Whose side are you on?

             

Summary of the emerging New World Order

    WAR  WITH  THE  SAINTS

While most expect to see none of John's Revelation fulfilled, past the fourth chapter, until after the rapture of the saints, we will here consider (and demonstrate) the unthinkable: that the world alliance described in Holy Writ as the federation from which Antichrist arises—already exists, with our present world trapped in it's closing envelope. Further, we will see that what you don't know can hurt you—which is at least part of the significance of his fighting with the saints (not just against us).

God's people are called to be saints. Such godly persons do not "go to war" as do others, for our weapons are real, and very powerful—yet quite different from those of the world about us. Not being limited to the political, or economic, our General deals with the spiritual, and the very glue of humankind's inner workings. Nor does God's Kingdom have the same boundaries as those of the nations, and ethnic divisions, of this earth. God's Kingdom, is an everlasting Kingdom, and one which shall have no end. As Daniel pointed out to Nebuchadnezzar, in (what was then) the world's major super power "in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:

and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Daniel 2:44

Like it or not, all nations and kingdoms, when getting organized and instituted, do require some use of force and, yes, some day Christ will return to forcibly set up his eternal kingdom (soon!). In the interim, it does seem wise and prudent, to watch and pray about our alignment within others, in this present world.

In the ancient world, nations and empires made use of national symbols. The same is true, of our day. At our nation's founding, for example, there was debate over whether or not we should be represented by a turkey (symbolizing a bread basket, and homely community)—or a more noble creature, like the bald eagle. The eagle won out, of course, because it also serves notice on other nations that, when necessary, this peace loving land can also manifest the will to attack and subdue its prey, in time of war. Today, in our present, post-Cold War climate, this seems to have stood us in very good stead, for truly, America's F-16's and massive aircraft carriers, have shown to the world that we are able to put some "teeth" into our international agreements.

Is all of this a coincidence? For in the ancient world, the noble eagle also symbolized world powers. Both the Romans and Babylonians, as well as the Egyptians, were identified with this symbol (see Ezekiel 17, for Egypt & Babylon's symbolism: history, for Rome's). Each nation, was a world power in their own right, and each had some input and influence upon the people of God. One cannot help but wonder if our own national symbol, has some particular significance, as well . . . .

Since this is to be an overview, and composite picture of earlier articles, it might be useful to also remind ourselves that both Egypt and Babylon have a particular spiritual significance, as well. For example, the apostle Paul notes that when the children of Israel were called out of Egypt, they were actually engaged in a kind of escape from the world (i.e. the world system, controlled by the forces of darkness- Col 1:13). Thus, when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, they:

all passed through the sea;

And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

I Corinthians 10:1-4

In other words, as they passed through the Red Sea, with Egypt's armies in hot pursuit, this symbolized a sinner's flight from the forces of darkness—escaping into the arms of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, when they'd entered into the wilderness, and were sheltered by the cloud and the fire, to be protected from the heat of the sun, and cold of the desert night—this foreshadowed the Christian's being sustained, within a hostile and uncharitable environment: in a world filled with temptation and strife, where pitfalls and snares abound (at night) . . . while at the same time, being sheltered from the heat of the sun (and of God's wrath) so that we may enjoy walking in a new lifestyle, sweetened by fellowship with Him (I Jn. 1:7-9).

Thus, after having escaped Egyptian bondage, while headed for the land of milk and honey . . . Israel soon found that the key to each victory, was found in her demonstration of faith.

—And, if you carefully study this period of Israel's history (or any other, for that matter) you will quickly realize that this was really the only battle they ever really needed to concern themselves with. For their God, who had called them out of Egypt, was really their ultimate Provider, and Defender. As the Lord told their forefather, "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." (Gen. 15:1)

In the modern vernacular, Egypt represents "the world, the flesh, and the devil."

Yet, this was only one of the "super powers" at work in their ancient world, in which Babylon also had a particular, meaning, as well. For, if the believer's old enemy may be symbolized by Egypt (from which we've escaped, when coming to Christ) the new enemy which now faces us, may often be much more pernicious, and difficult to detect . . . right in our midst. For, this battle which we are fighting is not always a "hot war," is it? Our battles are not always overt, and visible (especially, here, in the West). No, the temptations and pitfalls which a Christian may face today, are often on a "covert" and hidden level, and often, within the very institutions about us, which should assist us, in the first place. Babylon, therefore, is this other major threat: the threat of a prostituted religion: a religion sold out to the enemy.

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: . . .

Revelation 17:5,6

Babylon differed from Egypt, in that in Egypt, the children of Israel were simply enslaved. That is, the enemy had control over their bodies (via whips, etc.). In Babylon, however, the danger was more subtle. No longer enslaved by whips and chains, they were tempted by ease and pleasure. The classic example given, is in Daniel's account of the three Hebrew boys, who refused to bow to the golden image.

We really must understand what is being said, here. Recall, carefully, that these young men were in a foreign and strange land. They were Israelites, who had been carried off, into captivity, to allow the subjugation of their land by the Chaldeans. After having trekked across hot desert sands, and been treated as little more than slaves (if that), they 'd been selected for schooling in the royal court, over the finer issues of the empire.

In other words (and in modern terms) they'd been allowed to rub shoulders with the Rhodes Scholars, of their day, and to hold positions great power and influence in a foreign government. Now they were simply asked to bow. Babylon had done so much for them, could they not return a little, in kind, with a demonstration of gratitude? How much difference could a little bending, and kneeling, make? The king really did look quite "hot and bothered," when refused. "Come now, humor the king: God knows your hearts."

Oh yes, He does!

But Nebuchadnezzar (the earthly king) did not. He couldn't believe that these young whippersnappers would place everything they had, on the line for what they believed. He'd just give them one more chance. (Surely, they misunderstood!)

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Daniel 3:15¹

Of course, you know the story. The God of Heaven is able to (and did) deliver them.

That's two eagles.

While we're at it, we might also note that Imperial Rome required its citizens to go through a similar ritual, of declaring that Caesar was lord—for which many gave their lives, when remaining faithful to the Lord of Heaven. But, we must hasten on, for we must give the answer to last month's riddle, as we explore, more fully, this incredible Book:

The Holy Bible.

This Book tells us of our world, and of the rise of the New World Order, in detail. (If you prefer ignorance regarding God's intimate involvement in current events, it is best to stop reading now. What you are about to read may disturb you greatly.) Daniel, in Babylon, foresaw the formation of an alliance/world federation, at the end of the age:

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

Daniel 7:2-4¹

To be better able to correlate this to John's end time vision (in Revelation) and understand what we have just read, we will jump ahead to John's explanation of what the "great sea" (mentioned in the text above) denotes. When explaining how the harlot (Babylon) was sitting on a "many waters," the angel told John:

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Rev. 17:15

In other words, the great sea, is a sea of people: representing the masses of humanity. Out of this world of souls, arises a nation, having a special symbolism: a lion, with eagle's wings. Now, although in Old Testament times, Daniel's passage is a further fulfillment of the original dream, given to Nebuchadnezzar in the second chapter. . . we may also observe that there is a rather curious coincidence, in modern affairs, regarding this particular vision. For if, instead of applying this to human kings of the ancient world (as Daniel 7:17 states) we were to now apply it to principalities and powers (over nations, as Eph. 6:12 states) we would find a correlation, for ourselves, within current events which is no less than stunning.

We will start with the verse already quoted, from Daniel seven, verse four: of a lion with eagle's wings. Okay, we've already stated that the U.S. has accepted the symbolism of an eagle—but the lion?? That is not our national symbol . . . is it (or, was it)? Do remember, however, from which empire this nation has sprung. Do you remember whose colony this nation was, originally? It was a British colony. What, per chance, is Britain's symbol?

She bears a lion, on her coat of arms. Thus, we may say that the U.S. has British roots in her early culture.

Note, also, what Daniel saw happen to this noble creature (a lion, frocked with eagle's wings). Says Daniel, "I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it." (vs 4) The clear implication, here, is that this creature had been flying, at one time, but is now unable to do so, because its wings have been removed.

The wings of an eagle? They represent wings of faith, for "those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. .. " (Is. 40:31). America was once considered a Christian nation, held aloft by her faith, and then . . . in 1963, after the Bible was removed from her schools, she became a secular state. As the Supreme Court has declared, Secular Humanism is actually a religion —and so today, it is this religion which is now carefully taught within our public schools. Truly, the U.S. has had her wings (of faith) plucked, and a man's heart (Humanism) substituted for it.

Hm-m-m-m. Interesting coincidence. However, we've only just begun. Remember, we have an entire section of several national symbols, outlined here. Certainly, we cannot stop here!

Certainly, next verse:

And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

vs 5¹

Again, utilizing common national symbols: which nation is represented by the bear? Why, of course, it is mother Russia (pay close attention to national cartoons, in the Press). Okay, so Russia is a player in the scheme of things but . . . why on earth are there three ribs mentioned in this vision? Ah (amazing, amazing!) this is a vision of the rise of the New World Order, as we shall see, and so is a vision of Soviet Russia . . . which also just (?) happened to have had three surrogate states: Cuba, Nicaragua, and Libya. With these three surrogates, she subjugated the third world. When attempting to do the job directly, she was not so successful (case in point: Afghanistan).

Amazing. Are you sure this Book (the Bible) wasn't just made up, in 1980 or so? How about in 1987 (when the Lord first opened this)? For, the next beast has become a defining world power, from that year (when the Market crashed): a leopard, representing the multi-colored panther (big cat), of the third world. Next verse:

After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

vs 6

Almost as if knowing that it would be a little more difficult for us to identify this creature in our day, the Lord has included several hints, as to its identity. These hints are in the word "four": "four wings of a fowl," and, "four heads." Four, is the number of the earth (four winds, four corners of the earth, etc.). This creature, therefore, has a world wide scope. Another hint is found in its composition: a leopard is very much like a panther in appearance, but has multi-colored spots. (For the older readers, and historians) do you remember the "black panthers" of the 60's? Their mascot designated a political movement among Black Americans. Here, the symbolism is broader, with a world wide emphasis, encompassing many different races (many skin colors, as per the multi-colored, spots)—and dominion was given to it.

In 1987, when this was first exposed, this was far more dramatic than it is, today. For today, what we were marveling over in the late 60's - 80's is now accepted as a "done deal" in the area of civil rights. Yet, this goes far beyond even our own nation, with its world wide implications: Asia became a major player in world economics, as was dramatically demonstrated when Indonesia and Korea recently suffered near (or actual) economic collapse. Any stock portfolio, which is considered to be forward looking, now includes stocks from the Asian block, and third world. Increasingly, the day of the third world, "has arrived." Today, our individual life styles, and economy, rest heavily upon the backs of the workers (and capital) from this "common element" frocked with the wings of common birds ("fowl").

Today, the third world has been given dominion.

Whew! Someone, please stop my head from spinning! How can such simple symbolism, pack such a punch? Ah, but you'll never get past the next verse! Look at the hodge-podge which now confronts us!

Not to worry, the Lord has given us a key, to unlock its secrets . . . in John's Revelation. First, Daniel's next verse:

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

vs 7

This is as far as we'll go with Daniel (today). Yet, how on earth are we to unravel this mystery, before us? Is there any significance to this creature which was diverse (different, diversified) from the ones preceding it? Is there any relationship between this fourth beast . .. and the other three?

Oh, yes there is! The Lord has given it to us, in John's Revelation. Revelation, chapter thirteen (remember last UPLOOK? You were to read this chapter, in search of an answer.) First two verses:

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Revelation 13:1,2¹

Brace yourself, and pay close attention, for I doubt that you'll hear of this from many sources—not because it doesn't make sense, or hasn't been confirmed by further fulfillment of prophecy . . . but, because of the implications of what you are about to witness.

For, you see, what you've just read about is the (rising) NWO, of which we are a part, and the picture is not too pretty.

Anyone who knows anything about evangelical interpretation of prophecy knows that the first verse is taken to refer to the revived Roman Empire: that federation of nations out of which Antichrist will arise. What most have not noticed, is that the second verse gives us (with Daniel's help) the composition of this federation, and the inter-relationship of its major players.

Because the Bible really has only One Author, we may "plug and play" the revelations of different prophets, into other parts of the Bible. In Daniel, for example, we saw a similar vision, with:

The Lion with Eagle's Wings — representing the U.S.

whose wings are plucked — in the post Christian era

The Bear

The Leopard

Now, in John's Revelation, we see all of these major players in a carefully constructed federation, with:

Remember what Daniel said of this federation (Dan. 7:7): "it devoured, and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: " —Not a very pretty picture, but one which is quite accurate, especially in light of what is happening today, in Yugoslavia (have we not broken that country in pieces? Why? Are there not other nations with similar problems? Ah, but there is a reason for choosing this nation, and making it an object lesson, to the rest of the world: to remember not to oppose the NWO. As for the "stomping" of the residue/remainder . . . you don't want to know about that, today.)

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

vs 4

You may contend with me, that all of this is quite impossible (of course, the sky isn't blue after all, it's check-board). Yet, to do so, simply because some teachers have told you that such prophecies cannot be fulfilled until after the rapture—is to fulfil the very statement, made several verses down, concerning the actual rise of the man, called Antichrist. We have already seen an example of what I am about to describe, in our present day world. He is not the Antichrist (of course) but Louis Farrakhan rose to power by application of the same principle: of warring with the saints (within many fellowships, of the Black church). Take a quick look, at verse seven.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

vs. 7

Remember our opening context, and the discussion regarding Babylon, the harlot. Revelation 17 shows the harlot riding on the Beast, while thinking to go for a ride. Truly, it is through the carelessness of a sleeping church, that Antichrist enters in, and gets so far with his program. Scripture clearly states that the name of God is blasphemed among the heathen because of such (Rom. 2:24) and in the verse preceding, this is exactly what Antichrist is doing (blaspheming) —just before rewarding his whore with a silver bullet.

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, . . .

Revelation 17:16,17

By warring with the saints (I know, modern translations have dulled the blade-Heb 4:12) a wolf in sheep's clothing, gains much more access to the flock. For it is only after the falling away, as Paul has noted, that Antichrist may arise. It is only after the church is sleeping, and snoring away in her blissful ignorance: playing with sin, while excusing her self indulgence and immaturity—that he can so fully encircle the Church that, at the midnight cry, the bride of Christ can only march through the fire, or be consumed by the flames. Only then, will she realize that the temple which has been rebuilt, and into which Antichrist wishes to gain entrance for worship, is not a physical temple, at all, but the very same one mentioned in the book of Acts, regarding our Lord's kingdom.

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Acts 15:15-17

And to this, all the prophets agree . . . and do we agree with them, as well? Do you know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

I Corinthians 3:16,17

I know, you didn't want to hear that. You'd much prefer to believe that we'll all escape, and leave the uninitiated behind to fend for themselves, as we feast away, in Christ's Presence. So He calls us saints, instead of the Church, past the fourth chapter, and allows us to believe what we will (II Thes. 2:11,12). Of course, it is always easier to believe (and to teach) that people will not go through the Great Tribulation, at all. That's akin to what false prophets have always done, . . . Yet, some day soon, those who have faithfully told the truth, and have warned the sleeping virgins of what truly lies ahead, will be thanked, while the others . . . .

How do I dare say such things? Because they are true. Search the scriptures, my friend, and be blessed.

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¹ Emphasis added, to highlight subject text