Matt. 12: 40): those souls underneath
the altar (Rev. 6: 9, Cf. Lk. 16: 23, 30-31; Acts 7: 5; 2 Tim. 2: 18, R.V. etc.) are also waiting for the time of their resurrection from the dead (Lit. out of dead ones), to share with Messiah
Jesus in His inheritance (promised to
Him Psa. 2: 8 upon
this earth, See Psa. 2: 8; 16: 10; Prov. 2: 21; 11: 19; Matt. 5: 5; Acts 2: 27; 7: 4, 5; 17: 31; 20: 32; 24: 15, 25; 26: 6; 1Cor. 3: 13; 10: 11; Heb. 9: 28; 10: 30,
35, 2 Tim. 2: 18, R.V. etc.]
We can clearly read the hands of
Gods clock in these words. It is the time of the
first resurrection which
takes place at the return of the Saviour.
III. THE CHARACTER OF
THE WAR THAT THE TRUMPETS ANNOUNCE IS
SEEN IN THE SEVEN PLAGUES WHICH THE
LORD POURS OUT UPON
THE TEN KINGDOMS AND ANTICHRIST'S
EMPIRE
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 (Rev. 16: 2). Please note where and when the first
plague falls. Upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and
upon them which worshipped his image.
This tells us the time of the first plague. It was after the
revealing of the Antichrist and his coming to dominating power and a tightening
of his grip upon his subjects and the enforcing of the receiving of his mark
and engaging in the worship of him.
We are well into the last three and a half years when the
first plague is poured out. Remember the words of chapter 13: 7-8. Power was given him
over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. This enforcing of submission to the
Antichrist was carried out by the False Prophet.
And
he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and
that no man might buy or sell, save he that had
the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. And
all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,
whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world (13: 16-17). It is during these activities that
the first plague is poured out.
We have grounds for believing that the time of the pouring out
of the vials is a very short period. You will
notice the rapid sequence of the plagues (16:
1-21).
Following the pouring out of the seventh plague we are told
a cry is heard: It is done.
I think that we should notice that the seventh seal (8: 1), the seventh
trumpet (11: 15),
and the seventh plague (16: 17) all
take place at the closing of this [evil and apostate] age, on the very cusp of the return
of Christ and the beginning of His Millennial reign.
Thus these three things, the seals, the trumpets and the
plagues, reveal to us different aspects of the final fearful events that will
happen at the end of this age.
I should say that the events should not produce fear amongst the - [obedient and repentant: (see Acts 5: 32; 1 John 3: 24; Lk. 13: 3, 5; Acts 17: 30,
R.V.)] - people of God but rather, as the
Saviour instructs them, they are to look up, and lift up your heads; for
your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:
28). The phrase look up, and lift up your heads signifies to be elated, to shake off despondency and despair!
What will signal utter distress for ungodly men is the cause of joy for the
redeemed. This is put so memorably in chapter 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? That sight which will bring
inestimable joy to Gods people brings immeasurable misery and grief to the - [apostates, false
prophets, slanderers, liars, and the] - Christ-rejecting sinner!
It is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the Living God (Hebrews 10:
31).
If we visualise a train in motion on a downward slope with its
speed ever increasing so that the distance markers at the side of the track
pass ever more rapidly, so there is an increasing rapidity of events toward the
end of this age. I believe that it is to this the Saviour refers in Matthew 24: 22.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elects sake those days shall be shortened.
IV. LET ME NOW TURN TO THE QUESTION IN OUR
SUBJECT IN A MORE DEFINITE MANNER
If I were to offer
a suggestion, I would say that we should look at the opening of the first seal
(6: 1-2). There the return of Christ is
revealed. That wonderful event is referred to
repeatedly in this Book of the Revelation (1: 7, 6: 2, 6: 12-17, 19: 11).
Preachers should take note of this!
1. Here is a Scriptural
Principle. The end of
all things is often shown before the terrible events which
precede the Saviours return. Isaiah 2: 14 is an example of this. Following the wonderful
verses of the impact upon the earth that the Saviours return will bring, the
prophet then moves to the judgments which will precede
that return. See verses 10-22. This principle may be seen
in many places in the Bible.
2. The Lord would allay
the fear of the saints by so doing. The Lord likes to show how it will all end in order to comfort
the saints. As Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4, after he has set forth details
of the Saviours return, Wherefore comfort one another with these words
(verse 18).
There is no place for despondency or
despair for the one who reads and believes what the Bible says regarding the
end of all things. What evil is wrought amongst God's people through
ignorance of the Bible! How such ignorance delights the devil for, in the midst
of the darkness it brings, he can sow his seed and raise a harvest of lies,
folly and tears!
3. There will be an
awakening to a knowledge of this great truth of
Christs return at the end. I believe that there will be a re-emerging of an awareness of
the return of Christ as we near the end of this age. Christ is carrying a bow
and that is a weapon used at a distance from the enemy. I suggest that this is
an indication that the subject of the Saviours return comes into sight some
time before it actually happens. When He actually comes, He is carrying a
sword, a close quarter weapon!
We are told by the Saviour that the Church
will have largely gone to sleep and will have forgotten
the return of Christ, right up until He is virtually on the doorstep. The
Saviour makes that clear in the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13). There we have the shameful statement, While the
bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. I cannot but say that such is the state of affairs today!
Many times I have heard the lament from Christians: My minister never refers to this subject! I believe
that is true! When it is dealt with, it entails the setting
forth of the barest of essentials. There is no detailed and close examination
of the many, many prophecies relating to events before, concurrent with and
after the return of Christ. Even in the midst of this
pandemic [so called]* there have been very few attempts
to discover from Gods Word the significance of this world-wide phenomenon with
its physical, social and financial aggravations.
[*NOTE: The threat posed to life by Covid-19 has been statistically
exaggerated. The spread of covid-19 early in 2020 was classed as a Pandemic
because the World Health Organisations (WHO) criteria for a pandemic were
altered in 2009 to remove the need for a disease to cause enormous numbers of
deaths and illness.
Another Christian writer pointed out
that: The
facts are the facts. And you can use lies to cover up
those facts for a long time, but they remain hard facts. And history
shows those facts always come to
light in the end. ... But the truth lies with the facts and not with the interpretation.
For truth is
not a philosophical principle but truth is a being. And that being also said it of himself: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. That being also
conquers.]
However, the Saviour plainly
indicates that Heaven will not allow such a situation to continue! As the
time draws near to the end there is an awakening cry from heaven, a fresh
revealing of that glorious event, though it is still some way off. The saints
of God are made aware of the nearness of the
Bridegrooms return and they have revealed unto them that Christ is, as it
were, on the horizon! There is a quickening of them and a growing awareness of
His approach just as the parable of the Virgins teaches us. And at
midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye
out to meet him (verses 5-6). That cry has an immediate impact. Then all
those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. There is a general arousing amongst
the professing Church. I would like to think
that such an event is coming soon.
V. I THINK THAT TODAY WE ARE AT LEAST APPROACHING THE
POINT REFERRED TO IN THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SEAL!
I say that with
hesitation and would not seek to impose upon any my view; but I ask you to consider what it is
I have said. The SEALS, the TRUMPETS and the PLAGUES take place, I believe, during
Antichrists reign and mostly during the last three and half years of his
reign, after he has declared himself God and sits in the temple in Jerusalem
(2 Thessalonians 2: 4).
It is the emergence of Antichrist which will trigger Heavens response to earths rebellion and
wickedness.
But first, before the wrath and judgment, there
is this highlighting of the truth that the return of Christ is drawing near!
Creeping Awareness
Is there not a creeping, growing awareness of things prophetic
amongst a remnant? Just over two years ago, the Sovereign Grace Advent
Testimony marked 100 years of its witness to the prophetic truth of God. The
labours of the SGAT with its unchanging testimony to what God says in His Word
and declaring that What He says, He means, has been a beacon of
light in this dark era. Its labours will yet bear fruit!
Is there not a growing consciousness amongst true believers of
the deepening apostasy, the universal rejection of God's Word amongst those
nations privileged for centuries to hear it proclaimed, and a recognising that,
as never before, men are embracing everything that is unholy and ungodly?
There was a slow awakening to the wickedness of the World
Council of Churches amongst evangelicals and likewise to the wicked departures
of Billy Graham but light did finally dawn!
The darkness reigning over the nations is seen in that nothing
seems to have been brought home to the multitude by this Coronavirus plague.
Only a few* have noted the [evil] spirit
of this day!
[* Keep in mind: Except (perhaps) in the very first generation of Christians has there
ever been a period when the views of the majority have been the truth? I heard Dr. A. T. Pierson say: We have a
saying, Great is the truth, and will prevail. That
is never so in this age. Truth is always
with the minority; and so convinced
am I of this that if I find myself agreeing with the majority on any matter,
I make haste to get over to the other
side, for I know I am wrong.
- (From the writings by G.
H. Lang.)]
In the midst of the pandemic, the
deaths and sicknesses, there has been little or no public reference to God. Political
leaders have purposely avoided any mention of Him altogether while the
so-called church leaders in the mainline
churches have made such scant and irrelevant mention of Him, silence on their
part would [appear to] have been more beneficial!*
[* SOME RELEVANT BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES.
We are not without biblical guidance
as to how to view these issues.
(1) Natural and national calamities may be judgments on a wicked
nation or an unfaithful church (Deuteronomy
28.)
(2) Credulity and being deceived is also a form of judgment (2 Thessalonians 2: 10-11) and even (If it were possible) the
righteous may become prey to it (Matthew 24:
24).
(3) It is not unreasonable to imagine that the nations of the
world could be deceived Revelation 20: 3, 8, John 8: 44).
(4) It is characteristic of rulers that they will conspire to
cast off divine restraint (Psalm 2: 2, 3).
(5) Gods judgments may lead men to think and do what is unnatural
and unreasonable, and to be without
understanding (Romans
1: 18-32).
(6) The Bible suggests that the way to deal with serious
infections is by quarantining those that are sick, and
not by quaranting the healthy (Leviticus
chapters 13, 14). Separation from the healthy is commanded only on the
basis of ceremonial uncleanness, or moral delinquency.
(7) Apart from people who have symptoms of plague (Leviticus 13: 45), and angels in the presence of God (Isaiah 6: 2), there are principles
that are counter-indicative to face-covering (Numbers
14: 14, 1 Kings 19: 13, Psalm 102: 2, Song of Solomon 2: 14, Proverbs 27: 17, 19, 2 Corinthians 3: 18). Also,
men should not pray or prophesy with their head covered (1 Corinthians 11: 1-16); how incongruous then
for men, especially in religious contexts, to cover their mouth, by which they
express their natural authority (1 Timothy 2: 12, 1 Corinthians 14: 29, 34), and by which they preach
the truth (Acts 20: 18-27, Micah 3: 5-7)?
(8) There are many duties that may not be set aside indefinitely
as being non-essential (Hebrews 10: 25, 1 Corinthians 11: 24, 25, 2 Corinthians 13: 12, James 1: 27, James 5: 14, 1
Timothy 5: 8, Galatians 6: 10, Mark 7: 10-13).
(9)
There is a Biblical balance to be sought between (a) doing all that is reasonable to
protect and preserve life (Exodus 20: 13), (b) not
clinging to life to an unwholesome degree (Philippians
1: 21), (c) submitting to divine providence in
the timing and manner of our death (Ecclesiastes
3: 2), and (d)
obeying the many commands and exhortations in Scripture not to fear (Genesis 15: 1, Psalm 91, Luke 12: 7, etc.).
(10) God is in control in all
the affairs of mankind, and nothing that is imagined against Him can prosper (Isaiah 54: 17).
Pulpits in evangelical assemblies are also largely silent on
the matter, many with contempt dismissing the Covid
virus as [nothing more than] a mere flu!*
[* HOW COULD SUCH A MASS DECEPTION HAVE BEEN CARRIED OFF
CUCCESSFULLY?
It is difficult to comprehend how it
is possible for so many nations of the earth to have deceived and misled their
peoples so effectively, but it seems plausible that some of the factors have
been:
(1) Creating,
propagating and maintaining fear. A substantial number of
people still do not feel sufficiently personally threatened.
The perceived level of personal threat
needs to be increased among those who are complacent, using hard-hitting
emotional messaging. - From a paper
prepared for the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), 22nd.
March 2020.
(2) Claiming that the narrative and decisions are based on
science, while ignoring the testimony and
experience of many eminent scientists.
(3) Ensuring comprehensive media support for the official
narrative. See COVID-19: The Great Reset by Klaus Schwab,
Forum Publishing, July 2020, available in Suppression
of dissent and protest.
(4) Purchasing
influence. It is
concerning that global institutions (e.g. the World Health Organisation) receive substantial funding from
foundations with invested interests in vaccination, that national
governments (like Belarus) claim to have been promised funding from the International Monetary Fund in order to
follow World Health Organisation guidance, and many organisations that ought to be independent (such as Imperial College
London, the BBC and the Guardian newspaper) receive funds from foreign
governments (e.g. China) and
foundations with vested interests in vaccination.]
I believe that the events that are revealed
by the opening of the first seal indicate the great need of this hour - a
revealing of the approach of the Saviours return.
It is something for which we ought to be praying! I will not
be dogmatic about this but I think that what I say is worthy of some
consideration. If I am correct in suggesting that we
are near to the opening of the first seal and the revealing and emphasising
afresh to Gods people [
The 2nd
seal signals WAR (verses 3-4). Who
can read of the increasing squaring up
between the USA, Iran, China and Russia and the accumulation of advanced
weapons that almost daily we are told they are assembling and the war games they engage in, without anticipating that
it will all lead to conflict and likely that on a scale unseen before!
For many decades now the likes of the
United Nations have declared that, peace reigns! Nothing could be further from
the truth!*
[* Its remarkable how we hear so many prayer requests from
Christians for God to bring them peace today! Will God hear or answer
any of these prayers, which are not in keeping with the Lords
will today? (1 John 5: 14, 15, R.V.) - at a time apostasy
and disregard of His conditional promises? NO. Most
certainly not: For he that
doeth wrong shall receive the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons!
(Col. 3: 25). Cf. Eph.
6: 5-10, R.V.). God, the Righteous Judge, cannot and
will not, grant peace to any of His redeemed people
who
continually
disobey His precepts and sin wilfully against Him! (Heb. 10: 28-30, R.V.).
See also Matt. 19: 17-19; Mark 7: 6-9; Luke 12: 45-48; 13: 3-5, R.V.).]
Even if that were true, the Lord Jesus tells us that the close of this [evil] age will see conflict between nations. 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 (Matthew 24: 6-7).
These things have marked this age even as have many sins but
just as ALL sin will intensify as the age ends, so it will be with WAR!
The opening of the second seal will see the taking of peace from
the earth, and that they should kill one another
(Revelation 6: 4). Peace was given
by Gods mercy for the sake of His people and the spread of the gospel [of His grace]. I exhort
therefore, that, first
of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks, be
made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in
the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2: 1-4). But that will end -[only when God separates the righteous from the
wicked (Deut. 16: 18-20; Num. 16: 26; Malachi 2: 5-7; 3: 6a. Cf. 1 Cor. 5: 10-13; Gal. 5: 21; Eph. 5: 3-5, R.V.)] - at the close of this [evil and apostate] age.*
[*NOTE: If you are serious
about your future, you are probably also apprehensive, because living through a
succession of domestic and international crisis, as we have been confronted
with, is hard conductive to possessing a peace of mind and contentment of
heart. But the greatest crisis if all has yet to come - The
Great Tribulation. See Escape From The Coming Tribulation by GUY DUTY at the end of this writing by IVAN FOSTER.]
The rider of the horse was given
... a great sword. That seems to indicate an intensifying of Gods judgments against
the nations.
The 3rd
seal signifies FAMINE (verses 5-6). The prices quoted here are exorbitant according to the
pricing of the day in which John lived. The use of 'a pair of balances' would
suggest rationing, food being distributed by exact
weight. That is the inevitable outcome of war! In recent days, due to panic buying prior to a period of lockdown many of the big stores rationed certain goods for which there was a
particularly heavy demand. We have seen this happen again following the
announcement of the latest lockdown!
It is, I believe, but an omen of things to come.
Our newspapers and news bulletins have recently predicted food shortages as a result of BREXIT. That danger seems to have receded. But
if there is war then food shortages will be very real and very severe. I
believe that the change in farming methods, with the emphasis on profit, and a
concentrating by farmers on crops which make the most profit,
a range of foods may not be so freely available as once they were. Also, the supply of food is very much in the hands of the
larger nations so that, like a child seeking a place in a queue may be pushed
back by the stronger adults, even so there will be an intimidating of smaller
nations in a time of crisis. That was evidenced very recently when the USA and
other large countries bought up huge supplies of Personal Protection Equipment
(PPE) and smaller countries had a difficult time obtaining a supply.
The 4th
seal initiates even more DEATH (verses 7-8). War, famine and food shortage have ever created DEATH. On a much smaller scale, we have
all seen the chaos when food is supplied to starving
communities - the fighting and scrambling for a loaf of bread as it is
distributed. Multiply that a million
times and we are at the 4th seal! Hell, that is Hades or the grave, follows at the heels of death. And power was
given unto them (Death, and Hell) over the
fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword,
and with hunger, and
with death, and with the beasts of the earth. This is over the fourth part of
Antichrists dominion. Remember his territory will stretch from the Scottish
border across Europe, along the north shores of Africa to the borders of
The reference to the wild beasts would suggest that the
dominion given to man over beasts just after the creation,
has been removed! And God said ... replenish the
earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and
over every living thing that moveth upon the earth (Genesis 1: 28). Many ramblers, and indeed farmers,
have learned to their cost the power of the domesticated milk cow!
The opening of the 5th seal reveals a scene in HEAVEN (verses
9-11). We are shown under the
altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held (verse 9). We may gauge just when this scene takes place by the use of
the response to the cry of the martyred saints. 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
fellow-servants also and their brethren, that
should be killed as they were, should be
fulfilled (verses 10-11). The phrase, a little season means a short,
brief time. So, we are told that the
persecuting of the saints has yet to continue for a short time and then would
come the avenging of the blood of those slain by Antichrist and his minions.
The 6th
seal reveals the SIGN indicating the return of Christ and the soon end of the
age (6: 12-17). The great day of the wrath
of the Lamb is come. Matthew
24: 29-30 states: 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: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: 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.
The cry in verses 16-17 is from the lips of the armies of the
Antichrist, assembled to do battle with the Lord Jesus. We read of this attempt
to war against the Saviour in 17: 13-14. These have one mind, and shall
give their power and strength unto the beast. These
shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall
overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they
that are with Him are called, and chosen,
and faithful.
How wicked and foolishly-blind will
men have become when they are ready to do battle with the Lord of glory! Is
this not the darkness which prevailed at the cross
amongst the Jewish leaders? Peter told
But this world will see a time when the
Saviour turns on His attackers and they will pay the price for their folly!
David spoke of that day. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath,
and vex them in His sore displeasure (Psalm 2: 5).
In Revelation 8: 1, we
read of the opening of the 7th seal. It is followed by A
PERIOD OF SILENCE - it is like the silence that goes before a great battle.
In the brief time that follows the opening of the 7th seal, there will be the sounding of the seven trumpets (chapter
8: 2).
God is declaring WAR
upon His enemies! What a foretaste of Gods wrath upon sinful men will be seen,
and it should be noted that the judgments now about to be visited upon
Antichrists kingdom come about in answer to the prayers of the saints, offered
through the perfume of Christs righteousness (verses
3-5).
It is during the time of the 7th
Trumpet (11: 15)
that we read that: the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he
knoweth that he hath but a short time (12:
12). This is another indication of where this is in Gods
timetable. It is during the great tribulation, shortly before the end, when the devil empowers Antichrist against the cause and
people of God. Daniel was shown this time. I beheld,
and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the
saints possessed the kingdom (Daniel 7:
21-22).
The devil knows how to read the signs
of the times! He knows that he has but a short
time.
Back to the question - there is a
faint glimmer, a small but growing indication of an awakening today amongst us,
Gods people, and a realising that the coming of the Lord is indeed drawing nigh!
Christian, you should seek to stir yourself in this matter and
endeavour to become more acquainted with prophecy. We ought to pray also that a
studying of Gods Word amongst Gods remnant becomes much more prevalent,
especially amongst Gods servants. There are very few it seems who care to find out more about the
return of Christ. It is just like it was at
the first advent. But small as it may be, I believe it
is there and that signals a change of heart and mind amongst believers.
Are you amongst that [relatively small but faithful and obedient] number? I trust you are and that you
will give yourself to the study of Gods - [soon
to be literally fulfilled prophetic] - Word and be found [watching, praying, and] waiting for the Lord to return.
* *
*
ESCAPE FROM THE
COMING TRUBULATION
By GUY DUTY
CHATER 8
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What It Means to Be Worthy to Escape
Watch ye
therefore, and pray always, that ye may be
accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21: 36)
Various versions have different translations of this verse. Instead of accounted worthy to escape,
some have, that ye may prevail to escape, or a
similar rendering. Greek authorities say that either translation
gives a good sense, and the Amplified New Testament combines both thoughts in its
translation: Keep awake then and watch at all times
... praying that you may have the full strength and
ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together]* that
will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of man.
*[Their bracket.]
This word worthy is
significant in the New Testament, and Jesus gave it considerable stress. The
Greek word is axios, and the standard lexicons give it similar definitions. When used
of persons, the word has the meaning of value
or worth.
Axios, worthy, fit. He is not
worthy of me, - does not deserve to belong to me,
Mt. 10: 37.*
*[Arntd and Gingrichs Lexixon, p. 77]
Axios. The sense of worth, value. (Professor Deissmann
is cited on this meaning from the inscriptions.)*
* [Moulton and Milligans Vocabulary,
p. 51.]
Axios, of weight,
worth, worthy, is said of persons and their deeds: (a) in a good sense, e.g., Matt. 10: 10, 11, 13 (twice), 37
(twice), 38; 22:
8 ...
We now look at a few of many references to see how this word is used in the New Testament. John told the Jews who came to
be baptized of him, Bring
forth therefore fruits meet [worthy,
axios] for repentance (Matt.
3: 8).
John demands proof from these men of the new life before he
administers baptism to them. The fruit is not the change of heart, but the acts which
result from it.
Jesus, John, and the apostles were united on the teaching that
only those who bear the fruits of righteousness in their lives are [obedient and] genuine Christians, as the Greek text
proves. We look now at the emphasis Jesus gave to worthy:
And into whatsoever city or town ye
shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence
And if the house be worthy, let your
peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
He that loveth father or mother more
than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth
son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
And he that taketh not his cross, and
followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
(Matt. 10: 11, 13, 37, 38)
Jesus told about others who were not worthy because when they
received an invitation to the marriage of the Kings son, they made light of it, and
went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.
Then saith he to his servants,
The wedding is ready, but they
which were bidden were not worthy: (Matt.
22: 5-8).
In Luke 10:
7 we get another view,
the labourer is worthy of his hire.
Paul continued this truth about worthiness in his epistles. I ... beseech you that ye walk
worthy [live lives
worthy] of the vocation wherewith ye are called (Eph. 4: 1).
That ye might
walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in
the knowledge of God. (Col. 1: 10.)
We are bound
to thank God always for you, brethren,
... so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches
of God for your patience [or endurance, Ed.] and faith in
all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God,
that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God,
for which ye also suffer: (2 Thess. 1: 5).
Paul told the Thessalonians that God had a righteous purpose
in proving them with the persecutions. For it was by their endurance in these
afflictions that they showed themselves worthy of the
[* Bold type here, and following, is mine. - Ed.]
Paul did not mean they were earning their salvation by their
endurance in the trials. To be worthy of the kingdom does not
mean self-salvation. We reject any worthiness apart from the merits of
Christ and believe that no sinner can save himself, no matter how many
religious works he may do or how much he may suffer. If sinners could earn or
merit [eternal] salvation without Christ, then Christ
died in vain.
But it is clear from Pauls epistles that
he, like Christ, was absolute in his
requirements for discipleship. He demanded a love for Christ that was above
all other considerations and evidence of
salvation was required.
To get the right view of Paul on salvation, we must look at all that he wrote on this
subject. We shall fall into error if we pick and choose
from his statements, as some do. Paul wrote about Gods predestinating
purpose in Ephesians 2: 8-10: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man
should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God ordained
that we should walk [live] in them.
There is a connecting link in the good
works here with what Paul wrote about
the patience, faith, and endurance of the Thessalonians. These good works are a
life of righteous actions toward God and men, and by them we prove ourselves
worthy of the [coming messianic- Ed.] kingdom. They
are not the mere performance of religious duties that Paul described as the works of the law (Gal.
2: 16).
An example of this is the story Jesus told about the self-righteous Pharisee
praying in the temple (Luke 18: 9-14).
The works of the law and the works of faith are extreme
opposites. The works of faith are created in Christ
Jesus, and are the results of Gods
workmanship in the heart and life. They are the effects produced by the Holy Spirit and are
called the fruit of the Spirit, as seen
in Ephesians 5: 8-10:
For ye were sometimes darkness,
but now are ye
light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
For the fruit of the Spirit is [consists] in
all goodness and righteousness and truth.
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
The sum of all that is acceptable to God is
here summed up in three words: goodness, righteousness, truth. The word
proving contains
the idea of testing and trial. Those who continue to walk with God, in
testing and trial, with the evidence of goodness, righteousness, and truth, are
living proofs of what is acceptable to God. God proves that He might approve, and what
is approved is accepted by Him. Those
who do not qualify under His rules of proof are not accepted.
Trials are the means by
which God proves faith, and it is proven faith that is more precious than of
gold that perisheth. And it is such faith that
will be to the honour and glory of Christ and His saints at His appearing (1 Pet. 1: 7).
Paul again wrote of the spiritual worth of the Thessalonians
in relation to Christs coming:
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would
count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil
all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the
work of faith with power: (2 Thess. 1: 11).
The Thessalonians were
qualifying to be worthy by the test of Christ-created works. This work of faith was required,
and through the proving God was fulfilling the good pleasure of His goodness.
It is Gods good pleasure to produce this spiritual fruit in human lives. They cannot do it without
Christ. The branch cannot bear fruit of
itself: (John 15: 4).
Throughout the New Testament there is a worth-worthless contrast that underlies
all that Jesus and the apostles taught. Paul takes this truth all the way to the judgment seat,
when, at - [or immediately before the First Resurrection and] - Christs coming, He will accept the worthy and reject the worthless. Paul wrote
about this in 1 Corinthians 3: 11-13: For other foundation
can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ.
Now if any man build upon
this foundation gold, silver, precious stones,
wood, hay, stubble;
Every mans
work shall be made manifest: for the
day shall declare
[disclose] it, because
it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall
try every mans work of what sort it
is.
In the Bible, gold, silver, and precious stones are used to typify valuable and non-flammable materials. But wood, hay, and stubble typify worthless and flammable
materials. The apostolic thought of a spiritual house or temple runs through
all the New Testament; and we see various expositions of this idea, especially
in Ephesians and Hebrews.
We also see representations of the selection and preparation of the valuable
materials used to build the spiritual structure.
Paul, in the verses above, represents persons with no
spiritual value as being worthless for use in the eternal spiritual temple.
They do not possess the eternal [essential] qualities to pass the fiery test at the
judgment seat, and they will be unfit for the [Messianic] kingdom purpose.
As every mans work shall be revealed in that day, Paul
expressed concern for the final result of his labour.
He told the Corinthians, Are not ye my work in the
Lord? (1 Cor. 9: 1). To be
sure that all who were his work possessed the necessary qualities to
survive the fire-test at Christs coming, he urged
the Corinthians to:
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your
own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you,* except ye be
reprobates? [counterfeits] (2
Cor. 13: 5.)
[*
See Acts 5: 32; 1 John 3: 21-24, R.V.]
There are three big words here:
examine, prove, reprobates. Examine signifies
to try or test, and prove
relates to the result of the examination. Examine [trial] implies a definite intent to ascertain their
spiritual condition (Vincent).
Examine, try, make trial of, put to the test,
to discover what kind of a person someone is, 2 Cor. 13: 5.*
* (Arndt and Gongrichs Lexicon, p. 646.)
The word reprobate had an interesting
history even before it came into New Testament language. It was
used to indicate what was
counterfeit after the testing of money and metals. Job said, When he hath tried me, I shall
come forth as gold (23: 10). After God tested
The testing determined what was
counterfeit and what was genuine. And what was found to be counterfeit
was disapproved or rejected as worthless. Paul required proof of genuine [and acceptable] character from the Corinthians. An
analysis of Pauls epistles shows him to have been always thinking about the
fiery examination at the end. And he stressed again and again that the final result of every mans life and
work can only be what the judgment seat will prove it to be.
There is much in popular Christendom today that is cheap and worthless. There is much spiritual
devaluation by leaders and laity who reject the whole
counsel of God.* Being tolerant and permissive of sin
and worldliness, they have substituted tinkling brass for gold and silver. And they think it is
negative to insist on the same demands for discipleship as did Jesus and Paul.
It was to such a church that Christ sent this message: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the
fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine
eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Rev.
3: 18)
[* Acts 20: 27.]
This Laodicean church was spiritually poor (v. 17), and the Counsellor advised them to buy His
proven gold of righteousness and spiritual purity. He said they would be rich
if they did.
But Paul said that salvation is the gift of God. Why then must we buy a free gift? Was Paul at variance with Christ? Or was he at variance with himself? After telling the
Ephesians that salvation is Gods free gift, and not of works, he told the
Philippians that he had suffered the loss of all
things ... that I may win Christ (3: 8).
By suffering the loss of highly valued things to win Christ, Paul was
obeying Christ who required such loss from all who desired to follow Him. He that loseth his life for
my sake shall find it. He that loveth his life
shall lose it: (Matt. 10: 39; John 12: 25).
No one can earn [eternal] salvation
with his works, but we buy the [reward of the
inheritance and many other future] - things of God in the sense that we must pay the price of self-denial and
forsaking all that He requires in order to serve Him.
The biblical writers gave one view of a subject in one text. And we must gather these views and bring them together. No
method of interpretation is a safe guide if it does not obey this rule. The calamities of doctrinal
history in the Christian church were caused by interpreters who looked only at
one side of a subject.
The truth about spiritual worthiness that Paul taught the
Thessalonians was repeated to others, and the repetition he gave to this
indicates the importance he attached to it. Paul, the inspired apostle, who
wrote to the Ephesians, For by grace are ye saved
it is the gift
of God: not of works lest any man should boast, also wrote this to Titus:
They profess that they know God;
but in works
they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good
work reprobate: (1: 16).
We have seen that reprobate relates to testing or proving, and here the test is that of good works. Paul wrote about those who professed to know God but their works
were a denial and contradiction of their profession, in their actions they disown him (
Words and works must agree, but the works of these people
proved them to be [apostate] frauds and counterfeits; and Paul
said they were worthless to Gods purpose. In the Bible God has given tests by
which we can know who are true and false
prophets, by which we can distinguish between truth and error, and by which
we can recognize true and false [prophetic] believers. Whatever we are, our character will
manifest itself in visible actions. Can you imagine what the result would be if we had no way to recognise the
difference between truth and error?
Sometimes we are asked questions like
these: With so many different religions in the world,
how can I know which is true? (They all claim to be true.) How can I know that I will be saved? How can I know that I was predestinated to salvation?
How would you answer these questions? I dont
know of a better answer than to quote 2 Peter 1: 4-10:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding
great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith
virtue [moral
character]; and to virtue
knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to
temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly
kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity [love].
For if
these things be in you - [this is conditional], and abound, they make you that ye
shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from
his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling
and election sure: for if [conditional] ye do these things,* ye shall never fall.
[* Bold type and underlining is
mine - Ed.]
Peter here agrees with Jesus, John the Baptist, and Paul on
the required fruits as evidence of a genuine profession of salvation. What they
taught about moral fruits and being worthy
of the [coming Messianic] kingdom is similar to what Peter said here: Give diligence to make your calling and election sure:
for if ye do
these things, ye shall never fall.
In writing about our calling and election to [our future (1
Pet. 1: 5,
9, ff.] salvation, Peter said we must be
diligently adding moral character, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness,
brotherly kindness, and love. Three times he referred
to these things as Gods means of making our calling
and election sure. God predestinated His elect people to
be conformed to the image of his Son
(Rom. 8: 29), and conformed here signifies to be made
into the moral and spiritual likeness of Christ. Peter said that those who
lack these things that form the likeness of Christ are barren, unfruitful,
blind, and cannot see afar off. They cannot see [the importance of obedience to Christs
commands and accountability teachings (see Matt.
5: 20; 7: 12-13, 21, 24; Luke 22: 28. etc.), or fully understand] heavenly things, only the things of
earth. Gods calling and election is related to the
doing of these things.
The fact is stressed in Peters text
that it is by the doing of these things
that one puts his calling and election beyond all doubt, If ye do these
things, ye shall never fall. God has
provided a means of certainty for [a future] salvation that leaves one in a state
of assurance. Christ is the surety of our
salvation (Heb. 7:
22), and He said, If
ye continue [conditional] in my word, then are ye MY disciples indeed (John 8: 31). He
confirms and guarantees His promise as
we live and abide in His Word.
The Greek text supports our interpretation of Peters words, If ye do these things, ye
shall never fall. A. T. Robertson, the renowned Greek scholar, wrote
concerning these words: If Ye do (poiountes). Present active circumstantial (conditional) participle of poieo, doing.*
*(Robertsons Word Pictures, 6: 153.)
This can be verified from other
leading sources: Doing these things - because these
things are done. And the participle is conditional...
*[Alfords New Testament, p. 1674. Other Greek authorities support this
interpretation. See especially the Expositors Greek Testament and The
New Testament from 26 Translations.]
There are many other texts associated with this subject that
teach the same truth. One example is James 1:
12: Blessed is the
man that endureth temptation [trial]: for when he is tried [approved], he shall receive the crown of life,
which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
We should note here that all Gods provings are not for the purpose of exposing the counterfeit, but they are
also used for the refining of the saints.
The following quotation from Archbishop Trench explains this: The ore
is not thrown into the refining pot - and this is the image which continually
underlies the use of the word [proving] in the
O.T., except in the expectation and belief that, whatever of dross may be found
mingled with it, yet it is not all dross,
but that some good metal, and better now than before, will come forth from the fiery trial. It is ever so with the proofs to which He who sits as a Refiner in his
Church submits his own; his intention in these being ever, not indeed to
find his saints pure gold (for that He knows they are not), but to make them such; to purge out their dross, never to make evident that they are all
dross.
From these facts we conclude what
Christ meant when He told us to watch
and pray that we be accounted worthy to escape the tribulation judgments.
Those are worthy who are rich toward God
... rich in good works, rich in faith, and
possess spiritual wealth, which is in the sight of
God of great price (Luke 12: 21; 1 Tim. 6: 18; James 2: 5; 1 Pet. 3: 4).
These are the people who shall be Gods [age-lasting and] eternal treasure. They are His
predestinated ones, elected to salvation, and they
shall never perish. The Lords
inheritance [see Ps. 2: 8 and Eph. 5:
5-6,
R.V.] is His [chosen] people.
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