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Yearly Archives: 2008

The Rapture (the glorification)

Our Transformation

The next fascinating element of observation during the rapture event is a transformation which will occur to all who are taken to be with Christ.  Just as humanity is given a body which is appropriate for life on earth, so the inhabitants of Heaven must be granted one which is equipped for life in Heaven. Continue Reading

The Rapture (the event)

The Rapture Event

The timing of the rapture is an issue of such great debate that eschatology is divided into groups over this issue.  Likewise, the very existence of a rapture creates yet another division in eschatology. Continue Reading

The Rapture (introduction)

Some students of God’s word are inhibited from believing in the rapture because the term does not appear in scripture.  However, while the term does not appear, one must be careful to use such a litmus test for excluding doctrines which are otherwise taught.  Another term which does not appear in scripture is the term “Trinity.”  And, like a theological understanding of the trinity, one must come to understand the rapture systematically, through a full study of scripture, rather than from any singular scriptural text.  Continue Reading

The Antichrist (his role)

Antichrist’s Role in Satan’s Counterfeit Program

Though it is too rarely focused on in eschatological study, there is a clear teaching in scripture of Satan’s counterfeiting work in his final program.  Through the course of this study this counterfeiting will be identified on several levels. Continue Reading

The Antichrist (his demonic nature)

Antichrist’s nature

Another key truth to grasp about Antichrist, in order to understand his role in the tribulation is to note that he is in some way satanic in nature.  In the context of any serious study of eschatology from a pre-millennial perspective, one understands clearly that Antichrist is given a great amount of power.  He will be a master deceiver, yet will have an impressive array of supernatural abilities which will give credibility to his claim to godhood.  It is at this point that the biblical student must come to terms with his nature so as to determine exactly how he is empowered to do the things he will be able to do.  He is either fully demonic, demon possessed, or in some other way receiving a great amount of dark spiritual power.  The question is, “exactly how?”  Being fully demonic is easily ruled out, because Antichrist is noted to be a man in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, being called “the man of lawlessness.”  And, being only a man is also ruled out by a truth which will be observed later in this work, whereby Antichrist will be cast into the Abyss, a place where elsewhere in the entire Bible only demons are ever sentenced to. Continue Reading

The Antichrist (about the Antichrist)

About The Antichrist

The “man of lawlessness” noted in 2 Thessalonians 2, above, bears the name “Antichrist” in First and Second John.  Antichrist is one of the most key players on Earth during the Great Tribulation, playing an important role as an agent of Satan.  And, although Antichrist is a being of satanic origins and purpose, he is also used of God to bring judgment to the Earth and to unfold God’s foretold plans among the nations. Continue Reading

Gog/Magog War (the timing)

When will this happen?

 

The first observation as to when this attack will happen must be the conclusion that it has not already occurred in the past.  For this battle to be prophetically accurate, several historical facts must come together perfectly, the first of which is the general description of the condition of Israel.  The land is described in Ezekiel 38:8 as a “land that has recovered from war,” and “whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate.”  There has been no historical period in Israel’s history which fits this description prior to 1948.  While Israel has been recovered from war, and has been gathered from captivity, she has not been gathered from “many nations” nor has she been gathered after a period of time where her mountains had long been desolate. Continue Reading

Gog/Magog War (the results)

What will happen as a result?

 

Essentially, the “what” is answered next.

Ezekiel 38:17-18 (NIV)17 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Are you not the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel? At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. 18 This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. Continue Reading