The Five Wise and the Five Foolish Virgins parable refers to the rapture of the Manchild children of Revelation 12.

........................................Jesus is teaching that the virgins represent the Church on earth, those who believe He is coming.

......................This parable implies that only half of the Church will be ready when the Bridegroom comes [when He returns].

The world will be in a state of moral corruption when Jesus returns.

......Jesus said it will be as in the days of Noah.

.......................Those condition are described in Genesis 6:11 "The earth also was corrupt bfore God, and the earth was filled with violence."

Also read Matthew 24:37-39

After the darkening of the sun and the moon, Jesus will return.

...............It is the harvest rapture which follows the opening of the Sixth Seal.

............................This is the multitude which came out of Great Tribulation which no man can number.

Read Revelation 7:9-14 and also Matthew 24:30-31

Merry Christmas 2011

The event that marks the end of the Great Tribulation is the darkening of the sun and the moon.

This agrees with the Sixth Seal of Revelation.

Matthew 24:29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days, shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken."

The day of God's wrath begins with the darkening of the sun and the moon.

Read Revelation 6:12-17 and Acts 2:20

The abomination of desolation [when the Antichrist takes over the temple claiming he is God] is the work of the Beast and the False Prophet.

...............The Antichrist is in authority at this time. He is showing great signs and wonders hoping to deceive even the elect [those who have turned to God].

.....................................The Lord gives a warning against these Satanic seductions that are to deceive multitudes in Matthew 24:24-26.

All believers will die in the Great Tribulation, but the Lord will shorten the time for the elect's sake.



They will die for their faith.


...........It's believed that this time corresponds to the Fifth Seal in the Book of Revelation.

This is the time for the Tribulation saints [those left behind and those saved later] to flee to the 'mountains'.

................................In Matthew 24:16-20, the Lord warns the believing Jews to flee out of Judea to the mountians.

.................Believers all over the world should also take warning when the Beast brings the abomination of desolation into the Temple.

The abomination of desolation is the beginning of the Great Tribulation, because:

...........................With its preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to all nations, marks the end of the Church Age.

......................................Jesus declares that this next event, is the abomination of desolation and it starts the Great Tribulation.

The words, and because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold, is the "falling away" that Paul spoke of.

The 'falling away' is before the Great Tribulation.

.................Today a lukewarm spirit is found in the Laodicean Church.

Jesus said there would be a rise of false prophets and false religions in Matthew 24:11.

Many imitators have appeared during the Church age.

...........The most well known, is Mohammed who claimed to be a prophet of God, and whose followers thought to conquer the world by forcing everyone to accept Mohammed or die.

......................Many others have come and gone to establishe their false religions.

But Matthew 4:23 shows us what the Gospel of the Kingdom is.

"23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."

The Gospel of the kingdom is associated with the message of deliverance.

The Great Commission is included in Mark 16:15-18
"15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

The gospel of the Kingdom spoken of in Matthew 24:14 is the same gospel Jesus preached in Matthew 4:23.

............................................The is no need for a new or different Gospel to be preached at the end of the age!

It is the responsibility of the Church to get the gospel to all the people.

......................God has declared that the Gospel of the Kingdom must first be preached to all nations.

............Up until now that may not have been the case but there is no way that everyone hasn't had a chance to hear it by now.

The fulfillment of the command of the Great Commission to preach the Gospel to all nations is the final sign before the coming of the Lord!

One of the questions the disciples asked was what would be the sign of the end of the world?

.............The phrase 'end of the world' in the KJV should read 'end of the age'.

....................................The world [earth] itself is not to come to an end, but after it has been cleansed of evil, it will continue into the Millennial age [the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ].

......................................The end of the age is found in verse 14 of Matthew 24; "the preaching of the Gospel to all nations."

When Christians experience these great wars and disasters, they are tempted to think that they are signs of Jesus' returning and of the end of the age.

............Many times people have supposed that some great catastrophe that occurred in their day was a sign that Christ was about to come.

.....................However, the Lord told us "All these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."

These things have been going on for centuries, but they aren't going to go on forever. He is going to come as a thief in the night, very unexpected if we think that.

Jesus was referring to a long period ahead in Luke 21:24 when He spoke of the times of the Gentiles.

.....................He spoke of events, far into the future, of many sorrows that would come upon the world.

There would be "wars and rumors of wars. . . .Nation shall rise against nation. . . . and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes, in diverse places." Matthew 24:6-7

Jesus said that this destruction and judgment was to come on that same generation.

...............................He told them that their house was to be left desolate and that "all these thing shall come upon this generation." Matthew 23:36-39

In the 24th verse of Luke 21, Jesus predicted the dispersion of the Jews into all nations and that Jerusalem would be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled.

.......................This we know has taken place just as Jesus said it would.

.............................................Now that the Jews have returned to Jersusalem, it indicates that the times of the Gentiles have run their course.

The Christian Jews heed the warning and escape.

........But the false prophets of the unbelieving Jews predict that Jerusalem would escape by Divine intervention.

.............This encouraged them to fight on ferociously which angered the Romans so that when they broke through the walls they were all killed by the sword.

Alien armies would soon surround Jerusalem.

...............That would be the signal for believers to escape out of Judaea. They had a chance to escape the city.

.........................The army commander didn't want to destroy Jerusalem and the people personally, but the Roman government felt it necessary to stop the fanatical Jews.

Jesus answered the first question in Luke 21:20-24:

20"And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."

The last two questions the disciples asked Jesus were regarding the end of the age.

................But the first question was about Jerusalem and the temple. It was destroyed much earlier in A.D. 70.

Jesus' statement caused the disciples to ask three questions which they assumed were to be fulfilled all at the same time.

Actually the first was to be fulfilled long before the last two. Their first question was:

......"Tell us, when shall these things be?"

2 ...."And what shall be the sign of thy coming?"

3 ...."and of the end of the world?"

In the first two verses of Chapter 24 of Matthew, the disciples showed the Lord many of the features of the new Temple of Herod that took forty-six years to build.

....................In John 2:20 the Lord's comment was surprising. He said that not only would the temple be destroyed but not one stone would be left standing upon another.

Jesus' words in Matthew 24 helps us undertand the Book of Revelation.

......................Matthew 24:
1"And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"

During this age, the Church is in the place of power and authority. She sits in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

She is clothed with the 'sun of righteousness'.

..............The moon [Satan, ruler of the nights] is under her feet. She holds a position of dominion and also travails for the birth of the Manchild children.

..............But when they are born, she isn't seen in her exalted heavenly place. She is on earth, desparate and fleeing for her life.

When we see the Woman before she gives birth to the Manchild, she is glorious.






She is Sun-clothed with the moon under her feet, and wearing a crown of twelve stars.





But after the rapture of the Manchild, she is weak, fleeing for her life into the wilderness.

We are told that the Beast/Antichrist has power to make war with the Saints and overcome them.

..................Revelation 13:7
" And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."

...........He would destroy all who believe in Christ if he were given the time.

..................God will cut him short so he can't accomplish his intentions.

Revelation 6:11 "And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."

.........................................Although multitudes will seal their faith by their own blood [being martyred]; the devil will not succeed in destroying all.

.................................God gives the woman "two wings of an eagle that she might fly into the wilderness into her place, where she is nourished for a time, times and a half time" Revelation 12:14.

During the terrible persecution of those who are left after the rapture will cause many to be martyred.

....................Multitudes that are unable to escape the wrath of the Antichrist will give their lives to be saved.

............................."the souls under the altar" at the breaking of the Fifth Seal, may infer that all saints on earth will be killed.

In his hatred for the Woman, Satan gives power to the Beast or Antichrist.

The Beast whom Satan controls persecutes the Woman.

The first thing that happens after Satan is cast out of heaven, he begins to persecute the Woman who gave birth to the Manchild.

..................................Satan, being a spirit, cannot harm physical beings directly. He has to deceive those who will give themselves to him.

........................Once he controls those people, he can use them to persecute the people of God.

In the days of the Great Tribulation, the wicked will not take many of the events seriously, but will mock and scorn those who do.

.....................The two Beasts of Revelation will arise during the Great Tribulation and tear at the earth for 42 months.

..........The Beast of Revelation 13 had the 'feet of a bear". The Communist Beast that threatens the world today is symbolized as a 'bear'. The only nation in the world with that symbol.

The saints who remain on earth during the Great Tribulation can expect persecution.

...............The are forced to admit that they were at fault in not being ready.

............................It will not be easy for them to take the taunts of the wicked or to be asked why they were left behind,

When people hear of a remarkable event like a translation or rapture, especially of someone they know, they will repent.

....Many will but there will be some who won't.

There are even religious professors who have not believed in the ministry of the supernatural to begin with.

Happy
Thanks
giving
2011

There will be some kind of 'resurrection' of the Beast.

.........................We are told that the Beast was "as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Revelation 13:3

............This lying miracle, a wound unto death, and the Beasts returning to life will be, whatever it is, astonishing and amazing to the world.

It's likely that much of the serious effect of the rapture will be weakened by the supernatural happenings brought by the Antichrist.

..........The devil now has his superman, his Son of Perdition and the scene.

...................2 Thessalonians 2:9
"Even him whose coming is, after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders."
......These lying wonders will astonish the world.

Verse 10 of Matthew 25 says, "And they that were ready went in with him to the marriage.

.................Jesus again said, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man."

But now those left behind are determined to resist the Antichrist at all costs.

Many people will realize that they have neglected Jesus' repeated warnings to be ready for His Coming.

.......................Matthew 25:13
"Watch ye therefore, for ye know neither the day nor hour wherein the Son of Man cometh."

...............This warning was given at the end of the parable of the Five Wise and the Five Foolish Virgins, where Jesus showed that a good amount [half] of professing Christians who will be waiting for the Bridegroom will not be ready when He comes.

After the rapture, the effect on those left behind can be left to the imagination.

............................One thing is for sure, life will have to go on and each person will adjust or rationalize the even to suit their own peace of mind.

...............Some will be sorry as they realize they have missed it. Others will be hardened. The Bible has some information about what will follow.

Satan accomplishes his persecution of the remnant of saints through the Beast who has appeared.

................This Beast, or Antichrist, immediately begins a fierce war to exterminate the saints.

...........This war isn't just against the believing Jews but against the saints of "all kindreds, tongues and nations." Revelation 13:7

................The common teaching that all saints go up at the rapture doesn't go along with these scriptures. Unless these are those who had heard the gospel but didn't receive it until after the rapture because they were left behind.

Concerning the rapture of the Manchild children, the Book of Revelation shows that part of the Church is left behind.

.............We are told that the Woman and a "remnant of her seed" are still on earth.

...................Revelation 12:17
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

The Manchild children being caught up to heaven, and the rest of the seed of the Woman being left on earth, of course implies that some saints will be caught away to heaven, and others left behind.

..............................This is hinted to in scriptures. Jesus taught this in Luke 17:34-36, that "one shall be taken and the other one left."

The Woman is on earth and weak from birthing the Manchild.

....................The Tribulation Church is no longer sitting in the heavenlies and the saints that are left on earth have to wrestle with the powers of hell now that they [Satan and his angels] have been cast onto the earth.

The devil realizes that he has only a few years left before he is out of power and he's desparate.

.................The Manchild is gone. He can do nothing about it. The only saints he is able to attack are the remnant of the Woman's seed.

The rapture of the Manchild children has a great effect on the world.

..................Their being caught away to God, and to His throne; the earth is left without the presence, prayers, activities and morality of its holiest people.

..................Their removal is a depletion of spiritual power on the earth. It gives to the devil and his angels the entire world with a sad note "Woe to the earth and the sea! because the devil is come down to you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

Through the Antichrist, Satan persecutes the saints and turns the world into a bloody war, the likes of which the world has never seen, nor will it ever see again.

The last circumstance is the rise of the Antichrist, or the Beast, who Satan gives great power.
(Revelation 13:4)









........................................When Satan is cast out of heaven, he is in a great rage and fury, "Because he knoweth he hath but a short time." A short time even with Satan is not thousands of years. This 'short time' is during the Great Tribulation when he gives his power to the Antichrist.

Paul says that in our prayer lives that we wrestle with principalities and powers in heavenly places
Ephesians 6:12.

.......................Satan has made tremendous efforts to destroy the Church and now hopes to prevent the rapture of the Manchild children of happening.

.......................He has an awful fear of what will happen if these people are caught up to heaven to join the armies of Michael and his angels. And he ought to be.







With the help of the Manchild, Satan is both legally and physically defeated. Both he and his angels will be thrown out of heaven and cast down to the earth to be cast into the Bottomless Pit.

Satan, desperate in his failures and knowing the penalty of his actions, has used every means in his power to overthrow God's plans.

....................At times it has seemed like he has nearly succeeded; but all his attempts, as subtle and crafty as they have been, have always failed.

............Until the time indicated in the 12th chapter of Revelation, he has still had access to the heavenlies.

It's difficult to understand how so many angels came under Satan's spell and followed him.

........Sin had never entered the universe at that time or its fearful results.

.............Anyway, each angel was pushed into a position of making a decision. One-third decided to follow him.

....................God knew what the Devil didn't......He knew Satan wouldn't win most of the angels.

Lucifers rebellion hasn't been put down yet; but his days are numbered.

....................................His plans didn't succeed because God keeps some of His plans secret.

.....................God foreknew all things; so the redemption that Christ has provided for the sons of Adam was a part of that secret plan which had been hidden even from the angels (1Peter 1:11-12).

Lucifer thought he was going to have the supreme place, to exalt his "throne above the stars of God."

.......But God's plan was to give it to His Son!

.......................When Lucifer saw that he wasn't going to have the supreme position, he found that his plans had been spoiled not God's.

Isaiah 14:12-14 shows that 'self-exaltation' and 'pride' were the cause of Satan's rebellion.

.............He was perfect when he was created and gifted with great wisdom and beauty.
....................Ezekiel 28:17 says
............"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty."

........................Lucifer possessed rare gifts. So because of these gifts and abilities, God gave him a high position of His creation.

dancing skeleton

The Dragon or Satan took 1/3 of the 'stars of heaven' with him when he was thrown out of heaven.

The 'stars' that followed the Dragon are angels. They also rebelled.

Satan has been ruling over the kingdoms of this world since the fall of Adam.

.........He has been seeking to devour and destroy the seed of the Woman.

...................He stood before the Woman to destroy Christ in the days of King Herod who ordered the slaying of the children of Bethlehem.

.................................He will stand before the Woman seeking to prevent the birth of the Manchild children just before the Great Tribulation.

The seven heads are seven kingdoms
................that rise in succession on the earth.

Since a crown is only one world kingdom at a time,
................the seven crowns must signify the
...............whole period of man's history.

The 'seven kingdoms' that are represented by the seven heads of the Dragon are:

Egypt
Assyria
Babyon
Media-Persia
Greece
Rome
The Antichrist's kingdom

The seven heads of the Great Red Dragon refers to the seven kingdoms of past ages which Satan has had rule over.






Revelation 17:9 says that 'the seven heads are seven mountains'.

"And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth."
The word 'mountain' means kingdom.
The Kingdom of Babylon is called a 'destroying mountain'.

The devil has ruled the kingdoms of this world over the past ages.

...............Through the betrayal of Adam, Satan has taken authority over the earth.

...............This is plain from the conversation that Satan had with Jesus in the Mount of Temptation.

........Luke 4:5-7
"And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine."

The Great Red Dragon has seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads.

The heads refer to the seven world empires.

Some say that Michael is really Christ.

That's not possible.... Christ is the Manchild.
He is the head of the Manchild children.

.............When Michael contended with Satan for the body of Moses, he said, "The Lord rebuke thee".

.......Christ never used that kind of language. When he rebuked Satan he said, "Get thee behind me Satan" or "It is written".

The Dragon is anxious to destroy the Manchild right away when he is born because the catching away of the Manchild evidently has a definite connection with Satan's defeat and overthrow in the heavenlies.

.........Michael and his angels war against him.

.......................But in some way the testimony of the saints has an important part in the overthrow of Satan in the heavenlies.

"if any man sin, we have an advocate [lawyer] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

There is only one testimoney that will win this case.

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."

All the good works of a lifetime will be completely insufficient to respond to Satan's accusations.

............He is a master prosecutor.

......We will need a lawyer and a good one!

Satan's accusation must be answered correctly.

They can't be answered
by accusations or
by excuses or
by comparing ourselves with others less righteous or
by parading our good works.

The war that Michael the archangel wages against Satan and his angels is not just one of brute force. That kind of war would be easy for Michael.


.........There is something else involved. There is the aspect of a court trial in which Satan shows why he should keep the bodies of the Saints. A similar dispute took place when Michael contended for the body of Moses.


....................Satan takes up each case spearately and raises charges. He will fight over every single body.

..............................The accused answer and give testimony to dispute Satan's accusations.

Jude 9 also refers to Michael in connection with Moses. He speacks of the archangel's contending for the body of Moses.

...........................................It seems possible that as Satan resisted Michael in fighting for the body of Moses, he may also try to prevent the resurrection of the saints [dead christians].

The archangel Michael appears as guardian of Daniel's people, the Jews, and seems also to be involved in some way with the resurrection of the dead.

......................................Verse 2 of Daniel 12 speaks of the resurrection of those "that sleep in the dust of the earth.".

Daniel 12:1 "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."

...........In the Book of Daniel we are told that Michael will come to the rescue of the people of God at the time of the end.

He will be particularly active in the end-time events!

When Daniel's angel couldn't get through because of the opposition of the 'prince of Persia', it was Michael that came to the angel's aid and supplied the extra power that caused the hosts of Satan to give way.

Michael the archangel, is the leader of God's angelic forces.

..............We are told that he and his angels fought against Satan. When he goes to battle, the full resources of heaven are used.

The original casting out of Satan from heaven took place before Adam.

Read
*Isaiah 14:12-15 it tells of the rebellion of Satan and
..........how he fell from heaven.
*Ezekiel 28:14 tells of the original position of Lucifer.
..........He was the 'anointed cherub that covereth'.
..........Pride and self-will was what removed Lucifer
............from his high position.
*Isaiah 14:15 shows his overthrow was not complete.
..........He still was able to move about in the
.............heavenlies, and even accuse the saints
.............before God.

The 12th Chapter of Revelation ends his times in heaven.

Read Revelations 12:7-12







The seventh verse speaks of "war in heaven".

In the case of Christ and the Manchild, the prophecy can refer back to the original casting out of Satan.

There are several "casting out of Satan", each forcing him to a lower and more restricted sphere until at last he is locked in the Bottomless Pit.

Prophecy never has primary reference to something that has already happened, but to things in the future.

Satan is cast out of the heavenlies shortly after the Manchild is caught up to heaven.

The Manchild [children or group] is the first-fruits unto God.

...........................Revelation 14:3-5
". . . . but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."

Marriage isn't intended in the symbol of the Sun-clothed Woman.

...............Her children are spoken of as her seed [Revelation 12:17].

......................In the natural, the seed comes from the male and not the woman.

Mary, Jesus' mother, didn't bare Him by a husband but by the Spirit of God. Luke 1:35

............................As to the Sun-clothed Woman, physical birth isn't the main meaning, but it's the spiritual birth of the Manchild children/the true overcomers.

................Those who attain to this called out group of believers, do by prayer and travail of spirit.

2 Peter 3:10-11

In a sense, the Lord is the Bridegroom of the Church. The Bride is called a wife.
............................Revelation 19:7
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."
......................... ..The Sun-clothed Woman isn't already a wife, but rather acts as a mother bearing children through her travailing in the spirit.

Paul isn't trying to show that the Church is married, but that she is bearing more children than she that has a husband.

....................The Lord has stated that He is the husband of Israel, although because of Israel's adulteries, He has left her for a time.

Paul shows that the Church isn't like Israel under the Law, "but Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all." Galatians 4:26

.............................Then He says that the barren, beareth more than she which hath an husband.

.............................Galatians 4:7
"For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband."

Paul who began the Gentile Church, spoke to the Galatians 4:19

"My little children of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you."

The "TRAVAILING WOMAN" is a symbol not used of the New Testament only, but of the Church of all ages.

.................John who wrote the Book of Revelation speaks of the Church as "the elect lady and her children." 2 John 1

...................................The duty or responsibility of the Church in every age involves travailing for spiritual children.

Satan is not successful in his attempt ot prevent the rapture of the Manchild group.

...............The Manchild children are caught up to heaven [raptured]. Once this happens, Satan' place in the heavenlies ends.

.........................Michael and his angels move against Satan and his angels and then the war in heaven begins with Satan and his angels being cast down to earth.

God declares that those who give in to Jezebel's seductions will go into Great Tribulation, unless they repent.

....................God calls the Church, today, to be on the alert against creeping spiritual inactivity that has a root in a deadly spirit of worldliness. She must separate herself from the world.

..........Those who are faithful will share the position promised to the overcomers,the Manchild.
Read Revelation 2:26 & 27

'Satan or the Dragon stood before the woman to devour the child when it was born.'

.....................The devil has stood before the woman to devour her seed from the days of Eden.

............God is forming a Manchild group of true overcomers who will rule the nations. This is a very important part of God's plan and Satan is trying every thing in his power to keep this group from being birthed.

....................God is calling for a group of people who are completely dedicated and surrendered to Him. Satan would like to get these people to violate their commitment to separate themselves from the world.

We are told in Revelation the 12th chapter, the 9th verse that the Dragon is the devil, or Satan.

He appears as a 'sign' in heaven because at the time he appears, he is in the heavenlies.

..........[This is not the Third Heaven where the redeemed are].
.......Ephesians 6:12, in the literal translation, shows Satan and the powers of darkness dwelling in the heavenlies. They are soon to be cast down to earth. [verses 8,9]

The Manchild [children] are caught up to God by rapture.

.......They are raptured just before the rise of the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation.
Read Revelation chapter 13

They are the overcomers, the First-fruits unto God.

The prophecy of Revelation 12 is just before the Great Tribulation.

.....................Jesus ascended into heaven 1900 years before so it can't be the main fulfillment of this prophecy.

.............Christ is the first of the First-fruits, and may be considered the first of the Manchild, but not the only one [there are other children].

The Sun-clothed Woman is both the Church and Israel.

........The Manchild includes Christ who came from Israel according to the flesh.

The children [Harvest] of the Woman who are born during the travailing are the overcomers, the first-fruits.

.....................Revelation 2:26-27
26"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father."

The Manchild doesn't represent all of the Woman's children. There are others of her seed.



...........The Manchild holds the main position. The Manchild [the first of the First-fruits] is born almost before the travailing begins.


...................The children [the Harvest] are born during the travailing.

......................Revelation 12:5-6
5 "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."

Isaiah tells of the birth of the Manchild, when Zion travails.

.......................Isaiah 66:6-8
6 "A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children."

...................The Manchild comes first; the children are those who come after.

Revelation 12:2 speaks of the Woman "being with child cried; travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."

...........................The woman's travail refers to the travail of the Church-Israel as the age comes to an end.

Of the Sun-clothed Woman......
"Upon her head a crown of twelve stars."



This symbol speaks of both
Israel and the Church

...............................The stars refer to the twelve
Tribes of Israel and also the twelve Apostles of the
Church.

"Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?" Song of Soloman 6:10

...............This is the Church, clothed with the sun, fair as the moon, set as an army in a spiritual warfare against the powers of evil.

There are some who thing "the moon under her feet" means the power of darkness, which are under the feet of the Church.

........................The powers of darkness are under her feet but the moon doesn't represent the powers of darkness.

The moon reflects the sun in darkness, just as the Church reflects the Sun of Righteousness in the darkness of this Age.

The moon is under her feet.

.....An expression showing that the Church is in the heavens as well as on earth, a fact which is true of the Church rather than Israel

Paul tells us in Romans 13:12-14
........................."to cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. . . But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lust thereof."

The Woman is "clothed with the sun." The sun is a symbol of Christ, who will come to complete the salvation of Israel and the Church.

..........................Malachi 4:2
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings".

The Sun-clothed Woman is a heavenly sign.

.............The Church sits in heavenly places with Christ Jesus.
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ."
Ephesians 2:6

.......She has conflict in heaven because Satan and his angels are there also. BUT soon they will be thrown out of heaven.

Paul taught that the Gentiles are children of Abraham by faith.

...............During the Church Age, those who are considered Jews are not those who are Jews outwardly, but those who are Jews inwardly by faith. Romans 2:28-29

The Sun-Clothed Woman represents both the true Israel and the Church.

.......She is the true Church of all the Ages.

At the Judgment Seat of Christ, the rewards are given "to the prophets, and the saints, and them that fear thy name small and great." Revelation 11:18

...............They are all considered the body of the redeemed although they have separate identities.

10th Anniversary 9112011

At the end of the age when the nation of Israel is restored and the people accept Jesus whom they have pierced, there will be a regrafting of the Church and Israel into the same olive tree.

The individualities of the two will still be distinct.