Wednesday, September 25, 2003 (84) WHY SHE IS NOT MARY. From the statements of the book itself we are given to understand that is a book of the future, not a history of the past. John was shown the Revelation of Jesus Christ in approximately the year 90 AD. The birth of Jesus would not fit into its pages, since His birth, personal ministry, death and resurrection were past and had become history. The witness of the book itself is as follows. It was a Revelation, the fulfillment of which was to shortly to come to pass. Projecting the whole of the prophecy into the future. Rev. 1:1 The time of its prophecies had not yet come, but were near. Rev. 1:3 Very definitely indicating the future is the statement, things which shall be hereafter. Rev. 4:1 The remaining comment which has a bearing on time is, For the time is at hand. Rev. 22:10 For one who is eternal, the whole period covered by the Book is but a passing moment. Remember, that a day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as but a day. 2 Pet. 3:8
THE WOMAN FACED BY A VERY DETERMINED ENEMY. The political and spiritual condition of the world at the time of the birth of the man child is evidence that this is a last days scenario. The great fiery dragon is Lucifer himself. The seven heads, the ten horns and the seven crowns are the political arm of his kingdom, those who associate themselves with Satan. Rev. 12:3 This religious/political force is composed of much more than a restored Roman Empire or a United Europe, that number has already gone far beyond the allotted ten kingdoms. The political order of the end of the age will be much greater than just an amalgamation of European nations, it will virtually embrace all the nations of the world. It is important to note that his tail, the time of the extremity of his power and ability, will gather a third of the stars of heaven. Stars represent spirit filled Christians, thus indicating that a third of the church will follow him. He is very convincing and extremely capable of deceiving. Rev. 12:4 The catching up Rev. 12:5 of the man child is a signal that the beginning of the end has arrived. The great dragon is identified and cast out of heaven. He is, the serpent [ancient], the devil or Satan. Yes, he not only has access to heaven but he is stationed there permanently, until this moment of time, when he is booted out and can no more accuse the saints before the Lord [Which he does 24/7]. Rev. 12:10 His destiny is secure. In conjunction with the antichrist, and the false prophet he will rule and reign for three and one half years. At the close of that period of time he will be incarcerated in what is called a bottomless pit , [Could it be a black hole? For certain it will be a dark and gloomy place.] He will be bound, chained and incarcerated for a thousanyears or for the period of time known as the Millennium. A thousand years of peace, rest and tranquillity for the redeemed. There will be no sin or sinners, no sickness, no war, no dissension of any sort for the entire period of time. It is the Sabbath of the Lord. The seventh of the one thousand year days in which the Lord has wrought salvation for His own.:END: