Surviving The Coming Great Tribulation - Apostle Series - Introduction: Chapter One
By: Rascal Miles
Apostles have always attempted to convey to the body of believers those things that are made known to them, by The Messiah, other people, and/or by The Holy Spirit. As in times past, Modern Day Apostles attempt to communicate to those - who can receive instructions - that need to know these things so that they can make new - more wise - decisions.
Unfortunately, not all that profess to be believers actually are. As the Apostle told his brother in The Lord, that he (Paul) had sent out to minister to the believers of their time, ‘(CEV) 2 Timothy 4:3 The time is coming when people won’t listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear.’
This “Surviving The Coming Great Tribulation - Apostle Series” of ezine articles will be posted on my websites for easy access also - or you can access them at EzineArticles.com by entering the author name Rascal Miles.
In brief, these articles will not - each one - talk of this apostle’s belief that those who wish to survive the 1st half of ‘The Great Tribulation’ need to earn enough money ‘Now’ to be able to ‘Move Fast’ when The Holy Spirit says ‘GO!’
Toward that end, banners and links to ‘Honest’, and ‘Established’ MLM ‘Free Sign-Up Trials’ are on the author’s websites Jesus4You.ws and MilesBooks.com.
Chapter One
In the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelations The Apostle, John details a series of future events of which The Lord Himself had spoken during His time before completing His earthly mission of dying on the “Cross” (Jehovah’s Witnesses call it “The Torture Stake”) to save us sinners.
I think that you will agree that Our Lord, Jesus, Himself talked actually of these ‘End times’ events when asked by His Apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and some other people, as reported in three gospels as to when these horrible things would take place.
‘ (CEV) Matthew 24:33 So when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time has almost come.’
(CEV) Mark 13:29 So when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time has almost come.’
(CEV) Luke 21:7 Some people asked, “Teacher, when will all this happen? How can we know when these things are about to take place?”
The ‘Things’ to which they were referring were those that Jesus had just for-told including the destruction of the temple.
‘(CEV) Luke 21:1 Jesus looked up and saw some rich people tossing their gifts into the offering box. 2 He also saw a poor widow putting in two pennies. 3 And he said, “I tell you that this poor woman has put in more than all the others. 4 Everyone else gave what they didn’t need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had.” 5 Some people were talking about the beautiful stones used to build the temple and about the gifts that had been placed in it. Jesus said, 6 “Do you see these stones? The time is coming when not one of them will be left in place. They will all be knocked down.” 7 Some people asked, “Teacher, when will all this happen? How can we know when these things are about to take place?” 8 Jesus replied: Don’t be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, “I am Christ!” and “Now is the time!” But don’t follow them. 9 When you hear about wars and riots, don’t be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn’t the end. 10 Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky. 12 Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your meeting places and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors. 13 But this will be your chance to tell about your faith. 14 Don’t worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. 15 I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong. 16 You will be betrayed by your own parents, brothers, family, and friends. Some of you will even be killed. 17 Because of me, you will be hated by everyone. 18 But don’t worry! 19 You will be saved by being faithful to me. 20 When you see Jerusalem surrounded by soldiers, you will know that it will soon be destroyed. 21 If you are living in Judea at that time, run to the mountains. If you are in the city, leave it. And if you are out in the country, don’t go back into the city. 22 This time of punishment is what is written about in the Scriptures. 23 It will be an awful time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children! Everywhere in the land people will suffer horribly and be punished. 24 Some of them will be killed by swords. Others will be carried off to foreign countries. Jerusalem will be overrun by foreign nations until their time comes to an end. 25 Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won’t know what to do. 26 People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken. 27 Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with great power and glory. 28 When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free. 29 Then Jesus told them a story: When you see a fig tree or any other tree 30 putting out leaves, you know that summer will soon come. 31 So, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom will soon be here. 32 You can be sure that some of the people of this generation will still be alive when all of this takes place. 33 The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will. 34 Don’t spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you 35 like a trap. That day will surprise everyone on earth. 36 Watch out and keep praying that you can escape all that is going to happen and that the Son of Man will be pleased with you.’
It is in regard to recent events that pertain to ‘Prophecy’ - and that involved in The Lord’s Revelations of the ‘End times’ to His Apostle, John, - that this ezine article series will primarily provide insight.
Some skeptics may ask, “Rascal, why are you writing this?’
In reply, I must quote the prophet, Isaiah, ‘(NKJV) Isaiah 21:6 For thus has the Lord said to me: “Go, set a watchman, Let him declare what he sees.”
Yes, Apostles also serve as Watchmen. Like an evil army of dark horsemen, Rascal sees trouble on the horizon.
First, let’s examine Revelation 13. We will use the Contemporary English Version translation of the Bible for this chapter also:
(CEV) Revelation 13:1 I looked and saw a beast coming up from the sea. This one had ten horns and seven heads, and a crown was on each of its ten horns. On each of its heads were names that were an insult to God. 2 The beast that I saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. The dragon handed over its own power and throne and great authority to this beast. 3 One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marveled at this beast, 4 and they worshiped the dragon who had given its authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “No one is like this beast! No one can fight against it.” 5 The beast was allowed to brag and claim to be God, and for forty-two months it was allowed to rule. 6 The beast cursed God, and it cursed the name of God. It even cursed the place where God lives, as well as everyone who lives in heaven with God. 7 It was allowed to fight against God’s people and defeat them. It was also given authority over the people of every tribe, nation, language, and race. 8 The beast was worshiped by everyone whose name wasn’t written before the time of creation in the book of the Lamb who was killed. 9 If you have ears, then listen! 10 If you are doomed to be captured, you will be captured. If you are doomed to be killed by a sword, you will be killed by a sword. This means that God’s people must learn to endure and be faithful! 11 I now saw another beast. This one came out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. 12 It worked for the beast whose fatal wound had been healed. And it used all its authority to force the earth and its people to worship that beast. 13 It worked mighty miracles, and while people watched, it even made fire come down from the sky. 14 This second beast fooled people on earth by working miracles for the first one. Then it talked them into making an idol in the form of the beast that did not die after being wounded by a sword. 15 It was allowed to put breath into the idol, so that it could speak. Everyone who refused to worship the idol of the beast was put to death. 16 All people were forced to put a mark on their right hand or forehead. Whether they were powerful or weak, rich or poor, free people or slaves, 17 they all had to have this mark, or else they could not buy or sell anything. This mark stood for the name of the beast and for the number of its name. 18 You need wisdom to understand the number of the beast! But if you are smart enough, you can figure this out. Its number is six hundred sixty-six, and it stands for a person.’
I believe we are rapidly approaching the very soon, ‘End times’ when these very events will begin quickly unfold.
The Apostle, Paul, wrote of these significant future events also in his letter to the believers: ‘(CEV) 2 Thessalonians 2:9 When the wicked one appears, Satan will pretend to work all kinds of miracles, wonders, and signs.’
I ask you, my friends, “Are we not now nearer to when these prophecies will be fulfilled than were the Apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Paul, and John, when the Bible records that Jesus and they expressed concern?”
Is it any less urgent that we be made aware of recent developments? Native American Prophecy speaks of Earth events soon to take place. The fearless Apostles did not hold back in their alerts to believers, neither did Our Lord, Jesus, nor shall I.
Rascal
(To be continued in “Surviving The Coming Great Tribulation - Apostle Series - Chapter Two.”)
Rascal Russ Miles is an Apostle. Called by The Lord, as was the Apostle Paul, Rascal is in the same apostolic calling order as was his brother, Paul the Apostle. Rascal is The Lord’s playfully mischievous apostle. Rascal’s calling includes the assignment to “Shout from the rooftops the Lord’s inspired messages vie ezine articles, cyber-space, books, and many other means.”
Under his pseudonym, Russ Miles, Rascal’s credits include publishing the mystery novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO. Order toll free 1-800-AUTHORS or through Amazon.com
A “Seasoned Real Estate NAR Broker,” Rascal Russ was ~ for 5 hard years ~ increasingly disabled by “Incurable” Multiple Sclerosis. Now “Cured”, Rascal writes books & articles on varied subjects. Comments: Rascal.Miles@Gmail.com.
Via his personal Rascal’s website, http://www.MilesBooks.com, “Rascal’s Blog”, & his ezine articles themselves, Rascal maintains personal contact with those that e-mail him, and those whom he believes the God of this Universe has joined together with him as per “Destiny’s Plan Of Salvation For The Planet Earth.”