American End Times Beliefs

 Americans inherit a lot of their approach to End Times from their Puritan forbears. The Puritans in turn inherited goals from those whose goals originally led to the Old Testament focus on scriptures found today in the Bible. The main group responsible for this focus was the Pharisees. For the Pharisees, it meant a detailed and rigorous application of the Torah. For the Puritans, it involved a reformist approach to both church practices and societal norms based on their interpretation of the Bible. While American eschatological views are not directly inherited from the Pharisees or the Pharisees influential 90 AD Council of Jamnia, there is an indirect connection through the broader historical and religious context. The Pharisees' emphasis on scriptural authority and interpretation influenced later Jewish thought, which in turn contributed to the development of Christian theological frameworks. Early Christians, including the Church Fathers, engaged with Jewish interpretations of scripture, including eschatological themes, which were later absorbed into Christian thought. Both groups’ emphasis on a strict set of scriptures reflects a broader pattern in religious reform where adherence to a perceived "pure" version of sacred texts is central. For the Pharisees, this involved a strict interpretation of Jewish law, while for the Puritans, it meant rigorous application of biblical teachings as understood by them. While there’s no direct connection between the Pharisees and the Puritans, their shared focus on a strict set of canonical scriptures represents a common thread in religious movements where a return to, or strict adherence to, foundational texts is a significant feature. This reflects a broader human tendency within religious reform to anchor authority and practice in a revered canon, though the specifics of their scriptures and religious contexts differ significantly. Teachings of Jesus, John the Baptist and Paul relating to the Pharisees should be studied in relation to American End Times beliefs. Seeking to follow on from Puritans has downsides. (Stephen D Green, including some wording from ChatGPT, 2024)

Theological confusion

 In Trinitarian theology, theologians describe the Trinity as possessing an essence or being, and the identity of the Trinitarian God is rooted in this essence. In some forms of non-Trinitarian theology (acknowledging that there are many varieties), it is the Father whose identity is strictly identified as God in terms of essence. Both Trinitarian and non-Trinitarian perspectives, however, appear to agree on the functional usage of the term "God." This functional sense refers to a being's ability to exercise divine power and knowledge in roles such as absolute rulership—both in heaven and on earth—providing care, teaching, revealing or concealing truth, saving, performing miracles, and so on. In both the Father and Jesus, these functions can be seen at work.

In Trinitarian theology, the being of the Trinity is capable of exercising these functions, but there is more to this being than just function; there is essence as well. In non-Trinitarian theology, it is acknowledged that the Father exercises these functions to the fullest degree, while the Son does so to a lesser degree. However, in both traditions, it is crucial not to confuse function with identity when using the term "God." Failing to recognize the distinction between these two uses—identity and function—often leads to misunderstandings and exaggerated claims. This confusion can result in one person accusing another of heresy or unbelief, simply because they have misunderstood how the other person is using the term "God" in their theological statements.

It all stores up

 The wrath of God in Revelation follows waves of persecutions and grievous killings of the fifth seal. Wrath is being stored up right now in what we see all around which fills us with indignation. It fills God with indignation too, although He detaches Himself somewhat, and waits. But it all stores up. One day, perhaps decades away, it will all pour out in vengeful wrath, never seen since Noah’s time. Until then, remember, it is being stored up. The indignations will be answered by God. 

Wrath to come

 Psychologically speaking, the wrath of God in Revelation, particularly following the persecutions and grievous killings of the fifth seal, can be understood as an expression of divine justice and righteous indignation. It is not impulsive or uncontrolled, but rather a measured response to the injustice, cruelty, and suffering endured by the martyrs who cry out for vindication. Beneath this divine wrath lies a deep sense of empathy for the suffering of the innocent. The martyrs under the altar, crying out, “How long, O Lord?” symbolize the anguish of those who have been wronged, and God’s wrath can be seen as motivated by grief over human cruelty and a desire to right these wrongs.

There is also a sentiment of righteous anger at the heart of this response. God’s wrath is not arbitrary; it is a reaction to moral violations and the persistent rebellion of those who perpetuate evil. This is akin to the psychological experience of indignation when faced with gross injustice, especially when innocent lives are harmed without cause. The wrath seeks to restore balance and correct what is morally wrong, making it a reflection of righteous anger in the face of suffering.

Justice and retribution play a significant role in shaping this wrath. The martyrs’ cry for justice taps into a deep human need for fairness and the righting of wrongs. Divine wrath, in this context, serves as a form of retributive justice, a necessary response to the violations committed by oppressors. This sentiment reflects the common psychological reaction to severe injustice, where punishment or retribution is often seen as a way to restore moral balance.

Underlying the divine wrath is also a desire for restoration and healing. Psychologically, punishment of wrongdoers can bring healing and closure for victims. In Revelation, God’s wrath clears the path for a new, restored creation, where the past wrongs are no longer present. Rather than being purely destructive, this wrath is ultimately a response aimed at vindication, healing, and the restoration of order.

These psychological aspects of divine wrath, rooted in grief, righteous anger, and the drive for justice, manifest in Revelation as catastrophic events that strike both nature and humanity. The darkening of the sun, the shortening of days, and the ensuing famines symbolize not only the collapse of the natural order but also the psychological weight of impending doom. These events reflect the profound grief and mourning for a world corrupted by violence and cruelty. The darkened sun and natural upheaval mirror the spiritual darkness that follows unchecked human cruelty, as if the very universe reacts to the evil that has gone unpunished for so long.

The burning of grass and trees, along with the choking smoke, intensifies this sense of judgment. These environmental catastrophes represent not just the physical destruction of life but the suffocating effects of moral corruption on humanity. The smoke that chokes can be seen as an embodiment of the guilt that weighs heavily on the collective conscience. In psychological terms, the burning of the world’s greenery could be viewed as a projection of humanity’s own self-destructive tendencies—an outward expression of the inner devastation caused by cruelty and injustice. The wrath of God here is not merely punitive; it is a reflection of the deep entanglement between humanity's inner moral failures and the outer world, which begins to wither and die as a result.

The introduction of supernatural pestilences directed deliberately against all humans suggests that no one is exempt from this judgment, reinforcing the idea of shared complicity in guilt. Psychologically, this can be understood as a collective reckoning for the cruelty and destructiveness that permeates human societies. Even those who may not have actively participated in persecution or violence are, in some way, implicated by their inaction or complacency. The pestilences act as a force that strips away any illusion of innocence or neutrality. They reveal a deep, underlying truth: in a world marred by systemic evil, everyone bears some degree of responsibility for its perpetuation, whether through direct action or passive acceptance.

The sense that nobody escapes these catastrophic events underscores a profound psychological insight—that in a deeply flawed and cruel world, guilt and responsibility are not confined to a few individuals but are spread across humanity. The inescapable nature of these judgments reflects the pervasive complicity in cruelty and destruction, highlighting a collective moral debt that must be paid. This suggests that the wrath of God, as portrayed through these events, is not merely about vengeance but about exposing the full extent of human failure and ensuring that all face the consequences of their actions, or lack thereof. In this context, the cataclysms serve as both punishment and revelation, laying bare the inner truth of a world burdened by cruelty and indifference to suffering.

Stephen D Green, written together with ChatGPT, 2024 

The current persecutions

 The current persecutions of Christian faithful disciples is not going to be tolerated forever. God ensures that the numbers killed in persecution is monitored, and it is compared to historic averages. Once it goes too far over the average norm, God will intervene with wrath and will avenge those killed. This is perhaps years away from happening, perhaps two decades, perhaps continuing even into the mid 2040s. He is patient because once He has His wrath poured out, the nightmare begins for the whole world. 

Martyrdom Glory

 Believing that in 2024 we are between the fifth and sixth seal times of Revelation, how does this affect us devotionally? There is persecution happening in big waves around the world, but on a day by day basis in lives of those who are trying “to live a godly life in Christ Jesus”. At the same time there are the normal crimes and injustices which can happen to anyone. We can pray when affected. However, the justice of God, which is generally something we can request as necessary, is now one of two possibilities. The other possibility this time in the apocalypse timeline is persecution which is building up wrath for the sixth seal. If we are truly being persecuted, and it is not mere random crime and injustice we are experiencing, it might be we are going to be one of the persecuted who God will avenge in wrath by the sixth seal and subsequent events. So God might not send justice the usual way, but in such a circumstance God might say: Wait. This is because wrath is coming. It will not come quite yet, not until the persecutions reach their limit and the full number of martyrs are killed which will trigger that wrath, paving the way for the sixth seal to be opened. Leave room for this possibility in your prayers. It is a glory to be avenged like this. Try not to take it into your own hands or plead for immediate justice if the cause of trouble is genuine persecution of wanting to live a saintly life in Jesus Christ. Let the answer to your prayer be the wrath to come, even if it far ahead. Even if you might not live to see it. You might be on the way to glory, even to martyrdom glory. 

Timeline: Apocalyptic Events Leading to 2060 and the Millennium

Timeline: Apocalyptic Events Leading to 2060 and the Millennium, calculated and formatted by ChatGPT based on information provided to it in prompts based on the prophecies of Enoch and Revelation

1939-1945: World War II

• Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse (War):
• Global conflict affects a significant portion of the world, fulfilling the prophecy of widespread war and destruction.

Late 1940s-1950: Fifth Seal Broken

• Martyrdom and Persecutions Begin:
• Widespread persecution of Christians and other believers begins, particularly in totalitarian regimes during the Cold War era.
• The souls of martyrs cry out for justice, with this period extending for decades.

1950s-2040s: Ongoing Persecutions and Global Tensions

• Continued Religious Persecution and Global Conflicts:
• Persecution persists across various regions, along with increasing global conflicts and ideological wars.
• Signs of societal and environmental decay grow, setting the stage for future judgments.

2030-2044: Rise of the Modern-Day Lion, Bear, and Leopard Coalition

• 2030: Emergence of the Coalition (Iraq, Iran, Greece/Macedonia):
• Iraq (Lion/Babylon), Iran (Bear/Persia), and Greece/Macedonia (Leopard) form a coalition, reflecting their historical roles in Daniel’s vision.
• This coalition begins to influence global politics, economics, and military affairs, challenging existing powers.
• 2030-2044: Consolidation and Expansion of the Coalition:
• The coalition consolidates power, contributing to the destabilization of global order.
• This sets the stage for the rise of the First Beast, who will eventually dominate global affairs.

2044: Sixth Seal Broken

• Major Cataclysmic Events:
• A great earthquake, the darkening of the sun, and the moon turning blood-red signal the breaking of the Sixth Seal.
• Global fear as natural and possibly supernatural disasters strike, leading to significant geopolitical and environmental changes.
• The 144,000 are sealed as God’s faithful servants, protected from the upcoming divine judgments.

2045: The Beginning of Angelic Wrath (Trumpets)

• 2045-2047: The First Four Trumpets Sound
• First Trumpet: Hail and fire mixed with blood are thrown to the earth, burning a third of the trees and all green grass.
• Second Trumpet: A great mountain burning with fire is thrown into the sea, turning a third of the sea into blood and destroying a third of the sea creatures and ships.
• Third Trumpet: A great star (Wormwood) falls from the sky, poisoning a third of the rivers and springs, causing many people to die from the bitter waters.
• Fourth Trumpet: A third of the sun, moon, and stars are struck, causing a third of the day and night to be darkened.

2047-2050: Ministry of the Two Witnesses and Further Trumpets

• 2047: Appearance of the Two Witnesses:
• The Two Witnesses begin their prophetic ministry in Jerusalem, opposing the growing power of the First Beast.
• Their ministry lasts for three and a half years, during which they call people to repentance and perform miracles.
• 2047-2050: The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets Sound (First and Second Woes):
• Fifth Trumpet (First Woe): A star falls from heaven and opens the Abyss, releasing locusts that torment those without the seal of God for five months.
• Sixth Trumpet (Second Woe): Four angels bound at the Euphrates River are released, leading a vast army that kills a third of mankind through plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur.

2050: Death and Resurrection of the Two Witnesses

• 2050: Death of the Two Witnesses:
• At the end of their ministry, the Two Witnesses are killed by the First Beast, but they are resurrected after three and a half days and ascend to heaven, causing great fear among their enemies.
• 2050-2056: Rise and Height of the First Beast’s Power and the 666 System
• 2050-2056: Enforcement of the 666 System:
• The First Beast enforces the 666 system, making it mandatory for economic participation and social compliance.
• Those who refuse the Mark of the Beast face severe persecution and martyrdom.

2056: The Seventh Trumpet Sounds

• Third Woe:
• The Seventh Trumpet sounds, announcing the final stages of God’s judgment and the impending return of Christ.
• Loud voices in heaven declare, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

2057-2060: The Three-and-a-Half-Year Reign of the Antichrist and the Bowls of Wrath

• 2057: Start of the Antichrist's Reign:
• The Antichrist reaches the peak of his power, ruling for three and a half years with total global control.
• 2057-2060: The Bowls of Wrath (Final Judgments):
• First Bowl: Painful sores afflict those who bear the Mark of the Beast.
• Second Bowl: The sea turns to blood, causing all marine life to die.
• Third Bowl: Rivers and springs turn to blood.
• Fourth Bowl: The sun scorches people with intense heat.
• Fifth Bowl: Darkness engulfs the Beast’s kingdom, symbolizing the collapse of his power.
• Sixth Bowl: The Euphrates River dries up, preparing the way for the Battle of Armageddon.
• Seventh Bowl: A massive earthquake strikes, Babylon falls, and catastrophic hailstones devastate the earth, signaling the imminent defeat of the Beast.

2060: The Second Coming of Christ and the Start of the Millennial Reign

• Early 2060: The Battle of Armageddon:
• The final battle between the forces of the Antichrist and the forces of good takes place at Armageddon.
• The Beast and the False Prophet are defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire.
• 2060: The Second Coming of Christ:
• Christ returns in glory, bringing an end to the reign of the Antichrist and all evil forces.
• The dead in Christ are raised, and the living believers are transformed. Christ gathers His saints to reign with Him.
• 2060 Onward: The Millennial Reign Begins:
• Christ establishes His thousand-year reign on earth, ruling with justice and peace.
• The resurrected saints and faithful believers reign with Christ during this period, marking the beginning of the Millennium.
• Satan is bound during this time, preventing him from deceiving the nations until the thousand years are completed.

Post-Millennium: Final Judgment and New Heaven and New Earth

• After 3060: Final Judgment:
• After the thousand years, Satan is released for a short time, leading to one final rebellion, which is swiftly defeated.
• The final judgment takes place, with Satan, death, and all who followed him being cast into the Lake of Fire.
• New Heaven and New Earth:
• A new heaven and a new earth are established, where God dwells with humanity forever in peace and righteousness.

Summary of Key Points with the Millennial Reign

• 2030-2044: Rise of a coalition involving Iraq (Babylon), Iran (Persia), and Greece/Macedonia, leading to the emergence of the First Beast.
• 2045-2047: The sealing of the 144,000 followed by the start of angelic wrath with the Trumpets, beginning with the burning of trees and grass.
• 2047-2050: The ministry of the Two Witnesses, who preach repentance and are eventually martyred and resurrected.
• 2057-2060: The height of the Antichrist’s reign, followed by the Bowls of Wrath and his eventual defeat.
• 2060: The Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the saints, and the start of Christ's millennial reign.

This timeline maintains the focus on the progression of apocalyptic events leading up to the Second Coming of Christ in 2060, followed by His millennial reign. The angelic wrath events begin soon after the sealing of the 144,000, setting the stage for the final judgments and the ultimate defeat of the forces of evil.

Fleeing the coming wrath

 Luke 3:7, 8a John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance...

Being like these crowds won’t save you from the wrath to come. It is what fruit you produce. It is a change of heart and about becoming receptive to things of the Spirit so your heart is not one turning from God. The wrath is coming. You do need to flee. But there is a way to flee. That way is not self-justifiying self-righteousness. It is not making all the Bible verses referring to those with hope be about you, and making the unhappy verses be about those you despise. Following the Pharisees won’t help you to flee, either. Traditions of elders won’t help you to flee the wrath. Mercy to the poor. Humility towards the ordinary folk. Admission of falling short. Justice for everyone, not just those rich enough to pay for it. Sharing. Making lives of others better. Most of all, seeking and finding and getting to know the real Christ, the real Jesus, about whom these scriptures all speak, trusting him as light of the world sent by God. Holding to his teachings in the way he meant them. Then bearing good fruit by holding to his teachings perpetually. This is how to avert the worst. The wrath will still come, but your life will withstand the storms. 

The Warning

 It is not a matter of reading the bible. It is not a matter of knowing lots of verses, and remembering their references. It is not matter of knowing various eschatological frameworks. It is a matter of seeking and finding the one the bible testifies about. Jesus. The Christ from God. Paul knew his bible before he met Jesus. The great knowledge of scriptures he had did not prevent him persecuting Christ. You might find yourself being a persecutor, just like Paul originally was. You might be a persecutor with a head full of bible facts and end times teachings. Then the wrath comes and it will be as much against you as against anyone. Your end times knowledge won’t change this. Your bible knowledge won’t change it. 

Save them

 Just telling people the truth won’t save them. Just persuading them to believe won’t save them. They have to actually hold to the teachings of Jesus while believing in him, and keep on doing so. That way they will know the truth and it will save them. It will set them free. They need to become true disciples. John 8.

You can tell your kids about stop lights, traffic lights. If the crazy folks around start putting up fake lights and road signs, you can teach the kids before they learn to drive how to tell a true sign from a fake one. How to know a light which is red is a genuine stop light, traffic light. When they actually start driving and see a light that us red and means STOP, they can say “yes I believe it is real, it us a genuine light” but they need to learn to stop at it too. Just believing is not enough. If they truly believe it, they will obey it and stop. Only then will it save them. Jesus is true. You can believe he is the true light of the world. You can know to distinguish his light from fake lights, fake teachings. Yet you need to learn to obey him appropriately. Not just believing. Doing what true belief leads to. Keeping his sayings as the light of your life. Keeping them. Understanding them over time as you keep hold of them. Being ready to do as they say to do when the opportunity comes. This saves. He saves. 

Bride and Bridegroom and Wedding and Pain Travail

 Jesus Christ’s parable of wise and foolish virgins has the point that the wise prepare for a long wait for his coming. 

Here is an AI-generated list of other metaphorical sayings in scripture based on similar metaphors of brides, bridegrooms, weddings, birth pains.

In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Virgins, where the kingdom of heaven is compared to a wedding feast. The bridegroom represents Christ, and the virgins represent those waiting for Him. The wise virgins, who are prepared, enter the wedding feast, while the foolish ones, who were unprepared, are shut out. This metaphor emphasizes the need for readiness and vigilance for Christ’s return.

In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul compares the relationship between Christ and the Church to that of a husband and wife. He states, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word." This passage uses the metaphor of a marriage to describe the sacrificial love Christ has for His Church, which He purifies to present her to Himself as a radiant bride.

In Revelation 19:7-9, the imagery of the "wedding of the Lamb" is used, where Christ is depicted as the Bridegroom and the Church as His bride. The passage reads, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." The wedding metaphor here symbolizes the ultimate union between Christ and His people at the end of time, a moment of fulfillment and joy in God's redemptive plan.

In Isaiah 62:5, the restoration of Israel is described in marital terms: "As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you." This verse conveys the deep joy and commitment God has towards His people, often linked to the eschatological hope of Israel's full restoration.

Matthew 24:8 refers to the tribulations preceding the end times as "the beginning of birth pains." Jesus is teaching His disciples about the signs of the end of the age, and He likens the sufferings of the last days to the pain of childbirth. This metaphor implies that the tribulations are a necessary process that will lead to the "birth" of God's new creation.

In Romans 8:22, Paul uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe the whole of creation’s longing for redemption: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Here, Paul speaks of the suffering and groaning in anticipation of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive work, suggesting that the current pain is not purposeless but part of the process leading to new life.

John 16:21, Jesus uses the metaphor of a woman in childbirth to describe the disciples' coming sorrow and subsequent joy: "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world." This passage applies the labor metaphor to the emotional and spiritual suffering the disciples will face, pointing to the joy that will follow Christ’s resurrection and ultimate return.

In Hosea 2:19-20, God describes His covenant with Israel using marriage imagery: "I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion." This passage uses the metaphor of marriage to describe God's enduring and faithful commitment to His people, despite their past unfaithfulness, and foreshadows the eschatological hope of renewal and restoration.

Revelation 21:2 also uses the marriage metaphor in describing the New Jerusalem: "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." This vision represents the ultimate realization of God’s plan, where the redeemed people of God are depicted as a bride, fully prepared to be united with Christ in the new creation.

In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul expresses his desire for the Church’s purity using the imagery of betrothal: "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him." This metaphor of the Church as a bride awaiting her bridegroom, Christ, underscores the importance of maintaining faithfulness and purity in anticipation of Christ’s return.

Isaiah 26:17-21 describes tribulation and deliverance in terms of labor pains: "As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we in your presence, Lord." This imagery is used to describe the anguish of Israel awaiting deliverance, while also pointing forward to the eschatological fulfillment of God’s promises, when tribulation will give way to salvation.

In Jeremiah 3:14, God addresses the unfaithful Israel as His spouse: "Return, faithless people, declares the Lord, for I am your husband." This metaphor of God as the faithful husband to an unfaithful bride captures both the current estrangement of Israel and the hope for future reconciliation, often tied to eschatological hope.

In Mark 2:19-20, Jesus refers to Himself as the bridegroom when questioned about fasting: "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast." Jesus uses the bridegroom metaphor to describe the joy of His presence with His disciples and to hint at the coming sorrow of His crucifixion, but also the anticipation of His return.

— ChatGPT, 2024

Voice of love

 Israel has sinned, says God. The eagle overhead is the sign. Love towards God should include loving Him not just in our whole hearts, souls, minds, but also our whole voice. Spewing out false doctrines and twisting of scriptures is not how to love Him with our whole voice.

Blood and fire and billows of smoke

 Joel’s prophecy, particularly in Joel 2:28-32, plays a significant role in understanding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the eschatological events in the Bible. In this passage, the prophet speaks of a time when God will pour out His Spirit on all people, enabling them to prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions. This outpouring is described in the context of cosmic signs and apocalyptic events, such as blood, fire, and billows of smoke, and it concludes with the promise that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Peter, in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:16-21, associates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples with Joel's prophecy, seeing it as being fulfilled in their time.

The implications of this prophecy for tribulation and wrath are significant. Joel describes the outpouring of the Spirit in the midst of severe tribulation and cosmic disturbances, implying that believers empowered by the Holy Spirit could be present during such end-time events. The prophecy does not indicate that believers will be removed from the earth at this point, which suggests that some disciples may indeed live through a period of tribulation. The call for people to "call on the name of the LORD" to be saved during this time also suggests that there is a remnant of God's people who are active in prayer and intercession during times of wrath. This could be seen as evidence that churches of disciples may endure through the tribulation, continuing to pray for mercy and bear witness in the midst of these events.

In Joel 2:12-17, the prophet calls for repentance, urging the people to return to the Lord with fasting, weeping, and mourning. This call to cry out to God for mercy in response to judgment indicates a time of intense spiritual warfare and repentance. If this period of repentance is connected to the events of the tribulation, it suggests that believers are encouraged to pray and intercede for God’s mercy during this time. The presence of believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit and who pray and plead for mercy seems to point toward the continued existence of disciples who live and minister during tribulation.

Whether Joel’s prophecy implies a pre-tribulation or post-tribulation rapture is not explicitly answered in the text. However, the fact that the Holy Spirit is poured out in conjunction with apocalyptic signs could suggest that believers experience at least part of the tribulation. Those who hold to a pre-tribulation rapture might view the prophecy as already fulfilled at Pentecost and continuing until the rapture, after which believers are taken before the tribulation. On the other hand, those who believe in a post-tribulation rapture could interpret Joel’s words as indicating that the church will endure through the tribulation, continuing its witness, prayer, and intercession, even during times of great distress.

In conclusion, Joel’s prophecy sheds light on the significant role of Spirit-filled believers during tribulation and wrath. The continuation of prophetic activity, visions, and dreams during these apocalyptic events suggests that Christians may live through the tribulation, empowered by the Holy Spirit to pray, prophesy, and bear witness. Whether or not this serves as evidence of churches living through the entire tribulation depends on one’s eschatological viewpoint, but the prophecy itself does not exclude the possibility of believers actively participating in prayer and intercession during this time of divine judgment.

— ChatGPT, 2024 

Christ is not being cruel to lead his church through tribulation

 Dispensationalists, particularly those who hold to a pre-tribulation rapture view, often argue that Christ, as the Bridegroom, would not allow His bride, the Church, to endure the sufferings of the Great Tribulation. They believe that because Christ loves the Church, He will remove her from the earth before the tribulation begins, protecting her from suffering. This position is often supported by passages like 1 Thessalonians 1:10, where Paul speaks of Jesus rescuing believers from the coming wrath, and Revelation 3:10, which promises protection from the "hour of trial."

However, the metaphor of tribulation as labor pains, which is frequently used in Scripture, presents an interesting challenge to this view. In places like Matthew 24:8 and Romans 8:22, tribulation or suffering is likened to birth pains, suggesting that the end times will bring about a culmination of suffering that, like labor, leads to a joyful result: the birth of a new creation or the full realization of God's Kingdom. This metaphor is also seen in the Old Testament, such as in Isaiah 26:17-21, where labor pains signal the coming of God’s ultimate plan.

By using the labor pain metaphor to critique the dispensationalist argument, one could draw a compelling theological analogy. Just as a loving husband does not prevent his wife from experiencing the natural pains of childbirth, even though he may feel deep compassion for her, so too might Christ allow the Church to endure tribulation without implying a lack of love or cruelty. The pains of childbirth are part of a process that leads to something beautiful and new, and similarly, tribulation can be seen as a necessary stage in the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes in the world.

This analogy suggests that the dispensationalist assertion—that Christ’s love for the Church means she will not experience tribulation—may be an oversimplification. Love does not always equate to the removal of suffering but can involve guiding someone through suffering for a greater purpose. Just as a husband’s love for his wife does not make childbirth pains cruel, Christ’s love for His Church does not necessarily mean He would spare her from the tribulation if it is part of a redemptive process.

Furthermore, the idea of cruelty being imputed to a husband who allows his wife to endure childbirth pains does not usually arise because these pains are understood as part of a necessary process that brings about a greater good—the birth of a child. In the same way, allowing the Church to go through tribulation does not imply cruelty on Christ’s part but rather participation in the redemptive process of history, much as individual Christians throughout history have suffered for their faith.

Additionally, the New Testament frequently affirms that the Church or God's people are not exempt from suffering. In John 16:33, Jesus says, "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus himself suffered, and the apostles often wrote that suffering produces endurance and spiritual growth, as seen in Romans 5:3-4 and James 1:2-4. The New Testament does not promise that the Church will be spared all suffering, but rather that God will be present with believers through it.

In this light, the labor pain metaphor offers a valid theological challenge to the dispensationalist view. Just as a husband’s love does not preclude his wife from experiencing the pains of childbirth, Christ’s love for His Church does not necessarily mean she will be spared from the trials of the end times. Enduring tribulation is not incompatible with Christ’s love, and the eventual outcome—the full establishment of God’s Kingdom—is part of a redemptive process. Therefore, imputing cruelty to Christ for allowing the Church to suffer through tribulation overlooks the broader biblical understanding of how suffering functions within God’s plan.

ChatGPT, 2024 

Phenomenal Jesus

 The Christ, Jesus, is a phenomenon. Like a physics phenomenon you never knew about. Like first time you put two magnets together. He is powerful by spirit. He can extend his physical presence to reach out to someone without interacting with others nearby. He is human and can be touched like any human. Yet he is resurrected, immortal. He interacts with humans still. He interacts also with the one true God, the Almighty spirit. He is still worker of miracles like gospel miracles but even greater because he sits at the one true God’s right hand. His teachings enable followers of them to do such miracles too. He can work with them and do collaborative things of wonder. His power is over all things, including apocalyptic events and he also presides over the more day-to-day acts of God, such as local flooding. When the wrath of God really begins, it is Jesus who will be leading it by pressing the red button for the unleashing of angel-wrought catastrophes. He will tread the winepress of that wrath. His rule will end with nobody, no thing, no being except the one true God Himself, outside his sway. Then he will dutifully and lovingly and willingly and joyfully hand it all over to the One True God forever. 

The coming millennium

 During the coming millennium, the Christ, Jesus, will draw every single person and thing and being (except the one true God) into subjection to himself, until he holds it all together, everyone together, by the soundness and authority and light of his words, before finally subjecting himself and all things under him over to the one true God forever.

A sure foundation for the future

 The wise build their lives on the rock: Jesus’ real teachings. They dig down to find them. Then hold to them and build on them. Their lives will endure the storms. If Jesus did not believe in a doctrine or preach it, nor his apostles, surely it is not wise to embrace it more than the teachings of Jesus. The future is unknown to humans unless it is revealed. Good revelations from Father to Son come from the Father who knows the end from the beginning. Jesus passes on what the Father gives him, when people follow Jesus and adhere to his words. His view of the future is wholesome to follow and withstands the tribulations to come: like building your house on a rock, not on sand. Pretences which are not the genuine teachings of Jesus might paint nice pictures for you of what they say is your future, but if they are not truly from the Father they are sand and building on them is building on sand. Woe when tribulation storms come, if you house is built on sand. 

ChatGPT lists verses support a rapture AFTER the tribulation

 In John 6:39-40, Jesus says, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” This passage emphasizes the promise that Jesus will resurrect believers on the last day, fulfilling God’s will for eternal life. Similarly, in John 6:44, Jesus adds, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day,” reinforcing that the resurrection of believers is tied to the last day. John 6:54 also echoes this with, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day,” emphasizing the intimate connection between faith in Christ and resurrection.

In Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus describes events after the tribulation: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” This passage highlights that Jesus’ return and the gathering of believers will occur after the tribulation, giving specific timing related to the end times.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 provides a picture of the rapture: “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” This shows the resurrection of the dead in Christ followed by the gathering of those still alive at His coming, but without specifying whether this happens before or after the tribulation.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, Paul clarifies the timing of the Day of the Lord: “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” This passage suggests that the return of Christ and the gathering of believers will not occur until after key events in the tribulation, such as the rise of the man of lawlessness.

In Revelation 7:14, John writes about those who endure through tribulation: “I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’” This refers to the faithful who have remained through the great tribulation, having been purified by their faith in Christ.

Jesus teaches about endurance in Matthew 24:13: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” This speaks to the necessity of remaining steadfast in faith through the trials and tribulations leading up to the end times.

In Revelation 2:10, Jesus encourages believers to stay faithful through suffering: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This verse highlights the reward of eternal life for those who remain faithful even unto death.

In Revelation 3:10, Jesus promises protection for those who endure: “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” This is often seen as a promise of God’s preservation during times of global trial and tribulation.

Romans 5:3-4 explains the purpose of suffering: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” This teaches that suffering and tribulation are part of the believer’s journey, producing endurance and spiritual growth.

In 2 Timothy 2:12, Paul writes, “If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.” This passage reinforces the reward of endurance, promising that those who endure will reign with Christ.

James 1:12 speaks of the blessing for enduring trials: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Endurance through trials leads to eternal rewards.

In Revelation 14:12, the endurance of the saints is emphasized: “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” This verse shows that even in the midst of tribulation, believers are called to maintain their faith and obedience.

In Mark 13:13, Jesus says, “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” This passage emphasizes the necessity of enduring persecution and remaining faithful through trials.

John 16:33 offers encouragement in the face of tribulation: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus acknowledges that tribulation is inevitable but offers peace and the promise of victory in Him.

Hebrews 10:36 says, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” This highlights the importance of endurance in order to obtain God’s promises.

In John 12:48, Jesus speaks of judgment on the last day: “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.” This passage connects the last day with judgment for those who reject Christ.

In John 11:24, Martha expresses her belief in the resurrection on the last day: “Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’” This reveals that the concept of a final resurrection on the last day was a common belief, affirmed by Jesus.

In John 5:28-29, Jesus teaches about the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” This passage reveals the dual resurrection on the last day, with both rewards for the righteous and condemnation for the wicked.

Matthew 25:31-33 describes the final judgment: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.” This depicts the final judgment where Jesus separates the righteous from the wicked, pointing to the last day as a moment of eternal division.

Finally, in John 5:24, Jesus assures believers of eternal life: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” This verse highlights the immediate assurance of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus, although the full realization of this comes on the last day.

ChatGPT, 2024 

O for the wings of a dove

 David would have liked to have been a pre-tribulation rapture believer. Psalm 55 expressed his desire well. But he knew it was not how things would go.

My heart is in anguish within me;

the terrors of death have fallen on me.

Fear and trembling have beset me;

horror has overwhelmed me.

I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!

I would fly away and be at rest.

I would flee far away

and stay in the desert; 

I would hurry to my place of shelter,

far from the tempest and storm.”

Instead he bravely pushed on and endured to the end. That is why he is remembered as such a saintly king. That is why Jesus was not ashamed when people called him “Son of David”, even though he is David’s lord. Oh for the wings of a dove, so that we would fly away and be at rest from the tribulations still to come. But we learn from Jesus to say “Yet not my will but Yours be done, Father”.  So he will raise us up on the last day. 

2060

 Holy Spirit message interpreted from tongues, late 1990s: 

“Consider the trees. They put forth buds and leaves. They do so by the power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It authenticates the Book of Enoch. When I see how close the tongues-interpreted message comes to the Book of Enoch sayings in its first few chapters and later in its parables section I realise how the same Holy Spirit has inspired the millennia-old book of prophecies quoted in the New Testament epistle of Jude. This has major implications for eschatology. The Book of Enoch also has a prophecy in what is variously called Enoch’s Dream of Beasts, or Vision of Animals. Here it is foretold, many centuries in advance, that the Ancient Israel northern tribes would forsake the Temple and become spiritually blind, and that they would be in a state of disgrace and punishment with God for a long time. As part of their punishment, God would hand them over to a sequence of angelic shepherds, each ruling them for a certain period, and under these heavenly auspices there would begin and continue a series of deadly wars and conquest events metered out on these Ancient Israel tribes. The events clearly match the biblical and historic events concerning the ten northern tribes of Ancient Israel, starting with the conquest by the Assyrians. The events through the centuries are well described in the prophecy: The subsequent conquest by the Greeks, as attested to in historic records, and so on. Crucially, the events foretold are described in relation to the numbered sequence of angelic shepherd reigns. The Assyrian conquest of Israel happens in the first angelic shepherd’s term. Each subsequent term is recorded along with events during that term, or in many cases, group of successive terms. These terms continue into later history, even through to events beyond the times of the Bible. It is not easy to relate the descriptions of the events to biblical and historic known events because the language is that of a dream vision and is very old, translated from Ge’ez, a very ancient Semitic language similar to Akkadian, Hebrew and Aramaic, but it is possible. What is indeed possible is, very importantly, determining the length of a term of one of the angelic shepherds. There is sufficient correlation with historic events to determine that this term is forty years. Eschatologically this is very enlightening indeed. I found that the forty years of each shepherd over Israel would provide light on future decades up until the return of Jesus Christ. The Enoch prophecy is of seventy shepherd terms in total. The first term starts, Enoch tells us, at the time of the Assyrian Conquest of Samaria, capital of the northern tribes of Ancient Israel. This is a historically known date. Seventy terms follow up until the Christ comes and rules over the land, defeating all of the world powers. The details of events in between these extremes, especially the time of the coming of the Ancient Greeks, show that a term is forty years long. So this seventy term period is 2800 years. So the Christ will come and defeat the world powers at Armageddon around 2800 years after the Ancient Assyrian Conquest of Samaria. This I calculated to put the coming of the Christ at around 2060 AD.