The Coming Great Quake will Strike the Whole Earth
Great Earthquake - The Coming
The Sign of His return
www.yahshuaservant.com
To those previous readers of this article -- changes have been made June 6, 2009:
This study has been reexamined and appropriate changes made in order to remain within the Scriptures, our sure word of truth. I have enlarged the study with a Part 2, and I have dropped some of the material from this Part 1 as not being in the proper sequence. The original purpose of this first article was to demonstrate the "coming of our LORD", YaHshua, could not be "Imminent" (at any moment). This has led into a much larger examination of the Great Quake of the 6h Seal and the discovery of several other earthqakes that seem to act as benchmarks for coming events. Benchmarks, or announcements, if you will.
Announcing the Wrath of the Lamb
The coming Great Earthquake, not one, not two, but six -- yes six -- but for now we are concerned with the "Great Quake" mentioned in Revelation 6:12. The 6th Seal is opened and the first thing mentioned is a "great quake" and a time of terror as never seen since the "great flood" -- a world wide event. When this "quake" shakes th is world it will reel on its axis, mountains will literally be moved and Islands displaced from their orginal foundations all around the world.
The earth will shudder beneath the depths of the waters. Coastal areas will be ravaged by anger oceans and seas and survivors will hide in under ground burrows and caves crying for a quick death thinking the world is literally coming to an end. But no, this is not the end it is the announcement of the "Wrath of the Lamb".
This is not the second coming, no, it is the announcement of "Their Wrath" -- this is only the beginning of correcting mankind. One thing is certain, this will happen before the return of our Savior -- before His coming. This will uncover the false preachers and teacher of the Rapture doctrine teaching the fear of an Imminent return attempting to deceive you into a false sense of security and comfort.
The problem, of course, is when this happens it will not matter, a "told you so" moment will mean nothing. You need to be prepared for this event, mentally and especailly spiritually. This coming is not the about the Imminent coming of our Savior but the Imminent coming of the Wrath of the Lamb -- this will precede His coming, and it may be by several years, which will lead to once faithful believers in the Rapture to bcoming the "scoffers" of the "end-days".
(Rev 6:16) They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
(Rev 6:17)
For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
(2Pe 3:3-4)
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. KJV
A prophet? Me? No way! I am not telling you something I made up. I have seen no visions and I'm not hearing voices in my head. I do not have to go into a trance to receive this information but I do have to be a little bit of help. I get my information from a very reliable source, a source that seems to confuse some but if accepted as "truth" will become a trust worthy guide into what is to come. Yes, I'm speaking of the Holy Bible, the book our Savior said were the words of His Father (Rev 1:1, John 8:26)
It may seem a little nutty to tell anyone about this and for those that think I'm nuts then this is not for you. I make no apologies and if you hear what you don't want to hear then go your own way but if you hear and take this to heart then please read on and I pray this will not frighten you but will instill a sense of urgency in your studies, in your prayer (talks with) you Heavenly Father in spiritual preparation for that time. If you are unfortunate enough to be alive at the time this "great quake" hits this earth remember, it is the "wrath of the Lamb" and is an event to stop the "abomination" which, in fact, will save many lives of the Children of God.
No one should desire this time, of course, but as the Earth reels in birth pains looking forward to the coming of our Lord YaHshua, the Lamb, copming to stop the madness of menh, don't remember my words but remember the Scripture I present and comment on. Repent while there is still time. Stop the worship of the false Messiah of the false Christianity and remember, all that call on the Name of our Savior will find salvation -- still you may find yourself in a tough situation -- many believers will have to give up their lives (Rev 6:11). To escape this time will be a blessing, indeed. To believers that see this coming and can, if possible, are able to imagine what it will be like, even with our Father's protection, we should not have a desire to want to be there, and that is why, out of His mercy, for those of for those of the 6th era Church of faithful believers, those having not "denied" His Name, YaHshua makes this promise:
"I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the WHOLE WORLD" Rev 3:10, (NIV).
It is my belief that this is not referring to a "taking away" as the "Rapturist" teach but of "death". Yes, the only escape for the flesh is death. No one can enter the Kingdom unless he dies first and this should be understood by believers and not denied, we must all die, of that there is not escape (John 1:18; 3:13, 1 John 4:12, 1 Cor 15:50). Those of this era, just before the Wrath, will have died and gon to the grave, being spared this terrible time. Others will go on into the 7th era and will have to prove themselves in the great temptation and deceptions of the False Prophet and the Beast. But first, the "Great Quake" a coming desolation that is only the beginning.
The Hour of Trial
We need to understand a few things before we dive into the rest of the story concerning the "Great Quake". we should be concerned with the people in the Body of the Christ -- alive and dead. We should want to know where we may or may not be when this great event shakes the earth -- the whole earth. We also need to know the attitude and position of those having to endure those days. Let's cover some points to get a better picture of the conditions leading up to the "great earthquake". Then we will get back into the "quake" -- the earth shaking event as never before seen. You see, the "great quake" of the 6th Seal is to occur after the "tribulation of those days" (Mat 24:20-30), so we need to cover some pre-quake attitudes.
Everyone Wants to be the Philidelphia Body
The generation of the Philidelphia Body of believers, in my opinion, will have died off before the Great Quake and this is, I think, what is meant by keeping them from 'the hour of trouble". The people of the "rapture" teaching want to tell you "being kept from the hour of trouble" is being taken to Heaven -- the raptured.
Please, let me explain: I"m not speaking of "eternal death" but of a death of the flesh -- to be kept from the "hour of trial", or the "hour of trouble", the "tribulation" as some have it. It will be the end of the Philadelphia era (branch) of the Body of the Messiah, that generation, leaving the Laodicean era, or branch, or generation of the Church. We see the Laodicea era (branch) rising behind, or after, the Philadelphia Church. Many of the Laodicea generation will have come out of the Philidelphia, or will have rubbed shoulders with the gerneration of Philidelphia as it passes away leaving the Laodicea members to suffer the "time of trouble" -- they will be that "generation" to see the rise of the Beast (Mat 24:34). It is my belief that being a member of the Philadelphia branch, or generation, we will go to the grave, our spirits being held in a safe place until it is "completed" -- asleep in death (Acts 13:36, 1 Th 4:14), awaiting the return of our Savior, to meet Him in the clouds above the earth as He journies toward the Mount of Olives in His descent (Zec 14:4).
This time of waiting for the return or our Savior is going to be determined by a number: "until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed" (Rev 6:11). This will happen within the era of the Laodicea branch. It is obvious from the context that the Laodicea people do not escape correction (Rev 3:16) (Mat 24.
Laodicean Brothers and Sisters
Read it my friends, many of the Laodicean brothers and sisters are going to be spit out -- He is going to allow them to be "refined in the fire" so they might see their nakedness and realize they are not rich as they convinced themselves. He is going to put them through the "hour of trouble". Remember, nowhere is it said they are not His people, quite the contrary, it is those He loves that He chastens (Heb 6:12). He is going to save them for their brash assumptions, thinking they are rich in spirit and have need of nothing, deceived in their own minds -- their faith will be tested. But, He is going to heal them as they repent.
I am sorry for those in that time, those who willing abandon their faith and curse God our Father, or YaHshua because of this trial and trouble they must endure, but it will be for their own good. We should pray for those having to endure this correction and we must not be so complacent to assume we are worthy to escape, no, our only attribute seems to be we have not "denied His Name" (Rev 3:8), but we should not be so brash as to assume we are in the Philidelphia period, or that we are of the Philidelpha Church either (I know I write as if we are). We should pray we are not of the Laodiceans, that we have not and will not ever deny His Name, as it appears the Laodiceans have done. I repeat -- We must never deny His true identity, His Birth Name -- that is what seems to separate the Philidelphians from the Laodiceans. Again, let me remind you, the Laodicean people are people belonging to the Messiah, they are His, but have deceived themselves into thinking they are spiritually rich when they are not.
For those teaching the "rapture" the Laodicea poses a real problem -- these are undeniable people of God, worshipers and professors of the Messiah of the bible and we see no evidence of a "rapture" here. It is those teaching the "Rapture Doctrine" teach we are livinging the 'end days" how do they explain the Laodicean people? For starters they assume, they, those pinning their hopes on the "rapture" are the Philidelphians. They have already deceived themselves into believing something bases on the most flimsy evidence -- their own wishful desires. Do the believers of the "rapture" proclaim the birth Name of our Savior? They do not, they call on a completely different name, so they cannot be the Philidelphians. Pretty simple, if you ask me.
Please bear with me as this has to do with the Great Quake, it really does, as we need to establish a time and a place and an attitude as seen in the days to come. What will the people be doing and thinking when this event happens. The is the possibility I am wrong about the Philidelphians having all died off before the "Great Quake". It is quite possible both groups will be present, one with supernatural protection and the other having to endure the trial and tribulation. Please stick with me as I develope this line of thinking -- the purpose being to encourage you to mentally strengthen yourself and to to be ready, spiritually, for some unusually times ahead.
They Deny His Name
They, Laodiceans, think they are spiritually rich but are not, they do not have the Name, nor do not know His true identity, and in the eyes of YaHshua they are "pitiful and poor". His advice to them is to "buy from Him gold" but how is this possible until they can call on the "HIM" personally. He says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock" (Rev 3:20). When someone knocks what do you say, "Who is it", right? And you wait for an answer, right? It is all about "identity" my friends. Knock, knock, Who is it? YaHshua, and you say, "Sorry, I don't know any YaHshua" (2 Cor 11:4). Yes, of course, but to another name they would open the door, to anme that is not His Name. Many will see the error of this as they pass through the fire, but many will not, some becoming scoffers (2 Pet 3:3, Jude 1:18, Acts 13:40-14).
Certainly you can worship the Creator and you can use His Words, His written Words as your guide but you cannot and must not deny Him -- the time is coming, especially for those of the Laodicea branch, when those that think they have it all will find they do not and will have to answer that knock on the door, hearing the answer of who it is on the other side. Hello, who is it? YaHshua, your Savior! You will have to respond with, "Please, come in". The Laodicean will be members that have not seen the need to place any significants on our Saivor's identity, after all, they are rich in spirit, or so they think. Sound familiar? Certainly the Philidelphians will see the Laodiceans but I doubt the Laodiceans will recognize those to the Philidelians, or perhaps some will but only as some odd balls, or Messianic cultists crazy about jewish names and such.
Modern Prophets
The Modern prophets of today specialize in writing fictional accounts of the "end-times" and in their dreams fool even themselves into believing they are saving souls. However, the only saving to be done is by our Heavenly Father and through His Son, YaHshua. Before we go any further I would like to present a condensed version of what the modern 'prophets" (prophecy teachers) are teaching today. It may vary from teacher to teacher but the main line of thinking is pretty much the same. It is qall about the "end-times" and the events to transpire before ethe "Great Quake".
12 Basic Points Taught by Modern Prophet &Teachers of the End-Times
1. Earth quakes in diverse places -- citing numerous sources for the increase in quake activity. (Mat 24) The actual number of increase in earthquakes is highly overstate by many teaching this as one of the "end-time" signs. From records kept over the last 100 years it has been shown that earthquakes are actually on a decline. Another thing to consider, which hardly any of the "rapturist" do, is our Savior says "different places" which could mean not in the usual places one would expect.
2. Wars and rumors of wars -- evidence in the news nearly every day about some disturbance somewhere.
Like "earthquakes in diverse places" so it is with "wars and rumors of wars" statements our Savior made, certainly, but as a process that has been from the beginning of mankinds social order.
3. Society will be like in the days of Noah -- everyone going merrily about their business. What is ignored in this teaching is what it was really like in the "days of Noah". Remember, while the ark was being built and the flood come there was no one except Noah with faith, worshiping the true God.
4. Imminent return of the Christ better not pout, better not cry, better be good, because Jesus is coming to town and at any moment.
There is a sense of fear being interjected into the "end-time" message, something not shared by the teaching of John -- 1John 4:18
5. Secret return of the Christ -- evidence of this will be the disappearance of thousands of good Christians (Rapture?) vanished into thin air, leaving their clothes behind whoosh, gone. But is it a secret, really? How could such and event be a secret. This teaching is again a method of fear indoctrination and for those finding comfort in the belief they will not have to endure any hardship ignoring the "first and last" teachings of our Savior -- Matthew 19:30
6. Three years (or seven) of living in Heaven --tribulation period (time of trouble) from which the believer is promised to escape Rev 3:10 -- the Philadelphia church, not those poor Laodicean. The admission of living in the time of Laodicean, the "end-time" church, but claiming the rapture believers are really the Philadelphians.
7. The Beast takes over Jerusalem and claims himself god -- false treaty made with Israel and the World. Is it a man, or is it a government, or both?
8. False Prophet gets everyone to worship the Beast and to receive his number -- great cashless society?
Many of the rapture teachers identify the 'False Prophet" as the Pope -- not the first time the Pope has received this title, but is it the Pope or some other religious leader, some other religion?
9. 144,000 Jews will preach the gospel -- the two prophets, mention in Revelation 11, represent the 144,000? Some go so far to teach the 144,000 is the Christian Church on Earth (Replacement Theology) but where would the "rapture" figure in? Others teach these are Israelite virgins receiving special protection? And still others teach these are blood Israelites that have not defiled themselves with false religion -- the Woman Babylon, a religion having seduced the whole world, but not them. These are then spiritual virgins -- Messianic Israelites -- believers in YaHshua as Messiah. (I personally favor the latter opinion, they are spiritual virgins and may include both male and female -- click here for my views on the 144,000)
10. Last half of the 7 years (3.5 years) the Christ returns with those He took away in the secret rapture (3.5 or 7 years prior -- your pick) and destroys the Beast and the False Prophet casting them into the Lake of Fire to live eternally in pain. I have a problem with the idea the dead can be living, or be burned up but not burned up forever. To me eternal life is a gift and eternal death is just that, death.
11. The Judgment -- the wicked get what's coming to them a new life in the "lake of fire". A life eternal in the lake of fire, or the fiery hell? Again, it really is nonsense to say you live in evernal pain when you die, or are put to death, or are burned up. (Mal 4:3)
12. Now we all go to Heaven ?? Or, Heaven comes here? Or, some of both? Reading the last two chapters of Revelation it is obvious the Kingdom is coming here, we are not going there. Any sensible mind can read what it says and has been saying for over 1900 years. This is a good demonstration of how men hear only what they want to hear, even when it is so plain -- on the "new earth" the Father will come here.
I know, these 12 points are pretty simplistic and things are much more complicated than what I have presented. Many books have been written on the subject of the "end-times" and there is just enough difference in them to make your head spin, but the general teaching of the "end-time" view, as seen by the modern prophecy teachers, is pretty much as I have listed above, and I'm sure there are many more variations of the same theme. Some of the differences between the modern prophets are slight, some not so slight. The differences are not in the scripture as the word does not change in respect to its message and messages. The differing opinions are just that, "opinions" turned to false truths (false truth?). Some of the misunderstandings are borne out of desire -- expressed opinions presented as fact -- uncovering the desire hidden in the human nature to live without sacrifice, without pain -- to escape the coming "time trouble" -- the coming Great Quake -- Oh, wait, almost everyone is ignoring this coming event.
The Preparation
The fact of the matter, according the the Scripture God is coming here -- please read Revelation Chapter 21. But, before He does, He is going to prepare the earth and man for His arrival. There is going to be a "time of trouble" completely out of the control of men, and the witnesses of YaHshua will be present to witness what happens and many will have to suffer the "trouble" to come, to be refined, if you will. Being refined -- purchasing spiritual gold from their Savior as they see their nakedness. Still others entering this period will abandon their faith and begin to scoff, "Where is the promise of His coming?" (2 Pet 3:3-4), while others will accept what is happening as part of the process in preparing the earth ready for His arrival and for the placing of evil in bondage. Opinions rage as truth and fiction become fact -- this is the world we presently live in -- a mixture of fiction and truth.
Mere Opinions Taught as Fact -- Fiction sold as truth
It is because of these "opinions" the prophetic word will not be understood until the fulfillment actually happens, along with the fact being, much of the prophetic word dealing with the "end-days" is not meant to be understood, not until it happens. Even after the event of the "Great Quake" (Rev 6:12) many will not understand, it will merely be an act of nature to most, but those called of the Father to YaHshua will know better. We, as followers can, however, know advance enough to keep from falling for the false prophet's traps, such as the false teaching that our Lord Yahshua can come at any moment (Imminent Return doctrine). The believer knowing He will not come until certain things, documented in His written word, happen first.
Be Ready
We must be ready to question and to test every spirit, whether of man or angel, so we are not fooled by the false miracles (2 Cor 11:13-15, Mat 24:24, Rev 19:20). W time is coming, a point of not return, when our Heavenly Father will pour out a strong delusion upon the world.
(2Th 2:9-11)
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
The Messiah will not come today and I can safely say, by the testimony of His word He will not be here tomorrow either. How do I know this? Simple, I believe what is written in His word -- I listen to what the Scripture has to say, not the words of men. I know, I know, you want proof, after all how can all of these wonderful men of god be wrong? Perhaps they are listening to the wrong god -- what a thought, you think, maybe?Remember, there many gods and many lords, Satan himself is called the god of this world (I Cor 8:5, II Cor 4:4).
He Will Not Come Before The Great Quake!
It cannot be denied, certain things must happen before the Messiah will return, things that have not happened yet, things like the Great Earth Quake, but I don't want to jump the gun -- too easy. Let's do a little reasoning first --Our Savior, YaHshua, had some things to say about the end of man's rule while under the influence of Satan and his demons. It seems only reasonable, then, to consult the Master.
"Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, I am the Christ, and deceive many. 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." (Matthew 24:4-6; Mark 13:7; Luke21:9)
Now ask yourself, how does that square with the doctrine of the "Imminent Return"? It doesn't, not one iota, as we hear the Messiah telling us, "the end is still to come". The Modern prophets of today like to bleed over news of wars, rumors of wars, another earthquake, one here another over there -- in Turkey, Japan and various places the world over, Just as our Messiah said. But wait, these areas have been having earthquakes forever, so, what is "diverse" or "different about earthquakes in places historically known for quakes? I'm thinking if we apply our Savior's statement to the "end-times" we should be looking for "earthquakes" in different places -- places not known, or not having experienced earthquakes normally. In reading Revelation 6, and the 6th Seal, I would say unusual earthquake occurances would be a precursor to the worldwide event to strick this earth. Imagine, the world is about to be struck, globally, shaken to its core, then doesn't it make sense a precursor to such and event would be termors and quakes in the most unusual places? The modern prophets of tosay use the scare tactic of an imminent return turn the words of our Lord into speculations taught as truth -- this false truth will lead to the "scoffers" -- to believers turning their back on the faith once delivered.
His Imminent Return?
Their proof we are living in the "end days" -- wars and romors of wars, and earth quakes in differnet places -- and by this we know His return is "imminent"? The return of the Messiah has to be at any "moment", they say, more than ever before, they say, just look at the news. The truth is, when we see these things, we are not to be fearful for the END IS NOT YET, it is "still to come"! You see, my friends, when the "end" does come -- when we are in those very days -- it will most definitely be something fearful, something like never before experienced, like the "flood" in Noah's day -- suddenly -- but it will not be the false hope of millions of Christians vanishing (the Rapture). No, my friends, a Great Quake is coming, like never before experienced since the history of man, an event mankind has no control over. Man can build bombs and can be very destructive but what man can do cannot begin to be compared to what our Heavenly Father can do with this earth. The jarring quake will disturb the surface of this world so much great plumbs of dust will rise inot the atmosphere followed by huge spiraling columns of smoke from volcanic action awakened by the sudden movement. Fault lines, old and new disturbing the oceans as to creat giant tidal waves, mega tsunami the world over. Mountains will litterally be moved out of place, changing boundries, Islands will shift and I fear few will survive the island life. This kind of power makes a mockery of man's infantile weapons, but will he listen?
(Rev 6:12)
I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, (NIV)
(Rev 6:13-14)
And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
It is not the Messiah's coming that is "imminent" it is the coming of this Great Earthquake. You can study the news, investigate the secret societies, apply the mark of the Beast to one and all, see the hidden messages in the Bible, code and decode, but when that "quake" hits this EARTH it is going to be worldwide and beyond our imagination, but not the imagination of the scriptures. This warning, like that of Noah's warning, has been in plain sight for thousands of years. It is not just the New Testament that speaks of the whole earth being moved.
(Isaiah 24:20) The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. KJV
Note: "removed like a cottage" - in looking at Strong's definitions (#5410- and #4412) for "remove" and "cottage" is becomes plain that this is another terrible rendering by the KJV. The sense here is the earth, 'like a drunkard" will rock, or sway back and forth. The NIV has, "It sways like a hut in the wind", a much better translation.
(Isaiah 24:23)Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. KJV
(Haggai 2:6) For thus saith the LORD (YHWH) of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land
To the New Testament Bible student the verses just quoted should sound familiar as The Messiah had something to say concerning that very same subject. Please notice, Isaiah 24:23 speaks of a time our LORD(YHWH) is to rule from Zion, so we have a pretty good idea His coming has something to do with heavenly, and earthly signs, warnings of the coming of the "Day of YHWH" (Day of the LORD).
(Joe 2:28-32)
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: (My Note: Acts 2:16-20 -- Peter quotes these verses of Joel, but interestingly, he leaves off this last part) for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD (YHWH) hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. (note: remnant usually means a small number, or, what is left over)
The Outpouring
The apostle Peter, in quoting from Joel (Acts 2:17) plainly states these events are for the "end days", also referred to as 'the day of YHWH". Peter, as well as the other Apostles thought they were living in the "end days" but they, as we know, were not and the clue is in Peter's quote, leaving the last part off (see above). While this verse could be used by Peter to support what they all were witnessing it has a secondary appication. Peter and the other Apostles were witnessing a growth in believers and saw no evidence of becoming a "remnant" as they were the first and expanding, thousands being converted in that one day. and please note, the final "outpouring" will not be on just the believer, it will not be on just the converts and servants of YaHshua, but upon "all people", and this is to happen just before the "great quake" of the 6th Seal.
Remember the "strong delusion" we are told about (2 Th 2:9-11)? The outpouring of this delusion could very well be this event. Look at Matthew 24:24 where we are told of "many false Christs", and "many false prophets" showing signs and wonders making it nearly possible to deceive even the "elect". Dreaming dreams and seeing visions on such a scale could easily mislead millions, especially those of the world having denied the Creator and Savior. How will the "servants" of God handle this outpouring of His Spirit on the whole of mankind? It would be virtually impossible to convince someone of the truth you follow if they are already convinced they have the truth. While your faith may be strengthened by this addtional reception of the Spirit so will the followers of a false truth be strengthened. This will lead up to the "Abomination that caused desolation" spoken of by our Savior, YaHshua (Mat 24:15 NIV). Everyone will be willing to follow a "false prophet" into the worship of the Beast (Rev 13:4, 13:16). If every religion suddenly is able to see visions and dream dreams wouldn't this be enough to convince them they have the right religion. This would also enforce the the false idea, taught by many, that we are all looking and worshiping the same god, only in different ways. This, my friends, is a true deception and this coming out-pouring will lead to a massive delusion.
His Return will Be After the Great Earthquake
It appears there will be as many as 6 earthquakes each announcing a major event, but it is the 1st of these 6 we are concerned with at this writing (For more detail on the other 5 quakes -- see Part 2). The 1st Great Quake associated with the 6th Seal is yet to happen and is a "sign" of the wrath of the Lamb", it is not His coming -- still future. Again, this is not His return, but a "sign" of His coming to claim authority over the earth -- to rule out of Zion from His Holy Hill.
(Luke 21:25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
(Mat 24:29)
Immediately after the distress of those days 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
Haggai 2:6 This is what the LORD (YHWH) Almighty (of Host) says: " in a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land";
Read the three verses following (Haggai 2:6) and the context demonstrates that this is a brief, very brief, mentioning of the future when, or just before, our Messiah comes and forces "peace" in Jerusalem. The interesting thing is the understanding that He will "once more shake the heavens and the earth". Okay, so this is not some great revelation but what it does suggest is that there will be more than one "quake" that will shaking the earth and the heavens. Of course there is the possibility that the Earth and the Heavens were shaken once before, before our recorded history and this may be the language here, letting us know that there is evidence of a great earthquake from the past and as it happened once before it is going to happen again. The point is, there is going to be a massive quake in the future, perhaps the very near future, and it will seem as if the end of the earth is at hand.
(Rev 6:15)
Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
More than One
When I started this writing I knew of the Great Quake to come (mentioned in Revelation 6:12), a quake of such magnitude as to change the topography of the earth creating a whole new and different geo-political environment. But, in the back of my mind I recalled scripture of an earthquake that divides Jerusalem and of the survivors escaping through a passage created by this quake and the in that one day 7,000 would die in Jerusalem (Rev 11:13) -- this quake, this splitting of Jerusalem demonstrates another "quake". It differs from the Great Quake of the 6th Seal and occurs at the return of Messiah when He makes war on the Nations, hose having come against Jerusalem, against His people. The timing of this second quake can be seen in verse 11, the two witnesses are raised to life and rise to meet Him. Notice, this quake is called a "severe quake" (NIV) and it seems to be a local event not a worldwide occurance. (I have written more on this and the number of earthquakes in Part 2).
The people that survive this quake centered in Jerusalem are taken to a place of safety while our Lord takes care of business, facing the angery nations. There is, however, the coming of a Great Quake of the 6th Seal before the "severe quake" to strick Jerusalem. It is the earthquake of the 6th Seal that will change everything and make way for the coming of the Beast government and the False Prophet operating in the power of Satan. There is a proclaimation by our Savior, concerning a time of Great Distress, that is to occur just prior to this Great Quake -- the opening of the 6th Seal, the announcement of our Lord's wrath will follow right on the heels of this event.
(Mat 24:29) Immediately after the distress of those days 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
These days of "distress" occur as a result of something or someone going to the Temple Mount and doing something that causes desolation -- pushes these events inot place, but will it be recognized by the world? I don't think it will be seen for what it is but once this happens then the Great Quake occurs. And all of this before our Savior returns. The Great Quake is the opening of the 6th Seal, and the "sign", not yet the coming of our Savior. The world will see the "sign" of His coming in the Heavens. The earth will literally be shake to its very foundations and then signs in the heavens, men will hide, some will die of fright and others will curse the God of the Heavens.
The Distruction of Gog and Magog -- at the End of the 1000 years -- not before
There is another earthquake of worldwide proportions and this one has to do with Gog and Magog and it seems this quake occurs at a time when Gog, identified by many as Russia, comes from the North with many other nations to attack Israel. Read Ezekiel 38:1-16 and see the context how in verse 8 it is said the people of Israel, brought out of the nations, are living in safety -- that is certainly not today. It speaks of Israel living safely without walls (Modern Israel has been working on building walls, not taking them down) and a "great quake" apparently stopping Gog and his company of nations in their tracks, then they are destroyed, not by the forces of Israel but by their protector, YHWH, and our Savior Yahshua. This has to be after the Messiah has come and at the end of the 1000 years of peace as there is no other time Israel is to enjoy this kind of protection. We see this in the book of Revelation, timing of this event:
Rev 20:7-9 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.
The separation of the events as I see them, are as follows:
1. The Great Earthquake mentioned in Revelation 6 of world-wide proportions. Right after the Great Distress of Matthew 24 - Chistian, Jewish persecution (also Rev 6:11)? This Great Quake will put a stop to the "abomination that causes desolation". In reading Mathew 24 you will notice the Temple is not really mentioned, only the "Holy Place", which would be Mount Moriah (MorYaH) -- it is only assumed by modern prophets that this is referring to the Temple.
2. More earthquakes are next seen in connection with the the Return or our Savior -- announcements of certain events. Rev 8:5 ushers in the Seven Trumpets after a a period of time mentions as 'about 1/2 hour'. I have determined this 1/2 hour of silence may total about 21 years (see Part 2)
3. Another severe earthquake mentioned in Revelation 11:13 at the time of the two prophets resurrection. This particular quake is centered in the region of Jerusalem, and precedes the immediate return of our Savior. The Resurrection, not a silent Rapture, is going to b a very noise event precede by an earthquake.
4. A fourth earthquake strikes in answer to the nations anger with what is happening to them. This earthquake is is accompanied by a Great Hailstorm. And men will curse the God of Heaven.
5: A fifth earthquake that will be even greater than the quake of the 6th seal. In this Quake every city will fall to the ground and, in this case, unlike the great Quake of the 6th Seal, the mountains and Islands are more than moved or shifted about they are brought down and the Islands are no more. This is associated with the punishment of the Babylonian system, the political system man has accepted over the rule of our Creator.
6. A 6th earthquake encompassing all of the surrounding territory of Israel, stopping Gog and his company of nations in preparation of their destruction by fire, a fire from heaven. Revelation 20:7-9 and Ezekiel 38:18, notice this "great quake" is in the land of Israel and the timing of this at the end of the thousand years. Most prophecy teachers are teaching the Christian community that Gog is going to attack Israel before the Messiah returns, ignoring the plain statement of Revelation 20. This is not to say Israel will not be attacked before this but this event associated with Gog and Magog is the finale, the real "end". (6 earthquakes announcing unusual events, two, #1 and #5 will be like never before seen in human history)
There is much more that can be written on this subject and I hope to have a follow up article later (see Great Quake Part 2). But for now it is my purpose to encourage you to understand that before our Savior will come there will be a "Great Earthquake" as never before seen nor recorded in the history of mankind. Our Messiah's coming is not "imminent" as some teach. This teaching of the "imminent" return is building false hope in a false salvation. You must be ready for this world wide event knowing our Father in heaven and our Savior have not abandon us. Knowing it is not the end of the World but only a new beginning. Will YaHshua find faith when He returns (Luke 18:8)? We certainly pray that He does, that there will be those prepared mentlly and spiritually to accept what is to come and to endure to the end and are able to stand in that day.
Hopefully this article will lead some to an awakening of truth that will strengthen and dispel false hope in anything other than our Savior and hold up the Word as their guide, hanging the testimony of YaHshua about our necks and in their hearts and mouths. When we see the prophecy teacher's proclamations fail and a world tipped up side to side we will hang in there knowing the time is near but "not yet". It is the "Great Earthquake" we need to watch for, knowing everything after that will fall into place. This event, this calamity, may be far enough into the future as to possibly not be anything we, this generation, will witness while in the flesh. Then again we may have to endure the Great Quake but I believe that the generation of true believers in this generation will have died before the Beast is established and the "time of trouble" (Tribulation period) begins.
If you want to watch for something watch for the Great Earthquake. Will you be one to hide in the rocks and caves of the earth, out of fear, crying for destruction? Certaily it will be a time of trouble, but it is neseccary in order to stop the attemped annihilation of God's holy people, both Israel and the Saints. this would be the Great Quake of the 6th seal putting a stop to this event that "causes desolation". The 6th earthquake, centered around the "camps of the Saints" will be part of put an end to Go-Magog and Satan in their attempt to overthrow the people and saints of the Creator, once and for all ending, not only Satan's rebellion, but that of men also.
I do not know of anyone teaching this view when, to me, it seems pretty plain that certain events have to happen before our Messiah can, or will, come back. It is the proof of His Words that we know He is the Savior and that our Heavenly Father is in charge, their words are true.
It is the orginal lie of Satan, "surely you shall not die", and true enough, when Eve took a bite of the forbidden and she did not fall over dead, but she did seal her fate concerning eternity. this is like the false teaching of the "rapture", surely you won't have to suffer, Satan will say, but in the end you may face things you are not spiritually prepared to face. Like the Laodicean Church, thinking they are rich but are naked and poor.
If you are one believing in the "Rapture Doctrine" and in the teaching of the "Imminent Return" I pray this writing has given you enough to take a deeper look. The Rapturist teachers are in the process of changing the teaching of the Apostles concerning the "Resurrection" even to the point of replacing the term "resurrection" with the bogus term, "rapture". They are also attempting to do an end run around those that see the truth of this by saying that the 1st century Church did not have this newly revealed knowledge. they are beginning to teach the Rapture is and end-time teaching only undstood in our time. Yes, my friends, it is true, they are attempting to rewrite scripture. They dare to suggest this is "newly revealed" knowledge from our Heavenly Father, not understood until now. Hey, if someone tells you the God of Heaven gave you certain information, even if it contradicts what is written, then how can you argue agasint it? After all, the God of Heaven revealed it to them -- or did He? How are you to know except by the "written Word"?
If they speak -- well, let the Word speak --
(Isa 8:20)
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
(2Co 11:13-15) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of (the) Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Click here for Great Quake Part 2
email: servant@yahshuaservant.com Your servant, Dan Baxley