We began this series on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a time that will precede The Great Tribulation. The Book of Revelation makes known the events that will happen to the world, to the Christian Church, to the Apostate Church and to those alive at the End Time; including the future into eternity for both saint and sinner! Today we are going to take a deeper look at the White Horse of False Christs or false teachings. We need to understand what lies ahead so that:1. We can be prepared spiritually with all earnestness.
2. We won’t be fearful of these events as those without hope.
3. We don’t become deceived
4. We follow Jesus’ instruction to “watch” and know the times.
Matthew 24:42 KJV Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:36 KJV But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
The word watch means to be ready; to stay alert; stay awake; be vigilant and be prepared. This is not the time to become a backslider. As Christians, Jesus should always be our first priority of every day; that means communing with the LORD in Prayer; Bible Study; Fasting and Mediating on the WORD of God.
“The Book of Revelation is the climax of God’s Book, the last chapter of world history. The opening book of Genesis records the beginnings of the universe and the human race, and this closing book prophetically views the coming eternal new heaven and new earth.” Jensen’s Survey of the New Testament
Revelation 1:1-2 ESV The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, (2) who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. (3) Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
Because the time of Jesus Christ’s return can not be known by man (Matthew 24:36, 42 above) and because no one knows the hour of their own death; it is important for Christians to be vigilant. That means to live life to its fullest; but live righteously. As a youth; growing up in a church that heavily preached the return of Jesus and the End Time; people began to foolishly set dates. These dates began to be held as absolute truth by many. The year 1975 became the year in which Jesus Christ was going to return. Revelation talks about a catching away of the Church (some call this the Rapture; a word that does not appear in the Bible). Because most everyone had begun to believe that the rapture would take place 3 ½ years before Christ’s return; 1972 became the launching date of the End Time (See Revelation 12:13-17 below).
Because people believed in a date that God’s WORD says can’t be known; people stopped living and began waiting. They also stopped taking care of their houses, cars and even their own physical bodies; believing that they would be changed in the twinkling of an eye into immortal spirit; “any day now.” Some let their teeth rot in their heads. People put off college, developing their career and making any long term plans. The year 1972 came and went and we were still here. Then 1975 came and went and we were still here. The last date that passed just recently was May 2011.
It is 2011; and since that date is past there is a new date set by prediction addiction addicts which is in 2012. People are still foolishly setting more dates as the next, “definite date of Christ’s return.” Those of us who once trusted in a false date have readjusted our thinking and are no longer plagued by what we call “PREDICTION ADDICTION.”
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SIGNS LIKE THIS ONE APPEARED ON BILLBOARDS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES |
It is 2011; and since that date is past there is a new date set by prediction addiction addicts which is in 2012. People are still foolishly setting more dates as the next, “definite date of Christ’s return.” Those of us who once trusted in a false date have readjusted our thinking and are no longer plagued by what we call “PREDICTION ADDICTION.”
Beware of prediction addiction. No man can predict the return of Christ; it is not known! It is not important to know when; but to always be prepared! Death can take anyone at any time. The grave yards are filled with people who did not know their hour was up. For them, Jesus Christ has returned. Their fate is sealed; either Eternity with Christ or damnation in hell.
Matthew 24:48-51 KJV But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; (49) And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; (50) 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, (51) And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The LORD has not delayed His coming. There can’t be a delay if there is not a known schedule. Setting dates can have disastrous results. In 1972, as a freshman entering high school after a summer spent in a church camp with “prediction addiction” brain washed into my mind; nothing was important except Bible study and prayer; my relationship with Jesus. Why study my school work if it is all going to come to an end that year? It took the next three years taking double the required classes to work my way out from the lower 3% to the upper 3% of my graduating class in order to be ready for college. Prediction Addiction cost me dearly!
The Rapture will take place at some point in the future. It could be today or it could happen after my days have long been fulfilled 30, 50 or more years from now. The key is: Live as if Christ is coming today; but also as if you will live out your life to a ripe old age. Make Flexible, Long Term Plans!
It is important to be aware of and prepare for the Rapture; but don’t stop living life! As Christians; God does not want us to just wait; He wants us to grow and develop in the fullness of life; allowing Him to bless us.
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It is hard to image what the Rapture will look like. This is just one artists idea. The main thing is to be ready for it; so that we will be a part of it. |
The Book of Revelation uses a lot of symbols and the Bible as a whole uses symbols and images to convey spiritual meaning. The woman here is a reference to the True Church. The dragon is Satan the devil and he wouldn’t be going after his own false church; so this is understood to mean the Church of God. The devil went after the Church to persecute her to the point of destruction. God rescues the church on the wings of eagles and takes her to a place of safety; the wilderness. There she is nourished for 3 ½ years (time, times and a half of time). The Bible will interpret the Bible; sometimes very specifically and sometimes clearly by context. The imagery helps engraft these concepts into our hearts and minds.
The Bible should come to life as you read and study it. Jesus Christ is the living WORD and He is infused in every word that He directly wrote through His human instruments. If you are grounded in the WORD; nothing will move you. False teachings will not be able to draw you away and rob you of your crown of life in Christ!
Anointings is a sponsored ministry of
Crystal Lake United Pentecostal Church
Lake in the Hills Illinois 60156
Bro. Thomas C. Blake
CareMinister.Org
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
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