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BIBLE PROPHECY IN CAPSULE FORM

          1. THE RAPTURE IS THE NEXT PROPHETIC EVENT ON GOD'S TIMECLOCK OF FUTURE EVENTS (I Thess. 4:13-18, I Cor. 15:51-58) This "catching up" to meet the Lord in the air is the "blessed hope" of the saints (Titus 2:11-13). While there are numerous "signs of the times" (Matt. 16:4), believers are not to look for signs, but for the Savior (Heb. 9:28).

          While patiently waiting for the Lord's Return (Rom. 8:24-25), LOCAL CHURCHES MUST GIVE THEIR ALL IN FULFILLMENT OF THE GREAT COMMISSION (Matt. 28:18-20) VIA PERSONAL EVANGELISM AND WORLD-MISSIONS (Acts 1:8). IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE RAPTURE, THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST WILL TAKE PLACE FOR CHURCH AGE SAINTS. (Rom. 14:10, I Cor. 3:11-15).

          2. THE UNBELIEVING WORLD IS NOW BEING PREPARED FOR THE ACTUAL FULFILLMENT OF SIGNS THAT WILL OCCUR DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. The outbreak of ethnic hostilities, famines, pestilences and earthquakes in our world are prophetic foreshadows of the calamitous events that will take place during the seven year tribulation after the rapture of the saints (Matthew chapter 24, Luke 17:26-30, Luke 21:20-28, Rev. Chapters 6-19).

          3. THE ANCIENT ROMAN EMPIRE (Dan. 2:40-44) WILL BE REVIVED IN THE END TIMES (Dan. 7:7-25, Rev. 13:1-8, Rev. 17;11-13). This empire is now being revived via the European Union and eventually the United States of Europe. The current chess board of 25 multiple nations will ultimately be reduced to 10 nation states (Dan. 7:7)

          4. THESE 10 KINGDOMS WILL GIVE THEIR POWER OVER TO THE BEAST (Rev. 17:12-13). THREE OF THESE KINGDOMS IN THAT EMPIRE WILL BE SUBDUED BY THE LITTLE HORN (Dan. 7:8 & 7:24), WHO IS ALSO THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE (Rev. 6:1-2) AND THE ANTI-CHRIST BEAST (Rev. 13;1).

          5. THE ANTI-CHRIST BEAST WILL BE EMPOWERED BY THE DRAGON (Rev. 13:4), SATAN. THE UNBELIEVING WORLD WILL WORSHIP THE BEAST AND THE DRAGON DURING THE TIRBULATION PERIOD, PARTICULARLY DURING THE LAST 3½ YEARS OF THIS PERIOD (Rev. 13:4, 7-8).

          6. THE LAMB, (Rev. 17:14), THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE RIDER ON THE SECOND WHITE HORSE (Rev. 19:11-14) WILL OVERCOME THE BEAST (Rev. 19:20) AND ALL HIS FOLLOWERS (Jude 14-15) AT HIS REVELATION ON EARTH IN THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON.

          7. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL REIGN AS KING SUPREME OVER ALL THE EARTH FOR 1,000 YEARS (Rev. 20:1-6, Zech. 14:9), WITH A REPENTANT JEWISH REMNANT (Zech. 12:10) AND THE EARTHLY JERUSALEM AS THE WORLD'S GENUINE WORSHIP CENTER (Zech. 14:16). THE BRIDE OF CHRIST, THE LAMB'S WIFE WILL CO-REIGN WITH HIM (Rev. 21:9) FROM THE NEW HEAVENLY JERUSALEM (Rev. 21:10-21).

          Just prior to the Great White Throne Judgment, Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:11). Immediately following, at the Great White Throne judgment, the unconverted of all age will likewise face a similar eternal doom (Rev. 21:11-15). In just retribution, God will purge the heavens and the earth of every trace of sinful depravity-II Peter 3:10-12. These divine actions will result in a "new heavens and a new earth" where righteousness dwells in eternal light (II Peter, 3:13).

          In the meantime, believing saints confidently await the Rapture and the Lamb! Heb. 10:37 D. J.

Á Prophetic Foreshadows

          1. Prophetic Scriptures makes it clear that a Jewish Temple will be rebuilt in the future (Dan. 9:24-27, Matt. 24:15, II Thess. 2:4, Rev. 11:1-2). Pious Orthodox Jews hope soon to rebuild the Temple on the ancient 35 Acre "Temple Mount Platform" site. A foundation stone has been erected and rests near [but not on] the Temple Mount area.

          Two new Jewish groups in Israel have been formed that could well be forerunners of that endeavor. The Sanhedrin, a council of 71 Rabbis that "governed Israel under Roman Rule near the Temple during the time of Christ," has been reinstituted. This body would be an appropriate group to oversee the temple rebuilding. The renewed Sanhedrin, a group that does not possess any legal legislative powers, has already issued a call "to prepare architectural plans for rebuilding the temple." The Sanhedrin hopes to fulfill its goals by eventually gaining control of the Israeli government.

          A second new Jewish group is called the Revava. Its goal to restore Jewish sovereignty over the Temple Mount area so that a temple can be rebuilt. When Israel recaptured the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967, the Jewish govt. granted control [but not ownership] of the Temple area to the Muslims. Obviously, a Jewish temple will never be rebuilt as long as Islam controls the 35 acre site. These Jewish groups are omens of the future that the writer believes will occur after the Rapture of the saints, the next prophetic event on God's time clock (I Cor. 15:51-58).

          2. In order to expedite transactions and cut costs, Shell oil stations in Great Britain are abolishing the use of payment by checks at gas stations in that country. Last year, in Great Britain, "spending on debit and cards overtook that for cash and checks." According to a report, "many people have suggested" that by 2020 payment by checks will be totally eliminated.

          In Rev. 13:16-17, the Scripture predicts, that under an economic system imposed by Anti-Christ edict, all commercial transactions will be controlled by a 666 mark engraved or implanted in the right hands or foreheads of a mesmerized world.

          With the imminent return of Christ in view, believers should live for and look for the Rapture in the air (Titus 2:11-13, Heb. 9:28), earnestly seeking to win lost souls (II Cor. 5:14). Ed: Resource utilized for no. 1 & 2: The Midnight Call, Sept. 2005, pp. 2003; Dec. 2005, p. 35