The "Time of the Gentiles" is Coming to an End
 
II. How much longer will the Gentiles (nations) have the "day of salvation?" This is the Big topic and question this study seeks to throw "light" on from the scriptures.
 
A. A. We know that there was a beginning & a fulfillment of the Gentiles given.
 
 
1. This fact had been prophesied by the Old Testament prophets.

Isaiah 42:6-7
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. (KJV)

Isaiah 49:5-6
And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. 6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. (KJV)

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (KJV)

Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV)

Matthew 4:12-16
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (KJV)

Matthew 28:19-20
Go ye therefore, and teach ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (KJV)

Acts 13:44-52
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. 50But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. 51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. (KJV)
B. A brief outline of the events of the "times of the Gentiles" will be given & then more will be detailed from the scriptures.
 
1. The Lord Jesus ascended immediately on the morning of His resurrection. This a fact from the Greek words (or English) used in John 20:17. (See my study on this website) The Lord Jesus did by His own power! In Acts 1:9, He was caught away & received by a power other than Himself!
 
2. He ascended in order to fulfill ALL THINGS as symbolized in the Old Testament blood atonement. (NOT as the NIV translates "fill all the world.") The fulfilment of this and exactly what Jesus did when He ascended is given in the book of Hebrews.
 
3. That same night after Jesus had ascended He returned and this was the beginning of the Church, consisting of about 120 disciples. He gave each the Holy Spirit-the Gift!

John 20:17
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (KJV)

"touch me not" = the correct Greek, NOT, "don't cling to me!"

This fact can be seen by searching ALL the uses of this Greek word & see if it means "cling.")

John 20:19-23
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (KJV)

Lit.= "take right now, Holy Spirit." Each was thus "born of the Spirit" & were the beginning of the BODY of Christ, The Church (the other sheep Jesus was to bring into His fold.)

Each received the GIFT or The Person of The Holy Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit "dunamis" (enabling strength or energy) was given in order to spread the gospel.

John 1:11-13
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (KJV)

Power = exousia {ex-oo-see'-ah}
= authority, right, privilege.

Luke 24:48-49
And ye are witnesses of these things. 49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (KJV)

Power = dunamis {doo'-nam-is}
= enabling strength; energy.
4. The Day of Pentecost was the time that Almighty God saw fit to immerse the gathering of these "Jews" from many places where they were living in the Holy Spirit and thus bring conviction for sin through the preaching of the gospel by Peter. It was to the "Jew first." As a result 3,000 were "born again of the Holy Spirit."

Acts 2:36-42
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the GIFT of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

(This increased the number of the FIRST CHURCH to 3,120 souls).

42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (KJV)
5. 5. Because of the opposition of the "Jewish leaders" to JESUS CHRIST being preached as being the promised Messiah, the ONLY means of salvation, the Church was scattered abroad and they went everywhere preaching the gospel , first in the synagogues.

Acts 5:27-33
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. (KJV)

Acts 7:51-54 (Stephen preaching)
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. (KJV)

Acts 13:45-48 (Paul & Barnabas)
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (KJV)
6. The "times of the Gentiles" began during this period of time. It began essentially when Jesus preached to the Gentiles after John, the baptist, was put in prison.

Matthew 4:12-17
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (KJV)
7. The "times of the Gentiles" may be placed within these events.
 
a. The ascension of Jesus.
 
b. The coming of the Holy Spirit in both the Person & the power.
 
c. The world wide preaching of the gospel as a witness to all nations. This is symbolized in Revelation 20:2-8. This is when satan was bound (cast out-outside). Until Jesus crushed satan's head & cast him out-outside, satan had deceived all the nations and deceived the "Jews" into calling for and arranging His crucifixion.

John 12:31-32 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (KJV)

Now = nun
= within a few hours - NOT 40 days later. It was at the crucifixion.

cast out = ek-ballo
= out, outside of society. (Study these Greek words!) WHEN satan was "cast out," he was NOT ABLE TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS ANYMORE! AND, in order for all to hear & be convinced of the truth, the Holy Spirit was given for this time of the Gentiles.

John 16:7-11
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world IS JUDGED. (NOT "will be" but IS. ) (KJV)
d. The "times of the Gentiles" is symbolized by the 1,000 years. This is the Gospel Age, the calling out of the Church. It is essentially the time of the Holy Spirit convicting of Sin, Righteousness, & Judgment.
e. The "times of the Gentiles" will be closed WHEN The Holy Spirt is withdrawn from this role and then God sends a strong delusion for people to believe the lie.
f. This is when that great apostacy take place among the "church."

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (KJV)

TWO (2) events must take place before JESUS returns:

1) a turning away from orthodoxy by church members & preachers-teachers; AND
 
2) The rise & revelation of the anti-Christ man of sin-lawlessness.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-12
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until HE be taken out of the way. 8And THEN shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (KJV)
   
g. This is when satan will be loosed a little season! He will again deceive the nations.

Revelation 20:7-9
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
h. THE UNANSWERABLE QUESTION TO ALL who teach the error of a 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth= HOW is satan going to go out & in a short time deceive ALL the nations & gather them at Jerusalem to battle IF IT IS TRUE that Jesus will be reigning on the earth at earthly Jerusalem?
 
i. THE REIGN OF JESUS IS ETERNAL! It will be in the NEW JERUSALEM which will come down upon the new (brand new, not renovated) earth. (Revelation 21)
 
j. The "times of the Gentiles" is a limited period of grace. It is a time when Jehovah God will accept "whosoever will" receive Jesus Christ as Savior.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Hebrews 3:12-15
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (KJV)

Isaiah 55:6
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (KJV)
k. The "times of the Gentiles" will be drawing to a close when certain signs appear.
  • Deception. (This indicates that the Holy Spirit ceases to convict & satan is loosed to return to his old business of deceiving the nations).
     
  • Deception about the second coming of Jesus. (All kinds of books & films in error)

Matthew 24:23-27
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25Behold, I have told you before. 26Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (KJV)

NO SECRET COMING!

Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (KJV)

  • Deception about the "peace agreement about Jerusalem" promoted by world union.

Jeremiah 8:11-12
For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. 12Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. (KJV)

Jeremiah 8:15
We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble! (KJV)

1 Thessalonians 5:3
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

The scriptures in the Old Testament speak of a time sudden fiery destruction of Jerusalem that comes in an hour. It will MELT the city. It appears that this weapon of destruction will shower all around with contamination so that outsiders are afraid to enter and seek to help in that time of sudden destruction.

Jeremiah 9:7-14
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people? 8Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. 9Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? 10For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone. 11And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
12Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through? 13And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; 14But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them: (KJV)

Ezekiel 22:17-22
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 18Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. 19Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. 20As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. 21Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof. 22As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.

Ezekiel 11:2-3
Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city: 3Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh. (KJV)

Ezekiel 11:7-12
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they are the flesh, and this city is the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it. 8Ye have feared the sword; and I will bring a sword upon you, saith the Lord GOD. 9And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you. 10Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 11This city shall not be your caldron, neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; but I will judge you in the border of Israel: 12And ye shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you. (KJV)

Ezekiel 24:6-14
Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it. 7For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust; 8That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered. 9Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great. 10Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned. 11Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the brass of it may be hot, and may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed. 12She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire. 13 In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee. 14I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)

Revelation 18:5-10
For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
9And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. (KJV)

((Mystery Babylon= earthly Jerusalem))

1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (KJV)

((Just as the gospel was first preached there, SO, judgment will first begin there.))

Note exactly what this parable says—that many, uncluding me, have overlooked until NOW!

Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together FIRST the tares, and bind them in bundles to BURN them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (KJV)

(((This takes place before Jesus returns)))

Matthew 13:37-43
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (KJV)

  • Distress of the nations united in a one-world government, at a LOSS for an answer.

Luke 21:25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in-with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (KJV)

distress = sunoche {soon-okh-ay'}
= distress, anguish, straits; from a word meaning, " trying to hold the union together lest it fall to pieces or something fall away from it;" pressed in on every side with no way out;

perplexity = aporia {ap-or-ee'-a}
= be without resources; not knowing what to do.

compare: (the last world kingdom)

Daniel 2:41-43
And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. (KJV)

Revelation 17:16-17
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (KJV)

  • Distress of people. Stressed out; uncertain as to what is about to take place.

Luke 21:23
But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

Luke 21:26
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (KJV)

Luke 21:16-17
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. (KJV)

2 Timothy 3:1-5
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)

perilous = chalepos {khal-ep-os'}
= fierce, hard to bear, dangerous, savage; feeling let down from a higher place to a lower place.
 

  • Spiritual warfare against the "born again." child of Jehovah God . Mental.

Daniel 7:23-25
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (KJV)

Wear out = b@la'{bel-aw'}
= an Aramaic word=used only in a mental sense; to wear away; exhaust; to harass constantly. Cut off from commerce because of faith in JESUS.

Revelation 13:7
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (KJV)

Revelation 13:15-18
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (KJV)

Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (KJV)

  • Signs in the natural realm.

Matthew 24:7-8
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows. (KJV)

Romans 1:24-32
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (KJV)

Without natural affection = in the relationship between family members. (Strife, division, killing of each other, abortions, etc)

Luke 21:25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (KJV)
l. WHEN the above "signs" begin to come to pass, the child of God can know that the Lord Jesus is about to return in clouds, just as He went away. (Acts 1:9-11)

Acts 1:9-11
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (KJV)

Luke 21:27-28
And then shall they SEE the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (KJV)

(((No secret coming)))

Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with(in clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (KJV)

Matthew 24:29-31
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (KJV)

Matthew 26:64
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (KJV)

Mark 13:24-27
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. (KJV)

Mark 14:62
And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (KJV)

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (KJV)

This scripture DOES NOT teach a so-called "rapture of the church!"

1) The word, "rapture," is not in the scriptures (Not in Greek English, or any text!) It is found in the dictionary as an adjective, NOT as a noun!
 
2) This passages has to do with THE QUESTION about loved ones that have died. It is NOT about the lost, nor is it about a "catching away of the church," which is NOT taught in any scripture! Jesus, Paul, nor Peter ever said anything about such! This passages simply states that ALL of those who are ALIVE at the coming of the Lord Jesus in the CLOUDS, will NOT go before (=prevent) their loved ones who have died & been in the graves. BUT, those dead ones will rise firstly (an adverb)(in the order of events) & then, secondly, those living will be changed (=redemption of the body) & thirdly, ALL-BOTH of these will rise together to meet the Lord in the air and ever be with Him.
 
3) The scriptures DO NOT say that JESUS WILL SET FOOT ON THE EARTH, BUT ALWAYS THE SAVED, AT THE RESURRECTION, RISE TO MEET HIM IN THE AIR!
 
4) The scriptures teach that there is ONLY a bodily resurrection of all in the graves!

John 5:28-29
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which ALL that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
5) The "first" resurrection (mentioned in the symbolic book of Revelation 20:4-6) took place in connection with the resurrection of Jesus.

Matthew 27:52-53
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (KJV)

These are the bodily resurrected MARTYRS that Jesus took with Him when He ascended. He led "captivity, captive." He led this procession of the spoils of victory over satan on the cross, DEFEATING DEATH, through the strongholds of those evil spiritual kingdoms in the heavenlies, & presented them to His Father as the sheaf of the firstfruits - looking forward to the full harvest as seen in the resurrection of ALL in the graves (as seen in John 5:28-29 above).

Ephesians 4:8
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (KJV)

Colossians 2:14-15
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (KJV)

Hebrews 2:14-15
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

 
6) The "redemption" is that of the flesh & blood body. The SAVED are already redeemed spiritually, BUT THE BODY needs to be redeemed & it will be at the RETURN OF JESUS IN THE CLOUDS.

Ephesians 1:10-14
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (KJV)

Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (KJV)

Romans 8:22-23
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, (= that is) the redemption of our body. (KJV)

Luke 21:27-28
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (KJV)
7) Those who took place in the first resurrection were SOULS & who had been BEHEADED FOR THE WITNESS OF JESUS. (((this is NOT the Church!)))

The word, "soul," is defined as the BODY in combination with the SPIRIT, It is defined this way throughout the scriptures = an animated (living) BODY. These in Revelation 20:4-6 fit the description of those raised in connection with that of the Lord Jesus. These went with Him and ARE REIGNING WITH HIM, because He is reigning NOW.

Revelation 20:4-6
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (KJV)

the dead = nekros & refers to a corpse. A lifeless body. It does NOT make a determination as to whether the person who lived was saved or lost!

1 Corinthians 15:25-26
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (KJV)

must = dei {die}
= 3rd person singular of deo {deh'-o} meaning to bind or to put under obligation.
= it is necessary; necessity in reference to what is required to attain some end.
"Must" is in the Present tense = the present time; seeing as if the reader were there watching the event occur.
It indicates an Active voice = the subject is doing the reigning;
& in the Indicative mood = a fact.

reign = basileuo {bas-il-yoo'-o}
= exercise kingly power; to reign.
= to exercise the highest influence; to control.
"Reign," is in the Present tense (as above);
Active voice (subject doing the action);
& in the Infinitive mood (= reflects the purpose & results).

1 Corinthians 15:26
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (KJV)

a) Jesus is reigning NOW over His Kingdom, and will continue UNTIL that last enemy (bodily death) is destroyed.
 
b) death = thanatos {than'-at-os}
= the separation of the spirit(life) from the physical body; the ending of the life on earth.
 
c) destroyed = katargeo {kat-arg-eh'-o}
= to render inactive; do away with; abolish; to pass away; to cause to cease; put an end to.
It is in the Present tense (as above); in the Passive voice (= the subject {death} received the {destructive} action)
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall ALL be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)
a) The "dead" = nekros {nek-ros'}
= a corpse. Does NOT identify lost or saved.
 
b) The lost will have an eternal body as well as the saved.
 

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (KJV)

Mark 9:43-44
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (KJV)
8. WHEN the reign of Jesus is ended, and death is ended, the Kingdom which He has purchased with His very own blood for His Father, will be turned over to The Father, and Jesus will return to the SAME glory that He had with The Father BEFORE He became flesh.

Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (KJV)

1 Corinthians 15:28
And WHEN all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (KJV)

John 17:4-6
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. (KJV)

Revelation 1:5-6
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, (lit. = made us a kingdom) to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (KJV)

John 5:36-37
But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. (KJV)

John 6:37-39
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (KJV)
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