# Facebook Exchange About Revelation 19 ## Background - On 2021.01.07, I posted the following on my public page on Facebook (FB): Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. {[[Revelation_19|Revelation 19.19-21 (BSB)]]; [[False_Prophet]]; [[Image]]} - On 2021.01.09, I received a reply from {[[Name_Key#^nk-17| M ]]} saying: My dear friend. The time is approaching, but it is not time. The era of Issiah (sic) 61:1 has not passed. These event will not bring about the end. The preaching of end times during times of stress causes paralysis. When the gospel is preached to all nations, only then will the end come. Love you brother. I hope you well. I agree with your post, it's just not the right time. - This morning, I replied with the following: - I am confused by some of your comments. Please help me understand. - You said, “These event will not bring about the end.” To what events are you referring? - You said, “The preaching of end times during times of stress causes paralysis.” Please explain what you mean by this statement. - You said, “I agree with your post, it's just not the right time.” When is the right time? - A couple of hours later he replied back to me with the following: - peace to you my friend. the events of chaos in our Capitol, which are the overriding context which todays (sic) Christians are interpreting the end times, will not bring about the end times. This may have been unintentional, but quoting Scripture of revelation the week of such historic importance easily can be interpreted as such. - Most suburban Christians are very afraid right now. They say they don't live by fear but they are afraid. The end times teachings produce fear in many. Not in you or me. But to many. It also causes paralysis to engage in societal issues due to this fear. {[[Fear]]} - I say I agree because I agree with scripture. But as scripture says, there is a time for everything. Today's time is [[Isaiah_61|Isaiah 61:1]], not Revelations. It is the time of preaching the gospel to nations, not on beasts and dragons with multiple heads, or angels of destruction. - Blessings to you and peace. - There are so many things I want to say that I felt I should draft up a journal entry discussing my position on all this before replying. I am sure I will edit this numerous times. - Compare with: [[Finish the Task_n_Hasten Jesus' Return Bible Study.odt]] ***EVERYTHING I POST IS ABOUT GETTING READY AND BEING READY FOR JESUS RETURN*** ## Notes ### Matthew 24 - Many modern Christian books have been written about **Matthew 24.14** {[[Matthew_24|Matthew 24.14]]} - “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” - Some of these promote the idea that it is possible to "hasten" Jesus' return {[[Hasten]]} - Sadly, too many of them leave out the context of this passage. - Jesus answered His disciples’ questions about when the destruction of the temple (see verses 1-3) will occur - In the verses prior to **24.14**, Jesus says some strong stuff {[[24.14]]} - ***Verse 4 is one of the reasons I started posting verses about deception back in early December. {[[Deceive|deception]]} - There were 28 passages that I posted from 2020.12.6 to 2021.01.13 - They will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. {[[Matthew_24|Matthew 24.9]]} - At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another {10} - many false prophets will arise and mislead many {11} - Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. {12} - But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. {13} - **Matthew 24.14** is not a command, just the last of many items Jesus listed off that would occur prior “to the end will come”. {14} - I want to be clear, NO one knows the hour or the day when Jesus will come back {Matthew 24.36 & [[Mark_13|Mark 13.32]]} - We are clearly in the era of “braxton-hix” or as Jesus said it, “the beginning of birth pains” {Matthew 24.8, 32} - From the Hasten Jesus' Return/Finish the Task Bible Study - Paul claimed to have completed the **Acts 1.8** command in his defense before King Agrippa - First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.{ [[Acts_26|Acts 26.20]]} - Either Luke, Paul, Peter, John and the Pharisees - had a bad case of hyperbole - or - they sure thought the gospel had gone out to the whole world - or - we don’t understand their writings - Scripture - Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You can see that this is doing you no good. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!” John 12.19 - All nations under heaven were represented at Pentecost where Peter preached the gospel. Acts 2.5 - The Jews in Jerusalem accused Paul of teaching everywhere [Acts 21.28 - Apparently, the Romans thought the gospel had gone out everywhere because people everywhere were talking against it. Acts 28.22 - First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world. Romans 1.8 - But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Romans 10.18 - Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. Romans 16.19 - All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God. Colossians 1.6b - if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1.23 - For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 1 Thessalonians 1.8 ### Revelation - Jesus told john to write the book of Revelation. - In **Revelation 1.3** (BSB), John wrote: - Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near. - The promise of blessing John mentioned is reason enough to read / hear and obey what is written in the book - Then, near the very end of the book, John wrote: - I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book. {[[Revelation_22|Revelation 22.18-19]]} - I have no desire to add to or take away from what was written in Revelation - Notwithstanding this warning, here are some of my thoughts: - John starts the book with this statement, “This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” [Revelation 1.1-2 (BSB)] - Although no one knows the day or the hour when Jesus is coming back or the events discussed in the book, John wrote that they were “soon to come to pass” - Furthermore, it would seem that God felt it was necessary to make these things known to us. - Rarely did Jesus talk about the “gospel” without linking it to His kingdom. He often used the phrase, “gospel of the kingdom”. This is His kingdom. Many (some people would say all) of the events in Revelation are about His return and reign as king. - Preaching the gospel brings eternal accountability to all who hear the message ### Endurance, Perseverance and Overcoming - Scripture makes it clear we have to endure, persevere and overcome. Jesus and Paul even connect some of the passages with salvation. - Jesus said: - Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. [Matthew 10.21-22 (BSB)] - But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. [Matthew 24.13 (BSB)] - Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. [Mark 13.12-13 (BSB)] - But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop. [Luke 8.15 (BSB)] - By your patient endurance you will gain your souls. [Luke 21.19 (BSB)] - I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have **overcome** the world!” @ [John 16.33 (BSB)] - I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles. Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name. [Revelation 2.2-3 (BSB)] - He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who **overcomes**, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. [Revelation 2.7 (BSB)] - I know your affliction and your poverty — though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to **suffer**. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who **overcomes** will not be harmed by the second death. [Revelation 2.9-11 (BSB)] - He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who **overcomes**, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it. [Revelation 2.17 (BSB)] - I know your deeds — your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance — and your latter deeds are greater than your first. [Revelation 2.19 (BSB)] - And to the one who **overcomes** and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. [Revelation 2.26 (BSB)] - Like them, he who **overcomes** will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels. [Revelation 3.5 (BSB)] - Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. [Revelation 3.10 (BSB)] - The one who **overcomes** I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name. [Revelation 3.12 (BSB)] - To the one who **overcomes**, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. [Revelation 3.21 (BSB)] ### Luke, Paul, James & John said - They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many **hardships** to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. [Acts 14.21-22] - Not only that, but we also rejoice in our **sufferings**, because we know that **suffering** produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. [Romans 5.3-4] - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [Romans 12.21 (BSB)] - For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. [Romans 15.4 (BSB)] - We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are **persecuted**, we **endure** it; when we are **slandered**, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. [1 Corinthians 4.10-13 (BSB)] - If we are **afflicted**, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient **endurance** of the same **sufferings** we experience. And our hope for you is sure, because we know that just as you share in our **sufferings**, so also you will share in our comfort. [2 Corinthians 1.6-7 (BSB)] - We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the **hardships** we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. [2 Corinthians 1.8] - Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in **troubles**, **hardships**, and calamities; in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; in purity, knowledge, **patience**, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and **dishonor**, **slander** and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine; as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. [2 Corinthians 6.4-10] - That is why we boast among God’s churches about your **perseverance** and faith in the face of all the **persecution** and **affliction** you are **enduring**. [2 Thessalonians 1.4 (BSB)] - You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my **patience**, my love, my perseverance, my **persecutions**, and the **sufferings** that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What **persecutions** I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. [2 Timothy 3.10-11 (BSB)] - For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and **patience**, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. [Colossians 1.9-12] - Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you **endured** a great conflict in the face of **suffering**. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to **ridicule** and **persecution**; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the **confiscation** of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession. [Hebrews 10.32-34] - Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, **oppressed**, and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground. [Hebrews 11.35-38 (BSB)] - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the **testing** of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. [James 1.2-4] - Brothers, as an example of **patience** in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. [James 5.10-11 (BSB)] - Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. For if anyone **endures** the **pain** of unjust **suffering** because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. How is it to your credit if you are **beaten** for doing wrong and you **endure** it? But if you **suffer** for doing good and you **endure** it, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also **suffered** for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He **suffered**, He made no **threats**, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might **die** to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” For “**you were like sheep going astray**,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. [1 Peter 2.18-25 (BSB)] - I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have **overcome** the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have **overcome** the evil one. [1 John 2.13-14 (BSB)] - You, little children, are from God and have **overcome** them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. [1 John 4.4 (BSB)] - For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, because everyone born of God **overcomes** the world. And this is the **victory** that has **overcome** the world: our faith. Who then **overcomes** the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. [1 John 5.3-5 (BSB)] - I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus. [Revelation 1.9 (BSB)] - So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to **overcome** and **conquer**. [Revelation 6.2 (BSB)] - He who has an ear, let him hear: “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the **sword**, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints. [Revelation 13.9-10 (BSB)] - The one who **overcomes** will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. [Revelation 21.7 (BSB)] --- Not sure how this relates to these notes - ***Need to talk about “king” and kingdom*** - Jesus said to make [[Disciple|disciples]], not converts. We need to teach them the whole [[Gospel|gospel]] of the [[Kingdom|kingdom]] - What happened in Thessanolika in three weeks?