This article is Part II of a three part series.
The links below are for the Introduction,
and PART I.
This article is PART II
The scriptures compare the signs of Christ's presence for inspection, to a woman giving birth (Isa.26:17; Matt.24:8; John 16:20-23; Rev.12:2).
Jesus was a perfect teacher, and the illustrations he chose, apply to the lesson he was teaching. If he compares the end time signs to birth pangs, then we know this period of "labor", and all the signs associated with it, PRECEDES the "birth" of the Kingdom!
You have likely been taught, that the birth of God's Kingdom, took place at the beginning of these signs of labor. I ask you to use your power of reason to realize that the "birth" of the Kingdom, takes place at the end of these labor pains (Rev.12:1-2,5).
However, once the remnant of the 144,000 are sealed (child is born), Satan still persecutes that "woman" (Rev.12:13,17) and her seed.
These developments and signs (labor pains), are not a striking snapshot moment; but they are an unfolding, gradual, intensifying process (Matt.24:8,6c). So too, the composite "sign" of Christ's end-time "presence" for inspection (of the final chosen ones), intensifies over time. This is due to Satan causing tribulation/"birth pangs", to these "seed" being inspected, in the hopes that he can break their loyalty to God, and thereby, Satan hopes to buy extended time for his World Rule (1John 5:19).
Rev.12:2
You have likely also been taught that these labor pains/sign of the end, are visible in the physical world around us. This too, is a lie. I am not saying that a physical fulfillment will not take place. Satan is seeing to it that it does.
But it is important to realize that the signs Jesus meant, were spiritual (Matt.13:10-11,12-13,34-35; 1Cor. 2:10,12,14; Rom.8:5). Jesus also knew that Satan would fabricate those signs within his own worldly and religious dominion (2Cor. 11:14-15; 2Tim. 3:5); as a visible, physical distraction from the true spiritual fulfillment.
But it is NOT Satan's world which is giving birth to the Kingdom of heaven (John 8:23; Job 14:4; John 18:36).
It is the "woman"/New Covenant (Rev.12:2; Gal.4:26) who brings forth the kingdom heirs (Rev.12:5; 2:26-27). The true labor pains then, are experienced with her and with her "seed" (John 16:20-22). The labor pains of the Kingdom being born, are not to be found within Satan's demonic political and commercial system (James 3:15; Eph.6:12). God's Kingdom is not from that source (John 18:36; Heb.11:16).
Any labor pains we see within Satan's world, is a decoy ruse...to distract the anointed away from perceiving and identifying with, the truthful interpretation of the sign/labor pains.
In the next article, we will list the signs/labor pains that Jesus described, and compare the physical, visible fulfillment that we see in Satan's world, to the Bible's explanation of that same list of signs.As we know, a woman's labor ends with a delivery. This birth marks the completion of Christ's sealed administration (Eph.1:10; Rev.12:5; 2:26-27). All it's members are then faithfully sealed (Rev.12:10-11; 7:4).
Can you reason that this achievement is not being accomplished within the realm of politics and commercialism? Any "labor pains"/"end time signs" we see emulated within Satan's political and economic world, are unrelated to Jesus' prophetic sign/labor pains of the woman/Covenant's giving birth to the Kingdom's heirs. She and her seed are no part of the world...including it's finances, politics, or false religion (John 18:36; 17:16; 2Cor. 11:13-15).
Although Jesus began his power to gather the anointed Congregation and "ride" for the advancement of Truth as soon as he returned to heaven; God's kingdom rule over the planet earth did not begin then, NOR HAS IT YET BEGUN. Christ's own rule must first remove his enemies, and their power to deceive and kill (John 10:10; Heb.2:14; Matt.26:64; 1Cor. 15:24-25). This power is extended through Zion (Ps.110:1-2; Rev.14:1; Rom.16:20; 2Cor. 10:3-5; 6:7; Eph.6:12-13,14; Rev.19:11,14,8; 17:14). These chosen priests and kings imitate their King in the cause of truth and life.
Satan is clearly still in control of the world (1John 5:19). Satan is still testing, persecuting, and sifting the Chosen (Luke 22:31; Rev.12:10). This control will not be forcefully taken from him, until there exists the legal basis to do so (Rev.20:1-2; 12:10-11) according to Yhvh's perfect justice. This basis is established, the moment the last anointed one is sealed, and the full number of the administration is completed (1Pet. 2:5; Zech.4:9-11,12-14; Rev.11:3-4; Eph.1:9-11).
When established, God's eternal dominion does not begin immediately (Rev.12:5-6,13-14)... as was the case with the establishing of Christ's universal authority upon his faithful death (Eph.1:20-21). There is a "short period of time" between the end of Christ's symbolic "thousand years" and the start of the eternal Kingdom of God (Rev.20:7,3; 12:12; Matt.24:21-22), during which Satan's release ignites the Great Tribulation and Armageddon (Rev.20:7-9; Luke 21:20-22).
That intermediary 7 times of the Gentiles, (which exist between the end of the "thousand year" kingdom and of Christ, and the start of God's kingdom); are cut in half (3.5+3.5). Although the sanctuary and priesthood is restored at that midpoint, the remaining 3.5 times are used for God's witnesses, to provide a warning testimony. This gives time for repentance, prior to the start of God's kingdom, and the final consignment of those judged.
There is a slight delay of a symbolic 3 1/2 days/times during which the elect are conquered and taken captive (first 3.5) [Rev.13:7,10; Col.2:8; Luke 21:24; Dan.8:11-13,17,24-25; (2Thess. 2:8); Dan.11:16,31-32,33-35,36; 2Thess. 2:4; 1Pet. 2:5; 1Cor. 3:16; Dan.7:21-22).
That period of defeat, ends (Rev.11:9,11; Dan.11:33-35; 7:21-22,25-27 Hab.2:2-3,8; Jer.30:2-3,16-18).
Then there is a second symbolic 3.5 days/years/times (3.5x 360 days=1,260 days), expressed as 1,260 days during which the authority of the temple priesthood is restored and exercised once again (Rev.11:3-5).
The removal of Satan, his power and dominion, and all those in his power, occurs by the end of the 7 (3.5+3.5) Gentile times Rev.12:5,10-11; 2:26-27). All those taken into God's kingdom, have then proven their integrity through righteous acts and deeds (2Pet. 3:11; Rev.19:8), and Satan can no longer find legal basis to accuse these ones of lacking qualification (Rev.12:10 b; Job 2:4; Prov.27:11; Rev.12:11). He accuses these ones in an attempt to delay the transition of world dominance, from himself, to the Kingdom heirs (Rev.11:15; 12:17). This strategy of Satan has been legally successful up until the number is completed. But once the last of the "woman's" seed awaken and take their stand; there is "no delay any longer" (Rev.10:6; Heb.10:37). Those who remain faithful over "a little", will then receive a full reward. (Matt.28:18-20; 25:23; Luke 16:10; Rev.2:26-27,28-29; 3:12,21)
Yet those proving faithful to death (Rev.12:11; 6:9) do not merit this inheritance based upon their own work only (Romans 2:7; 1Cor. 3:13; 1Cor. 15:58; John 6:27). For, it is an undeserved gift of kindness (Rom.6:23; 1Pet. 3:7b) through the ransom, that finally grants these entrance into the ruling heavens as sinless incorruptible spirits
(1Cor.15:53; Hebrews 12:23; 1:7; 2:16; Rev.5:9-10).
When Jesus began his presence for inspection of the final remnant of Called and Chosen ones, the "birth pangs" began (Isa.26:17; Mark 13:8). Those who are the last to prove faithful, will seal the full number of Kingdom heirs (Rev.7:13-15).
The last of these Holy Ones are those distinguished as the "great crowd", who "come out of the Great Tribulation" (Rev.7:4,9,14; 19:1,8; Amos 7:1,8; Rev.9:7,4). These symbolic "two witnesses" are also the "capstone" of God's "Temple" (Zech.4:7,9; 1Pet. 2:5; Eph.2:20-21; 1Cor. 3:16). They are those who pass the greatest and final test of integrity, designed by Satan to mislead these final ones (Rev.12:17; Luke 22:31; Matt.24:21,13; Luke 21:36; Mal.3:2; Rev.11:4). That test is connected to the "signs" of "labor" (Isa.26:17; John 16:21-22).
Will you fall for Satan's counterfeit "sign", and miss out on the true spiritual warnings? This is Satan's supreme, last ditch effort; in order to delay the transition of world power, from him (Rev.12:17; Matt.24:21-22). He hopes to delay his loss of Rule, by preventing the Chosen from perceiving the true spiritual interpretation of prophecy.
Jesus also expects us to identify this "presence", not by a date, but by the signs he gave us (Matt.24:3; Rev.3:3).
When the purpose of this inspection is fulfilled, it is later followed by his "arrival". That is when he will make clear to all creation, his choice of Sons (Rom.8:19; Mal.3:18). Judgment will then have been passed on all the final anointed "wheat" (Luke 3:17; Rev.14:14-16), and their "work" (1Cor.3:12-14; John 15:5,16,7; Col.2:19; Rev.14:17-19; Deut.32:32-33; Rev.13:11).
Those who have passed this final "Great Tribulation" (Satan's test of loyalty), have awoken spiritually (Ps.13:3; Isa.52:1; 51:17; 60:1; Rev.2:28; Mal.4:2; Eph.5:14; Eze.37:1-3,4-5; Rom.13:11), are awake and aware of their inspection, despite the groaning of birth and Satan's obscuring of Truth (Isa.60:1-3).
Those who have not passed, became dull and forgetful as to Christ's requirements. Those who have turned aside (and fallen asleep spiritually)(Jer.25:27; 51:39,57; 48:26; Isa.28:8-9; Luke 12:45-46), will prefer power and approval in this religious system of things, rather than the glorious one to come. (Luke 16:2,8; 1Cor. 4:8; Rev.17:12; John 12:43). They will seek physical signs and be mislead by them (Matt.16:2-4; 12:38-39; Rev.13:13-14; 2Thess. 2:9-11). They will not perceive the only true sign (Eze.24:27; Matt.12:40; Rev.11:3,7,9,11; Eze.37:5,10).
Unlike their exemplar Christ and his sealed ones, the unfaithful stewards will speak of their own originality (John 7:16-18). They will prefer the glory and power of this present religious system, to the humiliations of the Christ (1Cor. 4:8; Mark 10:42-43; Luke 16:19-31; Rev.11:2,7-11; Mark 8:34-36,37-38). Or, they will join with the Harlots who do (1Cor. 6:15; 2Cor. 11:2-4; Rev.17:1-2). The light shining in the lamps of the unfaithful, has been "bought" from men who "sell" (Matt.25:10; Rev.13:17; Isa.55:2; 2Cor. 2:17; 1Thess. 2:4; 2Pet. 2:3; Rom.1:25)
What does this mean for those seeking God's approval?
Take heed and take heart, that these signs of Christ's presence and the evident fulfillment of this final test on the anointed (Labor pains), both indicate that Christ's arrival is so very close (Luke 21:28).
--
All Christians need to remain awake (Luke 21:36).
How?
Keep close in mind the actual requirements of God and Christ
(Micah 6:8; Matt.22:37-38,39; 25:45-46; James 1:27)
...not the misleading doctrines of men (Matt.15:9).
Realize that Christ warnings about the "end" are about integrity and loyalty to God alone....Not about the politics or economics of Satan's world.
What are these divine requirements?
To the anointed, it means they must have their lamps in order...certain that what they are shining is from Christ alone (Matt.25:7,12). They must dodge the prevalent climate of idolatry, spiritual fornication, a false sense of security, and inactivity (Luke 21:36; Rev.2:4-5,14-15,20-21,22; 3:1-3,16,19; Rev.13:8,11; 17:1-2; 18:3,9; Eze.13:10; 1Thess. 5:3).
They must be doing their best to shine their light, to reach as many as possible (Luke 12:35-36; Matt.5:14-16; 1Pet. 2:12).
[Luke 12:36>
They must also go out to meet their bridegroom, by walking the same path he did as he neared the end of his life
(1Pet. 2:21; Romans 8:17; 6:5; 1Pet. 4:19; Heb.5:8).
For those not so chosen...these ones must remember the Law of the Christ....Love. (Rom.13:10; Gal.6:2; 5:14)
Jesus' sober warning to these is given at Matt.25:45-46. This Law of Love would need to be practiced by all sheep, toward Christ's proven brothers (Matt.7:20).
This necessity becomes increasingly difficult to discern, and hard to carry out in the last days; as these very brothers are the ones shamed and persecuted during this time of giving birth, by the wicked steward (Matt.24:48-49,50-51; 2Thess. 2:1-12; John 16:2-4; Rev.11:7-8,9-10; Luke 16:2; 12:45-46).
Yet any unjust treatment inflicted upon these faithful, will be brought into account by Christ himself (Matt.25:31-32,40; Mark 9:42).
Specifically, the woman who is having labor, are those already sealed. These are in tribulation while trying to give spiritual birth to those yet unsealed. Those sealed BECOME the heavenly covenant/mother of heaven, who is birthing those still coming to birth spiritually, previous to their being sealed (Rev.2:26-27; Rev.12:2,5; Eph.2:6; 1:3; Rev.1:20; 10:5) (Gal.4:19; 1Thess. 2:7; Eph.4:13; 3John 1:4; 1Cor. 4:1).
Throughout the spiritual maturation process/cleansing, refinement of a chosen one, they are under a promise (New Covenant/mother in heaven Gal.4:26,28). This compares to a child developing in the womb. (Ps.110:3; 1Thess. 5:5; Judges 5:2; Micah 5:7; Gal.4:19) Once sealed (and born), they continue that growth, to become full representatives of that Covenant (Christ's 'Bride'/"Christ fully formed in you") and channel it's benefits to others (2Cor. 5:20; 1Cor. 4:1; Isa.42:6; Acts 13:47; John 7:38; Rev.22:17; Matt.5:14). These sealed ones are no longer subject to death (Rev.15:2; 2:11; 3:5; 21:7; John 5:24; 1John 3:14,12).
LINK to PART I -- "The Throne of Satan"
(This is PART II)
LINK to PART III -- "The Sign"
