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There will be signs in the heavens as we approach the end of the age. There are also signs which will be present among the inhabitants of the earth. Some even entering into family relationships. The scores of divided families which are so prevalent today are a part of that which Jesus said would come to pass in the end of the age, even going so far as to causing the persecuted, and the hated family member to be killed. Mt. 10:21 The same hatred will spread out into the community and bear the same results. It is a definite sign which we see as being in fulfillment today but we have not yet seen the swelling tide of extreme dislike. Unfortunately, it is not winding down, it is just getting a good start. Loyalty, to family and country has eroded until it is difficult to find today. Mk. 13:32.
The book of Revelation was introduced as not being written in a chronological order. In the area of persecution we come upon one of those instances. The Bride of Revelation twelve is seen in all of her beauty and splendor. In this chapter the woman is noted as fleeing into the place prepared by God for her. Rev. 12:6, 14. While in verse thirteen she is seen being persecuted by the devil that has been cast out of heaven. Then, the manner of escape which will be used on her behalf is declared to be the eagle winged power of the Spirit and she is transported into her place of refuge for the total three and one half years of the tribulation. Therefore we know that in the period of time where she developed into the Bride of Christ, there will be persecution and after the marriage and the birth of the man child there will be persecution. Rev. 12:13.
The glorified woman of Revelation twelve is the key to the door which will open the tribulation. Consequently the importance of this event cannot be over emphasized. In conjunction with the birth and snatching up of this child into heaven and the throne of the Lord, the number of the religious people who desert the ways of the Lord and follow the antichrist is astounding. They are represented by the stars of the heavens. One third of the church members will be deceived and follow the antichrist, an astounding, astonishing number who follow men and their charismatic nature rather than the Lord Jesus who is the head of the church. The spiritual frivolity and lightness of the average Christian of today’s church will set them up for this very thing. Just imagine, one third. They are spiritual innocents possessing very little of the deeper things of the Lord which are revealed in the Word of the Lord. People who are seen in church only at Easter and Christmas, or when some tragedy strikes them or their family or even somewhere else in the world. Rev. 12:4.