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T H A T D A Y W H E N I M A K E U P M Y J E W E l S

MICHAEl STOREY

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CONTENTS

Part One: Who takes Judah into captivity? 4

Part Two: The three key issues for the Day of the Lord 7

Establishing a timeline 7

Beast Empire: The entire world? 13

Fall of Babylon: Timing 14

Who is Babylon? 15 Biblical explanation to who is Babylon Jeremiah 50/51 17

Israel: The reason for the Day of the Lord 22

Come out of Babylon 24

The start of the Day of the Lord 25

The Firstfruits are chosen 26 Paralambano: ‘taken/chosen’ 28

Double Page Spread Timeline Chart 30, 31

Fall of Babylon: Repercussions 32

‘Turning the hearts to the fathers’ 34

Part Three: Revelation 17, 18, 19. 39

Who is the Great Whore? 41

From riches to rags in one hour 45

Revelation 19 The angel’s conversation 46

Summary 50

‘Watch’ does not mean ‘watch’ 52

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INTRODUCTION

Summer is near. The parable of the fig tree is one subject all the Churches of God agree on. What they do not share is a collective, if any, response to

what happens next.

How ready is the Church for the Return of Christ and the overall period of the Day of the Lord?Sixteen times the bible says it will catch us all (the Church) by complete surprise. As a ‘thief in the night’.‘Watching’ for something that will not be seen is the conundrum.

Complete surprise means no Beast will be in sight. That would be a dead giveaway. No ten kings. No one-world empire. No king of the South with Europe in its sites. No resurgence of Papal power.Nothing that you could put your finger on and say ‘now it will happen’.Conclusion: it will be sooner rather than later.

Paul says we need to understand that concept perfectly.For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. I Thess 5:2

This document sets out with a simple question: Who takes Judah into captivity? The end result is a detailed timeline capable of fitting all the necessary scriptures in place. A clear panorama of the ‘end time’ unfurls.

When the cry goes up ‘the Lord cometh’, the wise virgins were on standby fully prepared. They were ‘chosen’ to be the bride. They watched, they got it right. What did they do?

From the book of Malachi we have the messenger Elijah stepping into action: ‘Those that feared the Lord spoke often one to another. The Lord hearkened and heard it’. From these conversations a book of remembrance was written. ‘They shall be Mine in that day I make up My jewels’.The Greek word in the New Testament that covers being ‘written in the book’ is Paralambano. Being ‘written in the book’ is the subject of this document.

What was said that was so precious in God’s eyes?

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Part One

WHO TAKES JUDAH INTO CAPTIVITY?

Many scriptures show Judah being taken into captivity. Jeremiah 16 is one example.

This is distinctly ‘End Time’ demonstrated by the clear difference in instruction for not marrying or having children compared to the first captivity in Babylon (Jer 29:4). Secondly, there is a reference to the second exodus, yet future (see also Jer 23:7). The context of these verses show from neighbouring passages this is directly concerning Judah: Jer 14:2, 14:19. 15:4, 17:1, 18:11. However it would also apply to Israel in general.

And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God? 11 Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law; 12 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me: 13 Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour. Jer 16:10

The word of the LORD came also unto me, saying, 2 Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this

place. 3 For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land; 4 They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth. Jer 16:1

Who is it that attacks and defeats Judah? The Arab nations are involved in a mass

attack from all directions. God’s intention is to bring Judah ‘back to reality’ via national defeat and captivity. The House of Joseph likewise. Several verses mention Judah being dispersed to many countries, in particular Edom. This will be for their ultimate safety. The Beast is unable to defeat Edom and consequently gain access to the captives. The following verses show God’s reaction to the pitiless Arab treatment of the captives.

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron: 4 But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad. 5 I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD. 6 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom: 7 But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof: 8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD. 9 Thus saith the LORD; For

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three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant: 10 But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof. 11 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever: 12 But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah. 13 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border: 14 But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind: 15 And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD. Amos 1:3 Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head; 5 Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things: 6 The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border. 7 Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head: 8 And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it. Joel 3:4

Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. Joel 3:19

Judah is totally surrounded:

Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. 2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. Psalm 83:1

For thy [Edom’s] violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever. 11 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them. 12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress. Obadiah v10

Thou [Edom] shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity,

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nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity; 14 Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress. (No Jews remain in the land) Obadiah v13 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. 18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it. 19 And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. 20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. 21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S. Obadiah v17

The captives of Judah are placed in a safer position (out of reach from the Beast).

He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. Dan 11:41

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver

them up to Edom: Amos 1:6

The Beast overthrows the Arabs

Why is it important to understand who took Judah into captivity? It was not the

Beast. That immediately gives us a lot more information on the overall timing of events for the Day of the Lord.

• The Beast ‘overflows’ all Middle Eastern nations with few exceptions. • In a rapidly executed manoeuvre ‘like a whirlwind’, the Arab armies are ‘overthrown’. They do not exist anymore. This is the critical point.• The Beast enters Jerusalem at which time he commits the ‘abomination of desolation’ and saying he is God. • There are forty-two months remaining to Armageddon. This is a period when Satan in effect is directly in control of the world. This is the Great Tribulation.

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. 45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas

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in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. Dan 11:40

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:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains… 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Matt 24:15

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 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. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. Rev 13:3

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [the gathering to Him] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thess 2:3

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. Dan 9:27

(The ‘gathering to Him’ would be the sixth seal, the ‘woman’ going to the wilderness 1260 days before the ‘end’).

This time period at the forty-two month mark is termed ‘the midst of the week’ in Dan 9:27.It is one of the busiest periods of the End Time. The ‘war in heaven’ sees Satan defeated and cast down and confined to earth. The Saints are gathered to the ‘wilderness’ to be spared Satan’s presence and the ‘hour of trial’, the Great Tribulation, which will now begin. The Two Witnesses take over frontline duties from the Church that has been ‘retired’. The Matt 24 (also Luke 21 and Mark 13) coverage of the events of the sixth seal observes the gathering of the Saints taking place. Since the Church goes to the wilderness at the sixth seal prior to the Great Tribulation, the seventh seal is now defined as the Great Tribulation lasting for three and a half years.

We can quickly determine that the fall of the House of Judah at the hands of the

combined Arab unification must have taken place some time well before the ‘midst of the week’. Clearly before the last forty-two months since the Arab armies cease to exist at that point. Some time would elapse after an all out war to defeat Israel, not an easy task, before reorganising to mount a major campaign against Europe.

Where were America and Britain when Judah was defeated?The House of Joseph, Judah and Ephraim all fall within one month (Hos 5:5-7). These are very major events taking place at a time well before the ‘midst of the week’ and before the Great Tribulation. These events would include: • The total destruction of the United States of America and its removal into captivity.• The total destruction of Great Britain with its Commonwealth partners and removal into captivity.

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• The defeat and taking into captivity of Israel. (Judah)

And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them. 6 They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them. 7 They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions. Hosea 5:5-7

These events clearly add up to World War on a vast scale. A time of staggering upheaval for all nations of the world.

This unparalleled time of dislocation is given a descriptive title in the bible. Matt 24:29 gives an exact description of the sixth seal (compare Rev 6:12). However, it clearly states that this follows ‘the tribulation of those days’. The ‘tribulation of those days’ can only be seals one to five and they took place ‘immediately’ beforehand, not over a 2000 year period.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matt 24:29

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a

fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev 6:12

The Church is spared the Great Tribulation (the hour of trial on all the earth) by being gathered to the ‘wilderness’ for the last forty-two months. Being directly under the supervision of God during this time, the Church (defined as the called, faithful and chosen) need have no concerns during that period. It is completely out of reach from whatever this world may threaten. The Two Witnesses are the only direct contact the world has with God.

What about the chaotic times described as the ‘tribulation of those days’, seals one

to five? These seals are all within the overall period referred to as the Day of the Lord but well before the departure to the ‘wilderness’.What will the Church be doing?

A more objective yardstick for the ‘End Time’ is required, the following three areas in particular:

• The need for a serviceable timeline (that will accommodate every end time scripture without contradiction).• Information on Babylon.• The primary focus and purpose of the ‘End Time’.

MIDST Of THE WEEK END Of DAY Of THE lORD

END Of DAY Of THE lORD

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TIMElINE

Why do we need a timeline?

A correctly functioning timeline allows every End Time event from the entire bible

to be positioned somewhere. It acts as its own editor, its own checklist. Scriptures out of chronological order are self-evident as contradictions. ‘Spare pieces’ in the form of unplaced scripture indicates a faulty basic premise.As the scripture list is built up and correctly placed, a straightforward picture develops.

Establishing a TimelineClear-cut verses for the final few years of the ‘End Time’ make it easier to work our way from the closing stages back towards the start.

The EndThe ‘end’ of the Day of the Lord is clear; Christ returns with the Saints at Armageddon.

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. Rev 11:15

And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. Zech 14:9

The ‘Middle’The ‘midst of the week’ (when the Beast commits the ‘abomination of desolation’) has plenty of detail at the ‘forty two months remaining’ location.• Satan loses the war in heaven and is cast down to earth.• Jerusalem is taken by the Beast, the ‘abomination’ is set up. The Beast says he is God.• The Church is gathered to the ‘wilderness’ to avoid a head-on clash with Satan.• The Two Witnesses start their mission.• The Great Tribulation begins after the ‘abomination’ has occurred.

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. Rev 12:14

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out,

Part Two

THREE KEY ISSUES Of THE DAY Of THE lORD

• A Timeline • BABylon • The house of isrAel

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that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Rev 12:7

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 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. Rev 12:13

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:) …21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Matt 24:15,21 …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. Dan 9:27

He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon…45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. Dan 11:41,45

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. Dan 12:11

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Dan 12:1

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Rev 11:3

The Beginning

The closing stages and events surrounding the ‘midst of the week’ are clear.

A distinct beginning, biblically, is just as clear. Sixteen scriptures are given explaining

this one point, that the Day of the Lord has a sudden start. The day before, life was as normal as ever. Day one comes as a total and complete surprise to the Church.To mention one fact sixteen times is a lot of emphasis. If it comes as a complete surprise, than not one obvious recognizable person or event could have been evident beforehand. It is a point the Church has missed. The overall time period for all the so called ‘End Time’ events is termed the Day of the Lord. This is its correct title.The ‘Day of the Lord ‘ cannot solely refer to a short period towards the end of the seventh seal. Many other distinctive events would have taken place before this, not to mention the Church would have been gathered to the ‘wilderness’.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the

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Son of man cometh. Matt 24:42

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matt 24:37 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 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. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matt 24:32

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 24:50

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out . But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matt 25:7

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man,

no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. Mark 13:32Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Mark 13:35

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:35

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Luke 17:26 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:28

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the

END Of DAY Of THE lORDMIDST Of THE WEEK

START Of DAY Of THE lORD

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house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:35

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. Luke 12:42

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10 [Peter’s use of the ‘thousand years as a day’ principle is used here starting with the Day of the Lord up to the end of the millennium].

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Rev 3:3

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Rev 16:15

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1 Thess 5:2

A ‘Day One’

There is a definitive ‘day one’. The ‘wise virgins’ passage and other scriptures

demonstrate the Church has a ‘day one’ experience. The point of critical importance here is that there was not one single ‘End Time’ factor in evidence before this day. Otherwise there would be no surprise. That would mean not a single ‘End Time’ event has taken place or ‘End Time’ character is recognisable. There is no Beast. No world empire. There are no ‘ten kings’ in Europe. There is no king of the South waging war against Europe. Babylon has not been destroyed ‘in one hour’. America and Britain are still in their day-to-day routine.All scriptures indicate life as usual up until day one.

Establishing the events and time period prior to the Great Tribulation Who took the tribe of Judah captive is a question that has been answered. The real point of that question was the timing issue. It is well before the final three and a half years and therefore also before the Great Tribulation.When it comes to timing, the next essential question to ask is: when does Babylon fall?

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the beast: all the world?

The fall of Babylon: A Question Of Timing

The Church (My people) are told to ‘abandon’ Babylon to avoid being caught up in the

sudden, complete and utter destruction that overtakes Babylon in ‘one hour’. They must get out while they can.Since those same ‘My people’ are gathered to the ‘wilderness’ with absolute safeguard at the forty two month mark, the fall of Babylon must be prior to the last forty two months. It would be irrational to call them out if they are not there and don’t need protection.

Babylon is ‘utterly destroyed in one hour’ at an earlier date than the ‘midst of the week’ and yet the Beast and his ten kings and the False Prophet are all well and truly intact and very active right up to Armageddon. All scriptures describing the fall of Babylon support the timing being well before the Great Tribulation. We will come to those shortly.

We should ask two more questions. If the Babylon of Revelation 18 were the false

Church or the Beast of Rev 17, then which of those two is the Babylon that the Firstfruits must come out of?There would be positively none of the Firstfruits within a State false Church in Europe once the Day of the Lord has obviously started and no likelihood whatsoever of them being part of the Beast political network in Europe either.

The Beast and the ten kings of Rev 17 cannot be the same as the Babylon of Rev 18. Babylon is someone else.

The Beast Empire: ‘All The World’?

When considering the extent of the Beast Empire, ‘all the world’ that worships the

Beast, is it in reality the whole world? The Middle East certainly does not (it mounts a war

against the Beast) and neither does the Far East (the 200 million troops) that also is at war with the Beast. We can know the 200 million are Asiatic peoples because they worship devils (plural) and idols (plural) of stone, gold, silver and wood. The Beast has one god, the Muslims have one god. Russia has no god.

Since the quotes that mention ‘all the world’ are within the context of events at the ‘midst of the week’ and afterwards, neither the USA or UK or Israel worship the Beast. They no longer exist as nations and neither are they within Beast territory (for their survival).

That leaves only 10 percent of the world that could worship the Beast and even within its own territory there is an ‘innumerable multitude’ that also refuse to take his mark (worship him). The New Testament does refer to ‘all the world’ ‘all’ and ‘every nation under heaven’ and it always refers to an area that is applicable to the context. In the Beast’s case it is the former area of the Roman Empire: Europe.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:1

And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan. Mark 1:5

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. Rev 19:18

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard

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them speak in his own language. Acts 2:5

The fall of Babylon: The first event that impacts the world.

Revelation 18 provides a long list of goods being traded. It would be hard to reconcile

Babylon trading in the goods mentioned if this were, for example, during the fourth seal when the world is starving.

At some point between the beginning and the ‘midst of the week’, warfare on a worldwide basis breaks out. During that period the USA, UK and Israel are defeated. This would clearly correspond to the second seal where ‘peace is taken from the earth’. A quarter of the world’s population dies as a result of this time of war.

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 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. Rev 6:3

And when he had opened the fourth seal ….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. Rev 6:7

This period of conflict produces casualties that are far more extensive than WW2.

The balance of the entire Day of the Lord is characterised by war and its repercussions.At the ‘midst of the week’ the Beast prevails over the Middle East only to find that he is now involved with fighting the entire Asian continent. A further ‘One third of man’ dies in one operation alone.

For Babylon to be trading at all indicates it is

doing so in peacetime. However, we are also given an extensive list of the goods being traded and they are normal day to day goods. Most of which hardly exist during the Day of the Lord. By the third and fourth seals vast numbers are dying of starvation.The following are the prevailing circumstances at the time of the fall of Babylon:

Music concerts and art exhibitions are taking place: And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee. Rev 18:22 The ‘Pizza Huts’ were thriving. There are no shortages of ‘good things’ to eat. Weddings are taking place as usual:The sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: Rev 18:22

All shelves are fully stocked in the supermarket:And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat. Rev 18:13

Jewellers and fashion houses are in business:The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet. Rev 18:12

And since the rest of the world was delivering these goods to Babylon, there were no shortages worldwide right up to the hour Babylon was struck with sudden destruction.

Clearly this must be before any World War had started, before seals two, three and four have had their effect. Later, things only get worse.

END Of DAY Of THE lORDMIDST Of THE WEEK

START Of DAY Of THE lORD

42 MONTHS fIRST SIx SEAlS 42 MONTHS SEVENTH SEAl

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This places the timing for the fall of Babylon as the first observable event of the Day of

the Lord.

The following are some of the events that take place before the ‘midst of the week’,

the last forty two months, but after the overall Day of the Lord has begun. (In random order)• Babylon’s ‘destruction’ takes place in ‘one hour’ as the first event.• Israel is defeated and taken into captivity.• Britain and its close allies are defeated and taken into captivity.• The United States are defeated and taken into captivity.• The Firstfruits are called to come out of Babylon.• Obviously a war on a world wide basis is raging.

We can now present a timeline. A review of Dan 9:27 will provide the final details.

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. • The Church recognizes that the first ‘He’ must be Christ. Christ ‘confirms’ a covenant for a week. • The Beast cannot be involved in any covenant for a week for two reasons. One: he does not exist on ‘day one’. Two: It will be shown that the Beast Power will not come into existence until after the Jews have ‘gone’.• At the ‘midst of the week’ the Beast stops the ‘sacrifice and oblation’. Since there are no Jews in Jerusalem, this has nothing to do with them or physical sacrifice. We can show it has

everything to do with the Church. • Since there are so many events to be fulfilled before the ‘midst of the week’, a substantial period of time is needed prior to this period. Given that we already have a ‘midst of the week’ defined, it is common sense to presume it is just that. With no other options, the overall Day of the Lord is seven years.• The ‘confirming of the covenant for one week’ by Christ, if taken litteraly, would be an event that occurs on day one of the seven years. There is something specific that the Church recognises on this day.• The world war that is in progress prior to the sixth seal and the midst of the week fits with seals two to four. This is the ‘tribulation of those days’ (Matt 24:29) seals two to five and includes the House of Joseph and Judah being taken into captivity.• The first seal, to be consistent, must also be within the seven years. It is the definitive ‘day one’ event.

BABYlONWho is Babylon?Here are some details concerning Babylon:

• It is not the Beast Power.• It is the world’s superpower of its time, both militarily and financially. • It disappears in ‘one hour’, within (as all scriptures indicate) the overall time period of the Day of the Lord, but before the Beast

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power takes over. There can only be one king of the castle at a time. This exchange of position and circumstance must take place before the final forty two months, described as the ‘midst of the week’.• At the time of Babylon’s fall the world is trading peacefully. No ‘tribulation’ or other disruption is evident until the sudden destruction. Note: the rest of the world is fully stocked with goods to trade with Babylon. There are no world shortages at this stage. God gives an extended list of what is available specifically to make a point.• Babylon is where many of God’s people are (as a personal preference).• God’s people are under no duress, they are urged to leave Babylon (when there is no apparent reason) before it is too late. They have complete control over their own affairs, i.e. it is up to them to follow this ‘advice’. • No Beast is influencing events, ie no persecution or restrictions on their travel. • Coming out of Babylon is not an isolated verse from Rev 18. The instruction is covered by many verses (twelve at least) throughout the bible and all add up to a clear-cut literal instruction to physically ‘get out’. Besides ‘departing’ there is also a connective theme. ‘Be like the he goats’ i.e. it is time to get busy. There is a purpose in coming out of Babylon.

Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Revelation 18:4 Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his

servant Jacob. And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out. Isa 48:20

Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing ; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward. Isa 52:11

Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks. Jer 50:8

The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple. Jer 50:28

Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’ S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence. Jer 51:6

We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies. Jer 51:9

My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD. Jer 51:45

Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind. Jer 51:50

Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. Zech 2:6

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Babylon is not a tyrant; the world enjoys trading with it and the world laments it’s

passing. Babylon was a benefactor (worldly perspective) to the nations, not its dictator. The problem was it had become vile in God’s eyes, “the hold of every vile spirit”. However, there is a summation of why God acts against Babylon, the last verse of Revelation 18. It is the rejection and refusal to acknowledge those sent by God over time and history and the subsequent failure to follow God’s lead that resulted in a dysfunctional world. Killing the prophets and “All that were slain upon the earth” is the charge brought against Babylon as an end result of rejecting God. The world’s problems are laid at Babylon’s door. This amounts to being a failure in both setting and being the example of how to ‘be’ as a nation.

It now becomes imperative to know who Babylon is. We can guess, the answer should be obvious at this stage but we need a solid biblical explanation to who Babylon is.

A biblical explanation: Who is Babylon

Jeremiah 50, 51.

Besides Revelation 18 and Isaiah 47, Babylon is the subject of the longest

prophecy in the bible: Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. This Jeremiah section of scripture is the main source of information. First question: is this OT passage relevant to the Day of the Lord – present day or is it just history? That will be answered. Next observation: careful reading shows a continual process where God is going back and forth speaking of Israel and Babylon in the same breath. Why is that? On closer inspection exactly the same events happen to both. Going one step further, not only are the same events happening to both parties, but at the same time as well.

Overall Time Frame The word that the LORD spake against Babylon. For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate. In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. Jer 50:1,3,4

‘In those days, and in that time’ refers to Babylon, Israel and Judah; all three at the same time. Never have these three existed or interacted together at the same point of time in history.This is still an unfulfilled future event.

Israel and Babylon are both destroyedbabylon How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! How is Babylon become a desolation among the nations! Jer 50:23 See also: Jer 50:2, 9-16, 29.israel Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by. So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury. Ezek 5:14

Firstly it should be recognised that there is no such nation as Babylon in the ‘end

time’. Obviously we are not discussing the ancient empire. What we are discussing is a synonym for the world’s most powerful nation both financially and military at the relevant time, clearly shown to be the case in Rev18.In Jer 50 this powerful nation ‘the hammer of the whole earth’ has become a total

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devastation. In Jer 51:41 the ‘praise of all the earth’ is caught totally by surprise and the devastation is an astonishment to all the other nations of the world. As is the case in Rev 18 only Babylon is involved, all the other nations of the world are observers, not participants. They have not been swallowed up in the same misfortune. They look, they stare, and they are shocked. In Rev 18 the entire world ‘laments’ also. This was not a nation that was tyrannising the world. No one is rejoicing at the shocking event.

The Ezekiel reference to Israel shows a similar fate. They too suffer the exact same ‘astonishing… reproach’ and become the same ‘waste’ that all other nations witness and recoil from.

Ezekiel has enough references to the Day of the Lord to position the relevant

timeframe concerning the ‘whole house of Israel’. We understand that to mean Judah, the House of Joseph and remaining nations of Israel. The Day of the Lord is specifically mentioned in 13:5, 30:3 and there are a great many references to future times. David shall be resurrected and the nations live in perfect peace. All the world obeys God in a millennial setting, but not until the nations of Israel, both Judah and Joseph have been subjected to captivity once again. The world can only be surprised, shocked and stunned at the downfall of a nation that seemed impregnable in the way this is worded – once. Yet we have two nations with identical outcomes and responses from onlookers – at the same time? It should be noted that the rest of the world is not experiencing similar problems. If we add all the information together, if only one nation is in difficulty then this must take place as the first event of the ‘end time’. Once the Day of the Lord is underway ‘peace is taken from the earth’ …all of it.

Babylon and Israel are both proud against Godbabylon For she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel. Jer 50:29

israel And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them. Hosea 5:5

Babylon is singled out for retribution as a result of being ‘proud against the Lord’. In the bible only a people or nation that ‘belong’ to God in the first place and turn away from Him are described in this way. The Roman Empire or the Chinese or Middle Eastern nations are never criticised for ‘disobeying’ (being proud against) God or Christ. Only the nations of Israel are guilty on that score. The Hosea 5 verse states Judah, Ephraim and (Manasseh) shall fall as a result of being ‘proud against the Lord’. Babylon somehow must fit in there; the same fate being decreed for the same crime.

Babylon and Israel both are guilty of sin against Godbabylon Put yourselves in array against Babylon for she hath sinned against the LORD Jer 50:14israel Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned. (Many other examples) Ezek 37:23

Both Babylon and Israel are guilty of sin against God. As above with ‘pride’ only God’s people are accused of sinning against God.

Babylon and Israel are removed from their homeland.babylon For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein:

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they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast. Jer 50:3israel And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me. Ezek 6:9

In these two scenarios both Israel and Babylon experience the same identical fate. They have their populations removed from their homeland and are off to captivity, in Israel’s case because of being unfaithful to God. However since Babylon is accused of both ‘sin’ and ‘pride’ against God, they too are in trouble for the exact same reason. Once again, an identical situation.

No one passes through Babylon or Israelbabylon Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate. v 39 it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation. Jer 50:13israel For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. Ezek 33:28

An unusual situation. Once a country has been defeated it is usually taken over by the victors. This does not happen to either Babylon or Israel (House of Joseph). Once again an identical situation.

Babylon and Israel both fear as a woman in travailbabylon The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail. Jer 50:43israel We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and

see whether a man doth travail with child? Jer 30:4

Babylon and Israel ‘give up’Another unusual and rather unique response attributed to both Israel and Babylon, both at the same time in history. For two super nations (see later: both say ‘I am’ i.e. invincible) to respond this way is unlikely. Babylon gives up without a fight:

babylon The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken. Jer 51:30 israel And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD. Amos 3:16

An identical situation.

Babylon and Israel’s time of troublebabylon For in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about. Jer 51:2 israel It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble. Jer 30:7

Same for both.

Babylon and Israel both face their time of visitationbabylon Let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation. Jer 50:27israel In the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Beth–el: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off. Amos 3:14

The biblical expression ‘the day I shall visit

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them’ has special significance. It is the end of the road. No more latitude is given, which is the meaning of the horns being cut away from the altar. In 1 Kings 1:50 it explains holding the horns at the altar is the last ditch chance to receive mercy from an enemy. God says nothing will be available to save them, meaning He will not relent.

Babylon and Israel both described as a citybabylon Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. Rev 18:10israel I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein. See also Zeph 2:15 ‘the rejoicing city’. Amos 6:8

Babylon is well known as being ‘the city’, so is Israel.

Babylon and Israel both surroundedbabylon Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape. Jer 50:29 israel I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, saith the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath unto the river of the wilderness. Amos 6:14

Babylon is surrounded by her enemies, there is no way out of the situation. For Israel the situation is the same. The Hemath and the ‘river of the wilderness’ are the extreme opposite ends of ancient Israel, i.e. it is surrounded on all sides.

Babylon and Israel both restored to greatnessbabylon ...excellent majesty was added

unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven. Dan 4:36 (The king of Babylon had his kingdom restored when he acknowledged God as supreme. Used as an analogy for ‘Babylon’ in the future in a prophetic sense).israel Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. Jer 33:14

Israel first: All may seem to be lost with the continually pessimistic threats and reporting of dire outcomes. If we go back to the original verses where both Israel and Judah go ‘weeping to seek a perpetual covenant that shall never be broken’ we see where the destructive bent is finally dislodged off Israel’s back. This is the whole point. God wants His people (and everyone else) back on board again. The degree to which they want to resist God is up to them. In the end everything does work out for the better. All the way through the bible the eventual future of Israel is assured. The new covenant is the dawn of a new era. Heb 8:8 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.

For Babylon we have a figurative passage in Daniel 4 where Nebuchadnezzar is a type, a pattern of a nation becoming great. Attributing that greatness to themselves and not God caused an immediate demise and a period of ‘grovelling in the dust for seven years’. On

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realizing the correct place of God in his life and repentance, Nebuchadnezzar’s fortunes were restored. Nothing like this remotely happened to Nebuchadnezzar, he would be a great biblical hero if it had and he would be listed in Hebrews 11 alongside Moses, David and Abraham. The ‘Book of Nebuchadnezzar’ would have been added to the OT. It is an analogy for what happens to ‘Babylon’. Like Israel, ‘greatness is restored to them’ – after seven years of hardship.

Babylon and God’s people both think of themselves as ‘I am’

babylon Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow. Isa 47:8 (See also Rev 18:7) israel This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me. (next verse 3:1 continues context) Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. Zeph 2:15(A city that would not draw near to her LORD and God could only be an Israelite nation)

Babylon in Rev 18 is the supreme nation. She thinks she is invincible. She is the sole Superpower of her day. The trouble is, Israel (house of Joseph) is under the same impression. Same time, same place. There can only be one ‘number one’ nation at a time. Either there is some literary nonsense going on in the bible or as should be very obvious by now we are talking about one and the same nation.From God’s perspective, Israel has become a ‘Babylon’. God will treat it as such.

Conclusion For Babylon

All the scriptures used are clearly in an end time context. The circumstances of

Babylon and Israel are both locked together with God’s words “in those days and in that time” in Jer 50:1-4. God, very intentionally has given us very complex circumstances that will fit together in only one way. So complex, that when it is shown how precisely the intricate pieces fit, there are no doubts as to the correct application.

• In this case we can positively state what is being spoken of in terms of Babylon is in fact Israel, specifically the House of Joseph, headed by the USA, with Britain in tow.• We can sum up this section by concluding: The USA and Britain at the outset of the Day of the Lord are trading and living life ‘as per usual’. The Dollar is still the universal currency that drives the world’s economy. It will remain so until the ‘one hour’ in which God takes action.• We can also clarify that the United States at the onset of the Day of the Lord is still the undisputed single world superpower. On the basis of there only being one king of the castle at a time, the Beast power in terms of biblical supremacy is not yet in existence.• Since Ephraim, Manasseh and Joseph all fall within one month and the Beast is not present at the same time as America, Judah and the Beast do not coexist for any ‘covenant’.• Just as Babylon disappears in ‘one hour’ so will the Beast rise in short order. As the world’s currency and trade facilities collapse, real desperation sets in. Europe will unite without any hesitation, on any terms, behind whoever can present a possible survival plan.• Europe will inherit the massive US military deployments once their homeland does not exist. Not only from Europe but also from elsewhere in the world as no other

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affiliation would be likely. This would provide Europe with the military capacity biblical fulfilment necessitates.

(‘Babylon’ is presented as a nation that is responsible for excessive warfare: ‘all that were slain upon the earth’ Rev 18:24. Here is a quote:“treating war as an economic stimulus program became clear a decade ago in the early years of the iraq war. that fact was stressed in a huffington post interview with oliver stone. ryan grim said that in a 2004 meeting president george w. bush said to the argentine prime minister: “all the economic growth that the u.s. has had, has been based on the different wars it had waged.” Wall Street Journal, June 5, 2012.)

‘Coming out of Babylon’ as an expression does not present us with much information. We can now expand that to ‘leave the House of Joseph before its sudden destruction and being taken into captivity’. The question is why? This is well before the last forty two months. What does God have in mind? By focusing on the third main issue concerning the Day of the Lord, the subject of Israel, many more questions will be resolved.

THE HOUSE Of ISRAEl

The reason for the Day of the lord

Is the Church the Focal Point?

The Bride being gathered to Christ is certainly one reason for the return of

Christ.First there is the qualifying procedure and there is a predetermined time for that.Scripture makes it clear that from the very moment the Church is aware the Day of the Lord has begun, the Church has reached the end of its qualifying period. Becoming a Firstfruit from here on is not an option or even possible. For this reason the warnings to ‘watch’ and be ready are replete.They are chosen from their track record, past tense, either on or before ‘day one’ of the Day of the Lord. God has enough information at that stage to know they will perform their duty until the Saints are ‘carried’ to the wilderness . The ‘books’ on the Church are closed.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matt 25:6

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were

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eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matt 24:37

Once the Day of the Lord begins, the marriage partner has been chosen. That

part is a ‘fete accompli’.A kingdom consists of both subjects and rulers. The rulers have been chosen, now the focus is on the subjects. Without subjects there is no kingdom.

Israel: Its Destiny Being FulfilledBy saying Israel, we mean all of Israel, every tribe of Israel.Judah is accounted for. It will be in captivity for the duration of the Day of the Lord amongst Arab peoples, mostly out of reach from the Beast to preserve them from the Beast.

The House of Joseph is accounted for. In captivity amongst many different nations all of which will also not be under the influence of the Beast for the same reason. If the Beast could access them (as prisoners) they would be slaughtered as soon as they showed any sign of repentance. A process they must complete before Christ will gather them out of captivity.

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God. 5 They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. Jer 50:4

And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword. According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 39:23

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Acts 26:6

Many more nations of Israel are yet to be accounted for. They are found in

Europe.How will God achieve a people for Himself from amongst these nations? Their trial will not be one of being taken into captivity. They have to contend with the Beast, his ‘mark’ and deceptive miracles.

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Come out of Babylon and go where?

The Saints called out of Babylon will obviously need to go somewhere. A completely new nation of Israel is the objective God has in mind. The Saints must assist in that purpose.

The only option that fits with scripture for the answer is whichever remaining nations of Israel are still functioning. The House of Joseph will be removed into captivity and scattered amongst many nations. Within the same month, Judah will be ‘gone’ also. That leaves the only option for the ‘cities of Israel till the Son of man be come’ (Matt 10:23) being the remaining tribes in Europe. This is where the Saints must go.

The Saints and the BeastWhy do the Saints need to go to Europe? Why do they need to engage with the Beast?Several points could be made.

• Europe has the Beast and False Prophet to contend with. Between them they are capable of ‘miracles’ so profound that even the ‘elect’ could be deceived. The European Christians need real help to understand the difference.

• The Beast will in due course declare himself to be God. Only the Saints have the wherewithal to counter this claim.

• Europe will be under the shadow of the ‘mark’. This is a State controlled version of martial law brought about by the dire worldwide situation. Without the relevant State ‘documentation’ no food or other necessity will be officially available. The encouragement and leadership of the Saints to resist falling into this trap of taking the mark is essential.

• Christ puts enormous importance on this mission to the balance of Israelite nations. If the Saints don’t succeed, God is prepared to change His plans: ‘I will destroy the earth with utter destruction’.

• The ‘last shall be the ‘first’. Does this indicate a supreme effort by the Church at the ‘End’? There are verses that indicate the Saints in the ‘end’ are on a par with any other time in Church history. ‘They loved not their lives unto the death’. Rev 12:11

• The Saints are pictured on the Sea of Glass (God’s throne), their qualification for being there is overcoming the Beast and his mark. Many verses show that the Saints and the Beast are in close proximity. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Rev 15:2

Conclusion: The presence of the Beast and the ‘mark’ system in Europe designates it

as the highest priority for the Saints. Without their efforts the European tribes of Israel could not survive until the time Christ gathers the tribes back to Jerusalem. The ‘innumerable multitude’ are a testimony to their success.If God intended the Saints to remain amongst the captives (the House of Joseph and Judah) God would have had no need to call them out in the first place.

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DAY ONE: THE GOSPEl TO All THE WORlD

The start of the Day of the lord. The First Seal

The first seal should logically be the start of the Day of the Lord. The seals prior to the

sixth should be understood as ‘the tribulation of those days’. Also those seals occur ‘immediately’ before the sixth commences.The Church has not reconciled who the rider on the white horse may be, preferring to adopt an abstract view that it represents ‘false religion’ during the last two thousand years.The overall Day of the Lord has a specific start with a specific starting event. The wise and foolish virgins respond to that event. They know who has been ‘chosen’ and who has not at the moment it became obvious Christ was returning. What it was that made it obvious must be the first event.

In Habakkuk Christ is on a horse, with a bow, going forth to conquer.

He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting. 7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. 8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? 9 Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. 10 The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. 11 The

sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. Hab 3:9

Christ is depicted on a horse with a bow in His hand (the reference to ‘naked’ means

the bow is out of it’s cover, ready for action) in the end time. The reference to the ‘oaths to the tribes’ and ‘thy word’ would be concerning all the promises that God has made relating to the twelve tribes, the nations of Israel. The context of Habakkuk is about the return of Christ see: Hab 2:3, 2:14, 3:6, 3:13 These verses go no further than stating ‘Christ is going to make His move’. There comes a point in time when Christ is going to take back control of the world to Himself.However, God always warns in advance before taking unilateral action.

Several verses state the ‘gospel of the kingdom’ shall go to all the world, ‘and

then the end shall come’.Rev 14 contains an overlooked timeline. The first angel’s message is plain. It carries a warning to everyone on earth that Christ is stepping back into the picture. At this point it would be very obvious to the Church ‘the Lord cometh’.

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Rev 14:6

This follows on from Joel 2 where ‘all flesh’ will be warned. Peter, in Acts 2 adds even more to the equation.

The disciples conducted their Pentecost service. When news spread of what had

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happened, a crowd gathered ‘devout men from every nation under heaven’. There was no one from China, nor any Incas from Peru and not one Eskimo in sight. Why is God mentioning every nation? As Peter and the disciples were talking, their lips were moving but the sound was out-of-synch with their lips. Everyone heard in his head what was being said in his own native language. They asked the obvious question: What is this ‘hearing things in our head in our own language’ about?

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Acts 2:12

Peter answered:

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them… 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:14-21

This is a purely prophetic statement by Peter explaining how the gospel will go to

the entire world at the time the Day of the Lord is applicable. The world, ‘all flesh’ will ‘hear’ the ‘message’ of the angel ‘in their heads’.

THE fIRSTfRUITS ARE ‘CHOSEN’: PARAlAMBANO

‘Even Thus’: A Day When Certain People Are ‘Taken’ Luke 17:30

The days of the Son of man’, ‘the day when the Son of man is revealed’ and the ‘Day

of the Lord’ are the same event expressed in different words.Both in Sodom where Lot was living and in the desert where Noah built his boat, life was pretty much as usual. People went about their usual daily affairs right up until the day circumstances altered dramatically.Christ says ‘Even thus’; (v30) when the same complete lack of awareness exists, Christ will step back into the world’s affairs. The timing of ‘even thus’ is also specifically referring to a day where in the following verses it mentions certain people being ‘taken’.

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:26

In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two

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men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Luke 17:31

Who are these people, and just as the disciples asked Christ ‘where are they going’?

The clue to the context and meaning of this section is ‘Remember Lot’s wife’.

Resurrection?

The first thing to do is double check the timing to see if this could be the resurrection.

For a start Christ has emphasised that this is well before obvious events for the Day of the Lord are underway. He is specifically stating ‘in that day’ which is the ‘even thus’ day, all things had been normal prior to that point. In the Matthew 24 account Christ again places emphasis on the fact that this day will arrive without any advance indications and because of this ‘make sure you are ready’:

Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matt 24:4

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul categorically points out the resurrection can not catch

us by surprise since the falling away and the presence of the Beast calling himself God will have occurred first and both will be unmistakable events in their own right; in other words the Day of the Lord would be at an advanced stage.

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thess 2:1

Two being in the field and one being taken, two women grinding and one being taken

and lastly two in one bed and one being taken can not be the first resurrection. The timing is completely inappropriate and if a resurrection were the subject, there would be no need to forsake their belongings and no need to think about their personal safety, and no need to concern themselves with remembering Lot’s wife, all of which would be irrelevant.Note: At the time this occurs normal work is in progress. There is grain available for the mills and seed and produce for workers in the fields.

Remember Lot’s Wife

What then is the real intent of this passage? What is Christ trying to tell us?

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Luke 17:30

• The day ‘the Son of man is revealed’ is the day the Church becomes aware the Day of the Lord has begun.

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• The full implications need to be quickly assessed. The world as previously known no longer exists.• Personal possessions, ‘stuff’ are no longer of any consequence.• Reflect on how Lot’s wife fell short of the standard. She hesitated, not wanting to accept the reality of the new situation.• As a result of the ‘Elijah’ message given before the Day of the Lord begins, the Church members that ‘feared the Lord and spoke often with one another’ (Mal 3:16) are mentally prepared for this moment. • The end result is those ‘taken’ are ‘associated’ in some way.

How does Lot’s wife fit into the picture?Lot’s wife did not really want to leave her

normal established life. She was comfortable in the ‘world’. She would have preferred to stay with things as they were. She was effectively ‘slumbering’ in her comfort zone when she should have realised it was time to get going about some important business.Lot’s wife made a costly mistake, one that we are not to repeat. She lost out completely.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matt 10:38

If any man come to me, and hate not… his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26

This preparation and attitude is what constitutes ample oil in the lamps of the

wise virgins when Christ returns. By ‘return’ we mean the start of the overall Day of the Lord, the first seal.This is the moment when the Judges decision is handed down. Without a ‘pass’ there will be no future as a Firstfruit. On ‘day one’ there are a group of people that will be considered as ‘belonging together’, ‘associated together’.

They do not go anywhere, there and then, this is not that kind of ‘taken’ as a study of the Greek word will show. (The wise virgins had not ‘gone’ anywhere).Their names are instead written in the book. Called, faithful and now chosen.

Paralambano: Greek word used for ‘Taken’Paralambano:

Lambano/ to take Para/ alongside

The Greek word means more than simply ‘to take’ an object or person somewhere. In the context of what is being implied in this document, it would be the meaning of the John 14:3 quote where Christ says ‘I will receive you unto Myself’. They are ‘counted as’ being with Christ as of that moment, yet it has not litteraly been fulfilled until the resurrection has taken place.

[Strong’s G3880] Paralambano: means “to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); receive, take unto, take with.”

Wuest’s Word studies in the Greek New Testment (Mark 4:36) They took Him. The verb is paralambanō. The simple verb means “to take,” the prefixed preposition “alongside.” The same verb is used where the angel says to Joseph, “Take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt” (Matt. 2:13), that is, “Take the young child and His mother under your protection and care.” The disciples took the exhausted Lord Jesus under their care just as He was, in the boat. The word is ploion, referring to the larger fishing boat, not a rowboat this time.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child

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and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Matt 2:13 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. Mark 4:36

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive [Paralambano] you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

Come out of Babylon

Adding all this together indicates something is required of certain people. Those that are

committed to putting service for Christ ahead of their own life if necessary will now move on to ‘where the eagles will gather’. The timing and nature of this subject falls directly into the ‘come out of Babylon’ section of scriptures of which there are ten others. (Rev18:4, Jer 50:8, v28, 51:6, 51:9, 51:45, 51:50, Isa 48:20, 52:11, Zech 2:6.). The Isaiah 52 passage starting in verse 10 sums up the situation in a few short verses. It clearly shows the timing, Christ has just made His presence known (the first seal) and the world has not yet fallen into disarray. As a result those that ‘bear the vessels of the Lord’ i.e. serve Christ shall go ‘out’ but in an organized way and God will ‘back them up’ in their endeavours:

The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing ; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward. Isa 52:10

All scriptures concerning the Saints in the end time show that where the Beast is,

that is where you will find the Saints. The Beast is in Europe. There is obvious danger involved in choosing to be in a situation where a deliberate confrontation with the Beast is taking place. However there is some consolation in knowing what the alternative would be. Remaining behind and taking your chances in the ‘captivity’ has a one in ten chance of survival. (Amos 5:3, Isa 6:13)There are no easy choices. Thoughts on personal safety are the basis for the warnings about ‘seeking to save ones life’. Ultimately the only consideration will be to serve Christ.

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note on sixth seal Events in close proximity to the sixth seal are full of complex activity. Satan is cast down to earth. Th e world witnesses the lamb on His throne. Terrifying signs in the heavens unnerve an already upset world. Th e Beast says he is God. Th e ‘gathering to the wilderness’ for the Saints takes place. Th e Middle East is taken over by the Beast and Jerusalem becomes his new capital. Here is a feasible progression of events. Th e king of the South (Arab Muslims) object to the enforced religious tactics of the Beast on European Muslims. Th ey mount an off ensive. Th e Beast and ten kings having inherited the US stockpile of weapons that were in Europe and conceivably a lot more, now have the means to ‘overfl ow’ the entire Middle East. (Jewish Israel has been removed from their homeland almost three years beforehand by Arab forces). Satan, knowing his time is up and with nothing to lose mounts a war in heaven. He is defeated and cast down to earth. If the fi rst rebellion resulted in the universe being ‘spoiled’ (cratered and pockmarked), then the fearful ‘signs in the heavens’ of the sixth seal would be consistent with this battle with Michael. Christ appears on His throne, the world witnesses and fully understands who it is and the impending implications. As the world digests the reality of God in the ‘heavens’ Satan now uses a sleight of hand technique taking full advantage of the timing.

In Jerusalem ‘revived’ from an apparently successful assassination attempt, ‘possessed’ by Satan the dragon and exhibiting miraculous abilities, the Beast declares he is that God. In eff ect he says ‘I am here now’. Christ specifi cally sets up the Beast’s followers with a ‘strong delusion’ to believe the ‘lie’ because of their unwillingness to believe the truth (given to them during the previous three years). 2 Th ess 2:11Th e descriptions of the sixth seal in Rev 6:12 match Matt 24:29 identically. Additional detail is added in Matthew. Th e Angels gather the elect from the four winds – complete with the loud trumpet sound. luke describes the situation as being the time ‘your redemption draws nigh’.However, there is an overlap of thirty days, the diff erence between 1260 and 1290 days. Satan is cast down to earth 1290 days before the ‘end’; the Church is gathered 1260 days before the ‘end’. for 30 days the Church will have to face something very diffi cult. Th e Beast causes the ‘sacrifi ce and oblation’ to cease. Since the Jews are not in Jerusalem this has nothing to do with them or literal sacrifi ces of animals. Th e term ‘sacrifi ce and oblation’ would be a generic term that signifi es Church activity. Th e Beast causes that to halt. Christ then ‘gathers’ the last remaining members of the Church. Th e Two Witnesses, endowed with extensive protection and powers, continue to proclaim ‘the everlasting gospel’.

note on sixth seal

1stSEAl

2ndSEAl

3rdSEAl

4thSEAl

5thSEAl

6thSEAl

s e Ve n ye a r s o f t h e d a y o f t h e l o rd

THe TrIbulaTIoN oF THose daYs THe TIMe IMMedIaTelY prIor To THe sIXTH seal

blessed Is He THaT WaITs aNd CoMes To 1335 daYs (FroM THe sTarT oF THe daY oF THe lord To THe ‘blessINg’)

FroM THe TIMe oF THe aboMINaTIoN oF desolaTIoN aNd THe saCrIFICe sHall be 1290 daYs (To THe eNd oF THe daY oF THe lord)

THe gospel To THe eNTIre World VIa THe aNgel oF reV 14:6 Is FIrsT eVeNT oF THe oVerall daY oF THe lord

god’s people To CoMe ouT oF babYloN beFore ITs suddeN desTruCTIoN

THe Fall oF babYloN. reV 18, Jer 50.usa, uK aNd JudaH all Fall WITHIN oNe MoNTH aNd go INTo CapTIVITY aT THe HaNds oF MaNY NaTIoNs

THe FINaNCIal Collapse oF THe Worlds reserVe CurreNCY aNd all baNKINg sYsTeMs Causes ‘peaCe To be TaKeN FroM THe earTH’. sporadIC global INFIgHTINg For surVIVal

THe CHurCH CarrIes ouT THe eZeKIel WarNINgsoF IMMINeNT War aNd CapTIVITY

HeaVY perseCuTIoN oN THe saINTsIN THe reMaININg ‘CITIes oF Israel’

THe CHurCH gaTHered FroM THe Four WINds To THe ‘WIlderNess’ WITH greaT

souNd oF a TruMpeT aT sIXTH seal MaTT 24:29 /reV 6:12

42 MoNTHs

THe eNTIre World Is TerrIFIed aT THe sIgHT oF CHrIsT – saYINg To

THe roCKs ‘Fall oN us’

War IN HeaVeNsaTaN Is deFeaTed aNd

CasT doWN To earTH

THe beasT CoMMITs THe aboMINaTIoN oF desolaTIoN IN

JerusaleM

‘HoW loNg... THe daIlY... THe TraNsgressIoN aNd THe saNCTuarY aNd HosT TroddeN uNder FooT’? 2300 daYs (MorNINgs aNd eVeNINgs) uNTIl THe saNCTuarY Is CleaNsed (I.e. THe duraTIoN oF THe beasT)

THe beasT poWer uNITes IN europe as a resulT oF World WIde INsTabIlITY. a ForM oF MarTIal laW

WarNINg FroM THe aNgel oF reV 14:9 NoT To TaKe THe ‘MarK’. THe saINTs are THere To Help

alMosT TWo bIllIoN lIVes losT aT THIs poINT due To War,

Food sHorTages aNd dIsease

GOSPEl

note on Trumpets and VialsTh ey both have seven instances and they both have a common ending, i.e. the return of Christ with the Saints at Armageddon. Th at rules out the two accounts being completely separate sequences. Th ere is only one ending. Put simply; they both end ‘at the end’. Each of the seven pairs has one common denominator at the minimum. four of them (2,3,4,5) concern the same subject. Th e last two are completely locked together by their intricate detail. Th e conclusion would seem that they are the same events being described from diff erent perspectives.

1st Trump/vial: Both are poured on the same destination: ‘the earth’. 2nd Trump/vial: Both concern sea life. 3rd Trump/vial: Both concern fresh water. 4th Trump/vial: Both concern the sun. 5th Trump/vial: Both concern ‘darkness over the kingdom’ and intense localised pain being experienced. 6th Trump/vial: Both are about a war preceded by crossing the Euphrates River. 7th Trump/vial: A common ending, Christ returning to rule in both cases.However, to be sure of our conclusion a reason and purpose for recording them separately needs to be found. What is the diff erent perspective?Th e vials are poured on the Beast and his followers. four of the seven

are clear on this. Th e fi rst vial states it is poured on the Beast, as does the fi fth. Th e third vial is poured on those that had been ‘shedding the blood of the Saints and Prophets’ which would be the Beast. Th e sixth vial elicits a response from the Beast, so it was the Beast again that was the recipient. In Revelation 17 one of the angels ‘which had the seven vials’ (obviously a senior angel talking with John again in chapter 21:9 through into chapter 22) is describing how his dealing is with the Beast. All in all, the Beast is the objective of the vials. Th ey are more intense than the trumpets. Th e trumpets consistently aff ect a ‘third of the trees’, ‘a third part of the sea’, ‘a third part of the rivers’ etc. Th e outcome for the vials is usually total: ‘and every living soul died in the sea’.Th e conclusion would be that they are concurrent. However, the more intense vials are poured on the Beast since he and his followers have denied Christ; they came from a Christian heritage. Th e trumpets are ‘poured’ on the world in general who do not have the same relationship with Christ.Th e rule being applied here is: ‘To whom much is given much is expected’. luke 12:48

1st Woe 2nd Woe 3rd Woe6thSEAl

SEVENTH SEAl1 ST

TRUMPET& VIAl

2 NDTRUMPET

& VIAl

3 RDTRUMPET

& VIAl

4 THTRUMPET

& VIAl

5 THTRUMPET

& VIAl

6 THTRUMPET

& VIAl

7 THTRUMPET

& VIAl

THe TWo WITNesses CoNTINue For 42 MoNTHs

THe CHurCH IN THe ‘WIlderNess’ For 42 MoNTHs

THe beasT aNd THe False propHeT CoNTINue For 42 MoNTHs + THe HolY CITY sHall THeY Tread uNderFooT 42 MoNTHs

s e Ve n ye a r s o f t h e d a y o f t h e l o rd

THe greaT TrIbulaTIoN THe 7TH seal 42 MoNTHs

FroM THe TIMe oF THe aboMINaTIoN oF desolaTIoN aNd THe saCrIFICe sHall be 1290 daYs (To THe eNd oF THe daY oF THe lord)

THe greaT TrIbulaTIoNbegINs

42 MoNTHs

CHrIsT reTurNs WITH THe saINTs aT arMageddoN

THe TWo WITNesses are KIlled

‘HoW loNg... THe daIlY... THe TraNsgressIoN aNd THe saNCTuarY aNd HosT TroddeN uNder FooT’? 2300 daYs (MorNINgs aNd eVeNINgs) uNTIl THe saNCTuarY Is CleaNsed (I.e. THe duraTIoN oF THe beasT)

THe beasT, False propHeT aNd TeN KINgs are desTroYed aT

araMgeddoN

a THIrd oF MaNKINd are KIlled as THe 200 MIllIoN Troops FroM asIa MoVe ToWards JerusaleM

THe TWo WITNesses begIN THeIr aCTIVITIes THaT ‘TorMeNT all THaT dWell oN earTH’

Israel (all TrIbes /NaTIoNs) aNd oTHer NaTIoNs brougHT To JerusaleM uNder eXTraordINarY CIrCuMsTaNCes. deuT

4:30, 29:10, 30:3, 30:19 are all IN saMe CoNTeXT

THe oNlY ‘blessINg’ approprIaTe oNCe THe CHurCH Is alreadY CHoseN aNd ouT oF reaCH FroM THIs World Is THe WeddINg

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THE fAll Of BABYlON ‘IN ONE HOUR’ AND

REPERCUSSIONS

The world goes from a relatively normal pattern of trade and commerce to a state

where ‘peace is taken from the earth’. The first seal with the gospel going to the entire world has little impact on secular populations. On notification that Christ is returning, who would respond? The world having ‘dreams and visions’ would create interest in the media for a short while and then be forgotten. Non Christian religious groups would be either nonplussed or insulted. The only people that would be excited at the news of a ‘take over’ by Christ are Christian groups.The Church of God would have its definitive cue to fulfil the Ezekiel instructions. They would be busy telling the House of Joseph war and captivity is now inevitable and why.Some other Christian groups would rejoice thinking Christ is coming especially for them.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Thess 5:2

‘Sudden destruction’ comes on those that presume to be in God’s favor. A Christian population. For the most part they would be expecting a ‘rapture’. The only ‘sudden destruction’ that fits with a Christian nation is the fall of Babylon. The Church is obviously fully aware of what will happen (not in darkness), they have been leading an intense campaign explaining what will take place once ‘that day’

is underway.‘That day’ could not refer to the start of the Day of the Lord since as Paul emphasizes, we have a ‘perfect understanding’ the start will be a surprise to all.

We know that the Beast was not in existence (formally) and no other major

upsets around the world are taking place when Babylon falls. A close look at the reaction of witnesses to the ‘destruction’ gives absolutely no hint of a military first strike. They are solely concerned with how they are to continue their business. Had there been a nuclear strike it would mean devastation elsewhere in the world in response. There is no concern shown for such an outcome or where or who the aggressor was that it came from. War and safety for themselves and homeland is not on their mind. This is strictly a financial collapse of the worlds trading currency they are concerned about.

And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: Rev 18:9

The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this

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great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Rev 18:15

It is reasonable to surmise that an ‘act of God’ – a natural disaster – may have taken place. That is possible. However in Part Three, a separate and independent study of Revelation chapters 17, 18, 19, the primary reason for the destruction of Babylon is clearly pinpointed.Irrespective of the cause, Babylon is up in smoke. When the financial dominoes topple, when banks close their doors and panic buyers clear the supermarket shelves and gas stations run dry: where to next? The complete breakdown of all social, political and commercial enterprise; street riots on a national scale. That is just the start.

We have witnessed many smaller scale disasters result in violent antisocial

reactions. In a ‘me first’ society, without any prospect of being paid, even essential organisations such as hospitals and the police force would wind down. The nation would self destruct all the way down to an ‘every man for himself’ state of affairs.

A country without a financial base cannot fight a battle. It cannot defend itself. America does not even try:

The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken. Jer 51:30

America and its close allies comprising the House of Joseph, financially

interdependent on each other, will all be in the same boat. Judah without the aid of America is now vulnerable to attack.

Peace Is Taken From The Earth

Should the United States totally collapse it would mean:

• The world’s stock markets would collapse.• The entire world’s currency basis would collapse.• All international trade would cease.• All of the world’s day-to-day necessities would be unavailable• No longer is there a world policeman on duty.• Desperation would see nations in a ‘grab whatever you can / anyway you can’ mood.

The result is: ‘Peace is taken from the earth’.

When America, Great Britain and Judah are left entirely defenceless through

their own internal breakdown, there is only one outcome. They are subject to piracy and mass pillaging from all sides as the bible so clearly portrays.

For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain. Jer 50:9

How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations! 24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD. Jer 50:23

Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left. Jer 50:26

Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round

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about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD. Jer 50:29

Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. 42 They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon. Jer 50:41

O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness. The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee. Jer 51:13

The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken. 31 One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end, 32 And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted. 33 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come. Jer 51:30

‘TURNING THE HEARTS TO THE fATHERS’

‘Turning the hearts of the fathers’ originates from 1 Kings 18:37. The account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on the issue of ‘How long halt ye between two opinions’.

Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. I Kings 18:37

A ‘heart turned back to God’ simply means serving God to the utmost. Unconditionally.

Expectations for Elijah

Many people anticipate the second ‘Elijah’ to be a classic fire and brimstone prophet.

All the Churches’ problems and questions will somehow be sorted.An example from mainstream Christian thought is that he single-handedly converts the entire Jewish nation of Israel to accept Christ.Far from being an international figure, even within the Church, his ‘preparing’ the way for Christ’s return results in limited effect. The Church’s response was not universal. Only half took the necessary action: ‘the wise virgins’. If there were a ‘fire and brimstone’ demonstration from God; a lot more of the Church would have responded.Even after ‘Elijah’ has fulfilled his mission and ‘prepared the way’, the sequence of events that follow still takes the Church by surprise. ‘Suddenly’ describes an unexpected outcome.

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple. Mal 3:1

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Malachi describes Elijah as a messenger. Reading between the lines it would appear that his function is no more than that, he does not ‘do’ anything. Faith, not ‘evidence’ are the ground rules for the New Testament Church. Individuals will need to use their own discernment. No one else can do it for you. There is a purpose being served. A crucial one. God is choosing the last entries for the ‘book of remembrance’. The door to become a firstfruit is about to close. Note: ‘those that walk mournfully before the Lord’ would be the Church.

Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? 14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? 15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. 16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Malachi 3:13

One part of the Church, in effect, is expecting God to serve them. ‘If one does all that God requires, God will bless you’. In reality, what Christ does say is that if we do all that He expects we should look out for trouble.

The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. John 15:20

The Purpose For Elijah ComingBehold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 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. Mal 4:5

Is it Elijah whose potential failure would be responsible for ‘utter destruction on the

earth’ or is the responsibility on the shoulders of his hearers?The pattern we read in scripture shows Elijah pointing out the need to make a choice in their commitment to God. Is it token or wholehearted?To ask that question in the days immediately prior to the Day of the Lord suggests something is going to be required of them. It is like calling for volunteers. From the detail (very little is given) much discussion is generated. The traditional explanation for ‘turning the hearts of the fathers to the children’ is not convincing. Family life is not the subject of primary concern moments before the Day of the Lord commences. The angel Gabriel’s version in the New Testament provides us with an insight into the second half of the sentence. Turning the ‘hearts of children to their fathers’ is given as meaning ‘the disobedient will change their attitude for the better’. The purpose: to get the first fruits ready for Christ’s return. Considering Gabriel’s inclusion shows no actual connection involving children, the meaning of the first half of the sentence may need to be revised.

…and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:17

All translations for the Hebrew and Greek of ‘turning the hearts of the fathers’ closely follow each other in agreement. However, once you look into the interlinear for both the Hebrew and Greek another possibility arises.

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This example is of the Greek in Luke 1. Some interlinear versions place a ‘the’ in front of ‘children’. Notice that this version and many others do not. It is the same in the Hebrew. All, without exception, allow for the additions for the ‘the’ to be placed with all words where it makes sense, but by no means do all place a ‘the’ in the case of ‘children’.

in [the] spirit and power of elijah to turn [the] hearts of fathers to children and [the] disobedient to [the] wisdom of [the] righteous to make ready for [the] lord a people prepared

This would place an entirely different explanation on this phrase, ‘He shall turn the hearts of the fathers to children’s hearts’. This makes more sense and is in accord with what Christ said.

Verily I say... Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt 18:2

The Church members will decide for themselves how they respond to the information. God will take notice of their attitude. In the sixteen instances of being told the ‘day comes as a thief’ we are also told on that particular day the doors are going to be shut. ‘That, as they say, is that’.

A basic summary: • A messenger, ‘Elijah’, has information that will challenge a former mindset and redirect their thinking – ‘turn their hearts’.• The timing is immediately prior to the Day of the Lord when the message is given. Mal 4:5• The choice or decision calls for something being done that is critical in God’s eyes. He is prepared to change His plans drastically. ‘I will smite the earth with utter destruction’ should it not be accomplished. Mal 4:6• For this important choice not to be acted

on, it would be safe to assume it contained something very difficult to digest.• God is watching the response very closely.• Those that choose to serve God regardless of the cost are chosen – ‘Paralambano’• The message was given yet the Church is caught by surprise when the cry goes out ‘the Lord cometh’. This indicates the Day of the Lord begins ‘sooner rather than later’.• Once it is clear that Christ is coming and the Day of the Lord has started (in hindsight), all of the Church realised it should have acted on the contents of the message.

At some point before the Day of the Lord begins the Church will need to realise what

is required of them during the first half of the ‘week’. There will be some drastic rethinking of expectations. Instead of promises of a ‘safe place’ there is only the prospect of a ‘life on the run’ with no assurance of getting to the other end in one piece. Something akin to the wartime underground operating during the Nazi occupation. The main difference is the degree of sophistication the ‘enemy’ has at its disposal in these modern times. Should a Blackberry or iPad be used, instant location devices would see the user taken into custody. Use of bank machines would have the same result, as would the use of a vehicle with number plates. The ‘two and two sent [together]’ shows that larger groups are always vulnerable to being picked up in ‘one swoop’ should one of its members be detained. Communications are the easiest way of tracking people’s whereabouts and associates. Discretion, or ‘being as wise as a serpent’ is the order of the day.Here are the instructions that Matt 10 shows as still current today … till the Son of man be come. Christ has not come yet! ‘Israel’ in this case would represent the balance of the tribes of Israel in Europe, not the House of Joseph or Judah which at the time of these activities would have already gone into captivity.

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Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy... And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it... And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet... Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. Matt 10:5

Providing ‘no script’ or funds for the purpose is a way of saying do not use

banking facilities. ‘Take no spare shoes’ is

about provision for travel, no hired or personal vehicles (instantly traceable). Be very careful to whom you talk. Choose a secure and trustworthy place to stay as you move around. Expect a high degree of opposition. Do not expect people to be reliable. If you are ‘turned in’ that is not necessarily the end of the matter, it can be used to advantage. All of this is a clear indication for the need to be very circumspect. If caution and prudence are the order of the day, it also follows that under no circumstance would it have made any sense to publish ahead of time (via one of the world’s largest circulation magazines) all the details for the plan.This would have amounted to handing over to Hitler the information for the invasion of Normandy (D-Day) in advance. Now it should make sense why HWA could not under any circumstance have published all the correct or complete details. In some ways the further from certain facts he could have been, the better. Many lives will be at stake; not that that in itself would be an issue to God. Never have the lives of God’s people, even Christ Himself, overridden the purpose He collectively has, not only for the Church, but also for the world at large.

A successful outcome for the nations of Israel is paramount. The reason the world

failed previously was the failure of Israel to follow God and set the right example. A changed direction for the world depends on the conversion of all of Israel to the point where it will provide that leadership in the future.God lets the Church know it is the instrument for that outcome, …‘or, I will smite the earth with utter destruction’. How will the Church accomplish such a vital task under such restrictive circumstances?

The LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward. Isa 52:12

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They all have the ability using God’s authority to perform miracles of the highest degree, ‘raise the dead, heal the sick’.

The account of the ‘seventy’ in Luke 10 is a pattern for the future. The seventy at

Christ’s time are a relatively obscure group never heard of again. Christ is making a point. ‘Satan falling from heaven’ is a far future event that will not happen until the Day of the Lord is at an advanced stage. Rev 12:7.‘Your names written in heaven’ could hardly apply to the seventy at the time setting of Luke 10. If they had ‘raised the dead’ and ‘trod on scorpions and serpents’ with no ill effect at that time there would have been an extra book in the New Testament covering their escapades: ‘The Acts of the Seventy’.The reference to having their names ‘written in heaven’ is notification they are indeed to be chosen as firstfruits in the Kingdom which far outweighs being able to cast out a demon.Christ saying he saw ‘Satan falling from heaven’ is an interesting way of giving encouragement to the Saints of the future. Satan is pictured as defeated, the Church wins, and the world will not suffer utter destruction.

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:18

The departure point that God set in place in order for HWA not to overstep the mark was the expression ‘immediately after the tribulation of those days…’ Matt 24:29He produced a construct completely outside of his own rules by changing the words of the bible.He said ‘there, you see it with your own eyes,

immediately after the Great Tribulation’.Totally uncharacteristic for HWA, but totally necessary for the Church.

‘Turning the hearts of the fathers’ is about information. This is one case where ‘knowledge’ is all-important. Understanding what takes place during first three and a half years of the Day of the Lord will determine the response.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable servic Rom 12:1

But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Isa 66:2

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The Mystery Of The Woman – The Judgment Of The Great Whore

In Jeremiah 50 and 51 the conclusion is Israel (the House of Joseph) is Babylon.

This parallel is not immediately evident in Revelation. Two phrases flow through Revelation chapters 17, 18, 19: ‘the Great Whore that sitteth upon many waters’ and ‘whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication with’. The reader could be left with the impression that the Beast, his ten kings; the Woman, the Great Whore and Babylon are linked as one body. If this were the case, the sudden/total and complete destruction of Babylon would equate with the complete destruction of the Beast, his armies and his ten kings at Armageddon. The Beast cannot be completely and utterly destroyed at Babylon and continue in one piece to be again destroyed at another time.

A quick review of the main reasons used so far that show the Beast is not Babylon:

• Babylon’s sudden destruction is on its home territory. The Beast with his ten kings and the false prophet are defeated at the battle of Armageddon in Judea.• Babylon after its initial sudden fall is defeated by many nations and kings of the earth. The Beast, ten kings and his army are destroyed by Christ personally.• Babylon’s sudden destruction is during a period of normal day-to-day world activity.

The remaining world’s leaders and nations are left intact, as are all the world’s business structures. The Beast and his army are defeated after years of war so horrific that if Christ did not intervene no one on earth would survive.• Just before the fall of Babylon, God’s people, the Church, need to ‘come out of her’ for their own physical safety. When the Beast faces his demise, the Church will not be seeking safety. Christ and the Saints are the armies from heaven that utterly destroy the Beast power, the ten kings and all other kings of the earth that defy Christ.

Further Reasonsat the fall of babylon the world is shocked.

We know how the kings of the earth and traders of the world respond when

Babylon falls.The world’s traders are seriously wracking their brains on where and how they can sell their supplies of chocolate and coffee beans. They may be stuck with excess stock but they still have their ships and home markets. The ‘kings of the earth’ are shocked at the sudden turn of events that resulted in Babylon ‘going up in smoke’. All in all people are severely shaken, but life does go on. Revelation 18 describes a world that is alarmed but otherwise fully intact. It does not describe a world that has just experienced Armageddon. Even for the Church who had to come out of Babylon ‘life will go on’ for a while. That is the reason they had to remove themselves from that location. The real question is who or what was behind the fall of Babylon? That question is clearly

Part Three

COMING fROM ANOTHER DIRECTION: REVElATION CHAPTERS 17, 18, 19

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answered in scriptures we will come to.

at the ‘fall of the beast’

We know who destroys the Beast; Christ and the Saints returning at Armaged-

don. Compared to the reaction to the fall of Babylon, when the Beast is destroyed how do the kings of the earth respond?

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his im-age. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rem-nant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Rev 19:19

The kings of the earth and their armies were all slain by Christ. This would have included the ten kings in partnership to the Beast and the balance of European powers allied to him. All of Asia and Russia combined who joined the European bloc against Christ would be included. The UK, USA, Israel (Judah) and the Middle Eastern Arabic nations were all defeated and dispersed at an earlier time. This now reasonably accounts for ‘all’ the kings of the earth.Technically they don’t get a chance to ‘respond’. This is noticeably different to what happens after Babylon falls.

One final point remains in this discussion on the Beast being Babylon. Who (or

what) destroys Babylon?

The opening verse of Revelation 17 informs us what this chapter is about.

Come hither; I will shew unto thee the

judgment of the Great Whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. Rev 17:1

The judgement of the ‘Great Whore’ is the subject. This is an important point. The primary theme is not the Beast who is incidental to the story. Chapter 18 is an ‘eye witness’ account of the judgement of the Whore. Chapter 19 brings into focus the Church and their part in the Wedding as a result of the judgement of the Whore. Chapter 22 carries forward a conversation from chapter 19 that gives us some insight into the overall timing for these events. This is a major portion of the New Testament, more than three chapters, devoted to one individual topic; the judgement of the Great Whore.

What is so special about the Whore? Who is she? Several names are used to describe the same identity. First the Great Whore is introduced in verse 1. A ‘woman’ is introduced in verse 3. By verse 15 it is plain that the woman and the Great Whore are the same individual. However her name is given in verse 5 as Babylon. Commentators generally explain the use of the word ‘mystery’ as meaning that ‘Babylon’ will need to be interpreted symbolically – by more than plain reason.

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev 17:5

As mentioned, chapter 18 is the account of the judgment of the Great Whore (as seen through the eyes of witnesses from around the world).

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day,

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death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Rev 18:8

This is confirmed in chapter 19 where following on from the smoke billowing up from Babylon, God’s actions for the judgment of the Great Whore are being justified by the angels.

Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Rev 19:1

Now we have a clear distinction made. Babylon is the Great Whore. When referring to the ‘woman’ or the ‘Great Whore’ it is Babylon we are talking about.Back to the question of ‘who or what’ destroys Babylon. We have just seen it was God that judged Babylon. However back in chapter 17 more information is to be had.

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast… 15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. Rev 17:12

Paraphrasing this section of scripture:‘God has put it into the minds of the ten kings and Beast to fulfil His will by completely and

utterly destroying Babylon’.

The Beast and his ten kings are responsible for the total destruction of Babylon.

Chapters 18 and 19 detail the evidence of that having taken place.Since God says they will do it, and it is done, they have proven as a fact, that the Beast is not Babylon.

Who is Babylon (the Great Whore) that reigns over the kings of the earth?God’s word uses repetition for emphasis. Repeat something two or three times and our attention level needs to go up a notch. The ‘kings of the earth’ has red highlighter through it.

…the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. Rev 17:1

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Rev 17:15

And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Rev 17:18

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Rev 18:3

And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Rev 18:9

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The Catholic Church has only an inconsequential position throughout most

of the world in this day and age. The average person in Afghanistan, India, China, Egypt or any nation in Africa could not name the Pope. Would they even know what a Pope was? These countries represent the majority of people in this world.

In the bible who IS the Great Whore that also kills the prophets?Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom. 14 And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD. 15 But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was. Ezek 16:13

Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms. Ezek 16:25

Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied. Ezek 16:28

How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman; 31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire; 32 But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband! 33 They give gifts to

For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Rev 19:2

Babylon is a truly global enterprise that all the ‘inhabitants of the earth’, kings or otherwise, interacts with one way or another. The timing is specifically the ‘end time’ – ‘when they shall see the smoke of her burning’. Only a superpower, ‘the hammer of the whole earth’ (Jer 50:23) could hold this much sway. The entire world has been shaped and modified by the influence of this superpower.

By comparison the Beast with his ten kings are a small regional power, only in place for a very brief moment in history. The Beast power is revived for one reason, to ‘fulfil God’s will’. This will be explained in more detail shortly.The traditional view in the Church is that the ‘woman’ (in reality Babylon), is the false Church of Rome. That view cannot be supported from the bible; it is no more than a presumption. The religion of the Beast is a completely new agenda.

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods… 37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. Dan 11:36

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all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom. 34 And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary. Ezek 16:30

How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways; 24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. Jer 2:23

Your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. Jer 2:30

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not. Matt 23:37

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Matt 23:31

Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 1 Thess 2:15

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: ...Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Acts 7:51

The Great Whore of the bible is Israel. Israel is guilty of persecuting God’s people.

Many are the verses in the bible that describe (graphically) how ‘lewd’ Israel is. The deliberate choice of words is in keeping with how Israel from a very privileged position has failed in its relationship with Christ. Not only do they reject their King, they rejected and persecuted all those sent by Him. Israel is the one with the blood of the prophets and Saints on its hands.

We have come full circle. From a completely different perspective it can be shown that Babylon is Israel. The bible always gives a way of cross-referencing itself. God is not the author of confusion. This once again places Israel squarely as the central focus of the Day of the Lord. The part that is played by God’s people, once again, will be all important and is covered in these chapters in Revelation.

God had made promises to Abraham. They were fulfilled. Other ‘promises’ will now come into effect; these will take Israel from the heights of greatness to the depths of shameful captivity. The reason for the angels having to justify the complete destruction of Babylon (the House of Joseph and Judah) in Rev 19:2 was these were His ‘own peculiar people’, Christ was their King. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore.Yet more promises are to be completed and these will at last see Israel and the world on its path to a never ending Kingdom of God. The Millennium, a thousand years, is but ‘one day’ on that journey.

A few more questions remain to be answered. How does a ‘start up’ regional power, the

Beast with ‘only’ ten kings, pull down the world’s most powerful superpower?

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And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone… All descriptions that mention what takes place in the ‘one hour’ Babylon is reduced to ruin are very thin on detail. Angels with millstones, sea and multitudes of waves, these are the words that conjure up images but still leave us without any specifics. The bible usually describes all the ins and outs of ‘who is who and doing what to whom’. On this occasion the bible is almost silent. Only one detail is clear and unambiguous. It is sudden and unexpected.‘Almost silent’ does not mean entirely void. We can presuppose that God deliberately wants to conceal this matter from general view. We also know from experience God has tucked the detail away ‘somewhere’ for us to work it out.

As mentioned previously, amongst all the nations of the world and business houses that witness the fall of Babylon there is not a hint of military action or other specific reason for what has taken place. If a war had started all thoughts would be on personal safety. If a war were in progress the traders would not be hanging about offshore in their ships. As it is, all thoughts are ‘How can we sell our shampoo and nutmeg’? Most of Revelation 18 is about how the world views the situation from an economic perspective. Finance and trade are the issues in discussion.If a war were in progress people would think and talk about war. If a financial collapse has taken place, then financial matters are on your mind. This is what Revelation 18 is telling us. How many times are economics mentioned?

The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. v3

How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously. v7

The kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her. v9And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more v11

The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her v15

For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. v17

Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! v19

The same account in Isaiah 47 also brings the commercial angle to light:

Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee. Isa 47:15 Within Babylon a massive collapse has taken place. That much is clear. That there was no visible outside source to cause this, from the eyewitness accounts, is also clear. One option is ‘an act of God’, a natural disaster? Quite possible. However, God has already told us that it is the Beast and his ten kings that will cause the downfall of Babylon.The account of the same event in Isaiah also confirms that the cause of the ‘downfall’ was not readily apparent. What is also added is language alluding to ‘your own incredibly complicated way of doing things (sorceries) got you into this mess, now see if they will get you out’. Once again this would be entirely in keeping with a nation that had gone in way over its head into financial adventures that went horribly wrong.

Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that

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sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: 9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. 10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. 11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. 12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. 13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Isa 47:8

How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations! 24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD. Jer 50:23

A mini timeline would help create an outline of the sequence of events.

From Riches To Rags In One Hour.

The financial collapse of Babylon and the rise of the Beast

That great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For

in one hour so great riches is come to nought. Rev 18:16

• At the commencement of the Day of the Lord: the world is normal. 16 verses state nothing will be out of the ordinary. Babylon (the House of Joseph) is the reigning superpower. Trade and commerce throughout the world is normal.

• At the time of Babylon’s fall all the world is aligned with Babylon’s economic engine. The Beast is not yet in office.• Before the Beast is in office, he with his ten kings conspire to pull down Babylon. Babylon has a sudden financial collapse that is terminal for the nation. God tells us the Beast was responsible, therefore the Beast contrived the financial collapse.

• When Babylon falls the economic engine for the entire world ceases to exist. The result will be ‘Peace is taken from the earth’.

• The Beast having organised the financial dominoes will have made provision for its own survival beforehand. (The ten kings are in this for what they can get out of it. They and the Beast will ‘divide the spoils’ of a reorganised Europe.)

• The Beast and ten kings will supersede Babylon to be the new world leader after Babylon has fallen. (‘World leader’: is more of a default position due to the grim condition of the rest of the world).

• The world’s economic situation cannot cope with the sudden change in fiscal affairs. Except for the Beast that had prepared in advance.

• The world ‘wonders’ at the Beast that now ‘is’ when everyone else ‘is not’.

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…and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Rev 17:8

The Church will have a full understanding of what was going on. This is essential for them to keep up with the fast pace of events and perform the work God requires of them.

From The Fall Of Babylon To The Wedding: Revelation 19

Revelation 19 leaps from the judgement of Babylon, in one bound, to the wedding of

the Saints. At first this may seem a little hasty. The Beast has not even taken office yet. The resurrection is still to come, as are many other events. Why look so far ahead?As the angels are rejoicing and singing their hearts out ‘as the voice of many thunderings’, who is being addressed, who is being spoken to? For who’s benefit is this rousing chorus for?

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. Rev 19:5

God’s servants that fear Him are those that have already been chosen (Paralambano) and written in the book. Babylon has fallen. The Saints have taken up position in Europe. All Israelite nations will now begin the long haul back to the real ‘reality’. Christ is their King.From the angel’s point of view, the kingdom of God is now a train in motion.The big celebration is not just exuberance let loose. The Saints still have their function to perform and that is what this jubilation is really about. Encouragement, exhortation, confidence, a real taste of the victory ahead. The Saints can only succeed if the hope of

the kingdom is alive and set in their minds. This is what the angels are giving them. They stand at the finish line urging them on. The wedding outfits are the gold medals. Here is the passage, verses 1-10; it is an important one for the Churches of God to understand. Verse 5 introduces the conversation with John by the angel from the throne, which continues in verse 9:

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 5And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus. Rev 19:1

The universal teaching in the Churches of God has been: ‘The fall of Babylon would represent

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the end of the Beast empire at Armageddon. The Church would have been gathered and resurrected just before this moment. After the resurrection the wedding would follow shortly’. This passage in Rev 19 would appear to confirm that impression. The evidence given for Babylon not being the Beast should be more than sufficient to show there is more to this than meets the eye, however, a response is still warranted.

The answer lies in the statement ‘These are the true sayings of God’. Since an angel cannot say anything that is not true, there is no need to qualify his statements. This is an identifying ‘habit’ of this senior angel. (It could well be Gabriel – Dan 8:26. The Hebrew in that verse is stronger than the king James in stressing the ‘vision of the morning and evenings’ was the ‘truth of God’. Gabriel had no need to say that.) An example of another angel with an identifying trademark is in Ezekiel 10, the angel who has the ‘coals of the fire’. He appears again in Rev 14:18, 8:5, Isa 6:6This is the point: These little snippets of information are there for us to be able to link up conversations, thought patterns and facts. In this case it will be a conversation. Just as in Matthew, Mark and Luke, accounts of the same events and conversations –information for us – are not always presented as a complete account. They are to be worked out more fully by adding the individual pieces together.The conversation in Rev 19 starts in verse 5, The angel says ‘this is the true saying of God’ whereupon John bows down to worship the angel who intervenes and says that should not be done.The same event, carries over to Revelation 22:6

And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true… And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for

I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets.

John would not under any circumstances do this again in a hurry so we can assume it is the same event as chapter nineteen. Here are just the words of the conversation joined together in one go. It is equally a jewel of information or a piece of dynamite, as you prefer.

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Rev 19:5 + 22:7

As a whole this ‘instruction’ now takes on a completely different dimension. It is one consistent line of thought that mirrors very closely what is said in Malachi. Also, the message would fit perfectly with being the unspoken half of the Rev 14:6 declaration of the gospel to all the world: what was said directly to the Church leading them to understand who had been chosen.(Notice the similarity in speaking ‘style’ to Gabriel in Dan 8:5, 9:21 and Luke 1:11).

• Here is the time setting, day one of the Day of the Lord. The book is being written up. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he

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without reservation, no questions asked, no conditions imposed, will be glad and rejoice.

Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. Mal 1:10

Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Rev 22:7

Israel is the nucleus of the ‘end time’. Everything revolves around that one objective. If the Church were not to play their part, they would have effectively thwarted God’s plan.Some, only half, will whole-heartedly choose to serve God. ‘They will be mine’.

The House of Joseph once they are in captivity will have the ability to sort themselves out. They will come to understand the reasons for the turn of events. Inside their ranks are people that have had access to past information given by the Church. From the Church are those that failed to come out of Babylon. God will nurture, protect and guide many sincere Christians from all walks of life through this time of the captivity.

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. Ezek 11:16

Europe will not afford that luxury. ‘Stasi’ will lurk behind every door. As in times past, those that are found with a bible are liable to be ‘turned in’. Worship of the Beast and the sheer desperation for food or fear of not receiving it, will turn family members against themselves.

that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

• ‘His wife has made herself ready’ is what was done up to day one when the wife is chosen. After that it is too late.

• On day one those that know they are invited (wise virgins) are very blessed indeed. Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.• Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. This instruction can only be of benefit before the book is written up. The ‘sayings’ will be what has been explained relevant to this subject. ‘How long halt ye between two opinions’

• Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. The previous point showed that the prophecy in question would be available (understood) before the Day of the Lord. Point one: Talk about it! You never know who might be listening. Point two: From the moment this subject is in the open – the time is at hand. In Malachi it says ‘He will come to His temple suddenly’. Suddenly in this context usually means very quickly indeed. Knowing this is the nearest you will get to knowing when Christ will return.

• Just for good measure ‘Behold, I come quickly’ is added… why? To bang the gavel. Quickly means very soon. When ‘Christ comes’ which is day one of the Day of the Lord as in the sixteen times it says that is what it means, the wedding list will become ‘public’. (The wise virgins knew who was on it and who was not). His ‘reward’ was with Him.

Revelation 19, the scripture in question, belongs seven long years before Armageddon. These verses are the echo of the Malachi and Elijah ‘two opinions’.

Those that serve Him, those that fear Him

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[wikipedia – stasi. east german ministry for state security: ‘full-time officers were posted to all major industrial plants (the extensiveness of any surveillance largely depended on how valuable a product was to the economy) and one tenant in every apartment building was designated as a watchdog reporting to an area representative of the volkspolizei (vopo). spies reported every relative or friend who stayed the night at another’s apartment. tiny holes were drilled in apartment and hotel room walls through which stasi agents filmed citizens with special video cameras. schools, universities, and hospitals were extensively infiltrated.’]

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Matt 24:10

In this environment the Saints are needed. They will be the only source of ‘truth’ and the only source of hope – and they have the ability to deliver.The tribes of Israel in Europe do not share the limelight that the House of Joseph and Judah have. Numerically, Joseph and Judah are only three of the twelve tribes. That leaves a lot of Israel to be responsible for.

Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book:Behold, I come quickly.The ‘prophecy of this book’ is spelled out. Don’t withhold it. Talk ‘one to another’ about it.

We are all aware of the financial machinations in Europe and America. These are the ‘fig leaves’ that proclaim ‘summer is near’. Some form of collapse by someone is inevitable. When one goes, all will go. Europe, logically, should have folded before now. Sticking plaster policies will continue, raising hopes

one minute, sapping confidence the next. A prolonged campaign of financial musical chairs will be played out until the market is ripe for picking. The ten kings are holding all the aces.

For the time is at hand.

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Summary

WHAT MEANETH THIS? Understanding where God has His priority

for the ‘End Time’ should be our main concern. Israel is this priority and something obviously needs to be accomplished by the Church. ‘Hearts being turned’; a change in attitude from within the Church is being called for. If it should not occur God says ‘I will smite the earth with a curse’. We understand that to be ‘utter destruction’.This must be important.

Why not just wave the magic wand and start over with the first fruits? Call time, ring the bell and shut the doors.God never wanted robots. Man has to learn to choose right from wrong. The ‘end time’ is about the start of the Kingdom of God and it needs to start on the right foot. It has to start with people that have made that choice. Ordinary every day people.

The Church is a separate issue. They have already been chosen on ‘day one’ of the

overall Day of the Lord. Many verses could be used to make that point. ‘Christ comes – His reward is with Him’. That is mentioned four times. The foolish virgins are aware they left it too late on the night the cry went up ‘the Lord cometh’. The wise ‘received’ their reward. The sixteen verses that express words to the effect ‘I come as a thief, therefore be you ready’ have only one stark meaning. The very instant Church members are aware the Day of the Lord has begun; it is too late for them to go back for another try. ‘Too late to go back’ for some makes it obvious others already have a hold on their reward.

Israel; all tribes, must reach the position where they unanimously say ‘Come, and let

us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten’. Jer 50:5

After almost six and a half years in slave labor and prison camps, only a small percentage will make it. Those few that do will have got to know and trust in God completely. It is the only way they could survive. A little bit of time is on their side.

The tribes in Europe are in a different situation. They are not in a literal state of

captivity. In many ways they are far worse off. In the labour camps around the world away from the Beast, the captives can comfort each other. In European Beast territory any one and every one could be your worst enemy. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. Matt 10:36

No food, no housing and spies everywhere. It gets worse. Miracles that could deceive even the elect are constantly nudging you to give in and give up: ‘take the mark’. There is only one factor in play to help. The Saints. They have the truth. They have hope. They have the way.

Wherever the Beast is mentioned in scripture the Saints are present resisting

him. Why is this? If Babylon were the Beast power, they were instructed (ordered) to come out and distance themselves from him. The Beast is not Babylon; I hope that point has been well and truly established. The Saints voluntarily came out of Babylon, the House of Joseph, and willingly went into the Beast territory solely to ensure the survival and encourage those that refuse to take the mark of the Beast.

Why call the Saints out of Joseph in the first place? God could see to their survival both through the fall of Babylon and the captivity. Daniel did it, and many others.There are two reasons why this should not be

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so. One is the Saints are urgently needed in Europe. God does not wave magic wands. His people have to do the work. Secondly, where do we stand? In this day and age we have had an extraordinarily easy time. Which one of us has had to face being taken off to the Colosseum to be cruelly killed for someone’s entertainment? Who has had to endure some of the most devious devices to inflict pain ever invented as in the Spanish Inquisition? Almost all of the Church in the past has. Are we somehow better than they were?

If any man come to me, and hate not… his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26

Christ is not saying we have to die for Him, but we absolutely have to be willing to do so.

It is this point that is being raised for the end time Church in Malachi. ‘How long halt you between two opinions’.

‘Do you follow Christ for what you can get out of it, or for what you can do for Christ’?

Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. Mal 1:10

The ‘Place of Safety’

The issue for the Church in our time is the ‘place of safety’. This siren song will lure

many – not all – to certain shipwreck. Do we expect that for our loyal service in turning up each week to services, paying tithes and keeping Holy Days that we are ‘promised’ relief from further sweat and toil? “I think not,” said Christ. Yet this is what is promoted in many Church messages. One of the largest

divisions of the Churches of God has let it be known (on an ancillary website) that should the other groups not join them, they have no chance of being in the ‘place of safety’. Used as a crude recruitment device to gain members and keep tithes rolling in, the ‘place of safety’ concept has been abused by too many for too long.

The Church of our day has never come to grips with what takes place before the last forty two months. The Saints are spared the Great Tribulation during that last three and a half year period. The Saints are those ‘chosen’; by no means is that all the Church. That is why Christ warns us sixteen times to ‘watch’.

The ‘promise’ is partly based on: 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. Rev 3:10

This is a simple statement as in the other verses to the Churches: ‘if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me’, meaning they will be chosen for the resurrection. The gathering of the ‘elect from the four winds’ with the ‘great sound of the trumpet’ takes place at the sixth seal, three and a half years, or 1260 days before the conclusion. The Church has an obscured view of many details of the Day of the Lord; when the resurrection takes place is one of them. It is not a point worth arguing over. Being ‘in the wilderness’, impervious to the world is very safe. Be it on the Sea of Glass or the equivalent of John’s wilderness experience (Rev 17:3), it has no practical bearing on the matter. What does matter is the Saints were chosen or otherwise well before this time.

There is no promise the Church will be spared anything during the Day of the Lord (before the resurrection). Why should it? It never

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happened before. There is however another promise indelibly imprinted in black and white:

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matt 10:38

What about the three and a half years before the seventh seal begins? The

Day of the Lord starts well before the Beast comes on the scene. Well before America and Britain are carted off to captivity. Sixteen verses make that very clear. Paul adds we must understand that perfectly.‘Peace is taken from the earth’ and a quarter of its population, billions of people, die. This is the period referred to as ‘the tribulation of those days’ – before the final three and half years. What is the Church doing during this period? It has never even thought about it. It never occurred to the Church they had to think about it. Well now they do! Those that ‘fear the Lord’ will not only think a lot about it, they will speak with each other a lot about it. When the time comes, they will act on it, or there is no chance to be ‘in the book’.

Many will find room to be critical of this document and the writer, for obvious

reasons. But what is being asked? No one is expected to change to another Church. No one is expected to send any money. No one is expected to step down or step aside. On the contrary, every one is being asked to step up!

All the Church groups without exception will have explanations for biblical passages, in print or visual media, that plainly are a contradiction to the true meaning intended. That only serves to level the playing field. No one Church can claim to be ‘the’ Church.

Should they change their material? No. There would be no point served in the

Church causing further confusion. The fact is Christ is coming and it will be ‘suddenly’. There is no time left for correcting Church publications, especially with the corporate structures it has adopted. Neither is there an expectation to get radical and step out and start the Ezekiel warnings. Leave it to God to start that ball rolling. Perhaps, in a more humble attitude the Churches will pool their resources and work together on that when the time comes.

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17:7

The Absolute Importance Of Understanding‘Watch’ Does Not Mean ‘Watch’

Time and again, congregation members of the Churches of God say ‘don’t you worry, I

am keeping a careful watch on world events’.What for? And when you see ‘it’, what are you going to do?

Clearly the meaning Christ intended is ‘watch out’. There will be nothing to see. If the following point has to be repeated, yet once again, then it is solely because the Church

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has not digested it: Sixteen times Christ says the Day of the Lord will take you by complete surprise. Therefore ‘watch out’ that you have done what was necessary beforehand. This ‘Paralambano’ document clarifies the ‘what is necessary’, what it takes to avoid ‘wailing and gnashing of teeth’.

In its simplest terms what is required is a total commitment to serve Christ.Total commitment is not watching for the Beast to materialize followed by a quick exit to a ‘safe place’. What would that achieve?

Imperative for the Church to understand: the first fruits/ the wedding bride/ all those that

are to be in the first resurrection will be chosen at a moment unknown to themselves. This ‘moment’ takes place before the ‘end time’ is even a tiny cloud on the horizon. There will be nothing to see.Once the Saints have been chosen, then events will unfold ‘suddenly’.

Explained in the 16 verses ‘when He comes’ is also the moment of complete surprise, day one of the overall Day of the Lord. Christ’s reward is ‘with Him’ when He comes.The parable of the wise and foolish virgins demonstrates the bride has been chosen on ‘day one’. Both points have already been mentioned. Another short chapter in Revelation also explains the choosing of the bride clearly has transpired before any ‘end time’ seals are underway.

Revelation Chapter 5

In the opening verses of this chapter, God the Father is seated on His throne holding the

scroll. The scroll contains the seven seals that are the events of the Day of the Lord. No one can look into these events or even look at the scroll. (Only God the Father knows the ‘day or the hour’, this information is kept to Himself). The exception, when the time is appropriate,

is Christ. Christ takes the scroll directly from the hand of the Father.

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. Rev 5:1-7

The next verse is the key one for our purpose. At this juncture, before even the first seal has been opened the Saints are ‘present’ in a virtual sense via their prayers. They are not literally there, the resurrection has not taken place, however they are now pictured as singing the new song: Thou… hast redeemed us to God by thy blood… And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. They have been ‘chosen’.

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue,

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and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Rev 5:7-10

What is the significance of what has just taken place? In the next few verses

John looks around and notices that everyone in heaven is singing and jubilant. Perhaps many millions of angels, yet only the words of the ‘chosen’ Saints are recorded. What is recorded is specifically for our purpose, what we need to know. In this case for our purpose we see the Saints have been chosen, Christ has been given the go ahead to open, i.e. perform all the events of the Day of the Lord.

With the Saints chosen and Christ now holding – and opening – the seals, one fact is clear: the Kingdom of God is now fully on the march. The heavens erupt into jubilation.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. Rev 5:11-14

Worth noting are the words ‘every creature’ in verse 13. This is the same Greek expression in Romans 8 where we are told the ‘creation’ is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. The wait is over.

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Rom 8:17

The first seal is enacted; Christ on His white horse, bow in hand now goes forth to conquer.

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. Rev 6:2 See: Habakkuk Chapter 3

Hold that thought that the Saints are not literally in God’s presence yet, but are counted as being there in a virtual sense via their prayers. (Chapter 7 and quite a number of passages show the Saints still to be physically present on earth until the sixth seal).Revelation 14 continues on from chapter 5; the same scene with all the jubilation and singing with the 144,000 chosen Saints singing the same song. The difference is the further explanation of the seals being opened and enacted upon. The first seal is Christ commencing His maneuvers to ‘repossess’ the world and its peoples. This is not seen by the world. As part of the first seal, what is ‘seen’ is the gospel being delivered to every person on earth with the message alerting them to what is happening:

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watch does not mean watch

Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Rev 14:7

From this point on, all the subsequent seals will unfold. Revelation 14:6 – 20 is an additional timeline of the Day of the Lord detailing a more ‘hands-on’ explanation of the earlier seals in particular.

Once again the qualification to become one of the firstfruit Saints is the total

commitment to Christ. What Christ wants is what we want. The Saints have been chosen by day one, they still have a mighty task to perform. Just as Christ has set out to ‘go forth and conquer’ so will the Saints in the remainder of their allotted time.

These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Rev 14:4

What is the complete sum of every single purpose and thought a Christian should

strive for?Is it not to be chosen as a firstfruit, being ‘written in the book’, ‘to be associated with’, ‘joined together with’ Christ?

To be ‘taken’ under the mantel of Christ Paralambano

Churches of God members will have many questions concerning details presented in this document and traditional Church teaching.

Nothing has been stated that does not have thorough scriptural backing, often from many different directions, allways more than one.

Please go to the website for articles and answers to questions.

www.paralambano.org

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