In the final analysis if we as believers aren’t prepared to stay, we really aren’t ready to go. This is how we must look at the time just ahead we know as the great trib. And what many believe will be the rapture, or catching away, of believers who are alive when Jesus comes.
A dear friend who I have had the pleasure to fellowship with once told me how thankful they were that God had opened their eyes to these truths. And that even though they had suffered for many years with a debilitating illness death no longer held them in fear.
It is this mindset, a heartset really, that we must all come to that shows how prepared we are to stay. Which helps us to know that we are ready to go. And how really it’s just our willingness to let go of the things of this world for the riches of what Jesus has prepared for us.
What we are seeing going on in the world today has every appearance of being what Rev.17 refers to as the 7th empire/kingdom coming into view. An empire defined by 10 horns or kings that have no kingdom yet. But, will receive their kingdom with the beast for one hour. An empire whose characteristic makes people talk a great deal about peace and safety.
I also wonder whether that one hour is to be taken literally or not. Because it seems such a short time if it is literal. But, either way these 10 kings spoken of by John here will come into view as they destroy the harlot and her mystery Babylon system she has used for centuries to rule the beast system.
I call the beast a beast system because in Rev.17:3 we see that the woman rides the beast. Which means she is controlling it. And being conveyed by it. As she turns it in whatever direction she chooses.
And in vs.9 that she also sits on 7 mountains that are 7 kingdoms. This too shows us that the beast can not be a person. Because these are historical empires, 5 of which have come and gone. While one is. And one is yet to come.
And in the 1st verse we see that she also sits on many waters. Waters that are defined for us in vs.15 as “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” Which again shows us the beast can not be a person.
So this is the beast she rides. A system made up of the peoples of the world. A system ruled by kings represented by the 7 heads and 10 horns. And as I said by mystery Babylon that Rev.18 says is the financial system we are currently using.
And since both the woman/harlot and mystery Babylon will be destroyed by the 10 kings I think we can safely assume that the peoples of the world work together with the 10 kings as they accomplish this.
We also see in vs.that she will not be around when antichrist comes on the scene. Because she and mystery Babylon are gone when the 10 kings of the 7th empire begin their rule. And this 7th empire will be dealt a serious blow that gives rise to the 8th John spoke of in vs.11 saying of this empire, “And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.”
Now as far as I can tell the establishing of the 10 kings empire is exactly what we are seeing happen today. As reports of celebrations from Iran have been taking place ever since the recent conflict there began. And as we’ve seen in other places like Venezuela and Cuba. As well as many other places around the world.
We also see this as the world is being divided up into regions. Becoming a multipolar world that resembles 1 10 kings kingdom. Which is why we see Pres Trump creating the board of peace and the recently announced shield of the Americas.
This is all leading up to a time when the people liking what they see will proclaim peace and safety throughout the world. And according to 1Thes.5:3 it will be during such a time as this that sudden destruction will come upon the whole earth.
Many believers believe that when this happens we will already have been caught up to be with the Lord. Taken in a rapture so that we will not go through this time of great upheaval.
But, those believers will be as prepared to stay as they are wanting to go. Or they will be part of the “falling away” Paul speaks of in 2Thes.2:3. And are really not ready to meet Jesus.
Because they want to stay to have more of the things this world has to offer. Rather than part of those faithful who happily give it up for what our savior has prepared for us in eternity.
The upheaval that is ahead for the world is known to many as the great tribulation. The time of Jacob’s trouble spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah in Jer.30:6-8. A time described by Jesus in Mt.24:21 as “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
A time Daniel spoke of in Dan.7 saying, “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.”
This beast is the eighth empire John spoke of in Rev.17:11 saying, “even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” This is the system of antichrist who in Rev.13:11 John says “spake as a dragon.” The one who in vs.16,17 we are told “causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 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 Daniel speaking of this man in Dan.7:8 who rules over the beast system during the 8th empire said, “8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.”
This is where we see the “sudden destruction” Paul said would come in 1Thes.5:3 when “they are saying peace and safety.” This talk of peace and safety is taken away when the little horn(AC) takes out 3 of the 10 horns/kings that were part of the 7th empire. And as we see in Rev.17:14 the 7 that are left will agree with the AC to fight against Jesus when He comes at the end of the great tribulation.
So these horns that destroyed the harlot and her mystery Babylon system are not good guys or “white hats” as so many are proclaiming today. This is why I refer to them as Satan’s team A. Even though it is God who puts it in their hearts to destroy the harlot. And the deep state harlot as Satan’s team B.
Some prophecy buffs are inclined to believe that the 10kings are the billionaire oligarchs who spend their money causing and solving problems in the world. But, I am more inclined to believe that the 10kings have not so openly showed themselves yet. And will be military men. Because they receive their kingdom with the beast for one hour. An hour that has yet to come.
But, time will tell.
This is what Daniel describes as he continues in vs.9 saying, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
In vs.11 Daniel says something very interesting about the beast system of the AC. He says, “I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn(the AC) spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”
So it appears that this system characterized by an AC, 2 witnesses, 7 horns, and peoples, and multitudes, and tongues is destroyed and given to the burning flame. To make way for the rule of Jesus over a system that according to Rev.20:4 lasts for a thousand years.
His body that is destroyed akin to what we know as the body of Christ. So that those who trusted in the AC are also shown to be given to the burning flame.
In Rev.20:4 John says of this system, “4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
For those at the judgment where the books are opened it will be agony. Because this is the great white throne judgment. Where only those who rejected Jesus’ gift of eternal life and immortality will be sent with the god they chose.
But, for us who have believed in Jesus and His resurrection there is another judgment. It is called the bema seat judgment. It is found in 1Cor.3:11-15. And Paul tells us here that only those who have trusted in Jesus are there. To receive reward for what they did in faith while living on earth.
This is the judgment where like the man who multiplied his talents in Mt.25:23 was told, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
But, as I said in the first part of this message in our hearts we must be prepared to stay to be ready to go when Jesus comes for His people at the time of the harpazo. When 1Thes.4:17,18 tells us believers are “caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Peter tells us in 2Peter3:9,10 that God wants all men to be ready in this way. He says, “9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…”
Is your heart prepared to stay and deal with the events and trials of the great trib? Have you committed your life to Jesus in this way? If so then you are ready to go when He comes. This is what Jesus said in Rev.3:10, “10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
But, if you have not believed in Jesus and His resurrection you will certainly face the events of the great trib. If physical death does not happen first. Either way it will not go well for those who remain in unbelief.
Because to be saved from eternal death to eternal life Paul says you must confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus. And believe in your heart that He has raised from the dead.
Do this and you will be prepared to stay… and because you are you will also be ready to go. Do this and Jesus will take you home just as He does the 5 wise virgins who kept their lamps filled with oil of Mt.25:1-12. Do this and a spirit will be created in you that makes you God’s child and heir to His kingdom. Do this… and I will see you there or in the air!
