First may I say that this is fun, And no matter what, I can see exactly where you have gathered your belief.
Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
You are not connecting the dots. John is given a rod like unto a reed, and Christ is never cast into the winepress which is described, as there is but one that runneth to and fro. You see the winepress is the symbol of judgement and "knowing" the very things we are now discussing (and I give unto you New wine) and there is but one who has seen and shall prophecy again. Christ is the one that will cast the fruit into the press, John is the only one who knows. (and in that day not one shall know the truth) Ever wonder why the word Blod is used as coming from a press designed for wine? Written in Blood means carnal fact. And while carnal facts flow from those who thought they knew, no wine or spiritual facts are mentioned at all. Real Blood will never run bridle deep to a horse it is to say that the rider will be up to his knees in sterile facts.
BTW, this is at his grand return! Seemingly fulfills Psa 2:9
Now we are getting somewhere! "I shall send unto thee..."
And let's look at the rest of that reference to back up what was said above about the winepress.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
[qoute]
Now let me show you some history in reverse, as in the future....
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again
until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Are we agreed this will be the millinium?
No.
The millennium crossed time in the year 2000 and will again appear in the year 3000. And while the reign of Christ will indeed be 1 thousand years or "a" millenium it actually does not coincide with "the" millenium.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Here we are, ruling and reigning with Christ
Here we are?
You see there are those who have been good and worthy from the start, and there are those who have not, but who did come to prefer righteousness over temptation. And while the rewards for the difference will only be to have those who understand how hard it was and how righteous one would have to be to look up to the effort and stature, those who reign with the Best (The Father and the Son) are those who were not perfect but who were at all times righteous.
Rev 14:
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.
Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired (that is AFTER the 1,000 years), Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Behold, nation(s)! So here we have it in black and white...Every nation is not destroyed at Christ glorious return. Only those who worship the beast.
Oh you are good, but again it does not hold up.
And He said unto them, " Go not out of the city ".
And you are refering to the time of judgement and afterwards when His are gathered and separated from the rest of the world, and there is nothing they (those left out) can do about it. They know because the second death (which is the death of the spiritual wisdom man has long enjoyed) comes just after they know they do not have a chance. Imagine the outrage and anger to finally know you are not and will never be one of the wheat. The only time this is certain is at the end of the 1000 years when you become as the carnal man and lose the wisdom of the spirit that brought Adam to his feet naming and knowing and different from all the rest. Of course during the reign there are still carnal men outside the city doing everything they can to get in, but they are own their own. And if you knew "God" was right next door would you understand why evil was in check for a very long time?
You are not alone in your view here TC. There are many who don't see the woman of Rev 12 as Israel. While I am open when it comes to things that are not clear, I am pretty convinced about this one because scripture backs it up.
Actually it does not.
Israel saw it's inhabitants and it's honour cast unto the furthest nation to return at the end of days. Sometimes you can understand best by simple wisdom. Pick up a globe and run a sword through it and see where it comes out.
Rev 12:5 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.
There can only be one manchild who who fulfills this prophecy along with Rev 19:15 and Psa 2:5. There is no other who can. Seems to me you've got a lot of reconsiling to do to have America giving birth to the King of Kings.
I like that.
But again not knowing is the hardest part of seeing. You seem to intentionally overlook the coming of the one to prepare the way. From two angels with a sickle, all the way to prophecy before many peoples and nations and tongues and kings (here is where I mention the hint that the waters are many peoples and tongues etc, and she rules over the kings...) Elias truely shall come first, and they knew He meant John? Where have you put all of the scripture that reveals the events prior to the return of the Lord?
A "little book" - or - another book was opened...
Learn thee the parable of a fig tree, while ( His Branch )?
Learn thee a parable of the fig tree, while ( Her Branch )?
This is no mistake. It is one of the biggest hints provided by the Lord of the meaning. He sends him from the Father, he is borne unto the woman of many waters. And yes, while it may be hard to understand and believe I can share the biggest hint of all. There are three that bear record of heaven, and the Revelation of Christ is given unto John - who bear record. And when the Comforter comes whom I shall send unto thee - The Comforter is the Holy Ghost - Blasphemy of Christ is forgiven but blasphemy of the Holy Ghost is not - I can not figure out what you have done with large portions of scripture that will clearly show you that the one to come first and to Rock the world is not Christ. Of course sadly most of the rocking is to make them mad. Not on purpose but who are you to tell me my belief is faulty? (You understand) But what if one comes and tells it like it is meant and the entire world says NO WAY! And then Christ comes - like a thief - and says it was Truth. How embarrassing and hard to deny...
I'm still puzzled as to how you are making the women of chapter 12 the harlot of Revelation 17. One is protected by God, yet the other is destroyed.
Two women. Not the same woman. In 12 the beast is identified and in 17 again. In 12 the beast wants the child and makes war with the remnant of the womans seed. (The people are the seed of the Nation) In 17 the great city is stained with the blood of that seed, drunken. And the city is doomed because it turns it's back on it's own. The people...
And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Babylon - DC - Iraq - It doesn't matter as they both have the same king in the time appointed...( don't they? Who rules in Iraq now - really? )
Rev 17:5.
Now we get to have some fun!!!
Remember this is a name on the forehead. And on the forehead usually means on the mind. The woman - city - wants to stop the man child who is caught up unto God because with what he can reveal and say, he can stop the plans and deceptions of the city - the other woman is the target of the attack by the hand of the beast that will profit from the city getting it's way - the UN (happening now by the way, but not done yet)
Anyway. Back to the parable:
MYSTERY, - the first word and let me point out the comma. It is on purpose and very important!
BABYLON THE GREAT, - another comma, and the second word of the parable.
The MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH - mother is that which gives birth, so we are looking for what gives birth to the items described.
Let's see if you can answer the parable with a little help.
The MYSTERY of ? (not the woman but the entire Mystery)
BABYLON THE GREAT - in this portion of the tale is babylon coming or going? "Great" is to tie in the GREAT city that falls and goes up in smoke.
The MOTHER - what gives birth to things and usually uses naughty girls to promote it's wares?
If you get the first and last word of the three the middle will fill itself in. That is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.
What is on the womans mind as she goes down?
Thank you for the chance to try your patience and demeanor above the trial of belief. It is rare to find one who does not instantly go ballistic if their take is challenged.
In your service.
John.