We’ve just come through the Jewish holiday of Purim. Most Christians give no thought to Jewish holidays, which is sad because many of them are days of rememberance which tell the history of God’s chosen people.
Purim is the celebration of the Persian Jews’ deliverance from the wicked Haman. He had devised a plan to destroy all the Jews out of the land on a certain day. He had a gallows built which he planned to hang Esther’s adopted father, Mordecai, on because he refused to bow to him, but only to God. When Mordecai learned of the plan, he sent word to Queen Esther in the palace, and instructed her to go before the king. After some persuasion, and a period of prayer and fasting, Esther dared to go before King Ahasuerus without being summoned to plead for the lives of her people.
“Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.“ (Esther 4:15-16)
Esther won the king’s favor, and the Jews across Persia were given authority to fight back on the day Haman had chosen to wipe them out. For good measure, the king granted a second day to be certain they were avenged of their adversaries.
There was great celebration throughout the land. Oh, and Haman? He was hung on the gallows he had built to hang Mordecai on.
“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” (Esther 7:10)
Present Day
Every year for over 2,500 years, the Jewish people all over the world celebrate Purim, remembering their deliverance from the wicked Persian Haman’s plan of destruction.This year’s Purim celebrations on March 2nd through 3rd were a bit extra.
As it turns out, the same demonic prince of Persia who influenced Haman all those years ago has been planning the destruction of the Jewish people once again. Persia is modern day Iran, and the government of Iran has worked tirelessly to destroy the Jewish people for decades. For almost fifty years they have been very vocal and unapologetic in calling America the big satan, and Israel the little satan. Vowing time and again to wipe both nations off the face of the map.
The Iranian government has not ceased in its attacks of the Jewish people, and has continually used terrorists proxy groups to do their bidding, creating what is known as the “Ring of Fire” surrounding the nation. I will point out here that Israel is a very small country, and without God’s protection, would indeed be wiped out.
Purim 2026
Regardless of whether we agree or disagree with the Israeli and American joint military action against Iran, it is very interesting to note that it was actively being carried out on Purim 2026. On the exact dates that Jewish people around the world were celebrating Purim, their government was fighting with the same geopolitical government from those 2,500 years ago. It is said that history repeats itself, and it does seem so in this respect.
I also find the following scriptures interesting as they seem to prophecy the downfall of the Iranian government, and the captivity of Elam (modern day Iran) being turned back to God. We know there are underground Christians works in Iran, who will hopefully be able to worship the One True Living God publicly soon.
The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the Lord; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:
And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the Lord.
But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the Lord.“ (Jeremiah 49:34-39)
Hope The Future
The terrorist regime that has controlled Iran for almost fifty years has greatly oppressed and tortured the wonderful people of this nation. I pray a new government will come into power that will allow these precious people to thrive -living, working, and worshipping in the Light of Truth.
Sadly, we know that at some point satan will once again reign over Iran because it (biblical Persia) is listed as one of the nations that will come against Israel at the Battle of Armageddon. Until then, however, we pray for the protection and peace of the citizens of Iran, and for many souls to come to know the Lord.
”And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Revelation 11:3)
Scripture speaks of two witnesses who will appear on the end time scene, and preach during the last three and one half years before Jesus returns. Throughout history, God has tasked men and women to preach and prophecy to the nation of Israel, warning them to turn to God with their whole hearts in order to avoid impending judgment. These two men will operate in the same fashion as prophets of old.
The Time Period
The number of days that these witnesses will preach is 1,360 days. This coincides with the final three and one half years before Jesus returns called the Great Tribulation. In the near future, there will be a 7 year covenant (peace agreement) signed which will allow for the building of the third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Both Jews and Muslims will worship on this holy site, which can hardly be comprehended, knowing the violent history of these two groups. From the time the covenant is signed, there will be seven final years before Jesus returns.
There will be “peace” for the first three and one half years of this final seven year period. At the midpoint of these seven years, however, the two witnesses’ ministry will be launched when an event we call the abomination of desolation takes place. This event is when the antichrist will step into the newly built Jewish Temple, stop the daily animal sacrifices, and proclaim himself to be God, or the anointed one, messiah for all peoples. This event will trigger the three and one half year Great Tribulation, and God’s two witnesses will begin their final ministry of preaching to the Jewish people in Jerusalem, encouraging them to turn to God with their whole hearts, and be born again according to Acts 2:38.
What Will They Preach?
Unlike prophets of the Old Testament who didn’t live under the New Covenant, these two men will no doubt be Born Again of water and Spirit. They will preach Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, of course. They will be witnesses of the New Birth message of Jesus Christ, patterned in the Book of Acts. It is the only true salvation message of the New Testament.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
A Powerful Ministry
Their ministry will be power packed with signs, wonders and miracles. This is God’s final attempt to get the attention of the Jewish people, and whosoever will come to him in this last harvest. The two witnesses will have His supernatural protection until their ministry is accomplished.
“And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” (Revelation 11:5-6)
Elijah, Enoch Or Moses?
Perhaps we should approach the identity of the two witnesses by talking about who they cannot be. Many people think the two witnesses will be either Elijah and Enoch, or Elijah and Moses. There are several reasons for this line of thinking.
ELIJAH?
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6)
Since Elijah is most often mentioned as a candidate for one of the two witnesses, let’s begin with him. As you can see from the above scripture, there is good reason to suspect the fiery prophet to be one of the two witnesses, except for these two things.
1. Jesus explained to His disciples that this prophecy referred to John the Baptist, and that he had already come. The prophecy was fulfilled when John came in the spirit of Elijah. John carried the same anointing as the Old Testament prophet Elijah.
“But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” (Matthew 17:12-13)
Jesus does precede this statement by pointing to a future time when Elijah will come. This could mean that one or both of the two witnesses will come in the spiritual anointing of Elijah just as John the Baptist did according to the precedent that had already been set.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.“ (Matthew 17:10-11)
2. Elijah was taken up into Heaven in a fiery chariot. People refer to this to say that Elijah never actually died, so he can come back as one of the two witnesses. I would point out that no unregenerate flesh will enter into Heaven. The only way people go to Heaven is in their new, sinless bodies. Knowing this, Elijah must have experienced the same change from mortality to immortality that we will experience at the time of the rapture. That being said, Elijah is already in his immortal body, and since the two witnesses are killed at the end of their three and one half year ministry, Elijah is removed from the candidate list.
ENOCH?
The argument for Enoch being one of the two witnesses is the same as for Elijah. He pleased God so much that God took him on to Heaven without experiencing death. Again, I would point out that even though Enoch didn’t experience death as we know it, he must have experienced the change from mortality to immortality in order to be taken into the heavenly realm. He cannot put back on mortality as if it’s a garment to be one of the two witnesses.
“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.“ (Genesis 5:24)
MOSES?
The argument for Moses being one of the two witnesses is that when Moses died, God Himself buried him. Later, it is recorded that satan apparently wanted the body of Moses, and the archangel Gabriel withstood him.
The deceased body of this mighty prophet and deliverer was a hot commodity to both God and satan. Why would that be? God loved this man dearly. He spoke to Moses face to face as with a friend. He took care to not let his body fall into the hands of those who would misuse it. If the Israelites had his body, they would likely build a shrine and idolize it. If satan had his body, he would likely possess it to be worshipped. God made sure neither of these options were possible.
“So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.” (Deuteronomy 34:5-6)
“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.“ (Jude 9)
MOSES & ELIJAH?
The last combination I’ll mention is that of Moses & Elijah being the two witnesses. When Jesus was transformed in the presence of his disciples on the mountain, Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. The disciples noted that these two great prophets of old were conversing with Jesus, and spoke specifically of his coming death. This is so incredibly interesting.
God raised these two faithful men up for a short time, and interacted with them. As for why Moses was allowed this time with Jesus, it can be assumed that because he wasn’t allowed to go into the Promise Land during his life, Jesus allowed him stand and see it in his spirit body.
I’ll point out here that These two men were in their immortal bodies. They had both experienced the change from mortality to immortality. While God did raise them up for a short while, presumably a few minutes of conversation, they cannot die again. Therefore, they cannot be the two witnesses of the end time.
“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.” (Matthew 17:1-3)
So Who Are They???
Why is it easier to believe that God will raise someone from the dead to fulfill this ministry in the last days, rather than to believe He will use two men of God who are alive right now? Every minister is called to their own generation. The end time church is made up of One God, Apostolic, Jesus Name, Holy Ghost Filled, Tongue Talking, Holiness individuals. The two witnesses of the book of Revelation will be two of those people.
They will walk the streets of Jerusalem proclaiming the New Testament plan of salvation. Acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Messiah. Repent. Be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins. Receive the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues. Turn to God with all your hearts. Live holy.
This is the message of the New Testament End Time Church. This will be the message of God’s two witnesses during those final three and one half years.
Killed, Resurrected & Raptured
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” (Revelation 11:7-8)
And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.“ (Revelation 11:11-12)
When they have finished their ministry, they will be killed, and will lay in the streets of Jerusalem for three and one half days. But after this, God will bring life back into their bodies, and they will be caught up into Heaven.
…This sounds familiar…
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.“ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
This is the Rapture, or Catching Away of the Church. The resurrection and ascension of the two witnesses is not an isolated event. They are resurrected and caught up to be with Jesus at the same time as the saints of all the ages. Now we also know the timing of the Rapture of the Church.
In Summary
The two witnesses are not ethereal spirit beings or Old Testament prophets risen from the dead. They will be born again saints in the modern New Testament Church, preaching the same message that has been preached since the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two.
Are they alive today? I’d say it’s likely.
Do they realize who they are? I’d say it’s beginning to dawn on them.
How can we help them? Begin praying for them daily even though you don’t know their names.
End Time Revival
The two witnesses’ ministry will be in Jerusalem, but there will be great harvest of souls from all around the world in the last days. The whole Church will be involved in this great revival. I pray that you are born again, sold out to Truth, and willing to be His witness during this last great push for souls before Jesus returns to set up His earthly Kingdom.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:10-14)
Have you asked yourself that question? Or do you push the thought to the back of your mind, hoping it’ll all work out? Lest you think I’m a doomsdayist, I live on the east side of the New Madrid fault line. In 1811-1812, there were a series of earthquakes along the fault so severe the Mississippi River flowed backwards for days, creating what we now know as Reelfoot Lake.
There is a better than average chance of a similar instance occurring again. This time in much more populated areas.
I also live in what we fondly call “Tornado Alley.” Our home which we built seventeen years ago, has been nicked by tornados twice, and narrowly missed on multiple occasions.
Only a few years ago, a neighboring town was all but destroyed by a local flood. Many people lost their lives. Some never recovered financially, physically, emotionally or spiritually.
These facts, and a looming snow/ice event in the weather forecast, cause me to spend a bit of time thinking about the next natural disaster. I don’t live in fear, and that’s absolutely NOT what this post is intended for. I do, however, think we should be some level of prepared.
With all of that having been said, Here a some things to think about.
1. Make certain you are right with God. This means being born again according to Acts 2:38, and living a lifestyle that aligns with His Word. If you are genuinely born again, whatever else happens out of your control is secondary of importance.
”Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
2. Make sure you are where you are suppose to be. By this I mean pray sincerely, and ask the Lord if you are living, working, raising your family and attending church where He desires you to be. In a natural disaster, or other traumatic event, location matters. Your basic needs will be the same, but access to meeting those needs will be very different depending on where you live.
3. Cultivate strong relationships with your family and church family. Get to know your neighbors. You’re going to need them. You might be considering holding up in your basement with tons of ammo, peanut butter & crackers and bottled water. I advise against that. In traumatic circumstances, people will come, and as Christians, we are called to help one another. If you haven’t watched the Angel Studio film, Homestead, I suggest you do so.
4. Learn To Pray & Fast. Teach your children and grandchildren to pray & fast.
5. Community is important. One family can’t realistically save enough food and supplies for years. Neighbors can bind together, form a co-op system, and help one another.
Two Upcoming Events
If you have read this far, then you’ve probably realized I’m not only referring to the threat of natural disasters. There are two future events prophecied in the Bible that we should prepare for.
1. The 6th Trumpet War or what we refer to as World War III. This war is coming, and it will be nuclear. There will be a catastrophic loss of life. Scripture says one third of mankind will be killed. No matter how much America is involved, or not involved, in this war, lifestyles will change overnight. Basic necessities that we take for granted now (even though expensive), may be completely out of reach.
“Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.” (Revelation 9:14-15)
2. The Tribulation. This period will last three and one half years. At some point in the near future, the antichrist will confirm a seven year covenant. This will allow for a “peace” agreement between the Israelis and the Palestians, and create a two state sharing agreement for the Temple Mount. Construction on the Jews 3rd Temple will begin, and animal sacrifices will resume. At the hallway point of the seven year period, the antichrist will step into the Temple, stop the sacrifices, and proclaim himself to be God (Messiah). This event is known as the Abomination of Desolation, and will trigger the three and one half years tribulation period.
”For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)
Practical Preparations
After either of these events happen, life will be changed. We will go from frivolous pastimes to focusing on basic life necessities. What will your family need to have those basic needs met? Here a a few to think about:
-Water. Many people would think about food first. However, the body can go many days without food, but only a few days without water. Everyone should have a flat of bottled water on hand, but let’s face it, that will only last a few days to a week at best. Do you have a well? Do you live near a stream, river, pond or lake? Remember to boil water to kill bacteria. In a pinch, you can use 8-10 drops of unscented bleach per 1 gallon of water.
-Shelter, Blankets, Flashlights, First Aid Kit, Solar-powered radio, Generator, Extra gasoline, Propane for Grills, Soap, Disinfectants, Bleach, Lighters, Matches, Candles
-Bibles, Books, Paper, Pens & Pencils (Think old school)
-Ground Coffee & Percolator, Toilet Paper (Okay, so not essential, but as long as we’re preparing…)
-Food. I want to be very clear here. I AM NOT PROMOTING HOARDING IN ANY FORM OR FASHION! I am suggesting that you collect enough food to get your family through at least a week, up to three months. If you experience a local natural disaster, you might need a week’s worth of food. If you experience a national disaster, you might need enough food to last through a winter season.
Canned Food is great if you have room to store it. Military MREs are also an option, but take up a lot of space, and can get quite expensive. Here is what I have chosen to do.
I store dried beans and rice in gallon size Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. This is a relatively inexpensive system compared to canned food or MREs. When done properly, the food lasts up to 25 years. The process is easy. (Trust me; if I can do it, you can do it.)
Mylar Bag & Oxygen Absorbers System
You Will Need
-Dried Beans/Rice (Economical & Healthy) You can store any dried foods.
-Hot Iron to seal bags (I use an electric hair straightener. It works perfectly.)
-Tub with tight fitting lid (This keeps mice from chewing bags.)
The Process
-Purchase Dried Beans, Rice, Pasta, etc.
-Pour Into Bags
-Label Bags With Contents & Date
-Seal Bags With Hot Iron
-Store In Tub With Lid
Packed. Sealed. Labeled.
*I had all of the bags of dried beans poured up, sealed, labeled and put in the tub in about 20 minutes. Easy Peasy.
In Summary
I want to reiterate that I am not promoting hoarding. First, there is really no way to save enough food & water for three and a half years, much less all of the other supplies and essentials. Second, as I said, people will come. Are you going to deny food and basic essentials to people who are hungry? Or will you be a true Christian, showing compassion? Hard times are coming, but with them will also come great opportunities to BE THE CHURCH. Third, let’s not forget having faith in God. He will meet us at the point of our need.
”God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
Warm Regards In Jesus’ Name,
-Pat
PS: If you have ideas or tips for food storage or practical supplies to add to my list, drop it in the comments.
PSS: I am not a prepper, hoarder, isolationist, panic-provoker or fear-monger. I simply think a bit of preparedness can’t hurt.
I recently listened to an episode of the podcast Apostolic Life In The 21st Century where the question was asked, “Why don’t we see more devils cast out in North America?” My immediate thought was that the enemy doesn’t have to rely on possessing people in America or other developed countries. Most of humanity in these areas have already forfeited control over their lives and souls to him.
SIDE NOTE
Demon possession most often happens when a person has repeatedly initiated, invited or otherwise opened themselves up to demonic activity, often through occult practices.
Revelation chapter six describes four spirits that will control masses of people in the years before Jesus returns for His people, and sets up His earthly Kingdom. No one enjoys the feeling of being controlled. We like the feeling of having the ability to make autonomous choices. Those of us who are part of the born again Church, however, willingly give control over our lives to the Spirit of God. People who are not part of the born again Church, even many who proclaim Christianity, are being controlled by one of these four endtime spirits without even realizing it.
The skeletal structure of the book of Revelation consists of Seals, Trumpets and Vials. Together, they reveal Jesus Christ as Savior, Redeemer and King of all kings. The seals are the long story ending at Armageddon. The trumpets are the shorter story ending at Armageddon, and the vials are the really short story, also ending at Armageddon. The four spirits we cover today are loosed when the first four seals are opened.
These four endtime spirits are symbolized by riders upon different colored horses. Notice that it is Jesus, symbolized as the Lamb, who actually opens the seals, and allows these four spirits to be released in the earth. As we study each one, we realize this isn’t for a time in the far distant future. All four of these evil spirits have been influencing masses of people on the earth for many years.
THE WHITE HORSE
“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:1-2)
Upon first glance we might think the rider on this white horse is Jesus Christ. But remember, these four spirits are evil spirits sent forth to influence, deceive and control masses of the population. This horse is white symbolizing a false holiness. It is not Jesus. Nor is it His true church. On the contrary, the book of Revelation calls her the “mother of harlots.” This false church looks and teaches nothing like that of the early Church birthed in the book of Acts. Revelation 18:4 admonishes us to “…Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” The rider wears a crown symbolizing false royalty or deity. He carries a bow with no arrows symbolizing spiritual warfare. Yet he is sent forth to conquer the masses. This spirit had already infiltrated the Church, and controlled many as early as the 2nd century, and had become a stronghold over the masses by the time of the Counsel of Nicea in 325 A.D. The rider of the white horse is CATHOLICISM.
THE RED HORSE
“And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (Revelation 6:3-4)
The rider upon the red horse is sent to rob masses of the population of their peace. He brings much death through warfare. What geopolitical system in modern time has consistently caused much bloodshed through its influence and warmongering ideology? It began in 1848 with the publication of the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and continued to become a full fledged political system by 1917. It is an ideology of warmongering, and government control, recognized by the color red. The rider of the red horse is COMMUNISM.
THE BLACK HORSE
“And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”(Revelation 6:5-6)
The rider upon the black horse is carrying a set of balances or scales. A voice is heard that sounds suspiciously like a stock market report. Commodities are being weighed and adjusted. The rider of the black horse influences commerce. He is CAPITALISM.
I’ll take a little time here because most of the people reading this live in North America where the spirit of capitalism has such a stronghold. It’s known as the Land of Opportunity and the American Dream. Sadly, that dream most often revolves around getting, having, buying, owning and acquiring more stuff. Not only tangible possessions, but hobbies, pastimes, activities, events, trips, vacations, sports, concerts, clubs, groups, fashion, technology, business opportunities and the list goes on.
Our culture is completely consumed with wanting, pursuing and having more. All of this together leads to the constant feeding of flesh, and promoting of self. People who are controlled by the spirit of capitalism find it very difficult to become grounded and consistent in their local church. They may claim Christianity, and even be born again, but allow the smallest thing to keep them from being faithful in their walk with God.
THE PALE (GREEN) HORSE
“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:7-8)
There was a religious belief system birthed when the Arab military leader Muhammad received a visitation from a supposed angel, proclaiming him to be the messenger of God. From this, the radical belief system emerged that has promoted all manner of persecution, torture and death to anyone who wouldn’t convert. We’ve seen the rise of groups such as ISIS beheading people in public executions, and we continue to see radical leaders from these groups getting control over our cities and communities through liberal political policies. Americans are generally very naive and slow to realize the lengths these radical followers will go in order to establish a worldwide caliphate. Green is their banner. The rider upon the green horse is ISLAMISM.
SIDE NOTE
I realize this passage uses the word “pale.” The original Greek word, however, is “Chloros,” which means GREEN. It is the same root word that we get the word chlorophyll from, obviously referring to the process whereby grass gets its green coloring. The original translators of the scripture knew there was no such thing as a green horse, so they used a word they thought was more fitting. The AUTHOR of the Bible, however, knew there would be a religious ideology in the last days that would use the color green as their banner of recognition.
IN SUMMARY
The riders of the four horses in Revelation 6 are CATHOLICISM, COMMUNISM, CAPITALISM and ISLAMISM. They are not simply life choices, ways of thinking, or groups of people who choose to believe the same thing. They are ideologies propagated by evil spirits, whose purpose is to influence masses of the population away from the One True Living God.
The hard truth is that if you are not willingly influenced by, and submitted to, the Holy Spirit of God, then you are most likely controlled by one of these spirits. This is the case for most of humanity. If this is the case for you, then satan has no real reason to attack, persecute, oppress or possess you. He has already drawn you away from seeking God in Truth.
Hopefully, you will become more aware of the influence of these spirits in the world, as well as in your own life. In order to insure you do not fall under the control of one or more of these spirits, you must be born again. Your enemy satan is the god of this world. He will use one of these ideologies to control you unless you take action. The way to be born again and make sure your life is submitted to Jesus Christ is found in the book of Acts.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
***Again I ask, what spirit is controlling you?***
“And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:” (Numbers 19:1-2)
How in the world can a red cow cause so much controversy? The cow I’m referring to is of course the red heifer of Numbers chapter nineteen.
The ordinance of the red heifer was a divine command from God to Moses and Aaron. It was for the purpose of bringing the Children of Israel back into purity from being in contact with death. If you continue to read the nineteenth chapter of Numbers, you will find the instructions for this ceremony which included burning the heifer with cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet. The ashes from the burnt heifer would then be mixed with pure water, and used to sprinkle the people, as well as everything used in the Tabernacle service.
IS IT THE DAILY SACRIFICE?
Inevitably, when there is discussion about the Ceremony of the Red Heifer, people confuse it with the daily sacrifices for sin. In Bible times, the daily sacrifices for sin happened morning and evening in the courtyard of the Temple, upon the brazen altar. Since the temple was destroyed in 70A.D., the daily sacrifices ceased. They will resume once the third Jewish Temple is rebuilt.
The burning of the red heifer is technically a ceremony for purification, not a sacrifice for sin. The ashes from one heifer were saved, and mixed with new ashes before they ran out. In this way, the ashes were perpetual through the generations.
WHY DOES ISRAEL NEED A QUALIFIED RED HEIFER?
Scripture tells us that a third Jewish temple will be built in the near future before the return of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. In order for the Temple to be built, and temple service to resume, everyone involved, plus the Temple Mount and all instruments and furnishings must be sprinkled with the water of purification made from the ashes of the red heifer.
Recent progress toward peace between the Jews and various Muslim nations through the Abraham Accords show that the stage is being set. In the near future, there will a a two-state solution deal made between the Israelis and the Palestinians. When this deal is done, it will allow for the building of the third Jewish temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem right beside the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. While it seems inconceivable from the natural viewpoint, knowing the history of hostility between these two groups, scripture assures us it will happen.
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” (Revelation 11:1-2)
Organizations like the Temple Institute in Jerusalem have already recreated all of the Temple furnishings, instruments for sacrifice and have qualified priests of the lineage of Aaron ready to perform the daily sacrifices. Everything is in place and waiting for a peace deal that will allow Temple construction to begin.
Other than the soon coming peace agreement, the only other missing element to building the third temple has been the ashes of the red heifer. However, that has recently changed.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HEIFER
In order to be qualified (pure) to be used in the purification ceremony, the heifer in question must meet several requirements. According to Numbers 19, it must be at least in its third year of life, a heifer (unbred female), completely red in color, have no blemish and have never been used for any work or had a yoke placed upon it.
HOW HARD COULD IT BE?
Considering the short list of requirements, how hard could it possibly be to find a qualified red heifer for this ceremony? Harder than you might imagine. When the second Jewish temple was destroyed by the Roman army in 70AD, the ashes which were being used at that time were hidden and/or lost.There hasn’t been a qualified red heifer in Israel for over 2,000 years…Let that sink in…TWO THOUSAND YEARS! …Two Millennia…Until recently.
THE MIRACLE OF ACQUIRING THE HEIFERS
In September of 2022, a Texas rancher named Byron Stinson facilitated the shipment of five red heifers from a ranch in Texas to Israel. These cattle had been meticulously inspected multiple times by Jewish rabbis to insure their purity. In their third year. No two hairs of any color but pure red could be touching. No blemish whatsoever. They watched, waited and inspected with bated breath, until finally the heifers could be proclaimed pure.
There were many miraculous elements leading up to the shipment of the cattle, but two stand out:
1. Normally, it would be required for cattle being shipped to be tagged in their ears. Of course, this would have disqualified the heifers immediately to be used in the purification ceremony. Because it was in the middle of the covid pandemic, however, the cattle were allowed to be shipped without being tagged, preserving their purity.
2. Also because of covid, no livestock were being shipped into or out of Israel (as well as other countries.) There was a little known provision, however, that up to five pets could be shipped in. Miraculously, five heifers were able to be shipped, under this provision, arriving in Israel on September 15, 2022.
SIDE NOTE
Remember the story of Jacob working for his uncle, Laban in Genesis 30-31. He received cattle for payment. Over time, he amassed a large herd of “ringstraked, speckled and spotted” cattle. When he left Laban’s employment, these are the cattle he took home to Israel. These spotted cattle would have mixed with whatever native cattle were in Israel, and diluted the solid-colored bloodlines. This is a major factor in why it has been so difficult to find a pure red heifer for the purification ceremony. *Jewish history tells us that there have only been nine qualified red heifers since the time of Moses…until now.
THE MIRACLE OF ACQUIRING THE ASHES
A “practice’ burning of a heifer was done on July 1, 2025. This was done by the exact standards that a “real” burning would be done. It was performed in order to make sure everyone involved knew how to perform their role, and also to know how much ash one heifer would produce.
Even though it was intended to be a practice run, according to Byron Stinson, something miraculous occurred that allowed it to be authentic. In an INTERVIEW with Dave Robbins of Endtime Ministries, Mr. Stinson gave this account of the event. (Paraphrased):
He said they were attempting to load the heifer to be used for the practice burning. It was a small heifer that had become disqualified in some way. She was avoiding the cattle trailer, and they kept trying to hem her in, and press her into the trailer. While they were trying to corral her, one of the big, beautiful pure heifers simply walked into the trailer by herself.
Mr. Stinson said in the interview that he told the others he would get her out of the trailer. But seemingly without even thinking about it, one of the rabbis made an instant decision to leave the qualified heifer in the trailer, and use her.
What was suppose to be a practice burning, turned out to be a perfectly done ceremony, with a perfectly pure and qualified red heifer. The ashes from this heifer were collected and saved.
If, at some point in the future, they decide to burn another qualified heifer, and use its ashes, they have that prerogative, but for all practical and biblical purposes, they can use the ashes they already have.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
The only thing still missing to build a third Jewish Temple is a peace agreement between the Jews and the Palestinians. The signing of this agreement/covenant will begin the final seven years before Jesus returns, and will happen in the near future. When it does, construction on the Temple will begin very quickly. The Jews have waited 2,000 years to worship in their Temple on the Temple Mount. They are more than eager to get started.
Still, you may be asking what that has to do with prophecy, the endtime or you personally. When the Temple is built, animal sacrifice will resume. It will be into this Temple that the antichrist will step, stop the daily sacrifices and proclaim himself to be God (Messiah.) This event is known as the abomination of desolation, and will trigger the great tribulation and the final three and a half years before the return of Jesus Christ.
IN SUMMARY
While we shouldn’t allow endtime events to cause us fear and anxiety, we should pay attention in order to know where on the timeline we are. There has never been a more exciting time to be alive and serving God! If you have questions regarding endtime prophecy, events or how to make sure you are right with God, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Another great source of information on the topic is ENDTIME MINISTRIES.
Chernobyl Memorial. Monument of the Third Angel -Photo Credit: Darmon Richter
Where are we right now in endtime prophetic events? Most people believe everything after Revelation chapter 3 is still in the future. The truth is, we are presently living much further down the line of endtime events than people think, or want to admit. Let’s look at the seven trumpets to find out where we are, and what we can expect in the near future.
7 TRUMPETS
We are going to begin by identifying the Third Trumpet. This is the first trumpet of the seven that God revealed to the late Rev. Irvin Baxter of Endtime Ministries.
3rd TRUMPET: Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster 1986
“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” (Revelation 8:10-11)
The key to understanding the third trumpet is the word wormwood. The Ukrainian word for wormwood is Chernobyl. If you were reading a Ukrainian Bible, you would actually read the word Chernobyl instead of Wormwood.
In 1986, the world‘s worst nuclear disaster happened in Chernobyl Ukraine. The nuclear reactor exploded, and the massive dome was thrown into the sky, and feel like a burning star. The nuclear fallout caused poison rain, which in turn poison, the waters. Approximately 1000 mi.² across Europe was contaminated and deemed unlivable. Thousands of people died, and countless birth defects are still being reported almost 40 years later.
Picture above is one of several Chernobyl memorials called Monument of the Third Angel, a direct reference to the third trumpet in Revelation 8.
Now, knowing we are looking for world events, and also knowing the identity of the third trumpet being the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, we must look back further than this point in history to identify trumpets one and two. They will obviously be major world events…
1st TRUMPET: World War l (1914-1918)
“The first Angel sounded, and they followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were casted up upon the Earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.” (Revelation 8:7)
Retreating forces, especially Russia, implemented the “Scorched Earth Policy.” They would purposely destroy all resources that might be useful to their enemies. This would include, but was not limited to, burning all crops and vegetation, leaving the land completely wasted. *World War I was also the first time biological weapons were used.
2nd TRUMPET: World War ll (1939-1945)
“And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; and the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.” (Revelation 8:8-9)
The first nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. If you look at images of this explosion, you will agree that to John, it would have absolutely looked like a mountain burning with fire. The nuclear fallout wreaked devastation to the sea life.
The scripture also very accurately declares one third of all ships in the war would be destroyed. History records 36,387 of 105,125 ships in WWll were destroyed.
4th TRUMPET: Length of Days Shortened (1989-)
“And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.” (Revelation 8:12)
”And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:22)
The Berlin Wall came down in 1989. This event marked the birth of the New World Order, and initiated the major push toward a One World Government. Since this time, our days have actually gotten shorter. Remember how days seemed to go on forever? Gone are the “dog days of summer.” Not just because we’re getting older, but the length of each day has actually been cut by one third. *We know this prophecy cannot be referring to the number of days because of scriptures giving us an exact number of days from the Abomination of Desolation to the coming of the Lord.
”And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Daniel 12:11)
I remember thinking about this prophecy, and wondering how people wouldn’t notice if each day was shortened by one-third. The thought came to me that if the whole universe was sped up at the same time, most people wouldn’t notice for the most part, except to feel like they didn’t have nearly enough time to get their work done in a day, and not enough time to sleep and be refreshed at night. Turns out that’s exactly how we all feel.
Even though this shortening of days seems to make our lives feel overwhelming at present, there’s coming a time during the tribulation period when we’ll be so thankful the days don’t go on and on. According to Matthew 24, this shortening of days is for the Church’s sake.
5th TRUMPET: Gulf War (1990-1991)
“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.“ (Revelation 9:1-3)
Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990. He set 700 oil wells ablaze. The sky was darkened for approximately ten months from the smoke. Several months of that time it was so dark, the sun could not be seen in the middle of the day.
“And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.“ (Revelation 9:7-9)
The military aircraft John would have seen in this vision would have looked to him like great metallic locusts “stinging” people with their tails. He would have seen the pilots faces and heard the rotors beating the air like thundering horses. Helicopters are often painted with fierce faces on the front, as well.
“And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.“ (Revelation 9:11)
The Hebrew word “Abaddon” and the Greek word “Apollyon” both mean DESTROYER. By no coincidence, the name “Saddam” also means DESTROYER.
6th TRUMPET: World War lll (?)
“And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.” (Revelation 9:13-16)
World War lll, also called the Sixth Trumpet War, is the next event on the timeline of endtime events. This war will emanate from the Euphrates River region. There are four nations that border the Euphrates -Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. Shockingly, the prophecy declares that one-third of humanity will be destroyed in this war. Over 2 billion people. It will no doubt be a series of nuclear exchanges for this number of people to be killed. Although we need to be in sincere prayer in this endtime, this event is unavoidable. It is set on God’s prophetic calendar, and will happen in the near future.
7th TRUMPET: The Return of Jesus Christ (The Near Future)
“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. 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.”
We are the generation who will most likely see the return of Jesus to set up his earthly Kingdom. This series of events will include the wrath of God being poured out, the Rapture of the Church, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, our return with Jesus to the Battle of Armageddon to put an end to all human government, and established Him as King of all.
IN SUMMARY
Did you take note of the timeline? We are presently living between the 5th and 6th trumpets. Five of seven are behind us! Knowing that we are so far along the timeline of endtime events should cause us to live closer to the Lord than ever before. We should pray like we’ve never prayed before. We should fast like we’ve never fasted before. We should witness like we’ve never witnessed before. We should use our callings and giftings to help a lost world. That ministry you’ve been planning on pursuing…Now’s the time. It’s time to get serious about the things of God.
There are many misunderstood scriptures in the Bible, but of them all, Matthew 24:36 is one of the most misinterpreted. Let me begin by saying I in no way disagree with this verse. At the present time, no one knows the day or hour Jesus will return. When Jesus spoke these words two thousand years ago, there was no way his disciples could have known the timing of the rapture. Why is this?
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
THE USE OF PRESENT TENSE
Notice that this scripture is spoken by Jesus, and recorded, in present tense. The use of the word ‘knoweth’ helps us understand that He was speaking literally about his present time, not ours.
It wasn’t intended for his original disciples’ generation to know. If He had chosen to let them know it would be another 2,000 years before His return, not only would they not have been able to comprehend it, but they would have been so completely overcome by grief that they would not have been able to face the upcoming trauma of his death.
A HEAVY WEIGHT
We see from Daniel how the burden of knowing too much information out of season is too heavy to carry. He received much revelation about the end time, and it was almost more knowledge than he could know and still function, making him sick for many days.
”And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.” (Daniel 8:27)
FOR A FUTURE GENERATION TO KNOW
When he desired to know when these things would happen, God let him know clearly it wasn’t for him to know in his lifetime.
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4)
“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:8-9)
Likewise, Jesus basically gave His disciples the same answer when they wanted to know the timing of future events. Possibly only minutes away from His ascension into Heaven, He focused them, instead, on receiving the Holy Ghost which was soon to be poured out in order to receive strength and power to persevere and be effective witnesses.
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” (Acts 1:6-7)
KNOWING THE SEASON
Jesus did, however, list signs which were recorded so the generation that would be alive at the time of His return would recognize the season. This list can be found in his great end time discourse in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. Here are a few:
Wars and rumors of war, famines, pestilence, earthquakes in diverse (different) places. Most people continue to look at this list as if it’s still in the future. In reality, we’ve been living in this season for many years.
WHEN WILL WE KNOW?
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Daniel 12:10-11)
There is coming a time in the near future when a third Jewish temple will be built. When that happens, the Jewish people will reinstitute animal sacrifices, as God required in the Old Testament. Soon after this occurs, a person, still unknown to us, who we refer to as the antichrist, will step into that newly built temple, stop the daily sacrifices, and proclaim himself to be the messiah the world has been waiting for. This milestone event is known as the Abomination of Desolation.
Daniel 12:11 plainly tells us that from this event until Jesus’ return will be 1,290 days. This is the three and one half year time period of the Great Tribulation. It is triggered by the Abomination of Desolation. At the end of these three and one half years of tribulation, Jesus will return at the Battle of Armageddon which will already be raging, and put a stop to the war and all persecution of His Jewish people. He will then set up His earthly Kingdom, and we (the born again Church) will rule and reign with Him in the earth for one thousand years.
GOD’S CLOCK
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.“ (2 Peter 3:3-4)
The worldwide doubt of Jesus’ return is more prophecy fulfilled. Even though we are in a season of waiting, the signs are all around us. Unfortunately, most people have simply become numb to their meaning. One thing we can know for certain, when the Abomination of Desolation occurs, the countdown will begin.
HE WILL COME LIKE A THIEF
You might be mentally refuting what I’m saying because after all, the Apostle Paul told us without question that Jesus would come as a thief in the night. Surely that means no one can possibly know when He’s coming. Right?
“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.“ (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
Ah, but often we only need to read a bit further to get context and clarity. When we continue reading, we find Paul is specifically referring to those who live in darkness. Unbelievers. Unfaithful. He also makes it clear that we should pay attention so the coming of the Lord doesn’t catch us unaware.
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)
The truth is the Lord wants His Church to know the timing of His 2nd coming. Presently, we can only know we are in the season of His return. But we have been in this season for many years. We see world events lining up with end time prophecy every day. Soon, the three and one half year countdown will begin.
WE ARE THAT GENERATION
Jesus tells his disciples (and us) that the generation that witnesses all these signs will also see His return.
“So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.“ (Matthew 24:33-34)
Knowing that ours is the generation who will witness not only Jesus’ return, but the perilous times leading up to His coming, we should be focused on the things of God more than ever before. We have a responsibility to be aware of world events, know the Word of God and be prepared and willing to pray, teach, preach and disciple people into the Kingdom of God.
“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. (Daniel 11:33)
Warm Regards,
~Pat
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POPE LEO XIV Photo Credit: REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
The Bible prophecies a coming spiritual leader called the false prophet who will promote a political leader called the antichrist in the years just prior to Jesus’ return to set up His earthly kingdom. These two will form an unholy union of church and state, thus controlling the final world government of the end time. This spiritual leader will no doubt be extremely well known, and will preside over the false end time church. God’s true church is described as a chaste virgin without spot or wrinkle, His Bride. This woman, however, is described as ‘the great whore.’ She is not pure, not holy and not godly.
IDENTIFYING THE FALSE END TIME CHURCH
In order to properly identity the false prophet, we must first identify the false church over which he will preside. We can accomplish this by studying these clues which God gave us in Revelation chapter seven:
“And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:” (Revelation 17:1)
The false end time church is called the great whore. She is promiscuous, defiled, and not true to her groom. What dominant religion in the world today has usurped authority over the true church of the Book of Acts, teaching contrary to the Oneness of God, even to the point of issuing decrees making it illegal to carry out biblical baptisms in Jesus’ name?
*****
“And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” (Revelation 17:15)
The false end time church sits upon ’many waters.’ Verse fifteen interprets the meaning of this phrase. The waters are multitudes of people from various nations and languages. What dominate religion in the world today has 1.4 billion constituents around the world?
*****
”And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:“ (Revelation 17:4)
What religion in the world today is recognized by its high ranking leadership of bishops wearing purple, and its cardinals wearing red? What religion also is noted to be the wealthiest in the world, having amassed and stored treasure troves of riches in private vaults from all over the world? Which religion speaks of holiness, but has consistently permitted, and excused heinous deeds against God’s law and true believers?
*****
And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.” (Revelation 17:5)
What religion in the world today has birthed countless daughter churches, who had their beginning by protesting against their mother church, but are now being called back into the fold of ecumenicalism?
*****
”And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.” (Revelation 17:6)
What so called Christian religion in the world today persecuted and killed the true followers of Jesus because they would not forsake the Acts 2:38 New Birth message the apostles taught? What religion is known in our history books for initiating the Dark Ages?
*****
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.” (Revelation 17:9)
“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:18)
What religion in the world today is based in a city surrounded by, and actually known as The City On Seven Hills?
IN SUMMARY
Two thousand years ago, the great apostle John painted a very vivid picture of this false church. She promotes herself as the true church of Jesus Christ, but she lives in complete opposition to truth, even to the point of teaching false doctrine, and persecuting true believers.
She influences people groups all across the world from every nation and language.
She is recognized by her leadership of bishops wearing purple, and her cardinals wearing scarlet. She is rich beyond measure, holding priceless treasures in her vaults from nations around the world, even Jerusalem, the City of the Great God, as depicted on the Arch of Titus.
She is considered the Mother Church of all Protestant daughter churches who were birthed by “protesting” her false doctrines, thereby initiating the Reformation.
Through the centuries, she has persecuted, even to martyrdom, true believers of the Christian faith. These precious souls sought refuge in nations across the world, and even beneath ground in what we know as the catacombs. Still, they were hunted, tortured, burned at the stake and murdered, all in the name of God.
She is based in the city of Rome which is literally called The City of Seven Hills. These hills are named Palatine, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Capitoline, Aventine and Caelian.
IDENTITY OF THE FALSE END TIME CHURCH AND IT’S LEADER
There is no religion but one in the world today which fits all of these clues perfectly. That religion is the Roman Catholic Church based in Rome, Italy. Who is the highest in leadership of Roman Catholicism? It is, of course, the newly elected (as of May 8, 2025) Pope Leo XIV. We cannot, at this time, say whether the current Pope is the prophecied false prophet. We can, however, with full confidence say whoever is Pope of the Roman Catholic Church at the time the antichrist comes into political power will most certainly fill the role of the false prophet. Together, these two men will preside over the final world government and world religious system right up until Jesus returns to set up His earthly Kingdom.
For further information concerning end time events, please visit ENDTIME MINISTRIES.
In Jesus’ name,
-Pat Vick
***Remember to leave a comment! The link is located under the article title.***
Many Christians avoid the topic of the Great Tribulation either because they don’t understand it, or because they think they won’t be here for it. Their thinking is that if they aren’t going to have to endure it, there’s no reason to concern themselves with it. FIRST, you CAN understand it, and God described it in His Word, so He wants you to understand it. SECOND, the Church WILL be here for it. (I’ll just leave this right here for an upcoming post.)
WHAT IS IT?
The Tribulation is a time period which will lead up to the Battle of Armageddon, and the return of Jesus Christ to gather His Saints/Elect/Church. It will be a time of severe persecution of the Jewish people, and yes, even the Church. To get an idea of the scope of persecution, research the Holocaust, and know that Jesus said it would be worse.
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)
WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?
In Daniel chapter 9, the prophet is given revelation concerning 70 weeks of years (a 490 year period whereby God determined to accomplish some things. He tells us what those things are in verse 24:
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.“ (Daniel 9:24)
To finish the transgression
To make an end of sins
To make reconciliation for iniquity
To bring in everlasting righteousness
To seal up the vision and prophecy
To anoint the most Holy
One week of the seventy has yet to be fulfilled. That is a week of years, or a seven year period. The Church is waiting for this seven year period to begin. It is during this last seven years that the above things will be accomplished. This time period is going to wrap everything up that needs to be completed before Jesus is anointed King of kings and Lord of lords, and sets up His earthly 1,000 year millennial kingdom.
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
If asked, most people would say that the Great Tribulation will last for seven years. This, however, is not backed by scripture. While there will be a seven year period of time that leads up to the Battle of Armageddon and the return of Jesus to gather His Church, the Tribulation will only be during the second half of the “week of years,” or the final 3 and 1/2 years.
It is in the middle of the week (of years) that the antichrist will cause the daily sacrifices to stop, and will commit the abomination of desolation by standing in the newly built Jewish Temple, and claiming to be God. (their long-awaited Messiah) This incident is what will trigger the Great Tribulation. Up until this point there will have been pseudo peace for the first 3 and 1/2 years.
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.“ (Daniel 9:27)
“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.“ (Matthew 24: 15-21)
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
As we have seen, the Tribulation begins in the middle of the final seven years. We can verify the length of the Tribulation by comparing the variations of wording to describe the last half of the week.
Time, and Times, and Half a Time
“And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” (Revelation 12:14)
Time is one year. Times is two years, and half a time is half a year. We see the same description of a 3 and 1/2 year Tribulation period. *NOTE* The woman in this scripture is the collective Jewish West Bank settlers who are mentioned as “them which be in Judaea” above in Matthew 24:15-21.
42 Months
”But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.“ (Revelation 11:2)
“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.“ (Revelation 13:5)
1,260 Days
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Revelation 11:3)
IN CONCLUSION
Whether the Tribulation is described as Time, and Times, and Half a Time, or Forty-Two Months, or 1,260 days, it is obvious that it is referring to a three and one-half year period of time. As we also saw, this period of time begins in the middle of the week when the antichrist steps into the newly built Jewish Temple, declaring himself to be God, or their Messiah.
At this point, the seven year Jewish/Muslim peace agreement that was instituted by the world government, will be broken, and terrible persecution will break out upon the Jewish people.
This three and one-half year Tribulation period is just ahead. If you are reading this, there is every reason to believe that you will live to see it. Still, you might be thinking that you’re not Jewish, so why should you be concerned? I will cover this question in detail in an upcoming post, but I’ll leave you with this one scripture:
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.“ (Revelation 12:17)
After the antichrist, possessed by satan, sends his initial onslaught against the Jewish people, in his rage, he will then send tribulation out into the rest of the world to persecute Christians in whatever nations he can. It remains to be seen how much authority he will have over the United States of America. (And that is for a future post;) One thing is for certain. It is time to trust God, more than we ever have before.
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I welcome you to leave comments. When talking about endtime prophecy and events, there is a lot to unpack, and I realize we won’t all agree. Don’t let that hinder you from leaving feedback.
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