(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

I know there is a lot of sadness and sorrow in the world right now, and it can seem overwhelming at times. I try to follow the news (from reliable sources, carefully considered and tested), and sometimes I just have to stop and take a break from it. I know many of you are in the same situation.

That said, I thought we would canoe in a little bit different place in this article. I use a canoe as an analogy sometimes, as, to me, a canoe offers an opportunity for peace and quiet like nothing else can in this world. Short of quiet time with the Lord, that is.

Maybe we just need to paddle in a Godly mist on a sunny, calm pond for a bit. I’ll let you decide if it’s worth a read.

Most of us have had, or still have, a much-beloved pet. Dogs especially capture my heart, and I become very attached to them. Their antics are a constant source of joy (except for getting into the trash and spreading it over vast areas of the house), and their amazing love and loyalty are a wonder.

And then comes that awful day when we must confront the reality that we knew was coming inexorably along with all the joy. We ignored it successfully for a long time. As they show signs of aging, it becomes harder to ignore. You all know what I am referring to. Finally, we must fulfill our responsibilities and pay the price. It hurts so bad, and we feel like traitors. Never mind that our old friend and companion can’t know our sorrow. And the void lasts such a long time.

For others, it’s a cat or a horse or some other critter that we adore and enjoy. The same law of entropy applies regardless, and we must deal with it. It is the way our beloved God designed His creation for reasons He will make clear to us when we get Home.

Now I am going to share some thoughts with you, my brothers and sisters. I can only present my ruminations to you as “hypothetical,” but I think there are strong reasons for hope and confidence.

All throughout the creation narrative, there is a recurring theme. God created, and when completed, He “saw that it was good.”

On the sixth day, the Bible records this: “And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, land crawlers, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.’ And it was so. God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that crawls upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good“ (Genesis 1;24-25). Emphasis added by me.

I believe it is safe to say that our “favorites” are included in the sixth-day record.

Genesis is God’s record of the beginning of His plan, and Revelation is the conclusion.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’

“And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’ Then He said to me, ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end'” (Revelation 21:1-6). Emphasis added by me.

He said ALL things. Yes, He did. Here is where I am going to step out a bit.

In no way am I adding to the Word of God, and I want to make it clear that I am positing possibilities only. They are, however, posited on what I believe is consistent with the nature of God, His love of His creation, and His clear love of us, His people.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

In this dark time in human history, we sometimes need to take a little moment to speculate on the things that might await us in Heaven — the Glorious things that may be prepared by a Glorious God.

Heaven, I think it is safe to say, is anywhere our Blessed Savior will be. And that, according to God’s own Word, will, at its appointed time, be a “new heaven and a new earth.”

We know that, in addition to our Glorious Savior, we will see all our saved loved ones there and the billions of brothers and sisters in our forever family.

I also believe this: every aborted child and every little one that had not yet attained the ability to choose right from wrong will be there as well. Some verses that I believe support this understanding:

• “Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it” (Deuteronomy 1:39).
• “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23).

I believe they have been snatched up, and they are even now dwelling safely with the Lord.

What might be some other possibilities? Remember, God said everything was “good.” Why would our Lord abandon all the other wonders of His amazing creation? I don’t believe He will. Perhaps some might think I am being a little over-the-top? That’s OK; I don’t mind. Perhaps I’m not.

Let’s speculate a little, shall we? What if:

• All our favorite pets are present in eternity (well-behaved, of course) or could be if we ask Him for them.
• We know there will be horses (at least white ones) as we will be riding on them with our Lord when He returns with us at the Second Coming (Rev 19:14); so you horse lovers can rejoice!
• Songbirds! Loons! Ducks! Moose! Deer! Otters! Think about it! All “GOOD,” God said when He created them!

I believe the new earth will be filled with the Glory of God and well represented by His incomparable creation.

And here is something that I find very interesting: ⁹ “On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ¹⁰ But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; ¹¹ and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, ¹² and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. ¹³ A voice came to him, ‘Get up, Peter, kill and eat!’ ¹⁴ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.’ ¹⁵ Again a voice came to him a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy‘” (Acts 10:9-15).

I have emphasized the above in order to call attention to the idea that these verses indicate that these creatures are coming down out of Heaven AND being returned to Heaven.

This is later confirmed in Acts 11: 9-10. While there is a reference to eating, the real emphasis seems to be twofold:

1) V9- That God has now made these formerly unclean creatures clean.

2) V10 -That they were drawn back into Heaven.

What does this tell us? Could it mean that the Lord had already cleansed His previously unclean creatures in preparation for them to be present in the eternal Kingdom?

• Are they now “good” again? Remember, before the Fall, God said everything was “good.”

As we already know, God does not do anything without a purpose. I think this possibility is worth careful consideration.

And now for the crux of this rumination.

As the Lord said in (1 Corinthians 2:9), “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Let’s just live by Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Instead, we can lean on His Wisdom, Sovereignty, and Trustworthiness! In this very dark time in human history, I believe we should just trust in our Incomparable God! Rejoice!

For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life:

You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. It requires that you come before God on His terms. And, what are His terms according to His Word?

• Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
• Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
• That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
• To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
• Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross.
• To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.

• No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
• No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
• Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.

If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.

John 5:24: “Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life.”

There are no answers, and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics, or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.

The answers are in the Word of God. The Bible. If you ask God with all your heart, He will hear you.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Pro Salvator Vigilans

To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com

 

 

The Armageddon war will begin with the sixth Bowl Judgment as recorded in Revelation 16:12-16. The Euphrates River will be dried up, making it easy for the kings of the east (and all their armies) to cross over with their forces to gather in the Valley of Megiddo (which is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon – the mountain of Megiddo) in order to destroy the Jews once and for all. This will just be a gathering place, for the major battles will be fought in Jerusalem and around Bozrah/Petra.

Megiddo was a major city located at the western end of the Valley of Jezreel, guarding the famous Megiddo Pass into Israel’s largest valley. I believe the kings of the east are not strictly Chinese and oriental kings but are the 7 remaining kings of the 10 kings/kingdom/regions spoken of in Daniel 7:24 and Revelation 17:12. Of course, the 8th king, the Antichrist, will be with them. Once the Euphrates River is dried up, He will bring his forces stationed in Babylon with him.

While the kings of the east (east of the Euphrates) are in the land of Israel, a coalition of nations will attack and destroy Babylon. They will be led by an ancient people the Bible names as the Medes. “See, I will stir up against them the Medes, who do not care for silver and have no delight in gold. Their bows will strike down the young men; they will have no mercy on infants nor will they look with compassion on children. Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the Babylonians’ pride, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. She will never be inhabited or lived in through all generations; no Arab will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flocks there” (Isaiah 13:17-20). Many scholars think the Kurds of today’s time are descendants of the ancient Medes.

This future destruction of Babylon is described further in Isaiah 13:1-22; 14:1-11,22-23, and in Jeremiah chapters 50 & 51. Babylon was never destroyed in the way Isaiah and Jeremiah described when the Medes and Persians took the Babylonian Kingdom in 538 BC. When Darius the Mede assumed the throne in Babylon, he did so without having fought a battle for the right. A contingent of the Medo-Persian armies had slipped into the city at night after they had diverted the River Euphrates far upstream. With the river reduced to knee-high depth, they crawled under the bronze bars that descended into the river to keep the city secure, and they opened the gates for their armies to capture the mighty Babylon fortress without an arrow being shot.

Upon hearing the news of his capital city, Babylon, being destroyed, the Antichrist will attack Jerusalem. This battle is described in Zechariah 12:1-3 and 14:1-2. “Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city” (Zechariah 14:1-2). The city of Jerusalem will be taken along with the spoil, and the women will be raped. Half of the population will go into slavery, but the remnant will remain in the city for a time.

From Jerusalem, the Antichrist and his armies (of all nations) will move south to Bozrah, in the land of Edom (southern Jordan) in an attempt to annihilate the remnant of Israel that are taking refuge in the rock fortress of Petra. The remnant Jews have been there since fleeing the Antichrist’s army during his abomination of desolation, approximately 1,260 days. The Jews’ true Messiah has other plans, however. Once the remnant Jews finally realize Jesus was (and is) their true Messiah and call on Him to save them from total destruction, Jesus will return to earth and will fight for them as in the days of old. His return (2nd Coming) will take place in Bozrah, not the Mount of Olives as is commonly taught.

“Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, this One who is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? ‘I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.’ Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?

‘I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled them in My fury; their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, and I wondered That there was no one to uphold; therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; and My own fury, it sustained Me. I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, made them drunk in My fury, and brought down their strength to the earth'” (Isaiah 63:1-6).

The remnant of Israel gathered in Bozrah and the 2nd Coming are found together in the Old Testament book of Micah, chapter 2, verses 12-13. A New Testament passage of scripture regarding the 2nd Coming is found in Revelation:

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, ‘Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.’

“And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh” (Revelation 19:11-21).

Two great Old Testament prophecies that describe the 2nd Coming are found in Habakkuk 3:1-19 and Psalm 18:8-16. These passages vividly describe the Lord’s wrath on his terrified enemies. At His coming, nature will be greatly affected, as will the terrestrial heavenly sphere. He will come with the wrath of God, riding upon a cherub (with horse-like features). The entire world is illuminated by the brightness of His glorious return.

The Battle of Bozrah will continue all the way back to Jerusalem, which overlooks a part of the Kidron Valley, also known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat. “Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about. Put you in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe; come, tread you; for the winepress is full, the vats overflows for their wickedness is great” (Joel 3:12-13). This winepress of Israel’s enemies’ blood is also spoken of in Revelation 14:19-20 and is said to stretch for 1,600 furlongs (200 miles) and to be as high as a bridle on a horse.

Zechariah also describes the manner in which the Antichrist’s armies will be destroyed in Zechariah 14:12-15. After the slaughter is finished, there will be a victory ascent up the Mount of Olives. “Then shall Jehovah (Lord Jesus) go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east” (Zechariah 14:3-4). It is interesting that the Lord Jehovah fought for Judah (in the day of battle) in the days of Asa and Jehoshaphat, and the battles might have taken place in the same valley (later renamed the Valley of Jehoshaphat).

The 7th Bowl Judgment will occur at this time and is described in Revelation 16:17-21. This judgment will include the greatest earthquake that has ever occurred in the history of mankind. It is not the same earthquake mentioned o Ezekiel 38:19. It will cause the city of Jerusalem to split into three parts and will cause the cities of the nations to fall. “And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail, every stone about the weight of a talent, comes down out of heaven upon men: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail: for the plague thereof is exceeding great” (Revelation 16:19-21). The 7th Bowl Judgment will bring an end to God’s judgments (Seals, Trumpets, Bowl) upon Israel and the nations and peoples of the earth.

This earthquake and the destruction and geographical changes it causes is also described in Zechariah 14:4-5. “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, for the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah.”

There will also be a brief blackout during this time. “It shall come to pass in that day that there will be no light; the lights will diminish. It shall be one day which is known to the Lord— neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen that it will be light” (Zechariah 14:6-7). The earthquake and the blackout are also described in Joel 3:14-17. The blackout is described in Matthew 24:29.

The geographical changes to the land of Israel and Jerusalem are also described in Zechariah 14: “And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be—The Lord is one, And His name one. All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses. The people shall dwell in it; and no longer shall there be utter destruction, but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited” (Zechariah 14:8-11).

In my opinion, the Rapture will bring about the conditions for Russia, Iran, Turkey, and others to attack Israel to take a ‘spoil’ of gas, minerals, cattle, etc., as the removal of millions of people will affect the U.S.A. more than any other country and will leave her in a very weak and vulnerable position. The U.S.A. will not be able either mentally, financially, or militarily to come to the rescue of Israel at this time. The only One that will help Israel in their time of need will be the Great I AM, and that’s the only help you really ever need.

The Rapture and the Gog-Magog war results will bring about the necessary conditions for the 10 Kings/Kingdoms to initiate a one-world government, one-world religion, and a one-world currency. They will make a covenant with the ‘many’ which includes Israel. The A.C. will appear on the scene and will confirm (make stronger) the covenant, and its duration will be for 7 years. These will be the last 7 years on earth before Jesus’ 2nd Coming and is known as Daniel’s Seventieth Week/Seven (Daniel 9:24).

Of course, we know at the mid-point (approximately) of the Tribulation, the A.C. will kill 3 of the kings and will break his covenant with Israel. He will put an end to the Jews’ practice of sacrificing animals to the Lord; and his partner, the false prophet, will set up an image of the A.C. and command everyone to worship him. “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate” (Daniel 9:27).

This is the moment the A.C. shows his true colors and intentions. He will begin his campaign of murder and persecutions against the Jews. During the Olivet Discourse, Jesus prophesied about this future time. “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:15-22).

The remnant Jews will flee to Petra in Bozrah to escape the wrath of the Satanically possessed Antichrist. They will not have time to take any weapons/fuel with them. They will be fleeing for their lives. The only way any weapons/fuel could be gathered to Petra would be if they had foreseen this moment and carried their cache there beforehand. I am in agreement with Mr. Fruchtenbaum that there will be no burying of the dead or burning of weapons during the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the earth. The Gog-Magog war must start before Daniel’s Seventieth Week, and is not a part of the Armageddon war.

I believe this war will begin relatively soon, as Russia needs this ‘spoil’ (gas, minerals, cattle) to finance its wars, and the Muslim nations allied with Russia will not be able to contain their demonic hatred of the Jews much longer without making good on their promise to annihilate them. Of course, they are in for a rude awakening. “For we know Him who said, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:30-31,37).

Amen; even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Randy Nettles

nettlesr@suddenlink.net