MEANING OF THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN REVELATION

Posted on by

This post follows my previous post: Purpose of the seven letters to the Churches in Revelation. It proposes that each of the Seven Churches represents the Church in one of the seven years of the 70th week of Daniel. The first letter is to the Church during the First Year of the 70th Week of Daniel, the second letter is to the Church during the Second Year, etc. Scripture provides multiple other “pictures” of these seven years, particularly the seven seals and Jesus Olivet Discourse. Studying these other scriptures provides a stunningly consistent Pattern of Seven Events: 1) Deception by False Messiahs, 2) War and Bloodshed, 3) Famine, 4) Abomination of Desolation, 5) Martyrdom and Apostasy, 6) Celestial/Earthly Disturbance and Rapture, and then the 7) Wrath of God/Day of the Lord.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE LETTERS

Not only do the letters match the seven-year pattern. they also all have a somewhat complex internal structure consistent among each of the seven letters. This internal structure shared by all the letters helps the reader to compare and contrast how the environment surrounding the Church is changing during each year and how the Church reacts to this changing environment. Let’s look at the basic elements of these seven letters. Each of the church names has a symbolic meaning. Each letter is addressed to an angel in the church. John is commanded to write to the angels. Angels who stand before God himself have no need to have a human write to them. Human messengers need divine revelation, so this highly favors an interpretation that the “angels” are human messengers that relay God’s instructions to his churches. According to Nelson Walters the “angels” of each church are those that bring the message of “overcoming” to the Christians during each year of the 70th Week of Daniel. Many will die and be martyred, so the “angels” may differ from year to year in each of the churches. Each of the letters includes a call to listen, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” This call to listen is a favourite phrase of Jesus that he included at the end of many of his parables (Matt. 11:15, 13:9, 13:43; Mark 4:9, 4:23; Luke 8:8, 14:35). The extended Parable of the Sower in Luke 8 seems to give the best understanding of this phrase. I believe this is the primary reference Jesus was giving us when he used this phrase in each of the seven letters. By quoting the reference to this parable in each of the letters, Jesus is telling us that only a portion of the Christians will have a receptive heart (good soil) for his message. Notice those with good soil will hear, retain, and persevere. By quoting from this parable (Luke 8:5-8) in each of the seven letters, Jesus is warning us there will be those in each year of the 70th Week that “fall away,” and for Christians to be mindful of the snares the devil will set. Now that we have examined the two common elements—-they are all addressed to an “angel” and they all have the same “call to hear”—-let’s investigate each of the individual seven letters.

If the letters are prophecy, then the name given to each church may be symbolic of the general condition facing believers during that respective year of the 70th Week of Daniel, and the purpose of all of Revelation is to prepare and equip believers to overcome this time of trial.

Concerning the first letter, Ephesus means “the desired one.” This name is highly reflective of the immense spiritual battle about to take place. God and Satan both desire the souls of believers. All of the 70th Week of Daniel will revolve around this battle. In year one Satan’s counterfeit messiah and False Prophet will burst upon the world scene. The conflict for the souls of believers will be between the false messiahs and the true Messiah, Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. The battle lines are drawn for the “desired one.”

The attributes of Jesus’s appearance mentioned in the letter to each church is symbolic. The description of Jesus to the church in Ephesus is: “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:” (Rev. 2:1) Jesus himself has defined both of these aspects of his appearance for us. The seven stars are the angels of each church. Human messengers delivering Jesus’s instructions on how to overcome the 70th Week of Daniel. Jesus holds these angels in his right hand. The right hand is the hand of blessing. God’s right hand is also a place of power, “Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy” (Exodus 15:6). Jesus will use these angels to help shatter his enemies by the revelation of His Word, and he will bless these human messengers. The seven lampstands are the seven churches. The Seven Churches are all pictures of the one true Church (as there was only one lampstand in the Tabernacle). Also, it says that Jesus walks among the lampstands. Jesus will be right there with us as we endure and overcome.

In all Seven Letters after the address and the description of Jesus’s symbolic appearance, he briefly describes the Church. For most of the seven years, Jesus provides both positive and negative feedback. This is what our Lord says will be the positive aspects of the church in the First Year of the 70th Week of Daniel: “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake, and have not grown weary.” Revelation 2:2-3

The primary condition of the world during this First Year will be deception by false messiahs. It appears from this passage that the Church is initially able to test and then recognize the false messiahs and false prophets as liars. Jesus also commends the Church for hating the works of the Nicolaitans: the word “Nicolaitans” means “overcoming the people of God” and it is tied to the actions of the rider of the white horse whose “conquering” in Rev. 6:2 is a spiritual overcoming. By this, we determined the Nicolaitans here are the followers of the Antichrist, most likely Muslims. Jesus also commends the Church for their perseverance. The Greek word for perseverance is HUPOMONE which is also sometimes translated endurance. This is the identical Greek word we just saw in Jesus’s explanation of the Parable of the Sower which is critical to understanding Jesus’s call to hear: But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance (HUPMONE). (Luke 8: 15. Bearing fruit in the coming trial will require endurance. Additionally, the trial will help produce this endurance, “We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance (HUPOMNE)” (Romans 5:3, emphasis mine). This is one purpose of Daniel’s 70th Week—refining the Bride of Christ.

Jesus has one rebuke for the Church, and it’s a big one: But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent” (Rev. 2:4-5). Bringing the Bride of Christ back into a love relationship is the main purpose of the 70th Week of Daniel. Jesus is clear that the Church will cease to be the Church if they don’t repent and act accordingly. They will fall away and apostatize.

Entering the trial, the Church will do “works” and will “toil,” for the Lord says, “I know your deeds and your toil” (Rev. 2:2). The Church will be expending effort, but it will not be done through the love of Jesus. Just a few verses later, we learn the Church’s works are not adequate. Jesus wants the Church to “do the deeds you did at first” (Rev. 2:5). Even though Jesus is aware of the effort the Church is expending in “good deeds,” these deeds are not done in the right spirit.

Next post we will look at the church in the second year of tribulation, the church at Smyrna. Nelson Walters’s video is excellent but you will need 2 hours and 51 minutes to watch it.

UN & WEF “PACT FOR THE FUTURE”

Posted on by

New York – Summit of the Future, 22-23 September, 2024

Jacob Nordangård: UN Leaders Pact for the Future – A Pact with Who?

Jacob Nordangard’s lecture (video) uncovers the true intention behind this year’s United Nations Summit of the Future, which will result in the outcome document, Leaders Pact for the Future. The plan is to turn the pact recommendations into concrete measures and turbocharge the implementation of Agenda 2030. If the pact gets signed, it will result in a new automated global management system severely affecting our freedoms. Who will benefit from and ultimately lead the transformation?

The Bible, GOD’S WORD is largely prophecy and a large part of the prophecy is devoted to the end times before Jesus returns to fulfill the destiny of the nation God established for His purposes: ISRAEL. Jesus will usher in His Millennial Kingdom ruling and reigning over the nations from a magnificent new Jerusalem.

Amazingly, the Bible tells us that a one-world government is coming and we know who will lead it: the Antichrist with his False Prophet. We also know it will be a time of tribulation for Jews and Christians

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24: 9-12

Jesus told us in advance that intense persecution is coming but we can be confident that Jesus will be with us in the most trying circumstances just as He was with Stephen when he was being stoned to death.

“As Stephen was being stoned to death, he called out, “Lord Jesus, please welcome me!”  He knelt down and shouted, “Lord, don’t blame them for what they have done.” Then he died.” Matthew 24:59-60

God gave Stephen a wonderful vision. What did he see?

“But Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious God and Jesus standing at his right side. Then Stephen said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!” Matthew 24:55-56

WHERE ARE WE IN THE BIBLICAL END TIMES?

Posted on by

Has the Rider of the White Horse from Revelation 6 been identified, who is it, and when does he ride? And by extension has the timing of the Tribulation also been identified. Does the White Horse happen at the same time as the Covenant with the “Many”? What do the symbols of the white colour, the bow, and the crown all mean?

Revelation 6:1-2 The rider of the white horse. What do these symbols mean? Is the white horse a real horse or is it spiritual? Is the rider also spiritual, a spiritual being. He has a bow but no arrows. Is it a covenant? A peace covenant? A false peace covenant? The rider also has a crown. Also a sign of peace. He shall make a covenant with the many. What does all of this mean?

Will the UN timing of their Pact for the Future on September 2024 which fits with Rosh Hashana be the timing of the start of the final seven years of the 70th Week of Daniel?

Watch this excellent LANDMARK Nelson Walters video to find out, answers to all of these puzzling questions.

WHEN DOES THE LAST SEVEN YEARS BEGIN BEFORE JESUS RETURNS

Posted on by

What event begins The Tribulation or 70th Week of Daniel? Is it a peace treaty with the Antichrist, the Rapture, the revealing of Antichrist, the start of the twice-daily Temple sacrifice, or is it something else? It is crucial that we know because those days are almost here. Watch this Nelson Walters video to find out, and why knowing will help prepare us for those times.

If you have not already done so can I suggest you read my recent post “What will initiate the last seven years before Jesus return?” It shows how important the Seventy Weeks prophecy of Daniel is in understanding what is playing out in world events today.

The Seventy Weeks prophecy of Daniel is a foundational end times prophecy

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.” Daniel 9:24

In this Seventy weeks (seventy weeks of years) prophecy, the first 69 weeks have played out exactly as prophesied including Jesus first coming to this earth and being killed “cut off”. There is an unspecified time gap between the 69 weeks and the last seven weeks (seven years) but as many of the other end-times events specified by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24) and in Revelation are beginning to play out we know that the last seven years before Jesus returns to set up His Millennial Kingdom is not too far off.

LAST DAYS GOG/MAGOG WAR

Posted on by

Are we seeing the stage being set for the “last days” war of Gog (Leader/Prince/King) of the land of Magog (uttermost parts, north of Israel, Russia) outlined in Ezekiel 38 & 39? Gog forms an alliance with Persia (Iran) Ezekiel 38:5 and ” it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring you against my land (Israel)” Ezekiel 38:16.  The other countries in the alliance to come against Israel are Sudan, Libya, Turkey and some of the -stan (Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan etc) countries (all Muslim).

Iran marks anniversary of Islamic Revolution with missiles, burning of flags

Iran celebrated the 39th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in 2019 by stressing its hatred towards the US and Israel.

 Millions took to the streets across Iran to mark the 39th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in a show of violent force.

Listen to Joel Rosenberg present how he got involved in prophecy writing and specifically on Ezekiel 38 & 39. I am convinced that this call by God to write on Ezekiel 38 & 39 at this time in history is authentic and further proof we are in the “end times”. You will need 1 hour 15 minutes but I hope you will be challenged to look at these prophetic Scriptures more closely.

Do I espouse everything that Joel Rosenberg teaches? No, I don’t, especially a Pretribulation Rapture. I believe a Prewrath Rapture (at the end of the sixth seal) best fits Scripture. Moreover, I believe the Gog/Magog war is the final war at the end of the 70th week of Daniel. It takes place when Jesus comes back with the saints for the battle of Armageddon. Jesus then begins His Millennial reign from a restored Jerusalem. Joel believes the Gog/Magog war will take place before the seven years of tribulation (70th week of Daniel). Also, I expect the Antichrist to be Mahdi, the Messiah figure expected by all Muslims. However, one possibility promoted by Chris White is a false Jewish Messiah.  It won’t go away, so I am still asking the Holy Spirit to give clarification. All in His good timing. Joel still believes he will be European, even a Roman. Let me know what you think the Holy Spirit is revealing to you as you study these prophetic Scriptures.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST?

Posted on by

“Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15-16)

Paul understood up front at the start of his ministry that suffering came with the assignment.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. (Philippians 3:10)

Now well into his ministry, Paul understood that there was a knowledge of God and intimacy with him that can only be obtained by, “participation in his sufferings.” It is difficult to comprehend, but true, that those who have not suffered with Yeshua are missing out on intimate knowledge of our Lord. Obviously, we don’t go out looking to suffer for Jesus, but it is obvious that we should not try and avoid suffering for Him, if we do, we will miss out on an intimacy with Yeshua that brings us closer to Him and makes us more like Him.

This understanding is crucial as we draw closer to the last seven years before Jesus return, the 70th week of Daniel’s 70 Weeks prophecy. It is a time of tribulation, escalating to great tribulation as Jesus opens the seven seals on The Scroll.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” Matthew 24:9-10

Just as Jesus refines the Jewish remnant in the last days as described in Zechariah.

“And it shall come to pass in all the land, says the Lord, that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, “This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ” Zechariah 13:8-9

Likewise, Jesus will use tribulation, even great tribulation in the last six years prior to The Rapture to produce a meek and humble people that will trust Him implicitly. Sadly, as shown there will be a great falling away in the church, apostasy, Jesus also says, “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24

With the trumpet blast at the seventh seal, The Rapture takes place and simultaneously when The Scroll is opened God’s Wrath is poured out on an unbelieving world with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements.

TURKEY, IRAN & RUSSIA IN DARK ALLIANCE?

Posted on by

As the Turkish military pushes deeper into northeast Syria forcing thousands to flee for their lives, U.S. Pastor Andrew Brunson reveals a chilling prophetic dream he had while he was falsely imprisoned in Turkey.

Andrew Brunson (YouTube)

Brunson said, “my goal is about declaring who Jesus is and not getting involved in politics, but this is the dream God gave me, and I think it’s relevant to what’s happening now.”

While sitting in a Turkish prison cell in December 2016, Brunson said he dreamed of an evil pact brewing in the Middle East.

“In the dream, Turkey, Iran and Russia began to move together in a very dark alliance,” he explained.

Brunson woke up from the dream drenched in sweat and barely able to speak. At the time, Turkey (Sunni) and Iran (Shia) had been enemies for years so he knew something drastic was about to happen.

Turkey’s dependence upon both the west and Russia demonstrates the tightrope Turkey is walking at the present time. It is interesting to consider this scenario in the light of Erdogan’s plans to reestablish Turkey’s dominance/leadership of Islam, to reestablish an Ottoman Empire if you will,

The recent downing of the Russian SU-24 by a Turkish F-16 on Nov. 24, 2015 that violated Turkish airspace for more than 17 seconds resulted in Russia taking unilateral steps to cut its ties with Turkey in revenge for the downing of the jet.

Hence, NATO deterrence and its nuclear umbrella is still indispensable for Turkey in the face of an ever-aggressive Russia, which is geographically closer to Turkey than many other Western countries. Thus, Turkey must apply conciliatory methods to alleviate and eliminate ongoing problems with its traditional Western allies, increasing Turkey’s indispensability to both the West and Russia. Thus, Turkey must continue implementing a multi-vector and balancing foreign policy between the clashing blocs. To achieve this, Turkish policymakers must refrain from depending on Russia, while attempting to reduce the country’s economic, military and industrial dependence on the West.

Biblical prophecy, Daniel 8, tells us that eventually the Goat (Turkey/Sunni) will eventually defeat the Ram (Iran/Shia). The Ram’s attempt to establish its dominance of Islam is short lived. We can assume the West will not countenance Turkey reestablishing a revived Ottoman Empire because biblical prophecy tells us the region is broken up into four (four horns) out of which emerges the Antichrist (little horn).

We are moving ever closer to the last seven years before Jesus second coming (Daniel’s 70th week} when the Antichrist bursts onto the scene as depicted in the opening of the first seal of Revelation and the rider (Antichrist) of the white horse “went out conquering and to conquer.” Revelation 6:2

ELOQUENT TEACHING ON TIMING OF THE RAPTURE

Posted on by

Another excellent video from Nelson Walters on the timing of The Rapture (Matthew 24:30-31 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

It is important we understand that Christians will experience tribulation and even great tribulation during the last seven years (70th week of Daniel) before Jesus returns to earth to liberate Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.

Before you watch Nelson’s video let me share this revelation: the Holy Spirit revealed to me another gem on the timing of The Rapture just two days ago. I was reading Revelation Chapter 8 on the opening of the seventh seal.

Already, I had accepted from the work Nelson Walters has done, that The Rapture takes place at the trumpet blast at the seventh seal.

SUMMARY: At the fifth seal, Revelation 6:9, John sees the souls of martyrs under the altar. They are crying out, asking when was God going to judge and avenge them. Then, they were asked to rest a little longer until the number of their fellow servants and brethren who would be killed as they were was completed. They were also given white robes, but at this stage the resurrection of the saints has not occurred so are unable to wear them.

At the end of the chapter on the opening of the sixth seal, Revelation 6:17 we read “For the great day of His wrath has come and who is able to stand. God is about to pour out His wrath upon the earth. It is time for the saints to be raptured as both Jesus and Paul said, the saints will not experience God’s wrath.

Next in Revelation 7:9, John sees “behold a great multitude which no one could number of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues standing before the throne and the lamb clothed with white robes and palm trees in their hands.” Note they are no longer souls but have bodies and are wearing the white robes (The Rapture has occurred) and no longer complaining but crying out with a loud voice saying “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the lamb.”

Now what was the gem I observed that confirms The Rapture has occurs at the opening of the seventh seal?

In Revelation 8: at the opening of the seventh seal: “Then another angel having a golden censer (contains the prayers of all the saints) … and he was given much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” Revelation 8:3. Once the prayers of all the saints ascended before God, what does the angel do with the censer which held the prayers of the saints? “He filled it with fire from the altar and threw it to the earth. And there was noises and thunderings, lightnings and an earthquake” Then, the wrath of God began to be poured out on the earth with the trumpet and bowl judgements.

The Holy Spirit revelation for me was that the golden censer was no longer needed for the prayers of the saints as the prayers of all the saints had been offered up. They were now raptured, the censer could be thrown to the earth filled with fire to initiate the wrath of God being poured out. 

The following email from Nelson Walters was confirmation and an encouragement.

Nelson Walters <nelson@thegospelintheendtimes.com> wrote:

Ron,  Brother, it is good to hear from you.

First, your observation about the censor is brilliant. YES, another proof. Holy Spirit stuff.

Second, glad your considering a voice over on the PPS (sermons for the end times church), which can be muted or played as desired. I use a Blue Yeti plug-in microphone which is easy to use. Cost about $100 or so, but super easy and high quality.

Nelson

https://youtu.be/tkuSH6KIV_Y

DANIEL WAS TOLD KNOWLEDGE WOULD INCREASE

Posted on by

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12:4

The biggest global communication network roll out in history is about to begin. This prophecy given to Daniel by the angel Gabriel takes on new meaning when we consider what is unfolding in our time, in terms of increase in knowledge. There is an urgency now, to look at the 70 Weeks prophecy given to Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) in the light of the Revelation given to John who was told contrary to Daniel, do not seal the words of this prophecy for the time is at hand.

“And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand” Revelation 22:10

I’m sure you’ve heard about the coming fifth generation mobile network — or 5G — roll-out. You might have heard about the incredibly fast download speeds 5G allows, the low latency, and the awesome streaming power.

Everything in your entire house…wirelessly connected and communicating

Just this month, Amazon announced a new hardware product. It’s a microwave that can listen to your voice commands. The microwave wirelessly connects to Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa.

Alexa can already interact through voice, play music, set your alarm and update you on the news, sport and weather. Now, you can tell her to cook your potatoes the way you like them.

Wired just quoted Amazon’s senior vice president of devices as saying, ‘Just think, one day there will be thousands of these things in the home.’ We can add your office, gym and anywhere else you care to look.

LG is rolling out Google Assistant, which will have your TV talking to you. You’ll be able to change channels, check the weather and even organise your weekly shopping – without moving off the couch. And goodbye to hunting around the room looking for your remote control!

There could be 300 million smart speakers like Alexa sold by 2022.

Also coming are smart thermostats, baby monitors, security systems…and the list goes on. Billions of small, connected sensors are going to get rolled out everywhere.

Parking spots will know when cars enter and leave.

Farmers will know exactly how much fertiliser their plants need. Insurers might even know how close your car is to breaking down. The applications are endless.

The impending rollout of 5G networks worldwide happening now is going to finally usher in the long-awaited and talked about Internet of Things (IoT) reality.

This is where all devices and things are connected to the internet, communicating and sharing data.

This is what can make self-driving cars a reality…amongst many other things.

Bloomberg expects it to usher in automated manufacturing, remote surgery, driver-less cars and traffic control.

Vodafone in the UK just demonstrated a holographic phone call. A young football fan chatted with a player in front of a live audience — despite the two having the conversation being physically 190 miles apart!

Already mobile data traffic is exploding worldwide as shown by this graph. Well, 5G is going to allow the world to send massive amounts of data at incredibly fast speeds. The download speeds are going to be 10 to 100 times faster than 4G.

In September, The Australian quoted Telstra’s head of mobiles Kevin Teoh. He said, ‘We expect the implementation of 5G technology will facilitate applications and usage for mobile handsets that have not yet been imagined.’

ZDNet says it’s going to ‘…replace the future’.

The Financial Times calls it ‘…a game changer for humanity’.

And MIT Technology Review calls it ‘…the next technological revolution’ and a ‘…paradigm shift, akin to the shift from the typewriter to the computer’.

Jesus told us what it would be like before His second coming. “As in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Are you ready for Jesus return, are you prepared for the tribulation, even great tribulation in the last 2 1/2 years before the elect are raptured to heaven and the wrath of God is poured out on the ungodly.  Both books of the Bible, Daniel and Revelation, give us a detailed account of events in the last seven years prior to Jesus return to this earth, and they are unfolding just as God said they would.

WHEN WILL THE END COME?

Posted on by

More from Alan Kurschner of Eschatos Ministries:

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt 24:14).

Here we have another explicit prophecy that must happen before the end: the gospel being preached “throughout the whole inhabited earth.” Since Jesus taught in the Great Commission that the church will be on earth up to the end of the age, they will witness the fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy of the world-wide proclamation of the Gospel. Five words demonstrate this point: “then the end will come” (Matt 24:14). The church will not be removed until this prophecy is fulfilled. The church will not be raptured until this prophesied event happens.

On a related noted, having established that the church will be present on earth up to the end of the age in verse 14, notice in verse 15 Jesus says, “Therefore [oun] when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place…” The interpreter should not miss that Jesus has the same audience in view after verse 14. In verse 15, Jesus begins to describe the Antichrist’s great tribulation in more detail. There is no justification to claim that the referent “you” in verse 15 and afterwards is different from the “you” before verse 14. In other words, the disciples, who represent the new community of God (i.e. the church), are the consistent audience of Jesus’ entire discourse. In short, since the “you” before verse 15 represents the church, there is no reason—except for theological bias—that it represents anyone differently in verse 15 and afterwards.

Image result for pictures of gay couples getting married in church

The church will see “the abomination of desolation (Antichrist)  spoken of by Daniel, standing in the holy place”.

The question to ask: Is the church prepared for the coming tribulation? I think the answer is no for most of the major denominations, and it will be the reason for the prophesied great falling away. ” Let no one deceive you by any means for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed , the son of perdition. ” 2 Thess. 2:3. We are already seeing evidence of an apostate church.