| (Copyright 2022) by Rich Traver (Clifton, Colorado) |
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| The Book of Revelation might be referred to as “The Book of Two Women”. Satan being deeply involved with one of them and Intent on destroying the other. Especially interesting is the Earth’s Peoples’ Reaction to them both. As this generation approaches what has been called “the end of this present age”, Satan is described as being in a state of panic, knowing that he has but a short time remaining. That awareness would leave us with the realization that desperation would ensue and that he would do all in his power to effect chaos and mayhem while he still is able. Casting Out a Great Flood In Revelation chapter 12, we have this dramatic scene: “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. [13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. [14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. [15] And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. [16] And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. [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.” A Careful Overview Now, let’s look at this prophecy more analytically. “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” So, at some point, there’s a consequential change as it regards Satan and his agents having access to God. He is ‘cast to earth’ where his last struggle to retain the influence he has had since the Garden of Eden will ensue; perhaps breaching limits imposed since the time of the Noachian Flood. [1] [13] “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.” This situation causes Satan to react against God in the only way he can at this point, to persecute the people that God loves and is working with in preparation for a new age. Satan’s wrath is going to be specifically directed at the Saints, but perhaps not only them! That may be where ‘the earth’ being helpful enters the situation. Protected in Wilderness [14] “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” Now, this time span (3½ ‘times’ (years)) correlates with those final 42 months when God’s two witnesses will be on the world stage chiding and condemning earth’s inhabitants. [15] “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” The nature of this ‘flood’ is the subject of many speculations. What comes out of someone’s mouth? Wouldn’t it be words, lying words, massively clever deceptions? That logically would lead to responses on the part of those who accept those words as truthfulness! [16] “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.” But it’s this development that’s even more difficult to explain. What is meant by ‘the earth’ and what is the form or the nature of that help? War Against Commandment Keepers! [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.” This picture is somewhat easier to envision. It identifies who this particular woman is: the peoples (the Church) of God. However, Satan becoming especially wrathful suggests his lack of success in his efforts against the Saints, specifically the Commandment-keeping ones. And we shouldn’t overlook the reference to ‘the testimony of Jesus Christ’. That too is an important qualifier! (Having the True Gospel!) But, another revelation here is that there are still Saints who aren’t under ‘wilderness protection’ that he can target as his war efforts escalate. What we need to consider is the possibility of there being a broader echelon of individuals that might fall under this ‘woman’ category. In our generation, the churches of God are in a rather weakened state. Their real ‘power’ is now scattered at best, due to a variety of divisive factors. (This was prophesied.) [2] But, are there peripheral peoples, believers to some degree at least, who might be these ‘helpful’ ones? In other words, those who we might regard as at least ‘nominal Christians’? Vanguard of Opposition Now, in our current world situation, where a behind-the-scenes overarching world power is creating and imposing control measures, strict protocols and mandates, the voices of opposition having any real effectiveness seems to be from the Religious Right, not so much the Church of God. (In fact, there are churches where their decision to remain out of the fray is their chosen approach! [3] ) Few have noticed or acknowledge that there is such an overarching world power, above individual national governing bodies, that has somehow persuaded most world governments to comply with its agenda-driven dictates. But this realization can help explain the dynamics of what is happening in the world at large right now. That same overarching power is also controlling the stream of information available to the people with bribes, blackmail, intimidation, and various other forms of coercion: This being the way that the few impose control over the many. Control the Media! Control the legislators! Add to that the control of healthcare and access to commerce, [4] we can see a dark haboob [5] rolling over unsuspecting society. Who has the incentive and means to run meaningful interference? More than that, who is in a position to ‘help’ the Saints, whether directly or indirectly? The idea of being ‘helpers’ suggests these aren’t the Saints themselves. What it does indicate is that these aren’t among the agents that Satan is using. They reflect a sentiment not present in Satan’s war efforts. This would indicate some form of kinship. Swallowed How? Another factor we need to consider in this is what it means that ‘the earth swallowed up the flood’. That would be speaking of swallowing or somehow ‘absorbing into itself’ what is being ‘issued out of Satan’s mouth’. How does the earth do that unless it’s referring to the cognitive human beings upon it? It should be apparent that these ‘helpers’ aren’t among the ‘swallowers’. That too might offer a clue. On the basis of what would they know to reject Satanic lies? (Will this ‘swallowing’ exhibit similar characteristics as did the whole of Germany swooning over Hitler in the onset of WW2?) And once swallowed, what’s the resulting situation? Does the ‘flood’ still exist after it’s been swallowed? And who is it that does the swallowing? We would have to realize that it’s the majority of peoples. Just look at the percentage of people who have fallen so wholeheartedly for the current ‘political mandates’. And what form does the ‘help’ take? Could their actions serve as a focal activity to distract attention away from the Church of God? ———————————————————————– Reprinted with permission from: Golden Sheaves https://www.goldensheaves.org/ ———————————————————————– [1] While the Ark was being prepared, there were some restrictions imposed on what the spirit world could do to influence humanity. 1st Peter 3:20 [2] Daniel 12:7 “…it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” (The same interval as Revelation 12:14.) [3] Consider the ‘lukewarm attitude’ spoken of in the last message to the Churches: Revelation 3:15-16. [4] Being unable to buy or sell! Revelation 13:14 [5] Haboobs are dust storms caused by strong winds flowing downward and outward from thunderstorms. |
| Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: “And the Earth Helped the Woman” Article by Rich Traver Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota) |
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| Please remember that all prophecy is not set in stone. As we watch the end times develop, we may have to tweak some prophecies and not others. The only thing I have to say about this particular article is as follows: Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. (KJV) Some people think that Revelation 12:12-13 is talking about Satan recently being thrown from heaven. I am not clear on whether the author of this article believes that or not. These two verses are using past tense language. Satan was in the Garden of Eden, so we know from that that Satan was cast down to the earth in the beginning, probably sometime shortly after creation week. The other point I want to add to this is that the Church of God meaning to most, those who came out of the Worldwide Church of God are the only ones that are considered as the elect? There is nothing in scripture that says that. The Saints or ecclesia are a group of people that keep the commandments of God. They are scattered throughout the world. The bigger picture here is that you are not saved because you go by the banner church of God or because you came out of the Worldwide Church of God. You have to be keeping the law of God and many of you are not doing that especially when you make up your own calendars and then put your own holy days on those calendars that you have created with your own hands with no authority from God. In this day and age, we also have many Sunday keeping churches going under the name “Church of God”. So, if any of you believe you are saved because you came out of the Worldwide Church of God or because you are in a split off group called the Church of God, I would caution you to get rid of that idea or you may be sorry in the end. The true ecclesia which consists of those who keep the commandments of God are the Church of God whereas a church group titled that may actually not have any of the true ecclesia in the whole group. |
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