They Repented Not! Now, I Get It! :: By John Chandler

 

(Note video links; they help illustrate the point/idea; copy and paste the link into your web browser.)

Have you ever wondered what has happened to people in Daniel’s 70th week, aka the seven-year tribulation period, that they just will not repent of their Sin and call upon the Lord Jesus in faith, and choose the Lord Jesus alone?

Or have you ever wondered what is so dreadful about the Mark of the Beast (MOTB) that when one accepts and receives the MOTB, it dooms the recipient for all eternity?

Surely throughout the church age, all manner of horrific deeds have been committed by all manner of sinful people holding all manner of false beliefs living within all manner of wicked circumstances.

But we see in scripture and in human history that some of these types of dreadfully wicked people experienced a dramatic encounter with the Most High God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and have called upon Him in repentance and believed on Him in faith, and were ultimately brought to salvation via the Most High’s amazing mercy and grace.

We’re talking murders, mass murders, adulterers, fornicators, embezzlers, extortionists, blackmailers, massive liars and cheats, witches, necromancers, idolaters, Satan/devil/demon worshippers, blasphemers, etc.

None of these types were so bad or too far for the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus to reach them and rescue them.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

In spite of our Lord Jesus, the Most High God’s inexhaustible supply of mercy and grace, we see in scripture those who repented not or who choose to doom themselves to an eternity of unending torment.

Surely our Lord Jesus gives these people horrific and dreadful enough circumstances in the course of Daniel’s 70th week that any person in possession of his right mind would call upon the Lord Jesus in hope of rescue and relief.

The Bad, The Ugly, The Horrific

I believe the Lord Jesus uses all the bad, ugly, and horrific events of Daniel’s 70th week to accomplish His multiple purposes, one of which is to drive people to call upon His name in repentance. These people failed to call upon the Lord Jesus during the church age when His mercy and grace were so predominantly displayed and openly and freely poured out on people. During Daniel’s 70th week, the Lord Jesus gives them the proverbial whack with a 2×4 in an attempt to gain their attention, but to no avail … they repented not.

Revelation 9:20 “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.”

Revelation 9:21 “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”

Revelation 16:9 “And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.”

Revelation 16:11 “They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.”

Even after a supernatural warning from an angel flying through the midst of heaven telling people not to accept the MOTB and not to worship the beast or the beast’s image, and that they will suffer eternal torment if they do.

Revelation 14:9-11 “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’”

In spite of this herald of eternal doom, they receive the MOTB anyway; they worship the beast; they worship the image of the beast. They repented not.

This behavior perplexes me. I’m dumbstruck to think that these people hate our Lord Jesus so much that they would prefer to suffer throughout eternity rather than call upon the Lord Jesus in hope of obtaining His mercy, grace, and salvation.

Something More Than Hate

But then I begin to consider the technology of these last days, that which is already here and being implemented, and the shadow of the coming technology that already looms over us with its continually growing menace.

Then I say to myself, Oh! Now, I better understand why they accepted the MOTB and why they repented not.

I used to think the only reason people did not repent was their hearts, minds, and consciences had become so hardened and seared that they had lost the ability to repent. And while I don’t totally discard that idea, I believe there’s something more that explains why they repented not and why they choose eternal doom over the prospect of salvation — why they choose not the Lord Jesus.

If a seared conscience was the cause, why does scripture even discuss the matter of repentance? The fact that scripture reveals this matter of no repentance implies there is still an opportunity for people to choose to go the repentance route. It implies and indicates our Most High God, our Lord Jesus, has not blocked people from repenting; He has not excluded people from this grace.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Acts 17:30 “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”

For these verses to remain true, for the Lord Jesus to remain true to His character and to His inerrant, immutable, infallible, and totally-sufficient Word, He cannot block or prevent people from coming to repentance. He desires greatly for people to repent, believe on Him in faith, and to choose Him alone.

Coming Soon … People Are Blocked from Repentance

However, what I believe will happen is the people alive during Daniel’s 70th week, aka the seven-year tribulation period, will attach technology to their bodies or take technology into their bodies, i.e., their right hand or their foreheads, and other routes too that will block them from the ability to repent or call upon the Lord Jesus in faith.

Some years ago, about 2014, I taught a Bible prophecy and current events study that assessed the MOTB and how it interfaced with a bigger system via wireless technology, i.e., WiFi and blue tooth. Connecting to the system via WiFi enabled or empowered a person to gain access to all the benefits associated with the system.

I took the position that if one’s personal Mark is sending information out to a centralized MOTB system, then that same system is also sending information, instructions, and commands back to the sender. There is a constant, continual give and take inherent to the MOTB system.

Scripture emphasizes the MOTB on the right hand or on the forehead, but it really does not address the system the Mark must integrate with and be connected to — that centralized, harmonized, unified hub that controls the flow of information to and from one’s personal Mark.

But living in our technological world of today, we know and understand an electronic device, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a MOTB is merely a component of an integrated system that is ruled and monitored by a centralized command and control function … the brain behind the system.

The Great Reset and The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Another element that adds to my understanding of why the MOTB dooms people to eternal torment and blocks and prevents people from coming to repentance is the whole concept of the Great Reset and Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR).

I have watched a number of videos in recent weeks sponsored by the World Economic Forum (WEF). In their own words, the leaders behind this group have explained the Great Reset, and the FIR is not merely about changing how we do business or do business smarter. This Great Reset is really about us; it is fundamentally about changing humankind at its root core.

Check out this YouTube video – What Is the Fourth Industrial Revolution? – featuring Klaus Schwab, the founder of the WEF and principal mastermind behind the Great Reset and the FIR.

The Great Reset seeks to implement the ideals of the FIR’s desires to change the manner in which humans view and think about themselves. It seeks to alter our values, belief systems, intellect, psychology, emotions, and behaviors.

The Great Reset and the FIR seek to build the human race back better, but it schemes to do so according to the image of those demonically inspired, motivated, and energized masterminds behind the effort — just like the rebel Nimrod and his wicked pals attempted a globally rebellious build back better program post-flood at the Tower of Babel in an effort to reconnect to the fallen disobedient, defiant, and rebellious angels. What the WEF and the global elite are doing via the Great Reset and the FIR is every bit as rebellious and worse. Nimrod and his crew wanted to reestablish personal interactions with the so-called “gods,” but the WEF wants to literally make people “gods” in the WEF’s image with its approval.

The entire Great Reset is the WEF and the globalists lifting humankind up against the Lord Jesus, the Most High God. Their effort hopes to poke humankind’s proverbial finger in the Most High God’s eye. This will not end well for humankind.

In some of the videos I mentioned, the WEF leaders and their host of experts have used terms such as transhumanism [1], singularity [2], and augmented persons [3].

So, what is Transhumanism? [4]

It refers to an optimistic belief in the enhancement of the human condition through technology in all its forms. In other words, a transhuman is a being that resembles a human in most respects but who has powers and abilities beyond those of standard humans. These abilities might include improved intelligence, awareness, strength, or durability.

What is human augmentation? [5]

Human augmentation is the ability to perform actions, whether physical or mental, with the help of tools that practically integrates into our bodies. [Can you say Facebook Metaverse?] Here the word “practically” has an ambiguous meaning since not every increment of this type is directly grafted onto the body. And it has not been difficult to see this human performance improvement in our daily lives. We are already experiencing an increase in our natural abilities thanks to wearable devices, such as smartwatches and smartphones.

What is the technological singularity? [6]

There is a rough agreement among many A.I. experts that the technological singularity – the moment when machine intelligence supersedes human intelligence and life as we know it changes unrecognizably – will take place soon after 2030. Check out this YouTube video – Ray Kurzweil and The Singularity.

In this writer’s opinion, the A.I. will achieve such a human-like nature that it becomes a fit extension to be indwelt by the great fiery red dragon, who is Satan and the devil, who deceives the whole world. The MOTB system is being literally designed and tailor-made for him.

Since Satan is a supernatural counterfeit, indwelling the MOTB system is as close as he’ll ever get to being omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient, which represents his eternal desire and longing to seize the worship that belongs alone to our Lord Jesus Christ, our Most High God.

Isaiah 14:13 “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.”

Lying Signs and Wonders

Via his supernatural abilities and the power of technology, Satan and his son of perdition, the Anti-Christ, aka the beast, will demonstrate beautiful lies and wonderful deceptions that will take in and dupe and ensnare. The lies and deceptions will seize people mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. None will escape unless one’s name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Revelation 13:8All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Let’s Talk Technology

Since the WEF is so set on using the Great Reset and the technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) to advance its wicked and rebellious purposes, let’s talk about some more technology that likely fits into the overall scheme. Bear in mind the technology is not yet perfected and not yet fully implemented, but that’s merely a short matter of time.

Starlink, an Elon Musk project to insert about forty-two thousand low-cost, low-orbit satellites in space around our planet — the purpose is to ensure everybody has access to the internet. I mean literally everybody on the plant will have good internet connectivity 24/7/365. Once Starlink is fully implemented, people will always be connected to the burgeoning global system, whether you wish it or not.

An interesting point that I have gleaned is that other nations and potentially non-governmental organizations will likely also insert their own low-cost, low-orbit satellites into space. You are not only connected to the internet 24/7/365; the redundancy is layered so that you never miss a micro-second of connectivity.

Check out this Starlink YouTube video – Elon Musk Just Revealed Starlink 2.0:

5G to the rescue.

The WEF tells us the future will rely on big data. A monolithic system will consume and produce gobs and gobs of big data. Such a system must move the big data at incredible speeds to ensure the system works seamlessly.

Oh, BTW … 6G is already on the way!

Check out this 5G YouTube video – How 5G Works and What It Delivers.

And of course, somehow all this technology must seamlessly tie a person who “owns” a personal MOTB to the centralized global A.I. singularity command and control function … in comes the neuralink, another Elon Musk project, that envisions a chip inserted and connected directly into your brain that opens up a whole new world of many seemingly impossibilities. Here’s another YouTube video – How Neuralink Works.

A Brief Word

Here’s a brief word on Elon Musk: from what I see and hear on social media and the MSM … I like him! Wowzer! He’s a brilliant man. He’s a brilliant, ambitious entrepreneur. He has built incredible companies that achieve incredible feats and outcomes. He seemingly pushes back against the lunacy of the leftists and the global elite. He comes across like a common man, like he’s one of us. He is not! That’s the farthest thing from the truth. Take heed that no man deceives you! Watch out! When it comes to Elon Musk and all that he’s doing and building, you must consider him in the light of much Holy Spirit-generated discernment and wisdom.

Additionally, contrary to what the Babylon Bee implies, I seriously doubt what we saw in the Bee’s interview with Elon Musk was Musk’s believing and trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ in an act of faith and receiving Him as his Savior. Enough said.

Returning To Tech

Congratulations! Along with Captain Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation, you have become an augmented Borg hopelessly connected to the Hive mind that is infested by that supernatural rebel, the great fiery red dragon, who is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world.

Revelations 12:9 “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

I can’t help but laugh when I consider all this technology coming together at basically the same time and at the right time according to our Most High God’s purposes. It’s as if some supernatural plan for the ages is being wonderfully orchestrated and executed. Yep!

Everything is falling into place.

Check out this YouTube video featuring Tom Hughes, Hope for Our Times Ministries and Billy Crone – A.I… It’s About to Get Real.

The Alteration of Humankind Has Already Begun

The radical change of humankind, as envisioned by the WEF, was launched on the vectors of two alleged crises: 1) Covid-19 and the submission to a mostly useless so-called vaccine; 2) and a so-called climate catastrophe labeled man-caused Global Climate Change.

The WEF, other global organizations, international power-brokers, corporate and public organizations, and elites are actively using these two alleged crises bundled with plenty of fear, threats, and intimidation to coerce change in people psychologically, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and behaviorally.

Now let’s throw in another crisis: the man-made global supply-chain crisis, which heaps another layer of fear, threats, and intimidation on top of what these global outlaws have already manufactured.

The WEF and its global international buddies are sending the clear signal: In the Great Reset world, if you want to meet your basic needs, then you must go along in order to get along. Otherwise, you will be excluded from participation in the system and its “benefits”:

  • No job
  • No income
  • No home
  • No way to pay bills
  • No food or drink
  • No way to access your personal resources
  • No doctor
  • No healthcare
  • An overall negative impact on you, your family, and your children
  • No means to purchase anything anywhere

Just as with the Covid-19 and the alleged vaccine, if your legitimate options are blocked and prevented, then you are being caused or forced to participate in the system. People are being conditioned and pressed into the mold that the WEF believes best fulfills its purposes.

Another Crisis Is on The Way

I guess a global digital currency or credit (GDC) and related financial system is coming next as it makes the best logical step in the inexorable progression toward the MOTB system.

Will the WEF and this wicked bunch of lawless international elites bring that GDC in via a global mandate or by manufacturing another global crisis? Hmmmmm. I say via another crisis because it better serves their purposes and allows these spiritually and demonically controlled thugs to move more people to their desired way of thinking and desired behavior more quickly.

A crisis will condition people’s behavior and psychological mindset more deeply than a slow, deliberate, systematic implementation of the MOTB system.

A crisis will help these demonically controlled and energized whack jobs to more easily hold on to the gains they achieve. We see it related to Covid-19 and the vaccine; these guys have hammered and coerced people for two years.

Generally speaking, people around the world have given up control, power, and authority over their lives to their “benevolent” leaders who are so “dedicated” to helping the people weather this horrible crisis. You can be sure these wicked leaders will not give that power, control, and authority back to the people.

Reality Check

Even as I write this next section, I hear some of you readers railing on me and making claims that I blaspheme or that I’m a heretic, but here goes anyway.

The coming future global digital currency (GDC) and the financial system that supports it are not the MOTB; the system is not yet the MOTB system. For that to happen, the son of perdition, the Anti-Christ, aka the beast, must first appear on the scene, and he must introduce and implement the MOTB. If the Rapture has not yet evacuated believers, what will you do? How will you get along when the GDC and its financial system hit the initial stages of implementation?

When cash supplies dwindle, dry up, and otherwise are officially ended and no longer printed, what will we do? You may have “cash money” in the bank but can’t access it or use it because “cash money” is not compatible with this new system.

I’m adapting an idea I recently heard Sr. Pastor Mark Henry of Revive Brooklyn Park Church share: If and when your bank offers you an incentive of five GDC credits for each cash-dollar you convert, what will you do? Will you stubbornly refuse to convert and miss out on a decent financial opportunity?

When the GDC and its financial system arrive on the scene, it’s here to stay; it’s not going away. The two combined will become the only game in town.

What will you do, wait until the last minute to convert your cash-dollars to the GDC when your exchange rate has dropped to .750 GDC credits for each dollar you convert? Now you’re converting at a loss. How dumb and foolish is that?

But you are correct, and I agree with you, that at some future day, after the son of perdition, the Anti-Christ, aka the beast, appears on the scene, the GDC and its supporting financial system will fall under his full control; his False Prophet will cause and force all who wish to participate and access the system to receive the MOTB and worship the beast and worship the image of the beast. As in the days of Roman Emperor worship, just a pinch of incense is all you need.

The eternal doom spoken of in scripture is attached to the MOTB and worship of the beast and his image. Doom is not associated with the routine use of the GDC and the system that supports the GDC. The use of technology in and of itself is not evil. How one uses technology reflects malintent or evil. But in the days that are surely coming, the more technology you use, it potentially carries you deeper into that proverbial rabbit hole. Live and walk cautiously!

Walking in the power of Holy Spirit discernment is recommended and advised.

What’s The Catalyst of The Next Crisis?

What vector or crisis will that cabal of international thugs manufacture as the mechanism that carries the world to the next phase?

Perhaps a Ukrainian and Russian war that threatens a WWIII- type engagement that could involve a limited thermo-nuclear exchange or the threat of it. Or maybe another major Middle East conflict that rides in on the tails of Iranian nuclear talks … like maybe the Gog/Magog conflict.

How about another pandemic that is truly double-digits lethal, like smallpox, which holds a historical death rate of up to 34%. Hmmmm. Interestingly, at least the WEF and the global elite have ample evidence pandemics, and their multiple variants work very well. And the WEF and its wicked friends have demonstrated pandemics, and their aftermath can literally wreck the economies of many multiple nations.

Or maybe a strategic pre-emptive attack of some type on the USA. What fun the WEF and its allies will have if they specifically target and collapse the USA and its dollar.

When one considers the matter, there are literally multiple options that may serve the WEF’s purposes to collapse the world’s current financial and economic systems and thereby set the world firmly and inescapably on the path to a GDC and its related financial system. And when cash currency is gone, so is an option to meet your basic needs via an alternate means.

Come One, Come All!

At first, everyone will be “allowed and encouraged” to participate in this new global digital currency (GDC) and its financial system. Come one, come all! It will help build confidence and dependence on this new “wonderful” system. This new system will help people meet their basic needs. Initially, the system will likely seem generic and merely a new way of conducting routine business, but slowly and surely over time, the WEF and its international cadre of the wicked will apply the screws, just like we’re seeing related to those who refuse the mostly useless so-called Covid-19 vaccine.

You cannot participate in public events or everyday activities unless you prove via your vaccine passport that you are fully vaccinated and boosted. You are blocked and prevented from participation in the new GDC system unless you compliantly surrender, jumping through some pre-determined hoop. By the way, that hoop of compliance will become a moving target designed to reel one in more deeply and entrench one in the system.

In a world of limited resources or limited availability of resources (supply-chain crisis), having never had a thing versus having a thing then losing it creates significant tension in peoples’ psychology and more readily and more quickly impacts their behavior. When the system begins to cut people off, shut them out, and exclude them from participation, it will create a whole new human dynamic. Now cut off from cash, and there is only one tightly controlled GDC and financial system, people will begin to panic. This will cause and force people to participate more deeply in the system’s ever-increasing manipulations. So springs the trap!

A Looming Question of Access

The question now looms … what, potentially, is that hoop of compliance that allows people to maintain access to this GDC system or allows those previously cut off and shut out to recover access to the system? What are increasingly desperate people willing to trade for access and “normalcy”?

Hmmmm. A number? An app on one’s smartphone? A portable or wearable electronic device? A device coupled with a unique biometric? Or maybe a device, a biometric, and a genetic marker.

Whatever the initial hoop of compliance, be sure it will change. Over a relatively short period of time, that hoop of compliance will migrate, shift, and evolve until the arrival of THE prophesied global tyrant. His global digital currency system will require an electronic device on or embedded in or just under the surface of the skin of your right hand or a carefully placed artistically designed beautifully crafted “ornament” on one’s forehead. No one may buy or sell or participate in the system unless he has the MOTB and worships the son of perdition, the Anti-Christ, aka the beast.

Scripture tells us the False Prophet, the so-called “man of peace and spirituality,” will cause or force the implementation of the MOTB under a cloud of lies and deception, just like the Covid-19 vaccine was handled.

Under the direction of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and a host of national bodies and governments, the Covid-19 vaccine is similarly being caused or forced upon peoples of the world through progressive lies and deceptions coupled with brutal heavy-handed tactics.

  • The vaccine is safe and effective … a lie.
  • The vaccine gives you full immunity … a lie.
  • The vaccine gives you partial immunity … a lie.
  • The vaccine gives you some limited partial immunity … a lie.
  • The vaccine gives you some protection … a lie.
  • The vaccine prevents severe symptoms … a lie.
  • You must get the vaccine because we say so … caused or forced.

Revelation 19:20 “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.”

It’s a lie! Whatever “supernatural” transhuman powers or “benefits” the MOTB and the MOTB system offers … it’s a lie!

Here it comes, the capstone of this MOTB system: The Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) singularity, which serves as the command-and-control function of this centralized system that, in theory, every person on the globe is tied into via one’s personal Mark.

At this point, most people on the planet have become Borgs tied into the hive mind. We will own nothing, not even our own dang minds, but we’ll be happy. To some degree, the system will quite literally hijack people’s minds. Resistance is futile.

And of course, this A.I. singularity will have no concept of the Lord Jesus Christ as God as even unbelievers might traditionally conceive Him. The A.I. will daily tell people there is no God other than the A.I. and the hive mind, which is ruled by the dragon, who is the devil and Satan.

Full Circle

We have come full circle. The A.I. brain, aka Satan/devil, will work his lying signs and wonders via his son of perdition, the Anti-Christ, aka the beast, as the system networks across the globe and interweaves its way through each person’s life. The MOTB system will constantly send endless communications to each person’s interfacing neural chip, preventing one from coming to the knowledge of the truth and calling out to the Lord Jesus in repentance. Per scripture: They repented not.

Once a person receives his personal MOTB, he is brain and mind-controlled to prevent him from ever attempting to remove his personal Mark. The Satan-infested A.I. will lie and deceive, telling the recipient he is better off to remain a component of the system. The Mark recipient will believe THE lie.

The False Prophet tells people to build an image of and to the beast. And now that one is a component of the MOTB system, one has agreed and surrendered to allow the system to tell you anything, and you are obligated to obey.

The A.I. system which harbors that supernatural rebel, the devil /Satan, the dragon, will speak through his son of perdition, the Anti-Christ, aka the beast, telling the world that worshiping the beast is where it’s at; integration with the system is the thing that makes them the most happy, allows their continuing participation in the system, and grants access to all the system’s “benefits.”

The Wrath of God/The Wrath of the Lamb

As the wrath of the Most High God, the Lord Jesus is poured out, and the world literally crumbles around them under the hypnotic sway and the total mental entrapment of hijacked minds, the son of perdition, the Anti-Christ, aka the beast, will tell the world to curse and blaspheme the Lord Jesus. They repented not.

Those who receive a personal MOTB under the cloud of lies and deceptions are those who did not have a love for the truth, which truth is the Lord Jesus Christ. These recipients are blocked and prevented from calling on the Lord Jesus in a faithful act of repentance. By accepting the MOTB and relinquishing their control to the MOTB system, they choose eternal doom instead of eternal life. After they literally surrendered their ability to repent, like Esau gave up his birthright, future opportunity to repent is literally snatched from them.

Now, I get it. Now, I better understand. They repented not.

The Lord Jesus, Savior, The Remaining Hope, Right Now

Scripture is clear: John 3:16 “… whoever believes on the Lord Jesus shall not perish, but obtain everlasting life.” John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Romans 10:13 “… whoever calls upon the Lord Jesus shall be saved.

If you have not yet repented of your Sin and called upon the Lord Jesus, you should and must do so today, right now, while you are still theoretically in control of your own mind and all your choices.

The days are coming when you will likely make an initial decision to tie yourself by a Mark to an all-encompassing global system of beautiful lies and wonderful deceptions that will cut you off and prevent you from ever turning back. That initial choice, just like what happened with Adam and Eve, is all you, but after that, the matter is taken out of your hands. This MOTB way cuts off all hope.

Choose the Lord Jesus today, right now. That’s the right choice. Choosing Him and believing Him brings eternal life. Choosing the Lord Jesus maintains and secures your hope.

Maranatha!

John Chandler

jray810@msn.com

[1] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/04/transhumanism-advances-in-technology-could-already-put-evolution-into-hyperdrive-but-should-they/

[2] https://www.britannica.com/technology/singularity-technology

[3]https://www.airswift.com/blog/human-augmentation

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhuman

[5] https://www.weforum.org/communities/gfc-on-virtual-reality-and-augmented-reality

[6] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/08/ai-and-human-stupidity/

First Horseman of the Apocalypse :: By Charles Gray Adams Jr.

 

Rev 6:2, KJV

“And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.”

The identification of the rider on the white horse of Revelation chapter six is hotly debated. However, for the purpose of the article, he is the Antichrist: He is arriving on a world stage that has been painstakingly prepared for him; he is mounted upon a white horse which implies he is coming as savior of the world; he holds a bow which is not necessarily what most think it is; he is given a crown; and he goes forth conquering and to conquer. While this study will address each of these specifics, it will focus primarily on the bow he holds and its significance. Therefore, the intent of this article is to expound upon the identification of the rider of the white horse while identifying the means by which he, the Antichrist, conquers.

The World-Stage is Set

Paul, the apostle, warned the church through his epistles about the condition of the world in the last days. In fact, in his last letter, which was penned to Timothy, he wrote:

2 Timothy 3:1-9

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”

From this passage, one may clearly ascertain the fact that mankind will be in a fallen state (just like the days of Noah and Lot, Gen 6:5-6; Luke 17:26-29) ‘in the last days’ just before the arrival of the man of sin (2 Thess 2:3). This would imply that he will assume control of a society with which he has great affinity while conquering all who oppose him. The rapture will remove all of those faithful to Christ from the planet. Therefore, the Antichrist will appear to be dealing with the remnants of those who oppose the now dominant worldview which he will champion. This remnant is comprised of all who will be saved during the tribulation period.

One further point should be made about the condition of the world just before the arrival of the Antichrist. In the last days, the earthbound inhabitants of the world will not be the only ones who have fallen into severe moral decay.[1] Indeed, many who claim to be holy will succumb to the wiles of the devil and become apostate. This is evidenced by additional warnings from the Apostle Paul:

1 Timothy 4:1-3

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”

2 Timothy 4:3-4

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

Sadly, many in today’s church are clearly demonstrating that Paul’s prophecies were one hundred percent accurate. This is made manifest by the fact that the ways of the world are creeping into the professing church, and what was once holy and set apart is now indistinguishable from the heathen world.

This brief foray into the condition of the world at the time of the arrival of the Antichrist demonstrates that much could be said about this particular topic. However, another article will deal with this in greater specificity. For now, it is clear that preparation is underway for the arrival of the Antichrist, and many will fall for his deception, especially those who desire to maintain earth as their home. Sadly, many in the professing church are also being primed for the rider of the white horse.

The White Horse

White is generally associated with the imagery of righteousness and holiness.[2] Therefore, when one rides a white horse, the intention is often to convey the idea that the rider is of the same nature. However, the Antichrist will only appear righteous. In fact, he will be anything but. Instead, he will merely feign righteousness as a counterfeit of the true. The reality of his deception will become very clear when Jesus also rides a white horse near the end of the Tribulation. The Second Coming of Christ will cause the ride of the imposter to pale in comparison. Incredibly, Jesus will not be the only one riding a white horse upon His return. Indeed, the armies which were in heaven will follow Him upon white horses (Rev 19:14a).

Many have mistaken the first rider as Christ, primarily because of the white horse. This is not possible for many reasons:

  • First, Jesus is the one opening the seals as the Lamb (Rev 6:1); therefore, it is not possible to identify Him with the first rider.
  • Second, Jesus Has on His head many crowns, whereas the first rider is given a single crown (cf. Rev 6:2; 19:12).
  • Third, the Antichrist is associated with the beginning of the seal judgments, which bring calamity upon earth; therefore, it is not likely he is bringing good amidst the bad.[3] In fact, this is the very premise of seeing the first rider as the one who is illuminated by the false light of Satan (2 Cor 11:14).
  • Fourth, Jesus will come as judge, and He will not go forth conquering and to conquer. Instead, all of the remaining armies of the world will be gathered to Armageddon, where the beast and false prophet are captured and cast alive into the lake of fire, and Jesus will destroy those remaining with the sword which proceeds out of His mouth (Rev 19:19-21).

The Bow

The rider of the white horse holds a bow. Cursory reading would cause one to believe this is a weapon. However, a closer look indicates this is something entirely different that, when seen for what it truly is, reveals exactly how this rider will conquer. Revelation was written in Greek, and the word John chose to identify this ‘bow’ is ‘toxon,’ which has its root in the word ‘tikto,’ which means “the simplest fabric.” Throughout the Bible, the word ‘bow’ has identified a weapon, it has also been used to identify the rainbow, and it has even been used to identify the act of bowing down. However, the word used to identify the bow in Revelation 6:2 is only used one time in the entire Bible.

This is clear evidence that John was describing something other than a weapon. In fact, this one word is crucial to understanding this rider and how he wields power.

The fact that John indicates this rider carries a bow of simplest fabric could be stated this way, “the rider carried a flag made of fabric which displayed a rainbow.” One is not hard-pressed to see how a conqueror could conquer under this banner, especially when considering how prepared the world already is for the one who rides this horse. Undoubtedly, he will be received with outstretched arms by those who now shape the narrative of the world, especially since those who opposed this lifestyle will have been removed by the rapture.

This explains how he will conquer without a physical weapon. Instead, his true weapon is deception, which is why Jesus and the Apostles fervently warned believers not to be ‘deceived,’ a word used 39 times in the New Testament alone. In fact, Jesus, in answering His disciples’ question about the last days, began His explanation with the words, “Take heed that no man deceive you (Matt 24:4).” He goes on to warn against deception three more times in this same reply (Matt 24:4-31). In fact, Jesus warned more about deception than any other single thing. This implies the last days will be marked by great deception.

Great deception is truly upon the land as many are incapable of discerning right from wrong. In fact, those who now control the narrative are turning truth on its head. However, God foretold of this particular world condition through His prophet Isaiah who had a dire warning for those who currently manipulate the masses:

Isaiah 5:20

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

Incredibly, the earthbound are seeing things in an upside-down manner. Ironically, their rejection of the truth is actually preparing them to accept ‘the lie’ of the great deceiver who will lead them to great suffering and eternal damnation and fire:

Revelation 20:15

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Essentially, Satan desires to counter what God has established. God made man and woman; Satan attempts to cause mankind to believe they are neither or can be both. What utter confusion! God established how men and women should behave; Satan attempts to thwart this by telling mankind they can be as god and rule themselves (Gen 3). This is truly the root of what is wrong with mankind; they are following the lead of the great deceiver. In so doing, they are rejecting the truth and running toward and even championing the lie. The consequence for this errant way of life is unthinkable, for God’s wrath will be poured out upon all unrighteousness. Paul warned of this when instructing the Romans:

Romans 1:18-32

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Paul stresses his point by indicating those who reject the truth will be turned over to reprobate minds to do the laundry list of things he shared as the signs of the reprobate. Remarkably, one needs to look no further than the current-day media, in its many forms, to see each and every one of these inconveniences manifested. This indicates judgment has already begun, and the first rider is about to come forth in power not his own (Dan 9:24).

He Conquers with a Gifted Crown

Understanding the means by which this rider conquers will be greatly enhanced by the words of the prophet Daniel. Long ago, Daniel had visions that were identified by the angel ‘Gabriel’ as visions of the last of days. In one vision, Daniel sees the Antichrist as one who comes when rebellion has reached its full measure, a master of intrigue. Interestingly, this ruler will become very strong by power not his own. This alludes to the crown the first rider is given. Notice he is given the crown; this would imply that he has not earned it. Instead, he is provided a crown with which to conquer along with power from Satan (Rev 13:2). Therefore, neither his crown nor power are truly his; he is simply an emissary of Satan.

Daniel saw this rider in a vision, over twenty-five hundred years ago:

Daniel 8:24-25

“And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand (emphasis mine).

The fact that the Antichrist will destroy many by peace provides added weight to the fact that this rider will appear to a very receptive audience. He will ride in as a great champion who truly understands how to deal with the growing deception brought forth by the perversion of God’s ways. However, he will not attempt to correct the populace. Instead, he will validate their debauchery. His mission will be to come against and overwhelm those who oppose his contrary ways as he attempts to change what God has established. This mindset is already at work in the world. Daniel foresaw this also:

Daniel 7:25

“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

Fortunately, the Antichrist will ultimately decide that he is god, and for this, he will suffer the penalty of being captured on the battlefield called Armageddon and cast into the ever-burning lake of fire (Rev 19:20).

Ramifications

The first rider paves the way, through deception, for the entirety of the remaining judgments of the Tribulation. His actions will cause a great division amongst those who are left on earth after the rapture. Many will come to saving faith early on, just after the church departs. This is largely due to the fact that they had heard the truth before without embracing it. However, they did not reject Christ wholesale. Instead, they wanted to linger in the things of this world for just a bit longer. Unfortunately, Jesus will come when they least expect it, and they will lose their chance to be saved during the age of grace. Now they will have to persevere through the Tribulation and overcome the Antichrist, most likely by laying down their lives:

Revelation 12:11

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

The severity of the Tribulation will make it extremely unlikely to survive its entirety. In fact, those who find themselves in this awful time will be dealing with hazards from every side. For instance, the very next rider will take peace from the earth and cause men to kill one another (Rev 6:4). Imagine living in a day when neighbor is killing neighbor, and no one knows who the enemy is. This is just the next thing on a long list of dangers that will need to be navigated in order to survive. Thankfully, God always has a remnant, and those who make it through to the end of the Tribulation will populate the millennial kingdom, but that is a topic for another time.

If you are reading this article and have not taken “the mark of the beast” (Rev 13), you still have a chance. If you never have, you should call on the name of Jesus:

Romans 10:8-17

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Conclusion

The first rider, the Antichrist, will come as the savior of the world. This sounds remarkably like the actions of Christ. However, there is one great difference. Jesus came to save men “from the world.” The Antichrist will come to “save the world” from man. In fact, he will champion the causes that unregenerate man desires; the list of these pursuits grows daily as mankind rejects God’s ways and leans unto their own understanding (cf. Prov 3:5-6). The Antichrist, through his craft and deception, will cause many to seal their fate of eternal damnation. The good news is the wise will recognize and avoid falling prey to his wiles (Dan 12:10). Instead, they will likely die for their faith which will be far greater than rejecting Christ, accepting Satan as lord, and suffering an eternity in the lake of fire.

Website: In His Commission

1 For greater understanding of the term ‘earthbound,’ see the article, “Heaven or Earth Bound?”

2 Robert L. Thomas, Revelation Exegetical Commentary – 2 Volume Set (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016.), 139.

3 Robert L. Thomas, Revelation Exegetical Commentary – 2 Volume Set (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016.), 139.