WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:04.679 Five prophecies yet to be fulfilled. Number one, the rapture. 2 00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:08.679 When the Lord returns and descends from heaven, his appearance 3 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:11.359 will be visible to the whole world, as well as 4 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:13.720 the assent of his people to meet him in the air, 5 00:00:14.039 --> 00:00:17.960 an event known as the rapture. Some have mistakenly taught 6 00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:21.079 about a secret rapture. However, this event will be far 7 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:24.280 from secret. Indeed, it will be one of the most 8 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:27.879 public events in human history, as evidenced by the description 9 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:30.719 of Jesus. And he will send his angels with the 10 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:33.600 mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his 11 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:37.000 chosen ones from all over the world, from the farthest 12 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:40.039 end of the earth to the heaven Matthew twenty four, 13 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:45.200 verse thirty one. This is not a secret. First, Thessalonians, 14 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:49.119 chapter four provides a comprehensive description of what will happen 15 00:00:49.159 --> 00:00:52.799 at that time. For since we believe that Jesus died 16 00:00:52.840 --> 00:00:56.399 and rose again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, 17 00:00:56.679 --> 00:00:59.920 God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 18 00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:03.119 We say this directly from the Lord. We who are 19 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:06.040 still alive when the Lord returns, will not meet him 20 00:01:06.040 --> 00:01:09.280 before those who have died, for the Lord himself will 21 00:01:09.319 --> 00:01:12.120 descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the 22 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:15.359 voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. 23 00:01:15.959 --> 00:01:20.280 First the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, 24 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:23.719 together with them, we who are still alive and remain 25 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:26.120 on the earth, will be caught up in the clouds 26 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:29.079 to meet the Lord in the air. And so we 27 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:33.000 will be with the Lord forever First Thessalonians four, verses 28 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:37.079 thirteen to seventeen. In the Greek language, there are two 29 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:41.159 distinct words for air. One of the words is ether, 30 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:45.200 which was later adapted into the English language as ether. 31 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:48.799 The other word is air, which was used to refer 32 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:52.400 to the lower air, which is adjacent to the Earth's surface. 33 00:01:53.159 --> 00:01:55.799 This is the term being referred to in the text above. 34 00:01:56.400 --> 00:01:58.959 When it comes time to meet Jesus, he will be 35 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:02.120 in close proxies to the Earth. It is hard to 36 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:05.879 imagine anyone not being aware of the momentous occasion when 37 00:02:05.920 --> 00:02:09.280 the Lord is shouting, the Archangel is speaking, and the 38 00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:12.520 trumpet of God is sounding. It will be a truly 39 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:17.240 unforgettable experience. Some people say that the word rapture is 40 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:21.360 not contained in the New Testament, Well, that claim is true, 41 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:25.120 it largely depends on the translation used. Since the New 42 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:29.199 Testament was not originally written in English, the interpretation of 43 00:02:29.280 --> 00:02:33.639 certain words and phrases can vary. For example, in First 44 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:38.520 Thessalonians four, verse seventeen, the phrase caught up to meet 45 00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:42.000 the Lord in the air can be translated in different ways, 46 00:02:42.520 --> 00:02:45.960 leading to a difference in interpretation. And what about this 47 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:51.000 word rapture? It is a fascinating and captivating word. In 48 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:54.919 the Greek language, it is known as halpazzo. This word 49 00:02:55.039 --> 00:02:58.080 is used in several passages of the New Testament to 50 00:02:58.199 --> 00:03:02.000 describe the rapture. In John ten, the word is used 51 00:03:02.039 --> 00:03:05.639 three times to illustrate how a wolf snatches a sheep 52 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:09.319 from the flock. This action is violent and abrupt. A 53 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:12.039 hired hand will flee when he sees a wolf coming. 54 00:03:12.479 --> 00:03:15.240 He will abandon the sheep because they do not belong 55 00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:18.080 to him and he is not their shepherd, And so 56 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:21.639 the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock John ten, 57 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:25.759 verse twelve. In Matthew thirteen, verses four and nineteen, the 58 00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:29.319 phrase snatched away is used to describe the action of 59 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:33.439 a bird that descends, grabs a seed, and flies away. 60 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:37.639 In the New Testament, this phrase is used several times 61 00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:41.560 to describe people being taken from the earth. For example, 62 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:44.879 after Philip baptized the Eunuch in Acts eight, he was 63 00:03:44.919 --> 00:03:49.960 snatched away. He was snatched away, Acts eight, verse thirty nine. 64 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:52.520 When they came up out of the water, the spirit 65 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:55.599 of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the Eunuch did 66 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:58.599 not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 67 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:02.240 Paul speaks of a friend of his mentioned twice in 68 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:06.000 Second Corinthians twelve, who was caught up to the Third Heaven. 69 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:10.520 Second Corinthians twelve, verses two to four. I know a 70 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:13.879 man in Christ who, fourteen years ago was caught up 71 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:16.680 to the Third Heaven. Whether it was in the body 72 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:19.759 or out of the body, I do not know. God knows. 73 00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:22.680 And I know that this man, whether in the body 74 00:04:22.759 --> 00:04:24.959 or apart from the body, I do not know, but 75 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:29.480 God knows, was caught up to Paradise and heard inexpressible things, 76 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:33.519 things that no one is permitted to tell. In Revelation twelve, 77 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:36.399 verse five, it says she gave birth to a son, 78 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:39.519 a male child who will rule all the nations with 79 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:42.399 an iron scepter, and her child was snatched up to 80 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:47.439 God and to his throne first Thessalonians four, verse seventeen. 81 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:51.079 After that, we who are still alive and are left 82 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:53.519 will be caught up together with them in the clouds 83 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:56.199 to meet the Lord in the air, and so we 84 00:04:56.279 --> 00:04:59.639 will be with the Lord forever. Four times in other 85 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:03.160 pasts sages, the same word is used to forcibly take 86 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:06.720 someone out of a crowd or a situation. Matthew eleven, 87 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:11.319 verse twelve, John six, verse fifteen, Acts twenty three, verse ten, 88 00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:15.519 and Jude twenty three. Here is a list of characteristics 89 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:19.279 that the rapture implies will happen without warning, will be 90 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:23.199 sudden and powerful. There will be no time to prepare. 91 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:26.240 If we are not ready, we will miss the rapture, 92 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:30.800 which will happen suddenly. According to Matthew twenty four, at 93 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:33.920 that moment, two men will be in the field, One 94 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:36.439 will be taken for judgment and the other will be 95 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:39.959 left behind. Two women will be grinding at the mill. 96 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:43.040 One will be taken for judgment and the other will 97 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:46.759 be left behind. As per Matthew twenty four, verses forty 98 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:49.600 and forty one. The Gospel of Luke says that there 99 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:52.319 will be two people in one bed, one will be 100 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:55.839 taken and the other left. As per Luke seventeen, verse 101 00:05:55.879 --> 00:05:59.439 thirty four. Therefore there will be a dramatic and sudden 102 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:03.399 separation of people, even those closest to each other, like 103 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:06.160 the two women working at the mill, or the two 104 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:09.079 men in the field, or even the two sharing the 105 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:12.800 same bed. When the rapture happens, it will take one 106 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:16.199 person and leave the other behind. It is crucial to 107 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:20.000 decide whether we will be taken or left behind. Therefore, 108 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:23.800 let us be alert, pay attention, be cautious, and active 109 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:26.240 in faith, for we do not know on what day 110 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:29.839 the Lord will come, whether near or far. But understand this, 111 00:06:30.439 --> 00:06:32.360 If the owner of the house had known at what 112 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:34.720 time of night the thief was coming, he would have 113 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:37.199 stayed awake and would not have let his house be 114 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:41.319 broken into. Therefore, you who follow me must also be ready, 115 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:43.759 because the son of Man will come at an hour 116 00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:47.000 when you do not expect him. As per Matthew twenty four, 117 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:51.160 Verses forty two to forty four, if the Master had 118 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:53.680 known what was about to happen, he would have stayed 119 00:06:53.720 --> 00:06:58.439 awake and vigilant. Jesus advised his disciples to always be ready, 120 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:01.079 for we can never be sure when he will return. 121 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:05.879 Jesus warned against presumption, noting that those who think they 122 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:09.480 know the time of his return are mistaken. I emphasize 123 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:13.800 this because millions of Christians have fallen for revelations that 124 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:17.120 Jesus came on a specific day or hour, which is 125 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:22.480 entirely contrary to his teaching. As previously mentioned, we find 126 00:07:22.519 --> 00:07:27.720 these words in Mark thirteen, verses thirty five to thirty seven. Therefore, 127 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:30.680 let us always be alert, watching if the Master of 128 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:33.439 the house is coming at night, at midnight, at the 129 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:36.720 rooster's crowing, or in the morning. Let us stay alert, 130 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:39.959 for he may come suddenly and unexpectedly and find us 131 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:44.199 sleeping and unprepared. Each of the three main passages that 132 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:47.800 teach about the rapture indicates that it is only for believers, 133 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:52.560 including innocent children too young to believe. Those who do 134 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:55.879 not believe in Jesus as their Lord and savior will 135 00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:58.120 not be caught up to the presence of the Lord. 136 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:03.160 The rapture is recipt stricted only to believers. Only those 137 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:06.040 who are followers of Christ will be taken to heaven 138 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:09.959 when he returns. The rapture has the power to transform 139 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:13.639 our lives. It is a source of personal comfort and hope. 140 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:17.680 Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about this to alleviate their 141 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:21.199 sorrow for their loved ones who had died. Death is 142 00:08:21.279 --> 00:08:24.480 not the end. The effects of death will be reversed 143 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:28.079 by the resurrection of the believers who died. Everyone who 144 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:30.319 has lost a loved one to the sting of death 145 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:33.759 can find consolation in the knowledge that they will see 146 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:37.879 them again. However, it is also a source of strength. 147 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:42.360 On the night he was arrested, Jesus promised his disciples 148 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:46.200 that he would return for them. Number two The revelation 149 00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:50.360 of the final Antichrist. How can we identify the Antichrist? 150 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:54.320 According to the Bible, during the Tribulation, a man known 151 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:57.480 as the Antichrist will arise with the aim of unifying 152 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:01.919 the world under a single authority. This tyrant, akin to 153 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:05.200 his father, the Devil, will initially appear as an angel 154 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:08.919 of light, but will eventually reveal his true evil nature 155 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:12.360 through his actions. Here are six answers to questions about 156 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:16.080 this future sign of the apocalypse. Who is the Antichrist? 157 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:20.799 The Antichrist is someone who opposes Christ. Anti can also 158 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:24.840 mean instead of and both meanings apply to this forthcoming 159 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:29.440 world leader. While openly opposing Christ, the Antichrist will do 160 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:33.000 everything in his power to live up to his terrible nickname. 161 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:37.279 As Satan leads the world's forces to the Battle of Armageddon, 162 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:41.679 he will persecute, torture, and kill God's people. He will 163 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:45.279 become the most tyrannical leader in history, surpassing even Caesar. 164 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:49.639 Although the Bible mentions the Antichrist by name only four times, 165 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:53.799 he has referred to many more times under various identities, 166 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:57.080 such as the Beast, the little horn, and the man 167 00:09:57.080 --> 00:10:02.720 of lawlessness, the bringer of destruction second Thessalonians two, verse three, 168 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:05.879 and the wicked One will be revealed, whom the Lord 169 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:08.720 Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and 170 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:12.840 destroy by the manifestation of his coming. When he appears, 171 00:10:13.320 --> 00:10:16.200 people will flock to him like flies to honey, and 172 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:20.039 will do anything he asks. How will he unite the nations? 173 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:23.799 The prophet Daniel describes the Antichrist as a fourth beast 174 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:26.679 with the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering 175 00:10:26.799 --> 00:10:30.320 boastful words. He will speak against the most high in 176 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:33.840 a pompous manner. This description comes from a vision that 177 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:37.919 Daniel had during the night Daniel seven, verse twenty five. 178 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:41.679 He will speak words against the most high, and wear 179 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:44.080 out the saints of the most high, and think to 180 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:46.840 change the times and the law, and they will be 181 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:50.399 given into his hand for a time times and half 182 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:54.360 a time. As Daniel predicts, the next world leader will 183 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:57.320 be known for his eloquence, which will draw the world's 184 00:10:57.320 --> 00:11:02.279 attention and admiration. Daniel foresees that the speaker will speak 185 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:06.679 in lofty terms and blaspheme against God. The apostle John 186 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:09.840 agrees in Revelation, and the beast was given a mouth 187 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:13.600 the power of speech, uttering great things and boastful and 188 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:17.840 blasphemous words, and was given freedom and authority to act 189 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:20.879 and do as he pleases for forty two months three 190 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:25.440 and a half years Revelation thirteen, verse five. It was 191 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:29.200 given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and it 192 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:32.600 was given authority to act for forty two months. The 193 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:36.279 Antichrist is described as a man whose appearance was greater 194 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:40.159 than his fellows Daniel seven, verse twenty and the meaning 195 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:43.200 of the ten horns kings that were on its head, 196 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:46.120 and the other that came up before whom three fell. 197 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:49.840 This horn had eyes and a mouth speaking great things 198 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:53.440 and seemed greater than its fellows. He will be extremely 199 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:58.559 irresistible to the masses due to his charismatic personality, speaking abilities, 200 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:02.399 and notable good looks. The apostle John adds to Daniel's 201 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:07.279 account of the Antichrist's blasphemous activities by stating that all 202 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:10.279 living will be compelled to worship him. And it was 203 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:12.679 granted to give breath to the image of the beast, 204 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:15.399 so that the image of the beast could even speak, 205 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:18.039 and cause all who did not worship the image of 206 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:23.679 the beast to be killed Revelation thirteen, verse fifteen. And 207 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:26.159 it was allowed to give breath to the image of 208 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:29.000 the beast, so that the image of the beast could speak, 209 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:31.639 and cause that any one who would not worship the 210 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:35.600 image of the beast should be killed. The Antichrist is 211 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:39.720 described as a beast in Revelation thirteen, verses one to eight, 212 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:43.120 which is a fitting representation. In the last three and 213 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:47.000 a half years of the tribulation, the Antichrist will embody 214 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:51.720 Satan himself. According to Second Thessalonians two, verse nine, the 215 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:54.720 coming of the lawless one is by the activity of 216 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:58.639 Satan with all power and false signs and wonders. The 217 00:12:58.679 --> 00:13:02.519 Antichrist will move from being a regional leader to a 218 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:07.360 global tyrant, cruelly ruling over the world and ultimately claiming 219 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:11.279 to be a god Revelation thirteen. And the dragon gave 220 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:15.480 him his power, his throne and great authority. I saw 221 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:18.679 one of its heads as if it had been mortally wounded, 222 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:22.000 But its fatal wound was healed. And all the earth 223 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:25.879 marveled after the beast. And they worshiped the dragon because 224 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:29.080 he gave his authority to the beast. And they worshiped 225 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:32.360 the beast, saying, who is like the beast? Who can 226 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:36.639 fight against it? How does the Antichrist gain political power? 227 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:40.120 His rise to power will be subtle and unnoticed at 228 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:43.559 the beginning, even by those closest to him. He will 229 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:47.440 emerge from among the common people. And the dragon Satan 230 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:50.440 stood on the sand of the sea. Then I saw 231 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:53.120 a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns 232 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:56.720 and seven heads, and on its horns ten diadems, and 233 00:13:56.840 --> 00:14:01.799 on its heads blasphemous names. Revelation thirteen, verse one. And 234 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:04.159 I saw a beast rising out of the sea with 235 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:07.759 ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its 236 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:11.559 horns and blasphemous names on its heads. The sea in 237 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:17.240 biblical imagination represents the general mass of humanity, or more specifically, 238 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:21.279 the gentile nations. The tribulation, as bad as it is, 239 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:25.399 will always be under God's control. Satan is limited by 240 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:28.919 a leash held by God. Who will worship the Antichrist? 241 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:32.759 According to Revelation thirteen, verse eight, all who dwell on 242 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:36.759 the earth will worship him. According to Daniel seven, verse 243 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:40.039 twenty five, the Antichrist is a cult leader. He will 244 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:43.279 utter boastful words against the most high, will try to 245 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:46.279 change the times and the law. He will try to 246 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:49.679 exalt himself to the level of God and speak from there. 247 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:53.720 In the third event, Jesus meets the Antichrist at the 248 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:57.320 Battle of Armageddon. What will happen to the Antichrist as 249 00:14:57.320 --> 00:15:00.440 he leads the Battle of Armageddon is that people will 250 00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:05.279 become increasingly dissatisfied with the leadership of this global dictator 251 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:09.360 who broke all the promises made. Throughout the Battle of Armageddon, 252 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:12.360 major parts of the world will begin to build their 253 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:17.080 own military forces in an attempt to overthrow him. Significant 254 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:19.799 segments of the world will start to assemble their own 255 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:23.840 military forces and rebel against him. In the end, the 256 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:26.559 king of the South will advance to attack him. The 257 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:29.639 Antichrist and the King of the North will come against 258 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:33.399 him with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. He 259 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:37.799 will enter countries, crush them, and pass through them Daniel eleven, 260 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:41.759 verse forty. Some of the initial attempts at rebellion against 261 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:45.120 the Antichrist will be crushed by him, But something happens 262 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:48.559 that prevents him from achieving his goal of destroying Israel 263 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:51.879 and Jerusalem. Rumours from the East and the North will 264 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:54.720 alarm and disturb him, and he will set out with 265 00:15:54.840 --> 00:16:00.519 great fury to destroy and annihilate many Daniel eleven, verse four. 266 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:04.399 Then the sixth Angel poured out his bowl on the 267 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:08.519 great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, preparing 268 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:11.879 the way for the kings from the east. Revelation sixteen, 269 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:15.720 verse twelve. The Euphrates is one of the greatest rivers 270 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:18.799 in the world, and with the disappearance of the Euphrates, 271 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:23.120 the Antichrist will become susceptible to attacks from the rulers 272 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:27.559 of the East. If the Euphrates disappears, its arrival will 273 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:30.759 signal the Beginning of the Greatest Battle in human history. 274 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:34.240 Number four. The Seal of God and the Mark of 275 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:36.799 the Beast. What is the Seal of God in the 276 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:40.399 Book of Revelation In the New Testament, the term sealed 277 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:43.879 is derived from a Greek word meaning to mark with 278 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:47.399 a private seal, it means to keep something hidden, to 279 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:52.120 protect or preserve the sealed object. In ancient times, seals 280 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:56.320 were commonly used in official contexts to ensure the authenticity 281 00:16:56.360 --> 00:17:00.600 of important documents. For example, a Roman official would attach 282 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:03.519 a seal to a document intended to be reviewed only 283 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:07.359 by his superior. Breaking the seal would indicate that the 284 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:11.039 document had been tampered with or read by someone other 285 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:14.880 than the intended recipient. The use of seals was an 286 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:20.480 effective way to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. 287 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:23.759 We see the Seal of God in the Book of Revelation, 288 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:28.920 which is filled with visions and mysterious messages. It introduces 289 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:31.680 us to the idea of God's seal in a very 290 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:36.480 special and significant way. Revelation one, verses one and two 291 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:39.519 tell us that this is the revelation of Jesus Christ, 292 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:43.279 his revelation of divine mysteries, that God the Father gave 293 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:46.599 him to show to his faithful servants the things that 294 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:50.079 will soon take place in their entirety. He sent and 295 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:54.559 communicated it through his Angel, divine Messenger, to his servant John, 296 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:57.759 who testified and supported the word of God and the 297 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:00.799 testimony of Jesus Christ, to every thing he saw in 298 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:04.240 his visions. This part of the Bible begins to explain 299 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:08.160 the important messages that follow, including the meaning of God's seal. 300 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:11.799 The Seal of God is like a special sign from God. 301 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:15.200 It shows that God is protecting certain people who belong 302 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:18.839 to Him and are genuine followers of Him. This seal 303 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:21.960 is mentioned during the wild and Frightening events in the 304 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:25.720 Visions of Revelation. It's important to know that this seal 305 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:29.519 is not a physical mark, but more like a spiritual insignia. 306 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:32.400 It's a way of showing who is truly connected to 307 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:37.119 God and under his protection. God's mark appears during the Tribulation, 308 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:40.640 a future period of seven years in which God will 309 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:44.640 finalize his judgment on the unbelieving world. Throughout the Word 310 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:48.039 of God, the Tribulation is associated with the Day of 311 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:51.240 the Lord, which refers to the period of time when 312 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:54.480 God will directly intervene in the course of history to 313 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:57.920 bring about the fulfillment of his plan. That day will 314 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.680 be a day of wrath. It will be a day 315 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:02.480 of agony and anguish. It will be a day of 316 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:05.920 distress and devastation. It will be a day of darkness 317 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:09.240 and gloom. It will be a day of clouds and darkness. 318 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:12.079 It will be a day of trumpet and battle cry. 319 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:15.920 The period of the Tribulation will be characterized by a 320 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:21.759 variety of divine judgments, turmoil in the celestial sphere, natural calamities, 321 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:25.720 and horrific plagues. The one hundred and forty four thousand 322 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:29.200 Sealed Servants. The one hundred and forty four thousand Sealed 323 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:33.079 Servants are a mix of mystery, symbols and promises about 324 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:36.359 the end times. It talks about one hundred and forty 325 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:40.400 four thousand of God's servants being specially chosen and marked 326 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:44.559 for protection. These servants come from the twelve tribes of Israel. 327 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:48.799 The act of sealing, as described in Revelation, signifies a 328 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:53.920 divine mark of protection and ownership. In Revelation seven, verse four, 329 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:56.519 it says, and I heard the number of those who 330 00:19:56.559 --> 00:20:00.480 were sealed one hundred and forty four thousand sealed from 331 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:04.839 every tribe of the Sons of Israel. The sealing process 332 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:09.319 is not just a literal marking, but symbolizes spiritual preservation 333 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:13.480 during times of tribulation. Each of the twelve tribes of 334 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:19.160 Israel contributes twelve thousand members, signifying completeness and perfection in 335 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:23.240 God's selection. The number one hundred forty four thousand is 336 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:28.599 rich in symbolism. In biblical numerology, twelve often represents divine 337 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:33.680 authority and completeness. Multiplying twelve tribes by twelve thousand members 338 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:38.799 from each tribe suggests an expanded completeness. Contrast with the 339 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:41.920 mark of the Beast in the Book of Revelation, the 340 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:44.359 Seal of God and the mark of the Beast are 341 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:48.359 powerful marks that represent the eternal battle between good and 342 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:53.000 evil and the stark contrast between God's divine authority and 343 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:56.599 the earthly power of the world. These symbols have captured 344 00:20:56.640 --> 00:21:01.559 the imagination of generations of believers and non bavers, continuing 345 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:06.160 to inspire reflection and contemplation to this day. The Seal 346 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:10.640 of God, the seal of God mentioned in Revelation Chapter seven, 347 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:15.960 Verses two to three, represents divine protection and ownership. It 348 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:19.400 is given to God's faithful followers, marking them as His 349 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:24.359 in a spiritual sense, unlike a physical mark. It symbolizes 350 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:28.720 a deep personal commitment to God and his teachings. Possessing 351 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:32.519 the Seal of God indicates spiritual protection during times of 352 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:36.200 trial and judgment. It's a sign of being chosen by God, 353 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:40.640 reflecting a life lived in accordance with divine principles. The 354 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:43.799 mark of the Beast the mark of the beast, spoken 355 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:47.839 of in Revelation thirteen, verses sixteen and seventeen, is a 356 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:51.400 sign that shows loyalty to the Beast, an evil character 357 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:55.279 against God. It means turning away from God and choosing 358 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:57.920 to follow the power of people in the world, which 359 00:21:57.960 --> 00:22:00.759 is often not right or good. The mark of the 360 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:04.160 Beast appears in Revelation and is referred to as such 361 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:07.279 because it is brought into existence by a man known 362 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:12.319 as the Beast. According to the biblical passages in Revelation sixteen, 363 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:16.160 verse two and Chapter nineteen, verse twenty, the mark of 364 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:19.839 the Beast is a symbol that distinguishes those who worship 365 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:25.960 the beast. Revelation thirteen, verses sixteen and seventeen he causes all, 366 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:29.640 both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, 367 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:32.480 to receive a mark on their right hand or on 368 00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:35.640 their forehead, and no one could buy or sell anything 369 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:38.319 without that mark, which was either the name of the 370 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:42.519 Beast or the number representing his name. He causes all 371 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:45.480 to receive a mark, a mark that will be given 372 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:47.880 to every one under the government of the Beast and 373 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:52.519 his associate. This mark is necessary to participate in the economy, 374 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:55.480 and those without it will not be able to buy 375 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:59.079 or sell anything. Only those bearing a special number on 376 00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:02.160 a visible part of their body, hand or forehead will 377 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:05.200 be allowed to trade, and the number will only be 378 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:10.079 marked on those who engage in imperial idolatry. Revelation thirteen, 379 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:13.440 verse eighteen. Here is wisdom. Let the one who has 380 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:17.359 understanding calculate the number of the Beast, for it is 381 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:20.359 the number of a man. His number is six hundred 382 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:23.759 sixty six. Six hundred sixty six is the number that 383 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:27.480 captures attention. It is made up of sixes, a number 384 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:31.359 that always alludes to the human inability to achieve the seven, 385 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:35.799 which represents complete perfection. It is used here as a 386 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:39.599 clue to the identity of the last world dictator before 387 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:43.960 Jesus reigns for a thousand years. The term mark has 388 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:48.039 no special Biblical usage apart from its association with the beast. 389 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:52.799 The Greek term charagma was most commonly used for imprints 390 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:56.960 on documents or coins. Karagma is well attested to have 391 00:23:57.000 --> 00:24:00.240 been an imperial seal of the Roman Empire US used 392 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:04.079 on official documents during the first and second centuries, in 393 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:08.160 addition to its use in Revelation. The term charagma appears 394 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:11.640 only once in the New Testament, specifically in Acts seventeen, 395 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:15.400 verse twenty nine, where it refers to an artistic image. 396 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:18.920 Accepting this mark is like turning your back on God. 397 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:22.240 It shows your choosing to side with those against God. 398 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:25.119 It's not just a mark you can see on your body. 399 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:29.319 It truly means you're living your life against what God wants. 400 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:32.640 The seal of God versus the mark of the beast. 401 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:35.240