The Basics of Bible - Herald of Hope
The Basics of Bible - Herald of Hope
The Basics of Bible - Herald of Hope
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Only a short time remains, and Satan has great wrath "because he<br />
knoweth that he hath but a short time" (Rev.12:12). He is enraged against<br />
the woman (Israel), and goes out to "make war with the remnant <strong>of</strong> her<br />
seed, which keep the commandments <strong>of</strong> God, and have the testimony <strong>of</strong> Jesus<br />
Christ" (Rev.12:17).<br />
God will have special help for His persecuted people, a place <strong>of</strong> hiding<br />
in a wilderness (Rev.12:14). Some think this is the city <strong>of</strong> Petra or<br />
elsewhere in caves <strong>of</strong> the Judaean wilderness. Antichrist's attempts<br />
to flush them out will fail (Rev.12:15-16), and as Jesus said, "for the<br />
elect's sake (Israel's sake) those days shall be shortened"(Matt.24:22).<br />
If Satan could destroy Israel completely, then God's purposes to<br />
establish a kingdom on earth and to fulfil all His promises to Abraham<br />
and his seed would be defeated.<br />
v) Christ's Second Coming Rev.19:1-21)<br />
<strong>The</strong> Great Tribulation concludes with the appearance <strong>of</strong> Christ in the<br />
clouds <strong>of</strong> heaven and the "Alleluia" chorus is heard, the only time the<br />
word is used in the <strong>Bible</strong>.<br />
Christ comes as Lamb and Bridegroom (vs.7,9), Faithful and True (v.11),<br />
<strong>The</strong> Word <strong>of</strong> God (v.13), and King <strong>of</strong> Kings, and Lord <strong>of</strong> Lords(v16). <strong>The</strong><br />
sword from His mouth smites the nations who are "gathered together<br />
to make war against Him"(v.19), and the beast and his false prophet are<br />
"cast alive into a lake <strong>of</strong> fire" (v.20). Christ's victory is complete.<br />
Many Scriptures give vivid descriptions <strong>of</strong> the day <strong>of</strong> Christ's<br />
appearing, and these help us to understand the greatness <strong>of</strong> the<br />
occasion. No one passage <strong>of</strong> Scripture can describe all aspects <strong>of</strong> His<br />
triumph.<br />
<strong>The</strong> event must be seen from the perspective <strong>of</strong> the Church fresh from<br />
receiving rewards for service at the bema seat. <strong>The</strong> Bride "hath made<br />
herself ready" (Rev.19:7), and she comes forth with her Bridegroom to<br />
the marriage supper <strong>of</strong> the Lamb. At this time He will come "to be<br />
glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe ...in that<br />
day" (2 <strong>The</strong>ss.1:10). To contemplate the vast number <strong>of</strong> souls saved<br />
during this Church Age is difficult indeed, but the excitement <strong>of</strong> such<br />
a gathering is mind-boggling.<br />
Can we grasp the mood <strong>of</strong> such a moment? <strong>The</strong> apostles, an army <strong>of</strong><br />
martyrs, faithful missionaries, and ordinary Christians like you and<br />
me, will be displayed in all the perfection <strong>of</strong> Christ. "We shall be like<br />
171<br />
<strong>The</strong> Book <strong>of</strong> the Revelation