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CRUNCH TIME FOR CHRISTIANS

by John Ben Wilhelm 2nd Edition November 1,,2013

What Christians need to know about The time of the End

Foreword
Whether we view it as crunch time or a time of trial and testing for Christians, what the Bible refers to as the the end of the age in the New American Bible, as the end of the days in the King James (Dan.12:13), Version or as the end of time in the New Jerusalem Bible, represents a most critical period in all of history for Christians. As such, this time presents unique challenges for true Christians. Crunch time is an expression that alludes to responding when it really counts. For Christians, this is Crunch Time. How Christians actively respond to events in these last days is a matter of life and death for them. Under trying circum- stances, sleeping persons are incapable of taking action to help themselves. Unless they wake up, and stay awake long enough to do something about their situation, there is no help for them in a time of crisis and crunch time is a time of crisis. The reason for this book is that when one examines what the bible really says about what it describes as The time of the End and compares it with what is being taught by Churches and Organizations representing themselves as Christian, one finds significant confusion and some disparity as well The disparity is largely due to what these institutions ignore in the Bible or dont teach as well as what they may teach erroneously. Gods word the Bible presents a complete and fully comprehensive message,
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not a partial one where some things are withheld if they might offend someone or shed what someone might see as unfavorable light on a subject. This book is not designed to tickle a persons ears with the idea of helping them feel good. The intent of the author is to present pristine Bible truth to individuals who truly love Jehovah God and his son, Jesus Christ. The book which is largely distilled from a series of essays posted earlier is designed to let the Bible do the talking. All versions of the Bible contain Gods mind, his thoughts and the fundamental principals he wishes to communicate to his human family. However, only imperfect humans were used to copy, translate and distribute his word to all nations, in all the tongues of the world. Therefore, the fact of the matter is; that while the Holy Bible represents Gods inspired word, human hands have left their mark of imperfection on all manmade translations of the Bible. For this reason, there is an advantage in using more than a single Bible version in the study of Gods word. Virtually all Bibles contain shadings of bias, according to who the translators are and who has sponsors the translation. A number of different bibles are quoted in this book so that the objective reader may have the benefit of comparing the words of different translators who seldom knew or communicated with each other. This enables the reader to compare other translations and versions with the one they are most accustomed to using. The author makes no claim as to the superiority of one version over the other. This is up to the reader to decide for him or herself. The author has however attempted to choose the Bible version which makes the verse being considered as clear and understand-able as possible. Where translations differ notably, the author has presented alternative versions pointing out such differences. All this has been done in the Spirit of the times Christians live in today. Old ideas, old traditions, and old customs are all subject to question in our day. People are re-evaluating many firmly entrenched beliefs in many areas of life. If something is true, useful and beneficial, it is worthwhile perpetuating. If it is false, harmful or dangerous in any way, reasoning people give it up and replace it with what is true and what affords them greater benefit. This is not a new concept, for the Bible has always encouraged exactly this approach.

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From three different versions of the Holy Bible; 1 Thes. 5:21 Let all things be tested; keep to what is good; BBE 1 Thes. 5:21 but prove all things, hold fast the right; DB 1 Thes. 5:21 Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.
NWT

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CRUNCH TIME FOR CHRISTIANS

What True Christians need to know about The time of the End

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 . - A TIME TO WAKE UP AND STAY AWAKE

P. 6. P. 9. P. 32. P. 51. P. 115. P. 135. P.163. P.203. p.235

Chapter 2 . Chapter 3.

END TIMES WARNINGS FOR CHRISTIANS APOSTASY IN THE TIME OF THE END

Chapter 4. WHAT JESUS KNEW. . . HOWABOUT YOU? Chapter 5. JUDGMENT DAY. . WHEN WHERE and HOW? Chapter 6. ARMEDEDDON & THE GREAT DAY OF GOD Chapter 7. MY OWN PEOPLE HAVE LOVED IT THAT WAY Chapter 8. WHAT GOD LIKES ABOUT HIS PEOPLE
CHAPTER 9. DEFENSES FOR TRUE CHRISTIANS

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CHAPTER ONE
A TIME TO WAKE UP AND STAY AWAKE
The book of Daniel tells us that Jehovah God had this to say to his prophet Daniel at the end of a prophetic book about the road Gods people would have to travel through history, culminating in a crucially climactic time for them. Daniel 12:13 But go thou, and rest; for there are yet days and seasons to the fulfillment of the end; and thou shalt stand in thy lot at the end of the days. LXE or as other Bible translations put it; "And as for you yourself, go toward the end; and you will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days." NWT "As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you." NLT While this verse can be applied to Daniel himself, in the sense that he would rest in the grave until the time of the end, and then be resurrected to his reward, (life in the paradise of God), it has a broader spiritual application for us, living in the time Daniel describes as the end of the days in his writings. This verse is also an early warning signal that true Christians need to be wake up and stand for their lot during our time of the end. Daniel however is not the only one who points out the need for Gods people to be awake in this time of the end. Speaking about the finale of those days Jesus also forewarned his disciples in the 13th chapter of Mark:
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Mark 13:23 YOU, then, watch out; I have told YOU all things beforehand. NWT

Mark 13:32 "Concerning that day or the hour nobody knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father. NWT Mark 13:33 'Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. NJB The Bible writers Paul and John echoed similar sentiments; Paul wrote to his fellow believers; Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and the Christ will shine upon you." Romans 13:11 Besides, you know the time has come; the moment is here for you to stop sleeping and wake up, because by now our salvation is nearer than when we first began to believe. NJB 1 Thessalonians 5:6 so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober. NJB In Revelation, the writer John reaffirms the need to be awake by quoting Jesus who had by then been resurrected from the dead and had sent an angelic messenger to the apostle Jiohn with a message to fellow believers. Revelation 16:15 "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." NIV For a Christian, being awake means being aware as to what is actually going on in these last days and not napping in the delusive dream world Gods arch enemy Satan the Devil has spun in his efforts to lull people to sleep. It also means heeding a warning principal set out in the Bible at 1 Corinthians 10:12 Everyone, no matter how firmly he thinks he is standing, must be careful he does not fall. NJB

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This means being awake to what the bible indicates Christians should be especially mindful of in this time of the end. It also, means that Christians have an urgent need to awaken from any teachings and doctrines which are not in harmony with the Bible truth of Gods word. The following chapters are excerpted from a series of previously published essays about what true Christians need to know, in order to be fully alert to the events transpiring in the world and amongst themselves within their own brotherhood during this time of the end.

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CHAPTER 2.
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END TIMES WARNINGS FOR CHRISTIANS

While the wide body of professing Christians is preoccupied with the features of the 24th chapter of Matthew and how those features apply to the world at large, there is information within the Bible which must be seen to apply exclusively to anointed followers of Christ. Salient points from the book of 2nd Thessalonians give us considerable insight into events in connection with these true Christians in the Bibles predicted Time of the End, during the Presence (Parousia) of their Lord Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 However, brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of YOU NWT The Apostle Paul was referring to his brothers (see context at 2 Thessalonians 1:1, where it indicates he is writing to those in union with or who belong to the Lord.) Paul is not directing his words in this letter to the world at large which we are told is alienated from true Christians. Neither is he precluding anyone who wishes to from reading them. He knew that the key to their understanding would be spiritual insight, a gift from his Lord Jesus Christ and the father Jehovah God. Those with such a gift would understand his message during the time it applied, while the others would not. In the second chapter of Thessalonians Paul begins to reveal information absolutely essential for those who would profess to belong to Christ during the Bibles Time of the end. The information he discloses is mostly in the nature of a warning, along with a richly detailed explanation for why the warning is given. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 Please don't be so easily shaken and troubled by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Even if they claim to have had a vision a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us, don't believe them. NLT 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Give no belief to false words: because there will first be a falling away from the faith, and the revelation of the man of sin, the son of destruction, BBE

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Another version reads: 2Th 2:3 Let no one in anyway deceive you, for it will not come unless apostasy comesfirst, and the man of law-lessness is revealed, the son of destruction, AMP Another version reads: 2Th 2:3 Do not let anyone deceive you about this in any way. That day will not come unless apostasy (a falling away from truth) takes place first, and the man of lawlessness (sin), the man of destruction, is revealed. NSB In these verses, Paul warns his brothers and makes allusion to a great falling away (an apostasy) from the true faith. Also, he discloses that the man of sin (some Bibles: Man of Lawlessness) will be revealed (exposed). This passage of verses is set specific-ally in the time of the end and holds a primary meaning to actual believers, not counterfeit believers and imposters. This serves as a warning about one of the most carefully concealed dangers followers of Christ would face during this critical time. We say; concealed, because it remains mostly unseen by those inside Christian congregations and virtually invisible to those outside of the family of believers. To understand this lawlessness, we must go beyond the everyday dictionary definitions which are only summed up as breaking a law, being without law or being disobedient to the law. These definitions are secular definitions by secular authors, like Funk & Wagnall, Macmillan, Harper / Collins, Merriam Webster and others. Bible dictionaries add extra insight to Bible meanings since they attempt to address meanings familiar to the original writers and earliest translators, who were closest to the time when writings were originally put down. One Bible translation helps us to better understand what Jesus meant at Matthew 7:23 by the word lawlessness. In Bible terms this translation defines the lawlessness as doing things which are not authorized.

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But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized. NLT While another version reads: Matthew 7:23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' ESV A Theological Bible Dictionary sheds additional light on the scriptural meaning of Lawlessness. Lawless, Lawlessness [from Vines complete Expository Dictionary of N.T. words] A. Adjective. anomos (G459), " 2Th_2:8, "the lawless one" (KJV, "that wicked"), of the man of sin (2Th_2:4);, where the thought is not simply that of doing what is unlawful, but of flagrant defiance of the known will of God. B. Noun. anomia (G458), "lawlessness," akin to A, is most frequently translated "iniquity;" in 2Th_2:7, RVS, "lawlessness" (KJV, "iniquity"); "the mystery of lawlessness" is not recognized by the world, for it does not consist merely in confusion and disorder; the display of "lawlessness" by the "lawless" one (2Th_2:8) will be the effect of the attempt by the powers of darkness to overthrow the divine government. In the next verses, Paul reveals some ways by which this Man of Lawlessness might be recognized, for he has specific characteristics which help identify him. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 the Enemy, who raises himself above every so-called God or object of worship to enthrone himself in God's sanctuary and flaunts the claim that he is God. NJB According to Another translation;

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2 Thessalonians 2:4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship. As a result, he seats himself in the sanctuary of God and declares (promotes) himself to be like God. (Ezekiel 28:2) NSB In claiming to speak for God, while presenting ideas and view-points which are not Gods, this man of lawlessness promotes himself to be like God. In his mind, his utterances are Godlike, on an equal level to Gods thoughts and ideas, therefore, he expects followers to be obedient to him with no questions asked. Were these warnings a new concept, only uniquely given to the time of the end? 2 Thessalonians 2:5 do you not recall that while I was still with you I told you these things? NAB 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed when his time comes. NRS Certainly, warnings about apostates and false teachers were not uncommon among the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. We might recall, a warning Jesus gave his disciples when asked a question about the last days in the 24th Chapter of Matthew. . Mat 24:3 While He was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately and said, Tell us, when will this take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end (the completion, the consummation) of the age AMP His answer to this question contains remarks intended to be a time capsule warning for true followers; Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. NKJ
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Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ESV

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Matthew 24:23,24 'If anyone says to you then, "Look, here is the Christ," or "Over here," do not believe it; NJB For there will come up false Christs, and false prophets, who will do great signs and wonders; so that if possible even the saints might be tricked. BBE Matthew 24:25 Take note, I have told you beforehand. NRS This was not the first or only instance Jesus warned his beloved followers; Mtt 7:13 - 15 Enter through the narrow gate, since the gate to destruction is wide and the road that leads to destruction is wide and many enter through it. 14 Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way to life. Only a few put forth the effort. Yes, only a few people enter the narrow gate. 15 Watch out for the false prophets. They are disguised as sheep. But in their hearts they are vicious wolves.NSB The apostle Peter also warned true followers more than thirty years after Jesus spoke those words; 2 Peter 2:1 As there were false prophets in the past history of our people, so you too will have your false teachers, who will insinuate their own disruptive views and, by disowning the Lord who bought them freedom, will bring upon themselves speedy destruction. NJB Then, under inspiration of Holy Spirit more than 60 years after Jesus spoke those warnings. The apostle John warned along similar lines and added insight on how to recognize false teachers and prophets for what they were. 1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. NLT

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Also, we find the words and teachings of Paul laced again and again with warnings about false teachers and their followers. He warned that those apostate influences would be active both during his time, in future times and during the time of the end. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires,
NRS

Acts 20:29 I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, NWT Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ESV However, jumping specifically to the time of the end, Paul elaborates on this evil influence of false prophets and false teachers. Here, he pinpoints cause and effect, for the body of believers in this time of the end. 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10 The evil (lawless) one will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false signs and wonders. 10 He will use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish. NSB 2 Thessalonians 2:10 and every wicked deception aimed at those who are on the way to destruction because they would not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. NJB That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity. DRB In these verses we see an interesting additional element in Gods condemnation. It is not only toward those who would not accept a love for truth, and those who refuse to believe the truth, but also toward those who consent to the iniquity the truth exposes. How would Jehovah God respond to false teachers and their followers? In vs. 10 (above) they are described as being on the way to destruction but in the meanwhile, prior to such destruct-ion, God allows them what the KVJ version refers to as a strong delusion

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2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, NKJ What is The Strong Delusion of God according to 2 Thes. 2:11 KJV Other versions help clarify what this strong delusion is and in what sense God sends it to them. One version; 2Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will put their faith in what is false: BBE Another version; 2 Thessalonians 2:11 Therefore, God is sending them a deceiving power so that they may believe the lie, NAB A third version; 2 Thessalonians 2:11 So that is why God lets an oper-ation of error go to them, that they may get to believ-ing the lie, NWT From this, we may conclude God sends it in the sense that he allows them to deceive themselves, exposing a ack of exclusive devotion on their part and a failure to fully trust in him through his word of truth. A Bible dictionary definition for Delusion G4106 pla,nh plane {plan'-ay} 1) a wandering, a straying about 1a) one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither 2) metaph.

2a1) error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion

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2a) mental straying

2b) error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting 2c) error, that which leads into error, deceit or fraud Such a strong delusion (or power of deceit) is allowed by God. The strong delusion is directed not only at those of the world who are lost in their sins, but more fittingly toward all lukewarm, undecided, or corrupt Christians. Also, those anointed Christians who fail to continue to exercise faith and trust in Jehovah God and his son Christ, Jesus are allowed to delude themselves. It must be noted here that the delusion (power of deceit) is not a lie itself or a body of lies, which they may accept. Rather it is a mental aberration, a condition which enables one to accept a lie as the truth. It is this which God sends (allows), for he, himself is incapable of lying, deceiving, or sending forth lies. Those are the hallmarks of Satans domain, not Jehovahs. Scripture upholds that God is incapable of lying, Titus 1:2 This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began-- and he cannot lie. NLT 1 John 1:5 This is what we have heard from him and are declaring to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. NJB Scripture also reveals that the very nature and character of Satan the Devil is; that of a liar; John 8:44 You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies. NAB

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More about this strong delusion, (KJV) or power of deceit (BBE and others);

2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit (strong delusion) and they will put their faith in what is false: BBE The Bible discloses Gods reason for allowing this delusion in the next verse; 2Th 2:12 In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.
AMP

In scriptural terms, unrighteous pertains to that which is not right in Gods eyes just as righteousness pertains to that which is right in Gods eyes. One dictionary equates it with the meaning of; evil, guilty, immoral, unholy, unjust, sinful, unworthy, and wickedness. While these are all forms of things not right in Gods eyes, they by no means constitute everything God sees as unrighteous. So then, what is required for those to whom the warning is given, those who profess to follow their lord and savior Jesus Christ as he represents Gods eternal purpose in this time of the end, during his parousia? The apostle Paul gives an answer to that question in these words; Romans 13:11 See then that the time has come for you to be awake from sleep: for now is your salvation nearer than when you first had faith. BBE 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not <3361> sleep, as do others >; but let us watch and be sober minded. RWB another version states: 1 Thessalonians 5:6 So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses. NWT

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In these words, there is a familiar tone with some things Jesus said in two parables which may be seen to picture events in the time of the end. The two parables worth examining closely are the ones concerning the Foolish Virgins and the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. While Jesus parables often teach valuable lessons on many levels with both physical and spiritual dimensions, we will touch on just a few key points which will help us fathom the spiritual dimension of these two parables. The reader is encouraged at this point to turn in their Bibles to Matthew13:24-30, 36-43., read it and then turn to Matthew 25: 1-13 and read it. With a view of the following clues as to the identities of different characters in the parables, we urge the reader to meditate on the spiritual dimensionthese parables convey, as they apply to the time we are living in. Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (tares in some versions) Matthew 13:24-30 Matthew 13:24 He told another illustration, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man that sowed good seed in his field. 25 While he slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds with the wheat, and went away. 26 When the blade sprouted and brought forth fruit, it looked like wheat. 27 The servants of the householder said to him: Sir, did you sow good seed in your field? Why does it have weeds mixed in with the good wheat? 28 replied: An enemy did this. The servants offered to remove the weeds. 29 He said: No, you might uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. In the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn them. Then gather the wheat into my barn. NSB
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Clues: Clues and further information to help us understand the meaning of the above verses are given by Jesus himself in later verses,

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namely vs. 36 43 where he explains their meaning. The last sentence (verse 43) alludes to ones ears of spiritual understanding. Matthew 13:36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples gathered near him. They said: Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field. 37 Jesus said: He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. 38 The field is the world (the society of mankind). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one. 39 The enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels. 40 The weeds are gathered up and burned (destroyed) with fire. It will be this way at the end of the age. 41 The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness. 42 The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 The righteous will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that has ears let him hear. NSB This parable has broad application to the entire world of man-kind, a secondary application to the congregation of those professing to be Christians in general and still further appli-cation to those anointed ones who aspire to become members of the bride of Christ. The next parable is a focused more in directly its application toward anointed Christians on the scene during the time when Christ is about to come in glory and claim his bride from among mankind. Parable of the Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13 Understanding who the parables characters picture; The Virgins picture ones who were chosen from among all of those invited to the marriage feast. Matthew 22:14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen." NIB
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They are ones called (chosen) to be parts of the "Bride" of the lamb, ones who would potentially form the future Bride of Christ, (the

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Lamb's wife) as referred to in Rev. 14:1, 4 and Rev. 21:9. The fact that the number 10 is used in connection with them indicates that it represents the complete membership of this group currently present on earth at a time immediately prior to the Bride grooms arrival. Bride Groom: Jesus Christ, as the future husband to the "bride", (saints/holy ones who, will upon their marriage in heaven, become the wife of Christ). Lamps: Their efforts in connection with spreading the true and pure WORD of GOD, which they are charged with guarding and distributing to other humans. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my foot, And a light to my roadway. NWT Oil: Depicts Holy Spirit as the fuel for lamps which must shine forth in a darkened world. These virgins have been provided with lamps (the word of God). It is not a question of their having lamps, it is a question of whether or not they possess enough fuel to keep these lamps burning properly. It is a question of whether their lamps are fueled by the oil God gives through his Holy Spirit in order for those lamps to provide light. Matthew 25: 1 The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The foolish took no oil with their lamps. 4 The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 They all slept, because the bridegroom delayed his arrival. NSB Matthew 25: 6 There was a shout at midnight. Here is the bridegroom! Come meet him. 7 The virgins awoke and trimmed their lamps. 8 All the foolish virgins said to the wise: Give us your oil, for our lamps are going out. 9 But the wise answered: There will not be enough for both of us. Go to the dealers and buy oil for yourself. 10 While they were away, the bridegroom came. They that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins came,

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saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he told them: I do not know you. 13 Watch therefore, for you do not know the day or the hour. NSB I do not know you those incriminating words of Jesus are the same sentiment he expresses at Mtt. in the 7th chapter concerning judgment day, against those who did not love the truth and were disobedient to his father. Matthew 7:21 "Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. :22 On judgment day many will tell me, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.'23 But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.' NLT The purpose in writing this book is to bear witness to the seriousness of this issue, simce it concerns all those, without exception, who profess to be followers of Christ. If Jesus believed all Christians were wide awake, and there was no danger to them from inside the community of believers, there would be no need to give such inspired admonition to wake up, and to be on guard against false teachers and false prophets from among their own brotherhood. From those words of Jesus at Mtt 7:23, we know not all who claim to be Christians will be saved. Actually we might conclude from the scriptures, those saved would be a rather small minority; Mat 7:14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. AMP Is Jehovah pleased with the prospect that so few would respond to his truth so they might be saved?
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Deuteronomy 30:19 "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on

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heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! NLT In the latter part of that verse we see Jehovahs sentiment in the matter. Oh, that you would choose life The time we live in is closing in on the culmination of Gods judgment of all of earths inhabitants, and firstly, on those who profess to be Christians 1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God's own children. And if even we Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed God's Good News? NLT Yet, judgment would not come without the judge, (Almighty God) preparing believers for his judgment. Jesus in a prayer to his Father, Jehovah, revealed a means by which they would be prepared. Jesus said in prayer to his father John 17:17 Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth. NWT This brings us back to 2nd Thess. 2: 9 -12 to a time framing the last days. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 But the lawless one's presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents NWT 2 Thessalonians 2:10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ESV 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will put their faith in what is false: BBE
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2 Thessalonians 2:12 that all who have not believed the truth but have approved wrongdoing may be condemned. NAB Where does that leave us as individuals living during such a momentous time for believers? Personally answering three questions will help us evaluate our personal standing before God. 1. Do we love truth? Do we really love truth? This means that when Gods word confronts us with something which violates either our comfort zone or the easy familiarity of a former understanding, will our love of truth motivate us to make necessary changes? Will we bring our thinking into harmony with Gods true teachings? 2. Do we trust in God, his son Jesus Christ and the loving provision of the ransom sacrifice? Do we trust in him exclusively? Or is our trust primarily in humans and human thinking, thereby placing him in a secondary role to them? The Bible teaches; a. Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5 NWT b. Yahweh says this, 'Accursed be anyone who trusts in human beings, who relies on human strength and whose heart turns from Yahweh.- Jeremiah 17:5 NJB c. Put not your trust in the great, in mortal man who cannot save. Psalm 146:3 JPS Are you finding yourself having some uneasiness with what these verses say? Do you find yourself trying to rationalize that they cant possibly mean exactly what they say, that they must not apply in the way they sound? Ask yourself; Is this uneasiness because you have been so deeply affected to put faith in what men such as your pastor, your priest, the pope or your religious organization have

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taught? If you are experiencing anything like this, listen carefully to the warning bell going off in your head and forget about how uncomfortable it may seem. Realize; its not about comfort, its about truth, the truth of Gods word. 3. Are we firmly rooted in our relationship with Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ? Do we exercise faith in what that relationship means by truly following Christ in our lives and by applying the commands and principals he taught his followers?. Or are we basing our trust and our salvation upon corrupted Biblical teaching under false prophets? Do we have a personal relationship with Jesus, or are we dependent upon our pastor, priest, pope, or an organizations governing council consisting of imperfect humans to get us into everlast-ing life? Whose voice do we listen to? Do we listen to the voice of Jesus or the voice of strangers. Jesus declared it would be his voice that his true followers would listen to and follow. John 10:27 My sheep give ear to my voice, and I have knowledge of them, and they come after me: BBE John 10:5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." NIV Christ has stated that many will come before His Throne of Judgment believing they were saved, even holding up that they had cast out demons and healed the sick, all in His name, yet he will deliver to them the most feared of all rebukes possible; I NEVER knew you, Go away; the things you did were unauthorized, depart from me. Mtt 7:22,23 NLT Are there actually False Prophets teaching what consti-tutes 'lies" within end-time Christian congregations? The answer must be Yes! If there werent, Jesus would not need to make a point of including such warning as part of the sign given in the 24th chapter of Matthew. This warning was for his disciples and to us, as their posterity in our own time. If false teachers and false prophets werent so prevalent, his disciples would not need to repeat those warnings over and over, time and time again, all the way down to this day.

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When speaking of false prophets and false teachers Jesus was not referring to the common everyday deceptions of the world which Satan has used to mislead unbelievers throughout history. He was specifically warning Gods people, his Christian disciples, all of us as followers, to beware of false Prophets and false teachers who would present a danger within the Christian family. Seducers versus persecutors: While it is true that that he foretold all true followers would experience opposition and even persecution on account of his name, the warnings to true Christians are somewhat different in nature. Jesus was warning us that seducers in their midst were and are of much more danger to the true congregation than open and obvious persecutors would be. Jesus foresaw that seductive false teachers would be embedded within Christian congreg-ations in our day. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. NWT Who are the seducers within the Christian congreg-ation today? The seducers in the Christian congregation today are those that have gained good reputation, perhaps through pseudo Biblical teachings, but having betrayed the Holy Word of Jesus entrusted to them byturning their backs on truth and promoting manmade teachings which were not authorized by Jehovah and his Christ. Under the prompting of evil spirits these seducers have now begun teaching heresy and error compounded; which Jesus describes as "doctrines of devils". They ignore the clear scriptural warning of being cursed for adding to or taking away from God's Holy Word and promote trust in men, instead of in God. 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. KJV

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What do we know about false teachers and false prophets? What motivates them? What makes them do what they do? What makes them serve a master deceiver so willingly, so often, without even being aware who their real master is. The individual case answers to these questions may be either very simple or very complex. While the reasons are many and variable, the root reasons for their actions are found both in the material (physical) and also in the spiritual realms. On the spiritual side, we see the continuing conflict between Jehovah and his supporters and the Devil and his supporters. Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel." NAB Jehovahs supporters favor sovereignty by Jehovah and his appointed king, Christ Jesus. The Devils supporters favor man-made ruler ship in a variety of forms and under variety of configurations. While men would appear to be in control, the bible tells us it is actuality Satan the Devil who controls the entire inhabited earth. The battle is being fought with words and ideas designed to influence the thinking within the conflicting camps. The war, is over sovereignty (ruler ship), with Jehovahs thinking and purposes on one side and the Devil, his thoughts and desires on the opposing side exercising influence through those humans he controls. Revelation 12:9 So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.
NWT

1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. NIB This knowledge is not apparent to the great majority of humans, for Satan is a master deceiver. While using them for his own purposes, he leads humans to believe they are expressing self-sovereignty. In this he

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appeals to their own selfish nature and desires, just as he did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Otherwise, he misleads them into thinking that they are performing altruistic services to benefit their fellow humans, while in actuality; they are under Satans control and contribute toward his own selfish purposes. In this, the core issue is ruler ship. Who will rule mankind? Jehovah God, through his Kingdom under his son Christ Jesus, or fellow humans under the influence and control of Satan the Devil? The issue goes back to the very first human beings on the earth, in the Garden of Eden, and has remained on all the pages of history since then. What about false teachers and false prophets who play a key part on Satans side of the issue. What motivates them? What makes them serve a master deceiver so willingly, yet so often, unwittingly? On a physical level (human, earthly terms), the motivation and reason usually has a self interest dimension to it. Satan knows fallen human nature and is able to entice humans by manipulating them ny means of their human needs and desires. Basic to human nature is the desire for self preserv-ation. Also, there is in mans imperfect nature, selfishness which manifests itself in the traits of greed, envy, jealousy, and covetousness. One of the greatest forms of these is the desire for power over their fellow humans. Another is a longing to possess luxuries and comforts others do not have. In fulfilling these desires, humans will go to unfathomable lengths to achieve their own selfish objectives. That Satan was well aware of these traits in humans was demonstrated in the case of Job. The Bible outlines a meeting occurring on an occasion where he, Satan, appeared before Jehovah and his heavenly counsel. There he reveals how his appeals and dealings with Job were channeled through Jobs own human frailties and desires. The account goes like this; with those references which relate to human nature and desires highlighted for emphasis;
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Job 1:6 Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah that Satan also came among them. ASV Job 1:8 And Jehovah went on to say to Satan: "Have you set your heart upon my servant Job, that there is no one like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad?" NWT Job 1:9 'Yes,' Satan said, 'but Job is not God-fearing for nothing, is he? NJB Job 1:10 You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is!
NLT

Job 1:11 But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" NLT Job 1:12 "All right, you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence. NLT After some time passes during which Job during which Job has been deprived of almost every physical possession, we look in on another meeting in heaven; Job 2:1 Another day, the sons of God came to attend on Yahweh and Satan came with them too. NJB Job 2:2 "Where have you come from?" the LORD asked Satan. And Satan answered the LORD, "I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that's going on."NLT Job 2:3 Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth-- a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even

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though you persuaded me to harm him without cause." NLT Job 2:4 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives.
NRS

From this account we see how well Satan understood those areas where he perceived that Job (a human being) was most vulnerable; material needs, creature comforts, prosperity, influence and prestige in his own community as well as personal well being and self preservation. While any of these desires may be used individually against humans to control them, the Bible shows Satan used the whole arsenal against Job, for Job had found favor in Jehovahs eyes. These basic human needs and desires, as a group, explain to a great extent how and why Satan is able to manipulate humans through greed, envy and lust for power or influence over their fellow man. This should forewarn us that the closer we are to being in Gods favor, the more intense Satans efforts will be. He will use any and every weakness in our human nature to under-mine our relationship with our creator. He will also use any and every opening which he believes makes us vulnerable. No human being or religious system governed by humans on this earth is immune from his manipulative efforts. And so we have a phenomena Jesus described in his parable of the Wheat and the Weeds. Matthew 13:25,30. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.:30 Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn." NAB The wheat represents those who God almighty, Jehovah views as being his true followers, those inclined to listen to and obey his will as expressed through his son and their savior Jesus Christ. The weeds represent those who are opposed to following the will of God and prefer instead, to either intentionally or inadvertently serve the will of Gods enemy, Satan the Devil.

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While the wheat and the weeds are being allowed by God to grow together in one field, we must not be blind to the fact that these two influences are in conflict everywhere, and over the entire range of that field. After all, the Bible description reveals that the wheat and the weeds are actually growing together and that they can be extremely easy to confuse with one another. Physically, with our human eyes, and even our limited spiritual sight we may have some inkling of the differences between them. Yet, even through trained spiritual eyesight, which makes the differences sharper, we still have nowhere near perfect vision. Therefore, we are not the final judges, of the wheat and the weeds, Jehovah and Christ Jesus are. However, Jehovahs loving kindness precludes him from any action within the field which might inadvertently destroy wheat like ones along with weed like ones. Thus, he has ordained that the reapers would be Spirit beings (angels), and not his human followers. Angelic beings will separate out the wheat from the weeds and collect them into his storehouse, prior to the destruction of the unrighteous weed like ones. How about those of us living during this time of the end? While Jehovah God contemplates the final separating of the wheat from the weeds into their respective vessels, what is expected of us? We must remain wide awake to what is actually going on in the midst of this spiritual battlefield, here on earth. Our defense and our salvation is; to trust Jehovah exclusively, and to obey his commands. We must exercise faith in the ransom sacrifice of his only begotten son Jesus, and love and apply his will in all aspects of our lives. Also, last, but certainly not least, we must appreciate and worship him in spirit and, in truth. Both these elements are indispensable and necessary. His will for us includes us loving the truth, his truth. This means not only practicing truth in our lives and dealings with others, but also being willing to adjust and reform to the truth of Jehovahs ways, when confronted with them. When truth exposes our own errors, we are obligated to test, verify, and then change. This is what God expects of anyone who professes to believe in him and his son Christ Jesus in this time the Bible calls the Time of The End. [CLICK HERE for TABLE OF CONTENTS]

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CHAPTER THREE APOSTASY IN THE TIME OF THE END

Effect on True Christians during the Time of the End The Bible warns of an Apostasy in the time of the end. The time of the end we refer to is that period in mans history immediately preceding the day of God Almighty, when, by means of his son Jesus Christ, he takes measures to rid the earth of all unrighteousness and evil. Most serious students of the Bible believe we who are living today are in that very period of time the Bible refers to as the time of the end. That there is a connection between the time of the end and The Apostasy spoken of at 2nd Thessalonians cannot be denied. The preva-lence of apostasy was one part of a composite sign given by Jesus to his followers, by which they would be able to know if they were indeed living in that time. The major questions to be explored here are; what is the nature of such an apostasy? How widespread is it and how does it affect the community of those professing to be Christs followers ? What is Apostasy? Apostasy is a word which has had different meanings to differ- ent people under different circumstances. The definition and application of the word this chapter concerns itself with is that meaning which was understood by the Bible writers when they issued their warnings against the apostasy predicted for the Time of the End First, a broad, general definition of the Word Apostasy: APOS'TATE, (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) One who has forsaken the church, sect or profession to which he before adhered. In its original sense, applied to one who has abandoned his religion; but correctly applies also to one who abandons a political or other party.

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Therefore, according to a secular dictionary with Bible defin- itions, the word apostate has a religious connotation. However, it can correctly apply to any one who forsakes that which he previously believed in, and may apply to abandonment of any organization or group, whether religious or not. The definition given in Bible Dictionaries is considerably more exclusive; Apostasy; Apostate G646 apostasia ap-os-tasee'-ah (Strongs Theological Dictionary) defection from truth (properly the state of), apostasy: falling away, forsake. Apostate: G646 avpostasi,a apostasia {ap-os-tas-ee'-ah}
(Thayers Theoplogical Dictioary)

- to forsake + 575 1, falling away 1; 2 1) a falling away, defection, Apostasy; Apostate a-posta-si, a-pos t(
(International Standard Bible encyclopedia)

, he apostasa,)

a standing away from: i.e. a falling away, a withdrawal, a defection In what sense should such apostasy be understood? While there may be varying opinions as to how to apply the term and some even given to ones own convenience, the Bible conveys its own understanding of what constitutes Apostasy in Gods eyes. An examination of verses where the concept of apostasy is spoken of and the context in which the statements are made provide us with valuable insight as to what Apostasy actually is in Bible terms.

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Scriptural examples:

Jeremiah 1:16 I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshipping what their hands have made. NIB Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two crimes: they have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, NJB Jeremiah 17:13 The hope of Israel is Jehovah, All forsaking Thee are ashamed, And 'My apostates' in the earth are written, For they have forsaken Jehovah, a fountain of living waters. YLT Jeremiah 17:13 O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all those who are leaving you will be put to shame. Those apostatizing from me will be written down even in the earth, because they have left the source of living water, Jehovah. NWT There can be no uncertainty that, in the Hebrew Scriptures apostasy was equated with leaving or forsaking Jehovah. The term is used only twice in the New Testament, in the Koine Greek language, in both instances it expresses abandonment of the faith. One instance was where Paul was falsely accused of teaching the Jews apostasy from Moses (Acts 21:21); Acts 21:21 and they are instructed concerning thee, that apostasy from Moses thou dost teach to all Jews among the nations, saying -- Not to circumcise the children, nor after the customs to walk; YLT The other was when Paul himself predicted a great apostasy for Christianity, just as Jesus had foretold at (Mat_24:10-12) which apostasy Paul said; would precede the day of the Lord (2Th_2:2,3).
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Matthew 24:10 "At that time <5119> many <4183> will fall <4624> away <4624> and will betray <3860> one <240>

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another <240> and hate <3404> one <240> another <240>.

NAU

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition, NAB or as another translation puts it; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, NKJ Therefore, we can conclude that the Bible sense of apostasy is one of falling away, defection or abandonment. Yet there remains an unanswered question. That is; In Bible terms, what kind of falling away or defection constitutes apostasy? Is it apostasy when one disagrees with false teachings? When Jesus disagreed with the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew the 23rd chapter, where he soundly criticized them, was this Apostasy on his part? From their standpoint, it may have seemed so. Yet from Gods standpoint those scribes and Pharisees may be seen as the apostates, for they had forsaken Gods word of truth in overriding it with their own doctrines and teachings. When Peter and others appeared before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin, clearly having disobeyed their orders, was such disobedience to be considered an act of Apostasy? At the time, that Jewish counsel was understood to be the legitimate religious authority both in the nation and in the minds of their Jewish contemporaries. Yet, Peter and those others refused to obey them. Why? The answer is given by the defendants them- selves. Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. NKJ Or as another version put it; Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. NRS

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In that response lays the recognition of a higher principal. That is the principal of loyalty and obedience to the ultimate and supreme authority, Jehovah God himself. This superseded any demand men would impose on them. That is, any demand which might be contrary to Gods will. This is called relative obedience. It means being obedient with those exceptions which are relative. In this case the exception that was relative was a higher subjection to Gods authority, which was above the authority of any man. In this, the principal of holding God as the highest authority of all we find the true definition of what constitutes the Bibles version of Apostasy. Bible Apostasy is, simply stated, a defection or falling away from God and his son Jesus Christ. Going beyond that simple definition, places one in danger of twisting or distorting a fundamental truth. Is straying away from a true teaching or adding an untrue teaching apostasy? Not in the specific sense of the scriptural meaning conveyed in both the O.T. and the N.T. That is not to say that the Bible gives any approval whatsoever to any form of teaching which modifies Gods own idea of what truth is. The Bible contains the thoughts of Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ as conveyed by the Apostles and prophets, and ample warning is given not to add or to detract from their thoughts as conveyed by the inspired word. 1 Corinthians 4:6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. ESV Galatians 1:8 Let God's curse fall on anyone, includ- ing myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. NLT Such going beyond true teaching may constitute a sin, but by definition it cannot be classified as Apostasy. There may be no doubt that the act of either adding to or subtracting from his pure word of truth is something detestable to Jehovah God. However this should not be confused with Apostasy. If one could scripturally make the

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argument that one who promotes such a false teaching, (a teaching which either exceeds or diminishes what is found in Gods word) can be proven to have left or abandoned God in doing so, then the label would be appropriate. If not, calling a person who merely disagrees with or changes Gods word an apostate, solely on that basis, is perversion of truth. While false teaching in any form is closely related to Apostasy and may ultimately be a major contributor to apostasy, it in of itself is not apostasy. We must not make the mistake of substituting words with different meanings for one another. The words false teacher and false prophet mean exactly what they imply to say. The word apostate also says exactly what it implies; Leaving or forsaking God almighty and his true worship. That false teaching and false prophecy will lead those who accept such teachings toward apostasy, is a well known fact and a foregone conclusion by Gods adversaries. They know full well that if they can get someone to leave Jehovah and Jesus and stay apart, there is no other outlook for them than their being conjoined together with all the others who are constituted unbelievers by Jehovah and his son Christ Jesus. 2 Chronicles 24:20 The spirit of God then invested Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said, 'God says this, "Why transgress Yahweh's commands to your certain ruin? For if you abandon Yahweh, he will abandon you." NJB Or as another translation states; 2 Chronicles 24:20 And God's spirit itself enveloped Zech-ari'ah the son of Je-hoi'a-da the priest, so that he stood up above the people and said to them: "This is what the [true] God has said, 'Why are YOU overstepping the commandments of Jehovah, so that YOU cannot prove successful? Because YOU have left Jehovah, he will, in turn, leave YOU.'" NWT

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Thus if Satan can get someone to leave Jehovah, he can put Jehovah in the position of having to withdraw his favor and his spirit from that one for this is what Jehovah has committed to in his word. Because Jehovah has given it as his word and he cannot lie he will be forced to leave such people to the consequences of their own behavior. Jeremiah 5:19 And it will come about, when you say, Why has the Lord our God done all these things to us? that you will say to them, As you gave me up, making yourselves servants to strange gods in your land, so will you be servants to strange men in a land which is not yours. BBE Judges 10:13 "Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods; therefore I will no longer deliver you. NAU Hence, in the final part of the days apostasy from Jehovah is an important element in Satans quest. And that false teachings and false prophecy, have become an integral part of this great apostasy which was predicted to occur before the End of Satans system of things on the earth. What forms do false teachings and false prophecies take during this Time of the end, and what impact do they have? False teach- ings are found in the form of individual teachings of minor false hoods in connection with Gods word, and also in a larger form of whole bodies of teachings forming a pattern which distorts Gods word. To illustrate with an example in the political world, it is almost like in some instances, a few ideas in a small town are ones found to be distorted or in error, while in other cases, not only the towns but the whole countries ideas or teachings are distorted. Such teachings are often cloaked in legitimacy by combining them with elements of truth, for it has been proven, the most effective lie is one which most closely resembles truth. In exploring the impact and magnitude of such false teachings and of false prophecy in our time, let us spend a few moments defining what a false prophet is and also what constitutes a false teacher in Bible terms.
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In the conventional sense, a prophet is one who speaks or communicates Gods thoughts to humans, usually, before those things he speaks about happen. However, in New Testament terms, a prophet may also be one who speaks Gods thoughts to humans based on what has been revealed to him by God through his spirit or his written word. In this case it may not be directed to the future at all. It can be about the present or even about past events. In either instance the true prophet does not make up his own thoughts and convey them as if they are Gods, neither does he, present anyone elses thoughts as if they emanate from God when they do not. The Bible gives some distinct ways to recognize whether a prophet in question has been sent by God or not. Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh and the thing does not happen and the word is not fulfilled, then it has not been said by Yahweh. The prophet has spoken presumpt-uously. You have nothing to fear from him.' NJB Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, that shall speak a word presumptuously in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.' JPS The fact that a prophet may claim to be speaking Gods mind or Gods words does not mean he actually is. We have numerous precedents concerning Gods people and their prophets in the past which have been preserved in the Bible for us to learn from. The prophet Jeremiah was commissioned by Jehovah God to speak directly to Gods own people in ancient times. His writings give us considerable insight into the differences between true and false prophets. More than a few Bible scholars see Jeremiahs prophecy as foreshadowing future events in the time of the end. (Jer.30:24) Jeremiah 14:14 And Jehovah went on to say to me: "Falsehood is what the prophets are prophesying in my name. I have not sent them, nor have I commanded them or spoken to them. A false vision and divination and

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a valueless thing and the trickiness of their heart they are speaking prophetically to YOU people. NWT Jeremiah 5:31 the prophets prophesy falsely and the priests exploit the people. And my people love it! But when the end comes, what will you do? NJB Jeremiah 5:13 God's prophets are windbags full of words with no divine authority. Their predictions of disaster will fall on themselves!'" NLT Jeremiah 23:15 Therefore this is what Jehovah of armies has said against the prophets: "Here I am making them eat wormwood, and I will give them poisoned water to drink. For from the prophets of Jerusalem apostasy has gone forth to all the land." NWT Another version states it this way; Jeremiah 23:15 This is what Jehovah of Hosts says about the prophets; The prophets of Jerusalem have spread godlessness throughout the land. NSB Similar thoughts were echoed by Jeremiah in his book of Lamentations. Lamentations 2:14 The visions which your prophets have seen for you are false and foolish; they have not made clear to you your sin so that your fate might be changed: but they have seen for you false words, driving you away. BBE In Jer. 23:15 An explicitly clear connection linking false prophesy with apostasy is made. In Lamentations the statement they have seen for you false words, driving you away While this verse is more implicit than explicit, it nevertheless clearly calls apostasy to mind. NWT

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False Teachers:

How about false teachers, who are shown by the Bible to play a prominent part in the advancement of apostasy during the time of the end? What forms do their teachings take? And what clues does the bible give us to help us in recognizing them? The first clues are given by citing verses which identify what constitutes true teachings; 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. NLT From this we can see that by means of contrasting true teaching from scripture with what someone may claim as true, we can identify the validity of such claims. Teachers of truth ground their teachings in the inspired word of truth, the Holy Bible. Does this mean that every word they say literally comes from the Bible? No but the thoughts and ideas they express are confirmed by the Bible and contra-dictions to those expressions do not occur when the Bible is used as the scale upon which their words are tested. Acts 2:42 And they kept their attention fixed on the Apostles' teaching and were united together in the taking of broken bread and in prayer. BBE True teachers focus on and teach what Jesus Christ and his Apostles handed down through the Bible. By way of contrast, the next scriptures help identify false teachers and their teachings; 1 Timothy 6:3 Anyone who teaches anything different and does not keep to the sound teaching which is that of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine which is in accordance with true religion, NJB False teachers ignore the teachings of Christ or are inclined to distort the teachings by either amplifying, stretching distorting or ignoring them. In doing so they either obscure his true teachings or neutralize them by minimizing or shrinking them.

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Matthew 5:19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ESV 2 John 1:9 If anybody does not remain in the teaching of Christ but goes beyond it, he does not have God with him: only those who remain in what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them. NJB False teachers, while sometimes teaching the ways of Christ, are often found to be inconsistent. They wander away from the truth by going beyond the pure and truthful teachings of Christ. Mark 7:13 You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things." NAB False teachers nullify (neutralize) the word of God by promoting traditions of men as equal to, or on a higher basis than Gods own teachings from the Bible. 2 Timothy 4:3 The time is sure to come when people will not accept sound teaching, but their ears will be itching for anything new and they will collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; NJB False teachers tickle the ears of their hearers with pleasant words by telling them what they want to hear and by appealing to what their desires may be. What then, is the ultimate goal of false teachers and false prophets? Simply stated they are engineers of Apostasy. Their role is to lay foundations for an apostasy that will take peoples minds away from the true God. A key to identifying that goal is found at 1 Ti. 4:1;

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1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall apostatize from the faith, giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons DBY In their falsehoods, these false teachers and prophets serve the interests of Satan the devil. During the latter time, in which we live, it is his goal to get all humans to apostatize, that is leave, or defect from Jehovah God and follow him instead. While false teachers and false prophets themselves may not even be aware of it, their service to Satan is useful in distracting followers and future followers of God and Christ and in blinding them as to the real truth and meaning contained in Gods word. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Because the god of this world has made blind the minds of those who have not faith, so that the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not be shining on them. BBE [note: the god of this world is identified as Satan the devil in the bible] He does this to either prevent persons from having any meaning- ful relationship with Jehovah and faith in his son Jesus Christ, or to undermine their faith in any relationship they may presently have. All this is aimed at getting as many as possible, including even anointed Christians to apostatize. (that is leave or abandon Jehovah God and his son Jesus). This was the Devils strategy in the Garden of Eden, and this was the Devils goal all through the entire history of the nation of Israel, and especially so during times when they were in Gods favor. And this is the goal of the Devil during this critical time of the end. To accomplish his goal, the master deceiver, Satan will not hesitate in using individuals, groups of individuals or entire religious organizations to accomplish his goal. A primary way for him to succeed in this is by channeling admi- ration and worship away from the true God and redirecting it toward someone or something other than Jehovah and his pure worship. Satan is well aware that Jehovah God demands exclus- ive devotion. He will use this

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awareness to entrap billions through their own lack of faith and trust in their God. Deuteronomy 5:9 You must not bow down to them or be led to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, NWT Or as another version states; Deuteronomy 5:9 Do not bow down to them. Do not serve them! For I Jehovah your God am a totally demanding zealous God. I require exclusive devotion and punish the fathers and children who hate me to the third and fourth generation. NSB If he can only get a believer to leave Jehovah by giving equal devotion to another entity, in even a small way, he can argue that such is lack of exclusive devotion is due to a lack of faith thereby proving disloyalty on that believers part. Satan is then in a position to claim it deserves Jehovahs condemnation and punishment. He knows that Jehovah, as a God of justice has no choice but to visit the consequences of that on any faithless a believer. Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This means the second death." NWT Just how extensive his efforts to encourage apostasy would be in the last days is not disclosed in specific terms. However, there are verses which do provide hints just how far reaching the work of false teachers and false prophets would extend. Also there is direct testimony as to how far reaching the Devils influence would extend. 1 John 5:19 We are certain that we are of God, but all the world is in the power of the Evil One. BBE

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2 Peter 2:1 As there were false prophets in the past history of our people, so you too will have your false teachers, who will insinuate their own disruptive views and, by disowning the Lord who bought them freedom, will bring upon themselves speedy destruction. NJB From this verse we may make the following observations about the Last days; 1. You too applies to the congregation of Christian followers which in the last days would be worldwide. 2. Will have and will insinuate establishes certainty. There is no room left for doubt or possibility, the certainty of the false teachers is beyond question and they will insinuate. (insinuate; to instill or infuse subtly or artfully, as into the mind) 3. It will be their own disruptive views these false teachers will insinuate into congregations earth wide. This takes the fulfillment of this prophecy beyond that of a mere local voice with a limited ability limited to affecting relatively few people. It requires a false teacher with an earth wide reach to influence a worldwide audience of many nations and languages. Matthew 24:24 For there will come up false Christs, and false prophets, who will do great signs and wonders; so that if possible even the saints might be tricked. BBE Or as another version puts it; false Christs will arise, and false prophets, and will show great signs and wonders; so that, if {it were} possible, they would deceive the very elect. WEB From this verse, we may add the following observations; 1. We are told that deceivers would take on the guise of false Christs. Christ means anointed one. In what sense can it be said they would be false Christs? In the sense that they would portray themselves as a means of salvation, and play a role which is exclusive

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to Jehovahs anointed son, Jesus Christ and secondarily applicable to those holy ones, (Saints or elect) who are anointed by Jehovah to rule with Jesus during his millennial kingdom reign. 2. There would be those whose predictions would prove to be untrue, thereby identifying them as false prophets. 3. That these purveyors of falsehood would perform great signs and wonders of such a spectacular nature that the possibility of deceiving the very elect even exists, testifies to the magnitude of their power and influence. The term; elect or saints is not describing an individual or a small local group of humans. The Elect represents only those humans who are in a very special relationship with Jesus and his father Jehovah. They are located throughout the four ends of the earth. These are not novices with little or no scriptural knowledge. They are fully developed Christians who have been called by God to follow in the footsteps of his son Christ Jesus and promised ruler ship over the earth as co-rulers with his on Jesus Christ. More about the effectiveness of signs and wonders Jesus himself provided signs and wonders to demonstrate that he had Gods spirit and power. John 4:48 Then Jesus said to him, You will not have faith if you do not see signs and wonders. BBE Jehovah also used signs and wonders to impress his followers as well as his enemies. Daniel 4:2 The signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed with me, it has seemed good to me to declare. NWT Signs and wonders which some would describe as being miraculous in nature would in the very least consist of things which humans would be very impressed with. With the impressiveness of signs and wonders well established, it should not surprise us that Satan and his followers should adapt this as one of their strategies to impress people and gain followers for themselves.

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Impressive signs and wonders are not the work of small voices with limited influence, or exposure. Those with the ability to perform signs and wonders on a grand scale more aptly fit ones with widespread influence, even worldwide influence. The falsehoods they spread are wide reaching and deeply entrenched. They are not easily recognized and they are often even more difficult to overcome. What then is a Christian to do? How does a lover of truth defend himself from an unseen enemy with seemingly unlimited resources and the ability to perform great and impressive works? How does one avoid an enemy intent on infecting a true follower with deceptive teachings designed to lead him or her into apostasy? Fortunately, there are remedies for true followers. The Bible provides strong preventive medicine to prevent Christs followers from catching the figurative disease called Apostasy; Here are some scriptural ingredients with which one can fend off the virus of false teachings/prophecies, thereby avoiding the onset of apostasy. Proverbs 3:5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception; NJB This means wholeheartedly, not half heartedly, not partially. It means complete trust in God and not in oneself or in other humans, in place of God. Psalm 146:3 Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. NLT or as another version says; Psalm 146:3 Put not your faith in rulers, or in the son of man, in whom there is no salvation. BBE This verse may also speak of influentially prominent people, as prominence frequently goes hand in hand with power in those positions men hold and demand respect for.

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Jeremiah 7:4 Do not put your faith in delusive words, such as: This is Yahweh's sanctuary, Yahweh's sanctuary, Yahweh's sanctuary! NJB or as another version says; Jeremiah 7:4 But do not be fooled by those who repeated- ly promise your safety because the Temple of the LORD is here. NLT The verse points out the danger in false assurances of safety lying within institutions and organizations which claim to be true representatives of the God Almighty and yet are not. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 please do not be too easily thrown into confusion or alarmed by any manifestation of the Spirit or any statement or any letter claiming to come from us, suggesting that the Day of the Lord has already arrived. NJB 1 John 4:1 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world. NWT Jeremiah 17:5 Yahweh says this, 'Accursed be anyone who trusts in human beings, who relies on human strength and whose heart turns from Yahweh. NJB The preceeding verses convey valuable insights in helping us avoid being misled by either false teachers or false prophets. Ecclesiastes 8:9 All this I have seen, and there was an applying of my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, [during] the time that man has dominated man to his injury. NWT Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is he who trusts in the LORD, Whose trust is the LORD alone. TNK Unless delusion has completely blinded someone, it should be crystal clear that humans, human government and human organ- zations should

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not be a substitute repository for trust that rightly belongs to Jehovah God. Trusting exclusively in Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ with ones entire heart will expose and overcome the efforts of any and all false teachers and false prophets. Apostasy is in large measure a result of losing faith and failing to trust in Jehovah and Jesus, exclusively. Apostasy is insidiously nourished by false teachers and false prophets, whose aim is to draw followers away from the true God and his son Jesus Christ to them and their organizations. In conclusion, for lovers of truth, two verses, written under Gods inspiration by the Apostle Paul nicely sum up a true Christians position in this time of the end. They are; 1 Corinthians 3:23 . . . you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. NRS and; Ephesians 5:6 Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments: it is such behaviour that draws down God's retribution on those who rebel against him. NJB [CLICK HERE for TABLE OF CONTENTS] or scroll down to next chapter

CHAPTER FOUR
WHAT JESUS KNEW
About the time of the end; How about you? Much has been written about the Time of the End. So much, that it almost has become wearisome to most readers. It becomes a real burden to sort through hours and hours of opinions as to what the time of the End means to true Christians. While this vast sea of information might make for good discussion, or even for lively debate, the only valid opinions on the time of the end should be the opinions of Jesus Christ

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himself, what he personally handed down to his apostles and what they revealed to future believers. That Jesus was well versed in the Hebrew Scriptures is evident by the number of occasions he quoted from them and the familiar phrase It is written which he frequently of used; He was fully aware of things contained in the Hebrew Scriptures as were many of the Jews in the audiences he spoke to. Therefore, it is to our advantage to familiarize ourselves with some of the high points given about End Times in the Hebrew Scriptures. The prophet Daniel was one of 4 Major Prophets to shed light on the time of the End; Daniels End times prophecies: Daniel wrote exactly what he was directed to write by Jehovah God, yet he really did not fully comprehend the importance of what he was told. His writings prophesied unknown future events and the full meanings of his writings were not made known to him at the time he wrote. While Jehovahs meaning was understood by Jesus in his day, portions of Daniels writings still remained sealed to believers at large, since they were for a later time which had not yet arrived by then. Since that time has now arrived the book of Daniel has been unsealed and we may begin to understand more fully what he was given in revelation about our own day and age. Daniel 12:8 I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, "How will all this finally end, my lord?" NLT Daniel 12:9 'Go, Daniel,' he said. 'These words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the End. NJB Daniels accurate prediction for the Messiahs first earthly appearance: The bible book of Daniel provides a series of prophecies which pin pointed a future time for the first arrival of the Messiah on earth. It

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also describes a procession of nations which would precede the Messiahs second coming. Daniel 9:24 "Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city until the measure of transgression is filled and that of sin complete, until iniquity is expiated, and eternal righteousness ushered in; and prophetic vision ratified, and the Holy of Holies anointed. JPS Daniel 9:25 "Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah (anointed one) the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. NKJ Daniel 9:26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. NKJ In Daniel 9:24-26 The following terms are crucial to our deciphering a meaning from the prophecy: "Anointed one" is the Messiah that the Jews were waiting for. Messiah; (being Hebrew for Anointed One), flood is an overwhelming event, Cut off" always refers to killed in the O.T., and "Weeks", or "Sevens" (depending upon translation) is the Hebrew word Heptad. Heptad is used to mean either a period of seven days or a period of seven years (Comparable to our use of "decade" for ten years). This passage is stating that 69 times seven years after the decree to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem the Messiah would be killed for his people. The Hebrew calendar consisted (and still consists) of 12 months of 30 days each, resulting in a 360 day year. The conversion from that calendar to ours is as follows: 1. 69 X 7 = 483 Hebrew years 2. 483 X 360 = 173,880 Days 3. 173,880 / 365 (Days in our calendar year) = 476 Years in our calendar after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem the Messiah will be cut off.

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In Nehemiah 2:1 we read that in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes the decree was given to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (vv 2-9). King Artaxerxes is a historical figure whose reign secular historians say began in 464 B.C. Twenty years from that date would be 444 B.C. when the decree is issued. Traveling forward in time 476 years brings one to 33 CE. (Remember that there is no year 0. The year after 1 BCE. is 1 CE.). The general agreement among historians, whatever opinion they hold of Jesus, is that 33 CE. Seems to be the year that he was put to death. That makes this an amazingly accurate, incredible specific fulfilled prophecy with WRITTEN BY GOD as the only plausible explanation. For the Messiah arrived on the scene exactly as was prophesied. The earlier stage fulfillments of this prophecy would prove to be faith strengthening for those living in that time of the end. The reliability and accuracy of those earlier features would be in harmony with Gods standards for verifying a true prophet from one who was not sent by him. Daniels words were fulfilled with the accuracy one would expect from a legitimate prophet of Jehovah. Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh and the thing does not happen and the word is not fulfilled, then it has not been said by Yahweh. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. You have nothing to fear from him.'
NJB

In a later stage fulfillment of his prophecy, Daniel also goes on to describe in advance, a stream of world powers affecting Gods people. They would appear in succession to each other from his day forward until the time of the end. He describes them according to a series of dreams (visions of the night) which he relates. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream: The first prophetic dream, which is recounted in Daniel chapter two, sets the broad framework for the rest of the prophecies. In this chapter, Daniel is called to reveal the interpretation of a dream that has been troubling King Nebuchadnezzar. As the king slept, he saw a great statue with a head of fine gold, a chest and arms of silver, a belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet partly of iron and

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partly of clay. (Daniel 2:31-35 But then, as King Nebuchadnezzar watched, a stone was cut out of a mountain "without hands" and struck the image on its feet, breaking the statue in pieces: "Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth" (Daniel 2:35). What a strange dream? Was Daniel left to speculate about it? He is not left to guess. Dabiel is given the following help in translating the dream into words: The four parts of the statue - the gold head, the silver bust, the bronze belly and thighs, and the iron legs - are four kingdoms. Those kingdoms are as follows: Daniel identifies World Powers before their ascendancy: 1. The first kingdom is King Nebuchadnezzar's own kingdom of Babylon for, Daniel is told, "the God of heaven has given [Nebuchadnezzar] a kingdom, power, strength, and glory" (Daniel 2: 38). The Babylonian kingdom reached its peak during Daniel's time. After Babylon "shall arise another kingdom, inferior to yours..." (Daniel 2: 39). 2. This was Medo-Persia, which conquered Babylon in the fifth century B.C. The story of the conquest is told in the fifth chapter of Daniel, in which King Nebuchadnezzar's successor, King Belshazzar, sees mysterious fingers writing on the wall. Daniel is called to read the writing, in which God rebukes King Belshazzar for his pride and commits the kingdom of Babylon into the hands of his enemies, the Medes (Daniel 5:1-26). It is from this story that we get the phrase "the handwriting is on the wall." After the second kingdom, Daniel is told shall arise "...another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth" (Daniel 5: 39).

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3. This prophecy was fulfilled approximately three centuries after Daniel's death. At this time, Medo-Persia was conquered by Greece, which rose to worldwide power in the third century B.C., Just as Daniel foretold. This third kingdom was known for its extensive use of bronze. 4. The fourth kingdom is somewhat different from the previous three: Daniel 2:40 "And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others." NKJ While not specifically identified, there is little question that this kingdom is Rome, which by 30 B.C. had conquered all of Greece, it world power predecessor. At its height, the Roman Empire comprised almost the entire western world known at the time, including most of Europe, the Middle East, Egypt, and North Africa. In addition to its size, Rome was notorious for its cruelty. It had an iron like presence whenever and wherever it conquered. Portions of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Yet to Come Now we turn our attention to the portions of this prophecy that have not yet seen fulfillment. It is important to keep in mind that, because the early parts of this prophecy were fulfilled so precisely, we can expect the latter portions to be fulfilled just as precisely. First, the stone; God tells Daniel that this represents a fifth kingdom, a kingdom that is God's alone. This kingdom will arise at the end of world history and, in one powerful stroke, smash all worldly power and bring the earth under God's sovereign control: Dan 2:44 "And in the days of these kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" NKJ Note that God's kingdom brings down the demise, not just of Rome, but of all the kingdoms before and after it. Working backwards, we recall that Rome swallowed Greece, which swallowed Medo-Persia,

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which swallowed Babylon. Thus, when the kingdom of God brings down Rome - which the bible prophesied would be revived in the future as a confederation of modern nations (kingdoms), it will bring down the nations that once comprised ancient Greece, ancient MedoPersia, and ancient Babylon as well. A confederation of nations which comes out of the of the Roman Empire will be the final entity God deals with before The Great Day of God Almighty during which he destroys the wicked and redeems all the righteous on the earth. Daniels prophecy contained all this information, and much more concerning the Time of the End. Jesus was very conversant with the Hebrew Scriptures and he would have been fully aware of events and details included in what Daniel was inspired to write about. He would likewise be knowledgeable about what other O.T. Prophets had to say about the Time of the End Isaiah was another one of 4 Major Prophets who shed light on the Time of the End. Examples of Isaiahs prophetic references to the Time of the End follow; Isaiahs End times prophecies: Speaking of Gods chosen city Jerusalem (the administrative center of Gods chosen people) Isaiah 1:21-23 See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in herbut now murderers! Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widows case does not come before them. Isaiah was given not only a vision of conditions prevailing at the time of the end but also a fore gleam of the solution God would provide as a remedy for those conditions. Isaiah 2:1 The thing that Isaiah the son of A'moz visioned concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

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2 And it must occur in the final part of the days [that] the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream. 3 And many peoples will certainly go and say: "Come, YOU people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. 4 And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore. NWT The identity and nature of mountains Isaiah spoke about is clarified by the prophet Ezekiel; Ezekiel 36:1 "And as for you, O son of man, prophesy concerning the mountains of Israel, and you must say, 'O mountains of Israel, hear the word of Jehovah. NWT The word mountain is used symbolically here referring to government. In Isaiahs prophecy, Gods government will have a ruler ship above all other governments. The entire world will be subject to Gods word and his laws and the Messiah King will be the final authority over their administration. Psalm 2:9 says that Hell rule with an iron scepter, and will tolerate no dissent. Psalm 2:8,9. Make your request to me, and I will give you the nations for your heritage, and the farthest limits of the earth will be under your hand. :9 They will be ruled by you with a rod of iron; they will be broken like a potter's vessel.BBE

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Isaiah also portended a call to lasting peace during the Millennium, saying the Messiah will settle disputes between nations, making war unnecessary.

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Isaiah 2:4 Thus He will judge among the nations And arbitrate for the many peoples, And they shall beat their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks: Nation shall not take up Sword against nation; They shall never again know war. TNK Part of this verse is carved over the entrance to the UN building in New York. When the Messiah comes in the time of the end, the UN will perish, but Gods promise will remain and will finally come true. The earth will indeed experience peace under the messianic government (the mountain of Jehovah) God almighty institutes under his Messiah king. Ezekiels End times prophecies: Ezekiel was another of the four Major Prophets concerned with the time of the ebd. He was taken captive to Babylon before the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 606 B.C., at which time the typical kingdom of Israel was overthrown. In common with the other Old Testament prophets, much of what Ezekiel wrote was directed to the natural house of Israel, and to a large extent in the nature of reprimands for the sins of the people. In the beginning of his book special attention is given to this aspect of his forthcoming ministry in Gods outline of Ezekiels commission.. Ezek. 2:1-5 Ezekiel 2:3 He said, 'Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to the rebels who have rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been in revolt against me up to the present day. NJB Ezekiel 2:5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. ESV Yet, in addition to those prophecies which had a local setting, Ezekiel was also used by God to forecast important events in the future outworking of his divine plan for the recovery of mankind from sin and death. Thus, ancient Israel pictures Gods people far beyond the time in which Ezekiel lived and wrote. One of these long term prophecies assures us that the people of Israel, of Sodom, and of Samaria, are to be released from their captivity in death.Ezek. 16:53

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In this prophecy it is revealed that the Israelites as a wholeall who were not, as individuals, faithful to the God will be much ashamed when awakened from the sleep of death. This will be true of the people of other nations also, but far more distress-sing for those who, in their present life, profess to be the people of God.Ezek. 16:54-59; Dan. 12:1, 2 Daniel 12:1,2 "At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. NLT :2 "And many <07227a> of those who <03463> sleep <03463> in the dust <06083> of the ground <0127> will awake <07019a>, these <0428> to everlasting <05769> life <02425b>, but the others <0428> to disgrace <02781> and everlasting <05769> contempt <01860>. NAS Ezekiel reveals that the purpose of delivering the Israelites and people of other nations as well from their captivity in death is that they might be brought into a covenant relationship with Jehovah. (Ezek. 16:6063). This prophecy is one of the definite proofs given to us in the Word of God that those who die in wickedness will have an opportunity to reform and turn to Jehovah after they are awakened from the sleep of death in the great resurrection day of the future. Rom. 11:26,27 Ezekiel 16:60-63 yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant ESV.:61 And you for your part will remember your behaviour and feel ashamed of it when you receive your elder and younger sisters and I make them your daughters, although this is not included in my covenant with you.:62 I shall renew my covenant with you; and you will know that I am Yahweh,:63 and so remember and feel ashamed and in your confusion be reduced to silence, when I forgive you for everything you have done -- declares the Lord Yahweh." 'NJB
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Romans 11:26, 27. and this is how all Israel will be saved. As scripture says: From Zion will come the Redeemer, he will remove

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godlessness from Jacob.Romans NJB 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."NKJ Jeremiahs End times prophecies: Jeremiah was a fourth one of the mentioned Major Prophets who wrote of conditions in his time while also prophesying concerning conditions in the End Times during which we live. Jeremiah prophesied about what God saw wrong with his people and also of how God would fix it. A sampling of some of Jeremiahs prophetic revelations follow; Speaking to Jeremiah, God said; Jeremiah 6:2,28 I have made you an assayer and a tester among my people. You will know and assay their course of life. 28 All of them are stubborn rebels. They go about telling false stories. They are copper and iron. They are all corrupt, all of them! NSB Jeremiah 7:4,8 Do not trust in deceptive words. They say: This is the Temple of Jehovah, the Temple of Jehovah, and the Temple of Jehovah. . . . 8You are trusting in deceptive words that are of no value to you. NSB Jeremiah 8:5,6 The people of Jerusalem turned away from me without ever returning. They still cling to deceit. They refuse to return. 6 I paid attention and listened, but they were not honest. They do not turn away from their wickedness. They do not ask: What have we done? They go their own ways like horses charging into battle. NSB Jeremiah 9:4 -6 Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor. Do not trust any brother because every brother deals craftily (cunningly), and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. 5 Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies. They wear themselves out committing sin. 6 You live in the middle of deceit. Through deceit they refuse to know me, says Jehovah.
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Of Gods own people he told Jeremiah to write; Jeremiah 9:13-15 Jehovah said: They have forsaken the Law I set before them. They have not obeyed my voice nor walked according to it. 14 They have walked after the stubbornness of their heart and after the Baals as their fathers taught them. 15 Therefore Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel says: Behold! I will feed this people with wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink. NSB Jeremiah 10:1 Hear the word that Jehovah has spoken against YOU people, O house of Israel. NWT Jeremiah 23 :14 16 Say this about the prophets of Jerusalem: I see something horrible. The prophets of Jerusalem commit adultery and live a lie. They support those who do evil so that no one turns back from his wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me, and those who live in Jerusalem are like Gomorrah. 15 This is what Jehovah of Hosts says about the prophets: I will give them wormwood to eat and poison to drink. The prophets of Jerusalem have spread godlessness throughout the land. 16 This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: Do not listen to what the prophets are saying to you. They fill you with false hope. They speak about visions that they dreamed up. These visions are not from Jehovah. NSB Jeremiah 23 :30 32 I am against those prophets who take each other's words and proclaim them as my message. 31 I am also against those prophets, says Jehovah, They speak their own words and claim they came from me! 32 Listen to what I, Jehovah, say! I am against the prophets who tell their dreams that are full of lies. They tell these dreams and lead my people astray with their lies and their boasting. I did not send them or order them to go. They are of no help at all to the people. I Jehovah have spoken NSB What God promises to do about the situation is disclosed in the 24th Chapter of Jeremiah;

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Jeremiah 24: 1-4 Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture! Says Jehovah. 2 This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says concerning the shepherds who are tending my people: You have scattered my flock and driven them away. You have not attended to them. I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds, says Jehovah. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture. Then they will be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will also raise up shepherds over them who will tend them. They will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing, proclaims Jehovah. NSB In a direct reference to the Messiah, Jeremiah writes; Jeremiah 24: 5 The days are coming, declares Jehovah, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch. He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In His days Judah will be saved. Israel will dwell securely. NSB Jeremiah adds an observation of his own; Jeremiah 24: 9 My heart is broken within me. All my bones tremble! I have become like a drunken man, even like a man overcome with wine. This is because of Jehovah and because of his holy words. 10 The land is full of adulterers! The land mourns because of the curse. The pastures of the wilderness have dried up. Their course also is evil and their might is not right. 11 The prophets and priests are godless. NSB Then Jehovah adds his thoughts again; Jeremiah 24: 11,12 Even in my Temple I have found them doing evil, declares Jehovah. 12 That is why their own way will become like a slippery path in the dark. They will be chased away, and they will fall down in the dark. I will bring disaster on them. It is time for them to be punished, proclaims Jehovah.
NSB

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And so, Jehovah prophecies affliction on his people, yet with a favorable final outcome;

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Jeremiah 30:7 In all history there has never been such a time of terror. It will be a time of trouble for my people Israel. Yet in the end, they will be saved! NLT Jeremiah 30:1-3 1 Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah: 2 This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: Write in a book everything that I tell you. 3 The days are coming, says Jehovah, when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity. I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors, and they will take possession of it. NSB Other End Time prophets: An entire book could be written on all the things the Bible discloses in just the Hebrew Scriptures, about the time of the End. A small sampling of things the four Major Prophets related gives us some idea of how much was already known when Israel was Israel was taken into captivity by Babylon. In Jesus day the accounts of the so called minor prophets, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi confirm what others had wrotten and also disclosed additional information on the End Times or Last Days, immediately prior to the Great Fear Inspiring day of Jehovah. We say minor prophets, for this is how they are known to us. Their writings are by no means of minor importance, as they fill in additional details theretofore unknown. An example of one of the so called minor prophets is found in Habakuk; Excerpts from Habakkuk concerning the time of the End; Habakkuk 2:2 Then Yahweh answered me and said, 'Write the vision down, inscribe it on tablets to be easily read. NJB Habakkuk 2:3 But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. NLT Habakkuk 2: 4 "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith. . . . . . In their greed they have gathered up many nations

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and peoples. 6 But the time is coming when all their captives will taunt them, saying, 'You thieves! At last justice has caught up with you! Now you will get what you deserve for your oppression and extortion!' Habakkuk 2: 7 Suddenly, your debtors will rise up in anger. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless. 8 You have plundered many nations; now they will plunder you. You murderers! You have filled the countryside with violence and all the cities, too. . . . . . Habakkuk 2:11 The very stones in the walls of your houses cry out against you, and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint. Habakkuk 2:14 For the time will come when all the earth will be filled, as the waters fill the sea, with an awareness of the glory of the LORD. Habakkuk 2: 15, 16 "How terrible it will be for you who make your neighbors drunk! You force your cup on them so that you can gloat over their nakedness and shame.16 But soon it will be your turn! Come, drink and be exposed! Drink from the cup of the LORD's judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame. Habakkuk 2: 18, "What have you gained by worshiping all your man-made idols? How foolish to trust in something made by your own hands! What fools you are to believe such lies! You ask speechless stone images to tell you what to do. Can an idol speak for God? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless NLT Jesus Christ, when he walked the earth and taught the truth of Gods word, was fully aware of all the things written in those prophecies. The information he would disclose to his followers would be a combination of things they knew from the prophets and new things which he revealed to them through Gods Holy Spirit. Those followers would pave the way for us who are living in this time to have a comprehensive picture of what the bible reveals about our time.

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What Jesus taught his disciples about the Time of the End. Let us now analyze verses in which Jesus discloses his thoughts on the Time of the End to his Apostles, his disciples, and by extension to us who would be their long term progeny. In Matthew the 6th chapter, Jesus makes a veiled reference to something which would be connected inseparably to the End Times. In what is commonly known as The Lords Prayer; by the expression Your kingdom come he refers to the same entity Isaiah referred to at Isaiah 2:1 as the mountain of the house of Jehovah Mat 6:9,10 So, then, you should pray this way: Our Father who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as it is in Heaven, also on the earth.
AMP

At the time when he spoke those words it was clearly implied that this kingdom had not yet come, but was to appear at a future time. The Apostle John wrote about 60 years later, that the Kingdom Jesus told them to pray for still had not yet been empowered over the earth. 1 John 5:19 We are certain that we are of God, but all the world is in the power of the Evil One. BBE Down to our day, this condition has not changed, for the world we see around us continues to demonstrate that it is not ruled by Jehovah God or his King designate Jesus Christ. However in Matthew the 24th chapter Jesus discloses a body of new information which adds a great deal of detail to what the prophets had disclosed in former times; Let us consider the meaning of what he related to his disciples as they gazed at that Temple in Jerusalem which at the time represented Jehovahs worship on earth. First, however, we should set some context for the remarks Jesus was to make on the occasion. Up to that time, his entire ministry had been directed to the Jews who belonged

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to the nation of Israel, as those whom God had made promises to as his chosen people. Jesus prophecies: In the 21st chapter of Luke, it tells of an impending change which was to take place in the near future. A change Jesus would tell them about in response to a question they had; Luke 21:5, 6 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." NIV Matthew 23:36- 38 I assure you, all the accumulated judgment of the centuries will break upon the heads of this very generation. :37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me. :38 And now look, your house is left to you, empty and desolate. NLT Or as another version puts it: Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate. RSV A crucial Question: It is in view of these remarks his disciples later ask him a very important three part question: Matthew 24:3 And while he was sitting on the Mount of Olives the disciples came and asked him when they were by themselves, 'Tell us, when is this going to happen, and what sign will there be of your coming and of the end of the world?'
NJB

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Part one: 'Tell us, when is this going to happen referred to the desolation of the household of Jews, the City of Jerusalem and its Temple.

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A second part to the question referred to another occasion, when he would return, his Second Coming. And the third part of the question referred to the end of the World In reply to these three questions, he would make the following comprehensive response; First, he prefaces his answer to the question with a warning; in which he addressed a danger concerning these questions. The danger would be from human deceivers who would represent themselves as being either himself or his direct representatives. Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you.WEB 24:5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. NWT This warning was not to be taken lightly, for the scripture distinctly says many would come on the basis of his name, and many would be led astray. Upon uttering those words of warning, he goes on to give a composite sign, by which his followers would truly recognize that they were indeed living in a time he called the time of the end, in spite of what any deceivers would say or claim. It is also noteworthy that the warning in itself would constitute part of the composite sign. The composite sign that he gives has three applications. The first application was in answer to the first part of the question his followers raised in connection with the Jewish Temple and its system of worship then prevalent in Jerusalem. The second application was in response to parts two and three of their three part question. The first two applications would be toward earthly things. The third application would be in an area totally unseen by physical eyes. It would be visible only on a spiritual level, by those possessing eyes of spiritual discernment. That third application would be discerned by those persons capable of applying spiritual insight to the things Jesus would relate. Earlier and End Times Fulfillment:

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The first part of Jesus discoursecan be seen as a short term prophecy; for it had its fulfillment less than 40 years from the time it was given. It was fulfilled in many of its details by the total destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem and its formal system of worship in and around that city in the year 70 CE, when the Roman general Titus led a force which besieged Jerusalem, defeated the defenders and burned the temple to a complete destruction. The Jewish historian Josephus reported that 1.1 million Jews were killed in that cataclysm. This was a historically significant event which had been prophesied by Jesus in accurate detail as he answered his disciples questions on that momentous day in 33 CE. The latter part of that 3 part question would have to wait about two thousand years to see its fulfillment. The time of its fulfill- ment would be recognized by the fact that all aspects of the prophecy would have to occur simultaneously. Whereas individual features of the prophecy might be evidenced at various times in history, only when they all occurred at once, would there be proof to his followers that they were in fact, living in the last Days. When that happened, it would also indicate to them that his second coming was imminent. Lets look at the individual features of the composite Sign Jesus gave his followers by which they might recognize that they were indeed living in this foretold Time of The End Individual features of the prophecy: 1. Wars and reports of wars Matt 24: 6; You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Do not be troubled, for this must happen, but the end is not yet. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. NSB Up to 1 CE, which is recognized by most people to be about the time of Jesus birth, approximately 3600 years of mans recorded history, there were less than 100 wars documented for the entire time up to that year. Then, in that first Century alone, after Jesus birth, 70 wars

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were documented. This was an increase rate of around 3,500% when compared to the average rate of the previous 36 centuries. Certainly, we could consider Jesus words about wars and rumors of wars fulfilled during that century. However, when we compare that feature with the statistics of our times, it pales by comparison. During only the last 211 years, prior to 2012, there have been more than 1,100 wars and reports of wars documented. Ten times the rate of Jesus own time. This rate is unprecedented in all of history. We would have to conclude this fulfills Jesus prophecy for the last days. 2. Famines: Matt 24: 7,8 There will be famines and earthquakes in many places. 8 These things are the beginning of birth pains (Greek: odin': in the throws of pain, such as childbirth). Major famines were recorded in the Bible, also in secular history in 44 CE, 45 CE, 46 CE, 47 CE and 70 CE. There may have been others in locales which were not written about. Yet those which were recorded easily constitute a fulfillment in the first century. As far as the modern era and our day is concerned, famine is a fact of everyday life in much of the world. There have been major famines and food shortages recorded since 1900 in the following places; China, India, Russia, Lebanon, Belgium, Germany, Iran, Turkestan, Ruwanda, Burundi, Poland, Greece, Netherlands, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Niger, Burkina, Faso, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Uganda, Somalia, North Korea, Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Djbouti, Kenya, Myanmar, Afghanistan, East Africa, Tajikistan and Sahel, and Somalia. And this is not to mention the millions who today are malnourished due to unwholesome, yet available food. Earthquakes in one place after another: While the recording methods of earth quakes in Jesus day cannot be compared with today due to the fact scientific recording instruments did not exist, nonetheless there were notable ones which were documented at their time. During the reign of Claudius Ceasar, (41-54

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CE) earth quakes were recorded in Crete, Chios, Miletu, Samos and Smyra. During Neros reign (54-68 CE) earthquakes were recorded in Laodicea, Rome, Colossae, and Hieropolis. Suetonius records earthquakes in Rome during the period of 68-69 CE. Samos records one in Campagnia and Josephus tells of a great earthquake in Judea, all during that same period. As far as modern day statistics for earthquakes go, the following recorded information shows an alarming trend in our time. 1863 to 1900 - 38 yrs - 12 Earth quakes 1901 to 1938 - 38 yrs - 53 Earth quakes 1939 to 1976 - 38 yrs - 71 Earth quakes 1977 to 2014 - 38 yrs- 164 (to Mar. 2011) predicting 190 in total earthquakes Whether these statistics are entirely credible or not, the fact remains that in our day, there have been earthquakes in one place after another, thereby fulfilling Bible prophecy. Jesus continues his prophecy with the following thought; (Note: verses cited are from the NSB , New Simplified Bible, unless otherwise indicated) Mtt 24:8 These things are the beginning of birth pains (Greek: odin': in the throws of pain, such as childbirth). By stating Wars and famines as a beginning of something which is time related and persists to a preset conclusion, he attaches a start to its duration. After it starts, he likens it to late stages of a pregnancy from which there is no turning back. Then, he goes on to predict what his followers would experience during those times. Tribulation on an unprecedented scale: Mtt 24:.9,10 People will cause you tribulation, and kill you. 10. You will be hated by all the nations for my names sake. 10 Many will stumble and betray and hate one another. NSB

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First, there would be great difficulties (tribulation), caused by opponents or due to the ungodly system of things. Christians would be persecuted to such an extent that lives would be lost due to persecution, because of his names sake (that which Jesus stood for) Word meaning: tribulation tribulation ( Etymology Dictionarey) Early 13c., from O.Fr. tribulacion (12c.), from L.L. tribulationem (nom. tribulatio) "distress, trouble, affliction". Earlier, (c.200), from tribulatus, pp. of tribulare "to oppress, afflict, also possibly "to thresh out grain," from tribulum "threshing sledge," from stem of terere "to rub" (see throw) + -bulum, suffix forming names of tools. Threshing sledge goes well with the idea conveyed by Luke in the 22nd chapter of his book. There Luke likens Satan sifting Peter to sifting wheat. Wheat was sifted or separated out from the chaff by threshing it with a tribulum, a threshing sledge, in ancient days. Luke 22:31 'Simon, Simon! Look, Satan has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; NJB This part of the sign was very evident to Christians during the first century when their enemies subjected them to all kinds of persecution, even to the point of death in the arena. At that time by the hands of the Romans and the Jewish establishment as well, there was great pressure on the Christian community. The Bible gives us an account describing an entire community which was forced to flee for their lives. Acts 8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. NKJ
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Under such pressures, there was also great opportunity for doubting the very master whom they had served, even to the point of betraying one another. Mat 24:10 And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. AMP The key to understanding this verse is found in identifying who should be trusted and obeyed, according to the Bible. Proverbs 3:5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception; NJB Acts 5:29 In reply Peter and the apostles said, 'Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; NJB This has become a point of major confusion, for there are those in these last days who insist obedience to them constitutes obedience to God. In this insistence they create doubts as to whether scripture actually says what it means. It is as if God, through his Holy Spirit was incapable of communicating his thoughts accurately and clearly without their help. Such doubts breed confusion and confusion breeds distrust and distrust leads to disloyalty among those who are confused. Thus, there have many who have left the pure truth of Gods word and have ended up in betraying one another by virtue of the falsehoods they promote to each other. That this was true in the days of the apostles as can be seen by the many warnings they gave against such deceivers in their days, and it is true in this time of the end as well (See Chapter 2. - Warnings to Christians, in this series) False Prophets: Matthew 24:11 'And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray; YLT (See Chapter No. 3 on Apostasy, in this series)

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Increased Wickedness and Lawlessness: Mtt 24:12 Wickedness and lawlessness will increase. Wickedness; In its fulfillment during the first century, increased wickedness, particularly against Christians was evidenced by such atrocious deeds as dismembering them, burning them alive and using them for entertainment in the arena, with the idea they were to be killed by vicious animals. Today, it is manifest in countless other ways in the Movies, and TV people watch, in the games their children play and in the books they read and in the ways they treat each other. In all this, we find unprecedented wickedness portrayed. It is interesting to note producers of such materials claim that they produce them only because this is what people want. While most persons have a good general idea of wickedness, lawlessness is a word that conveys additional meaning beyond what is commonly held. Lawlessness; In the conventional secular sense, lawlessness usually indicates those without law or one who disobeys law. However, in Bible terms it has an expanded application as seen through Jehovah Gods own eyes. One Bible translation helps us better understand what Jesus meant at Matthew 7:23 and quite likely at Matthew 24: 12, by lawlessness; Matthew 7:23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' ESV While another version reads: But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized. NLT
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Here, The New Living Translation defines what other Bibles refer to as lawlessness as doing what was not authorized by God and Jesus. Also, a Theological Dictionary of Bible words sheds still further light on scriptural Lawlessness. Lawless, Lawlessness [from Vines complete Expository Dictionary of N.T.
words]

A. Adjective. anomos (G459), " 2Th_2:8, "the lawless one" (KJV, "that wicked"), of the man of sin (2Th_2:4);, where the thought is not simply that of doing what is unlawful, but of flagrant defiance of the known will of God. B. Noun. anomia (G458), "lawlessness," akin to A, is most frequently translated "iniquity;" in 2Th_2:7, RVS, "lawlessness" (KJV, "iniquity"); "the mystery of lawlessness" is not recognized by the world, for it does not consist merely in confusion and disorder (see A); the display of "lawlessness" by the "lawless" one (2Th 2:8) will be the effect of the attempt by the powers of darkness to overthrow the divine government. We must remember, Jesus was relating this prophecy to his followers. While the world at large might not be inclined to attach spiritual meanings to his words, his followers would be able to frame their understanding based on its meaning from a Godly viewpoint. Then Jesus continues with his prophetic discourse, switching back and forth between purely literal / physical aspects and spiritual aspects contained within the same overall prophecy. He answers his apostles questions in great detail, even more so than they themselves were capable of fully understanding at that time. General Decrease of love:

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He continues with these words starting in vs 12;

Matthew 24:12 and with the increase of lawlessness, love in most people will grow cold; NJB The extent to which this specific aspect may have been fulfilled during the 1st century application is not readily apparent. When we speak of our days, we see innumerable evidences of fulfill- ment. One only needs to read the papers or to listen to the news to see vivid examples. cont. Vs.12; The person who endures to the end will be saved. For Christians whose faith was tested in the first century, this was a statement of fixed truth and promise, as well as a prophecy. The statement remains just as true today. A Christian must endure through all trials and tribulations which the times we live in may present to his faith. Earth wide preaching of The Good News Vs.14; The good news of the kingdom will be preached in the entire world for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come. This particular feature has a primary application to our times, as first century circumstances made a literal fulfillment impossible. This is due to the fact that much of the globe of that time was unexplored, uncivilized or illiterate. The preaching described in vs 14 had to apply to the entire world, not just a continent or two. It had t o be fulfilled when there was an ability to communicate the good news in every nook and cranny of the earth. This is true today, as it was not in the past. In the first century fulfillment, the prophecy could only have applied to the known world at that time. Still, even in that respect, it was fulfilled. A disgusting thing, standing in the Holy place Vs.15: When you see the disgusting abomination of desolation (unclean thing) spoken about through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that reads understand), 16 you in Judea flee to the mountains;

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This feature of the prophecy was obscure until it became obvious through its fulfillment in the first century. Transpired events revealed that the disgusting thing standing in the holy place turned out to be the Roman presence surrounding the holy city Jerusalem. In the first century, those who recognized the danger and heeded the warning were indeed saved from a terrible cataclysm. Those Christians whose faith moved them to obey the words of Jesus prophecy found refuge and safety, while the rest of Jerusalems inhabitants were either destroyed or taken into captivity. Faithfull Christians in the first century responded to the urgency illustrated at vss. 17-21 as it applied to them in their day. There is a disgusting thing which stands in a holy place in our day as well. (as the Bible relates; let the reader discern what it is) Warnings of Urgency In the tine of the end:
Vs. 17;

you on the housetop do not go down to remove the things in y our house. 18 You in the field do not return to get your clothes. 19 You who are pregnant or nursing babies in those days will feel trouble. 20 Pray that your flight not be in the winter, neither on a Sabbath. 21 There will be great tribulation. It will be greater than any has ever been from the beginning of the world until now. These verses place a strong emphasis on urgency and the need to take decisive action immediately. In this, they hold meaning for Christians in our day in the same manner as they had in the first century. However, the next series of verses switch to a fulfillment uniquely related to the final time of the end. Their implied application could only be in a time when the end of all flesh was possible. Until the nuclear age, this was hardly possible. Today, it is not only possible, but many scientists say it is highly probable. Unless there are changes and the reversal of current trends in a number of different areas, our earth may become uninhabitable. Todays inhabitants of this planet are already under ever increasing tribulation. Realistic persons must concede that a continuing pressure on the earth, its resources and its peoples, if not curtailed, will end in disaster for the entire earth and all its inhabitants. The Bible goes on to illustrate the gravity of the

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situation in the next verses and to what extent these difficulties would prevail. . Duration of End Times
Vs. 32;

Unless those days are shortened, no flesh will be saved. For the sake of the chosen ones (selected individ-uals), those days will be shortened. When Gods word speaks of the chosen ones it is not referring to people in general. It is referring to those individuals some bible versions refer to as the saints. These are the same ones Jesus instituted his covenant for a kingdom with. They are a small number from among mankind. The book of Revelation numbers them as only 144,000 out of the many billions who have lived on this earth. Whether this number is literal or a figurative number remains to be determined by fulfilled history. One certainty in connection with this is, that in comparison with the total number of humans who have inhabited the earth (some sources say well over 20 billion), it is a relatively small number. Luke 22:29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, RSV Revelation 5:10 "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God and they will reign upon the earth NAU In effect, one of the reasons those days will be shortened is that if there were no earth or any human population on it, there would be no subjects to rule, thereby making Jesus promise untrue. Also, we must remember, it was Jehovah Gods original purpose to have the earth peopled with righteous God loving humans living in a paradise like condition. We can be assured; God will not fail in his purpose. For this to be so, not only will the physical earth need to be preserved, but there must also be human inhabitants on it. Warnings of False Prophets in the time of the end:
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Vs 23; If anyone says to you then, Behold, here is the Christ (the Messiah)! or, There He is!--do not believe it. AMP

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The prophecy has now turned back to a warning mode. Here, it warns against misinterpretations or deceptions superfluous to its own prophetic words. Those very things it is warning about are to be seen as part of the composite sign that identifies the time of the end. Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. RSV Proving that these False Christs and False prophets would be effective is intrinsic within the warning itself. The fact that there is even a possibility of the elect (chosen ones, Saints) being misled places the things warned against on the highest levels of religious deception. Vs. 25; Remember, I told you before it happens. 26 If they say, Look, he is in the wilderness, or, He is in the inner chambers, do not believe it. Here Jesus further emphasizes the importance of the warning by adding additional revealing details. Cautionary in the sense that he is saying; wherever, it is they tell you he is, dont believe them. The second coming: Now, in highly symbolic language he discloses some realities in connection with his second coming; Vs. 27. Lightning comes from the east and is seen in the west. The coming of the Son of man is like this. What is it about the coming of the Son of Man (Jesus) that is like lightning? We know lightning is not inconspicuous. We know lightning is instantaneous; it is powerful and can be seen from great distances. The fact that Jesus refers to it as coming from the east and being seen in the west carries an earth wide connotation, for there is no place on earth where this relationship between east and west fails to apply. Vs. 28; The eagles will gather at the place of the carcass.

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Or, as other versions put it; . Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. ESV Wherever there is a fallen body (a corpse), there the vultures (or eagles) will flock together. AMP Eagles are predatory while vultures are scavengers. The carcass or corpse is the life Jesus gave up in behalf of human kind. The eagles or vultures, whichever meaning may be more exact, may be predators or scavengers who gather to feed or benefit themselves from the death of Christ. Therefore, more than likely, vultures are a correct translation here, for vultures are birds who flock or gather together while eagles are not commonly known to flock in numbers beyond their immediate families. Matthew 24:29 "But immediately after the tribulation of those days NAS When it says immediately after the tribulation, it sets the events that follow it, later than the tribulation itself. The tribulation is over when the following events occur. The tribulation in the first century occurred within the lifespan of the generation to which Christ had personally spoken his words in the 24th chapter of Matthew to. That tribulation culminated with The Temple being completely destroyed and the Jewish system of worship connected with it ending in 70 CE. All this transpired before the generation which had heard Jesus words with their own ears came to an end. This was a direct fulfillment of his prophecy concerning the Temple and the Jewish System of things which completely revolved around the temple. In our time, the phrase immediately after the tribulation is also meaningful; immediately is a word which precludes any extended passage of time. Its meaning implies that the events must follow without any gap in time. The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light:

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Matthew 24:29 the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. NAS In this verse we have highly symbolic language. Lets take a moment and explore the symbolism behind the key words, based on other Bible references. While all three of the elements mentioned are sources of light, that there is a distinction between them is shown at 1 Corinthians 15:41; The brightness of the sun is one kind, the brightness of the moon another, and the brightness of the stars another. For star differs from star in brightness. NAB In former times, similar figurative language was used to describe the fall of ruling entities, either nations or kingdoms (governments) The literal destruction of Babylon is foretold in similar terms (Isa 13:10), and of Tyre (Isa_24:23). The slaughter in Bozrah and Idumea is predicted in the same language, (Isa_34:4). See also Isa_50:3; Isa_60:19-20; Eze_32:7; Joe_3:15. Therefore, this would be fit a figurative description of literal events in end times prophecy. It would describe the fall of something which had to do with ruler ship or government. Since Jesus spoke to Jewish followers, that ruler ship or government had to have first century application to their religion, for while they were under the Roman political system, it was really the Jewish religious system that ruled their lives. Therefore we should look for a religious/spiritual application in connection with events concurrent with a literal fulfillment in our time. It is here where the symbolic language comes into play. First, what kind of meaning may we find behind the figurative Sun when it says the Sun will be darkened. Matthew 24:29 a. the Sun will be darkened We must connect the sun both literally and figuratively with Jehovah God since he is the creator of the literal sun, our source of natural

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light, and he is also the source of all light (enlightenment) in a spiritual and figurative sense. Psalm 84:11 For Jehovah God is a sun and shield. Jehovah will give favor and honor. He will not withhold blessing from those who walk faithfully in truth. NSB Psalm 27:1 Jehovah is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the stronghold of my life. Who is there to be afraid of? NSB Jeremiah 31:35 This is what Jehovah, the Giver of the sun for light by day, the statutes of the moon and the stars for light by night, NSB Psalm 118:27 Yahweh is God, he gives us light. Link your processions, branches in hand, up to the horns of the altar. NJB In the first century the Jews recognized Jehovah as the source for all enlightenment (light). To them he was like the sun, the source of all light. His presence was symbolized by the Shekinah Light in the temple in Jerusalem. In the Encyclo- pedia Judaica the "Shekinah" is defined as "the Divine Presence, the luminous immanence of God in the world. Thus, when Jehovah withdrew his presence (light) from the Temple at Jerusalem, It signaled the end of his enlightening influence, also the end of his protection (shield) for the Jewish nation. It was as if their sun had become darkened. An earlier prophecy by Amos had offered a fore gleam of what was to come when that light was withdrawn. Amos 8:11 Lo, days are coming, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, And I have sent a famine into the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water But of hearing the words of Jehovah. YLT Matthew 24:29 b. The Moon will not give its light
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The physical moon is entirely dependent upon the physical sun for it is a source of reflected light. The figurative moon would represent the

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Law code and its many moon related festivals which Jehovah had given the nation of Israel through Moses. That code, like the moon was a reflection of his light which stood outside and apart from the Temple with its Shekinah light representing his presence. It was nevertheless an orb which had reflected Jehovahs light and favor toward the nation of Israel as his chosen people since the time Moses. Had instituted the moon like Law Code. When this arrangement ended, the moon was figuratively darkened. Matthew 24:29 c.. The Stars will fall from the sky. Again, we must look beyond the literal for our understanding. We are not speaking here of literal stars in a literal sky. The scriptures shed light on their own meanings, for Jehovah is his own interpreter. Daniel 12:3 Those who have wisdom (insight) will shine like the brightness of the firmament. They turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever NSB It becomes even more obvious in the next verse that the Stars mentioned are figurative since stars cannot literally be unclean whereas men can. Job 25:5 Look! There is even the moon, and it is not bright; And the stars themselves have not proved clean in his eyes.
NWT

Likewise in Revelations where Christ addresses the seven congregations prefiguring the entire Christian congregation, the stars are not literal stars. Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword: and his face was like the sun shining in its strength. BBE In the case of the fulfillment which occurred in 70 CE with the complete destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, it was religious leaders (men) who were thought to shine like stars due to their great learning and insight. The Jewish community at large believed their Priesthood, their Rabbis, and their Sanhedrin were those who Jehovah blessed with special insight from his heavenly throne. When the destruction of the Temple, occurred as Jesus predicted and they

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themselves had no inkling of its coming, it proved beyond a doubt, they no longer had God given insight. Their stars had fallen from the sky (heavens). Matthew 24:29d. the Powersof the heavens will be shaken. In the Bible the heavens are symbolic of ruling authority. Once the people of that time lost confidence in the insight of their spiritual leaders, those leaders no longer possessed the respect they needed for unquestioned obedience to their rule. At that point, the power of their heavens (ruling authority), while not being completely destroyed, was greatly shaken. However, would there also be a greater spiritual application, one which would portray spiritual events concurrent with the time of the end in our day? While these events are part of the composite sign given by Jesus, they are not events we can examine in our time with the acute microscope of hindsight. These are events which are currently in the process of being fulfilled in our day. Matthew 24:29a.. the Sun will be darkened Once again, we must look to the one whom the Jews considered to be their sun. As the literal sun has not changed as the source of light, Jehovah has not changed as the source of Spiritual enlightenment. In what way would the sun be darkened in our day? The Prophet Amos offers us a clue in his word concerning the time of the end. Amos 8:11 Lo, days are coming, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, And I have sent a famine into the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water But of hearing the words of Jehovah. YLT Today, we see the pure unadulterated word of Jehovah doctored with a hybrid mixture of human error and outright falsehood. The brightness and enlightenment of Jehovah as expressed in his word has indeed become darkened. Truth has been overlaid with a film of falsehood and the brilliance of Gods word has become dimmed to the vast majority of the human family. Just as Jehovah withdrew his presence from his chosen nation in 70CE and onward, due to their

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rejection of his Messiah and the hope he provided through that one, he will darken his sun of enlightenment and withdraw the protection afforded by his word of truth from those who reject his Christ in any way during our day. Matthew 24:29b. The Moon will not give its light When we look for insight as to who or what this symbolic moon might be in our day, we must once again go to the first century for our understanding. If the moon in that day was symbolic of the enlightenment provided by God, however, not through his own direct light, but through reflected light of the Mosaic code, we must ask who most reflects his light in our day. The answer is, not the ancient code of Moses which was fulfilled in Christ but in Christ himself, who said; John 8:12 When Jesus spoke to the people again, he said: I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life. NJB Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things." NWT While Jesus promised his followers he would be with them until the conclusion of the system of things, this continuing presence would be dependent on observing all the things I have commanded you. In what way would his presence be manifested? He himself gave us clues to the answer in verses in the book of John; John 14:16,17 I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another helper, that he [the helper] may be with you forever. 17 It is the Spirit of the truth. The world cannot receive it. The world does not see or know it. You know it because it lives with you and will be with you. NSB John 14:26 The Father will send a helper in my name, the Holy Spirit, which (Greek: hos he ho) (which) (that one) will teach you all things and bring to your memory all that I said to you NSB

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John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away. For if I do not go away the helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send it to you. NSB As we know, Jesus did depart the earthly scene physically. Would he ever withdraw that helper, that spirit of truth he promised faithful followers? First of all, the promise was until the time of the end beyond that, we are reading in meaning which may or may not be supported by scripture. Jesus himself originally spoke to those of a nation which claimed to be Gods people during his time in the first century. They thought Gods promise was with them and that it would last forever. Likely, it would have if they had kept their side of the covenant God made with them, but they did not, and so Jehovah withdrew his favor from them. Matthew 23:37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone the messengers who are sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings. But you were not willing! 38 Behold, your house is left desolate. NSB I never knew you: Likewise, in our day, there are those who believe themselves to be in a covenant relationship with Jehovahs Messiah, Jesus Christ. Yet, the words he spoke to the Jewish system of things apply as aptly to our time as they did then. Today there are even greater numbers of those who, while claiming to be his followers, deny him and reject him through their acceptance of false teachings. They place their trust in doctrines of men, like the vast majority of Jews did on the first century instead of the pure word of truth as revealed by Gods word and his Christ. They have in effect made the word of God invalid by overlaying Gods truth with their own error. Jesus will reject them and his favor will be withdrawn from them upon final judgment. Thus, Jesus, as a figurative moon reflecting Jehovahs pure light will no longer give them light (enlightenment). Matthew 7:23 But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized. ' NLT

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2nd Thess, 2: 11, 12 So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth (Jesus, the truth, according to Jo 14:6) but took pleasure in unrighteousness.- ( authors comment) Stars fall from the sky: Matthew 24:29c. The Stars will fall from the sky The Christian community at large believes that their Pope, their clergy, church officials, and their governing bodies are those who Jehovah blesses with special insight from his heavenly throne. They view these men as light giving stars. While, there is a need to respect such ones as Gods repre- sentatives to the extent that they teach and adhere to Gods word, when they deviate from that word and teach their own thoughts ideas and dreams, a true Christian must obey God as ruler rather than men. Thus, before this time of the end expires, Jehovah will expose the hidden venues of such stars and true Christians will recognize that some of their star like leaders are not endowed with Gods spirit at all in all their corrupted teachings. They, the stars will lose their innocent admirers as they are recognized as failures at enlightenment. To their followers, those stars will fall from the figurative sky of Gods favor. Powers of the heavens shaken: Matthew 24:29d.. the Powers of the heavens will be shaken. As was true in the days of the first century, the heavens symbolize ruling authorities. Once the people lose confidence in the insight of their spiritual leaders, those leaders no longer possess the respect they need for unquestioning obedience to their rule. The power of those heavens, (ruling authorities) while not being completely destroyed, will be greatly shaken. Remember, when we speak of the time of the End, we are speaking about;

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a.), the Last Days, just prior to the Great Fear Inspiring day of Jehovah in the first century, and b.) those days just prior to the great Fear Inspiring day of Jehovah as a culmination in the latter Time of the End. This fits what Jesus described in the 24th Chapter of Matthew. Also, remember that in the Bible, a day frequently represents a longer period of time than a literal 24 hours. Later in the 24th chapter of Matthew, this period is likened to the days of Noah. Those days of Noah described in the Bible, referred to by Jesus covered over one hundred and twenty years. This is not to say, a time element of one hundred twenty years is in any way implied by Jesus prophecy. However, it does mean for a certainty that we were not speaking in terms of literal 24 hour days. Rather it refers to an unspecified duration, one which only God would know the specific beginning and end of. He continues with still another aspect of this composite prophecy for the last days: The sign of the Son of man: Matthew 24: 30. The sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of earth will mourn. They will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. There is no need for a sign if a manifestation is visible to human eyes. The fact that a sign is given precludes the possibility of being able to see this phenomena with physical eyes. When one comes on the clouds, visibility is either obscured or not possible at all, just as when one disappears into the clouds. Therefore, what is being described here is not something obvious to all persons. Yet it says They will see the son of man coming with power and great glory. While we mostly think in terms of seeing with our eyes, they are merely a camera for our brain. We see with our mind, for it is not what we see, rather what we perceive, comprehend or understand that forms thoughts in response to what our eyes have taken in. Therefore, when the Bible says every eye will see the Son of man coming with power and great glory, it means everyone will be able to perceive that power

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and glory by what they are able to discern. By discernable evidence the time of the end may be recognized only when all the signs are present and manifest. It becomes scripturally implicit that what is perceived will not be easily attributable to any other source than the Messiah. Therefore, we may conclude that what every eye will see may have to it a supernatural or miraculous nature, one which can only be attributable to divine intervention. Such was the case when Jesus performed miracles during his first presence on the earth. Miracles such as turning water into wine, feeding thousands with a few loaves of bread and fish, restoring sight to blind ones and resurrecting dead persons, cannot be attributed to any other source than implementation of Divine Power. Matthew 24: 30a.: He will send his angels with a great trumpet sound. In the Bible the "TRUMPET is a symbol announcing something of great importance and meaning. It is noteworthy, the trumpet is not the event itself, and it is merely the announcement which precedes an important event. Matthew 24: 30b.: They will gather together the anointed from the four winds, from one end of the sky (horizon) to the other. Jesus then directs his listeners attention to the fact that all these things constitute the sign and that when they are all seen (perceived) it is a sure indication his presence is very close, even at the door. When you see all these things: Matthew 24: 32, 33; Learn from the illustration of the fig tree. When the branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 Therefore, when you see all these things, you will know he is near, even at the door. In the next verse, Jesus gives an indication as to a time or duration of the era encompassing these events;

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Matthew 24: 34; Truly I tell you, this generation (those living at that time) will not pass away till all these things take place. In the first century fulfillment, there was a literal generation to whom he had spoken his prophetic words. While all individuals who might have heard his actual words did not survive till 70 CE, when it was fulfilled, the generation itself had not passed away. In a later fulfillment, the fulfillment for the final time of the end, there has been much speculation about the duration of that generation. Knowing when it ended could attach a length of time to his prophecy. If one could determine the length of this generation accurately, one could attempt to calculate the day and the hour for the final end by knowing its time of commencement. Jesus said no man would know the day or the hour. Thus, one should not expect to be able to predetermine the length of the generation living in the time of the end. It appears, no one was to know the exact time it would commence, and neither will they know the exact time it will end in advance. Matthew 24:35; Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. With this statement, Jesus seals the sureness of this prophecy in all its comprehensive detail. He then goes on to make a remark regarding its exact timing. In this verse is buried a warning against those who would predict an exact time for his second coming (presence). By telling us that that no one knows the exact time, he implies that those who would predict a day or an hour for his coming are in fact doing so on their own, without scriptural basis. Matthew 24:36 But as for that day and hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, no one but the Father alone. NJB How people are reacting to events during the Time of the End He then proceeds to comment on the curiously questionable behavior of those on the earthly scene while these events unfold as predicted. Directly related to his presence he says;

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Matthew 24: 37; The presence of the Son of man will be similar to the days of Noah. 38 It will be like those days before the Flood. They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. 39 They were not aware until the Flood came and took them all away. The coming (presence) of the Son of man will be like this. 40 Two will be in the field. One will be taken, and one will be left. 41 Two will grind at the mill. One will be taken, and one will be left. NSB Other versions put the same verse as: Matthew 24:39 And they had no care till the waters came and took them all away; so will be the coming of the Son of man. BBE Matthew 24:39 and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. NWT Buried in this group of verses is a fact which is frequently overlooked. That is that his coming is closely associated with those taken and also those left behind. It takes us back to vs 31, where the angels gather anointed followers from the four winds. Another significant point is that they were not aware, or were unconcerned. They were in their normal course of daily activities, seemingly oblivious to his coming or any warnings pursuant to it. For that reason, he warns his own followers to not be found oblivious to those events. Rather to be prepared, ready and in expectation of his coming. Matthew 24:42; Be alert, for you do not know what day the Lord will come. 43 Know this, if the master of the house had known what time the thief was coming, he would have watched and his house would not have been vandalized. 44 Be prepared! The Son of man will come at a time when you do not expect it. The Faithful Steward:

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Then Jesus conveys a spiritual message to his footstep followers, those who may know what readiness and preparedness mean. He speaks to them by means of a parable. A parable they would discern the meaning of with spiritual eye sight while others would attribute misguided meanings to it. The parable begins with a question; Matthew 24: 45 51; Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his lord put in charge of his other servants, to give them their food at the proper time? NSB Other translations: Matthew 24:45 'Who, then, is the servant, faithful and wise, whom his lord did set over his household, to give them the nourishment in season? YLT Matthew 24:45 'Who, then, is the wise and trustworthy servant whom the master placed over his household to give them their food at the proper time? NJB Matthew 24:45 "Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? NRS Here he raises a question which someone with Spiritual insight would have to answer in his or her own heart and mind, for Jesus does not provide a direct answer. What he provides is a contrast between faithful and unfaithful slaves found on the scene when the master returns from an extended absence and what the masters reaction would be to what he finds. That servant is blessed when his lord comes and finds him doing his will. NSB
46

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The key point here is one servant is doing his masters will in providing food at the time while the other is not. In fact the other is found to be abusing his fellow servants.

The key question here is; what kind of food was the master speaking of when he granted stewardship concerning his other servants upon his departure and what was the nature of the stewardship he granted?. If we are to relate this parable to Christ as the master who departs with an intention to return at an undisclosed date, we must explore exactly what it was that Christ left his footstep followers to hold stewardship over. Some might argue, it was their fellow believers that Christ gave them headship over. This concept is contradictory to scripture for Jesus had told them they had no other master than him. In this parable, the masters will was to feed his fellow slaves, not to rule them. As far as granting them authority over their fellow servants lives, Jesus in his own words established principals his stewards must not violate. Matthew 23:10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. RSV Matthew 20:25,26. and Jesus having called them near, said, 'Ye have known that the rulers of the nations do exercise lordship over them, and those great do exercise authority over them, YLT :26 It shall not be so among you: but whosoever is the greater among you, let him be your minister. DRA Or as another version puts it: Matthew 20:26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, ESV There is little to justify stewardship means ruler ship over their fellow slaves in any of the principals he laid them down for his disciples. On the other hand, Jesus did have much to say in answering the key question as to what the masters will was for one he granted stewardship concerning his other servants upon his departure. Also, a related question is; what was that stewardship over? Was it over the fellow salves or the food allotment they were to receive? What the Psalmist had written centuries earlier about God himself laid the ground work for what Jesus would have to say on the subject during his own time and to his own followers;

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The psalmist wrote about Jehovah God; Psalm 104:27 All of them are waiting for you, to give them their food in its time. BBE Jesus himself adds weight to the thought that the food was representative of Jehovahs word. Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. NIV John 17:17 Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. NLT John 17:14 I have given them your word . . . . NIV Or as another version puts it; John 17:14 I have given your word to them . . . NWT His followers would act consistently with his words in regard to Jo 10:14, 27. John 10:14 I am the fine shepherd, and I know my sheep and my sheep know me, NWT John 10:27 My sheep give ear to my voice, and I have knowledge of them, and they come after me: BBE Thus, what Jesus fed his followers with was the truth of his fathers word. Then, concerning what his followers were to do with that which he provided them with, he said; John 21:15 When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' NJB

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John 21:17 Once more he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you." Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep. NLT Later, Paul recognized the connection between the supplier and the receiver of the food they were providing and what kind of food it was. 1 Corinthians 10:3 all ate the same spiritual food NJB A further command initially given to his apostles was; Matthew 28:19, 20 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, NAB 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, {even} to the end of the world. Amen WEB Correctly understanding the word observe becomes crucial to the meaning of this scripture. While most translators apply a meaning of obedience to the word, this is somewhat of a leap from what the original writer implied. The word teros (observe), according to Thayers has a differing meaning. Observe (Thayers, BDB definitions) G5083 thre,w tereo {tay-reh'-o} from teros (a watch, perhaps akin to 2334); 1) to attend to carefully, take care of 1a) to guard 1b) metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is 1c) to observe 1d) to reserve: to undergo something While many Bible translators have rendered the word observe (G5083 thre,w) as obey, this is not the correct meaning. The correct meaning is to guard, protect, preserve and or keep. Thus, what Jesus left his disciples to guard was what his father had given him to feed them

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with. It was his fathers word of truth. It constituted a legacy they were to protect and pass on to fellow believers as well as new believers. It was the spiritual food Paul spoke of at 1 Cor. 10:3. They all ate the same spiritual food NIV How they managed the spiritual food which they were to provide would determine whether they were or were not faithful stewards over what he gave them. Obviously, Jesus would know what they had been doing with this food before his return to the earthly scene. Therefore, the prophetic parable should not be seen as intended to focus on what he saw, as if it was the first time he saw it. It should be viewed more as an indication of what he would do with regard to those whom he gave stewardship over his word, those he charged with feeding his sheep with it in a timely manner. For the slave who discharged his stewardship faithfully, there was to be a reward. Matthew 24:47 Truly, I say to you, he will put him over all he has. BBE Matthew 24:47 Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath. ASV Matthew 24: 47; I tell you, he will put him in charge of everything he owns. NSB With these words, he makes a statement that does not have a precise time tag tied to it. We cannot be certain whether the reward of being given stewardship over everything he has applies immediately after expressing the words, or some future time, perhaps when that slave, by virtue of his marriage in heaven has ruler ship bestowed upon him in connection with the administration of everything the master owns. Also, when it refers to everything Jesus owns, we might recall, that while admitting he possessed his fathers word, he never claimed ownership of any other earthly belongings. In fact what he said at Matthew 8:20 implies he had little or nothing in the way of earthly belongings.

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Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. ASV In contrast, we have verses citing specifically what Jesus had and gave his followers: John 17:14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. NIV Mark 4:11 And he said to them, To you is given the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are given in the form of stories; BBE Then he, the Master (Jesus) reverts back to examine the attitude, motives and outcome for the evil servants behavior. The evil slave being the servant who is found to abuse his stewardship during the time the master charged him with caring for his belongings; Matthew 24:48,49.; "But if that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time:49 and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards, NAU In what way could it be said that evil servant would beat or mistreat his fellow servants? Beat (Vines N.T. Expository dictionary of Greek,) BEAT, v.t. pret. beat; pp. beat, beaten. [L. batuo. See Abate.] 1. To strike repeatedly; to lay on repeated blows, with a stick, with the hand or fist, or with any instrument, and for any cause, just or unjust, or for punishment. We are given clues as to the character and results of such blows in other places in the bible. These blows are behavior or actions which cause others to be diverted from the pure truth of Gods word and teachings. They constitute teachings, behavior and or treatment

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toward others which either detract from or diminish the truth of Gods word. They beat their fellow slaves in that they teach things which cause others to stumble; Philippians 1:10 that YOU may make sure of the more important things, so that YOU may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ, NWT And they bind heavy burdens on fellow servants; Matthew 23:4 "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. NKJ Jesus voices an opinion on how he views these types of persons: Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea. ASV Or as another version puts it; Matthew 18:6 But whoever stumbles one of these little ones who put faith in me, it is more beneficial for him to have hung around his neck a millstone such as is turned by an ass and to be sunk in the wide, open sea. NWT What this results in is outlined for us at Matt. 13:41: Matthew 13:41 The Son of man will send forth his angels, and they will collect out from his kingdom all things that cause stumbling and persons who are doing lawlessness, NWT One nust be careful to take note of what this verse says. It does not say he would collect from his church / congregation all things rhat cause stumbling, but from his kingdom (his domain of ruler ship).

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In 24:48b Jesus provides us with interesting insight about this evil servant. Matthew 24:48b; And he eats and drinks with drunkards, What grasp does the Bible give regarding the meaning of drunkards?. Drunkenness here is figurative, not literal. The Bible supports an understanding of drunkenness as representing an aberrant spiritual condition. Isaiah 51:21 Therefore hear this, you who are afflicted, who are drunk, but not with wine: ESV Deuteronomy 21:20 They must declare: 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious and refuses to obey. He is a worthless drunkard.' NLT Jeremiah 51:57 "I will make drunk her officials, wise men, rulers, captains, and warriors," says the King, whose name is the LORD Almighty. "They will fall asleep and never wake up again!" NLT Isaiah 19:14 Yahweh has infused them with a giddy spirit; they have led Egypt astray in all she undertakes like a drunkard straying about as he vomits. NJB Or as another version puts it; Isaiah 19:14 The LORD has poured into them a spirit of dizziness; they make Egypt stagger in all that she does, as a drunkard staggers around in his vomit. NIV Jeremiah 13:13 you are to say, "Yahweh says this: Look, I shall fill all the inhabitants of this country, the kings who occupy the throne of David, the priests, the prophets and all the citizens of Jerusalem, with drunkenness. NIV 1 Corinthians 6:10 thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers-- none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God. NLT

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As we noticed in Isa 19:14, This drunkenness is related to stubbornness, rebelliousness and disobedience, stumbling about dizzily in a spiritually sick condition. This drunkenness has a kinship to what Paul later refers to as a strong delusion in 2nd Thessalonians, a verse which is also set explicitly in the Time of the End. 2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: NKJ Then, Jesus speaks of what the master will do about the unfaithful servant and when he will do it. The when is addressed in the very next verse; Matthew 24: 50; the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect it, an hour when he is unaware. AMP Or as another version puts it: Matthew 24:50 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he is not looking for him, and in an hour of which he has no knowledge, BBE It will be at a time when he not only does not expect, but also may even be unaware that he has come. Yet, it is interesting that according to this verse, upon his arrival, the master does not get rid of the unfaithful slave nor does he then have him destroyed. Lets closely analyze the meaning of the words in the following verse, for some of them may not have exact same meanings we normally see in them Matthew 24:51 and will cut 1 <1371> him in pieces 2 <1371> and assign 3 <5087> him a place <3313> with the hypocrites 4 <5273>; in that place <3313> there <1563> will be weeping 5 <2805> and gnashing 6 <1030> of teeth <3599>. NAU

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Or as another version puts it; Matthew 24:51 and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where [his] weeping and the gnashing of [his] teeth will be. NWT In this verse, the master does not get rid of the unfaithful slave immediately. Instead, he groups him with those who are hypo-crites (pretenders, actors, or frauds) in connection with his service. However, we must view this assignment as temporary because, we have been told by Jesus in other verses, that hypocrites will not have entry into the kingdom of heaven. Also, we might recall Jesus had accused the Scribes and Pharisees as being hypocrites who not only dont enter the heavenly kingdom themselves, but even prevent others from entering it. Matthew 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. NRS Bible Meanings for key words found Mtt: 24:51 Matthew 24:51 and will cut 1 <1371> him in pieces 2 <1371> and assign 3 <5087> him a place <3313> with the hypocrites 4 <5273>; in that place <3313> there <1563> will be weeping 5 <2805> and gnashing 6 <1030> of teeth <3599>. NAU cut (Vines) 6. dichotomeo (G1371), lit., to cut into two parts" (dicha, "apart," temno, "to cut," tome, "a cutting"), Mat_24:51, "to cut asunder," is used in Luk_12:46. Some take the reference to be to the mode of punishment by which criminals and captives were "cut" in two; others, on account of the fact that in these passages the delinquent is still surviving after the treatment, see a form of separation or dismemberment.
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a 2 piece is a part separated from the whole; pieces are parts separated from one another and the whole.

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assign; (Thayer Definitions) (G5087) mi 1) to set, put, place 1a) to place or lay 1b) to put down, lay down 1b1) to bend down 1b2) to lay off or aside, to wear or carry no longer 1b3) to lay by, lay aside money 1c) to set on (serve) something to eat or drink 1d) to set forth, something to be explained by discourse 2) to make 2a) to make (or set) for ones self or for ones use 3) to set, fix establish 3a) to set forth 3b) to establish, ordain
3 4

hypocrite (G5271),

s; gen. hupokrito, masc. noun from hupokrnomai (G5271), to act as a hypocrite. A hypocrite, one who acts pretentiously, a counterfeit, a man who assumes and speaks or acts under a feigned character.
5 weeping

G2805 (Strongs) - klauthmos , klowth-mos'

From G2799; lamentation: - wailing, weeping, X wept. gnashing G1030 (Thayers) brugmos 1) a gnashing of teeth 1a) used to denote extreme anguish and utter despair
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2) snarling, growling: in the sense of biting<1030>

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The words of Jesus in Matthew the 24th chapter are likely not the sum total of what he had to say about the time of the end. Words added by the apostles who spoke later and were written under inspiration would also confirm and add to the things Jesus had said previously. The writer John alludes to this at John 21:25 There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. NAB What the Apostles & Other Bible writers also knew about the Time of the End However, let us take a look at some bible verses attributed to the Apostles and other inspired writings which add to the picture Jesus gave his followers. A picture by which they could recognize they were indeed living during the time of the end and what such recognition would mean for them. The Apostle Peter wrote; 1 Peter 4:17 For the time of having the judgment begin from the house of God is come; but if first from us, what shall be the end of those who obey not the glad tidings of God?
DBY

Or, as another version puts it: 1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? NAB also; 2 Peter 3:3,4. First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire. :4 This will be their argument: "Jesus promised to come back, did he? Then where is he? Why, as far back as anyone can remember, everything has remained exactly the same since the world was first created." NLT

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Peter wrote referring to Jesus and the last days of the Jewish system; 1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest <5319> in these last times for you, KJV The Apostle Paul wrote concerning the time of the end; 2 Timothy 3:1 You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. NLT 2 Timothy 3:2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. NLT 2 Timothy 3:3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, NIV 2 Timothy 3:4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
NLT

2 Timothy 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power and avoid such men as these .
NAS

2 Timothy 3:6 Of the same kind, too, are those men who insinuate themselves into families in order to get influence over silly women who are obsessed with their sins and follow one craze after another, NJB Paul also wrote about benefitting from a warning example from the past and how it applied in the End Times; 1 Corinthians 10:-3 I don't want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, what happened to our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. God guided all of them by sending a cloud that moved along ahead of them, and he brought them all safely through

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the waters of the sea on dry ground. :2 As followers of Moses, they were all baptized in the cloud and the sea. :3 all ate the same spiritual food NLT 1 Corinthians 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. NRS 1 Corinthians 10:5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
ESV

Then, Paul goes on to describe a series of behaviors which in their case displeased God, including idolatry, materialism and immorality. Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. NIV 1 Corinthians 10:7 Neither become idolaters, as some of them did; just as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink, and they got up to have a good time." NWT When he concludes the list he ties those events into our time in the next verse. 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were described in writing to be a lesson for us, to whom it has fallen to live in the last days of the ages. NJB The Bible Historian Luke wrote; Acts 1:6 When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?" NLT Acts 1:7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. NKJ

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Acts 2:17 In the last days -- the Lord declares -- I shall pour out my Spirit on all humanity. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young people shall see visions, your old people dream dreams. NJB In conclusion, while many so called experts have attempted to draw an endless variety of enhanced conclusions from the material in the Bible, it remains true that, if one wants an accurate picture from Gods standpoint, one will not draw conclusions beyond what the Bible itself teaches.Therefore, those who speculate on an imminent date for the time of the end as being either specific or certain, are exceeding what Jesus knew when he said no man knows the day or the hour What we know with certainty is that what the Bible itself says is accurate and reliable. . We can depend on it to be found altogether true. Summary: The bottom line message from the material considered is; be prepared and ready, because you will not know in advance when these things are to be completely fulfilled. It will be just as it was in the first century when the exact time became recognizable only after the destruction of the temple and the Jewish system if that day had occurred. However, then as now, the warnings on how to recognize the forthcoming events were in place. Those who paid attention to them were rewarded by escaping the destruction which ultimately came upon Jerusalem and the Jewish system. In those days, it was a matter of escaping to Pella in the mountains, a safe distance from the destruction. In our day, it is a matter of escaping to the figurative mountain of Jehovah and his Son Jesus Christ and their ruler ship. Mark 13:14 "But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ESV In our day the mountain of Jehovah, (the ruler ship of Jehovah), is the only place of safety from the coming great day of Jehovahs judgment

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and the destruction of the ungodly system in this time of the end. Isaiah prophesied that this Government, this Mountain of Jehovahs house, will not only be a reality, but it will dominate all other governments and people would stream to it. Isaiah 2:2 It will happen in the final days that the mountain of Yahweh's house will rise higher than the mountains and tower above the heights. Then all the nations will stream to it, NJB Christians are not immune from the warnings found in the words spoken by Jesus and his Apostles about the Time of the End. As Christians had to flee from Jerusalem in the first century, true Christians will also have to take flight from some-thing. That something is the Counterfeit religious system Satan the devil has designed to look like Christianity. While appearing outwardly authentic to its followers, it is in fact ruled by men who are in turn under the control of Satan the Devil. True Christianity has only one ruler, and that ruler is Christ himself. He is the lone Messiah Jehovah God, has provided for the salvation of humans in this time of the end. It is not a Pope, a Cardinal or any other titled religious official. There are many hypocrites on the scene today. They are found in those religious entities, who act pretentiously, counterfeits who assume, speak and act under a feigned character as representing God. Scripture tells us that these would include men and organizations, which appear to be legitimate, yet are not. The Christ is not one of them nor do such men represent him in support of his fathers purposes. Such men and organ-izations hide the pure truth of Gods word and contaminate it with twisted translations to suit their own purposes. There is an abundance of food on the scene, yet scripture reveals that there is a spiritual famine. This proves they are not feeding their flocks with unadulterated food, the pure food of truth which is found in Jehovahs holy word. His pure truth is being contaminated by blending it with unauthorized manmade doctrines. How harmful this is may be is illustrated by Jesus words when he said; 1 Corinthians 5:6 Your self-satisfaction is ill founded. Do you not realise that only a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? NJB Jehovah makes this declaration about the last days:

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Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. ASV Notice, a careful reading discloses that the famine is for Hearing (discerning, understanding) the word of Jehovah. It is noteworthy that the famine is for not for the quantity of Gods word, nor the availability of Gods word, rather it is for the hearing (listening to Gods word). One final caution about the Time of the End, from the pen of the Apostle John; 1 John 2:18 Children, this is the final hour; you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and now many Antichrists have already come; from this we know that it is the final hour. NJB If you have read the earlier chapters up to this point, you have a comprehensive idea of what Jesus knew about the time of the end, what he told his apostles and what they passed on for us to know. In our day, when there is a quagmire of misinformation, obfuscation and distortion of truth in religions, where does this leave honest hearted individuals who want to worship in spirit and truth? The Bible is the book which contains Jehovah Gods thoughts. The Bible is Gods book, preserved down to our day so that we might have comfort through the scriptures. It is the sword of the spirit. It has the spirit of truth Jesus spoke of at John 15:26. Let us turn to it for guidance and direction rather than to the thoughts of men. Seven reminders from the Bible which help the scriptures speak to us personally; 1. Remember; All scripture is inspired by God . . . . (2 Timothy 3:16) 2. Trust in Jehovah with all your heart. . . . . (Proverbs 3:5) 3. Never trust men rather than God . . . . (Jeremiah 17:5)

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4. Listen to the spirit of truth. . . . John 15:26. . . Even when it only whispers to you. 5. Apply the Two witness rule to your Bible understanding . . . (2 Corinthians 13:1) 6. Pray about anything and everything . . . (1 Thessalonians 5:17) . . Keep on praying. 7. Always remember, Gods will is none should be lost . . . . (2 Ti 2:4) and that all should come to an accurate knowledge of truth. [CLICK HERE for TABLE OF CONTENTS] or scroll down to next chapter

CHAPTER FIVE JUDGMENT DAY

When, where and how? While Armageddon is frequently seen as a single great day covering Gods judgment toward the earth and its inhabitants, and a day of destruction, this is not really accurate in a true sense. While there are a number of apocalyptic occasions (days) which are used interchangeably by confused Bible readers, serious students find distinctive differences between them. The differences are in who they apply to, when they occur and what happens when they occur. The Day of Judgment is distinctly different from Armageddon and also differs from what the Bible calls The Great Day of God the Almighty

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Before we make known the distinctions between Armageddon and the other great days, and particularly, The Day of Judgment as prophesied in the Bible, let us establish some background. This will help us avoid some of the usual confusion connected with these events. 1. When a day is not a day 1. It is important to understand what the Bible means when it uses the term day, for the Hebrew term Yom (day) has more than one meaning in the Bible. Day -H3117 ~Hebrew -Ay yowm {yome} 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow Thus, when we speak of Jehovahs day or of his day of judgment, we are in all likelihood not speaking of a literal 24 hour period at all. It may mean a duration, an era, or a period of time. Carefully considering the context will help in determining which meaning is most appropriate to its scriptural setting. 2. Literal or Symbolic? We must also remember that the Bible speaks in both literal and symbolic terms. Particularly in symbolism when it deals with future prophecy. The nation of ancient Israel at its zenith, was literally a uniquely constituted people among all the population of the earth. They were a people in a covenant relationship and dedicated to the true worship of Jehovah God. They were under his rule, reliant on him and protected by him. However, despite all this, for most of two thousand

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years, they were generally un-appreciative of their relationship and did not demonstrate loyalty to him as their exclusive god on any consistent basis. It is against this background we find the keys for understanding who it is who constitute Gods people (Israel) in modern times. When Jesus Christ uttered the words at Luke 13:35a. to the people of Jerusalem; Look! YOUR house is abandoned to YOU NWT, his words indicated a change in the relationship between God and the nation of Israel. The Apostle Paul further confirmed the nature of this change and who the new identity of a Jew (a worshipper of the true God Jehovah) would be in Gods eyes. Romans 2:28,29; For he is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside upon the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and [his] circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by a written code. The praise of that one comes, not from men, but from God. NWT Based on this change in Gods relationship with the nation of Israel, the identity of Gods people shifted from a literal earthly sense to a figurative or symbolic sense. The literal nation wass no longer seen as his people. Instead, Israel became a symbol representing those who God recognized as his people and his relationship with Israel was transferred to a spiritual nation. Therefore, we should not view events concerning the modern day Israeli nation with any great significance toward fulfilling any of Gods prophetic pronouncements. While there may be some parallels with prophecy in todays political events, they represent only the tip of an ice berg. Todays State of Israel is no more or less than a political and nationalistic entity, among hundreds of others on the earth today. The ancient nation of Israel was dispossessed of its relationship with Jehovah God due to their breaking its covenant with God, and their rejection of his Messiah, Jesus Christ. Gods own people today are a spiritual nation of Israel, a people whose allegiance is to a Kingdom government under Jesus Christ with allegiance to his father, Jehovah God. However much of the old symbolism connected with ancient Israel still retains meaning for us. Jerusalem, Mount Zion, Abraham, Isaac,

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Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon and the temple, all continue to imply spiritual meaning and have implications in connection with Gods people today for those persons who are circumcised in their hearts as Spiritual Jews and follow Gods designated King and savior, Jesus Christ. Thus, Bible verses relating to Armageddon and the Great days which have not yet occurred must be seen in light of modern day realities in connection with ones who constitute Gods qwn people in our day, spiritual Israel and their associates. The connection with ancient Israel forms a basis for understanding these prophecies and is found in one simple fact. That in terms of modern day prophecy we are speaking of a people who Jesus and his father Jehovah God recognize as Gods people and not of counterfeits who claim themselves to be Gods people or who falsely represent themselves as belonging to Jesus or to Jehovah. 3. What to expect from prophecy We must realize that the Bible reveals prophecy on differing levels, targeted at various levels of understanding. Prophecies will have some initial basic meaning to any who would take the time to read them. They will have a further meaning to ones who accept the authority of Jehovah and his messianic king, Jesus, and still a more enhanced meaning to those who are anointed with Holy Spirit and trust exclusively in Jehovah and his son, Christ Jesus. 4. Prophecy within prophecy We must also realize that very often, while a literal fulfillment of prophecy may or may not be discernable to all, there may often be even a less than conspicuous spiritual meaning buried within that prophecy. This is an area where the operation of the Holy Spirit, either by revelation of further information in the sword of the spirit (the written word), or directly to a believing heart may come into play. It should be noted, when such a revelations source truly is Holy Spirit it will never conflict with Gods written word, for God cannot lie and his word must be found true. If ever there occurs a legitimate conflict with his written word, it should raise a question for us as to what the real origin of such an understanding might be. Could his holy word

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contradict his spirit or visa versa? Or would not such a contradiction imply something else, another source apart from Holy Spirit? Pauls declaration in the book of Romans would appear to shed light on the answer. Romans 3:4 Out of the question! God will always be true even if no human being can be relied on. As scripture says: That you may show your saving justice when you pass sentence and your victory may appear when you give judgment. NJB John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. NIV Understanding the above four basic elements in connection with prophetic truth will help us to achieve richer and deeper meanings behind the various Great Days spoken of in the Bible. As we explore prophetic statements about those days and what they mean to differing segments of earths population, we will have a clearer glimpse of the realities behind the words. Next, before we consider some of those prophecies, let us not lose sight of two important scriptural principals concerning prophecy in general found in Amos and Romans; 1. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets. ASV 2. Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises. NLT The prophetic DAY OF JUDGEMENT Gods judgment has been an ongoing process. The Bible tells us of a judgment of Adam and Eve in their day and of all mankind in Noahs day. It speaks of regional judgments in the cases of Sodom and Gomorrah, Tyre, Ninevah, Babylon, Assyria, Egypt and Judah, among others. It speaks of judgments against individuals such as Miriam and Aaron, Korah, Dathan and Abiram, Ahab and Jezebel, Judas Iscariot, and Ananias and Sapphira,

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These are but a sampling showing Gods ongoing judgment was exercised all through human history. For his own people, Gods ongoing judgments upon them as individuals proves to be a means by which he refines persons who are rightly inclined towards him. In the meanwhile, for his enemies, Gods judgments have led to their downfall and in some cases, even their elimination. 1 Corinthians 11:32 However, when we are judged, we are disciplined by Jehovah, that we may not become condemned with the world. NWT Hebrews 12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." ESV However, when we speak of The Day of Judgment, we are speaking of an event with worldwide implications, an event connected to what many call The end of the World (more accurately; the End of this System of things under which the earth has been running). This day of Judgment has been defined by one dictionary as The final trial of the human race, when God will decide the fate of every individual, and award sentence according to justice. While this may be a good description, the scriptures themselves are the most reliable source for deeper meaning behind that Day of Judgment Psalm 75:2 "At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. ESV [re; Judgment day] Ecclesiastes 12:14 For the [true] God himself will bring every sort of work into the judgment in relation to every hidden thing, as to whether it is good or bad. NWT 2 Peter 3:7 But by the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men. The fact that The Day of Judgment is followed with destruction of the ungodly men should not be understood to mean that they occur at the same

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NWT

time. We know, in any fair judicial process there is normally a time period during which a trial is held, with evidence fully established and considered before any judgment is passed. In judicial trials, varying amounts of time may pass depending on the complexity of the case being resolved. Afterward, sentence is pro- nounced, and a time is announced for when execution of the sent-ence is to be carried out. When enough time for all the preceding steps have satisfactorily occurred in a way for justice to be served, then, sentence is finally carried out. Where judgment begins: One of the things we are given to understand about that Day of Judgment is that it begins with the house of God. The true house of God has always been constituted on the basis of his (Gods) own choosing, and upon those he favored his own name being associated with. 1Pe 4:17, 18. Because the time has come to begin the judgment from the house of God; and if firstly from us, what will be the end of the ones disobeying the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?" LITV This house of God consists primarily of a spiritual nation of anointed ones. They are the ones who are described in some Bible versions as holy ones and in other versions as saints. When the Bible mentions them together with all who everywhere are calling upon the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, it reveals two distinct parts to the house of God. Acts 15:14 Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. NRS 1 Corinthians 1:2 to the congregation of God that is in Corinth, to YOU who have been sanctified in union with Christ Jesus, called to be holy ones, together with all who everywhere are calling upon the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: NWT

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Or as another version puts it; 1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church <1577> of God <2316> which <3588> is <5607> (5752) at <1722> Corinth <2882>, to them that are sanctified <37> (5772) in <1722> Christ <5547> Jesus <2424>, called <2822> to be saints <40>, with <4862> all <3956> that in <1722> every <3956> place <5117> call upon <1941> (5734) the name <3686> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547> our <2257> Lord <2962>, both <5037> theirs <846> and <2532> ours <2257>: KJV Judgment Day (the time or era) for the saints (holy ones), takes on a somewhat different character in nature from the judgment upon the rest of those who call on the name of their Lord, Jesus and yet a still different nature again from the judgment the world in general receives. The holy ones, by virtue of their being anointed by Jehovah and Jesus as holy ones, are already in possession of the qualities necessary for salvation. Their primary basis for a final judgment is that they remain faithful to their anointing. We are told by the Apostle Peter that the time for the holy ones to be judged started during his own day. Since that time, despite any and all persecution or any tribulation they might be confron-ted with, the holy ones individual life prospects were and still are, dependent on maintaining their faith and integrity firmly till their death. Only then, when and if they have faithfully endured till their end, would they be considered worthy of everlasting life with their Lord and Savior in heaven. Secondarily there is a judgment for other sleeplike ones, who are described in the Bible as a people for his name, believers, who recognize the meaning behind what his name stands for and come to call on him through his appointed messiah, their king and savior, Jesus Christ. Ultimately, they are to be judged along similar terms with their anointed companions. However, they are disciples who are still developing in spiritual growth, and therefore less may be demanded of them. That principal is explained at Lu. 12:48

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John 10:16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. NAB Ezekiel 34:17 "As for you, my sheep, (Gods people) the Lord Yahweh says this: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and he-goats. NJB (Parenthesis authors) Luke 12:48 But the one that did not understand and so did things deserving of strokes will be beaten with few. Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him. NWT Their basis for survival during the Great Day of God Almighty is their love of Christ, their love of the truth, their obedience toward Christ and his father Jehovah, and how they treat Christs brothers, the anointed holy ones. 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12. So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, 12; in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness. NWT 1 Peter 1:22 Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves so that you can experience the genuine love of brothers, love each other intensely from the heart; NJB Matthew 25:40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' NAS At the The great Day of God Almighty, those humans who maintain integrity and trust in Jehovah and his son Christ Jesus will survive and be granted further life on earth during a time when all dead mankind, the righteous and the unrighteous will come to life to be judged according to their deeds after their resurrection. The survivors, along with those resurrected, will be granted an opportunity to prove their

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faith in Jehovah and his King designate, Jesus Christ during his thousand year reign while he restores the earth to perfection. Meanwhile Satan will be abyssed and precluded from influencing themuntil the end of the thousand years. John 5:28, 29. "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice "and come forth -- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. NKJ Proverbs 11:21 My hand upon it! the evil man shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall escape. JPS My hand upon it is a form of guarantee, very much like a hand shake in our day, except in Jehovahs case, it is totally reliable) Those who betray the opportunity given them for everlasting life in the restored paradise earth by rejecting Jehovah and his reigning King Jesus Christ will be subjected to the second death, a form of nonexistence from which there is no further resurrection. In reading the above verses, one might note, there are both positive and negative outcomes resulting from such judgments within the house of God. That this is not an easy or superficial judgment is borne out by the fact that scripture indicatesthe righteous is scarcely saved. 1 Peter 4:18 And "If the righteous are barely saved, what chance will the godless and sinners have?" NLT This judgment continues on as long as weeds are allowed to either sprout or coexist with the wheat like ones. Only after Satan and his followers are finally destroyed at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ can we say with certainty there is no longer any weed like element on the earthy scene. A day of Judgment is not to be confused with the day of Vengeance or Retribution. They are separate occasions with different meanings, different points in time and different durations. There is no escape from the day of Vengeance or Retribution, however, such is not the case during a Day of Judgment.

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Mercy during the Day of Judgment: It is said; A trial is not over till its over. Until the trial is ended, no man can be sure as to what its outcome may be for any individual defendant. What we do know is that with Jehovahs personally appointed judge, Jesus Christ, the final verdict will be completely fair and just. Only then will action be taken toseparate wheat like ones from weed like ones with punishment meted out and rewards given. Until that final moment, the door to repentance and mercy remains open to the guilty, while innocent ones continue to remain vulnerable to penalties for any newly committed sinful acts. Jehovah is unfathomably merciful: An open door to repentance during the judgment period is an example of Jehovahs boundless and enduring mercy. Exodus 34:6 And Jehovah went passing by before his face and declaring: "Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth,
NWT

2 Chronicles 30:9 For if you return to Yahweh, your brothers and your sons will be treated mercifully by their captors and be allowed to return to this country; for Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn his face away from you, if you return to him.' NJB Nehemiah 9:17 So they refused to listen, and they did not remember your wonderful acts that you performed with them, but they hardened their neck and appointed a head to return to their servitude in Egypt. But you are a God of acts of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, and you did not leave them.
NWT

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based on repentance and their turning away from their bad ways. One such example is found at: Jonah 3:10. And the [true] God got to see their works, that they had turned back from their bad way; and so the [true] God felt regret over the calamity that he had spoken of causing to them; and he did not cause [it]. NWT Another is found in his basis for forgiving the house of Judah at Jeremiah 36:3 Jeremiah 36:3 Perhaps those of the house of Judah will listen to all the calamity that I am thinking of doing to them, to the end that they may return, each one from his bad way, and that I may actually forgive their error and their sin."
NWT

Also, in the account in Revelation, where we are given a fore gleam of Jesus judgment regarding his own congregation in the time of the End, it is evident there that even while Jesus judges his people, he leaves the door open for their repentance. (Read Rev. 1:11 3:10) Revelation 2:5 Think where you were before you fell; repent, and behave as you did at first, or else, if you will not repent, I shall come to you and take your lamp-stand from its place. NJB Revelation 2:16 Therefore, repent. Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. NAB Revelation 2:22 Therefore, I will throw her upon a sickbed, and she will suffer greatly with all who commit adultery with her, unless they turn away from all their evil deeds. NLT Jehovah graciously leaves a door of mercy open to those truly repentant, those willing to leave their bad ways and return to him, even while he is pronouncing judgment on them. This is based on the fact that it is Jehovahs will that none be destroyed

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2 Peter 3:9 Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with YOU because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. NWT Does this mean that anyone may presume on Jehovahs mercy? No, not at all! For several reasons; one is; Jehovah is not one to be fooled by wrongly motivated pleas for mercy. A second is that Jehovah reads hearts and knows when a plaintiff is sincere in his pleading for mercy, or when he merely wants to avoid punishment. Thirdly, no one but Jehovah knows in advance when the trial will be over and the doors of mercy become closed to the individuals being judged. Judging the World: The Day of Judgment for the world at large, while possessing commonalities to those discussed, also has characteristics which uniquely differentiate it from the days of judgment for Gods anointed and for those who call upon the name of Jehovah and his Christ. We are given scriptural insight which helps us see the basis for Jehovahs judgment upon the world at large. Here are a series of scriptures, given in no special order, which help us to understand the basis upon which the world is judged. 1. Their works and deeds The things they are doing and have done, including those which they have attempted to conceal. Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.
NSB

2. Their words - The things they have spoken or written. Luke 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good. The evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth that which is evil. Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks NSB 3. Their Beliefs Beliefs lead to attitudes - attitudes lead to feelings feelings lead to actions.

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2 Thessalonians 2:12 So that they all may be judged, who had no faith in what is true, but took pleasure in evil. BBE Mark 16:16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
NLT

Isaiah 59:12, 13. You are aware of our many rebellious acts. Our sins testify against us. Our rebellious acts are with us. We know our iniquities. 13 We rebelled and denied Jehovah. We turned away from our God. We spoke about oppression and revolt. We conceived and uttered lies in our hearts.
NSB

4. Their trust in God - Trust in God is closely equated with faith in God By not accepting his Messianic provision for the redemption of their sins, they reveal a lack of trust in him and in his Messiah. This equates with a lack of faith. However, faith is necessary for one to avoid being cut off. This point is implied by scriptures via a converse meaning being true. (the law of contradiction) ie; without faith and trust, there is no salvation, therefore, with it there is salvation. Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God. He who comes to God must believe that he is and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him NSB John 3:18 "There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God NLT John 8:12 Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." NLT

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fellow men or as having a complete picture of the events God has set in motion during these final days. What was written and what the Apostle Paul said over two thousand years ago was true for him then, and is still true for all men now; 1 Corinthians 13:9, 10. For we know only imperfectly, and we prophesy imperfectly; 10 but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will be done away with. NJB As far as men acting as judges, The Bible sets before us Gods view point in statements and directives it give to humans; James 4:12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?
NAB

John 5:22 for the Father judges no one; he has entrusted all judgement to the Son, NJB Luke 6:37 "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. NAB Whereas, men may be given insight and understanding as to meanings found in Gods word, it was not granted for them to act as Gods judges. The basis of judgment belongs to the Word itself, and then only in the last day. John 12:48 anyone who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already: the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day. NJB This means no Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, Priest, Minister, Pastor, Elder, any other man, or any group of men has the God given right to exceed Christs authority or Gods word when it comes to judging spiritual matters. Based on their spiritual understanding, men may be granted ability and a right to draw conclusions from what Gods word says for themselves. They may even be inclined to share them with others. However, this

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does not grant them any right to act as judges. Nor does it give them any right to sanction or punish those who may disagree with their personal opinions or who may not understand their viewpoint. Their own god given right to opinion must not be used to forcefully impose their thoughts on others. Since all men, including humans who are viewed as judges are imperfect, God has not granted them any authority to judge anything or anyone on any other than a scriptural basis, and then only according to accurate knowledge found in his word. In conclusion, if men are not to be Jehovahs judges. Then, the question remains, who is? In the Hebrew Scriptures Jehovah himself is identified as the Judge of all the earth. Genesis 18:22,25. NJB :25 Surely you wouldn't do such a thing, destroying the innocent with the guilty. Why, you would be treating the innocent and the guilty exactly the same! Surely you wouldn't do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?" NLT Similarly, in the Christian Greek Scriptures Jehovah God is also called the Judge of all.; Hebrews 12:23 the universal gathering; and to the assembly of the firstborn who are registered in heaven; and to God, judge of all; and to the spirits of just men made perfect; DBY He has however, deputized his Son to do judging for him. John 5:22 for the Father judges no one; he has entrusted all judgement to the Son, NJB Additionally, the Bible speaks of Jesus as appointed, decreed, ordained, or destined to do judging. Acts 17:31 because he has fixed a day when the whole world will be judged in uprightness by a man he has appointed. And God has publicly proved this by raising him from the dead.' NJB

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Acts 10:42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is ordained of God to be the judge of all -- the living and the dead. NLT 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power.
NAB

That Jesus is thus authorized by God resolves any seeming contradiction between the text that says that individuals will stand before the judgment seat of God and the verse that says they will be made manifest before the judgment seat of the Christ. The simple explanation is; In doing such judging, Jesus represents his father. (his God, Joh 17:17 ) Romans 14:10 Why, then, does one of you make himself judge over his brother, and why does another among you despise his brother? All of us will have to stand in front of the judgementseat of God: NJB 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. NIV In turn, during his millennial reign we are told Christ grants judging authority to his bride, those who rule with him during his thousand year reign. Luke 22:30 you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
NJB

The twelve tribes of Israel symbolically represent all of Gods people on the earth during the millennial reign of Christ and his glorified bride.

The world was judged twice already, the first time was when Adam and Eve, representing all future generations of humans, showed their lack of trust in Jehovah God and his provisions. When they disobeyed him and

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The Time of This Judgment:

chose to follow Satans counsel and guidance, they rejected Jehovahs sovereignty. For this, they were judged, found guilty and sentenced. In Adams day, both he and Eve, as predecessors and representatives of all their progeny to come fell under that judgment. There were no exceptions, for they were the only humans in existence. The world was judged again in Noahs day and found grossly in violation of Jehovahs standards and guidance. The only exceptions during Jehovahs time of judgment in Noahs day were Noah and his family. The rest of the world was pronounced guilty in Jehovahs eyes and thereupon sentenced. That sentence was carried out with their destruction in the flood of Noahs day. The world has once more entered into a time of great judgment. Mankind is on trial for its everlasting life. After the judgment in Adams day, Jehovah provided a means by which the sentence against Adam and all his progeny might be commuted. He granted thousands of years for mankind to come to trust him and accept his provisions for their salvation and he provided a Messiah as a means by which the death sentence against Adam might be commuted. Now, we stand faced with the end of this judgment period and are confronted with the prospect of Armegeddon and The great day of God almighty. The great day of Jehovah at Armageddon will conclude the Judgment day for all those alive on earth when it transpires. Those who are deemed to be irredeemable and unreformable by Jehovah God, will be eliminated. For those allowed to survive the Great Day of God the Almighty, they will have more great days to look forward to. They will survive into a thousand year long day of Christ, another great day, when a refining and a further judging will take place. Then, if they, survive through that day they will face a Final day of judgment at the end of the thousand years. Upon survival of this final judgment, they will live endlessly, to share in the new heavens and the new earth in which righteousness is to dwell. As far as all these various days of judgment go, at the end of it all we can say those who accept the loving provisions for life God has supplied, and who have turned away from those affronts to Jehovah which caused the first two judgments, will be seen as worthy of life by him. They will either enjoy life in fulfillment of his original promises and intentions for earth which he initiated in the Garden of Eden, or everlasting life in heaven. Those who reject his provisions will enjoy

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neither life in heaven nor everlasting life on a paradise earth after its restoration. The Final Judgment for those aspiring to heavenly life culmi- nates with their ascension to heaven and puts them with their Christ and Savior, Jesus, whereupon they become the Bride of Christ and reign together with the Christ for a thousand years. The final judgment for the rest of mankind culminates with their being granted everlasting life upon earth. That everlasting life is based upon their remaining faithful to God until the end of the thousand year reign by Christ and his Bride over the earth. The next chapter will discuss Armageddon and the other Great Days, spoken of in the bible in connection with the Time of the End.

[CLICK HERE for TABLE OF CONTENTS] Or scroll down to continue with the next chapter

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CHAPTER SIX
ARMEGEDDON & THE GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY What they mean to Christians in the Last Days The idea of Armageddon has evoked great anxieties among millions of people with a seemingly endless variety of theories being advanced as to what it means. They range from nuclear destruction of the earth to ecological disasters, to invasion by extra terrestrial beings, to meteorite or asteroid collisions and a wide variety of other ideas. What Armageddon is, seems to depend entirely on who one is speaking with. Yet, the only trustworthy view on what it really is may be found in Gods word the Bible. Since this is where the term Armageddon originated, we will explore what the Bible tells us and what conclusions we may take away from what it actually says. If you are a godly person reading this book, you will find hope in Armageddon for it trumpets the immediacy of the Great Day of God Almighty, a day of hope and promise for godly people yet a day of despair for others. However, these two events are not the only ones spoken of in the Bible as great days. There is Judgment day, the Lords day and the Day of Vengeance on the part of our God. These are all terms used in the Bible to describe days and events, each with its own unique meaning. While Armageddon is frequently seen as the single great day covering Gods final judgment toward the earth and its inhabitants, this is not strictly accurate in the truest sense. While this is one of a number of occasions (days), which are used interchangeably by confused Bible readers, serious students find noteworthy differences between them. The differences are in who they apply to, when they occur and what happens when they occur. Before we make distinctions between Armageddon and other great days prophesied in the Bible, let us recall something we touched on earlier.

When is a day not a day?

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1. We came to understand the Bible had different meanings for the word day in different places

(The Hebrew term Yom (day) has more than one meaning in the Bible). Day -H3117 ~Hebrew -Ay yowm {yome} 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) Thus, when we speak of Jehovahs day or his day of judgment, we are not speaking of a literal 24 hour period. In this context it has the meaning of a period of time, an era, or a duration. Carefully considering the context of a verse will help determine which meaning is most appropriate for the particular passage. I. THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT When we spoke of The Day of Judgment, we are speaking of an event with worldwide implications, an event connected to what many call The end of the World (more accurately; End of this System of things under the which the earth has been running). This day of Judgment was defined by one dictionary as The final trial of the human race, when God will decide the fate of every individual, and award sentence according to justice. The scriptures themselves are our very best source of know-ledge concerning that day. That day of Judgment must not to be confused with the day of Vengeance or the day of Retribution on Gods part. They are separate occasions, each with different meanings, different points in time and different durations. The day of judgment was described in greater detail in the previous chapter. Therefore let usl continue and describe the other GREAT DAYs of the Bible.

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They Are; 1. Armageddon 2. The Great day of God Almighty 2a. Vengeance on his adversaries 2b. Retribution 2c. Destruction 3. The day of the Lords coming which consists of two phases. 4. The GreatLords day after the millennial rule of Christ.

1. Armageddon
Verses pertaining to Armageddon and the Great Day of God Almighty; Revelation 16:16 And they gathered all the rulers [of the earth] and their armies to a place called Armageddon in Hebrew. NLT Revelation 16:14 They, [those expressions, out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet]. are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and perform signs, and they go forth to the kings [rulers] of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty. NWT The word Armageddon occurs in only one passage in the Bible; Rev. 16:16 (R.S.V., Har-Magedon), symbolically designating the place where the battle of the great day of God Almighty (Rev_16:14) shall be fought. The word properly means the mount of Megiddo. It is the scene of the final conflict between Jehovah, his Christ and their enemies. The idea of such a scene was suggested by the Old Testament battle-field, the Plain of Esdraelon. Armageddon is in a spiritual sense not a place, but rather a situation in which opposers of God find themselves drawn to a final confrontation

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with the almighty God Jehovah. The word itself, or concept of Armageddon is synonymous with and culminates in The Great Day of God Almighty. In the latter great day, we find not the situation, which Armageddon represents, but rather a detailed literal description of events and conditions connected with God's day of vengeance which morphs into God's day of Correction or of cleansing the earth from the harm and unrighteousness accumulated throughout all of history.

2.The Great Day of God the Almighty (Rev.16:14)

What the bible tells us about conditions at that time Revelation 16:14 1They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and perform signs, and they go forth to the kings [rulers, governments] of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the 2great day of God the Almighy NWT Revelation 11:18 The nations were in uproar and now the time has come for your retribution, . . . . . . . 2c.The time has come to destroy those who are destroying the earth.' NJB Micah 5:15 I will pour out my 2a.vengeance on all the nations that refuse to obey me."NLT Jeremiah 46:10 "And that day belongs to the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies, the day of vengeance for 2aavenging himself upon his adversaries. NWT Isaiah 60:12 For the people or kingdom shall perish that does not serve you; those nations shall be utterly 2c.destroyed. NAB 2 Peter 3:7 But by the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of 2c.destruction of the ungodly men. NWT

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The key point in our understanding the full impact of Arma-geddon is that it culminates in what the verse in 2 Peter des-cribes as the day of judgment and of 2c.destruction of the ungodly men. Thus, Armageddon should be seen not as a negative, dark event, rather as the immediate harbinger of Gods direct intervention. An intervention deemed necessary by a God who has purposed to bring about a paradise on earth. Jehovah has promised; this new paradise like earth will end what we currently have and that he will replace this current wicked system currently running the earth, a system under threatens to destroy the earth we inhabit and thwart God from achieving his original purpose for it. This will not be allowed to happen, for Jehovah has promised; Psalm 37:29 The upright will have the earth for their heritage, and will go on living there forever. BBE Jehovah God has always been true to his word. In no instance has he ever failed to act upon his word nor has he ever failed to keep a promise. Joshua 23:15 Therefore as he hath fulfilled indeed, what he promised, and all things prosperous have come: so will he bring upon you all the evils he hath threatened, till he take you away and destroy you from off this excellent land, which he hath given you, DRA Jehovah gives us his personal assurance that he will continue to act according to his word; Isaiah 55:11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. ESV Under inspiration the Apostle Paul wrote of one of many promises God will keep; Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began- NRS

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When we speak of the Lords day, this is not a weekly event as many confused persons believe Sunday to be it. It is a monumental era in the history of man on this earth. It is the time when Jesus acts as Jehovah Gods enthroned King and exercises complete authority over the earth to restore it to its originally purposed condition. It was Jehovah Gods intention that the earth be a paradise like park populated with people living at peace with one another and in complete harmony with God and his earthly creation. His intention will not fail and his purpose will be achieved through the efforts of his son, King Jesus to whom he has granted authority to act on his behalf. Let us wade through some confusion concerning the correct meaning of The Lords Day. A misapply-cation of the word Lord has much to do with this confusion. An example of how this occurs can be seen at Acts 2:34: For David himself never went up to heaven, but yet he said: The Lord declared to my Lord, take your seat at my right hand, NJB As one can see, based on this verse confusing the title Lord the verse is confusing , for it would seem here that the Lord spoke to himself. So it has been with the expression the Lords day. If one doesnt know the difference between the Lord and my Lord, in certain verses, one doesnt know the difference between the Lords Day of Jehovah, (the fathers day) and the Lords Day of Jesus (the son). Actually, once one understands that the term Lord was mistakenly substituted for the tetragrammaton, in most Bibles, (YHWH - Jehovah, in the Hebrew scriptures), it becomes apparent that the pre-millenial Lords Day pertains to an era connected directly to Jesus, the son of God and is not to be confused with The day of Jehovah, a day of destruction and vengeance, Or the lords day after the Millenium. As we will see by examining verses concerning The Lord Jesus day, it is a day of rescue, restoration, rebirth and re-growth in a variety of ways, intertwining with Gods day of vengeance and destruction. When Jehovahs day of destruction is over, the dead are resurrected, righteousness rules and the earth is restored to its originally intended paradise, all, during the Lord Jesus day, the time of his millennial reign. Then, just what do we know about the Lord Jesus Day?

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A. It is clear that the verses pertaining to this accolade have application after his resurrection to the right hand of God, and after the time of his death as a human in 33 C.E. B. We know the Lords Day or the Great day of the Lords coming is not actually a 24 hour day. Rather it is a duration greater than a thousand years, which has events connected with it when it begins, great changes transpiring during it, and an epic finale to transcend any other time in all of recorded history. C. The Lords Day is associated with the second coming of Christ which was prophesied in the gospel writings and spoken of in the epistles (letters). Scriptural insights into The Lords day; John 14:28 28 You heard me say I will go away and I will come again to you. If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father. The Father is greater than I! NSB Philippians 1:10 that YOU may make sure of the more important things, so that YOU may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ, NWT 1 Corinthians 1:8 Who (God) will give you strength to the end, to be free from all sin in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. BBE (parenthesis- authors) Hebrews 10:37 For yet "in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; NRS

3a. The Lords Day - first phase; the Coming, (Parousia)

The first stage of the Lords Day is inaugurated by the second coming of Christ. However in contrast with his first presence (parousia), when he came as a savior and a ransom sacrifice for the forgiveness of Adamic Sin, this time he comes as a mighty King and conqueror to execute judgment on the unrighteous world of mankind and to restore the earth to its originally intended paradise.

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The first phase of that second coming (presence), aka The Lords Day is concerned with cleansing his own house and gathering his anointed ones (Saints / Holy ones). This stage or phase of the Lords day culminates in Jehovahs Day of Destruction of all unrighteous ones on the earth and then ushers in the thousand year rule of Christ and his anointed bride when the second phase begins. Some events during the first stage can be seen as overlapping the Great day of Jehovah God, the day of vengeance of our God almighty. This presence or first stage continues for a non specific period of time and morphs into the second stage which includes the mass resurrection of the dead and the restoration of the earth to a paradise like condition. The only clue given as to the duration of the first stage is found at Matthew 24:34 Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, This generation will not come to an end till all these things are complete. BBE The start of this generation can only commence when all the signs given by Jesus are in place and discerned by his anointed ones. This includes the exposure of the lawless one, the son of destruction who Paul describes at 2nd Thess. 2:3 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition, NAB or as another translation puts it; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. NRS 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence. NWT
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that one to nothing. Here, we might wonder exactly what the spirit of his mouth would include in the case of Jesus. Holy Spirit may recall to us that Jesus promised a particular form of help to his followers, a form of help which would reveal all things to them. John 16:13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking of his own accord, but will say only what he has been told; and he will reveal to you the things to come. NJB John 14:17 the Spirit of truth whom the world can never accept since it neither sees nor knows him; but you know him, because he is with you, he is in you. NJB This spirit of truth bears a significant resemblance to Jesus in a certain regard: Jesus is quoted as saying; John 12:49 "For I did not speak <2980> on My own <1683> initiative <1683>, but the Father <3962> Himself <846> who sent <3992> Me has given <1325> Me commandment <1785>, what <5101> to say <3004>, and what <5101> to speak <2980>. NAS What a striking similarity these words have with a description John gives of the way the spirit of Truth speaks to Jesus future followers at Jo 16:13. John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ESV A conclusion we may take away from all this is; that is the Spirit of truth exposes the man of lawlessness in the last days and this exposure precedes his being done away with. He is done away with in the sense that in the eyes of Jesus true followers, he loses his power

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and authority over them and is consigned to the company of unbelievers and hypocrites. How appropriate it is that the very things the lawless one has used to maintain his control up to end will be the undoing of him. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 the one whose coming springs from the power of Satan in every mighty deed and in signs and wonders that lie, NAB In describing the lawless one at 2Thess 2:9, Paul describes his activity as wonders that lie (great deception). It is the exposure of this deception which ultimately brings him down. This brings to mind words spoken by the Lord Jesus which also have ironic bearing on the revealing and demise of the lawless one. Luke 12:2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. NIV John 4:25 The woman said to him: "I know that Mes-si'ah is coming, who is called Christ. Whenever that one arrives, he will declare all things to us openly." NWT Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. NAB [There is no doubt, that when Paul wrote The Lords day had not yet arrived] 1 Corinthians 4:8 YOU men already have YOUR fill, do YOU? YOU are rich already, are YOU? YOU have begun ruling as kings without us, have YOU? And I wish indeed that YOU had begun ruling as kings, that we also might rule with YOU as kings. NWT As for our day, it is implied in (1Cor.11:26) that the Lords day has not yet arrived and Jesus is yet to identify who his faithful slaves prove to be. We say this because, 1Cor. 11:26, implies that as long as the Lords

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Evening meal is still being celebrated, we may biscern the Lords day has not arrived. 1Cor.11:26 26 For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till he comes. NSB Since his death is still being proclaimed at this time through the celebration of the Lords Evening meal, the scriptural implication is; his coming has not yet transpired. Also, the fact that his enemies still rule, that is, control events on the earth also indicates, his day has not yet arrived, for that day is prophesied to bring an end to unrighteous rule all over the earth. This includes unrighteous rule in any form which is exercised over his own people, by those who beat their fellow slaves. The following verses in the Bible have a bearing on this first stage or phase of the Lords Day. An overall picture of that stage is painted by explicit and implicit understanding given by those verses which apply to the Lords Day; The apostle John gives us a great deal of information about the Lords day from the beginning to its conclusion with a restor-ation of all things through Jehovahs sovereignty. What John wrote in the prophecy Jesus gave him covered events which would transpire over an extended period of time. Revelation 1:10 By inspiration I came to be in the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet, NWT That strong voice is the voice of Jesus Christ who has arrived to pronounce judgment on his composite congregation as the Lords Day begins. Jesus relates to John what he observes to be the state of the congregation of his people upon his arrival to inspect them. See Rev.1:1 and 1:11 - 2:24 Some time after Jesus commences to judge his people (the composite congregation of his followers), the Apostle John hears Jesus say this; Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: "The whole world

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has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever." NLT Matthew 13:41 I, the Son of Man, will send my angels, and they will remove from my Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil, NLT Or as other versions state; Matt. 13: 41-43 41 The Son of man shall send his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all offences, and those that practise lawlessness; DBY:42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. NRS43 At that time the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him that has ears listen. NWT Only after all 144,000 conquering kings are gathered into Christ's storehouse and his enemies removed, will God's govern- ment on earth commence in a complete sense. (1Cor.4:8; Matt.13:41,42,43). Claims being made for an earlier manifestation of this theocratic Kingdom, on earth must be considered as conflicting with scripture, and therefore invalid! Until Gods Kingdom govern-ment under Christ takes full authority and power over the earth, Satan is still ruler of this world, and of all powers within it. Both scripture and logic tell us that as long as Satan rules the world, it is unreasonable to think Gods government has taken its position as Gods rightful sovereign over the earth. As for the spiritual Kingdom of God, the heavenly kingdom, Jehovah has already granted Jesus all authority in connection with it and it remains only for his complete bride to join him and begin ruling over the earth. Only after all 144,000 conquering kings are gathered into Christ's storehouse and his enemies removed, will God's government on earth begin ruling in its full sense.(1Cor.4:8; Matt.13:41,42,43).

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The Bibles description of conditions on earth as the Lords day looms;

1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. NKJ Philippians 1:6 6 I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. NSB Matthew 13:25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. ESV Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" ESV Satan was granted dominion of this world early in the dawn of mans history. That dominion over men on earth has not yet ended. Satan does not, get conquered, and thrown out of power, until all 144,000 are sealed and The Lords Day begins. In the meanwhile, Satans influence over men is still manifest on earth among humakind. John 8:44 You are from your father, the devil, and you prefer to do what your father wants. He was a murderer from the start; he was never grounded in the truth; there is no truth in him at all. When he lies he is speaking true to his nature, because he is a liar, and the father of lies. NJB Matthew 13:31- 33. 31 When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All nations will be gathered before him. He will then separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. NSB Matthew 24:44 Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. NJB

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Along with Christs arrival for judgment comes a disclosure of what the judgment reveals regarding the earthly scene and also the promise of either a reward or a punishment according to the judgment. Matthew 24:45 "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? NWT Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. NLT Matthew 25:41 "Then he will say, in turn, to those on his left, 'Be on YOUR way from me, YOU who have been cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. NWT Revelation 6:17 because the great day of their wrath has come and who can withstand it?" NAB Rev 6:15 - 17 Then the kings of the earth and their noblemen and their magnates and their military chiefs and the wealthy and the strong and [everyone, whether] slave or free hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, [Isa. 2:10.] :16 And they called to the mountains and the rocks, Fall on (before) us and hide us from the face of Him Who sits on the throne and from the deep-seated indignation and wrath of the Lamb. [Isa. 2:19-21; Hos. 10:8.] :17 For the great day of His wrath (vengeance, retribution, indignation) has come, and who is able to stand before it? [Joel 2:11; Mal. 3:2.] AMP Revelation 6:16 And they keep saying to the mountains and to the rock-masses: "Fall over us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, NWT John 12:31 Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. NWT Revelation 20:1- 4. Then I saw an angel come down from heaven with the key of the Abyss in his hand and an enormous chain.:2 He overpowered the dragon, that primeval serpent

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which is the devil and Satan, and chained him up for a thousand years.:3 He hurled him into the Abyss and shut the entrance and sealed it over him, to make sure he would not lead the nations astray again until the thousand years had passed. At the end of that time he must be released, but only for a short while.:4 Then I saw thrones, where they took their seats, and on them was conferred the power to give judgement. I saw the souls of all who had been beheaded for having witnessed for Jesus and for having preached God's word, and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue and would not accept the brand-mark on their foreheads or hands; they came to life, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. NJB 3b. Lord of the Sabbath. While on earth, Jesus Christ referred to himself as Lord of the Sabbath. (Mt 12:8) The literal Sabbath day, which was meant to bring the Israelites relief from their labors, was a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Christ. (Col 2:16, 17) In connection with those things to come, there is a Sabbath of which Jesus is to be the Lord of. As Lord of lords, Christ will rule all the earth for a thousand years. (Re 19:16; 20:6) Jehovah God remains at rest during this period. This period of the thousand year rule of Christ during The Lords Day will also bring rest to mankind from the stigma of Gods original mandate for continuous labor at Gen.3:19 Genesis 3:19 All your life you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return." NLT It is at the end of the first phase and at the beginning of Christs thousand year reign during the Lords Day that the following verses are set in their time/sequence context: 1 Corinthians 15:51 See, I am giving you the revelation of a secret: we will not all come to the sleep of death, but we will all be changed. BBE

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1 Corinthians 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. ESV Revelation 20:1,2. Then I saw an angel come down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon -- that old serpent, the Devil, Satan and bound him in chains for a thousand years. NLT At the end of that first phase, the battle of the Great day of God the Almighty commences and all enemies of the Kingdom are destroyed off the earth. Once all the ungodly people have been removed from the earth, Jesus, along with his bride, (those who have been designated as Kings and Priests) will be given full ruler ship for a thousand years. This ushers in Stage / Phase two); which immediately follows;

3d. The Lords Day, (The main event / second phase)

and how it unwinds: It is during this time that the dead are brought back to life, reeducated in Jehovahs ways and given an opportunity to prove their integrity under righteous ruler ship of Christ and his bride. They are given this opportunity without the influence or interference by Satan and his followers who are restrained for a period of one thousand years. It is to this period constituting the second phase of the Lords Day of a thousand years that most of the following scriptures may be applied, beginning with; Revelation 20:1,2. Then I saw an angel come down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon -- that old serpent, the Devil, Satan and bound him in chains for a thousand years. NLT Who is the angel in this verse? God's angel, having the 'key to the abyss and chains' could refer to no one else with such power and authority other than the glorified Christ Jesus (Rev 9:11, Rom. 10:6, 7, Rev. 1:18) Knowing that Christ Jesus and Satan are both spirit creatures, we can conclude this is a literal

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result of the spiritual war waged on earth between the seed and the serpent.. This reminds us of the battle that they had when the archangel Michael, (Jesus) kicked Satan and the demons out of the heavens (Rev. 12:9-12) We know that Jesus and Satan are the two principal characters involved in this good (God's will) VS. evil (Satans will) battle, because it was prophesied in Gen. 3:15. The angel here is the heavenly Jesus Christ, also known as Michael, the Chief Angel (spirit being), the only begotten son of God. Revelation 20:3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he would be released again for a little while. NLT Revelation 20:3 tells us that he (Satan) will be consigned to a restrained condition from which he won't be able to cause the nations to be deceived and mislead. . The language of the prophecy was made in a way to help humans understand the concept. It says he will be bound for 1000 years. Humans by nature are physical and relate to physical, visible things. In describing a battle with spiritual creatures God wisely inspired the apostle John to write of the account in a way we humans could easily comprehend. Despite the changing conditions during long periods of history. The verse clearly demonstrates the greater power of Jesus over the devil. During these 1000 years, it's reasonable to conclude his demon followers will also be locked away in a condition of restraint with their leader Satan. But what about humans during that period? The Revelation gives us insight as to what happens to them while Satan and his demons are bound. Humans alive during the millennial rule of Jesus and his associate Kings and priests are re-educated in Jehovah Gods ways. This millennial rule occurs after the great tribulation, after Armageddon and after The Great Day of God the Almighty. The Bible tells us there will be human survivors of Armageddon, it doesn't specify a number for those survivors who are shown in Rev. 7: 9, 14.

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Revelation 7: 9, 14. After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands.:14 And I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows." Then he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. NLT These are apparently among the same meek ones who will inherit the earth because the wicked will have been destroyed at the Great day of Jehovah (Psalm 37:11, Prov. 2:22, Dan. 2:44) Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. LXE Proverbs 2:22 But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be destroyed. NLT Daniel 2:44 And in the time of those kings, the God of Heaven will establish a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, a kingdom that shall not be transferred to another people. It will crush and wipe out all these kingdoms, but shall itself last forever -- TNK The Revelation discloses additional information about other humans, separate and apart from those tribulation survivors described t Rev.7:13, 14. At Rev 20: 4 it describes them in detail; Revelation 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus, for proclaiming the word of God. And I saw the souls of those who had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. NLT

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These are described as rulers and judges who will sit on thrones and rule with Jesus over the earth during the thousand years. They are the same 'holy ones' who will rule alongside him who is like a 'son of man' as explained in Dan7:13, 14, 18. Among them is the apostle Paul, the other apostles of Jesus and faithful anointed Christians from the earthly scene since Pentecost of 33 CE. (1 Cor. 6:2, 3. Lu.22:30). As indicated in the text, they will rule for 1000 years. They are the ones described in scripture as holy Ones, Anointed ones, or Saints, depending on which Bible version one is reading form. Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. ESV Daniel 7:14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. ESV Daniel 7:18 then holy ones [Saints] of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and will possess the kingdom forever -forever and ever.' TNK 1 Corinthians 6:2 Or do YOU not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by YOU, are YOU unfit to try very trivial matters? NWT Or as another version states: 1 Corinthians 6:2 Is it not certain that the saints will be the judges of the world? if then the world will be judged by you, are you unable to give a decision about the smallest things? BBE Luke 22:29,30; And I will give you a kingdom as my Father has given one to me, 30 So that you may take food and drink at my table in my kingdom, and be seated like kings, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (the twelve tribes of Israel being symbolic for the complete number of Gods people on the earth)
BBE

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Some may ask if the 1000 years are literal or symbolic. Well sometimes the number 1000 is used in the bible to simply represent a large number as the case in 1 Sam. 21:11 where it said David killed tens of thousands of people. There, it likely did not have a literal meaning, but in Revelation 20:3-5, the 'thousand years' expression is repeated 3 times! (6 times in the whole chapter). This makes it highly reasonable that we should attach a literal meaning to the verses. Since Paul called this time 'a day' of judgment in Acts 17:31. and given that Peter tells us that a day with God is like 1000 years (2 Peter 3:8), it's fitting that this judgment day is a 1000 literal years. This is the millennial reign of Jesus and his co-rulers, as well as the time Satan and his Demons will be locked away in the abyss. So during this millennial reign of Christ with his co-rulers, while Satan and the demons are locked away in the abyss so as not to mislead anyone, all others, including those deceased persons of all past generations will be resurrected (John 5:28, 29) and re- educated in the ways of Jehovah. John 5:28 Do not be surprised at this: for the time is coming when his voice will come to all who are in the place of the dead,
BBE

John 5:29 those who did good will come forth to life; and those who did evil will come forth to judgment. NJB The Armageddon survivors along with all resurrected ones will be fully unified, under God's kingdom. (Da. 2:44, Matt. 6:9, 10) Over the time period of 1,000 years, humans under the ruler ship of Jesus Christ and his 144,000 co rulers will gradually be elevated to perfection, the earth will be restored to perfection, and all problems causing pain and suffering will be eliminated. (Job 33:25, 1 John 3:8). Job 33:24 Then He [God] has mercy on him and decrees, "Redeem him from descending to the Pit, For I have obtained his ransom; TNK [authors] 1 John 3:8 The sinner is a child of the Evil One; for the Evil One has been a sinner from the first. And the Son of God was seen on earth so that he might put an end to the works of the Evil One. BBE

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As that time period comes to an end, when the millennium is completed, the Devil will be released to tempt, in a final attempt to try to get humans once again to disobey God (Rev. 20:7, 8) Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years have been completed, Satan shall be DBY Revelation 20:8 He will go out to deceive the nations from every corner of the earth, which are called Gog and Magog. He will gather them together for battle-- a mighty host, as numberless as sand along the shore. NLT All those alive for this test will have been restored to a perfect state. As such they will be able to respond like Jesus did and either submit to God's authority or they will act as Adam and Eve did, and disobey their heavenly father despite all he has done for them. Prophetic Scripture tells us there will be many who do fail this test and fail to maintain their integrity. The Bible doesn't specify how many but says these will be like the grains of the sea (Rev. 20:8b). This means those who succumb to Satans final attempt will not be an insignificant number. All those who fall to Satans efforts will be completely and finally destroyed along with the devil and his demons. The bible symbolizes their destruction as being thrown into the lake of fire, the second death, (Revelation 21:9, 10) from which there can be no resurrection. Revelation 20:9,10. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. NIV :10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. ESV The Lake of fire symbolizes a form of endless death, a death from which there is no further prospect of resurrection. As death itself also comes to the same end, suffering will be no more (Revelation 21:4, 1 Cor. 15:26, Isa. 25:8) and wickedness will once again fail to exist.

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Revelation 20:14 And death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death-- the lake of fire. NLT 1 Corinthians 15:26 and the last of the enemies to be done away with is death, for he has put all things under his feet. NJB Isaiah 25:8 He hath swallowed up death for ever; and the Lord Jehovah will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of his people will he take away from off all the earth: for Jehovah hath spoken it. ASV At that point, Genesis 3:15 will be completely fulfilled and become past history. So what happens next?

4. The Lords Day in its final and ultimate sense;

The great Day of our Lord Jesus ends, 1 Cor. 15:27, 28 as Jesus returns the kingdom back to his father so that the most high will be all things to all people. (1 Cor. 11:3) Thus restoring the earth and mankind to its originally intended state. 1 Corinthians 15:27 For the Scriptures say, "God has given him authority over all things." (Of course, when it says "authority over all things," it does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.:28 Then, when he has conquered all things, the Son will present himself to God, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere. NLT It is at this juncture that the Lords day becomes Jehovahs day once again in the sense that a new era opens when his entire earthly creation is once again subject to his will and his sover-eignty as was his original intent. What that new era portends for humankind is only hinted at 1 Corinthians 2:9 1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" NIV

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Having explored various great days in the history of Gods people, where does this information leave those of us who profess to be Christians here during the time we are living? We are living in a time when Gods good will is still being extended to his earthly family. The vast majority of serious Bible scholars agree that while there is still time to take sides with Jehovah God and his son Christ Jesus, there is no time to delay, as the door to survival appears to be closing. No one knows the day or hour when it will be shut on this Armaged-don bound generation. The only clue we are given is found at Luke 17:26, 27. It is a clue which would be foolish to ignore. Luke 17:26,27. And as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the day of the Son of man.:27 They were feasting and taking wives and getting married, till the day of the overflowing of the waters, when Noah went into the ark, and they all came to destruction. BBE The message this verse holds for us is that people of the generation when all these things come to a culmination would be preoccupied with everyday life and take no notice that destruction was looming over them. They have no interest in either learning what Gods will actually is or in doing it. Other everyday living things are more important to them and hold their focus and attention instead. This does not mean that there are no exceptions to the general and widely prevailing attitude. Undoubtedly there are those on the scene who sincerely seek God and want to live in accord with his ways as faithful ones of old like Noah, Abraham, and the great cloud of witnesses Paul referred to at Hebrews 11: 7 12:1 did. What can someone like that do right now? For those who have a desire to be in harmony with Gods will, and are not sure how they may accomplish this, here are is some concise scriptural advice;

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John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. NWT John 3:36 36 He who puts active faith in the Son has everlasting life. He who disobeys* the Son will not see life for the wrath of God remains upon him. NSB (*Greek: apeitheo: willfully disobey, not having faith) Matthew 22:37,38. Jesus replied, " 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'1 ESV Matthew 22:38 This is the great and first commandment. NLT 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. NJB Ephesians 1:17 May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him NKJ There is also Biblical advice for those who believe they are currently in harmony with Gods will: 1 Corinthians 10:12 Everyone, no matter how firmly he thinks he is standing, must be careful he does not fall. NJB 1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. NLT 1 Thessalonians 5:21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good ; NAU 2 Corinthians 13:5 1 Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless, of course, you fail the test. NAB

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Colossians 1:10 in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing [him] as YOU go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God, NWT A TIME OF AMPLE WARNING: That there would be ample time of warning for Gods people is well illustrated by the account in Revelations when Jesus prophetically inspects and reviews his congregation of believers at Rev 1:11 to Rev 3:22, before the great Day of Judgment arrives. This is a prophecy wherein he critiques his followers and tells them they must repent and turn away from all ungodly behavior and practices which they are guilty of. This prophecy exists as a warning and a lesson to those Christians alive during the time of the end. The time to heed such warnings is NOW! For the Bible exclaims; 2 Corinthians 6:2 2 For he said: At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation! NWT The Holy Bible is the only book which exclusively contains Jehovah Gods thoughts. The Bible is Gods book, preserved down to our day so that we might have comfort through the scriptures. It is the sword of the spirit. It alone contains the spirit of truth Jesus spoke of at John 15:26. Let us turn to it for guidance and direction rather than to the traditions and thinking of men. Seven reminders from the Bible which help the scriptures speak to you personally; 1. Remember, All scripture is inspired by God . . . . . . . . (2 Timothy 3:16) 2. Trust in Jehovah with all your heart. . . . . . . . . (Proverbs 3:5)

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3. Never trust men rather than God . . . . . . . . . . (Jeremiah 17:5)

5. Apply the Two witness rule to your Bible understanding . (2 Corinthians 13:1) 6. Pray about anything and everything . . . . . . . . . . . (1 Thessalonians 5:17) . . . . . . . . .Keep on praying. . 7. Always remember, Gods will is none should be lost . . . and that all should come to an accurate knowledge of truth. . . . . . . . . .. (2 Timoty 2:4)

[CLICK HERE for TABLE OF CONTENTS]

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CHAPTER SEVEN
MY OWN PEOPLE HAVE LOVED IT THAT WAY
(Jer. 5:31.) Gods People An Indictment This chapter is about what the Bible reveals about Gods mind concerning the flaws he sees in his own people living in The Time of the End and what he will do about it. In this, day and age there are said to be five major religions, sixteen other religions and thousands of denominations in Christendom alone. While there has been and continues to be war, bloodshed and violence all over the earth, each and every member of these religions claims to be one of Gods people and that theirs is the true religion. Can they all be right? Can any one of them be right? Were Gods people conducting these wars, violence, atrocities and injustice through all history? Are they sponsoring violence, warfare and injustice today? Obviously, not, therefore we can conclude most of those who claim to be Gods people may very well be wrong and many of those professing to be Christians in the end may find themselves victims of their own delusion. Religious leaders lull their flocks to sleep with a false sense of security in that they are all Gods people and God loves them and is all forgiving, therefore they have nothing to be concerned with. This is a delusion. While he has unfathomable love and forgives repentant wrong doers, he does not forgive those who persist in their wrong doing, nor will he withhold punishment to those he sees deserving of it. Jesus forewarned Christians against such a delusion. He made it quite clear that those God considered his own people would constitute a small minority. And

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even then there would be many among them who thought they were on the right road yet they would be rejected as workers of lawlessness. Matthew 7:13,14 'Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it; NAB:14 How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few. NJB Matthew 7:22,23. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?':23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' NKJ Who then in this, our time, which the Bible refers to as the time of the end, are actually Gods own people? As has always been the case, religions everywhere claim they are Gods people. Yet, according to Mtt. 7:22,23 many who hold this belief, will be in for devastating surprises. Perhaps it would be an eye-opening experience for all who claim to be one of Gods people to read what God has to say about his own people in this time of the end. His prophets Daniel, Jere-miah, Isaiah and Ezekiel did not write about ones who merely claimed to be his people. And the ones they wrote to and wrote about were not counterfeits. They were writing about those who Jehovah God himself considered as his very own people in ancient times and in modern times. No one elses opinion matters and only the Bible provides us with unleavened insight as to what Gods thinking is in connection with those people, whom he claims as his own, then and now. While there are many characteristics we might use to identify the real thing, most of these are either subject to illegitimate claim or not exclusive to any single group of people. However there is one unmistakable identifying factor which can be used to determine who he views as his people. This one factor is so exclusive; it cannot be applied to, or be mistaken in any others than those he views as his very own. That factor is his Divine name and its significance to them and upon them. That name is YHWH, YHWH , Jehovah in English. It is with these people who are connected with his name, a people he calls his own, that

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Jehovah God conducts what the bible describes as a legal case against them. Acts 15:14 Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name, YLT Micah 6:2 "And now, O mountains, listen to the LORD's complaint! He has a case against his people Israel! He will prosecute them to the full extent of the law. NLT While the nation of Israel was truly representative of a people God called his own in ancient times, this is not the case today. The political nation of Israel, in our day, by virtue of its claim and its constitution, is in reality a Parliamentary Democracy. Its political makeup and government is no different from Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Denmark, Japan, Norway, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe or any of dozens of other countries. On the other hand, a people ruled by God would be under a form of govern-ment known as a Theocracy (God Rule). The Israel of God in our time is not is not a political nation, rather, a spiritual nation. Its people would be submissive to Jehovah Gods ruler ship and under his designated ruler Jesus Christ. How can we identify this Israel of God today? Gods nation is spiritual in nature, and therefore not necessarily visible with physical human eyes. We are not able to identify human citizens of that nation with absolute certainty since their citizenship papers are written within their hearts and we humans cant read hearts. We can only go by what we see or observe with our human eyesight and what Gods Holy Spirit reveals to us in his word of truth. There are numerous Bible verses we can look to, describing characteristics and qualities found in citizens of a spiritual nation, functioning under the ruler ship of Gods son Christ Jesus. By and large, these citizens are found doing the will of God. Some verses describing what to look for are as follows: 1. KNOWLEDGE: They would be found basing their beliefs on accurate and true knowledge found in Gods own word, the Bible.

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1 Timothy 2:3,4. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. NKJ John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. NKJ 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness NAS Colossians 1:9 That is also why we, from the day we heard [of it], have not ceased praying for YOU and asking that YOU may be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, NWT 2. OBEDIENCE: They would be obedient to Gods will as expressed through the teachings of the Bible and they would be found actually doing his will in harmony with the following principals: 2a. Exclusive devotion to the father, Jehovah God and his son Christ Jesus. Exodus 20:5 . . .I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, . . . NWT Matthew 28:18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. NLT John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. NIV 2b. Separated from the world of mankind in general John 15:19 .YOU are no part of the world, but I have chosen YOU out of the world, NJB John 18:36 Jesus replied, 'Mine is not a kingdom of this world;
NWT

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John 17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. NRS 2c. Love a distinguishing feature, among themselves and toward others; Matthew 22:37 He said to him:"'You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.' NWT Matthew 22:39 The second, like it, is this, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' NWT Matthew 5:44. . . I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; NWT 2c. Holiness - Gods people would be clean and set apart for his service Leviticus 11:44 For I am Jehovah your God: sanctify (set apart) yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy (pure, clean): ASV 1 Peter 1:16 For he himself has said, "You must be holy because I am holy." NLT Isaiah 1:16 Wash yourselves and be clean! Let me no longer see your evil deeds. Give up your wicked ways. NLT 3. Truth Essential, and a basic guide for Gods people: John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth. NJB John 16:13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, . . .and he will reveal to you the things to come. NJB

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John 8:32 you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free. NJB Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. NIV Isaiah 65:16 So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; ESV 2 Thessalonians 2:12 So that they all may be judged, who had no faith in what is true, but took pleasure in evil. BBE 4. A people for his name: Ezekiel 39:7 I shall see that my holy name is acknowled by my people Israel, and no longer allow my holy name to be profaned; and the nations will know that I am Yahweh, holy in Israel. NJB Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved." NWT Daniel 9:19 O Jehovah, do hear. O Jehovah, do forgive. O Jehovah, do pay attention and act. Do not delay, for your own sake, O my God, for your own name has been called upon your city and upon your people." NWT Or as another version states; Daniel 9:19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." NIV His authentic people will be found to fit all the above require-ments fully, not just a few of them or only certain ones. While the Bible itself affords all these clues as well as others in helping us identify these

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spiritual Israelites, only one is not only conspic-uous but uniquely exclusive to a people he considers his own unique possession. Acts 15:17 in order that those who remain of the men may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things,, NWT Isaiah 43:10 "But you are my witnesses, O Israel!" says the LORD. "And you are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God; there never has been and never will be. NLT Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God. ASV It may be argued that many of the other traits can be applied to good people in many religions. Whether such argument is true or not, only one of these traits can be seen openly and visibly as necessary and applicanle to those people who Jehovah himself views as his own. His name and their relationship to it is the one unmistakable factor by which his own people may be identified. It is with this understanding we explore those scriptures which reveal complaints he has about those he views as his people, past present and future. Concerning them, (literal Israel, in the ancient sense and spiritual Israel in a modern day sense), his prophet Jeremiah wrote the following, under divine inspiration; Jeremiah 5:30,31 " An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: NKJ:31 The prophets themselves actually prophesy in falsehood; and as for the priests, they go subduing according to their powers. And my own people have loved [it] that way; and what will YOU men do in the finale of it?" NWT

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When Jeremiah uses the phrase what will you men do in the finale of it? He infers much and he challenges the reader to hear Jehovahs view point as given through him and in the writings of other true prophets. The reader is challenged to answer that ptovocative question in his or her own mind. From the early history of the nation of Israel, down to this day, God has had a lawsuit (contention) with his own people. This contention, which was largely due to a lack of loyalty and appreciation of him on their part, was on and off. However, when we consider the complete picture of their relationship and dealings with him, it was mostly on. Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, O people of Israel! The LORD has filed a lawsuit against you, saying: "There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. NLT That contention (legal case) is clearly evidenced by what is spoken of and transmitted by his prophets and recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures. However, since Jehovahs viewpoint doesnt change and his thinking is entirely consistent, we must consider the relevancy of these verses in our day as well. The nation of Israel, with its specific features, was a prophetic picture of events in our own times as well as future times. As the apostle Paul wrote; 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. NLT We find Jehovahs observations of his own people and his concern for their relationship with him revealed in writings of all his prophets. However, the writings of the four major prophets are viewed as being of special significance to us because they contain so much material that has fulfillment in the a time we refer to as the time of the end. Therefore, we will focus on what they reveal to us about his side of the legal case he has with his people. A scriptural journey into Jehovahs word, exploring his viewpoint regarding his own people: Jehovah commissions Jeremiah . . . WHY ? . . .

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Jeremiah 1:10 See, I have commissioned you this day to be over the nations and over the kingdoms, in order to uproot and to pull down and to destroy and to tear down, to build and to plant." NWT Jeremiah has questions of his own about this; Jeremiah 6:10 To whom can I give warning? Who will listen when I speak? Their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. They scorn the word of the LORD. They don't want to listen at all. NLT Jehovah explains further in his own words: Jeremiah 6:27,28 I have made you a tester among my people, so that you may have knowledge of their way and put it to the test.:28 All of them are turned away, going about with false stories; they are brass and iron: they are all workers of deceit. BBE Jehovah had already disclosed in general terms outlining Jeremiahs mission in the opening words of his commission; Jeremiah 1:7 go wherever I send you And speak whatever I command you. TNK While the message given in Jeremiahs prophecy is directed to different listeners having different levels of spiritual insight, certain passages are targeted for specific audiences. Spiritual insight would reveal apptopriate meanings on different levels to different readers. At Jeremiah 6:10, (cited), he was asking his questions in specific terms. Jehovah replies to him with a specific target; Jeremiah 7:2 Stand in the gate of Jehovah's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear ye the word of Jehovah, all Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship Jehovah. DBY

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Here Jeremiah is shown the words to follow are not directed to the world at large, but rather must be heard by those worship-pers of Jehovah who are designated as the house of Judah. The house of Judah is synonymous with a line of kingly rulers attached to the Davidic Covenant, culminating in the Messiah. In modern days, since the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, no individual can legally trace his lineage to the house of Judah. Yet the idea of rulers among Gods people still exists. There are leaders among Gods people today who are exercising religious authority over Gods people just as if they were Kings. Also, there are those among Gods people today who anticipate ruling with Christ Jesus during the thousand year reign of his Kingdom over the earth. In this regard, we may see in the house of Judah a prophetic counterpart in our own day. Ancient Israel prophet-ically pictures Gods people. Therefore when we read spiritual meaning in a modern sense, Israel pictures Gods people as a whole while Judah pictures their leadership in our day. Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will obey. NLT Psalm 60:6,7 God himself has spoken in his holiness: . . . 7. Judah is my commander's staff. NWT Psalm 108:8 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim will produce my warriors, and Judah will produce my kings. NLT At Jer. 7:2, 3, Jeremiah is told he must warn rulers (Judah) to reform their ways. We can apply this to rulers at all levels of any religious organization which professes to hold authority over Gods people. Those ancient warnings speak in a clear voice to religious leaders in our day as well. Jeremiah 7:3 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. DBY Or as another translation puts it;

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Jeremiah 7:3 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. NIV Jeremiah 7:4 Do not put your faith in delusive words, such as: This is Yahweh's sanctuary, Yahweh's sanctuary, Yahweh's sanctuary! YLT or as another translation puts it; Jeremiah 7:4 Do not trust for yourselves Unto the words of falsehood, saying, The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, The temple of Jehovah are they! NWT Jeremiah 7:5 Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds; if each of you deals justly with his neighbor; BBE Jeremiah 7:5 For if your ways and your doings are truly changed for the better; if you truly give right decisions between a man and his neighbour; NAB Jeremiah 7:7 I, in turn, shall certainly keep YOU residing in this place, in the land that I gave to YOUR forefathers, from time indefinite even to time indefinite." NWT Jeremiah 7:7 then only will I let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers for all time. TNK While certain portions of the prophetic message can be seen as being applicable specifically to his peoples leaders, there is also much in his prophecy concerning his prophetic people (Israel) as a whole. Jehovah further addresses is his people as a whole ; Jeremiah 2:9 "'Therefore I shall contend further with YOU people,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'and with the sons of YOUR sons I shall contend.' NWT

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Or as another translation describes it;

children's children in the years to come. I, the LORD, have spoken! NLT see also; Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of Jehovah, O sons of Israel, for Jehovah has a legal case with the inhabitants of the land, for there is no truth nor loving-kindness nor knowledge of God in the land. NWT Now, we know that this statement may not be taken literally in the days of Jeremiah because not only was Jeremiah on the scene speaking truth in the nation, but there were other prophets and also the holy writings on the scene as well. So, this verse may be taken figuratively in the sense that the entire body as a whole of what was being taught and practiced was not the pure truth of Jehovah. Further, scripture reveals neither was there any effort being made to eliminate those impurities which had contam-inated the true teachings and practices among his people. Jeremiah 3:4,5 Even now, do you not call me; "My father, you who are the bridegroom of my youth" NAB:5 Surely you won't be angry about such a little thing! Surely you can forget it!' . . . So you talk, and keep right on doing all the evil you can." NLT Jeremiah 6:16 Yahweh says this, 'Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths: which was the good way? Take it and you will find rest for yourselves. But they have said, "We will not take it." NJB Jeremiah 23:33 "And when this people or the prophet or priest asks you, saying, 'What is the burden of Jehovah?' you must also say to them, '"YOU people are-O what a burden! And I shall certainly abandon YOU," is the utterance of Jehovah.' NWT Malachi 2:17 "YOU people have made Jehovah weary by YOUR words, and YOU have said, 'In what way have we made [him] weary?' By YOUR saying, 'Everyone that is doing bad is good in the eyes of Jehovah, and in such

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ones he himself has taken delight'; or, 'Where is the God of justice?'" NWT Jeremiah 3:3 So copious showers are withheld, and not even a spring rain has occurred. And the forehead of a wife committing prostitution is what has become yours. You have refused to feel humiliated. NWT Jeremiah 1:16 I will pronounce judgment on my people for all their evil for deserting me and worshiping other gods. Yes, they worship idols that they themselves have made! NLT Baal is such an idol. Since Baal was solely the creation of man, counterfeit from the beginning, an insult to the Creator, made to fit the desire "to be mighty ... in the earth," and to build cities and make Babylon the capitolso it must be plain that Baal-worship is none other than the worship of masters in place of Jehovah. When it accepts men as masters who place themselves on an equal level with God, it constitutes worshipping the created being rather than the creator. In his time, Elijah recognized that Baal had usurped the place of Jehovah when he threw down the challenge; 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. ASV The Bible says, "The people answered him not a word." This means they were not for him and they were not against him, they were not hot and they were not cold, they were "lukewarm." (Jesus had a comment about this condition at Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. NWT) In Elijahs day they did not know their condition. Unconsciously they had embraced a change in leaders from Jehovah to Baal. To label this as merely an insult to Jehovah would be a great under-statement. This was

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an affront to Jehovah of the highest maggitude and on a par with the lack of faith demonstrated by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Jeremiah was given to see this condition was continuing in his own day and inspired to write in Jehovahs voice. Jeremiah 2:8 The priests themselves did not say, 'Where is Jehovah?' And the very ones handling the law did not know me; and the shepherds themselves transgressed against me, and even the prophets prophesied by Ba'al, and after those who could bring no benefit they walked. NWT The contention he had and still has with his people was in full force. The following verses explore that contention and how it was justified in Gods eyes by means of a series of issues he raises concerning his people, Israel. Psalm 78:59 God heard and got to be furious, And so he contemned Israel very much. NWT (viewed with contempt; despised.) Jeremiah 2:21 "How could this happen? When I planted you, I chose a vine of the purest stock -- the very best. How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine? NLT Jeremiah 2:14 "Why has Israel become a nation of slaves? Why has she been carried away as plunder?
NLT

Jeremiah 2:17 Have you not brought this on yourself, by abandoning Yahweh your God, when he was guiding you on your way? NJB Jeremiah 2:31 Now you of this generation, listen to what Yahweh says: Have I been a desert for Israel, or a land of gloom? Why do my people say, "We are our own masters, we will come to you no more"? NJB Jeremiah 3:1 They say, If a man puts away his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's,

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will he go back to her again? will not that land have been made unclean? but though you have been acting like a loose woman with a number of lovers, will you now come back to me? says the Lord. BBE Specific reasons for Gods contention with his people: Deuteronomy 32:15 But Jeshurun [Jacob, Jehovahs people, Israel in their glory days] became fat and would not be controlled: you have become fat, you are thick and full of food: then he was untrue to the God who made him, giving no honour to the Rock of his salvation. BBE From three different versions; Deuteronomy 32:15 But Jeshurun <03484> waxed fat <08080> (08799), and kicked <01163> (08799): thou art waxen fat <08080> (08804), thou art grown thick <05666> (08804), thou art covered <03780> (08804) with fatness; then he forsook <05203> (08799) God <0433> which made <06213> (08804) him, and lightly esteemed <05034> (08762) the Rock <06697> of his salvation <03444>. KJV Deuteronomy 32:15 "aBut 1Jeshurun <03484> grew <08080> fat <08080> and kicked <01163> -- You are grown <08080> fat <08080>, thick <05666>, and sleek <03780> -- bThen he forsook <05203> God <0433> cwho made <06213a> him, And scorned <05034a> dthe Rock <06697> of his salvation <03444>. NAU Deuteronomy 32:15 And Jeshurun waxeth fat, and doth kick: Thou hast been fat -- thou hast been thick, Thou hast been covered. And he leaveth God who made him, And dishonoureth the Rock of his salvation. YLT Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two crimes: 1 they have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, and 2 dug water-tanks for themselves, cracked water-tanks that hold no water. NJB

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Jeremiah 2:20 Long ago I broke your yoke and tore away the chains of your slavery, but still you would not obey me. On every hill and under every green tree, you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols. NLT Jeremiah 2:17 Have you not brought this on yourself, by abandoning Yahweh your God, when he was guiding you on your way? NJB Jeremiah 2:23 How dare you say, "I am not defiled, I have not run after the Baals?" Look at your behaviour in the Valley, realise what you have done. NJB "Baal" can refer to any god and even to human officials seen as masters; usually may refer to a number of local spiritdeities worshipped as cult images, each called baal and regarded in the Hebrew Bible in that context as a false god. Jeremiah 2:29 Why will you put forward your cause against me? You have all done evil against me, says the Lord. BBE Jeremiah 2:29 Why make out a case against me? You have all rebelled against me, Yahweh declares. NJB Jeremiah 3:20 Instead, as a faithless wife leaves her husband, so you have been faithless to me, O house of Israel, says the LORD. NRS Jeremiah 5:11 For the people of Israel and the people of Judah have been very false to me, says the Lord. BBE Jeremiah 4:22 For My people are stupid, They give Me no heed; They are foolish children, They are not intelligent. They are clever at doing wrong, But unable to do right. TNK Jeremiah 5:26 Yes, there are wicked men among my people who watch like fowlers on the alert; they set traps and they catch human beings. NJB

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Jeremiah 5:28 and they have transgressed the rule of judgment; they have not judged the cause of the orphan, nor have they judged the cause of the widow. LXE Jeremiah 3:20 But you have betrayed me, you people of Israel! You have been like a faithless wife who leaves her husband," says the LORD. NLT Prophetic Consequences: Jeremiah 3:11 Then the LORD said to me: Rebel Israel is inwardly more just than traitorous Judah. ASV Jeremiah 3:11 And Jehovah said unto me, Backsliding Israel hath showed herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. NAB Jeremiah 2:35 And yet you say, 'I haven't done anything wrong. Surely he isn't angry with me!' Now I will punish you severely because you claim you have not sinned.
NLT

Jeremiah 2:22 Though you scour it with soap, and use much lye, The stain of your guilt is still before me, says the Lord GOD. NAB Jeremiah 2:19 Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts. ESV Jeremiah 2:37 From there also shall you go away with hands upon your head; For the LORD has rejected those in whom you trust, with them you will have no success. NAB GODS JUDGEMENT ON HIS PEOPLE: Jeremiah 5:23 Yet this people has a wayward and defiant heart; They have turned aside and gone their way. TNK Jeremiah 6:17 I posted look-outs on your behalf: Listen to the sound of the trumpet! But they said, "We will not listen." NJB

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Jeremiah 5:7 "How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me and have sworn by those who are no gods. When I fed them to the full, they committed adultery and trooped to the houses of whores. ESV Jeremiah 5:9 Shall I fail to punish this, Yahweh demands, or on such a nation to exact vengeance? NJB Jeremiah 5:25 Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. NLT Jeremiah 4:16 Make mention [of it], YOU people, yes, to the nations. Publish [it] against Jerusalem." "Watchers are coming from a land far away, and they will let out their voice against the very cities of Judah. NWT Jeremiah 4:17 They have closed in around her like watchers of a field, because she has rebelled against me, says the LORD. NRS Jeremiah 5:1 Rove the streets of Jerusalem, now look and enquire, see in her squares if you can find an individual, one individual who does right and seeks the truth, and I will pardon her, Yahweh says. NJB Jeremiah 5:2 Though they say, "As the LORD lives," they swear falsely. NAB Jeremiah 4:18 Your ways and your doings have made these things come on you; this is your sin; truly it is bitter, going deep into your heart. BBE HIS RECOMPENSE ON HIS PEOPLE: Jeremiah 6:18 Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what will happen to them. ESV Jeremiah 6:12 And their houses shall be turned unto others, their fields and their wives together; for I will

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stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith Jehovah. ASV Jeremiah 6:19,-21.. Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster upon my people. It is the fruit of their own sin because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected all my instructions.:20 There is no use now in offering me sweet incense from Sheba. Keep your expensive perfumes! I cannot accept your burnt offerings. Your sacrifices have no sweet fragrance for me.":21 And so, Yahweh says this, 'In front of this people I shall now lay obstacles for them to stumble over; father and son alike, neighbour and friend will perish.' NLT RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEADERS AMONG HIS OWN: (Shepherds and Prophets) Jeremiah 5:13 Our prophets became wind, and the word of the Lord was not in them. LXE Jeremiah 5:5 So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God." But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds. NIV They had set aside the yoke and bonds of their covenant with Jehovah.That covenant which had called for obedience and exclusive devotion. Jeremiah 5:2 Though they say, "As the LORD lives," they swear falsely. NAB Jeremiah 5:12 They have spoken falsely of the LORD and have said, 'He will do nothing; no disaster will come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine. ESV Jeremiah 6:14 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace. NIV

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Jeremiah 5:14 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of hosts: Because they have spoken this word, I am now making my words in your mouth [Jeremiahs] a fire, and this people wood, and the fire shall devour them. NRS Jeremiah 6:13 For from the smallest to the greatest, They are all greedy for gain; Priest and prophet alike, They all act falsely. TNK Jeremiah 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD. NKJ [The Abomination was to leave Jehovah for other Gods, even for Baals (Gods of their own making). GODS WARNINGS and REMEDIES: Jeremiah 7:12 "'However, GO, now, to my place that was in Shi'loh, where I caused my name to reside at first, and see what I did to it because of the badness of my people Israel. NWT [Shiloh went from being the capitol city of his people to nothing. All of Gods favor and glory was removed from them.] Jeremiah 7:14 I will do also to the house upon which my name has been called, in which YOU are trusting, and to the place that I gave to YOU and to YOUR forefathers, just as I did to Shi'loh. NWT Jeremiah 6:8 Take warning, O Jerusalem, or I shall turn from you in disgust, and make you a desolation, an uninhabited land. NRS

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Jeremiah 5:21 'Hear this now, O foolish people, Without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not: NKJ Jeremiah 4:4 Undergo a circumcision of the heart, you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem: or my wrath may come out like fire, burning so that no one is able to put it out, because of the evil of your doings. BBE Jeremiah 7:4 Trust not in lying words, saying: The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, it is the temple of the Lord.
DRA

Or, as other versions put it; Jeremiah 7:4 Do not trust for yourselves Unto the words of falsehood, saying, The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, The temple of Jehovah are they! YLT Jeremiah 7:4 Do not trust in these deceptive words: This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD. ESV Jeremiah 7:13,14. And now, because you do all these things -- declares the LORD -- and though I spoke to you persistently, you would not listen; and though I called to you, you would not respond:14 therefore I will do to the House which bears My name, on which you rely, and to the place which I gave you and your fathers, just what I did to Shiloh. TNK [Shilo was the Capital of the nation of Israel before Jerusalem, the place where Jehovahs Ark of the Covenant rested for over 300 years. Shiloh was the center of Israelite worship. The ark was removed; Jehovah allowed it to be overcome by his enemies and Shilos former grandeur was never again to be seen.] Jeremiah 3:22 "My wayward children," says the LORD, "come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts."

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"Yes, we will come," the people reply, "for you are the LORD our God NLT Jeremiah 4:4 Get yourselves circumcised to Jehovah, and take away the foreskins of YOUR hearts, YOU men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; that my rage may not go forth just like a fire, and it certainly burn with no one to do the extinguishing, on account of the badness of YOUR dealings." NWT While all this paints a rather frightful picture of how he views this people, there is a positive side as well, for he was and is a loving, merciful God as well as a just one. Prophetic optimism Jeremiah 4:1 If you wish to return, O Israel, says the LORD, return to me. If you put your detestable things out of my sight, and do not stray, NAB Jeremiah 3:14 Come back, O children who are turned away, says the Lord; for I am a husband to you, and I will take you, one from a town and two from a family, and will make you come to Zion; BBE Jeremiah 4:2 and if you will swear by my name alone, and begin to live good, honest lives and uphold justice, then you will be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people will come and praise my name." NLT Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. NIB Jeremiah 3:17 When that time comes, Jerusalem will be called: The Throne of Yahweh, and all the nations will converge on her, on Yahweh's name, on Jerusalem, and will no longer follow their own stubborn and wicked inclinations. NJB

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Jeremiah 3:18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your fathers. ASV How about Our days: Jeremiah 4:14 Wash your heart clean of sheer badness, O Jerusalem, in order that you may be saved. How long will your erroneous thoughts lodge within you? NWT Or as another version states; Jeremiah 4:14 Wash your heart clean of wickedness, Jerusalem, and so be saved. How long will you go on harbouring your pernicious thoughts? NJB Jeremiah 6:9 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Let them glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine; pass your hand over the branches again, like one gathering grapes." NIV Thus, from the writings of Jeremiah we begin to form a picture of things Jehovah sees as short comings among his people. Yet, Jeremiah was only one of his prophets to reveal Jehovahs view point concerning them. Another prophet through whom Jehovah spoke to his people was Isaiah, a close contemporary of Jeremiahs. From his writings, we are able to both confirm and round out the picture we got from Jeremiah JEHOVAH ADDRESSES HIS PEOPLE THRU THE PROPHET ISAIAH; Isaiah 1:3 An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master's manger; But Israel does not know, my people has not understood. NAB Isaiah 1:4 Woe to the sinful nation, the people heavy with error, an evildoing seed, ruinous sons! They have left Jehovah, they have treated the Holy One of Israel with disrespect, they have turned backwards. NWT

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Isaiah 1:13 Bring no more futile cereal offerings, the smoke from them fills me with disgust. New Moons, Sabbaths, assemblies -- I cannot endure solemnity combined with guilt. NJB Isaiah 1:15 From now on, when you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen. For your hands are covered with the blood of your innocent victims. NLT Isaiah 1:23 Your rulers are rogues And cronies of thieves, Every one avid for presents And greedy for gifts; They do not judge the case of the orphan, And the widow's cause never reaches them. TNK Isaiah 1:25 I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. NIV Isaiah 2:1 The thing that Isaiah the son of A'moz visioned concerning Judah and Jerusalem: NWT Insight into modern day meanings for Judah and Jerusalem in a spiritual sense is provided by what they meant to ancient Israel. Judah was the tribe and people through which ruler ship was channeled for all of Israel according to Gods covenant. Its counterpart in modern times would be those of the anointed remnant through which Gods guidance on earth would be administered toward his people including those gentiles who obtain stewardship among his people. Jerusalem represents an entire community of people who accept worship of Jehovah as their focal core. In their midst (among) Jerusalem is to be found Gods house (his temple), Gods anointed people. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Do YOU not know that YOU people are God's temple, and that the spirit of God dwells in YOU? NWT 1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? NIV 1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not see that you are God's holy house, and that the Spirit of God has his place in you? BBE

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Isaiah 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the end of days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established as the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. JPS [Mountains in scripture symbolize governmental centers, similar to how we would view capital cities in our day. This passage indicates that there would be a stream of people from all nations which would recognize Gods Kingdom and gravitate to his divine ruler ship.] Isaiah 2:3 many peoples will come to it and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths.' For the Law will issue from Zion and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. NJB Isaiah 2:5 O men of the house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of Jehovah. NWT Isaiah prophetically implores Gods people (Israel, the house of Jacob) to walk in Jehovahs light (truth) alone. This precludes placing their trust in men and following them instead of God. Isaiah 2:11 The haughty eyes of earthling man must become low, and the loftiness of men must bow down; and Jehovah alone must be put on high in that day. NWT Isaiah 2:22 Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? NIV Isaiah 3:1 For, lo, the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, Is turning aside from Jerusalem, And from Judah, stay and staff, Every stay of bread, and every stay of water. YLT Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah itself has fallen, because their tongue and their dealings are against Jehovah, in behaving rebelliously in the eyes of his glory. NWT

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Isaiah 3:9 Their complacency bears witness against them, they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not conceal it, all the worse for them, for they have hatched their own downfall. NJB Isaiah 3:12 Children oppress my people, and women rule over them. O my people, can't you see what fools your rulers are? They are leading you down a pretty garden path to destruction. NLT Isaiah 3:13 The LORD rises to accuse, standing to try his people. NAB Isaiah 3:14 Jehovah into judgment doth enter With elders of His people, and its heads: 'And ye, ye have consumed the vineyard, Plunder of the poor is in your houses.
YLT

Isaiah 3:15 By what right are you crushing my people, and putting a bitter yoke on the necks of the poor? This is the word of the Lord, the Lord of armies. BBE Isaiah 3:25 Your men will be put to the sword, and your men of war will come to destruction in the fight. BBE Isaiah 4:3 And it must occur that the ones remaining in Zion and the ones left over in Jerusalem will be said to be holy to him, everyone written down for life in Jerusalem.
NWT

Isaiah 5:3 And now, citizens of Jerusalem and people of Judah, I ask you to judge between me and my vineyard. NJB The house of Israel (his people, out of all the human family) is described as a vine planted by Jehovah. Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of Jehovah of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and

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he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry. ASV Hosea 10:1 "Israel is a degenerating vine. Fruit he keeps putting forth for himself. In proportion to the abundance of his fruit he has multiplied [his] altars. In proportion to the goodness of his land, they put up good pillars. NWT Jeremiah 2:21 And as for me, I had planted you as a choice red vine, all of it a true seed. So how have you been changed toward me into the degenerate [shoots] of a foreign vine?' NWT Isaiah 5:4 What is there yet to do for my vineyard that I have not already done in it? Why is it that I hoped for it to produce grapes, but it gradually produced wild grapes? NWT Isaiah 5:5 Now this is what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will tear down its fences and let it be destroyed. I will break down its walls and let the animals trample it. NLT Isaiah 5:6 Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. NAB Isaiah 5:13 Therefore my people are led away captive from lack of knowledge, and their nobility die of famine, and their multitude are parched with thirst. DBY Isaiah 5:15 In that day the arrogant will be brought down to the dust; the proud will be humbled. NLT Isaiah 5:18,19 Woe to those drawing error with ropes of untruth, and as with wagon cords sin;:19 those who are saying: "Let his work hasten; do let it come quickly, in order that we may see [it]; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know [it]!" NWT

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Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who are saying that good is bad and bad is good, those who are putting darkness for light and light for darkness, those who are putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! NWT Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who think themselves wise and believe themselves enlightened. NJB Isaiah 5:22 Woe to those who are mighty in drinking wine, and to the men with vital energy for mixing intoxicating liquor, NWT Isaiah is not talking about literal wine and literal intoxicating liquor. (see Isa. 29:9,13), where he clarifies who he is referring to in the above verse and how they are identified) Isaiah 29:9 Linger, YOU men, and be amazed; blind yourselves, and be blinded. They have become intoxicated, but not with wine; they have moved unsteadily, but not because of intoxicating liquor. NWT Isaiah 29:13 And Jehovah says: "For the reason that this people have come near with their mouth, and they have glorified me merely with their lips, and they have removed their heart itself far away from me, and their fear toward me becomes men's commandment that is being taught, NWT The ones at Isa.5:22 who are mighty in energy fordrinking wine, and mixing intoxicating liquor are those teaching, and promoting a manmade intoxicating mixture of truth and falsehood. Isaiah further describes them; Isaiah 5:23 Who for a reward give support to the cause of the sinner, and who take away the righteousness of the upright from him. BBE

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Isaiah 5:23 They take bribes to pervert justice. They let the wicked go free while punishing the innocent. NLT However his displeasure is not confined merely to the leaders and teachers among his people. The people in general who have willingly embraced their adulterated doctrines share in their guilt. Isaiah 5:25 For this reason the wrath of the Lord has been burning against his people, and his hand has been stretched out against them in punishment, and the hills were shaking, and their dead bodies were like waste in the open places of the town. BBE Isaiah 5:24 Therefore, they will all disappear like burning straw. Their roots will rot and their flowers wither, for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty. They have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. NLT An angel then reveals to Isaiah what reaction he can expect of the people to whom he delivers his message from god; Isaiah 6:9 And he went on to say: "Go, and you must say to this people, 'Hear again and again, O men, but do not understand; and see again and again, but do not get any knowledge.' NWT Isaiah 6:10 Harden the hearts of these people. Close their ears, and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn to me for healing." NLT Isaiah understands his mission and how the people will receive what he has been charged to tell them. His frustration connected with this raises a question which receives an immediate reply from Jehovah. Isaiah 6:11,12 Then I said, "Lord, how long must I do this?" And he (Jehovahs angel) replied, "Until their cities are destroyed, with no one left in them. Until their houses are deserted and the whole country is an utter wasteland. NLT

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Or as another version states; Isaiah 6:11,12. Then I said, "Lord, ahow long?" And He answered, "Until bcities are devastated and without inhabitant, Houses are without people And the land is utterly desolate,:12 "The LORD has aremoved men far away, And the 1bforsaken places are many in the midst of the land.NAU Yet we are then told that while this applies to 90 percent, of his people, there is 10 percent left which will be further refined with only a small seed remaining. Isaiah 6:13 And there will still be in it a tenth, and it must again become something for burning down, like a big tree and like a massive tree in which, when there is a cutting down [of them], there is a stump; a holy seed will be the stump of it." NWT Or as other translations put it; Isaiah 6:13 And yet there <1> shall be a tenth upon it, and again it shall be for a spoil, as a turpentine tree, and as an acorn when it falls out of its husk. {1) Gr. is} LXE Isaiah 6:13 And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land." NIV With this answer Isaiah is told his is not a short term mission, rather one which would not end until Jehovahs will was fully accomplished in connection with his people. Yet, the verse contains hope for it speaks of a tenth part which will survive under further testing and remain as a Holy seed to re grow the tree. This suggestion of a holy remnant and the explanation in connection with it is what a great deal of the rest of Isaiahs prophecy is about. Since this chapter is primarily concerned with what Jehovah God views as shortcomings among his people, the subject of that surviving seed and the hope it promises will be dealt with in a later chapter.

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Gods expresses how he views his people through the prophet Ezekiels words: The prophet Ezekiel also has a great deal to say about the things Jehovah finds objectionable among his people. After being shown a vision helping him understand Gods heavenly administration, Ezekiel receives his message from Jehovah; Ezekiel 2:3 And he went on to say to me: "Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to rebellious nations that have rebelled against me. They themselves and their forefathers have transgressed against me down to this selfsame day. NWT Ezekiel 2:4 and these children are impudent and hardhearted: I am sending thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah. DBY Ezekiel 2:7 You are to deliver my words to them whether they listen or not, for they are a tribe of rebels. NJB Ezekiel 3:4 And he continued saying to me: "Son of man, go, enter in among the house of Israel, and you must speak with my words to them. NWT Ezekiel 3:7 but the House of Israel will not listen to you because it will not listen to me. The whole House of Israel is defiant and obstinate. NJB Ezekiel 3:10 Then he added, "Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. NLT Ezekiel 3:11 then go to your exiled countrymen and talk to them. Say to them, "Lord Yahweh says this," whether they listen or not.' NJB

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Ezekiel 5:5 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: This is an illustration of what will happen to Jerusalem. I placed her at the center of the nations, NLT Ezekiel 5:12 A third of you-by the pestilence they will die, and by famine they will come to their end in the midst of you. And another third-by the sword they will fall all around you. And the [last] third I shall scatter even to every wind, and a sword is what I shall draw out after them. NWT Ezekiel 5:13 And my anger will certainly come to its finish and I will appease my rage on them and comfort myself; and they will have to know that I myself, Jehovah, have spoken in my insistence on exclusive devotion, when I bring my rage to its finish upon them. NWT or as another version relate; Ezekiel 5:13 I shall sate my anger and bring my fury to rest on them until I am avenged; and when I have sated my fury on them, then they will know that I, Yahweh, spoke out of jealousy for you. NJB In this verse we find a key clue as to what he sees as the root of their offense is in his eyes. He says they will have to know about his insistence on exclusive devotion (jealousy or zeal,). A careful reading discloses his zeal (jealousy) is not about them but for his own name and their respect for it) Then, Jehovahs word turns to the leaders among his people: Ezekiel 6:2 "Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel and prophesy to them. NWT (Mountains in scripture denote governing authorities) Ezekiel 6:3 You mountains of Israel, give ear to the words of the Lord: this is what the Lord has said to the mountains and the hills, to the waterways and the valleys: See,

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I, even I, am sending on you a sword for the destruction of your high places. BBE Ezekiel 7:3 Now the end is upon you, and I must send my anger against you, and I will judge you according to your ways and bring upon you all your detestable things.
NWT

Then Ezekiel affords us insight on those among his people (Jerusalem) who would be deemed worthy of preservation in the face of his forthcoming destruction. Ezekiel 9:4 And Jehovah went on to say to him: "Pass through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and you must put a mark on the foreheads of the men that are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done in the midst of it." NWT Ezekiel 9:6 Kill them all -- old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin your task right here at the Temple." So they began by killing the seventy leaders. NLT Ezekiel 9:7 He said to them, 'Defile the Temple; fill the courts with corpses; then go out!' They went out and hacked their way through the city. NJB A number of significant and noteworthy points of interest appear in the preceding group of verses; 1. That there are some among the people who do not love it that way, for there are the ones who are sighing and groaning over the religiously detestable things they see going on in the midst of their own people. (Jerusalem) 2. They are the only ones mentioned by Ezekiel to be exempt from the executioners work by reason of the mark on their foreheads (their thinking). They do not think as the rest do in complacently accepting the ways of their wayward leaders.

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3. The executioners work begins with the leadership. 4. There is no mention or allusion made that the killing of their leaders would awaken the rest of the people to repent and be saved from the slaughter forthcoming upon them. Also, the reader should be aware there are two kinds of death in Jehovahs vernacular. There is literal, physical death and there is spiritual death. Jesus alluded to this at Matthew 10:28 And do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Ge-hen'na. NWT Matthew 10:28 'And be not afraid of those killing the body, and are not able to kill the soul, but fear rather Him who is able both soul and body to destroy in gehenna. YLT As he sees the work of Gods executioners progressing, Ezekiel has another question; Ezekiel 9:8 While they were hacking them down, I was left alone; I fell on my face, crying out, 'Ah, Lord Yahweh, are you going to annihilate all that is left of Israel by venting your fury on Jerusalem?' NJB Then he writes; Ezekiel 9:9 He answered me: The sins of the house of Israel are great beyond measure; the land is filled with bloodshed, the city with lawlessness. They think that the LORD has forsaken the land, that he does not see them. NAB Ezekiel 9:10 So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done." Ezekiels prophetic vision continues;

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NIV

Ezekiel 11:1 Then the Spirit lifted me and brought me over to the east gateway of the LORD's Temple, where I saw twenty-five prominent men of the city. Among them were Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders among the people. NLT Or as another version states; Ezekiel 11:1 And a spirit proceeded to lift me (Ezekiel) up and bring me to the eastern gate of the house of Jehovah that is facing eastward, and, look! in the entrance of the gate there were twenty-five men, and I got to see in the midst of them Ja-az-a-ni'ah the son of Az'zur and Pel-a-ti'ah the son of Be-nai'ah, princes of the people. NWT Pelatiah son of Benaiah, - A prince (sarim) of the people whom Ezekiel (in Babylon) pictures as `devising mischief' and giving `wicked counsel' in Jerusalem. He is represented as falling dead while Ezekiel prophesies (Ezekiel 11:1, 13). Jaazaniah son of Azzur - (whom Jehovah hears). Jaazaniah (= Azariah) among them, left Judah with the remnant, and took up their abode in Egypt. (Jaazaniah was a brother of Hannaniah the false prophet against Jeremiah). Little else is known other than he too was a prince (sarim) among his people and one of the nations prominent counselors. Of those men and the types they would represent in the future Jehovah explains to Ezekiel; Ezekiel 11:2 He said to me, 'Son of man, these are the wicked schemers who are spreading their bad advice through this city. NJB Ezekiel 11:3 They say to the people, 'Is it not a good time to build houses? Our city is like an iron pot. Inside it we will be like meat -- safe from all harm. NLT

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This is not an admonition to their people to simply build houses for themselves, rather an encouragement to build them within their (the twenty five mens) religious domain, (Jerusalem). There is where they are told the prospect of safety may be found. These wicked schemers are not promoting Jehovah as a haven for safety. They are promoting the City itself and their own protective pot as the haven. Perhaps the people are even being encouraged to build houses for the twenty five. If you do this for us, you will be like meat inside of a pot, safe from all harm Of course they fail to consider the one who can turn up the fire and cook the meat inside. Ezekiel 11:4 "Therefore prophesy against them. Prophesy, O son of man." NWT When Ezekiel is told to Prophecy against them we may assume it is a continuation of his declaration against the leadership of his people in a primary sense and also his people in general in a secondary sense. Ezekiel 11:5 The spirit of Yahweh fell on me, and he said to me, 'Say, "Yahweh says this: I know what you are saying, House of Israel, I know how insolent you are. NJB Ezekiel 11:6 You have filled this city with more and more of your victims; you have strewn its streets with victims. NJB Ezekiel 11:7 "Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: The bodies you have thrown there are the meat and this city is the pot, but I will drive you out of it. NIV Ezekiel 11:15 Son of man, your countrymen, your relations, and all the children of Israel, all of them, are those to whom the people of Jerusalem have said, Go far from the Lord; this land is given to us for a heritage: BBE There is another interesting element introduced here. Those whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have rejected are still consid-ered kinsmen of those still in Jerusalem. This may be either referring to those in other cities voluntarily or to those who have been expelled from Jerusalem, more than likely, unjustly. They are referred to as exiles. If we are to take meaning from the word exile itself, we find the following; The exile may refer to any people forced or who volunteer to leave their

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traditional home-lands, so that the exile could be a deportee, diaspora refugee, and or an emigrant. Ezekiel 11:16 Therefore, give the exiles this message from the Sovereign LORD: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. NLT Ezekiel 11:16 So say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Yes, I have sent them far away among the nations and I have dispersed them to foreign countries; and for a while I have been a sanctuary for them in the country to which they have gone." NJB Ezekiel 11:17 "Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel." NKJ So Ezekiel gives us a hint that these people who were isolated from Jerusalem while still having Jehovah as their sanctuary would be among the ones who will be given all the lands of Israel. (Note; not only Jerusalem, but all the lands of Israel) Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I shall put inside them; and I shall certainly remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
NWT

Ezekiel 11:20 in order that they may walk in my own statutes and keep my own judicial decisions and actually carry them out; and they may really become my people and I myself may become their God." NWT Therein he describes those who would really become his people, implying that they were less than that previously. In contrast, those not accepting the new heart and remaining obstinate, whether original inhabitants of Jerusalem or those restored to the soil of Israel will receive Jehovahs recompense.

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Ezekiel 11:21 "'"But as for those whose heart is walking in their disgusting things and their detestable things, upon their head I shall certainly bring their own way," is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. NWT Now, Ezekiel addresses the exiles in their land of exile; Ezekiel 11:24 And a spirit itself lifted me up and finally brought me to Chal-de'a to the exiled people, in the vision by the spirit of God; and the vision that I had seen went ascending from upon me. NWT Ezekiel 11:25 Then I gave an account to those who had been taken prisoners of all the things which the Lord had made me see. BBE Ezekiel 12:1 And the word of Jehovah continued to occur to me, saying: NWT For Ezekiels own comfort as well as for prophetic insight, Jehovah then speaks these words to him. Ezekiel 12:2 "Son of man, you live among rebels who could see the truth if they wanted to, but they don't want to. They could hear me if they would listen, but they won't listen because they are rebellious. NLT Or as other translations put it; Ezekiel 12:2 "Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people. NIV Ezekiel 12:2 "Son of man, in the midst of a rebellious house is where you are dwelling, that have eyes to see but they actually do not see, that have ears to hear but they actually do not hear, for they are a rebellious house. NWT

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The reference to the truth in the New Living Translation at Ezekiel 12:2 (above) mentally transfers us to a place in the Greek scriptures where it addresses the importance truth plays in Jehovahs basis for judging his people at the very end of the last days. 2 (Thess 2:9) because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. NWT) 2 Thessalonians 2:1 However, brothers, respect-ing the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of YOU . . . NWT When Paul addresses brothers and our being gathered to him (Christ), he is not speaking to a general audience. The warning and these words are being directed to Christs (and Pauls) brothers. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 not to be quickly shaken from YOUR reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. NWT 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one seduce YOU (his brothers) in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. NWT 2 Thessalonians 2:4 He is set in opposition and lifts himself up over everyone who is called "god" or an object of reverence, so that he sits down in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god. NJB 2 Thessalonians 2:4 the Enemy, who raises himself above every so-called God or object of worship to enthrone himself in God's sanctuary and flaunts the claim that he is God. NWT 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence. NLT 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, whom the Lord

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Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. NWT 2 Thessalonians 2:9 But the lawless one's presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents 10 and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. NWT Notice the reason given as to why they are perishing? Please read the verse again and allow the full meaning to sink in. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. NWT The truth, referred to here is not a body of doctrine held by any particular religious group or organization. It is speaking about the truth of Gods word and of Jesus which was handed down to true Christians as a legacy for their posterity. John 14:6 Jesus said to him: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. NWT John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. NIV John 17:17 Sanctify (Greek hagiazo - set apart for sacred use or make holy); them by means of the truth; your word is truth. BBE John 17:17 Make them holy by the true word: your word is the true word. NWT Continuing with Pauls words, we see him explain the conse-quences for not loving truth. 2 Thessalonians 2: 11 So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie,

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Because they are willing to accept untruth, possibly even prefer-ring it over truth, God allows an operation of error to exist in their minds. Most translations render this as a delusion rather than an operation of error. While their word meanings are very similar, a delusion perhaps describes more vividly, what it is that God allows. He allows them to delude themselves. 2 Thessalonians 2: 12 in order that they all may be judged (Reason why they are they judged?) -because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness. NWT In this verse we see explicitly a basis for judging his own people in the time of the end. They have embraced untruthful doctrines formulated by others than himself. In Pauls writings to the Thessalonians, we also find another major reason for judgment against Gods people in the time of the end abd that is apostasy Paul himself predicted a noteworthy apostasy among Christians in the time of the end, just as Jesus had also foretold as a part of his sign of the end at (Mat 24:10-12) Matthew 24:10 "At that time <5119> many <4183> will fall <4624> away <4624> and will betray <3860> one <240> another <240> and hate <3404> one <240> another <240>.
NAU

Paul said this great apostasy; would precede the day of the Lord which sets it close to the final days. (2Th_2:2,3). 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition, NAB 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, NKJ

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The Bible definition of apostasy is one of falling away, defection or abandonment. Yet there remains an unanswered question. That is; in the time of the end, in Bible terms, what kind of falling away or defection would constitute apostasy in Gods eyes? Would this relate to those who perhaps raised contentions within their various religious organizations and were excomm-unicated or castoff for such reasons? Is it apostasy when one questions the teachings of ones own religion? Is it apostasy if one takes a stand against teachings of ones own religious organization? These are questions requiring scriptural answers. When Jesus disagreed with the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew the 23rd chapter and he soundly criticized them, was that apostasy on his part? From their standpoint, it may have seemed so, for in their day they viewed themselves as Gods rightly appointed authority. Yet from Gods standpoint those scribes and Pharisees were the ones seen as the apostates, for they had forsaken his word of truth and abandoned him by overriding it with their own doctrines and teachings. When Peter and others appeared before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin, after clearly having disobeyed their orders, was such disobedience to be considered an act of Apostasy? At the time, that Jewish counsel was held to be the legitimate ruling religious authority both in the nation and in the minds of their Jewish contemporaries. Yet, Peter and those others refused to obey them. Why? The answer is given by the defendants themselves. Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. NKJ Or as another version put it; Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. NRS In that response lies the recognition of a higher authority. That is the principal of loyalty and obedience to the ultimate and supreme authority, Jehovah God himself. This superseded any demand men would impose on them. That is, any demand which might be contrary to Gods will. This is called relative obedience. It means a thing having a relation to or

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connection with or necessary depend-ence upon something or someone else. In this case the exception that was relative was a higher subjection to Gods authority, which was above the authority of any man. In this principal, that is; holding God as the highest authority lies the true definition of what constitutes the Bibles version of apostasy. Bible Apostasy is, simply stated, a defection or falling away from God and his son Jesus Christ. Going beyond that simple definition, places one in the danger of distorting the fundamental truth behind Biblical apostasy. Is straying from a true teaching or adding an untrue teaching apostasy? Not in the sense of the exact scriptural meaning conveyed in both the O.T. and the N.T. That is not to say that the Bible gives any approval whatsoever to any form of teaching which subverts Gods own idea of what truth is. The Bible contains the thoughts of Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ as conveyed by the Apostles and prophets. Ample warning is given not to add or to detract from that inspired word. 1 Corinthians 4:6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. ESV Galatians 1:8 Let God's curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. NLT However, while such going beyond true teaching constitutes a sin, yet by definition it cannot be classified as Apostasy. There may be no doubt that the act of either adding to, or subtracting from gods pure word of truth is something detestable to God. While false teaching in any form is closely related to Apostasy and may ultimately be a major contributor to apostasy, in itself it is not apostasy. We must not make the mistake of substituting words with different meanings for one another. The words false teacher and false prophet mean exactly what they say and imply. The word apostate also means

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exactly what it implies; Leaving or forsaking God almighty and his true worship. Hence, we have in the final part of the days false teaching and false prophecy, widely prevalent as an integral part of this great apostasy which was predicted to occur before the demise of Satans system of things on the earth. Such teachings are often cloaked in legitimacy by combining them with elements of truth, for it has been said, the most effective lie is one which most closely resembles truth. Still, we know the Bible principal a little leaven spoils the whole lump enters in to the mix when truth is leavened with falsehood. What shape and form do false teachings and false prophecies take during this Time of the end, and what is their purpose? False teachings are found in the forms of individual teachings or even minor false hoods in connection with Gods word, and in a larger form where whole bodies of teachings form a pattern which distorts Gods word. It is almost like in some instances, a few ideas in any small town are found distorted or in error, while in other cases, the whole town, even the whole countries ideas or teachings may be distorted. In trying to understand the impact and magnitude of such false teachings and of false prophecy in our time, let us spend a few moments redefining what a false prophet is and also what constitutes a false teacher in Bible terms. False prophets: A prophet is one who speaks or communicates Gods thoughts to humans. Often he or she speaks of things before they happen. However, in New Testament terms, a prophet may also be one who speaks Gods thoughts to humans as they have been revealed to them by God through his spirit or his written word. In either instance the true prophet does not make up or use their own thoughts and convey them as if they are Gods. Neither does he present anyone elses thoughts as if they emanated from God. By contrast a false prophet is different in that he has not been authorized by God nor is he endorsed by God. The Bible gives distinct ways to recognize whether a prophet has been sent by God or not.

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Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh and the thing does not happen and the word is not fulfilled, then it has not been said by Yahweh. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. You have nothing to fear from him.' NJB Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, that shall speak a word presumptuously in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.' JPS The fact that a prophet may claim to be speaking Gods mind or Gods words does not mean he actually is. Precedents concerning Gods people and their prophets in the past are preserved for us to learn from. The prophet Jeremiah was speaking Gods thoughts directly to Gods own people in ancient times. More than a few Bible scholars see Jeremiahs prophecy as foreshadowing events in the time of the end. Jeremiah 14:14 And Jehovah went on to say to me: "Falsehood is what the prophets are prophesying in my name. I have not sent them, nor have I commanded them or spoken to them. A false vision and divination and a valueless thing and the trickiness of their heart they are speaking prophetically to YOU people. NWT Jeremiah 23:15 Therefore this is what Jehovah of armies has said against the prophets: "Here I am making them eat wormwood, and I will give them poisoned water to drink. For from the prophets of Jerusalem apostasy has gone forth to all the land." NWT Another version states it this way; Jeremiah 23:15 This is what Jehovah of Hosts says about the prophets; The prophets of Jerusalem have spread godlessness throughout the land. NSB Similar thoughts were echoed by Jeremiah in the book of Lamentations.

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Lamentations 2:14 The visions which your prophets have seen for you are false and foolish; they have not made clear to you your sin so that your fate might be changed: but they have seen for you false words, driving you away. BBE False Teachers: How the about false teachers, who are shown by the Bible to play a prominent part in the advancement of apostasy during the time of the end? What forms do their teachings take? And what clues does the bible give us to help us in recognizing them? The first clues to understanding what a false teacher is are given by citing verses which identify what constitutes true teachings; 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. NLT Teachers of truth ground their teachings in the inspired word of truth, the Bible. Does this mean that every word they say literally comes from the Bible? No but the thoughts and ideas they express are confirmed by the Bible and contradictions to those expressions do not occur when the bible is used as the scale upon which their words are weighed. Acts 2:42 And they kept their attention fixed on the Apostles' teaching and were united together in the taking of broken bread and in prayer. BBE True teachers focus on and teach what Jesus Christ and his Apostles handed down through the Bible. By way of contrast, the next scripture helps identify false teachers and their teachings; 1 Timothy 6:3 Anyone who teaches anything different and does not keep to the sound teaching which is that of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine which is in accordance with true religion, NJB

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False teachers either simply ignore teachings of Christ or they are inclined to distort them by amplifying/stretching them, or they neutralize his teachings by minimizing or shrinking them. Matthew 5:19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ESV 2 John 1:9 If anybody does not remain in the teaching of Christ but goes beyond it, he does not have God with him: only those who remain in what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them. NJB False teachers, while sometimes teaching the ways of Christ, are often found to be inconsistent. While teaching some truths, they wander away from real truth by going beyond the pure and truthful teachings of Christ. Mark 7:13 You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things." NAB False teachers nullify (neutralize) the word of God by promoting traditions of men as equal to, or on a higher level than Gods own teachings from the Bible. 2 Timothy 4:3 The time is sure to come when people will not accept sound teaching, but their ears will be itching for anything new and they will collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; NJB False teachers tickle the ears of their hearers by telling them what they want to hear and by giving them what their desires may be. Both the prophet Jeremiah and the apostle Paul alluded to this practice. (See Jer. 6:14, 7:4 and 2 Ti 4:3,4)

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What is the ultimate goal of false teachers and false prophets? Simply stated they are engineers of Apostasy. Their role is to lay the foundations for apostasy. A key to identifying that goal and its source is found at 1 Ti. 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall apostatize from the faith, giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons DBY Through their falsehoods, these false teachers and prophets serve the interests of Satan the devil. During the latter time, in which we live, it is his goal to get all humans to apostatize, that is leave, or defect from Jehovah God and follow him instead. While most false teachers and false prophets may not even be aware of it themselves, their service is useful to Satan in distracting followers and future followers by blinding them as to the real truth and meanings contained in Gods word. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Because the god of this world has made blind the minds of those who have not faith, so that the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not be shining on them. BBE This blinding of the mind is done to either prevent one from having a good future relationship with Jehovah and faith in his son Jesus Christ, or in order to undermine their faith in any relationship one may presently have. All this is aimed at getting as many as possible, even anointed Christians to apostatize. (Leave Jehovah and his son Jesus). This was the Devils strategy in the Garden of Eden; this was the Devils goal all through the entire history of the nation of Israel, and especially when they were in Gods favor. And this is the goal of the Devil during this time of the end. To accomplish his goal, the master deceiver, Satan will not hesitate in using individuals, groups of individuals or entire religious organizations. A primary way for him to succeed in this is by channeling admiration and worship away from the true God and redirecting it toward someone or something other than Jehovah and pure worship. Satan is well aware

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that Jehovah God demands exclusive devotion. He will use this knowledge to entrap billions by using their own lack of faith and trust in their God. Deuteronomy 5:9 You must not bow down to them or be led to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, NWT Or as another version states; Deuteronomy 5:9 Do not bow down to them. Do not serve them! For I Jehovah your God am a totally demanding zealous God. I require exclusive devotion and punish the fathers and children who hate me to the third and fourth generation. NSB If he can even get evenone believer to give equal devotion to another entity, even in a small way, he can argue it constitutes a lack of faith and disloyalty on that believers part. He knows Jehovah, as a God of justice has no choice but to visit the consequences of lack of such faith on that believer. Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This means the second death." NWT Therein lies the real meaning behind the apostasy spoken of by Paul at 2nd Cor.2:3 in the last days. It is falling away from true worship, as revealed in Gods inspired word of truth and a falling away from exclusive devotion to the true God Jehovah. It is an apostasy from Jehovah in the sense that followers who he con- siders to be his very own possession are actually placing men and their manmade concepts on a level equal with him or superior to him. Men are impregnating his pure and inspired word of truth with their own doctrines which they themselves teach as the word of God. This is both blasphemy and idolatry, and both are truly abominations in the eyes of Jehovah God.

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Just how extensive this apostasy would be in the last days is not disclosed in specific terms in the bible. There are however verses which provide hints as to how far reaching the work of false teachers and false prophets would extend. Also, we do have direct testimony as to how far reaching the influence of Satan the Devil would extend. 1 John 5:19 We are certain that we are of God, but all the world is in the power of the Evil One. BBE 2 Peter 2:1 As there were false prophets in the past history of our people, so you too will have your false teachers, who will insinuate their own disruptive views and, by disowning the Lord who bought them freedom, will bring upon themselves speedy destruction. NJB From this verse we may make the following observations about the Last days: 1. You too applies to the congregation of Christian followers which in the last days would be worldwide. 2. Will have states certainty as does will insinuate there is no room left for doubt or mere possibility, the certainty of the false teachers is beyond question, and they will insinuate. (insinuate; to instill or infuse subtly or artfully, as into the mind) 3. It will be their own disruptive views these false teachers will insinuate into congregations earth wide. This takes the fulfillment of this prophecy beyond that of any mere local voice with a limited ability to affect relatively few people. It requires a false teacher with an earth wide reach to influence a worldwide audience of many nations and languages. Matthew 24:24 For there will come up false Christs, and false prophets, who will do great signs and wonders; so that if possible even the saints might be tricked. BBE Or as another version puts it;

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false Christs will arise, and false prophets, and will show great signs and wonders; so that, if {it were} possible, they would deceive the very elect. WEB From this verse, we may add the following observations; 1. We are told that deceivers would take on the guise of false Christs. In what sense? In the sense they that would project themselves as a means of salvation, a role exclusively reserved to the real Christ as Jehovahs savior. 2. There would be those whose predictions would be proven to be untrue, thereby identifying them as false prophets. 3. That these purveyors of falsehood would perform great signs and wonders of such a spectacular nature that the possibility of deceiving the very elect even exists, testifies to the magnitude of their power and influence. The term; elect or saints is not describing an individual or some small local group of people. The Elect represents only humans who are in a very special relationship with Jesus and his father Jehovah. They are located throughout the four ends of the earth. These are not novices with little or no scriptural knowledge. They are fully developed Christians who have been called by God to follow in the footsteps of his son Christ Jesus. More about the effectiveness of signs and wonders Jesus himself used signs and wonders to demonstrate that he had Gods spirit and power. John 4:48 Then Jesus said to him, You will not have faith if you do not see signs and wonders. BBE Jehovah also used signs and wonders to impress his followers as well as his enemies. Daniel 4:2 The signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed with me, it has seemed good to me to declare. NWT

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Signs and wonders which some would describe as things being miraculous in nature would in the very least consist of things which humans would be very impressed with. This is not the work of small voices with limited influence or exposure. Those with the ability to perform signs and wonders on a global scale more aptly fit ones with widespread influence, even worldwide influence. The falsehoods they spread are wide reaching and deeply entrenched. They are not easily seen and they are even more difficult to overcome. What then is a Christian to do? How does a lover of truth defend himself from an unseen enemy with seemingly unlimited resources and the ability to perform great and impressive works? How does one avoid an enemy fully intent on deceiving a true follower and leading him or her into apostasy? If you have read up to this point, you have a comprehensive idea of what Jehovah Gods issues were in the past and what they are concerning his people in this time of the end. You also know that his word indicates there would be those persons he would see fit to preserve by means of his undeserved kindness. Where does this leave honest hearted individuals who want to worship him in Spirit and Truth? The formula for such survival is really quite attainable for a person who realizes answers lie in gaining knowledge from the Bible and acquiring the mind of Christ which reflects the mind of his father perfectly. John 17:3 And this is the way to have eternal life-- to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
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The Bible is the book which contains Jehovah Gods thoughts. The Bible is Gods book, preserved down to our day so that we might have comfort through the scriptures. It is the sword of the spirit. It contains the spirit of truth Jesus spoke of at John 15:26. This is the place to turn to for guidance and direction rather than to the thoughts of men. While men who espouse Gods word should be listened to, at least to that extent to which they convey Gods thinking, and not their own, this is no substitute for reading, personally studying and heartfelt prayer, when applied to the Holy Word of God. Gods inspired word has the power to speak to us personally in ways we need to know him and to please him.

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Here are seven reminders from the Bible which will help the scriptures speak to us as individuals; 1. Remember, All scripture is inspired by God . . . . (2 Timothy 3:16) 2. Trust in Jehovah with all your heart. . . . . (Proverbs 3:5) 3. Never trust men rather than God . . . . (Jeremiah 17:5) 4. Listen to the spirit of truth. . . . John 15:26. . . (Even if it only whispers to you.) 5. Apply the Two witness rule to your Bible understanding . . . (2 Corinthians 13:1) 6. Pray! - About anything and everything . . .(1 Thessalonians 5:17) . . Keep on praying. 7. Always remember, Gods will is none should be lost . . . . (2 Ti 2:4) and that all should come to an accurate knowledge of truth If we apply these seven scriptural suggestions in our lives, while exercising faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ and worship Jehovah God in Spirit and Truth, we may have every confidence our loving God will count us worthy of survival. The next chapter will examine in detail just what Gods own viewpoint is concerning those traits and qualifications in his people which he deems necessary for their survival and preservation for life in his earthly paradise; a paradise which he promises will come in the not too distant future.

[CLICK HERE for TABLE OF CONTENTS]

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CHAPTER EIGHT
WHAT GOD LIKES ABOUT HIS PEOPLE DURING THIS TIME OF THE END
Whats right about Gods people? The previous chapter entitled My people have loved it that way dealt with what the scriptures disclose as problems God sees within the community of those he considers to be his own people. It pointed out that God has a contention (a court case) against his people as a collective body. It established that this contention was one with judgmental implications, and has a bearing on how he sees people both individually and collectively in their future relationships with them. Despite what the Bible discloses about the sad state of his people in general in the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the Bible also speaks of a deliverance Jehovah promises for a remnant consisting of those he deems worthy of being counted as his people Ezekiel 37:21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, whither they are gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: ASV Isaiah 10:22 Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand by the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming and righteous. NIV Ezekiel 37:22 I shall make them into one nation in the country, on the mountains of Israel, and one king is to be king of them all; they will no longer form two nations, nor be two separate kingdoms. NJB

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Ezekiel 37:23 They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. NIV Ezekiel 37:24 "'"And my servant David will be king over them, and one shepherd is what they will all come to have; and in my judicial decisions they will walk, and my statutes they will keep, and they will certainly carry them out. NWT Ezekiel 37:27 And my House will be over them; and I will be to them a God, and they will be to me a people. BBE In addition to setting out a clear cut hope for their future towards Israel as a chosen nation of people, the Bible paints an optimis-tic picture for certain individuals found outside of the camp of Israel. God is not prejudiced in that he should automatically exempt others from a future hope as well. The bible shows how simple to understand and how achievable his expectations for any human actually are. Acts 10:35 but that anybody of any nationality who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. NJB 1 John 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. ESV Mark 12:29-31 "Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.'31 The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'1 No other commandment is greater than these."NLT Ecclesiastes 12:13 The sum of the matter, when all is said and done: Revere God and observe His commandments! For this applies to all mankind: TNK

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The preceeding scriptrures form the principals upon which pleasing God is based. Any man, without exception, everywhere, who lives these principals, is acceptable to God. Yet there are specifics that serve as indicators these principals are being observed. This chapter deals with what the Bible discloses specifically about what God sees as being right about those persons who he considers to be his own people. It also touches on what adjust-ments must be made by those among his own people whom he has a contention with, in order for him to consider them worthy of survival for life under his kingdom arrangement. While we cant presume to read gods mind, we can explore what the Bible has to say about finding favor in Gods eyes. The Bibles view-point on this is critical for it discloses Jehovah Gods own thinking on an issue portending either life or death for us as members of the human family. The Bible tells us; Jehovah is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. Psalm 103:8 NWT The fact that God almighty is patient loving and merciful, is not to be taken presumptuously. We would be deluding ourselves if we were to presume he will not do exactly as he says in his inspired word, the Bible. Proverbs 11:2 Has presumptuousness come? Then dishonor will come; but wisdom is with the modest ones. NWT The Bible indicates while Jehovah is a God of love and is most merciful, he is also a God of justice and that he will not tolerate injustice, nor will he fail to punish those who ignore his authority and right of sovereignty. His demands and expectations as stated in the Bible are really quite simple. The principals behind these demands are summed up nicely for us in four verses in the Bible; Micah 6:8 He has told you, O earthling man, what is good. And what is Jehovah asking back from you but to exercise justice

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and to love kindness and to be modest in walking with your God? NWT Ecclesiastes 12:13 The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the [true] God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole [obligation] of man. NWT Deuteronomy 6:5 And you must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force. NWT 1 John 5:3 For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome. . . . . NWT Upon these four statements, hang all other scriptural indicators of what God expects of his people. These are the key reasons why humans may either please or displease God in their relationships with him. There is nothing in the Law of Moses, in the teachings of Jesus or in the words of the inspired prophets which cannot be found traceable to Gods expectations in these four verses. All other admonitions, commands suggestions etc. in the Bible are linkable to one or a combination of these four verses. Yet, while these demands upon humans can are stated very simply in scripture, they are by no means to be considered soft or flexible. These demands are not optional for the human family. They are mandatory and the continuation of human life as a species on the planet earth depends on our compliance with what Jehovah God demands of us. Deuteronomy 30:19 I do take the heavens and the earth as witnesses against YOU today, that I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction; and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive, you and your offspring, NWT GODS EXPECTATIONS: Let us determine what the Bible discloses regarding what Jehovah God expects of his human family in a number of different areas.

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Gods expectations for humans fall into two categories: 1. HUMANISTIC: (pertaining to human affairs, nature, welfare, and values.) Includes those standards given to humans which pertain to human beings as tenants on the earthly home they were given by God almighty. These include commands, stand-ards, regulations and suggestions; a. Designed to serve all human beings as a species as well as all persons individually, for their own benefit, blessing and protection. b. Designed to preserve the natural earth with its physical and ecological systems in such a way that it will provide a quality environment in which all living species may survive indefinitely. 2. SPIRITUAL: relating to and consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; physically intangible, not material, particularly of the things belonging to God or in the realm of God. This includes those personal desires and expectations God has in connection with any acceptible relationship human beings may have with their creator. Love, worship, exclusive devotion, loyalty and obedience are characteristics in humans which have the potential to afford their creator joy and satisfaction. These five qualities are representative of expectations God has of those who desire to be numbered among any people he considers to be his very own. How- ever, he can only derive his fullest satisfaction from these things if they are offered willingly, not under compulsion. Therefore, they remain functions of free choice among all his intelligent living beings. God entered into a covenant relationship with an ancient nation. A covenant is a contract or agreement, either between two parties or in the form of promise on the part of one party to live up to the terms of such

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an agreement. In ancient times, Jehovah God entered into such an agreement or covenant with a people he designated as Israel. That agreement was ratified during the time of Moses and contained terms which were stated as laws, governing his people. He would pour out blessings and provide for their every need if they in turn would afford him exclusive devotion and loyalty. Their adherence to these terms / conditions would assure their long term welfare and happiness while affording him joy and satisfaction as well. This set of terms under which they agreed to live by is known as the Mosaic Law. While the Mosaic Law is said to contain 613 Commandments, those given at Mount Sinai, inscribed on tablets of stone are the most widely known. Today we know them as the Ten Command- ments. (Exodus 20:3-17) These ten have become so widely known in every nook and cranny of the earth that even young children everywhere are able to recite them. An analysis of which of the above categories each of those Ten Commandments fall into individually, is revealing as to the nature of the laws and regulations God placed before his people as a nation, Israel,. While Christians are not in a strict sense under the mosaic code any longer, we know all scripture is inspired of God (2 Ti.3:16) and God never changes (Isaiah 43:10). Therefore, the principals behind these commandments are unchanged and remain significant to us in our own day. 1. Exodus 20:3 You shall not have other gods besides me. NAB This meant that humans should not venerate anything or anyone which they would afford Godlike status to other than Jehovah God himself. This commandment fell into the No 2. Category above. 2. Exodus 20:4,5,6 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. NIV :5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I the LORD your God am an impassioned God, visiting the guilt of the parents upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generations of those who reject Me,

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TNK:6

But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.NLT This command made it unequivocally clear that Jehovah would not tolerate idolatry, which meant venerating or bestowing glory on something or someone else, when it rightfully belonged to him. This also falls into the second category. 3. Exodus 20:7 "You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave the one unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way. NWT This commandment had to do with having respect for his name and the full meaning behind it. It implies the importance of appreciation for him and his provisions. This commandment has a great deal to do with the spiritual relationship man may have with his creator. We would appropriately place this into category two also. 4. Exodus 20: 8 -11. "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. NIB :9 Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, NLT:10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath for Yahweh your God. You shall do no work that day, neither you nor your son nor your daughter nor your servants, men or women, nor your animals nor the alien living with you. NJB :11 for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. ASV Here we have a commandment with both humanistic and spiritual dimensions. The human side assured men that no matter their circumstances, there would be a day of rest and relief from their daily burdens. The idea of the Sabbath as a time of rest or relief is embedded on a number of scriptural levels s. In addition to a weekly Sabbath, every seventh year there was a Sabbatical rest year (called Shemitah in Hebrew). Also, every seven cycles of seven yearsforty-nine years, the following year

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was designated a Jubilee time of complete rest. During these three Sabbatical cycles, people, animals, and even the land enjoyed exemption from the rigors of everyday life. (Exod. 23:1012; Lev. 25:455). With each of the seven feasts, God commanded the people to refrain from work. The Sabbath was created for mans enjoyment: And He (Jesu) said to them, The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). From the spiritual side, it provided a time during which men could contemplate, meditate and appreciate what Jehovah had so kindly given them during the previous days. They could focus on their relationship with their creator without external distractions. Commandments five through ten fall into the humanistic category. They focus on bringing benefits to one self or to other humans. 5. Exodus 20:12 'Honour thy father and thy mother, so that thy days are prolonged on the ground which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee. YLT The human relations ship of parenthood was important to God as it represented a model of his own relationship with the human family. Obedience to ones father and mother would certainly bring life sustaining benefits to a child of any age. 6. Exodus 20:13 Do not put anyone to death without cause. BBE Certainly this is easy to recognize as beneficial to preserving the species on earth and preservation of the individual as well. 7. Exodus 20:14 'You shall not commit adultery. NJB Obedience in this area would avoid all kinds of negative psychological ramifications , as well as maintain peace and harmony with in the family unit. 8. Exodus 20:15 Do not take the property of another.
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Doing so is obviously to the disadvantage of the other person. 9. Exodus 20:16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. NKJ Doing so would bring harm to the individual and be detrimental to the interests of the community as a whole. 10. Exodus 20:17 "You must not desire your fellowman's house. You must not desire your fellowman's wife, nor his slave man nor his slave girl nor his bull nor his ass nor anything that belongs to your fellowman." NWT This one, in protecting individual rights to the pursuit of happiness and joy of living attacks the root cause for practices which might deprive someone else of their happiness and security. What is of interest in this analysis is that of the Ten Command-ments, six, (# 5 thru#10) are directly related to benefitting humans in their relationship with each other. One (# 4) has both a human and a spiritual dimension. The first three (#1 #3) fit the Spiritual category, having to do with mans relationship with God. It may be appropriate that these three were placed first, because without correct observance of these, the others lose much of their effectiveness. When we examine the entire body of com-mandments given through Moses, we find the same pattern; a majority of regulations given the nation of Israel were specifically for their own benefit, some others were for a combination of spiritual and human benefit and still others were designed to bring Jehovah joy and satisfaction in regard to his creation. Further, when we examine the requirements Jesus set out for his own followers, we find a similar pattern. While he did not advocate or promote hundreds of laws as the Mosaic code did, the guiding principles he set out to humans were also mostly for their own benefit, having to do with their relationships with one another. This is not to say he did not stress those things which his father expected from his human family in its relationship with him.

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The guiding principles Jesus set forth were things which would apply to every human occupant on the face of this planet. They would contribute to peace between individuals and their fellow humans as well as harmony with the physical earth as a planet. The things Jesus stressed in connection with worship of the one he referred as my God and your God (John 20:17), were the things his father was looking for in a people. It is by examining these areas that we can determine who Jehovah would recognize as a people for special possession, a people which would emerge from among all humankind, a people he would view as his very own in their relationship with them. Scripture reveals he would recognize such a people, and it would be these people who he would preserve for everlasting life on the planet he so graciously gave as a home for his human family. Therefore it is up to us to examine bible verses which help us identify just who such people might be. This is in order to assure ourselves that he views us as personally being worthy of everlasting life within the kind of relationship he desires. After all is said and done, it is his viewpoint which determines who among us brings joy and satisfaction to his heart. It is not a matter of our approving ourselves by rationalizing that we fit his expectations in some partial sense. It is a matter of his approving us in the full and complete sense of those expectations he has for us. Let us look at some historical examples of exceptional people who the Bible reveals he found favor with. Also, lets look at why the Bible indicates Jehovah God saw them as being favorable from his point of view. 1. They WALKED WITH GOD - The Bible paints those who walked with God in a favorable light. Enoch and Noah are among those singled out as walking with God. Micah 6:8 He has told you, O earthling man, what is good. And what is Jehovah asking back from you but to exercise justice and to love kindness and to be modest in walking with your God.
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What does it mean to walk with God?

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Hebrew word meaning: Walk, Walking - H1980 lak Aside from its literal meaning, which is to propel oneself forward, moving toward a destination, this word is used metaphorically to speak of the pathways (i.e., behavior) of one's life. A son could walk in (i.e., follow after) the ways of his father (2Ch_17:3) or not (1Sa_8:3). Israel was commanded to walk in the ways of the Lord (Deu_28:9), but they often walked after other gods (2Ki_13:11). Bible Examples of individuals walking with God Genesis 5:22 And after his fathering Me-thu'se-lah E'noch went on walking with the [true] God three hundred years. NWT Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters.
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Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walketh habitually with God, and he is not, for God hath taken him. YLT Genesis 6:8 But Noah found favour in the eyes of Jehovah. NWT:9 This is the history of Noah. Noah was a righteous man. He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with the [true] God. DBY Psalm 101:6 My eyes are upon the faithful ones of the earth, That they may dwell with me. The one walking in a faultless way, He it is who will minister to me. 2 Chronicles 6:14 and said, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth, you who are loyal to the covenant and show faithful love to your servants as long as they walk wholeheartedly in your way. NJB 2. A FRIEND OF GODS In all the accounts in the bible, only one man is described as a friend of God. That man was Abraham.

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Isaiah 41:8 " But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. NKJ Many years later the Bible writer James disclosed the reason why Abraham was considered a friend of God by Jehovah. (From 3 different translations) James 2:23 In this way the scripture was fulfilled: Abraham put his faith in God, and this was considered as making him upright; and he received the name 'friend of God'. NJB James 2:23 And the holy Writings were put into effect which said, And Abraham had faith in God and it was put to his account as righteousness; and he was named the friend of God. BBE James 2:23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says: "Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness," and he came to be called "Jehovah's friend." NWT Another Bible writer commented further on the importance faith has to Jehovah God; Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. NAB Gods only begotten son Jesus, who said he reflected his fathers thinking so perfectly, that they could be viewed as one also provides insight as to those who Jehovah would consider as friends. Jesus said to his disciples; John 15:14 You are my friends, if you do what I command you.
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3. OBEDIENCE:

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Obedience is more than just an expectation by God. It is essential to any acceptable relationship a human may have with him. In Gods eyes, obedience is closely equated with love. One cannot express love toward him without obedience. To Jehovah, they are inseparable. 1 Samuel 15:22 To which, Samuel said: Is Yahweh pleased by burnt offerings and sacrifices or by obedience to Yahweh's voice? Truly, obedience is better than sacrifice, submissiveness than the fat of rams. NJB At Mount Sinai when Jehovah concluded an agreement with his people, one of the primary things he expected of them was included in these words where he clearly commands them: And now, O Israel, listen to the regulations and the judicial decisions that I am teaching you to do. . .You must not add to the word that I am commanding you, neither must you take away from it, so as to keep the commandments of Jehovah your God that I am commanding you." "And you people must take care to do just as Jehovah your God has commanded you. You must not turn to the right or to the left." "Every word that I am commanding you is what you should be careful to do. You must not add to it nor take away from it." NWT Deuteronomy 4:1,2; 5:32; 12:32. Exodus 19:5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. . . . . NIV Acts 5:29 In answer Peter and the [other] apostles said: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men. NLT Other versions state; Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than human authority. NWT Acts 5:29 But Peter answering, and the apostles, said, God must be obeyed rather than men. DBY

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4. FAITHFULNESS: The importance faith plays in a relationship with the almighty is shown in the following verses; 1 Timothy 4:10 And this is the purpose of all our work and our fighting, because our hope is in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and specially of those who have faith. BBE Psalm 101:6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. NIV Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. NAB Hebrews 11:6 Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please [him] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him. NWT Or as other translators put it; Hebrews 11:6 So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. NLT Hebrews 11:6 Now it is impossible to please God without faith, since anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and rewards those who seek him. NJB

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Hebrews 3:5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. NIV

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Some Examples of faithfulness in the Bible;

Hebrews 3:6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. NIV Psalm 101:6 I look to the faithful of the land to be my companions, only he who walks in the path of the blameless shall be my servant. NJB Colossians 1:2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. NIB 5. LOVE: Love was established early on in our history as an expectation God had of his people. Later on, it was confirmed by his son Jesus as the first and greatest commandment of all. Deuteronomy 6:5 You must love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. NJB Matthew 22:37-40 37 He said to him: "'You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.' 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 The second, like it, is this, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets." NWT 1 John 5:3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not NRS burdensome, 6. DEVOTION: (Exclusive devotion) Humans understand devotion as a natural adjunct to love. Jehovah sees it as an essential component of love. He demands his people recognize a difference between the love and devotion they exhibit among themselves and that which they afford him. Just as Jehovah expects one to love him

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with his whole heart and mind, he expects exclusive devotion as a component of that love. Does that mean a human cannot love or be devoted to anyone or anything else? No, it means that at the level of devotion which he (Jehovah) is deserving of, and in those things he deserves credit for there cannot be a competing entity in our hearts or minds. We cannot devote the honor, glory or credit he deserves as our creator to another God, another person, other persons, places or anything else. When our devotion to such others exceeds our devotion to Jehovah, it constitutes idolatry in his eyes which he will not tolerate that in his people. Exodus 20:3 'You shall have no other gods to rival me.
NJB

Nahum 1:2 Jehovah is a God exacting exclusive devotion and taking vengeance; Jehovah is taking vengeance and is disposed to rage. Jehovah is taking vengeance against his adversaries, and he is resentful toward his enemies. NWT Isaiah 48:11 For my sake and my sake only shall I act, for why should my name be profaned? I will not yield my glory to another. NJB Psalm 106:36 And they kept serving their idols, And these came to be a snare to them. NWT Jeremiah 2:5 This is what Jehovah has said: "What have YOUR fathers found in me that was unjust, so that they have become far off from me, and they kept walking after the vain idol and becoming vain themselves? NWT Jonah 2:8 As for those who are observing the idols of untruth, they leave their own loving-kindness NWT Or as other versions put it; Jonah 2:8 They that observe <08104> (08764) lying <07723> vanities <01892> forsake <05800> (08799) their own mercy <02617>. RWB

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Jonah 2:9 Those who worship vain idols forsake their source of mercy. NAB Jonah 2:8 "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.NIB 7. WORSHIP: Worship is a concept closely related to exclusive devotion. In defining worship, one finds honoring, glorification and adoring reverence or regard among the definitions found in modern dictionaries. In a Hebrew Bible dictionary, one also finds the idea of bowing down before someone and in a Greek Bible dictionary (Thayers), we find a rich diversity of meanings included for the word worship. G4352 proskune,w proskuneo {pros-koo-neh'-o} 1) to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence 2) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence 3) in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication (obeisance- a manifestation of obedience; an expression of difference or respect; homage; a bow; a curtsey.) 3a) used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank (homage - something that is said or done to show respect for someone) 3a1) to the Jewish high priests 3a2) to God 3a3) to Christ 3a4) to heavenly beings 3a5) to demons Synonyms for the word worship give us additional insight into its meaning. Some synonyms found in a modern language

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dictionary are; adoration, adulation, awe, devotion, exaltation, glory, homage, honor, love, regard, respect, reverence, and veneration. What Gods word has to say about his own viewpoint regarding worship is illustrated by an account described in the following verses; Matthew 4:9 and he said to him: "All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me." NWT Or as another translator put it; Matthew 4:9 And he said to him, 'I will give you all these, if you fall at my feet and do me homage.' NJB That Jesus knew the implication of this is evidenced in his reply to the Devils proposition; Luke 4:8 In reply Jesus said to him: "It is written, 'It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service. NWT Luke 4:8 Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.' " NLT Luke 4:8 And Jesus in answer said to him, It has been said in the Writings, Give worship to the Lord your God, and be his servant only. BBE When the devil tempted Jesus by offering him all the kingdoms of the world if he would pay him homage (worship him), it demon- strated the importance of worship in Gods eyes. If Satan could get Jesus to worship him even in a slight way, he knew this would be an enormous affront to Jehovah.

John 4:23,24. But the time is coming, and is even now here, when the true worshippers will give worship to the

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Other examples of how important worship and devotion are to Jehovah God, may be found all throughout the bible. Here are just a few;

Father in the true way of the spirit, for these are the worshippers desired by the Father.DBY:24 God is a spirit; and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth. BBE Deuteronomy 11:16 "Beware, lest your hearts be deceived and you turn away and serve other gods and worship them. NAS Matthew 15:9 Their worship is a farce, for they replace God's commands with their own man-made teachings. " NLT The Bible well demonstrates that Jehovah God not only expects worship from his people, but expects them to worship in spirit and truth. This precludes combining elements of false worship or the worship of other entities into their worship of him. It is clear that worship acceptable to him must be directed exclusively towards him and him alone. 2 Corinthians 6:14,15. Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? :15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? NIV 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement does God's temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: "I shall reside among them and walk among [them], and I shall be their God, and they will be my people." NWT 1 Corinthians 10:21 It is not possible for you, at the same time, to take the cup of the Lord and the cup of evil spirits; you may not take part in the table of the Lord and the table of evil spirits.
BBE

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Proverbs 3:5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. NWT

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8. TRUST: God shows when it comes to considering a people as his own, he esteems trust akin to faith and in a way similar to exclusive devotion.

Or as other translations put it; Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. NLT Proverbs 3:5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception; NJB The phrase all your heart or wholeheartedly must be under- stood just as it is written, as meaning entirely, completely, 100%. The gravity of this is sometimes lost on us, as we tend to minimize the meaning of all in our every day conversation. Gods view of the kind of trust he expects from his followers is further defined in statements he makes about who we should not put our trust in. First of all, not in our own selves, but rather in him; 2 Corinthians 1:9 In fact, we felt within ourselves that we had received the sentence of death. This was that we might have our trust, not in ourselves, but in the God who raises up the dead. NWT Proverbs 3:5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception;
NJB

Hosea 10:13 "YOU people have plowed wickedness. Unrighteousness is what YOU have reaped. YOU have eaten the fruitage of deception, for you have trusted in your way, in the multitude of your mighty ones. NWT He further demands we not put our trust in those people in positions of power and leadership, or even in humans at all for that matter. Jeremiah 17:5 Yahweh says this, 'Accursed be anyone who trusts in human beings, who relies on human strength and whose heart turns from Yahweh. NJB Psalm 146:3 Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. NWT

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Psalm 146:3 Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs NLT Psalm 146:3 Put not your trust in the great, in mortal man who cannot save. TNK While these may be somewhat puzzling and tp many even alarming, nevertheless Jehovah has seen fit to clearly declare them as commands in his inspired word. He puts these in straightforward language and in unequivocal terms in a number of different places. It cannot be denied; we are not to trust in humans for anything connected to our salvation. While we may want to rationalize and apply other meanings to what he says, even implying he could not have meant what it appears to say, the fact remains, Jehovah knows exactly what he wants to say and how to say it. How we react to his words is in of itself a test of our trust in him. In these verses we see not only a strong caution against being deceived by trusting in ourselves, but also a warning asainst trusting the mighty ones (leaders) in our midst who may be contributing to our being deceived. Another form of something we are warned against is; that we should not trust in false teachings, or soothingly deceptive words. Jeremiah 7:4 Do not put YOUR trust in fallacious words, saying, 'The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah they are!' NWT Jeremiah 7:4 Do not put your faith in delusive words, such as: This is Yahweh's sanctuary, Yahweh's sanctuary, Yahweh's sanctuary! NJB Jeremiah 7:4 But do not be fooled by those who repeatedly promise your safety because the Temple of the LORD is here.
NLT

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Ezekiel 13:10 This is because they have misled my people by saying Peace! when there is no peace. When my people were repairing a wall, these men came and plastered it over! NJB

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Ezekiel 13:10 for the reason, yes, for the reason that they have led my people astray, saying, "There is peace!" when there is no peace, and there is one that is building a partition wall, but in vain there are those plastering it with whitewash.'NWT Ezekiel 13:10 "These evil prophets deceive my people by saying, 'All is peaceful!' when there is no peace at all! It's as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to hold it together by covering it with whitewash! NLT Jeremiah 7:8 "Here YOU are putting YOUR trust in fallacious words-it will certainly be of no benefit at all. NWT This idea of exclusive trust in Jehovah and what he provides through his word and his spirit is reinforced in what he says about trusting in even those persons closest to us. Jeremiah 9:4 "Guard yourselves each one against his own companion, and put YOUR trust in no brother at all. For even every brother would positively supplant, and every companion himself would walk around as a mere slanderer, NWT Jeremiah 9:5 And they act deceitfully every one with his neighbour, and speak not the truth: they teach their tongue to speak falsehood, they weary themselves with perverse dealing.
DBY

Or as another version states: Jeremiah 9:5 Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary NIV themselves with sinning. Micah 7:5 Do not put YOUR faith in a companion. Do not put YOUR trust in a confidential friend. From her who is lying in your bosom guard the openings of your mouth. NWT Through the process of elimination, the main point to be taken from these verses in combination is not so much about who we should not

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trust. It is that we should trust in Jehovah exclusively and in the provisions he provides us through his spirit and his word. One may argue there is a dichotomy in this; for should we not trust those who appear to be delivering his word to us? Yet when we really think about it, while scripture teaches us to trust in the word itself, it also warns us of the necessity of confirming that what we hear spoken truly represents Gods thoughts from his word and not the speakers own or another persons thoughts and ideas. 1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. NLT 2 Corinthians 13:5 Make a test of yourselves, if you are in the faith; make certain of yourselves. Or are you not conscious in yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, if you are truly Christ's?
BBE

Or as another version puts it; 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test. NLT 9. TRUTH: The expectations God has for his people to love truth are not emphasized very much by most religious teachers, certainly not as much as love, faith and obedience are in the minds of most people. Yet scripture portrays love of the truth as a life and death issue on its own merit and as a way in which God judges people and especially those people who claim to be his own. The following passage from 2nd Thessalonians is set in the time of the end. It shows not only how important truth is, but how important a love for truth is in Gods eyes. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. However, brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered

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together to him, we request of YOU NIV:2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.BBE :3 Give no belief to false words: because there will first be a falling away from the faith, and the revelation of the man of sin, the son of destruction, NWT Describing further events which would occur in conjunction with the time of the end, the account goes on to describe the activity of a lawless one and the effect his activity would have on people in general but also specifically on Gods own people. See also; Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. NWT (another verse set in the time of the end) 2 Thessalonians 2:9- 12. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, NIB:10 and every wicked deception aimed at those who are on the way to destruction because they would not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. NJB:11 And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will put their faith in what is false: BBE:12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. ESV Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. NIV Lest we make the mistake of thinking a neighbor is merely one who lives next door, here is one Bible dictionaries definitions for the original Greek word used for neighbor;

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1) a neighbour 1a) a friend

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4139 plhsi,on plesion {play-see'-on} (Thayers)

1b) any other person, and where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbour), according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew race and commonwealth 1c) according to Christ, any other man irrespective of race or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet From all this and other scriptures, we may conclude truth is extremely important to Jehovah as a quality he fully expects from those who would lay claim to being his people. Truth cannot be rationalized away with a manmade philosophy that the means may justify the end. Jehovah is a God of truth and a lover of truth, in whom there is no untruth whatsoever. He expects no less from those he considers his own. What about HIS People in the time of the End What else does he expect of them? We have already seen what he expected of them all through history. There is however one expectation which we have yet to mention. The bible discloses this as extremely important. It has to do with our relationship with his provision for our salvation through his beloved son, Jesus Christ. A relationship with Christ is indispensible to our having a relationship with Jehovah God, his father. The following verses are examples of how the relationship we have with his son affects the relationship we have with his father, Jehovah: Matthew 28:18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. NLT Acts 4:12 There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." NAB 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, NAS 1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any founat-ion other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. NIV

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John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
NAB

John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. NWT Ephesians 1:3 How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. NLT Ephesians 5:20 And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. NLT Ephesians 3:21 to him be the glory by means of the congregation and by means of Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. NWT Accurately discerning what God expects from his people enables us to have a clearer picture of those who he really would consider to be his very own special possession. That picture shows us what God sees as being right with his people and this in turn reveals who they actually are. Here is a summary of points which according to the Bible help us to identify his people in the time of the end or for that matter during any other time. 1. They walk with God. That means their course of life is on a path in harmony with his will. Their priorities are on spiritual things rather than material belongings 2. They can be considered friends of God because they have unshakeable faith in him and his son Christ Jesus. 3. They are obedient, not only in ways and things they are comfortable with, but in every way he expects from them, in all the ways which he reveals to them through his word and his

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spirit. They obey all the commands, suggestions and principals he has set forth for them in his word, the Holy Bible. They obey God as ruler, rather than men when there is a conflict with what his word reveals. 4. They have faith in him and his son Christ Jesus, to such extent; they are willing to stake their lives on it. Their belief is not a mere intellectual exercise, they believe into him by exercising their faith in that belief. This means bringing themselves into harmony with his teachings and guidance. 5. They Love him with a complete heart. There is no sharing the love which belongs to him with others. They are willing to give their lives for him and also for their brothers, because of the concept of unconditional love which he has taught them to come to know. 6. They understand exclusive devotion and are devoted solely to him, not to others who falsely assume entitlement to devotion which rightly belongs to only to Elohim (the creator). 7. They worship in spirit and truth (Mtt. 15:6). . Their worship is free from contamination of manmade doctrines and traditions which Jesus said would invalidate Gods word. They dont give glory, admiration or credit which rightfully belongs to him to any others. Their worship is not peppered with pagan beliefs, flawed teachings or doctrines which cannot legitimately be supported by Gods word of truth. 8. They trust him explicitely and exclusively, allowing no person, persons other entities to restrict or limit the trust they have in him, his son and his word. 9. Truth is a way of life for them. They not only speak truth with one another, they live that truth. This means they do not practice, accept or condone any form of lying, nor do they advance false teachings, twisted teachings, so called spins or any other manmade doctrines which conflict with Gods word, his thinking or his will.

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These are the things the bible says God sees as being right with his people, individually and collectively. Does this mean he requires perfection and compliance in every respect and in every way? Maybe yes, maybe no, we can support an argument either way. Some might argue he knows humans, their nature and their shortcomings. He knows he has not designed them to be able to know and do what is best for them or their physical earthly home without his guidance. Jeremiah 10:23 I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. NWT Jehovah also knows their vulnerability and the power of their common enemy, Satan the Devil. He knows the extent of effort Satan is expending to either prevent them from having a relation- ship with himself and his son Jesus, and or to break any such relationship with them when they do come to have it. Therefore, its easy to argue that as long as we are trying to do his will, he will ignore or put up with our failures and shortcomings. There is an element of truth in this because while he doesnt ignore our errors and shortcomings, he has shown seemingly endless patience, in that he continues to encourage and guide us in his ways. In this, he puts up with us while providing us with his word and his spirit. He does this because he loves us and does not desire any to be destroyed. If we are willing to accept him and his guidance and put his thinking and his will into practice in our lives, he will view us as his own people and provide endlessly toward our blessing and benefit. The other side of the argument points out that the Bible reveals there is a point when Jehovahs patience runs out, a day of judgment (See Chapter 5 Judgment) At this time, he will demand an accounting from those who refuse to comply with the guidance he has provided through his word and his spirit. This is not only a prophetic promise, but also a guarantee he gives us in his word, the Bible.

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Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. NIV Where does such a judgment begin? The bible discloses that it begins in his own household, with his own people. The phrase if the righteous is scarcely saved, should alert us to the difficulty factor involved in salvation for his people at the time of this judgment. 1Pe 4:17, 18. Because the time has come to begin the judgment from the house of God; and if firstly from us, what will be the end of the ones disobeying the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?" LITV Or as another version puts it; 1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for the judging, starting with the church of God; but if it makes a start with us, what will be the end of those who are not under the rule of God? BBE This is also the time when he will reveal whom among men he really considers to be his people, by saving them fromdestruction of ungodly, unappreciative, and unrighteous persons of the world. How much will he expect of those claiming to be his people, and on what basis will judgment be executed. The Bible gives an answer to that question with a principal Jesus insinuated in one of his parables. Luke 12:48 But the one that did not understand and so did things deserving of strokes will be beaten with few. Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him. NWT For those claiming to be his people, and especially those who have found themselves in positions of leadership among them, his expectations will be high. How high? That is for the judge to determine. Our ability to judge is based solely on what we see and hear and if that complies with Gods word. While judging on the basis of Gods word is a superior way

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to judge, (for his word is alive and able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart), we ourselves are a weak link in the equation. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and [their] marrow, and [is] able to discern thoughts and intentions of [the] heart. NWT The word searches the deep things within the human heart, we humans are not that word. We see partially, we discern partially, and we understand partially. Besides that, we have difficulty reading our own hearts. When it comes to reading others hearts, without Gods word, we are lost completely. His word is available for us to use to judge our own hearts. Jehovah has appointed Jesus as the ultimate judge for others. He has not appointed us as their judges. Matthew 25:32- 34. All nations will be assembled before him and he will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. ESV:33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. :34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. NJB Matthew 25:46 And these [goats] shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during.' YLT Thus, the end times culminate when Jehovah through his Son King completes the gathering of his bride, awards them with the kingdom rule at his side, and commences to cleanse the earth of all unrighteousness while preserving those who truly are his people to life in his righteous new system. Then the earth will be restored to the perfection of its originally intended paradise. What Jehovah sees as right with people he considers uniquely his very own are the same things he sets out in his inspired word of truth as the standards and the expectations he has for them. We need only to meditate on these, embrace those things and adopt them into our lives and in our relations with others. Also, we need to extend him the

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worship and exclusive devotion he so rightly deserves. Only then can we rest in the assurance that he will be pleased to count us among those he sees as his very own people.

[CLICK HERE for TABLE OF CONTENTS]

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CHAPTER NINE

WHAT DEFENSE FOR CHRISTIANS AT WAR?

This book began with a strong plea for Christians to wake up and stay awake as this time of the end unwinds to its conclusion. The major reason given for this is pointed out in the book of Revelations. There it describes the time we are living in as a time of war. The War is between Jehovah God with his faithful followers, (both Spirit and humans) and Satan the Devil and his supporters, also, both spirit and humans. In this war, the leading figure on Jehovahs side is his son, anointed in Kingly power by Jehovah himself. The war is being fought over sovereignty in the heavens and for sovereignty over the earth. The outcome is imminent and both sides know what it is. However, while Satan knows he will not prevail, he is nevertheless bent upon taking as many of Jehovahs subjects along with him on his way to ultimate destruction. In a prophetic vision given to the Apostle John we are told of this war and what the outcome was to be. We are given only a glimpse of that portion which was conducted in the heavens, a realm impossible to see with human eyes. We say was conducted because the events transpiring on the earth in our time indicate the heavenly battle is now over and the battles now being waged are here on earth. Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. NIV Or as another translation has it: Revelation 12:7 And there was a great battle in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his angels DRA.

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Revelation 12:8 And the dragon lost the battle and was forced out of heaven. NLT Revelation 12:17 So <2532> the dragon <1404> was enraged <3710> with the woman <1135>, and went <565> off <565> to make <4160> war <4171> with the rest <3062> of her children <4690>, who keep <5083> the commandments <1785> of God <2316> and hold <2192> to the testimony <3141> of Jesus <2424>. NAU Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was forced down, the old snake, who is named the Evil One and Satan, by whom all the earth is turned from the right way; he was forced down to the earth, and his angels were forced down with him. BBE Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, "It has happened at last-- the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth-- the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night. NLT Revelation 12:12 So let the heavens rejoice and all who live there; but for you, earth and sea, disaster is coming -- because the devil has gone down to you in a rage, knowing that he has little time left.' NJB While a decisive battle was won in heaven, the war itself is by no means over. For with the words of Revelation Twelve, the scene of battle transferred to earth, a realm where we humans are best at seeing physical things with our physical eyes and rather disadvantaged at seeing into the spirit realm. We are able only to see spiritual things with eyes of discernment. From currently discernable conditions we can see that Satan and his system of rule is still very much in power here on earth. While it is true that we still cannot see spirit beings, the results of their activities are visible to us. It is on this basis and what Gods prophetic word reveals that we are able to discern events as they transpire. However, this is only possible if we are awake to what is actually happening around us and not completely deluded by the god of this system of things(2 Cor. 4:4). In

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any deep sleep mode, we are oblivious to what goes on around us. This holds true of us whether we are physically asleep or spiritually asleep. The war we are engaged in is essentially being fought on the spiritual front with considerable residue spilling over in a physical sense. The ultimate primary objective from Satans standpoint is to destroy Gods people spiritually. If he can render them spiritually dead, the normal course of events will insure their permanent demise. This is not to say that their physical death is not also something he desires, for both are a direct assault on Jehovah and his will and purpose for the earth. The war those who are Christs seed are involved in has its root in earliest times. (Gen. 3:15,16) This warfare does not follow the conventional pattern we are accustomed to in mans history where battlefields usually shift from one location to another as the war progresses. This war is being conducted within the minds of humans and battles waged are for control of their minds. Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. NLT Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. NIV Jeremiah 6:19 Give ear, O earth: see, I will make evil come on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not given attention to my words, and they would have nothing to do with my law BBE The primary weapons are thoughts, which when accepted by us become the motors that drive our behavior. The principal behind this is one that neuro-science and psychology have come to recognize as a key to understanding human behavior. The expressions Change your thinking, change your life, and You are what you think are are based on the simple scientific truth that the thoughts which are established in a persons mind as realities control their behavior and actions. Satan is

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intent on not only controlling human behavior, but controlling it in ways that oppose and dishonor the creator and true God, Jehovah. He covertly influences us by planting thoughts which he believes will get us to comply with his will and join him in his opposition to Jehovah. Jehovah in turn also supplies us with thoughts but his thoughts are always connected with giving us choices, for he has created us humans as free moral agents. This warfare has many parallels with human or secular warfare. For example in secular warfare, deception in the form of secrecy, camouflage and misinformation play valuable parts as strategies modern armies use to deceive their enemies and gain advantage.. In his warfare Satan employs all of these so well to gain himself advantage, that it would be an understatement to merely call him a master at their use. Intelligence is an important principal in knowing and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of ones enemies. The phrase Know your enemy has become a clich mostly due to its relevancy in wars conducted all through history. There has seldom been a victorious army who did not apply this axiom. On the other hand, those who ignore the importance of knowing their enemy found themselves great disadvantaged and usually lost their wars. Satan knows this only too well and does all he can to disguise his efforts by using every imaginable means of deception he can conceive of. Additionally, he knows human nature and its vulnerabilities for he has been observing and controlling humans since the Garden of Eden. What do Christians need to know about their Enemy? a. Who they are; Revelation 12:9 The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. NRS Ephesians 6:12 because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this

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darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. NWT 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. NIV John 8:44 . . . . .the Devil, . . . . . .was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. NLT Or from another version in speaking of Satan the Devils followers; John 8:44 YOU are from YOUR father the Devil, and YOU wish to do the desires of YOUR father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of [the lie]. NWT Therefore, we may conclude our enemies are Satan, the Spirit beings who follow him and those humans who he uses in his service. Whether they serve his interests willingly, unwillingly, consciously or un knowingly, the result are the same. They become instruments of satanic opposition to Jehiovah and his son Christ Jesus.. b. How they operate: 2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ESV 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. But the coming of the wicked One will be marked by Satan being at work in all kinds of counterfeit miracles and signs and wonders,:10 and every wicked deception aimed at those who are on the way to destruction because they would not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. NJB

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2 Thessalonians 2:9 This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.
NLT

2 Corinthians 11:13,14. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ESV:14 And it is no wonder; for even Satan himself is able to take the form of an angel of light. BBE Like all wars, the one Gods people have with Satan and his forces is being fought both defensively and offensively by both sides. The Bible gives us some insight as to the nature of this warfare in describing a variety of strategies being employed in this war. c. offensive weapons Satans forces deploy; [include deception, deceptive power of sin, appeal to works of the flesh and to human nature] Romans 6:13 Neither go on presenting YOUR members to sin as weapons of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, also YOUR members to God as weapons of righteousness. NWT 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. NAB John 8:44 For you are the children of your father the Devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. NLT Galatians 5:19 21. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. ESV

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d. Human nature is an important weapon he uses to deceive us into doing things his way. The Devil knows what makes humans tick and he manipulates circumstances to take advantage of our own imperfect natures. Obadiah 1:3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' NIV Mark 7:21- 23. Because from inside, from the heart of men, come evil thoughts and unclean pleasures, 22 The taking of goods and of life, broken faith between husband and wife, the desire of wealth, wrongdoing, deceit, sins of the flesh, an evil eye, angry words, pride, foolish acts: :22 The taking of goods and of life, broken faith between husband and wife, the desire of wealth, wrongdoing, deceit, sins of the flesh, an evil eye, angry words, pride, foolish acts::23 All these evil things come from inside, and make the man unclean. BBE Romans 1:28-32. When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done. 28 And just as they did not approve of holding God in accurate knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting, 29 filled as they were with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malicious disposition, being whisperers,30 backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, self-assuming, inventors of injurious things, disobedient to parents,31 without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, merciless.32 Although these know full well the righteous decree of God, that those practicing such things are deserving of death, they not only keep on doing them but also consent with those practicing them. NLT What Christians need to know about Self Defense; Defensive protection for Gods people:

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Knowledge, Preparedness, Obedience, and Holy Spirit 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. NAB Romans 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. NIV Ephesians 6:11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.
NLT

Ephesians 6:14 So stand your ground, with truth a belt round your waist, and uprightness a breastplate, NJB Ephesians 6:15 Be ready with the good news of peace as shoes on your feet; BBE Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. NAB Ephesians 6:17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. NLT Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. NIV Romans 6:13 Neither go on presenting YOUR members to sin as weapons of unrighteousness, . . . . .NWT Weapons for Gods forces to use on the offense: [Knowledge, Truth, Dedication, Faith, Righteousness and Holy Spirit] John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. NWT

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2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons with which we do battle are not those of human nature, but they have the power, in God's cause, to demolish fortresses. It is ideas that we demolish, NJB James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ESV 2 Corinthians 6:7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, NKJ Romans 6:13 . . . . but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, also YOUR members to God as weapons of righteousness. NWT 1 John 5:4 For all that has been begotten of God gets the victory over the world; and this is the victory which has gotten the victory over the world, our faith. DBY John 14:16,17. and I will request the Father and he will give YOU another helper to be with YOU forever, NWT:17 the Spirit of truth whom the world can never accept since it neither sees nor knows him; but you know him, because he is with you, he is in you. NJB John 18:20 Jesus made answer, I said things openly to the world at all times; I have given my teaching in the Synagogues and in the Temple to which all the Jews come; and I have said nothing secretly. BBE Matthew 10:26 "Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. NAB

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Defensive measures employed by Satan and his forces;

Satan wishes to form his own defenses under. He specializes in the use of ignorance, deception, camouflage, secrecy and misinformation as forms fostering mental darkness and spiritual blindness. His domain has been described as a kingdom of darkness Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness (Satan the Devil), and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. NLT John 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them." ESV Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. NRS It is said that to be forewarned is to be forearmed. If this be the case, the knowledge that scripture provides us with should serve as the very best armament we can possess in our war with the forces of evil. However, first we must be awake to what is actually happening in this spiritual battlefield during this time of the end. This means for some of us we must now first wakeup. For others it means we must stay awake. We cannot afford to allow ourselves to be asleep concerning the nature or the extensiveness of this warfare. We also must be on guard against complacency, thinking we are safe and secure in old well entrenched ideas. We need to re-examine them in light of Gods word apart from the influence of pre-conceived doctrines of men. As this time of the end winds down to its conclusion, we need to be certain we are on the right side of the issue being fought over. Remember, the ultimate issue always was and still is; who shall rule the earth and its inhabitants? Will it be Satan and his spirit forces through their human intermediaries? Or will it be Jehovah God through his appointed King, Christ Jesus, ruling over a righteous human family by Gods authority? During the course of battles toward resolving this issue there will be many challenges for those who wish to take Gods side. Their faith, their

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integrity and their endurance will be thoroughly tested again and again, in seemingly endless varieties of ways. The final issue or test, for those people who God sees as his very own will be a test of love and loyalty. Will they love him enough to endure despite the difficulties they face on behalf of their faith? Will they obey and follow him as ruler rather than any others, whether they are Satans spirit forces or their human puppets under their control? Ultimately, these are questions none of us can answer for anyone else than ourselves, for they are issues of the heart. And we dont read hearts, sometimes, not even our own heart. We may resolve to be counted among those who God sees as deserving of survival and this we should, for resolve is a most important first step to success. In the end, it will be Jehovah God who determines those worthy of life in his righteous new system on a perfectly restored earth. He provides the life giving means for all of us to have life as he originally purposed. For our parts, let us wake up, stay awake and avail ourselves of his provisions and not be deceived into placing our hopes on any artificial light Satan provides. Real light for true Christians comes from only one source and that source is Jehovah God, through his son Christ Jesus, their heavenly king and savior. Authors Note: The author makes no claims of having special knowledge or insight based on anything other than what the creator has so graciously furnished by means of his word and his spirit to himself and others who love truth and wish to worship their God and creator with spirit and truth. The author wishes to express gratitude to the publishers of the following Bibles which were quoted from in the pages of this book. The order of listing should not be construed to imply an endorsement of any one version over another. The listing, in alphabetical order is merely for the sake of convenience to the reader in identifying which version the codes used in verse citations throughout the book come from.

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[CLICK HERE for TABLE OF CONTENTS]

AMP ASV BBE DBY ESV JPS KJV LXE NAU NIB

Amplified Bible American Standard Version The Bible in Basic English The Darby Bible English Standard Version Jewish Publication Society Tanakh King James (Authorized Version of 1611) Septuagint- Translation by Brenton New American Standard Version New International bible NIV New International Version (US) NJB New Jerusalem Bible NKJ New King James Bible NRS New Revised Standard NSB New Simplified Bible NWT New World Translation RSV Revised Standard RWB Revised Webster Bible TNK Tanakh - Jewish Publication Society WEB The Webster Bible YLT Youngs Literal Translation

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