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The 2 Beasts of Revelation / The False Messiah (Anti Christ) / The False Prophet
(NOTE: UPDATED JULY 10, 2008)
The coming of the lawless one which is the false messiah will be in accordance to the working of Satan which is the evil spirit that works in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders to deceive those who are perishing. There are two beasts in Revelation - the false messiah (anti-Christ) and the false prophet. It is of vital importance that we correctly identify the nature of these two beasts and who they really are. We should also know what they will be doing during the coming of the false messiah. The false messiah will be sitting in the throne located in the inner rooms of the temple of Jerusalem and he will proclaim himself as God. As written on these scriptures:
Matthew 24 – NIV
23 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.
2 Thessalonians 2 - RSV
3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. |
Before the false messiah comes, a new temple must be built in Jerusalem. The main purpose of the building of the third temple is the resumption of sacrificial worship.
Orthodox Judaism believes in the rebuilding of a Third Temple and the resumption of sacrificial worship, although there is disagreement about how rebuilding should take place or exactly what kind of worship will occur.
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The complicated political status of Jerusalem makes the building of the 3rd temple very difficult, if not impossible. According to these sources:
Obstacles to realization
The most immediate and obvious obstacle to realization of these goals is the fact that two important Muslim structures, namely the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, are built on top of the Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock is regarded as occupying the actual space where the Temple once stood, and the State of Israel has undertaken to preserve access to these buildings as part of international obligations. Any efforts to damage or reduce access to these sites, or to build Jewish structures within, between, on, or instead of them, would probably lead to severe international conflicts, given the immense association of the Muslim world with these holy places.
SOURCE
Ever since the Second Temple's destruction, a prayer for the construction of a new Third Temple has been a formal part of the thrice-daily Jewish prayer services. However, the question of whether and when to construct the Third Temple is disputed both within the Jewish community and without; groups within Judaism argue both for and against construction of a new Temple, while the expansion of Abrahamic religion since the 1st century CE has made the issue contentious within Christian and Islamic thought as well. Furthermore, the complicated political status of Jerusalem makes initiation of reconstruction presently difficult, while the traditional physical location of the historic Temple is presently occupied by the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.
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However, a number of organization have been formed with the objective of building the third temple in present times:
Although in mainstream Orthodox Judaism the rebuilding of the Temple is generally left to the coming of the Jewish Messiah and to Divine Providence, a number of organizations, generally representing a small minority of even Orthodox Jews, have been formed with the objective of realizing the immediate construction of a Third Temple in present times. These organizations include:
Organizations involved
- The Temple Institute states that its goal is to build the Third Temple on Mount Moriah. The Temple Institute has already made several items to be used in the Third Temple. (See below for list).
- Recently an organization known as Revava, ambitious to build the Third Temple, has planned numerous ascensions of the Temple Mount. Revava last held a rally at the Western Wall on April 10, 2005 after it announced plans to bring 10,000 Jews to the Mount. This prompted counter-protests by Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and on the Temple Mount, and by more than 100,000 Muslims in Indonesia and several other Muslim countries. An estimated 200 Jewish protesters were allowed past intense security during the Revava rally, and they did not ascend the Mount.
- The Raëlian Movement has as one of its goals to build an Embassy for Elohim. The embassy is also referred to as the Third Temple. According to the Raëlian Movement, Elohim is an extraterrestrial civilisation, that were mistaken for angels and gods in the past. The Raëlian Movement has sent several requests to the Israeli authorities to grant the necessary diplomatic immunity. But since the responses have been negative, the Raëlians are now turning to other countries to build the embassy there. According to Raël, he was first asked to build the embassy (Third Temple) close to Jerusalem. The Raëlians believe that the leaders of the Elohim and the prophets, will land at the Embassy once it's built and as soon as humans are peaceful enough for such an extraterrestrial encounter. Raël also claims to be the Messiah.
- A group called Third Temple Builders in Second Life was formed 2007-05-25 just after the holiday of Shavout. This group of avatars currently meets to discuss all things Third Temple, including but not limited to building the Third Temple in a virtual world, and the implications of doing so.
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Many Muslim countries will be protesting against the building of the third temple. Some Jewish organizations are aggressive and adamant in pursuing it and the support of building of the new temple by the Jews begins to take in huge numbers. This will obviously escalate into a dangerous international religious conflict which will possibly lead to a Jihad war.
The most immediate and obvious obstacle to realization of these goals is the fact that two important Muslim structures, namely the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, are built on top of the Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock is regarded as occupying the actual space where the Temple once stood, and the State of Israel has undertaken to preserve access to these buildings as part of international obligations. Any efforts to damage or reduce access to these sites, or to build Jewish structures within, between, on, or instead of them, would probably lead to severe international conflicts, given the immense association of the Muslim world with these holy places.
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Matthew 24:6 - NIV
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. |
Israel is confident enough to defend its cause. They have already successfully defended the nation during the 6-day war which has happened in 1967 where Egypt, Syria, and Jordan and some Arab countries as contributors decided to obliterate Israel, but were not successful. Israel successfully defeated their enemies in 6 days. The Arab countries were all shocked and dismayed by the impossible defeat.
Egypt, the largest Arab state with a population of 31 million, massed troops on its border with Israel and imposed a naval blockade of Israel’s southern port, an act of war. Confronted with these aggressive moves, and the Arab leaders' promises to destroy the Jewish state, Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against the Egyptian army and airforce. Egypt’s air force was quickly crippled, and a well-executed Israeli ground offensive routed the Egyptian forces in Gaza and the Sinai peninsula in four days.
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However, this conflict in the building of the 3rd temple was somehow pacified when a covenant was signed between Israel and the Muslim nations. The covenant will contain an agreement to build the 3rd temple and the daily sacrifice to resume after so many centuries. The one who will formulate this covenant will be someone who yields considerable influence and authority and someone people in the world respect and honor. Someone who yields enough power and influence that the Jews were able to build the temple without any hindrances and without any conflicts at all from the Muslim nations. Since this covenant is religious in nature, then this person is a powerful religious head.
According to this verse, apparently, the 3rd temple is up and running with daily sacrifices when the covenant was signed.
Daniel 9:27 - NIV
He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." |
However, after 3 1/2 years after the covenant was signed, this "someone" will put an end to sacrifice and offering. What is worse is that this "someone" will erect an abominatio -, a graven image on a wing of the newly built temple. A graven image of the "false messiah". What is a graven image? Click here.
The identity of this "someone" is non other than the second beast. He is the false prophet who is a powerful religious head which yields influence and authority.
Revelation 13 - NIV
14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. |
We now know the exact timing of when this "false messiah" will be coming. He will come exactly 3 1/2 years after the covenant signing between Israel and the Muslim nations which was formulated by the false prophet, the second beast of Revelation.
This false messiah will come out of the bottomless pit. This bottomless pit is some sort of a portal in heaven where the whole world will witness. The whole world will be astonished at his coming because of the great wonder in heaven or space. As understood, this false messiah does not come from Earth, but ascended out from the portal. This will be explained thoroughly on another web site that will be announced soon.
Revelation 11 - RSV
7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit will make war upon them and conquer them and kill them,
Revelation 17 – RSV
8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is to ascend from the bottomless pit and go to perdition; and the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will marvel to behold the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. |
This false Christ will deceive the whole world into believing that he is the resurrected Christ (yet lived) with all the wounds inflicted from the crucifixion (wounded by the sword).
The whole world will be in awe and astonishment of his coming as they thought that this is already the second coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The false Christ will be imitating the false idol of Jesus on this image:
Revelation 13 - NIV
14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
Revelation 13 - NIV
3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. |
Nobody knows exactly how Jesus Christ looks like when He was in the flesh. The false image of Jesus is depicted as having long hair. One thing for certain is that Jesus was a Jew and Jews are forbidden to have long hair. It is also a disgrace for any man to wear long hair.
As written:
1 Corinthians 11:14 - NIV
Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him |
It also forbidden to depict Jesus in any image in any form whatsoever.
As written:
Romans 1 - NIV
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. |
It is clearly written that it is a disgrace for a man to wear long hair. Jesus was a Jew and Jews do not wear long hair. It is also forbidden to depict Jesus in any images, paintings, statues, and etc. The picture above is a false image of Jesus. Anyone who thinks the image above is Jesus, then, not only does he not glorify God, but disgraces God as well by picturing him to have long hair of a woman.
We do not know this man or where he came from. One thing for certain that this image came from the pagans for they worship their gods with graven images which is idolatry. Many people today are deceived because they think that this is Jesus Christ. It is indeed difficult not to associate this blasphemous image with Christ because people's mind has been so deeply ingrained or "brainwashed" with this image. This image has a strong emotional attachment to those who have been deceived. But the truth has to be known. People should condition their mind to get out of this subtle deception.
In fact, the Bible has already specifically described how Jesus Christ looks like, not like a long haired mortal man, but a glorified eternal Almighty God, as written on these verses:
Revelation 1 - NIV
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Daniel 10 - NIV
5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. 6 His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
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When this false Christ comes, his false prophet will come with his armies to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice.
Daniel 11 - NIV
31 "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. |
The main reason for abolishing the daily sacrifice is that since this false messiah will claim to be Jesus Christ, there is no need for the animal sacrifices ritual within the temple because it is just a foreshadowing of the sacrifice Jesus made for the sins of the world.
Hebrews 10 - NIV
10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. |
The false messiah is the first beast and will be an imposter claiming to be Jesus Christ. He will proclaim himself as God.
2 Thessalonians 2 - RSV
3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
Daniel 11 – RSV
36 "And the king shall do according to his will; he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods |
He will sit in the throne located in the inner rooms of the temple of Jerusalem and make himself as God.
Matthew 24 – NIV
23 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. |
Satan will be the one who will give the first beast, the false messiah, his throne and great authority.
Revelation 13 – NIV
1 And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. |
To get an idea how the temple would look like and where the false Christ will sit in the inner rooms, watch this video:
The false prophet will command the whole world to make a graven image of the false Christ for them to worship.
Revelation 13 - NIV
14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. |
Since Satan is the evil spirit behind this, he is not God and cannot be possibly be omnipresent. So, a graven image of the false messiah will be made so that his presence around the world will be felt and seen, effectively making many false Christs to be seen in the form of a graven image. Since this will be a global undertaking, the second beast, the false prophet, will have to make many false prophets or false disciples around the world to be assigned in this evil undertaking. They will also be endowed with miraculous powers.
Matthew 24 - RSV
24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.
Mark 13 - RSV
22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible.
Matthew 24 - NIV
4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. |
The false prophet will give a mouth or enable the graven image to miraculously speak so that every graven image of this false messiah around the world would speak miraculously as a wonder for the world to behold. When this graven image speaks, he will command everyone to kill those who refuses to worship him. He will proclaim himself to be "God" and claim "I am the Christ" and will deceive many through the graven images around the world.
Revelation 13 - NIV
14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
Matthew 24 - NIV
4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars,
Matthew 24 – NIV
23 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.
2 Thessalonians 2 - RSV
3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. |
This graven image of the false Christ will also curse and blaspheme God and all those who dwell in heaven.
Revelation 13 - RSV
4 Men worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" 5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months; 6 it opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, every one whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain.
Daniel 11 – RSV
36 "And the king shall do according to his will; he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods.
Daniel 7 - NIV
25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. |
The false messiah will be honored with gold, silver, precious stones, and costly gifts. The whole world will place all their costly gifts to the false messiah in act of worship. They will stream to the unholy city of the false messiah, Jerusalem, the new Babylon for 42 months.
Daniel 11 - NIV
38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.
Revelation 11 - NIV
2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. |
In return, they will be greatly blessed because they will be abundantly rewarded by the false messiah.
Revelation 18 - NIV
9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury
Revelation 18 - NIV
12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.
Revelation 18 - NIV
15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: "'Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
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Those who worship and acknowledge the false Christ, he will make them kings and governors over many countries.
Daniel 11 – RSV
39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god; those who acknowledge him he shall magnify with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. |
While the false messiah sits on the throne in the temple pretending to be God, he will endow the false prophet with his powers and all authority. The false prophet will be acting on his behalf, in place of him as his substitute. The false prophet will do all the work of the false messiah.
Revelation 13 - NIV
11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men
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The false prophet will perform miracles, great signs and wonders. He will heal the sick, make the deaf hear, make the dumb talk, make the lame walk, make the blind see, and turn the water into wine. He can cast out demons and bring down fire from heaven. He will imitate what Christ did before.
Matthew 24 - RSV
24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.
Mark 13 - RSV
22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible.
2 Thessalonians 2 - NIV
9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. |
He will also make many false prophets to perform miracles, signs and wonders to deceive many people.
Matthew 7 - NIV
22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'
Mark 13 - RSV
22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. |
These false prophets will proclaim the false messiah as the Christ and will deceive many people.
Matthew 24 - NIV
11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Matthew 24 – NIV
23 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. |
The 2nd beast, the false prophet will force everyone to receive the mark on the forehead and on his right hand. This mark is directly linked to 666 which will be explained on the next pages. No one could engage into a business transaction in any form without this mark.
Revelation 13 - NIV
16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666. |
The false Christ will greatly persecute the saints since the saints very well know that this is an imposter. He will order their imprisonment, death, and all their properties forcefully taken. His armies will commit the worst atrocities to the saints. They will burn them, rape them, decapitate them, torture them, and all atrocities they can think of.
Revelation 13 - NIV
7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.
Revelation 13 - NIV
15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
Daniel 7 - NIV
25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. |
…all their properties forcefully taken … they imprisoned them … and burned them
Daniel 11 - NIV
33 "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. |
…rape them
Revelation 9 - NIV
Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. |
… decapitate them
Revelation 20 - NIV
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. |
Since many people will be deceived by this false Christ, many Christians will fall away to worship him. They will obey him whatever he commands for they are deceived into believing that he is god. The immediate family of the saints will betray them. Brothers will betray brothers and the father his child. Children will also betray their parents and have them put to death. They will all be sent to prisons and sentenced to death. The saints very own enemy will be in their own household.
As written:
Matthew 24 - NIV
9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
Matthew 10 - NIV
21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
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Christians will be refined and tested during this time. Their own love ones will betray them. This call for loyalty and faithfulness to the Lord whether you will follow them to worship the false messiah or whether to follow Him to suffer for this name. A servant is not higher than his master. For if they have persecuted Jesus, they will also persecute us.
Daniel 11 - NIV
35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. |
A message from Jesus to all true Christians who will be persecuted during the reign of the false messiah:
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Matthew 10 - NIV
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household! 26 "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn "'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- 36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' 37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
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