Testing to Come!

Call for the Endurance of the Saints!

Trials Under Desire and Wants

Believers Will Have To Decide What Is Important!

Summary

The document warns that modern desire, materialism, and spiritual deception are preparing the world for end-times persecution. It argues that biblical prophecy points to a coming global ruler who will pressure believers to conform socially, politically, and economically. The main message is that Christians must be ready to endure hardship and remain faithful to Christ.

Introduction

Christianity is fragmented and divided over many things. The once city on the hill is now a crowded cosmopolitan accumulation of various beliefs and cultural design. Many are far from the simple faith given by our Lord Jesus and his disciples. Those of us in the Western churches are living in times of splendor and the pleasure of wants being fulfilled. One of the greatest pressures against modern marriage is the concept of variety and desire. If one becomes frustrated with the mate they initially chose, they can exchange them for another more desirable model, if not more desirable, more wealthy. The point is that we live in a material-focused society and we are taught to desire the best in life; to seek variety and achieve our dreams. This road is leading many to peril, and for believers it is time to learn what cleft lies ahead.

Human Desire and Wanting

The human heart is deceptive and wicked beyond knowing according to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 17:9). That is an unfortunate foundational statement, but within it is the understanding that we do not even know our own hearts. The same heart that dedicates love and intention in heavenly vows to honor and love until death, can become the same heart that becomes cold, callose, unfaithful, even to the point of hate – how can this be?

I my youth, grocery stores had limited options in brands and food sources were predictably shelved with needed supplies. Today, mega-stores shelve large varieties of items of the same sorts with a multitude of labels claiming unique features. Shopping for supplies can now become a full-day adventure; some become so enmeshed they take home far more than they need or thought they wanted. A brand-new automobile after leaving the dealer’s lot becomes yesterday’s model. A newer and shinier car catches the eye and the mind starts to plan an exchange. There are many more examples of this, but the bottom-line is that few are ever satisfied with what they have, and their eyes continue to search for a better model or brand.

The more availability the more the desire for variety, and the human heart knows no limit. For this reason, humanity is building up for an incredibly special test that will soon be revealed. The underlying causes of wars, disputes, and divisions are mostly based on desire to expand supply and wants that other is possess. The testing to come will challenge our desires and wants against the Kingdom of God!

Foreshadowing the Future

The apostle Paul provides one of the most stark warning of the fate of humanity in 2 Timothy 3: 1-7. The description provides a glimpse of the growing callousness that will prepare the scene for the coming Man of Lawlessness Paul described in 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12. As is my practice, I contrast these verses with Jesus’ words in Mtthew 24: 5-14; the Holy Spirit has repeatedly warned how humanity will become as time passes.

I am very aware some claim that all these warnings were fulfilled in the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. Indeed, I do agree the process of the degrading does cover those events, but many of these rising and fallings have continued to occur over many generations. Yet, the Spirit continues to warn as some believers are starting to realize that it is not over. There are things about the current generation that never existed before in history. Humanity now has worldwide implications and technology expands upon these capacities far beyond an ancient Babylon or Rome could ever imagine. It is not that the nature of humanity itself has altered as much as the scale of the implications. It is the scale of the changes that bring forth Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24: 13-14, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

These very words eliminates any thought of a completion in 70 C.E., as no mass communications that could send the gospel globally existed prior to modern times. It is only now that such capabilities exist. And when a global gospel becomes available and sent among the nations – then the end will come.

When we combine the messages in 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 2Thessalonians 2: 1-12; and Matthew 24: 5-14, a picture evolves that moves over time – building and growing as knowledge increased and populations spread over the earth. A planet with over 8 Billion people on a planet with limited resources; and an unquenchable thrust for more and more! These forces will deplete global resource availability which is turn will increase conflict and larger scale wars in competition for those resources. In this type of environment, the level of lawlessness will increase to such a level that global unrest, instability, and chaos results – a fertile environment for the rise of a ruthless global ruler! Again, for a global ruler to take control, his reach must be able to impact the entire world.

The Testing of the Saints by the Global Ruler of Lawlessness

Up to this point, I have built background on what the last book in scripture – the Revelation of Saint John. Many see Revelations as allegorical with no potential to make sense of it. This seems reasonable, until you come to understand the book was not written for the generation in which it was written. The book was aimed to a later generation that would come (Revelation 1:1), and the only book that comes with a blessing (Revelation 1:3); in effect, there is great value in reading and engaging the Holy Spirit that the Lord has sent to all true believers to assist them in their understanding – but without the Spirit, and the right timing for the generation that writing was aimed towards, it remained a riddle across the span of time.

A prime reason for this was that developments were not to the point where the revelations could make any sense. First and second century believers had little hope understanding as their worldview and conditions only allowed a small hint of what was contained in the book. Mush as Gabriel told Daniel near the end of his book of revelations that he was the close up the books until a time near the end when it will make more sense and become available to understand (Daniel 12: 8-10). All of this takes us to focus careful on the words written in Revelation 13: 1-18, a passage of scripture that ends with a call for wisdom to understand.

In the verses, we see the rising out of the sea, a great beast. The sea may represent chaos, rolling conflicting currents as well as a literal sea. The beast is seen spiritually with many attributes related to animals of prey, and the beast was given the authority and power of the great dragon, the biblical serpent – the accuser and killer of humanity, the devil himself. This creature is said to suffer a mortal wound, but survives and in doing so, he convinces those susceptible to his discerptions to start to believe he is an irresistible god.

The mortal wound is the turning point. We do not know the status of the man-beast prior to that point. Was he an aspiring politician, a diplomat, or world figure? What we know is that whatever his rise to power was, it was the event of the wound that turned the tides in his favor.

Questions may arise if the man-beast actually suffered a real mortal wound and recovered – could satan actually miraculously heal a man approaching death? We have no biblical insights on if such power was or is available to the satan. He is a killer, and his rule is death – there are no indications he can create life. In the past, this would be seen as a requirement for the passage to be fulfilled; but that is not necessarily so today. We have mass media, Artificial Intelligence, and video programs that can easily mimic life itself. More important, these images can reach every single person (or soon will be) on the entire planet. The Man of Lawlessness does not have to actually suffer a fatal wound – but only look like he did!

I say this as it seems convenient that a second beast is revealed that serves as the prophet or speaker for the wounded first beast that is now represented as an “image.” The image of the beast serves as proof of the recovery of the first beast – that in reality, he is the true power. The second beast is his spokesperson and enforces the rules of the first beast. The prophetic-beast can summon fire to come down from the skies. Much of this would seem like magic or fanciful supernatural in days gone by – but not today. Today all of this can easily be accomplished using technology!

The difficult verses, 6-18 of Revelation 13 are the most important for believers. The strength and power of the saints is given over to the beast. He is given for a short while the ability to make war against believers! He blasphemes the name of God and can conquer through death or imprisonment the faithful people of God. The message calls for endurance and faith to live through these trials with the understanding that some will die, some will be jailed, and some driven into exile. These words so parallels those in Daniel 11: 32-36; 12: 4-10, and other biblical scriptures as to point to the same periods in time. This does not deny that smaller and periodic episodes of such actions have occurred across time as the apostle John indicated that many antichrist-like characters have appear across the ages (1 John 2:18). However, there still is ahead the cumulative power of Satan’s little season and testing of w world where the gospel message has and is available to all.

The Critical Test

Now, we in the Western world are about to face a defining moment. The most powerful and financially interconnected kingdom on the entire earth is dismantling and growing more divided daily. Jesus told us in scripture quite clearly that a kingdom (or nation) divided against itself cannot stand (Mathhew 12:25, Mark 3:24; Luke 11:17). Those who genuinely believe and trust the words of our Lord should understand what this means for us here in a divided nation. There is absolutely no good endgame as we rapidly go down this path until the return of the savior. We depend that things are as our Lord intends; and while that may be difficult, there very well may not be any means to change the course of our fate.

As a child, I loved the television series Star Trek! Many social messages were contained within the framework of Gene Roddenberry’s classic. One episode titled, “The Tholian Web” comes to mind as a good description of the times we now live in. A web of deceit and advancing technology is being woven around us and is hidden behind subterfuge, red herring events, and outright lies. Once the web is complete, there will be no means of escape. It will be conform…or become disassociated or die!

Revelation 13 describes the process in which this will occur. The rise of religious authoritarianism; a highly publicized incident that turns the totalitarian leader into a spiritual hero, then a rising god! One that cannot be opposed without serious and mortal risk. As the authority given this leader is from Satan himself, and the permissive will of God, he will not be successfully opposed, no matter the strategies used. His prophet/strong arm will insist on laws that require absolute loyalty and as a sign, those pledging such loyalty will be marked – a type of branding that makes these followers legitimate citizens of the evolving world empire.

There has never been a global empire, as most of the world’s surface was not even discovered during the rise and fall of the biblical empires like Assyria, Babylon, Greece, or Rome – the great statue of Daniel described in chapter 2. The feet of iron and clay, which many think describes Rome, is not an indicator of the “spiritual” Rome described. The mixed clay and iron symbolizes a confederation of kingdoms working together but fragmented in their alliances. Whereas the original Rome was a kingdom of Iron and unbreakable for a period of time; the final Rome is not a full empire, but a woven group of nations symbolized as composed of ten kings, and the antichrist-beast rules over them.

The final Rome will be a global power extending it is reach across the world. However, this does not mean a single complete authoritarian kingdom, as much as the influence of a world power leader that has tentacles or extensions within other nations and in effect -has influence over them all. Daniel provides a vision or “mini-Revelation” summary in chapter 7 knowing in the end, the final kingdom will be possessed by the saints -but util then, Daniel 7:23-28 foretells the trampling down of the power of the saints, and that the final kingdom will not be like any kingdom that preceded it. This is a different monstrosity unlike any age before or ever will be again. Spiritually, it is Rome that was, was not, and Rome to come.

Need for Faith and Endurance of the Saints

The final testing that comes will be social-economic in nature. Revelation 13: 14-17 is the focal point of this writing. We have a living image if the beast-man, a false prophet spokesperson that leads the nations in worship of the beast-image. Those caught failing to do so when ordered are killed. All followers are marked and given citizenship rights to own, sell, earn currency (credit), to hold any positions of status in the authoritarian system under the beast. This will become the ultimate test of faith and endurance.

Each individual living under this system is given a choice – accept the new identification, and live or reject the identification and be exiled, cast off as a non-citizen with no property, currency, authority, or status. Forcefully exiled or killed if any attempt to remain without the mark.

I my spirit, I see this occurring in stages, those who are wise wake-up from the mass delusions being broadcast through corrupted mass-media and the many web-liked platforms people consume. While this is occurring, the Tholian Web continues to be woven while eyes are turned against one another and everything but the truth. This is to delay any possibilities of cooperation in opposition of the web being assembled around us.

The other pieces that fall in place are heightened security measures, strong need for registrations and citification including an extremely large database where everyone is listed including their worth, assets, and who they affiliate with. This extremely large database will be autonomous and provide a policing effect that identifies unloyal actions. There will no longer be a Constitutional First Amendment Right as global security needs will forbid it.

For believers, those that are non-truly resolute and false, they will readily join the authoritarian movement. Some see it as an act of faith. Some will encourage the rise of the beast and freely give their worship and devotion claiming the beast as a Messager from God. Later, they will claim the beast is God! This mass exodus of the many within the Christian churches will be alarming for those that remain loyal to Jesus, and do not abandon their faith. Before this time, however, some of the true believers will see through the mass deception that is occurring and become active seeking to speak out and expose the illusion. I believe these will become those Revelation 13:7-10 describes.

Conclusion

There is coming a time soon, when everything we hold dear as believers, citizens, and patriots will be placed on the alter of sacrifice. Everything may be lost, including out lives. As a people who have enjoyed much and hold the privilege of living in a land of plenty, this drastic change will come as a major shock. All the more if it comes completely by surprise – which it should not! Jesus and his apostles warned us; even the prophets of old warned of how the end of the age would occur.

The question that still remains is are were sure that we are now in the final days? For those asleep and under the current delusion – no. They will not be brought to accept that unless their eyes open. Some are starting to open their eyes and are beginning to see the delusions that have caught many unaware. If what I say in this writing is true, it will soon begin to speed up as time is short for the little season of Satan. I genuinely believe the year 2026, which is approaching the halfway point, will turn out to be a crucial turning point and the end of the year, we will find out of our Tholian web gas been completed.

If not, then many more eyes must open and open really soon to stop the web’s completion. Failing this, it is certain we are indeed in the last years of peace and safety.