"I saw another angel coming down from heaven...
and the earth was illuminated with his glory."
Revelation 18:1

Aliens and the Perilous Paranormal

 

 

There’s been a lot of confusion about whether aliens could be visiting Earth, but there’s no need for confusion about this topic, since scripture is our guide to the unseen universe. It provides important clues to the meaning of paranormal phenomenon that some have been witnessing. 

The first step toward understanding this topic is to have an accurate view of the universe. Studying its spiritual history helps us realize that evil originated in Heaven with Lucifer (Ezekiel 28), after which he was cast to the Earth together with the angels that rebelled with him (Revelation 12). Then, Adam and Eve joined in his rebellion by sinning against God, which brought sin into the world, resulting in death and ugliness (Genesis 3).

Because Earth is the only fallen world, that means any life on worlds beyond ours must be unfallen and perfect. Any life outside this planet would be angelic beings that live in obedience to God and cooperation with him. They would not be ugly or weird sci-fi creatures. Neither would they send scouts to fly around our planet in space ships. 

So, what then is the phenomenon people are seeing, when they seem to have encountered “aliens”? 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 makes the methods of an evil being clear, so that we don’t need to be deceived. It says Satan works “with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceit of unrighteousness....”

In the beginning, Satan took the form of a snake to deceive Eve, and he is said to be transformed into an angel of light at times as well (2 Corinthians 11:14). He and his demons can disguise themselves in many forms and “lying wonders” to deceive people, including taking the form of ghosts, deceased loved ones, aliens, UFOs, etc. 

The reason they do this is to approach us and try to establish a connection with us. They want to get people fascinated with spooky, supernatural things so they can gain access to their unguarded souls. Demons are controlling and manipulative forces, just like abusive people, only much worse. The spooky, spine-tingling feeling people get when thinking about ghosts or aliens is because it involves demonic forces trying to access your soul. 

Just think about it. Living people don’t seem spooky or make you feel afraid, do they? So, why would the same people seem spooky or make you feel afraid after they died and supposedly reappeared? Animals don’t seem spooky either, no matter how ugly. So, why would aliens give you spooky feelings if they were creatures like all others? 

The only reason paranormal creatures seem spooky is because they represent demonic entities.

The fear you feel in thinking about or looking at pictures of paranormal things is because there is a real spiritual danger involved. Demons are trying to gain access to your soul and take over the control centers of your mind. This is known as demon possession, which is a very well-documented phenomenon which has been happening throughout millennia. Jesus cleansed many people of demonic possession during his ministry and set them free from the demons that were controlling them.

All of this is why we should not have any part with celebrating fearful things like Halloween, watching horror movies or TV shows about ghosts or aliens. These kinds of things put you on Satan’s ground and invite him to become bolder in seeking to approach you. 

This can involve demonic harassment, such as hearing strange noises, footsteps, having nightmares, night paralysis, seeing “angels,” “ghosts,” or “aliens.” Demonic harassment or possession can also be silent, with very few obvious demonic manifestations, except for trouble controlling your behavior (John 8:34). 

Although angels of God sometimes appear to people, more often such entities are demons posing as “good” angels to try to deceive or flatter people.

“…Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”  2 Corinthians 11:14

“To the law and to the testimony. If they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

It is not just harmless entertainment to be interested in spooky things, it’s truly dangerous. If someone you know or love is experiencing demonic harassment, you may consider sharing with them about the spiritual dangers that could put us at risk for this. But don’t be too forceful because that often causes more resistance and they may be less likely to listen to what you have to say.

Even if they don’t gain full access to your mind, demonic entities try to imbalance your mind and demoralize you through temptation or fear. They try to suggest ideas of self-doubt, discouragement, depression, hatred, frustration, suicide. Satan is not a friend. He truly hates us and is playing for keeps. He wants to destroy people and will do so if he gets a chance. 

We should also be aware of any type of meditation that seeks to empty or open the mind. Allowing the judgment centers of the mind to be bypassed opens the path for demonic entrance into the mind. Being involved in such practices can lead to mental or emotional problems, crime, or insanity.

Demons are spiritually unclean entities. Like germs during the dark ages, we have trouble seeing them and therefore have trouble believing they exist. We often do not recognize how much havoc they are wreaking in society. And while they are causing a plague of spiritual death all around us, we don’t wash our hands of their presence or try to prevent them from gaining accessing to us. 

There’s no reason to fear demons, but we must not allow them to approach us. Ask God to help you firmly resist and refuse their influence. In his strength, refuse to be afraid of them, since they can work through fear.

 “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Demons tremble and flee when refused in God’s name. Put yourself on the winning side by asking Jesus to come into your heart instead of Satan. Jesus will suggest loving, uplifting things to your mind and help you overcome anxiety, depression, sadness, and unhappy thoughts. He is gentle and kind instead of coercive and controlling.

Fill your mind with things that are good in what you read and watch. Study the Bible and choose to accept the positive suggestions that come from God instead of the negative suggestions that come from Satan. Thus, you will be cooperating with Jesus as he works to uplift you and make fill your heart with blessings.

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

~


Bible verses revised from ASV. 

Top image by constantin jurcut from FreeImages


Website Navigation:





No comments:

Of Elephants and Bible Study

Ever wonder how there could be so many different viewpoints among those who read the Bible? Although differences of opinion may arise from varying perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, we shouldn’t be coming up with opposite viewpoints.

Interpretations of scripture could be likened to 3 blind men describing an elephant. The first attempts to describe it while touching its trunk. The second does the same while touching its side. The third tries to describe it while holding its tail. We are blind when it comes to spiritual things. Our understanding of God and eternal truths comes from evidence we find in nature and the Bible. To get an accurate viewpoint, we must examine the entire body of evidence.

Cutting off parts from the body of truth does it violence. Separating out a few scriptures to support a certain theory makes chopped meat of the words of inspiration. It’s only if we leave the message whole and intact that we allow it to live.

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Just as living creatures move and have power, truth can move and work in our hearts. A dead message doesn’t have that power. Bits and pieces of scripture cut off, taken out of context, and patched together don’t provide the same kind of inspiration as the whole, natural truth. We must study the entire message for truth to come alive. 

Jesus’ comparison of truth to grains matches the same idea (Luke 8:5-15). Many wish to extract the part they like and discard the rest. This often results in a “one extreme or another” phenomenon. Some individuals promote an all-bran style of Bible interpretation, teaching a works-based religion burdened with obligations and spiritual tests. This approach limits the Holy Spirit’s influence by failing to focus on a personal relationship with Christ. It can result in little natural joy or humor, apart from forced smiles, and causes individuals to doubt their worthiness.

But some enjoy this approach for the false sense of sanctity it gives through the belief that good works or words prove holiness. This puts the cart before the horse and results in cheap grace, since it’s easier to wear certain clothes or eat certain foods than to be transformed in spirit. Adherents are often motivated by perceived social advantages in communities where displays of religious devotion are admired (2 Corinthians 10:12, 1 Corinthians 13:3-13). Despite Jesus’ warnings on this (Matthew 6:1, etc.), it is rampant among Christians.

But many more want an easy-to-swallow, “white bread” message. They emphasize “grace” while conveying the idea that we are saved in our sins rather than from our sins. They teach that following God leads to prosperity and luxury while ignoring verses that suggest the possibility of suffering for God’s people. They forget that Jesus said:

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? What can a man give in exchange for his life? Matthew 16:24b-26

There’s little lasting joy in this group either, since they remain captive to temptation and enslaved by physical or mental addictions. They serve a powerless God who can’t rescue them from themselves. They make excuses for their infirmities and fail to understand true freedom. When they talk of joy and happiness they are often seeking sensory excitement. This kind of religion leads to restless dissatisfaction instead of renewed strength (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11; Proverbs 27:20, 22).

Both camps try to justify their course by pointing to the fallacies of the opposite extreme. Both use the same Bible to “prove” their different viewpoints. But for true spiritual nourishment, we need the whole kernel of truth. God’s mercy and his justice lead to repentance and turning away from evil: 

Behold the goodness and severity of God. Toward them that fell, severity; but toward you, God’s goodness, if you continue in his goodness. Otherwise, you will also be cut off. Romans 11:22  

I’m not saying we should never eat refined wheat, but the principle exemplifies how to find spiritual balance and avoid typical pitfalls in Bible study. It demonstrates the importance of considering everything said on any topic in the Bible. 

We don’t have authority to refine the scriptures to suit our wishes (Revelation 22:18-19). Your pastor can’t get you into Heaven, only Jesus can, so we must seek to understand his way from the Word of God. 

Citing verses to support a theory isn’t enough if it’s not in line with the Bible’s comprehensive teachings on a subject. You don’t want to cut off the elephant’s trunk and separate it from the great body of evidence, or refine out the part of your choosing…

Otherwise known as cherry picking.

The only way to understand the Bible is to compare scripture with scripture to let it explain itself. You must find the burden of evidence through multiple texts to confirm any doctrine. A viewpoint shouldn’t be based on a few verses that contradict others on the same topic. 

The Bible requires the same logical and methodical study as scientific research to come to accurate conclusions. Yet that isn’t hard to do. Revelation 1:3 is among verses that indicate God intends for his Word to be understood by ordinary people, when it says, “blessed is he who reads.” You don’t need a theology degree to understand it. People without formal training or degrees sometimes reach more accurate conclusions in Bible study due to lack of institutional biases. 

Humble, prayerful individuals who seek truth are more likely to understand it than those who study scripture with earthly motivations (John 7:17-18). The example of what happened in Jesus’ day should serve as a warning to those in every generation. The people said in John 7:48, “Have any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?” They looked to their leaders and teachers instead of looking to the Bible as the guide. Thus, they missed recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. 

Our world hasn't changed. Many today aren’t willing to accept anything besides what pastors and professors teach. They place their souls in the hands of erring mortals instead of letting God reveal himself to them through the Bible. This is why false doctrines have thrived throughout Earth’s dark ages. 

I’m not saying education should be discouraged, or that educated individuals can’t learn from the Bible. Martin Luther’s story reveals that those who study religion in large institutions sometimes have a genuine desire for truth. Education can be a great blessing if committed to God’s service. Many Pharisees from Jesus’ time came to believe in him. And Paul the Apostle, a highly educated pharisee, became one of the most active Christians in history (Acts 22:1-10).

But spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). To study the Bible without biases and tradition-based thinking, your heart must be softened by God’s grace through prayer. It takes courage to maintain unpopular positions for which you could face criticism. Yet God promises to provide for those who follow him (Matthew 6:28-31). It’s crucial to have a prayerful and humble spirit when approaching Bible study. As it says in John 7:17, “If anyone is willing to do his will, he will understand the teaching....” 

Many traditional interpretations are solid and shouldn't be thrown out. But at the same time we hold firmly to those way marks, we should be receptive to new truths. Yet fanciful interpretations should be avoided. New ideas must harmonize with other biblical teachings and principles. New understandings should make sense in the context of what God has revealed in the past.

Studying the Bible is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, finding matching patterns to see a picture emerge. Following are several principles of scriptural interpretation that can enrich your Bible study experience. I’ve named them to make them easier to remember;


The self-interpretation principle: 

Always assume the Bible will interpret itself. Look for other verses to help explain any passage you don’t understand. The Bible itself must provide confirmation of any interpretation through comparison of scriptures.

 

The multiple verse principle:

Never try to establish a truth on just a few verses. Study multiple verses on the subject throughout the Bible to get a clear view of what it’s teaching. You can use concordances or searches to find verses with the same word or term. Margin or center column references, in some printed Bibles, may also help you find connecting verses.


The symbolisms principle: 

Items like numbers, animals, and objects in the Bible have symbolic meaning. You can often find deeper meaning if you study the symbols by looking for other verses that help explain them. For example, Revelation 17:15 says that waters in the Bible symbolize “peoples, and multitudes, and nations.” Also, symbolic passages shouldn’t be taken literally, and those with factual details listed should be. For example, Revelation’s descriptions of hellfire are symbolic, rather than literal. But Genesis’ stories of Creation and the Flood are historical records with dates and time stamps. I’ve gone into more detail on these in the following book.

 

The original language principle:

It can help to look at the original Hebrew or Greek words in Strong’s Concordance, which is readily available online. You can find any verse in the concordance by searching for the verse reference with the word “Strong’s,” for example “John 3:16 Strong's” You can also see the original sentence structure with English interpretation if you search for a verse with “text analysis.” 

Nevertheless, we must be careful not to assign mystical power to the use of original languages, which can lead to pride and putting power in the hands of a few people. The Bible teaches that its message must be interpreted in local languages and nowhere encourages the idea that the use of Hebrew is proof of superiority (1 Corinthians 14:9, Matthew 28:19, 20).


The dual meaning principle: 

Prophecies often have 2 or more interpretations that may apply to different time periods. Don’t dismiss the possibility of a passage having multiple interpretations and applications. God packed messages for people of different ages into one small book (Mark 12:27).


The positive-negative principle:

This is based on film photography, how images contain both a positive and a negative image. Many Bible stories and prophecies can be seen as symbolizing positive or negative elements, depending on how you look at them. For example, the marriage of King Solomon to multiple women is negative but represents Jesus’ spiritual marriage to believers in the positive. Though Solomon was disobeying God’s will (Deuteronomy 17:17-19), and thus bringing sorrow into his life (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11), God’s mercy found a way to show us a picture of Jesus through that.

 

The Jesus Principle:

Perhaps the most important principle is understanding that glimpses of Jesus are hidden throughout the Bible in a myriad of ways. As he explained of the scriptures in John 5:39, “these are they which bear witness of me.” This is also shown in Luke 24:27, where it says, “Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them all the things in the scriptures about himself.

Reading the Bible is an amazing journey that can lead you into a closer relationship with God. And it’s the only book that by reading it, you get to meet the author. So, if you haven’t already, I hope you’ll take a chance on the adventure of studying the Bible for yourself.



Bible verses revised from ASV.

Top image (elephant) by Nataly Aks from FreeImages

Second image (bread) by Elke Rohn from FreeImages 


Website Navigation:


No comments:

LEM Home

 

Welcome to Lighten the Earth Ministry (LEM). 

LEM was inspired by Revelation 18:1, the message of the fourth angel that is said to lighten the Earth with glory as it calls God’s people to separate from a corrupt world. LEM is a teaching ministry that focuses on increasing awareness of end-time events fulfilling all around us.

At the same time, LEM seeks to help people live effective, powerful lives through practicing principles of common sense and moderation, with a dose of good humor. Though the message of end-time events may seem a little scary, being able to make sense of what’s happening in our world and knowing what comes next can fill you with peace and joy like nothing else.


Follow LEM on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/LightenEarth


LEM's Twitter account:

https://x.com/LightenEarth


Lighten the Earth book series: 

www.leminspiration.com


Community Fellowship Group, in development:

www.arcslife.org



Top image created on Canva


Website Navigation:


No comments:

Photo Essay of the San Andreas Fault


“And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.” Revelation 6:12

The book of Revelation mentions several earthquakes as part of end-time events. With scientific predictions for geology in places like California, it’s not difficult to imagine how a catastrophic earthquake might happen. Especially when people are building right on top of the danger zone…

In Highland, California, a beautiful community of the San Bernardino foothills, there lies a sleeping giant...

 

Unbeknownst to many residents, the San Andreas Fault runs right through their community.

 

When many people think of the San Andreas Fault, they expect to see something like this...

 
By USGS (http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq1/how.html) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons (color edited). 

But in places where the fault has been dormant for years there are no obvious surface indicators at all...


 


That is the case in Highland, CA where the San Andreas Fault crosses under Highland Avenue twice in just a few short miles before heading south through barren land to the Salton Sea.

 

I know because I lived there...  Strangely, I hadn’t thought of looking up where fault lines lie until I was doing a search about earthquake potential. When I looked at the following website, which tracks the path of the San Andreas Fault, I noticed it goes straight through the community I lived in; http://www.thulescientific.com/san-andreas-fault-map.html 

The map answered some questions I’ve had about the funny design of our neighborhood. Like how this strange no-man’s land appears to cut right off of Highland Street at a diagonal angle:


 

This is looking at it from the street below. You can see someone walking past the diagonal no-man’s land, in which the San Andreas Fault lies. From the angle it comes (looking at the map), the fault should continue straight toward where I was taking the picture. 

Here’s a closer look at the area the person was walking past in the above picture:

 

The area was made into a walking path with a white fence like others that run through the community. The difference is how it’s accompanied by an vacant lot that cuts diagonally through prime real estate. Unfortunately, there is no sign posted. It seems you have to do your own research to find this out. 

Here’s another picture of the same walking path and empty lot, after I walked into it a little ways. The fence is no longer visible because the walking path is lower than the open area beside it...

 

Here’s looking back from the opposite end of the lot;

 

Close to where I was standing to take the above picture, if you turn around to see where the fault continues north-west, this is what you see:

 

Yep...another strangely empty lot amid prime real estate. Most of the other areas in this community are built up with few open areas between them.

Those two posts with the little sign? They're directly in line with the diagonal path of the fault line from the picture above. What does the sign say? Is it labeled “San Andreas Fault?”

 

No... it’s just an old piece of rotting wood. Who knows if it ever had something written on it. I suppose it would be too expensive for community developers to raise people’s alarms by labeling the San Andreas Fault. That’s just a guess really, I only rented a room there so don’t know if home buyers were given any kind of disclosure about it... 

Here’s looking deeper into the same lot from the picture above:

 

It’s filled with gorgeous meadows and trees (all green from recent rains when I took the picture), but eerily empty. 

Here’s another picture of the left side of the same lot:

 

You do find some strangely abandoned structures in the lot as well. Just behind the trees on the right side, in the above picture, I found this rusting staircase attached to nothing:

 

 Same staircase from above:

 

It seems to be from a house that may have been torn down when someone learned the truth about the zone it was in. The stair case goes down into this beautiful meadow:

 

Here’s part of an old stone wall just down from the stair case, also attached to nothing and surrounded by overgrown olive trees:

 

Close to the wall I found this wild bee hive, showing its definitely a place people don’t come to often...

 

Red tailed hawks that frequent the area were overhead as I walked...

 

Walking back across fault to Highland Street, I continued south to other areas the Google map showed the fault line going through. One prime area that it runs through is this little park:

 

According to the map, the fault goes through the green part of this park, right above the pond, probably right under these people who were picnicking. 

Here’s a picture from the street, showing the park to the bottom right and a line of houses to the left. The park runs all behind that row of houses and the grassy area, with the fault line in it, runs just above the lake below these houses for several blocks...

 

Perhaps worst of all is the houses another mile or two down the street where the fault crosses directly under about 20 of them. Although the map does say the red line could be up to a hundred feet from fault, it's still uncomfortably close. 

 

They’ve got no parking signs, but it seems somebody forgot to post the “No Building” signs...

 

Build Your House on the Rock 

We live in perilous times. No matter where we live, disasters or problems could strike as we enter these end times. Now more than ever, we need to heed Christ's words of warning to prepare our souls for eternity. He is the solid Rock that we must build upon (1 Corinthians 10:4).

"Every one that hears these words of mine and doeth them is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. 25 And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house but it didn't fall, for it was founded upon the rock. 26 Everyone that hears my words and doesn't do them is like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house and it fell, and great was its fall." Matthew 7:24-27 

"Do not lay up treasures for yourselves on Earth, where moth and rust consume and thieves break in and steal. 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in or steal. 21 For where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21


Bible verses revised from ASV.



Website Navigation:



No comments:

Is Jesus Coming Back to Old Jerusalem?

Many groups of people, including Christians, Messianic Jews, and Torah-emphasizing groups, teach that Christ will return to Earth and reign in Jerusalem. Some teach that we will briefly ascend to meet the Lord in the air, only to return back down and live in this old world again. But such ideas are not biblical and hold hidden dangers that could lead to deception. Let’s discuss what the Bible teaches to see why there’s danger in focusing our hopes on old Jerusalem.

In seeking to understand this, the first place we should start is with looking at how the New Testament defines “Israel” since the Gospel went to the gentiles, after Christ’s death and the stoning of Stephen. 

Romans 9 says: 

It’s not as though the word of God has failed, for they are not all Israel that are of Israel. 7 Neither because they are Abraham’s seed are they all the children, but, “In Isaac shall your seed be called.” 8 That is, it’s not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are considered to be the seed. Romans 9:6-8

And Galatians 3 says;

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was counted for him as righteousness. 7 Know, then, that those who believe are the children of Abraham. Galatians 3:6-7

Because the New Testament teaches, in these and other verses, that God’s Church is “Israel,” and that all who have faith in God are seen as the children of Abraham in God’s eyes, the physical land of Israel is no longer of central importance to God’s Kingdom. Jesus told the Samaritan woman this time was coming when she asked Him about where we should worship:

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. John 4:23

Jesus taught as other New Testament writers did on this subject when He said: 

Do not say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children of Abraham from these stones. Matthew 3:9

Many Christians don’t acknowledge this clear New Testament teaching and thus misapply passages having to do with “Israel” or “Jerusalem” to the literal country of Israel. Although some of these passages may apply literally to the nation of Israel, in some way, they usually apply to God’s people in the wider sense as well.

As far as the idea of Jesus returning to reign in old Jerusalem, what purpose would it serve for his people to leave Earth and meet the Lord in the air only to return to Earth? Things Jesus himself said can help answer the question about where we will go after he returns to Earth. In John 14:1-7 he said he was coming to take us back to his Father’s house, which is in Heaven. First Thessalonians 4:16-17 follows the same theme when it speaks of Christ’s return.

In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-7 

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we that are still alive and surviving will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so w will we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

First Corinthians 15:50-55 and the above verse, among others, teach that the resurrection occurs at Jesus second coming in the sky and that's when good people are given immortality. There will be no more death after that. All of this is contrary to the teachings about an earthly millennium in which Christ reigns from Jerusalem for a thousand years while sin and death continue. The verse makes clear that corrupt mortal flesh will not be part of God’s kingdom after Jesus comes. 

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all will not sleep but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then will come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? 1 Corinthians 15:50-55

The teaching that there will be second chances for salvation after Jesus returns to take his people home is a fatal deception designed to take advantage of people's tendency toward procrastination (1 Corinthians 6:1-2). There is no scriptural support for such ideas.

Revelation 20 and 21 go into detail about what will happen at the end of the thousand years and show us that the New Jerusalem comes down from God at that time and the wicked are resurrected, then surround the city after which fire comes down from God to destroy them. After that, the earth is created anew after the wicked are completely burned up, a conclusion that matches the descriptions of hell in 2 Peter 3, Malachi 4:1-3, Psalm 37 and other verse throughout the Bible. 

Malachi 4:3 describes the righteous coming out of the New Jerusalem to walk on the scorched earth briefly after that happens, just before God re-creates everything. This matches the scenes described in Revelation 20 and 21 that talk about the righteous being in the New Jerusalem surrounded by the wicked before they are destroyed, then the earth is made new. 

It also says that the wicked are not raised until the end of the thousand years after Christ’s second coming, so the fact that the wicked are present places these scenes at the end of the thousand years when the city has come down from God. Some confusion arises from the description at the beginning of Revelation chapter 21, where it seems to describe the New Jerusalem coming down after the earth is made new. 

Many things in Revelation are out of sequence or repeat to provide more detail. But that the New Jerusalem descended before the destruction of the wicked at the end of the thousand years is the only logical explanation for how the “great white throne” appeared on earth with the wicked surrounding it being judged (Rev 20). 

The description in Revelation 20 gives us the picture that Satan and all the resurrected wicked are all over the earth, with Satan deceiving and marshaling them together for battle, while God’s people are in the city. If the Lord had already established peace on Earth, there would be no need for the saints to be confined to the city. 

Revelation 22:14-15 repeats this scene with more clarity, showing that the Tree of Life is in the New Jerusalem which has descended from God at the time that the wicked surround it. Since the wicked are not resurrected until after the thousand years, it’s clear these events occur at that time. 

The events of the tribulation, prior to Jesus' second coming, bring the earth into a state of uninhabitable desolation which is not corrected until fire cleanses the earth before it is recreated. Here are a few more verses that describe the ultimate state of the earth after the events of the end times and final time of tribulation. Some of the verses point to the activities of man as well:

The earth will be desolate because of those who dwell in it, for the fruit of what they have done. Micah 7:13 

Behold, HWHY will empty the earth, make it waste, turn it upside down, and scatter abroad its inhabitants. 3 The earth will be utterly emptied and laid waste... 4 The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes... 5 The earth is polluted by its inhabitants because they have transgressed its laws, violated its statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant. Isaiah 24:1, 3-5 

I beheld the earth, and it was wasted and ruined, and the heavens had no light. 24 I watched the mountains trembling and the hills moving back and forth. 25 I saw no people and all the birds of the heavens had departed. 26 The fruitful fields looked like a wilderness and all the cities were broken down at the presence of HWHY, before his fierce anger. 27 For thus saith HWHY, “The whole land will be desolate, yet I won’t make a full end. 28 For this, the earth will mourn and the heavens above be black; because I have spoken it, I have purposed it and I will not relent nor will I turn back from it.” Jeremiah 4:23-28

As described here and in Revelation’s seals, trumpets and bowls, the whole earth will be in a terrible state of upheaval and filled with toxic waste. Since it will not be made new until after the thousand years, as noted above, no one will be living here during the time after Jesus returns to take his people to Heaven. 

The problem with believing Jesus will come to Earth to reign for a thousand years is that you are preparing to receive the Antichrist when Satan impersonates Jesus. The reason Jesus warned us not to look for him on Earth is because he won’t be here. His return to Earth will be like lightning in the sky. He won’t come down to the ground or be found anywhere on Earth, as he said in Matthew 24:

Then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Christ,” or, “There,” don’t believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 You see, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, “Look! He’s in the wilderness,” do not do out, or “Look! He’s in the inner rooms,” do not believe it. 27 For the coming of the Son of man will be as the lightning that comes from the east and flashes to the west... 30 They will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:23-27, 30b, 31

 And for comparison, this verse again:

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we that are still alive and surviving will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so we will ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

All of this matches how Jesus said, in John 18:36, “My kingdom is not of this world.” It only makes sense that he’s coming to take us back to Heaven, where his kingdom is, for the thousand-year Sabbath (the 7th millennium since creation). After that, he will bring his people with the New Jerusalem back to the desolate Earth for one last showdown with the devil and all His followers.

The question of Jesus restoring the old kingdom of Israel is not a new one. Even in his day people were constantly hoping he was going to set up a kingdom to rule from Israel. After he had finished his life’s work and was about to ascend to Heaven, people still wouldn’t leave the subject alone and brought it up again, asking, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?” (Acts 1:6). 

Many are asking the same question today and they will be disappointed like those misguided followers of old. It's Satan's delight to have convinced so many religious people to focus their hopes on old Jerusalem instead of the New Jerusalem in Heaven, where Jesus is. 

He's using this to cause people to misinterpret and misapply scripture. This is our clue that old Jerusalem will probably be at the center of end-time deceptions as the capitol of the antichrist's kingdom. It may be one of the key places where Satan will appear as an apparition impersonating Jesus and a command center through which the papacy will enforce one-world religion (Revelation 13).



Bible verses revised from ASV.

Top image created on Canva



Website Navigation:



2 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)