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THE
BEAST The Abomination of Desolation
Matt. 24:15 "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy
place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mark 13:14 speaks of the same thing except instead of the term
"holy place" he says he will be "standing where it
ought not".
Where is this place that it stands? The mere term "holy
place" indicates a place of religion but, more than that, a
place where God and his anointing should dwell. The term "where
it ought not" tells us that it has usurped and replaced
almighty God and his position with man.
I believe if we examine biblical "abominations" we can
then begin to understand how this one will move. The following
passages contain scriptural definitions of those things that God has
declared as "abominations":
1.
GRAVEN IMAGES OF GODS MADE WITH SILVER AND GOLD (Deu. 7:25)
2.
TO CAUSE OUR CHILDREN TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, USE DIVINATION,
BECOME AN OBSERVER OF TIMES, AN ENCHANTER, A WITCH, A CHARMER, A
CONSULTER WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS, A WIZARD OR A NECROMANCER (One
who claims to be able to foretell the future by alleged
communication with the dead) (Deu. 18:9-12)
3.
JUST WEIGHTS AND MEASUREMENTS (Deu. 25)
4.
THE 7 THINGS THAT GOD HATES: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands
that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked
imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false
witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the
brethren. (Prov. 6:16-19)
5.
A FROWARD (not easily controlled, willfully stubborn) HEART (Prov.
11:20)
6.
THE SACRIFICE OF THE WICKED (Prov. 21:27)
7.
THAT WHICH IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED AMONG MEN (Luke 16:15)
So, what is our conclusion out of all of these things? It is that
these are the devises that the Anti-Christ spirit is going to and is
using in order to usher in his reign to full power. It is the spirit
of the original sin of "humanism" which is the root of all
these "abomination". It is the creation of us being our
own God and doing our own thing as long as we move with the spirit
of this world. It is the destruction of "holiness".
In Daniel 9 we find the prophecy of the seventy weeks. This study
will conclude that a day is equal to one year, or a week is seven
years. Dan. 9:27 speaks of this end-time week that the beast will
make a treaty with Israel for seven years. This covenant will allow
Israel to serve God as they desire. During this time Israel has
accepted Jesus as Jehovah God and has become the headquarters of the
church. Daniel tells us that in the middle of this week, which is 3
1/2 years, that the beast will break this covenant with God's people
and no longer allow them to worship and will destroy the house of
God by the "overspreading of abominations" until the
consummation (the rapture) and that determined (the vials in the
book of Revelation) had been pour out upon the desolate (those that
took the mark of the beast).
Daniel further verifies this in chapter 12:10-13. This passage lets
us know that there is a tremendous end-time revival at the same time
the world comes to the height of wickedness. He then tells us that
we (the church) will go through a period of 1290 days that the
Anti-Christ will be in full power and will not allow us to formally
worship. He will make every attempt to destroy God's people, but
will fail. At the end of this 3 1/2 years, Jesus will come for His
bride and catch us away. John verifies Daniel's account in
Revelation chapter 11 and 13. Chapter 11 tells us about the temple,
altar, and worship in Jerusalem. Verse 2 tells us that there will be
desolation of the city for 42 months. It also ushers in the ministry
of the two witnesses during that time and the first mention of the
beast in the book as he comes to full power at the end of the Moses
and Elijah's 42 months revival. Chapter 13 talks about the ministry
of the beast for 42 months, making war with the saints, another
beast (false prophet) arising to work with him, and the
establishment of the "mark of the beast" which all men
will be required to receive if they want to buy or to sell. This
event closes the 13th chapter and the 14th chapter begins with the
events of rapture and the return of our Lord. This causes me to
believe that the inception and confrontation of receiving the
"mark of the beast" will be the final battlefield before
God catches His church away, and we then shall ever be with the
Lord.
GOG
& MAGOG (Ezekiel 38-39)
To
begin, we notice that before Gog puts in an appearance Israel has
been restored to its own land. More than that, its condition is one
of complete security. The people no longer need to crowd behind the
walls of cities for protection; they can dwell scattered about the
land in unwalled villages. They have returned home enriched with
cattle and goods. Divine judgments have eliminated all their enemies
that they may dwell in the midst of the land. (v.l2)
We
notice next that the host marshaled behind Gog are not drawn from
the countries historically hostile to Israel, nor from the civilized
world at all. They are barbarians from beyond all known territory,
men of strange races accustomed to war and athirst for plunder,
robber bands which break in upon the settled population to carry
away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, and to seize
great spoil, (v. 13) (2) Joining with Gog in this invasion will be
Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya and Gomer. (v.5)
Sheba
and Dadan (both descendants of Abraham/Arabs) and the merchants of
Tarshish (a distant region), giving special note to their young
lions (warriors, will question the invaders of their intent to spoil
and destroy Israel. This shows that the entire world, including the
Arab world, will look on during this invasion. Zech. 12:3 shows that
all people shall gather together against Jerusalem. Yes, this even
includes the United States.
No doubt this league of powers (to be referred to as the ARMY OF GOG),
which will unite against Israel, will be considered by all as one of
the strongest, largest, and well-equipped armies which this world
has ever seen. Considering the size and population of these
countries, it is quite possible they will man a force 100-200 times
that of Israel.
In that day (latter days) when the Army of Gog invades, they shall
come like a storm to cover the land of Israel in one great attack to
completely destroy everything that Israel has accomplished. But
watch as the Lord himself will intervene. There will be a great
shaking in the land of Israel. The fury of Almighty God will be
stirred as He calls for a sword. He will rain an overflowing rain
upon Gog with pestilence, blood, great hailstones, fire, and
brimstone. The Lord will magnify and sanctify himself that the
heathen (Arabs) and many nations shall know that "I AM THE
LORD." It is not until this time that the House of Israel (as a
nation) will know who God really is. Ezekiel 39:29 says,
"Neither will I hide my face anymore from them: for I have
poured out my spirit upon the House of Israel, saith the Lord."
The Army of Gog will be will be turned back and only the sixth (1/6)
part will be saved. The slaughter of Gog will be so great that:
1.
It will take Israel 7 years to burn the weapons.
2.
A special place called Hamongog shall be set aside to bury the
invaders over by the Dead Sea.
3.
All the people of Israel shall help bury the dead which will take 7
months to complete.
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