When it comes to the subject of end—times there is much controversy about the sequence of events in general, but not only the sequence but also when and how will the end time unfold? Some believe that the believers will be caught up (raptured) before the tribulation and others believe that we will go through the tribulation. Who is right, and does it make any difference as to where we stand? I know that if we are saved, and believe that our sins are washed away with the atoning blood of Christ, we have eternal life. There is no question there, the scriptures say “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved”.

The majority of believers believe that the rapture will take place before the great tribulation, and they think that they have scriptures to support their belief. One of the most frequent ones used, is Revelation 3: 10b “--- I also will keep you from the hour of temptation that shall come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” The question is how will He keep them? Will he have to take them out of the world to keep them? or is he able to keep them from this hour by protecting them under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY? Psalm 91 was given to us as Christians for just such a time as what we are about to face. I will not quote the whole chapter, but will refer to several of the verses. “He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God: in Him will I trust. 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from noisome pestilence. ----- 7 A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation. 10 There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you. 12 They shall hold you up in their hands last you dash your foot against a stone.” This is how we are kept from the hour of tribulation, by us putting our lives completely into His hands and making the Lord our habitation. Jesus in His prayer in John 17: 15, says “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, ( raptured ) but that you should keep them from the evil one.” There are conditions that must be followed, like dwelling in the secret place of God. That speaks of a close relationship with Jesus. In other words to be a disciple of Christ, depending on God’s provision for all our protection and needs. Matthew 6: 33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”

Jesus came into the world to save sinners, He does not want mankind to go to hell or perish, the scripture is very clear on that, but that, was not His only purpose in coming. He wants a body (church) that is sold out to him that will reign and rule with Him in His Kingdom, in the thousand year reign (millennium). In order to be eligible for this privilege, we must not only be saved, but sold out to Christ as His disciple.

Who is a disciple of Jesus Christ? It is very clear from scripture, that just because we are saved from eternal condemnation, does not make us a disciple of Christ. Jesus Himself says, “If anyone comes to Me and does not forsake his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” “And whoever does not bare his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26&27). Jesus is very direct here as to who are His disciples, he wants us all to be His disciple, but lays out the conditions, to obtain that. He is saying this right after He told a parable in Luke 14:15-17 “ - - - - - one of them sat at meat with Him heard these things, he said to Him, Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said He unto him. “ A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, Come, for all things are now ready, but they all with one accord began to make excuses”. If you read on in the next several verses they all had what they thought were legitimate excuses, but we read in verse 23&24 “Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled, ’For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste of my supper.” It is quite evident from this parable that the great supper is the wedding supper of the church (bride) and the bridegroom. A parallel parable that Jesus gave was about the ten virgins going out to meet the bridegroom, Matt. 25:1 – 8 “ - - - likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, ( speaks of light) and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight the cry was heard; Behold the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet Him! Then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” only five were ready to go into the wedding, and the others were shut out, Jesus says, I do not know you. (Matt. 25:10&11). Now here is where there is a misunderstanding of what Jesus was saying. Most of us were taught that of the ten virgins, only five were Christians, and the other five were unbelievers. I do not think so. They were all believers, virgins speaks of purity, they all had lamps ( but five had oil in their vessels with their lamps, (extra oil speaks of the Holy Spirit of God) but the foolish virgins did not qualify, because they did not have the extra oil. They all trimmed their lamps and lit them but the foolish ones would not keep burning and went out. They had not heeded Christ’s invitation “Behold I ( Holy Spirit) stand at the door (church door) and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3: 20. This invitation is not for salvation, (although it is used in that context at times) but an invitation to the believers (in the Laodiceans church) to let the Holy Spirit in and have communion with Him, and be an over comer.

Do all these that are not His disciples or did not go to the wedding supper loose their salvation? My answer is that I do not think so. They are saved and going to heaven, but will miss out on the best that could have been theirs. John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said to him. ”Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, (accepted Jesus) he cannot SEE the kingdom of God” Most believers do not understand that there are different levels to which we can attain to in heaven, which are based accordingly on our deeds done down here on earth in the flesh. Salvation is the first step, and the only way to get us saved from eternal condemnation. John 3:5 “ - - Most assuredly , I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot ENTER the kingdom of God.” Many Christians do not make a distinction between verse 3. SEE and verse 5. Enter. But when you check out the Greek word for See (1492 eido) meaning to see, behold, be aware, and then the word Enter (1525 eiserchomal) meaning, enter into, go in, to enter. It is very clear from the meaning of the Greek, that verses 3 and 5 are not saying the same thing. There are souls that will be saved and will be able to see the kingdom of God and yet not enter into the kingdom of God, and miss out of so much of what God wants for them. However, there are those that will enter into His kingdom, because they had been baptized with water and His Holy Spirit. and were over comers. I believe that Moses is somewhat of a picture of what it will be like for some of us as believers. Moses was taken up to the top of mount Nebo, and God showed him all the land and said to Moses, “ This is the land of which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying I will give it to your descendants, I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over.” (Enter it) Duet.34:4 Why was Moses not allowed to enter into the promised land? Because he struck the Rock with his rod (two times) whereas God had told him to talk to the Rock. It was because of disobedience.

The Apostle Paul Says in Philippians 3:11- If, by any means, I might attain to the resurrection from the dead.” What exactly is Paul trying to tell us here? Was he doubtful as to whether he was going to be resurrected in the last days. Not at all! Paul had been taken up to the third heaven and he says that he heard words he is not permitted to reveal. 2 Corinthians 12: 4 “how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words , which is not lawful for a man to utter.” Even Paul was not happy about the early church that needed to be fed milk rather then being teachers of solid food. Hebrews 5:13&14. He than lays out six foundational truths that must be solidly laid and understood before going to perfection. Hebrews 6: 1-6 ( from James Watt) Hebrews 6: 1b & 2 “-------not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works (repent) and faith towards God (salvation) of the doctrines of baptisms, ( Water & Holy Spirit) of laying on of hands, ( 1948 latter day out pouring) of resurrection of the dead, ( Infusion of holiness & righteousness- future) and of eternal judgment. (at close of millennium) And this will we do if God permits. Why would God not permit? Only if we have not died to self-life and become an over comer. (Disciple)

In order to fully know God’s plan for the Ages, we have to look at the dealings that God had with the Jews. As a matter of fact everything that the Israelites (Jews) were commanded to do, but did not or could not do, Christ came to fulfill, so that we (gentiles) and they (Jews) could through His Spirit also walk in those experiences, as Christ was and is the first fruits unto God.

God gave Moses the exact blue prints, as to how the Tabernacle in the wilderness was to be built. Exodus 25:8&9. and Acts; 7:44. It was completely enclosed with a wall or board fence around it. As you entered the gate, the first thing you saw in the outer court (representing 4000 yrs. to Christ or 4 of God’s days) was the brazen alter where the priest made all sacrifices. Towards the rear of the enclosure was the Holy place, 10x20x10 cubits or 2000 sq. cubits which represents the 2000 years from Christ’s resurrection (or 2 of God’s days) to the millennium. Next was the Holy of Holies 10x10x10 cubits or 1000 cubits added onto the Holy Place with a curtain dividing the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest could enter once a year. This represents the millennium age when Christ through His Bride will reign and rule (because we will be like Him) for 1000 yrs. (or 1 of God’s days).

Why am I going into all this detail? What I want to do is to show that the Tabernacle structure is the blue print of where God is taking the church and the steps that every believer must take to achieve their full potential by faith through Christ Jesus. It is not that every believer has to know the details as explained here, but that whether aware or not, if the child of God follows obediently in every aspect of God’s leading, they will have arrived at all these steps. Every Israelite as he entered the outer court of the Tabernacle had to bring a sacrifice, which the priest would sacrifice on the Alter, for their sins. They had to do this yearly, where as we do this at salvation, confess our sins and repent and by faith we are saved from eternal condemnation, by the sacrificial blood of Jesus on the cross. When God sees the blood of Jesus that was applied to our lives by faith in Jesus, the death angel passes over us, and we are saved by grace. Exodus 12:13b “ - - - - when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” The problem with many of us is that we stay at salvation, and good as that is, God wants us to move on to the Holy place, and help us clean up our lives and thus enter the Holy place. They had to change garments and wash at the laver that was at the entrance to the Holy place. For the believer who has received salvation by faith has to be cleansed by the washing of the water of the word, (Eph. 5:26) and baptized and thus entering into the Holy Place which represents the Holy Spirit baptism that we can receive after our salvation experience, but we have to ask Him for us to receive the Holy Spirit. Luke 11;13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those that ask Him”. From the Holy Place, the High Priest went behind the vail to enter into the Holy of Holies once a year. This is an experience that is still future for us as Christians as will be seen in the next few paragraphs. Just as creation took place in six days and God rested on the seventh, so also redemption from Adam’s fall to the millennium is six of God’s days and the seventh day which is the millennium, (from Adam’s fall to Christ’s resurrection was 4000 yrs. or 4 of God’s days and from His resurrection to the millennium is 2000 yrs. or 2 of God’s days and the millennium is 1000 yrs. or one of God’s day.) when all creation will be restored by the Christ empowered church .(Romans 8:19). So we see that the Tabernacle not only represents our spiritual journey with Jesus Christ, but also shows us that just as God created the world and all that is in it in seven days, His plan of salvation from the fall of man to the end of the millennium is also seven of God’s days. (I Peter 3: 8; “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”)

There were some other ordinances that Israelites had to keep that we shall look at. Namely the feasts that they were commanded to keep yearly; there were seven in total, but three main ones, Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Now Jesus came to fulfilled all these feasts and we as seekers after truth can also experience them after He has fulfilled them. Passover was fulfilled by Jesus on the cross on the very day that the Jews celebrated this feast, and His death on the cross is our salvation as we believe on His shed blood for our sins. He became our Passover Lamb. Next Jesus had told the disciples to stay in Jerusalem, and to wait for the Promise of the Father,”which you have heard from me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4b&5) And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1& 4). Now that Jesus has fulfilled this feast we are also able to receive this experience by faith when we ask for it. (Luke 11:13) Here is where many Christians want to homestead, because they think that when they received Jesus, they now have The Holy Spirit, but that is not necessarily so. In Acts 8:14-17 “Now when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that the Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of Jesus.) Then they laid hands on them and, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Same thing happened at Ephesus, Acts 19:1-6. This is the condition in many churches, Christians that are trying to live their lives without being baptized in or with the Holy Spirit. When you accepted Jesus, He (Jesus) breathed on you, (John 20: 22b) and you received Christ’s Spirit. Romans 8:9b “ - - -- Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His,”

There is the third and last feast that the Jews kept at the end of the year namely Tabernacles. Although we can read in scripture that Jesus did fulfill the first two feasts, namely Passover and Pentecost, on the very days that the Jews celebrated them, there is no record in scripture that He had fulfilled Tabernacles, during His earthly ministry. Just as Tabernacles was kept toward the end of the year, He will fulfill this feast at the end of this age. 1John 3:2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is". He did give us a clue as to how this could happen. Jesus always came to the feasts that the Jews kept. The feast of Tabernacles, the last one recorded in John Chp.7 was, when his brothers asked Him to go up to show yourself to the world with your miracles. But He said “You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” John (7:8) “But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret John (7:10). We can be sure that this feast will be fulfilled by Jesus on the exact day that the Jews are keeping this feast. We know they keep this in September, but what year Jesus will fulfill it we do not know, except that it will probably be before or early in the millennium age. He will appear to those that are over comer’s, and it will probably be in secret, unknowingly to the world, and carnal believers, just as He went up secretly to this last feast in John 7.

Romans 8:19 “for the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” This revealing of the sons of God is what will release the power to restore all creation to its original state. The Passover feast or experience was or is for sinners to come to repentance, and receive salvation through faith. Pentecost feast is an experience by faith for believers only. It is given to the believers for power to be Christ’s witnesses. Tabernacles is for the believer who has overcome self life, who has died to the self life (holiness & righteousness) and is Jesus’ disciple. (future) All creation is waiting for something to happen because at Tabernacles there was a joyous celebration. In Romans 8:18 &19 says: “For I reckon that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” This revealing of the sons of God is what will release the power to restore all creation to its original state. Just like at harvest time there are the first fruit, so also in the end-time there is a harvest of first fruit. I believe that the manifested sons of God are the first fruit, unto Christ, and when Christ shall appear to them they will be like Him, for they shall see Him as He is, not in heaven but here on earth to reign and rule with the power of Christ during the one thousand years, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:” Eph: 4: 12&13.

The scriptures in Acts 3:20 & 21 says “And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached onto you. Whom the heavens must receive until the restitution of all things, which God has spoken by His holy prophets since the world began.” Who will restore all these things? I believe it is the revealed sons of God, after their tabernacle experience, that Romans 8:18&19 refer to. At tabernacles, when Jesus appears in secret to those that have qualified, (discipleships) they shall be like Him. I John 3: 2&3 “Beloved now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that has this hope in him purifies him-self even as He is pure.” Also Colossians 3: 3&4 “For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory.” The fact is that as a disciple of Christ we must have Died to the self life and become the over comer to which everyone must achieve to in order to reign and rule with Christ during the thousand year reign. Just read the letters to the seven churches of Revelation in chapters 2&3. It was only the over comer’s that were given positions of authority, many were rebuked and told to repent or their candlestick would be removed.

Most Christians are under the impression that Christ is going to come to earth and restore all things. He is going to do it through the manifested sons of God. (The Man-child of Rev.12) You might say how is this possible? It is going to be possible because, we shall be like Him, and do the works that He did and more. John 14: 12 “Verily ,verily I say unto you ,he that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father”. The Bible tells us that Christ is held in heaven till the restitution of all things, Acts 3:20. This restitution of all things will be happening throughout the millennium. (Read Tommy Hicks vision found on Triune Last Days) During this time Satan is bound and whole Nations will be converted and following the Lord. These sons of God will be transported by the Spirit all over the world, preaching the Kingdom of God, and multitudes will come to the Lord. God has anointed these sons of God with such power and the five fold ministry will be in such powerful operation that the church will come into perfection. Ephesians 4:12&13 “For the perfecting of saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Christians all coming into unity of faith, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ has to happen here on this earth, not in heaven. That is the whole purpose of our journey here on earth, to prepare use for His kingdom here on earth, before going to heaven. (Matt. 6:10)

At the close of this thousand year reign Christ will come for His whole Body the Church which has been perfected in the third day (2000 – 3000). Luke 13: “And He said unto them Go you and tell that fox, (Herod) behold, I cast out devils, and do cures today and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.” Jesus did not need perfecting, but we, His body do need perfecting, and Jesus the head, without a perfect body is not complete. When Christ’s body (church) is perfected, He will come for His church, just as He has promised. Ephesians 5:26&27 “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Now there are those that will say, if we have received Jesus, are we not perfect? Jesus who is the perfect lamb, and was slain and shed His blood for our sins, so is that not enough to get us to heaven? Yes you will get to heaven, because God looking down on us sees us through the blood that cleanses us from all of our sins. Ephesians 1:7&8 “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; Wherein He has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” Yes we are saved from eternal con-damnation and will rejoice in heaven with God forever. However it is Christ that is coming for His bride, the church, that has not only had her sins forgiven, but is washed by the water of the word. Here again we see that the sin offering (salvation) gets rid of the sin, but to go into the Holy Place there was the laver with water for cleansing, and receiving the Holy Spirit, and tabernacles, Holy of Holies, for a baptism of holiness and righteousness with fire. Malachi 3:2a& 3 “--------and who shall stand when He appears for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers soap. 3. And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and He shall purify the sons of Levi, (Priests) and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness.” Also John the Baptist said of Jesus “ I baptize with water but He that comes after me, He shall Baptize with the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) and with Fire ( Tabernacles) Luke 3:16b. Jesus said in John 14:6 “ - - - I am the Way the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but by Me.” When you receive Jesus your on the Way, ( Outer court)when you receive the Holy Spirit, He (Spirit) will lead you into all Truth, ( Holy Place) when we will receive Tabernacles we will have true Life, ever lasting.

There are those that want to believe that Revelation 4 where John is called up to heaven is the rapture of the Church, and that the church is not mentioned again because it is in heaven. Here is what John saw and heard: ”After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as a trumpet talking with me; saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Now, I do not see anything in this verse, and for that matter in this whole chapter that indicates that the church was being caught up at this time. However the voice very loudly (like a trumpet) tells John to come up, ‘and I will show you things which must take place after this’ and immediately he (John) was in the Spirit taken to heaven, and he saw a throne set in heaven. (Paul had an experience just like John did.) Now there is one very important element in this statement, from this voice: everything that John sees or hears from here on is future. Up until Chapter 4 John was informed what had happened and what would happen to the churches unless they repented. Now we want to apply this to Revelation Chapter 12:

“Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3. and another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and His throne. 6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared for her by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.” (3 1/2 yrs.) I realize that almost all Christians believe that this male child that was born to this woman, is Jesus born to Israel. (Mary) We just saw in the previous paragraph that every thing that was shown to John was future, and we know that Jesus birth had happened some 80 -90 years ago. So who is this Woman if not Mary? And who is this man child? According to Rev. 4 it cannot refer to Jesus birth to Mary, because that was almost a century ago.

There are two woman mentioned in Revelation, this one in Chapter 12 and another one in Chapter 17: 3 “So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 5. --------MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” The majority of Christians believe and understand that this woman is the false church, riding on a beast, which from the description is the beast of Rev. 13, that gets it’s power from the Dragon. If this is so, and we know that the woman with child is not Mary, giving birth to Jesus, why is this woman not the true church of Jesus Christ? The Church (woman) we know is going through labor (persecution) all over the world. Those of us who are not, are about to enter into it, and signs are all around us that we are not very far off from this becoming a reality, just like the rest of God’s children, in the rest of the world. The recession that the whole world is in, is the beginning of sorrows, tribulation is not far behind. (Matt. 24: 8) This is to purify us like silver and gold. (Mal.3:3) From this testing and refining there will be a manifestation of God’s sons birthed that all creation has been waiting for. Romans 8: 22.”For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only they, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within, ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” One of the many reasons that the male child is believed to be Jesus by so many is what verse 5 says, she bore a child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and his throne:” If you read of some of the responsibilities or duties that the over comers of the churches in Revelation received from the Spirit you will find that the church of Thyatira received just such a promise. Revelation 2:26 – 28: “And he that over comes and keeps My works unto the end, to him I will give POWER over the NATIONS: and HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON; THEY SHALL BE DASHED TO PIECES LIKE THE POTTERS VESSELS.” EVEN AS I (Jesus) RECEIVED OF MY FATHER. And I ( Jesus) will give him the morning star. David is the morning star. (Rev. 22: 16b)

The Dragon was going to devour this man child (Rev. 12:4 &5) as soon as it was born. “As soon as the woman (bride & now church) gave birth to the man child (sons of God) who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up onto God and His throne.” (The throne represents power for the manchild.) Than there was war in heaven between God’s angels and Satan’s angels. God’s angel’s won and the Devil and his angels were cast out of heaven ( he the devil presently is in the heavens) unto the earth, (V.12) Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, for the Devil has come down with great wrath, (this will happen shortly) because he knows his time is short. (v. 13) When the dragon saw he was cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman (church). (V.14) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had a place prepared for her and He would feed her there for a thousand three hundred and three score days. (1260 days or 31/2 yrs) This is the Great tribulation that the scriptures are warning us about. This is contrary to what we were told that the tribulation was going to be seven years. There is no place to be found in scripture that the great tribulation is seven years long. ( Dan. 9:27 does not refer to Anti-Christ, but to Messiah, that is another topic). When the dragon finds out that God is protecting the (church) woman (V.16&17) he went after the remnant (remaining ones, 3026 Strong’s Conc.) of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (These are all those that did not qualify because they were not over comers.) And therefore did not get the protection that the woman (church) .in the wilderness did.

Then in chapter Revelation 13 we see a beast rising out of the sea (Humanity) and the dragon gave the beast his power, and his seat and great authority, (Verse. 1&2) And they (Humanity) worshiped the dragon which gave power to the beast, and they worshiped the beast. (V.4&5)And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things, --- and power was given him to continue forty-two months (31/2yrs.) These are the same three and one half years that the dragon was unable to persecute the woman (bride) But we see in Vrs.7 of Chp.13 “And it was given to him to make war with the saints, (remnant or church) and over come them; and power was given him over all mankind, and tongues and nations.Vrs.8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names were not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world

There is much more that could be written, but I want to close with one quote from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10 -15 “ That I might know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death: If by any means I might attain the resurrection of the dead: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend for which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to be apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” I by no means have reached all that I feel God has revealed to me, however my desire is to get to know and obey Jesus as my crucified Lord and Savior.

I am convinced that we are about to experience much of what the scriptures tell us about, both disasters, and glorious days. Just as Isaiah 60:2&21 says, “For, behold the darkness shall cover the whole earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you. 21. Thy people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified.

There is a catching up of the saints! It is a question of when, will this happen? We are not taken up to heaven to be perfected but to receive our glorified bodies. Jesus died for us to be like Him here on this earth not in heaven. Jesus is coming for a bride that is without spot or wrinkle. I John 3:2b “- - - But we know that when He shall appear ( here on earth) we shall be like Him; for we shall see him as He is. This appearing will likely be at the Feast of Tabernacles, which is the next great visitation for us to expect of God, to the church, Isaiah 60: 21 “Your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever.” That is because of God’s promise in Isaiah 60: 2b “- - - the Lord shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you.”

For the past thirty – five years I have maintained that there are different levels to attain to in heaven. I realize that this is not popular in our Christian society. Most of us were brought up believing that you were either Saved or went to Hell, depending on your belief and action you took on what Jesus accomplished on the cross for you. I believe the Scriptures teach that there is a high calling of God for all of us, as Paul says in Philippians 3: 14 “I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This is for all of us to attain to. Now if there is a high calling there must be a low or medium calling. And as I have indicated with the ten virgins and Jesus parables that this is so.

Some time (20 – 25 yrs.) ago the Lord gave me some scripture verses out of Proverbs 22: 17—21 in a very unique way, “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise. And apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, so that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?”

I was very excited about what the Lord had led me to and started to go through this scripture word by word using the Strong’s Concordance to check out the exact meaning of every word, trying to figure out what God wanted of me or was trying to tell me. When I came to the word “excellent” I was surprised to find out what it meant. Strong’s Concordance lists excellent 23 times in the Old Testament and almost all of them have a different No. In this portion the No. is 7991 was the only one used of the 23 I found. It’s not anything like what our dictionary describes the meaning of this word. It seems as though the translators used the wrong word. Its from the prim. Number three a triangle, a three fold measure, also (as an officer) a general of the third rank ( upwards, i.e. the highest) – captain, three. This confirmed my belief that there are different levels to attain to in heaven just as there are different levels in an army. We are to be in the Army of the Lord. There are Privates, Corporals and Captains to which all who enlist can achieve to. I believe God led me to this scripture to confirm to me that I was on the right track. I believe that the parables that Jesus taught in Matt. 25: 14—20 shows us that there are different levels. Also John 3: 3&5 as already touched upon earlier shows that there are different levels. What we do with our lives here on earth prepares us for how we will spend eternity. Salvation is a free gift from God through the shed blood of Jesus that starts you on your way. Matt 7: 13 “ Enter by the narrow gat e: for wide is the gat e and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many that go in by it. 14. “Because” narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life.” And there are few who find it. This scripture tells us that the gate is narrow and the way to life (Tabernacles) is difficult, and few will actually find it.

As Christians it is of utmost importance that we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives. As I already have said, our salvation does not depend on it, but the disciples were told to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the power from on high. Even though Christ had breathed on them “saying receive the Holy Spirit” they still needed the baptism of God’s Spirit, for power as they went out from Jerusalem.

I had asked for the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and upon faith I believed that I had received. I did not speak in tongues for at least a few years, however as I read scripture, I realized that this phenomenon of speaking in tongues happened in every instance when believers received the Holy Spirit. This got me to desiring to receive tongues as they did in scripture, but it seemed like to no avail. I read an article in the Charisma of someone that wanted this gift so badly, that when he went forward to receive it, as he had done many times, he decided to make up his own gibberish words. The audience erupted in praise of thanks giving, that this brother had at last received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Before the service came to an end this brother felt so guilty of deceiving the congregation, that he went back up to the front to confess that he had made up his own gibberish words and asked for forgiveness for doing this. To his surprise there were three foreign people sitting in the front row, that got up and testified that they had understood every word that was spoken, and every word spoken was praise and glory to God.

Some time after reading this, during my quite time, I said to God, I am going to do what this man did, in faith believing You to honor it, and that there will be some evidence that you heard my prayer. So I spoke out in faith what was meaningless gibberish to me, and when I was finished, I sat there relaxed meditating. I started to praise Him for all He was and for His love. After repeating the sentences that I was saying to Him, I realized that this was kind of like a poem. I started to write down these words that were coming from God, through my speech. After reading this over several times, I said to God, this seams to be not only a poem, but a song. If it is, you will have to give me the tune for it, and He did, which I have never forgotten after some twenty years ago. Following is the song --- this had never ever happened to me before, and has never happened again to this day. And I have kept on using this gift of speaking in tongues as a prayer language for personal use as Paul did. I am not saying that this is the only evidence of tongues, but it was, during the disciples days. I believe that it is available to all who seek it. Luke: 11:13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.” Just as Paul said “He wished that we all spoke in tongues.” I Cor.14:5. I really do not know if this poem was an interpretation of the tongues that I spoke. I’ll leave that up to God, but to me it was a conformation that I had received my prayer language, to building up my faith through praying in the Holy Ghost. Jude; 20: “But you beloved, building up yourselves on yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” 

Dave Loewen

Triune Last Days Ministry