LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 47

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REVELON BOOKAntichrist  is permitted to continue his reign for three and one-half years, after which, the Lord Jesus Christ will come and take the kingdoms of this earth to Himself. This fact is repeated throughout the book of Revelation. (See also Daniel 12:7; 11:12:6, 14; 17:10.)

 “And it was given unto him(Antichrist) to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  If any man have an ear, let him hear.  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”  (Revelation 13:7-10).

        The events here are at the three and one-half year point in the Tribulation. The Antichrist has been at war with the surrounding nations for the first three and one-half years and has ruled from Babylon (Isaiah. 14:4-17).  After he conquers the ten nations within the old Roman Empire and establishes his own kingdom, the eighth, (“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition” (Revelation 17:11), He moves his capital from Babylon to Jerusalem. There he desecrates the temple, defies the God of heaven, and seeks to destroy all who serve God and Jesus Christ. (It is within his kingdom he attempts to force his mark on all)

 

        He turns his hatred on the Jewish saints within his kingdom, especially those in Jerusalem. He is permitted to overcome them and all others within his kingdom. (See verses 15, 16; Daniel 7:21; 8:24; 11:35-45; 12:1, 7; Matthew 24:15-22.) These passages confirm that the Jews are the objects of the Antichrist’s wrath, and that his activities will be confined to the area of the old Roman Empire.

 

        Those “…that dwell upon the earth…” are those dwelling within the conquered territory previously ruled by the Ten Kings. Statements like those in verses 7, 8, 16, and 17 lead many to believe that the Antichrist will rule every person on the planet, and that every person except believers will receive the mark of the beast, and those who do not will be killed. However, that is not, and could not be the case. If everyone on earth is killed, who refuses the mark, no one will be living at the Second Advent except those with the mark. These would all be destroyed with Antichrist.

 Although I do not agree with all Dake teaches, his answer to the subject at hand, seams the most accurate.  

        “All” and “every” does not always mean all without exception. It is a figure of speech called a synecdoche, where a whole is used for a part. We do the same when we say, “you always” or “you never” or “everybody is doing it…” Words like the above are used throughout Scripture. See Genesis 6:17 where it is said that God would destroy every living thing on the earth. However, we know that not everything with life was destroyed. In Joshua 6:21, we read that Joshua destroyed every person in the city, but we know that Rehab and all her family were spared. Again, in 2 Samuel 6:5 we are told “all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments…” You can be sure that not every person in Israel participated in this activity. (See also Matthew 3:5-6; Luke 2:1-4; Romans 1:8; 10:18; Colossians 1:23.)

        The critics of the Bible will see these as contradictions. They are not. They are simply figures of speech to emphasize a point. This is done throughout the Book of Revelation. A whole is given to stress a part.

  • “Fifteen proofs Antichrist will not reign over America or be a worldwide dictator:
  • Four statements in Rev. 13 have led some to believe that Antichrist will literally rule the whole world and cause every man on earth to take a mark or be killed. They are:
    • Power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations (Rev. 13:7)
    • All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (except Christians, Rev. 13:8)
    • He causeth all, both small and great … to receive a mark (Rev. 13:16)
    • No man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, name, or number (Rev. 13:17). On the surface it might seem that these statements prove Antichrist will be a world ruler, killing all on earth who do not take his mark, name, or number. But, the contrary is true because “all” in these passages is simply a figure of speech — synecdoche — in which a whole is put for a part, as we would say, “Everyone in town,” or “the whole country.” If the United States would make a law that “all men” of all nations, and tongues must register on a certain day or be killed, we would naturally understand the law to apply only to all people of all nations and tongues who are under the government of the United States, not to the people of these nations and tongues who are under other governments. The word “all” is used in a limited sense hundreds of times in Scriptures (Gen. 6:17; Josh. 6:21-25; 2Sam. 6:5,15; 1Ki. 11:16-17; Mt. 3:5-6; Lk. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:8; 10:18; Col. 1:23; etc.).
    • Such terms as in Rev. 13 have been used of other rulers and kingdoms who did not literally rule the whole world. It was said of Nebuchadnezzar — Wheresoever the children of men dwell … hath made thee ruler over them ALL (Dan. 2:38). Of Greece — Which shall bear rule over ALL the earth (Dan. 2:39). Of Rome — Shall devour the WHOLE earth (Dan. 7:23-24). None of these kingdoms ruled the whole world.
    • Rev. 13 itself limits the kingdom of Antichrist to the 10 kingdoms that are yet to be formed inside the old Roman Empire territory (Dan. 7:23-24). The beast has only 10 horns, not 65, plainly teaching that a limited part of the earth will be under Antichrist (Rev. 13:1; 17:12-17).
    • Rev. 17:8-17 also limits the kingdom of Antichrist to the 10 kingdoms — the 10 horns … are 10 kings, which have received no kingdom as yet, but received power as kings with the beast … these shall give their kingdom unto the beast.
    • In Dan. 7:7-8,23-24 we have the definite location of the future 10 kingdoms. They are to be inside (out of), not outside the old Roman Empire territory. America and many other lands were never a part of the old Roman Empire, so they will not be a part of the 10 kingdoms to be formed in the last days inside that empire. No country outside the 10 kingdoms will be ruled by Antichrist and no mark of the beast will be forced upon any man outside the kingdom of Antichrist.
    • In Dan. 9:27; 11:40-45 Antichrist breaks his 7-year covenant with Israel and takes over Palestine and many other countries, “but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon,” which would be modern Jordan and Arabia. If these countries escape Antichrist, these on the border of Palestine which does not escape him, then it is surely conceivable that many countries across the vast oceans will also escape him.
    • The nation of Israel escapes the Antichrist arriving safe in the wilderness of Edom and Moab where they are protected of God for 3 1/2 years, or during the time the whole world is supposed to be taking the mark of the beast (see pt. 10, The Sun-Clothed Woman)
    • In Dan. 11:44-45 it is stated that the countries north and east of the 10 kingdoms under Antichrist will make war on him. These countries too, then, are not ruled by him and are and are not therefore forced to take the mark.
    • In Rev. 16:13-16 we have 3 unclean spirits like frogs going forth working miracles through ambassadors thus seeking the cooperation of many nations to help Antichrist against Jesus Christ at Armageddon. These will not have been conquered by him or be under him or they would not have to be persuaded to help him at Armageddon. If he ruled them and they loved him enough to worship him and take his mark, such demonic ministries would be unnecessary.
    • In Rev. 13:4 we have proof that there are nations whom the Antichrist has not conquered. If there were no nations who were not under him it would be foolish to raise the question about who can conquer him.
    • In Rev. 14:9-11 it is stated that every man who does take the mark of the beast, or his name, or the number of his name, will be sent to eternal hell without exception. If, as some teach today, Antichrist will kill every man who does not take the mark of the beast, and if, as stated here, every man who does take it will be sent to eternal hell, there will not be one person left on earth to populate it in the Millennium and the New Earth. Thus, such a doctrine as Antichrist killing all on earth who do not take his mark and worship him is literally untrue.
    • The truth is that Antichrist will make a law that all in his 10 kingdoms must worship him and take his mark, but the law will not and cannot be literally enforced in such a vast territory in as short a time as 3 1/2 years. It would be impossible for one human Antichrist to contact every man in the whole world and to see that every man is killed who does not take his mark. To say that, he could be virtually teaching that one man can do more in 3 1/2 years than what God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels, and all the redeemed people of over 1,900 years have been able to do. The gospel has been preached that long and still multiplied millions of people on earth have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. How could a new doctrine and a new religion of the beast be made known to all the world in 3 1/2 years? One reason why Antichrist cannot enforce such a law even inside the Roman Empire territory in 3 1/2 years is because of the wars between his 10 kingdoms and the many nations north and east of his empire (Dan. 11:44). These wars will keep him so occupied that he will not be able to pay full attention to the enforcement of his religious laws. Then, too, there will no doubt be ways of avoiding such laws in certain localities as there are concerning any other manmade law. Local officials, money, bribery, and many other things will enable some in his kingdom to escape literal compliance to such a law. Guerrilla warfare against Antichrist can be carried on in all parts of his kingdom, making it impossible to enforce such a law literally. Antichrist will come and go without millions of people in various parts of the earth knowing that he ever existed. This is true of Jesus Christ, and it will be true of Antichrist. Many peoples in the interior of certain lands do not yet know that there have been two world wars in a generation. Many do not know we have automobiles, airplanes, etc. The Bible teaches that in the Millennium Christ will be reigning in Jerusalem for some time before His agents contact certain peoples on earth and seek to bring them under His government (Isa. 2:2-4; 40:9; 52:7; 61:6; 66:18-21; Zech. 8:23; 14:16-21). So it will be in the days of Antichrist.
    • In Zech. 14:16-21 it is clear that many from every nation, even those that are under Antichrist, will be left alive on the earth in the Millennium. These will not take the mark of the beast. If so, they would be sent to eternal hell by Christ at His second coming. Since they are left to enter the Millennium, it is proof that every man on earth will not take the mark or be killed. For example, Egypt is spoken of in Dan. 11:40-45 as not escaping the Antichrist, but we find Egyptians left to enter the Milennium in Zech. 14:16-21. So it will be with many people of all the nations under Antichrist. Some will not take the mark or obey his law and yet escape death by him. Multitudes will be killed, but not all (Rev. 7:9-11; 14:13; 15:2-4; 16:2; 20:4-6).
    • In Mt. 25:31-46 we read of many of all nations that are called blessed of My Father who will inherit the millennial and eternal kingdom. These people will not take the mark of the beast or they would be sent to eternal hell, as stated in Rev. 14:9-11. The basis of the judgment of the nations here is their treatment of Israel. Such kind treatment of Israel could not be possible on the part of any nation if all were directly controlled by Antichrist.
    • The remnant of the woman in Rev. 12:17 escape the mark of the beast and the worship of Antichrist. This is made possible by new wars in the north and east of his kingdom, forcing him to let them alone for the time being so as to conquer these new enemies. The ministry of the two witnesses helps protect them the last 3 1/2 years. Then when Antichrist conquers his enemies after nearly 3 1/2 years of war he gathers his forces against the Jews to destroy them. He is defeated by Jesus Christ at Armageddon before he even takes all of Jerusalem, which by some means has been suddenly delivered from Antichrist and is back in Jewish hands (Zech. 14:14-15).” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments of the Authorized or King James Version Text.

        In verse 9 the readers are warned to hear. This is the same warning given to the seven churches to which the Revelation is sent. The seven churches are still present at this point in the Tribulation.

 

MUST A PERSON REPENT TO BE SAVED?

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 Saving Faith and Repentance

MUST A PERSON REPENT TO BE SAVED

BY Ken Blue

Certainly, there’s no shortage of Scripture on the subject of repentance. The shortage appears to be in the understanding of where, and how the word is used in Scripture. Strictly speaking, one may repent and still not be saved. Yes, repentance is a vital part of salvation. However, we discover that after we are saved, we spend the rest of our life repenting.

Now, in the matter of salvation, faith and repentance are just two sides of the same coin. Repentance is a “change of mind.” The Bible says God repented. “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” Jonah 3:10.  When God saw their repentance, He also repented! They turned and God turned. So, repentance is a change of mind that parallels turning.

When a person puts his faith in Jesus, he is believing. By believing he changed his mind about two things. One, he needed a Savior, and two, Jesus would save him. The Holy Spirit moves in and through the Word, begins a process we call Christian growth. Not all believers grow at the same pace, and it is a day by day decision. Paul said, “I die daily…”

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The longer you are saved, the more you understand that your problem is not your sins, but a sinful heart![/perfectpullquote]

I never tell a person he must repent, or turn from his sins. It only frustrates the grace of God, and leaves the convert confused. One person sows, another waters, but God gives the increase. Why not trust Him to bring about the change in the new born? When a sinner exercises saving faith, he is repenting! I think it is safe to say, in the context of saving faith, that faith is a synonym for repentance.

I never worry about the sinners’ repentance. I have discovered, once he believes in his heart, he has taken the first step of repentance. He will find that it is a lifelong process after that. Is there anything in your life, right now, of which you need to repent? The longer you are saved, the more you understand that your problem is not your sins, but a sinful heart! I know from personal experience.

IF I WERE THE DEVIL

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WHAT THE DEVIL MIGHT DO WITH YOU

DEVIL

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

 

 If I were the Devil I’d point to the hypocrites in the church, and I’d scoff…

I’d point to imaginary contradictions in the Bible, and I’d scoff…

And I would convince you that all religions are after your money, and I’d scoff…

 

If I were the Devil I’d keep your mind occupied with movies, music, and money.

I’d convince you that evolution is right, and that there is no purpose for your existence.

And you are a product of chance, and the chimpanzee is your first cousin.

 

If I were the Devil I’d poison your mind with pornography until you couldn’t think of anything else.

I’d destroy your body with drugs, and alcohol until you were burned out.

And I would destroy your soul through bitterness at the God you do not believe exist.

 

If I were the Devil I’d keep you so busy you would become set in your ways.

I’d harden your will as concrete, so when it came time for you to die, you’d have no desire or will to believe.

And I’d destroy your life, or bless it, so you would curse God as you go home with me to hell forever. And then I’d scoff!

  

(The idea came from Paul Harvey)

THE MAGNIFICENT TRANSITION FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

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darkness to light

 

 

By Ken Blue

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”, Colossians 1:13.

“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5.

 

Two worlds exist in one. They are like our moon; with one side always dark, and the other always light. We get a hint of this when God called “…the light Day, and the darkness he called Night…” Genesis 1:5. That dark side has a Prince who rules over all within his kingdom of darkness. Throughout Scripture we see this comparison. Righteousness is equated with light, and unrighteousness is equated with darkness.

It is obvious also that these two are contrasted as “understanding” and “ignorance.” Notice the usage in Ephesians 4:18.  “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart…” The “understanding” is “darkened” through “ignorance,” and “blindness.”

Paul accused his nation of the malady which contributed to their lack of salvation. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:1-3. Two key words describe the source of their problem; they lacked “knowledge” and they were “ignorant.” God said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6.

There are two great hymns that shed more light on the subject. One is, Amazing Grace. The words are, “…I once was blind, but now I see.” The other is, At the Cross. “At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light…”

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6.

It is nothing short of a miracle. We come into life ignorant, blind, and lost. We are in a world of darkness. We live on the dark side of the moon. But God, who called the light out of darkness, has shined in our heart and dispelled the ignorance, the blindness, and the darkness, in which we lived. Not only has He delivered us out of darkness, He had translated us into His marvelous light! It is called “the kingdom of His dear Son.”  He has moved us from darkness to light.

We discover that people are not lost because of personal sin, but because of the ignorance, blindness, and unbelief in their heart. Faith in God’s Word is the switch that “turns on the light.” If you will “believe” Him, He will call you out of a world of darkness to light! These two worlds exist. Are you still in darkness?

SEX OFFENDER RISK LEVEL CLASSIFICATION

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SEX OFFENDER RISK LEVEL CLASSIFICATION

(This information was provided by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)

sex offender levels

 

 

 

 

 

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) through the “Model Policy” Established guidelines for risk level classification and the dissemination of information about sex offenders. The End of Sentence Review Committee is made up of a variety of state and local agencies that together complete risk level assessment of most sex offenders either convicted in Washington State or convicted in another state and move to Washington. The purpose of risk level assessment is to provide the community with information about convicted sex offenders who pose a moderate or high risk to re-offend.

For level I offenders, law enforcement agencies shall share information with other appropriate law enforcement agencies. If the level I offender is a juvenile, the information shall be shared with the principal of the public or private school he or she will be attending. Upon request, the agency may disclose relevant, necessary and accurate information to any victim or witness and to any community member who lives near the residence where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found. RCW 4.24.550(3)

For level II offenders, in addition to what is stated for level I offenders, law enforcement agencies may distribute information to those schools, child care and adult care facilities, libraries, and businesses and organizations serving children, women and vulnerable adults in the area where the registered offender resides, is expected to reside or is regularly found. (RCW 4.24.550(3). The most common method for notification of level II offenders is through notification flyers.

For level IIl offenders, in addition to what is stated for level II offenders, law enforcement agencies may disclose information to the public at large. RCW 4.24.550(3) The county sheriff is to publish by legal notice, advertising, or news release a sex offender community notification that conforms to the guidelines established under RCW 4.24.5501 in at least one legal newspaper with a general circulation in the area of the sex offender’s registered address or location. Law enforcement agencies are expected to distribute offender notification flyers to the general public and are encouraged to host, minimally, periodic community forums for expanded sex offender management information and public safety education. The county sheriff shall also cause to be published twice yearly a current list of level III registered six offenders. This list shall be maintained by the county sheriff on a publicly accessible web site and updated at least once a month, unless the information is posted on the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs website. RCW 4.24.550(4)

Sexually Violent Predator (Svp): Civil Commitment:

There are currently hundreds of sexually violent predators civilly committed in Washington State. These offenders are housed at the Special Commitment Center (SCC) located at the McNeil Island Correctional Center. These offenders are not serving prison sentences. They fall under the jurisdiction of DSHS. To be civilly committed an offender must meet three specific criteria. 1. That they have been convicted of a sexually violent act, 2. They have been diagnosed with a personality disorder or mental abnormality, 3. That this diagnosis makes it more likely than not that they will commit a future sexually violent act.

The End of Sentence Review Committee does initial screening of cases meeting the criteria. The offender is then sent to psychologist for a forensic evaluation to professionally answer the same three questions. If the offender is found to meet the criteria then the case is forwarded to a prosecutor who will make a final determination whether the case will go forward for civil commitment. If the case does go forward then a jury trial will make the final determination if the offender is to be civilly committed.

Once the offender is civilly committed then they receive specific sex offender treatment for sexually violent predators. After completing six phases of sex offender treatment (which may take years, if ever completed) the offender must be considered for placement in a Secure Community Transition Facility (SCTF) in the general community. The placement of these facilities is currently taking place in several counties in Washington State. These facilities are maintained by DSHS. These offenders have the highest degree of supervision at no time being left in the community without a trained DSHS employee with them. The facility is secure, alarmed and staff is on site 24 hours a day. After it is found that the offender has successfully transitioned into the community they can be released from the SCTF to maintain their own living arrangements. Any release to an SCTF, less restrictive alternative or unconditional release can only be guaranteed through the court where the conviction as a sexually violent predator occurred.