December 29 - Revelation 11:1-14:20

Good morning everyone,

Today finds us halfway through the Tribulation period in our reading of the Book of Revelation. John has been given a reed like a measuring rod, which would be about ten feet high, and told to go measure the temple of God. Right now, in Jerusalem, there is no temple. The third and last temple built in the city was leveled, as Jesus told us in Matthew and in Luke it would be, by the Romans in 70 A.D. Interestingly enough, there are preparations already being made for the rebuilding (actually building) of the 4th temple, with videos circulating to promote the idea, so who knows how near or far in the future it will be. This is a really fascinating topic to me, one which the hand of God can clearly be seen putting things in place and while I could go on and on about it I will instead move on to the two witnesses who, “have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.” Another fascinating subject.

Who are these two witnesses? Well, it’s not known for sure, however, most everyone agrees they are Elijah and Moses and they do qualify. Elijah in 2 Kings called down fire from heaven, prayed for a drought, which ultimately happened, and actually Elijah actually never died. Remember? He instead rode to heaven in a fiery chariot. - Moses, he commanded all the plagues on Egypt beginning with turning the waters to blood and then too remember in Jude, Michael the archangel argued with satan over the body of Moses, God obviously had plans for it.

Both Elijah and Moses have history in revisiting earth once before, at the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17. So it is not a big stretch to put these two men in the temple square, prophesying for 1,260 days.

Life as we know it is going to be nonexistent, in these days to come. It will be messed up. A quarter of the population will have already been wiped out and the remaining folks will be required to wear the mark of the beast. We’re told, “all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, will be forced to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.” Don’t do it! I know it sounds absurd for me to even say that because who can fathom such a time. It sounds like a science fiction movie, no way can we wrap our heads around such mass killing and destruction or someone insisting we get a number tattooed on us. Right? But I am telling you, these events will take place. God does not lie. And if you are still on the face of this earth when all this goes down, friends, be strong, run and hide, stand and fight, do what ever is necessary to not let that mark be put on you because if you do … if you do … if you let them put the mark of the beast on your right hand or forehead then you, “will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” 

Friends, people, choose Jesus now. If I could figure out a way to say it stronger I would, it is that crucial. Don’t waste one more minute, fall to your knees, repent of your sins and ask Him into your heart to be your God, your Savior. Turn your life over to Him today. If you do, when you do, you will not face any of the wicked, out of control, torment that will run rampant during the tribulation period. You will have already been called up, with the rest of the church to meet Jesus in the heavens before it all gets started. I promise you, no one wants to be here after the rapture of the church, it will get more awful than your worst nightmare. Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Choose Jesus today. Tomorrow may be too late. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..