Jim's Eschatological Info

Immediately after Jesus opens the second seal on the seven-sealed scroll a second cherubim shows John a vision of a fiery red horse. “When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, ‘Come and see’. And another horse, fiery red, went out, and it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.” (Revelation 6:3-4). As I’ve already stated, these horsemen are four spirits that God is going to use in the final seven years of this age to create turmoil and devastation on the earth in order to test mankind. This second rider is given a “great sword” to take peace from the earth. He does this by pitting people against one another to the point where they are warring and murdering; warring on the national level, and murderous on a personal level. He is given a “great” sword to accomplish his task. As used here in Greek, the word great is megas, or an extremely powerful weapon. Evidently, he will be very successful at turning mankind against each other. Jesus Himself spoke of this time when He said, “because lawlessness will abound, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death and you will be hated for My names sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Mark 13:12-13).

The color red is defined as the color of flame or fire and the Greek word used, purrhos, is only used one other time in the New Testament describing the “red” dragon of Revelation 12. It’s associated with bloodshed, terror, and death. This second horseman will be influencing the minds of world leaders as well as the general population across the globe to promote discord of all types rather than peaceful pursuits surely assisting the red dragon (Satan). Just as Jesus taught, the thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

You may be thinking, aren’t we seeing these things taking place in our world right now with wars of all kinds, social and political divisions, mass murders, etc. taking place with great frequency? Yes, but to be blunt, we ain’t seen nothing yet! When this horseman is released, “men’s hearts will be failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth.” (Luke 21:26)

Saints, we must be prepared for coming times of great turmoil. In all these things we are overcomers. Cloth yourselves with Christ and His armor, and you’ll have no problem “enduring to the end”.

My next post will concern the third horseman, the one riding a black horse.

Maranatha, Jim

When Jesus pops the 1st of seven seals securing the scroll that only He is qualified to open, John is shown a vision by one of the four throne cherubim of a rider on a white horse. “And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:2). Analyzing this verse will help us identify this rider.

Let’s start with the color of the horse. As mentioned in a previous post, horses are militarily advantageous in war. The color white is biblically a reference to purity and holiness. The only other references to white horses in Revelation are to Jesus Himself riding a white horse when He comes at the end of the tribulation destroying His enemies at Armageddon and the army of heaven that follow Him also riding white horses. “And the armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.” (Revelation 19:14). This is why many, if not most, commentators associate this 1st white horse in John’s vision to Jesus. But is that conclusion logical and consistent with scripture? This 1st white horse is released at the beginning of Daniel’s seventieth week, while Jesus comes on His white horse at the end of the tribulation seven years later. The primary weapon of this 1st rider is a “bow”, conventional weaponry. Jesus destroys with the “sword ” from His mouth-His Word. He is not in need or lacking a crown, as He already has one as King of the universe. He also does not need to “conquer”, take possession of earthly territory, He will simply destroy his enemies when he comes. Not only that, but if Jesus is this rider, that would be totally inconsistent with the character of these four horsemen whose collective mission is to stir up trouble for mankind on the earth. So, if it’s not Jesus, who is it?

As I’ve stated previously, the four horsemen are all “spirits” that proceed from the throne of God. If not Jesus, the only other logical choice is one of the army from heaven, as no other riders on white horses are mentioned. What then is the purpose of this spirit sent from God? Spirits are sent into the earth by God for many purposes. They interact with mankind consistent with God’s plan for His creation. God’s plan for the final seven years before His Son comes to set up His kingdom includes a period of time when an evil ruler rises to dominate mankind. He uses military dominance and intrigue to establish his reign. With his allies, he destroys the world’s political, economic, and religious system (Mystery Babylon) and replaces it with his own. He, the antichrist, is a man, not a spirit, but is influenced by spirits controlling him. I believe this rider on a white horse is sent to plant ideas in the head of this man, so that God’s plan will be carried out just as prophesied. I believe that this fits very well with the description of this rider. The color white aptly describes his messiah image, after all, he is the “anti” Christ. The books of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation certainly describe him as a conqueror wielding a “bow”. Ezekiel describes God’s defeat of Gog (antichrist) thusly; “Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand.” (Ezekiel 39: 3). Of particular note, is the fact that he is given a crown as a king. “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.” (Daniel 11:36). God allows him a crown and permits this evil reign for a short time to test all peoples on the earth.

For these reasons, I believe the first of the four horsemen, the rider on the white horse, is sent to guide and assist the nefarious planning of the antichrist and, perhaps, even possess him, so that God’s ultimate plan will be carried out. Make no mistake, God is on the throne directing events as we approach the end of this millennium and begin the new. This 1st rider on a white horse is but one of the tools God will be using in these last days.

My next post will focus on the second rider, the rider on the fiery red horse.

Maranatha, Jim

In a previous post about the seven-sealed scroll opened by Jesus to authorize the events and judgments that will take place during Daniel’s seventieth week, I stated that it begins with the release of the four “horsemen”. It’s my opinion that all four of these horsemen are released immediately upon the full unfurling of this scroll. Jesus then authorizes them to go out in all four directions into the earth to accomplish their tasks. John is shown these horses sequentially in vision form as Jesus pops the seven seals. Horses in scripture are generally depicted as instruments of war, militarily advantageous to their riders. The horses ridden by these four are no exception. Their goals are to conquer, foster war, promote economic hardship, and to kill mankind. Morbid goals indeed, but God is going to exercise His judgment as He sees fit.

The number four is used often by God in prophecy. In this instance, the four horsemen are introduced separately by four cherubim to John as the first four seals on the scroll are opened. These four “living creatures”(cherubim) that surround and support the throne of God are, perhaps, other than the Godhead, the most powerful beings in the universe. According to Ezekiel Chapter 1, these living creatures have four faces, four wings, and move above four “wheels”. The communication to John describing the horsemen come from the thunderous voices of these cherubim. Elsewhere, the prophet Zechariah also depicts four horsemen dispatched by God in chapter 1 of his book. Here, they are described as sent to “walk to and fro throughout the earth” keeping a watch on mankind. Later, in chapter 6 of Zechariah, we see described four chariots pulled by horses also going “to and fro throughout the earth”. These charioteers are said to be “four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth.” (Zechariah 6:5). The prophet Daniel also describes something similar: “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds (spirits) of heaven were stirring up the great sea” (Daniel 7:2). In Revelation we read this: “I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds (spirits) of the earth.” (Revelation 7:1). In my opinion, all of these foursomes described in Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation, are all the same or, at least closely related. They are all spirits (they’re active in the spirit realm) sent from God’s throne to accomplish His purposes on the earth, from simple observation to the stirring up of wide-spread war. The four horsemen unleashed by Jesus when He opens the seven-sealed scroll are sent out to begin the process of God’s judgment of evil on this earth. It’s a seven-year process, ending with Jesus’s return.

Of note is the fact that these horses are of different colors, both in the old and new testaments, indicative of their different functions. In my opinion, it won’t be long until we start seeing the handiwork of these horsemen as they stride to and fro across our earth stirring up trouble amongst men. In my next post, I’ll focus on the mission of the first horseman, the one riding a white horse.

Maranatha, Jim

The resurrection of Jesus back to life from death after 3 days in a tomb was the greatest miracle this world has ever witnessed. Not only that, but this event is the very bedrock of our Christian faith. The apostle Paul said this: “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14). Thankfully, Jesus’s resurrection is not only biblical fact, but historical fact, provable on many levels. No, our faith is not empty. In fact, our own coming resurrection is based on His resurrection. “But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christs at His coming.” (1 Corinthians 15:20,23)

The apostle Paul made attaining his personal resurrection paramount in his earthly struggle. Everything else in his life gained through his own work, he considered rubbish and loss. “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ…that I might gain Christ…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…if by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:8-11).

Like Paul, our goal should and must be the same, attainment of resurrection from the dead. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3). If we’re truly “in Christ”, belonging to Him, it’s a sure promise of life eternal. Jesus was and is our prototype. We’re promised a resurrection body just like His. We have a glorious and fantastic future ahead of us. I hope you are all as excited as I am as we close in on that time. Let’s focus on these things instead of what the god of this world is doing as we celebrate what Jesus did for us this Passover weekend.

Happy Resurrection Day, Jim

For the past ten years, Orthodox Jewish Rabbis have been performing a ritual sacrifice of a lamb on the feast of Passover. These reenactments are in anticipation of the time when the Israeli government and whoever else in authority will allow an actual sacrifice to take place up on the temple mount in either a rebuilt Jewish temple or at least an outdoor altar constructed specifically for this purpose. This year (2023) was no different.

Passover sacrifice reenactment takes place adjacent to the Temple Mount – Israel365 News

The significance of this sacrifice cannot be understated. It’s the most important ritual commanded in Mosaic law. And, with certainty at some point in the near future, it will commence. When it begins, it will mark the start of one of the most important end-time events of all, the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week. Of course, this seven-year period ends with the return of Jesus to set up His kingdom. You may be wondering; what could possibly happen to allow such a sacrifice to take place? The prophet Daniel gives us a strong clue. “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week.” (Daniel 9:27). Though controversial, I believe the “he” in this verse to be non-other than the antichrist. The “covenant ” he confirms I believe to be the Mosaic covenant, which would then (in his deceitfulness) allow temple sacrifices to commence in fulfillment of prophecy. However, true to his devious ways, he does not permit this to go on for long. “But in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” (Daniel 9:27). After three-and one-half years, he shows his true colors as the abomination he actually is.

As Christians, we know that the real sacrificial Lamb was Jesus on that Passover 2000 years ago. However, orthodox Judaism has yet to acknowledge this fact. By the time this seven-year period is completed they will recognize the One they pierced as the Messiah. For now, we must keep abreast of events leading to the restarting of this Passover sacrifice such as the preparation of a red heifer necessary for ritual purity. All of these prophetic events are near or already in motion. We’re living in the last days. Stay tuned.

Maranatha, Jim

God the Father, sitting on his throne, was holding something in His right hand. It was a scroll the creator of the universe had personally authored. The apostle John attests to this in a vision. “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.” (Revelation 5:1). John then weeps much because no one was deemed worthy enough to open the scroll. But one of the “elders” around the throne informed John that the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Jesus) was worthy to open the scroll because of His sacrifice on the cross. (Revelation 4:5,9). “Then He (Jesus) came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.” (Revelation 4:7)

In the days when Revelation was written, official scrolls containing privileged information were sealed with a wax seal embossed with a royal impression denoting authority. Unauthorized removal resulted in severe punishment. This scroll was sealed with seven such seals, an indication of the importance and perfection of what was written therein. These seals were placed there by God Himself. Only one person in all the universe other than the Father could unseal this document. The Son. In Revelation chapter six, we see Jesus opening the scroll.

The timing of the unfurling of this scroll is critical. It marks a change in God’s focus toward mankind. Judgment is beginning. It represents the commencement of the prophesied 70th week of Daniel, the “time of Jacobs’ trouble”, a seven-year period often called the tribulation. It’s the final stage of human government on this earth prior to the establishment of Jesus’ kingdom. It is marked by the pinnacle and end of Mystery Babylon’s rule and the God-permitted rise of the antichrist to his position of power. The beginning of this seven-year period coincides with the “confirmation of the covenant” mentioned in Daniel 9:27. It ends with the battle of Armageddon, the resurrection of those belonging to Christ, and Jesus’s physical return to reign on the earth.

All this is authorized by Jesus to commence when He opens the scroll. All the turmoil caused by evil mankind, the dominance of the antichrist, and the judgments from God, beginning with the release of the four horsemen and ending with the horrific bowl judgments are set in motion. I’ll address these “four horsemen” in a subsequent post. As Jesus pops each one of these seals, John sees a vision of a particular event occurring during this week. Keep in mind that these events are not happening immediately as each seal is broken, John’s visions are what is happening. He sees a sequence of events beginning with the release of the first of the four horsemen and ending with God’s full wrath poured out on the ungodly. These events cannot begin to happen until the scroll is fully opened and unfurled and Jesus’s approval of the actions and judgments contained therein is given.

At present, we are nearing the end of the sixth millennium since creation. The events and judgments described in this seven-sealed scroll take place over the last seven years of this millennium. Then comes the seventh millennium, the kingdom reign of Christ. This means we’re close. We’re fast approaching the time when Jesus takes the scroll from His Father’s hand. Are you ready?

Maranatha, Jim

This winter’s bible study of the book of Romans is now complete with all 13 sessions posted on YouTube. If you choose to watch these and study with us, just remember that this a “home” bible study. That means not professionally done. So, please judge the content, not the delivery or deliverer. Questions and comments are always welcome and encouraged.

The Los Amigos Bible Study – YouTube

Maranatha, Jim

Mystery Babylon is coming into its own. If you’re at all familiar with the bible, and particularly bible prophecy, you’ve read about this world dominating entity that appears to be in complete control of world politics, economics, and even religion, just prior to control by the antichrist. You can and should read all about her in Revelation chapters 17-19. I also have written an in-depth bible- based article exposing her identity that I’ve permanently linked to in this blog. You can read it here: A Biblical Tale.doc – Google Docs. Recent news stories and world events keep piling up evidence that the emerging dominance of MB is certain in our time, not in some distant future. While bible scholars wrangle about the nature and identity of what MB might be in the future, it’s become clear to me that she’s already here and consolidating her insidious control with frightening rapidity. World governance is her predominant goal using established structures such as the United Nations, nation states that have leaders with similar globalist agendas, multinational corporations that have billionaire “thought leaders” at their helms, and the world-wide reserve banking system that controls the world’s economies.

There’s no question the UN is at the center of all this, coordinating and guiding member nations with their “2030 Agenda” a program focused on “sustainable development goals” to “transform the world”. It seems the entire planet has signed on to this agenda. Its ultimate goal is total control of all humanity on this planet. The developing source of funding to accomplish this appears to come from richer nations that are taxed according to carbon emissions due to supposed “climate change”. Of course, serious science debunks much of this as a global warming hoax. No matter, climate change has been promoted successfully as fact. Also under the UN’s purview are organizations such as the World Court, that can issue legally binding decisions to nation states that one would think would be sovereign, the World Health Organization (WHO) that is gaining ever increasing power over nation states to dictate their behavior in control of their populations during health crises such as the covid pandemic we have just experienced, and the World Bank that manages loans to needy countries. All this and much more means unprecedented power and control.

Also facilitating MB’s growth are institutions such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) whose tenacles reach across the world. Their focus on what they’ve called “the great reset” has a target of global socialism controlled by an elite group of “thought leaders” made up of politicians and billionaire businessmen that will better control all aspects of civilization. Many current heads of nation states are graduates of the WEF’s young leaders program. This will constitute a “New World Order” where it is said no one will own anything but will be happy. Sure. This fits in perfectly with the UN”s sustainable development goals.

Undergirding all this is the world’s social move toward equity, diversity, inclusion, the “wokeism” so popular with liberal thinking in the western nations and the EU. This mindset willingly buys into globalist thinking described above. It seems there’s no stopping this disgusting trend. A new normal? I hope not. It is manifesting itself as the “religious” aspect of MB.

The recent run on banks and subsequent bank failures will undoubtedly lead to further consolidation of financial institutions resulting in greater financial power in fewer hands, a boon to globalists. Another result will probably be an accelerated push toward digital currencies that will give governments unlimited control over individual spending. Reserve banks such as the US’s federal reserve already exercise unchecked and unlimited power to control the economies of nation states. Together with massive financial institutions such as Blackrock, Vanguard, JP Morgan, and Goldman Sachs, their leaders make up the “merchants” of Mystery Babylon. “For your merchants were the great men of the earth” (Rev. 18:23). Interestingly enough, the moral underpinning of these large multinational companies is “ESG” or environment, social, and governance, fitting right in with UN and WEF goals.

You may be wondering, is there any aggressive push back to all of this? The short answer is, very little. Yes, conservative Christianity is certainly an opposing force, but is being overwhelmed at every turn. There was a time when I thought eastern and oriental governments would oppose these globalist goals, but I was wrong. India, for example, has become the poster boy for implementation of a national ID for every individual eliminating any personal privacy concerns. China has imposed what is called a “social credit score” on its citizens for total control and has stated its support for global governance. A recent article in Breitbart confirms Xi’s commitment. Xi Jinping: China Will Be ‘Active’ in Reforming ‘Global Governance’ (breitbart.com) No, nothing will halt MB’s rise to eventual domination over mankind. It’s a sure prophecy. God is in control of end time events. He’s the One engineering MB’s rise. Satan, the “god of this world,” thinks he’s the mastermind behind it all. And, he thinks he’s just starting. Eventually he plans to crush MB at the hand of his man, the antichrist, and place him in authority over all the world’s systems in place of MB, imposing his economic system. It’s called the “abomination of desolation”. MB will ultimately be totally destroyed. As it stands right now, MB controls the one who will become the antichrist-the beast. In fact, it is said that she rides (controls) the beast. (Rev 17:3). He, the antichrist, near the middle of Daniel’s 70th week flips the table on her and the beast along with his allies burn her with fire. (Rev 17:16-17).

No question, Mystery Babylon is advancing before our eyes. What can we do about it? We can’t stop it because it’s certain prophecy. But we must be aware and equipped to deal with her in our personal lives. As her rule becomes more onerous, we must be fully prepared to do as our Lord instructs us: “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4)

Maranatha, Jim

Six angels (messengers) appear sequentially in Revelation chapter 14, verses 6-20. These angels, seen by John in vision form, present a brief summary of major events that take place during the last 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week termed by Jesus as the “great tribulation”. The two witnesses have been killed, and the beast from the abyss possesses the man known as the antichrist who begins his reign over much of the world. The messages of these six angels to mankind are listed as follows:

1st angel. “And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven (the sky), having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-to every nation, tribe , tongue, and people-saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and the earth, the sea, and springs of water.’ “ (Rev. 14:6-7). Everyone on this earth will have heard the gospel!

2nd angel “And another angel followed , saying, Babylon the great is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” (Rev. 14:8). Mystery Babylon’s reign and fall at the hand of the antichrist and his 10-nation confederacy is described in Revelation 16:17-18:24

3rd angel “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.’ ” (Rev.14:9-10). Don’t take the mark of the beast!

4th angel “And another angel came out of the (heavenly) temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud (Jesus), ‘Thrust in your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ ” (Rev 14:15). This is the first resurrection, or the “rapture”.

5th angel “Then another angel came out of the temple, which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle” (Rev.14:17) He’s ready to harvest the “grapes of wrath”, evil mankind.

6th angel “And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in your sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.’ So, the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and threw in into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” (Rev 14:18-19). God will totally judge evil on this earth.

These six messengers of the last days briefly show the detailed involvement of God’s angels with mankind. God will be using angels in a timely fashion both to inform mankind and help carry out His plan for His creation. For now, the voices of these messengers should present to you clear warnings of what is to shortly take place. Make sure you’re ready!

Maranatha, Jim

Jesus is not a thief. But, He said “Behold, I am coming as a thief.”(Revelation 16:15). What did He mean by that? First, know that Jesus described Satan and his minions as thieves who threaten His flock with destruction. “The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). Jesus is freely giving eternal life to His flock, not stealing it. What Jesus is referencing when saying He is coming as a thief is the soon arriving “Day of the Lord“. The Apostle Paul said, “For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” (1Thessalonians 5:2). Peter says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (2Peter 3:10). Jesus’s second coming is inextricably linked this “Day of the Lord” when He will judge evil on this earth and gather His own to Himself. That’s when He is coming as a thief.

Jesus clearly explained all this to His disciples in the form of a parable about a thief breaking into a home. He said, “Know this, that if the master of that house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not let his house be broken into.” (Matthew 24:43). The essence of the parable was to teach His disciples that they were to watch the signs and determine what watch of the night the thief was coming so that they would be ready and protect their households all the while preparing them for the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus told the apostle John the consequences if they did not watch. “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you do not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”(Revelation 3:3). Clearly, Jesus is saying here that by watching the hour of His coming can (and must) be determined. Paul indicated the same in his first letter to the Thessalonians, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness so that this day (of the Lord) should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”(1Thessalonians 5:4-5).

This world as we know it will be sadly and tragically unprepared for Jesus’s return. For them it will be a shock scripture likens to a “thief in the night”. But for the saints, the second coming will be the long expected but watchfully discerned culmination of this age.

Jesus is not coming as a thief for his bride but as a bridegroom.

His bride will be watching, prepared, and ready.

For this world, however, the thief metaphor is appropriate. He is coming as a thief in the night.

Stay alert.

Maranatha, Jim