Great Quake Part 1 - Removing The Fog of Religion

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Great Quake Part 1

PROPHECY
A Great Worldwide Quake (shaking) is Coming!
A Warning to the World!
Hello, anybody listening?
Opening the 6th SEAL
Part 1
The Coming Great Quake will Strike the Whole Earth
Part 1 of Part 2 & Part 3
The Sign of His Coming
By Your servant, Dan L Baxley

dan@servantsofyahshua.com
www.servantsofyahshua.com

(To those previous readers of this article -- updates have been made - June 6, 2009)
(Update -- April 20, 2023 -- Everything remains the same)
This study has been re-examined and appropriate changes made in order to remain within the Scriptures -- the Scriptures, our sure word of truth, the Book -- The Book we know as the Hebrew/Christian, inspired Writings, even words credited to have come from our Creator directly -- if we see a need to correct or adjust to the truth we need to be humble enough to do just that.

This study has been expanded with the addition of  Part 2.  Some of the material in Part 1 has been dropped, finding somethings were not  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 this research into a much larger examination of the Great Quake found in the opening of the 6th Seal, and the discovery of several other earthquakes that seem to act as benchmarks for coming events. Benchmarks, or announcements, if you will, beyond the control of mankind.

Most commentaries and commentators will tell you that the Mountains, the hills and the Islands, mentioned in the 6th seal of Revelation 6:12, are symbols for nations, large and small, and that the "Great Quake" is the shaking up of those nations.  But, is this correct?  While there is some support for this idea, in other places, and while this could apply, in part to the opening of this 6th Seal, the major point, while having an effect on all nations, the moving of mountains, hills and valleys, and Islands, will be a literal event.  Let's take a look, examining what this warning is really saying, and understand how literal it really is.

(Rev 6:12) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

Scripture does use this type of disastrous symbolism that is also meant to be taken literally, to be seen and read as something that is really going to happen, it just has not happened yet. We can see this very thing in Malachi --

(Malachi 4:1) For, behold, the day comes, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD (YHWH) of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

You might say Malachi is self-explanatory but then so is Revelation 6:12. When you read the surrounding verses it should become plain that it is speaking of actual, physical events to occur before our Savior returns. When trying to apply these events as symbolic the emphasis is removed and the warning is belittled.

Events such as these can be seen throughout man's history and no one denies this earth has suffered more than one disaster threatening to remove all live. The coming events recorded in the book of Revelation 6 will be the beginning, the "sign" of "His Wrath", that the small and the great try to hide from -- the heavens themselves will appear to be disappearing -- the end, another mass extinction, or so it will seem to those seeking a quick death, for those running to hide from what appears to be coming -- The End.  But, no, my friends, this is only the Beginning of the end, a very real, Earth shaking event, that is to happen before our Savior returns -- it is the Wrath of the coming Lamb -- it is to be the Sign of His coming, and every eye will see.  But, this opening of the 6th Seal is only the beginning, as you will see.

Announcing the Wrath of the Lamb
The coming Great Earthquakes, not one, not two, but six -- yes six -- but for now we are concerned with the "Great Quake" mentioned in Revelation 6:12, the first of many worldwide events to follow, and this one being called, The Wrath of the Lamb.  First we need to understand that the focal point of all Biblical Prophecy is Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is the City our Creator chose for Himself (Ezekiel 16:8), and this before Israel ever entered the land as a nation.  Jerusalem was present in the time of Abraham, and before.  A city chosen by YaHWeH.  A city floundering in its own muck and of questionable parentage.  He chose Jerusalem, even to this day.  For this reason, when we view the prophetic word the center view is outward from Jerusalem.  

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 worldwide event. When this "quake" shakes this world it will reel on its axis, mountains will literally be moved and Islands displaced from their original foundations all around the world.  The nations surrounding Jerusalem will be moved out of place and people of the world will run to the mountains, as great tsunamis crash inward, around the world.

The earth will shudder beneath the depths of the waters. Coastal areas will be ravaged by angry oceans and seas will rock out of their basins. Right on the heels of this "great quake" the heavens will appear as if everything is evaporating, the world coming to an abrupt end -- survivors will hide in underground burrows and caves crying for a quick death, thinking the world is literally ending. But no, this is not the end it is the announcement of the wrath -- "Wrath of the Lamb"

This is not the second coming, no, it is the announcement of "His Wrath" (some translations have their wrath, NIV, ESV, etc.) -- this is only the beginning for the correcting of mankind. One thing is certain, this will happen before the return of our Savior -- The Great Quake announcing His Wrath -- before His coming.

It is really important to understand this great event, this literal shaking of the earth and seeing it is not as merely symbolic. This event is called the 6th Seal, and is only the beginning that is announcing the "wrath", the "anger", of our Savior. This event will uncover the misguided and false preachers and teacher of the Rapture doctrine -- those teaching the fear of an Imminent return (He can come at any minute?) attempting to deceive you into a false sense of security and comfort. This doctrine is known to some as the "Escape" doctrine -- there will be no escape from this 6th Seal opening, which, in these present times, we seem to be on the brink of.  Are we, this present generation going to witness this opening of the 6th Seal?  We are certainly closer than before, and this is to happen before our Lord returns, it is to be the "sign" of His coming.  

When this worldwide event hits the Earth a "told you so" moment will mean nothing. You need to be prepared for this event, mentally and especially spiritually. This coming is not 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 several years in advance, which will lead once faithful believers in the Rapture to becoming the "scoffers" of the "end-days". This is, of course, my opinion, but I believe it to be biblical based. Following this "great quake" there will be heavenly signs.

(Rev 6:12-13) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
(Rev 6:14) And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
(Rev 6:15-17) And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the  Great Day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

(2 Pet 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 (2 Peter 2:3, Jer 23:25-26). I have seen no visions or dreams 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 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" becomes a trust worthy guide into what is to come. Yes, I'm speaking of the Holy Bible, the book our Savior said are the words of His Father (Rev 1:1, John 8:26). By believing the recorded Words of our Savior and our Heavenly Father we can have an active part in removing the confusion from our minds, turning from the wisdom of the world to His Wisdom, but you must be willing to believe Him over men and what men teach, and we must accept the fact that there is a Satan, called the Devil, Satan and the Dragon (Rev 12:9) and he is busy inspiring teachers, causing them to appearing as "messengers of Light". Yes, there are those working by the spirit of Satan and his influence, and he, being a spirit being, is able to give people a very spiritual feeling.

(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.
(Eph 2:2) Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:

It may seem a little nutty to tell anyone about this, you do not want to hear it, it is uncomfortable and mentally hard, making it difficult to accept -- to accept an idea you or your loved ones may have to endure an extreme change in your comfort zone, admitting to yourself that you have been fooled, even lied to -- it is so much easier to listen to those pouring our soothing words, words that do not strengthen but make you soft and vulnerable and, sometimes, words you really want to hear. People do and will tend to promote leaders that tell them what they want to hear, even paying them to do so -- 1 Tim 4:3-4.  Are you one of those, one of those going for the good old, behind the ear scratching?  Feels so good, so pleasant, even spiritual, in a way, right?  But, is it good for you?  Often times, those easiest to mislead are those who think they cannot be misled.  This is why we, and I mean all of us, need the Word, the words of the Bible, some call Scripture, the record of Truth and Prophetic words of truth and the moral words of truth, and the civil words of truth.  Once we accept these Words as our guide, our textbook for life and the measure for all things in our lives, then and only then can we know we are not living in some kind of dream land and we begin to see the coming of a real solution to all of the problems the people of this world have and support in a fallen nature the flesh cannot escape.  We desperately need a Savior, and we have One in YaHshua, the Born Again (Resurrected) Son of the Living God, and His promise to return and deliver us from, well, ourselves.  

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) your Heavenly Father in spiritual preparation for that time. Remember, in times of extreme stress the righteous of the Living God, those believing in Him are spared His wrath and those close to you go along for the ride. A prime example of this is Noah and his family and Lot and his family. They did not escape just hard times but escaped the complete annihilation of a world beyond salvation and of a township sick with sin also beyond saving. Now, if you are unfortunate enough to be alive at the time this "great quake" hits, you need to remember that this is the "wrath of the Lamb" and is an event to stop the "abomination" and the ultimate end of all life – it is to save the remnant of those calling on Him, those called the "elect".

(Mat 24:22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

No one should desire to see this time, of course, but as the Earth reels in birth pains looking forward to the coming of our Lord YaHshua, the Lamb, coming to stop the madness of men, don't remember my words but remember the Scripture I present and comment on – not my words but His. It is by His words we are to make "judgments" not by the words of men.

(Rom 3:4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged.

Repent while there is still time, repent of listening to men, turn to His true Word. 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 –

(Rom 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Act 2:21) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Still you may find yourself in a tough situation -- many believers will have to give up their lives (Rev 6:11) while others will live through it. To escape this time would be a blessing, indeed, but as witnesses to the truth of His Words this will be a necessary experience for some. Noah will stand in the resurrection and testify how true our God is to His Word, as will Abraham and Lot, and all of the Apostles and those of the Body of the Messiah called the "elect".
Believers that see this earth shaking event coming should be able to imagine what it will be like. Even with our Heavenly Father's protection we should not desire to be there. Out of His mercy, for those of the 6th era of the Church, the Philadelphia, those having not "denied" His Name will be spared this time of trouble (tribulation).

(Rev 3:8) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied My Name.
(Jer 23:27) Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.

YaHshua makes this promise:

(Rev 3:10) Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. NIV

(Rev 3:10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. KJV

Our Savior tells those of the Philadelphia church they will be kept from the "hour of trial", or the "hour of temptation" which is interpreted by most as the "tribulation" period. It is this promise that the teachers of the rapture use to promote their doctrine of the "great escape", or the "rapture to heaven" in spite of what our Savior said.

(John 3:13) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
(John 8:21) Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

It is my belief the message delivered to those of the Philadelphia era is not referring to a "rapture" or a "taking away" as the rapturist teach. Those of this era will have gone to the grave to await the actual return of our Savior. This would be the keeping His Word, patiently -- to the end of their lives.

Yes, the only escape for the flesh is death or a change from flesh to spirit – it becomes a matter of timing -- the people of this Philadelphia era will sleep with the rest of the saints that have gone before, to await the resurrection to life eternal not a false "rapture" carrying them away to Heaven. 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 no escape (John 1:18; 3:13, 1 John 4:12, 1 Cor 15:50-54).

Those of this era will be spared this "time of trouble" and is clearly seen when reading about the 7th era, the Laodicea, it is they that will suffer  that "time" (Rev 3:14-18). The Philadelphia are a people of little strength but they have something that seems to set them apart – they have not denied His Name. They will escape the Wrath. In my view they will have died and gone to the grave, being spared this terrible time. Others will go on into the 7th Laodicea era and will have to prove themselves in the great temptation and endure the deceptions of the False Prophet and the Beast. But, before all of this, there will be the "Great Quake" marking the beginning of a devastation that is only the beginning, the first event.

(Rev 6:12) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun
became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
(Rev 6:13) And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
(Rev 6:14) And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

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 start by covering 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, this "great quake" of the 6th Seal announced in Revelation 6:12 is to occur after the "tribulation of those days" (Mat 24:20-30), well before the return of our Savior, so we need to cover some pre-quake attitudes.

Everyone Wants to be the Philadelphia Body
The generation of the Philadelphia 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 that "being kept from the hour of trouble" is being taken to Heaven -- the Rapture -- confusing it, deliberately, the Resurrection doctrine. One troubling development of this false teaching is the open abduction of the Resurrection Doctrine, a hijacking,if you will of a base doctrine. This doctrine of "rapture" is attempting to replace the "resurrection" doctrine, which is biblical -- and even called an "elemental" doctrine, a doctrine all professing believers would have understood and should understand to this day.  However, those teaching the "rapture" doctrine, are mixing some truth with a lie -- no human is going to Heaven, let alone for 3.5 years, while the earth burns, so to speak, escaping the coming opening of the 6th Seal.  You will hear the teachers of this false doctrine, using the two terms interchangeably, more and more.  It is my position, and I believe the position of your Bible and our Savior’s teaching that the 6th era of the Church, having not denied His birth Name and demonstrating a patients in their belief and calling, and not giving up in the struggle of the flesh unto the first death, will go to their graves before the 6th Seal is opened.  The 6th ear, those of the Philadelphia branch, will have all died in the Lord and will not experience the opening of the 6th Seal -- this is what is meant by, "...I will keep you from the hour of trial (tribulation)..." .  Where does it say that He is going to take us to Heaven?  It does not.  Now, don't mix this up with the Resurrection Doctrine.  These people are saying that all of the "good" Christians are going to swept up to Heaven to sit out the punishment coming on the world for 3 1/2 years, then return to this world, with their savior riding on a white horse, leading their charge back to earth.  They have lied to everyone, either knowingly or unknowingly, still, it is a lie.

The hour or trial, trouble, tribulation -- pick a word?
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 period" as some call it. This generation, before the last era, will come to an end leaving the Laodicea era to go through the tough times being refined and correcting the misconception they have of themselves as spiritually strong.

It is hard to see the eras of the Church being totally separate and seems reasonable to assume one era, as it fades into the next, being a blend of some sort. The seven eras are describes with personalities that seem to be found in all of the eras but it is only with the Philadelphia the generation of that period will not blend into the next but will end leaving the Laodicean on their own. Many, however, I believe, of the Laodicea generation will have come out of the Philadelphia, or will have rubbed shoulders with the generation of Philadelphia as it passes away leaving the Laodicea members to suffer the "time of trouble" – the Laodicea members 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, they will go to the grave, their spirits being held in a safe place as all of those that have died in the Messiah, 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 journeys toward the Mount of Olives in His descent (Zec 14:4). This, however, will not happen right away and may, in fact, be years after the opening of the 6 th Seal.
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, many giving their lives for their faith (Rev 3:16) (Mat 24:34).

Laodicea Brothers and Sisters
Read it my friends, many of the Laodicea 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 and for those who willingly 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 if only they will see it. 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 ourselves as to assume we are in the Philadelphia period, or that we are of the Philadelphia Church either (I know I write as if we are in the 6 th ear). The thinking is, however, that we are living in the days just before the Great Quake of His announced Wrath -- we are certainly closer today than yesterday.

We should pray we are not of the Laodicea Church, that we have not and will not ever deny His Name, as it appears the Laodicea have done. I repeat -- We must never deny His true identity, His Birth Name -- that is what seems to separate the Philadelphia from the Laodicea. Again, let me remind you, the Laodicea people are people belonging to the Messiah, they are His, but have deceived themselves into thinking they are spiritually rich when they are not. Those of the false Rapture teaching cannot possibly be members of the Philadelphia ecclesia as they openly deny His birth Name and call on a name that never existed until about 400-500 years ago.  And we should not forget, at least a third of the world's population pronounce the name JESUS, as HeyZeus, that is, The Zues.  Most English speaking people say, Geezus, and neither of those names are the actual Name our Lord was named at birth.  Our Lord told His followers that this would happen -- John 5:43.

For those teaching the "rapture" the Laodicea era, poses a real problem -- these are undeniably people of God, worshipers and professors of the Messiah of the Holy Bible and we see these people of the Living God still on this planet Earth -- no evidence of a "rapture", none. Those teaching the "Rapture Doctrine" are telling everyone we are living in the "end days" so how do they explain the Laodicea people? They don’t, they assume they are those of the Philadelphia.
They have already deceived themselves into believing something based 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 Philadelphia.  Pretty simple -- if you ask me. The Philadelphia branch have a little strength, not large and powerful, they believe in the pure Word and obey YaHshua. What seems to be their most notable characteristic is they have not "denied His Name" and it is this one thing that set them apart from the Laodiceans.

Please bear with me as this has to do with the Great Quake and its timing, it really does, as we need to establish a time, a place, and an attitude as seen, witnessed, in days to come. What will the people be doing and thinking when this event happens? There is the possibility I am wrong about the Philadelphia 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 develop this line of thinking -- the purpose being to encourage you to mentally strengthen yourself and to be ready, spiritually, for some unusually tough times ahead. The Great Quake is going to change the topographical character of the Earth -- political systems are going to fall, some survive, some replaced and there will be people of the Living God present on whom the Beast and the False Prophet will make war.

They Deny His Name
They, the Laodicea, think they are spiritually rich but are not, they do not have the Name, at least it is not mentioned as a part of their identifiable character, they do not know His true identity for the most part. In the eyes of YaHshua they are "pitiful and poor", neither hot nor cold for Him. 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", comes the reply, 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 a name 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). This is the warning my friends, buy from Him the true gold with His Name stamped on every piece, this has true value -- fight against the temptation of cursing, of scoffing, "...where is the promise of His coming?" when and if you find yourself living through this time. Praise YaH for the opportunity to be an active witness to the truth of His Word.

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. The Laodicean will be members that have not seen the need to place any significance on our Savior’s true identity, after all, they are rich in spirit, or so they think. Sound familiar? Certainly the Philadelphians will see the Laodiceans but I doubt the Laodiceans will recognize those of the Philadelphia, 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 (2 Tim 3:13). 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 all about the "end-times" and the events to transpire before the "Great Quake".

12 Basic Points Taught by Modern Prophet &Teachers of the End-Times

1. Earthquakes in diverse places -- citing numerous sources for the increase in quake activity. (Mat 24) The actual number of increase in earthquakes is highly overstated 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 mankind’s 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 comes 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 an 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 as 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 Israelis 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 Israelis -- 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 eternal 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. When we uncover this hidden desire to live without sacrifice, without pain -- to escape the coming "time of trouble", and when we are honest with ourselves, we then uncover the preachers and teachers making profit from sincere people looking for the way out. Certainly you want peace and you want safety, for yourself and your family --like Noah.

The ARK of the New Covenant
Noah and his family spent 120 years building a huge boat, a boat designed to support him and his family along with a large representation of all air breathing animal kinds. We, the elect of God and house of the Christ, have an Ark that will contain us also. YaHshua is the ARK of the New Covenant. It is in Him we have life and he is big enough, powerful enough, to contain us all. Heb 11:7; 1 Pet 2:5 -- (Heb 3:6) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Each age has its witnesses and today, in this age, we are the witnesses to the truth of His Word. When the Great Quake happens, and the heavens roll up as if the end of all things is about to occur, you and me, if we are still alive in the flesh will be the witnesses to the truth of His prophetic Word. Noah spent 120 years building his saving boat, just imagine the work and labor that went into that project? Being human, one could suppose Noah had his moments of doubts and questions, but he continued, in faith, staying the course, believing the words he was given and he became a witness to the world -- without our Creator we are all done for, there is no hope. We all know the dramatic, historical account, of Noah. So, it will be when, once again, the Wrath of the Living God and the Lamb are released against rebellious man. This time, however, the survivors will be saved by the covering blood of YaHshua and by our entering through the DOOR, as Noah and his family entered through the door of the wooden Ark, we will enter through YaHshua, the only DOOR by which we can entering into His Rest, and receive eternal life, not by a boat we built, or we prepared but by Him and through Him we become His house in whom He lives and we live. He is the Door to our Ark, He is the Ark of our Salvation. There is a greater purpose behind all of this. YaHshua is not just coming to take power but to prepare, to make way for the coming of another, one greater, His and our Heavenly Father -- the Earth is being prepared.

The Preparation
The fact of the matter, according Scripture, God the Father is coming here -- please read Revelation Chapter 22:1-5 -- but, before He does YaHshua is going to prepare the Earth and man for His arrival. Before this, however, there is going to be a "time of trouble" completely beyond the control of men. There will be witnesses during these times, experiencing what is happening and confirming the truth of His Words.

As believers in His Holy Word we need to be prepared spiritually and to acknowledge this coming time of trouble. Many will have to suffer through this "trouble" to come, being refined, if you will. It is one thing to be prepared physically and another to be prepared spiritually. We have all heard stories of survival reaching beyond physical preparation. There needs to be a mental preparedness over and above the physical. It is this spiritual toughness that we see the 7 th era of the church lacks and once their nakedness is exposed some will toughen up while others will turn away and cry out –

(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.
(2Pe 3:5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

This, I believe, will be the mantra of the Laodicea Church, thinking they are rich when they are not. I believe many in this body of believers will be looking for the secret return to snatch them up into Heaven, escaping all of this "trouble",  and when they see they are still here and are in the midst of what appears to be the end of the world they will asking that question, "…where is the promise of His coming", followed by the observation, "…all things continue …"
Please, be prepared mentally for the long haul and while none of us should wish for the "time of trouble" in our time it is going to happen and there will be some of our brothers and sisters having to live through it.

Mere Opinions Taught as Fact -- Fiction sold as truth
When reading books on prophecy are we reading prophetic words or opinions and speculations of men? Too many, I suspect, take the speculations of those they see as their leaders or teachers as scripture itself. Failing to hold the teachings of professing prophets to the test of the Holy Word, the Scriptures, has led many (most) down a path of mental comfort, leaving behind the spiritually lazy believer. Your path is to walk with God, as Enoch did, as Moses did, as the Apostles did and as you should. Walking with your God and Savior, YaHshua, is to listen to His words and the words delivered to us by those from before. When YaHshua died in the flesh He announced that it was finished. Also, in the Book of Revelation there is a warning not to change anything in the Word.

(Rev 22:18-19) For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The specific warning concerns this Book of Revelation, certainly, but notice the last part is expanded to the removal of such an individual, daring to add to or take away, will themselves be removed from the "book of Life" and the "Holy City" both of which exist before this last Book was written. This leads me to think this warning is far greater and includes more than just the Book of Revelation. Also, when you consider the Book of Revelation is expounding and expanding on things written before and this includes the Hebrew Scriptures.

It is because of these "opinions" and "speculations" being taught as fact, as though coming from God Himself that the true prophetic word will not be understood, that is, until the fulfillment actually happens.
We need to understand and accept the fact that much of the prophetic word, dealing with the "end-days", is not meant to be understood, not until it happens. Daniel was told this very thing –

(Dan 12:8-9) And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Even after the event of the "Great Quake" and the heavenly signs to follow (Rev 6:12) many will not understand, it will merely be an act of nature to most, but those called to the Father, to YaHshua will know better. We, as followers, can however, know in 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 will know He will not come until certain things, documented in His written word, have happened.

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). The time is coming, a point of no 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 deceitfulness 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; Luke 21:9)

Now ask yourself, how does this 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 occurrences would be a precursor to the worldwide event to strike this earth. Imagine, the world is about to be struck, globally, shaken to its core, and then doesn't it make sense a precursor to such an event would be tremors and quakes in the most unusual places? The modern prophets of today use the scare tactic of an imminent return to 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, disappointed they are in such a time, a time that appears to be the end of the world itself.

His Imminent Return – really?
Their proof we are living in the "end days" -- wars and rumors of wars, and earth quakes in different 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 -- it will not be the false hope of millions waiting for Christians to vanish (the Rapture).

No, my friends, a great worldwide shaking is coming. A time 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, threatening the world with the unrealistic and over hyped, "atomic annihilation", cannot begin to be compared to what our Heavenly Father can do with this earth.
The jarring, worldwide quake will disturb the surface of this world causing great plumbs of dust to rise into the atmosphere followed by huge spiralling columns of smoke from volcanic action, awakened by the sudden movement. Fault lines, old and new disturbing the oceans as to create giant tidal waves, mega tsunami the world over. This sudden disturbance will cause the wind patterns flowing over the surface to be changed and mountains will literally be moved out of place, changing boundaries and Islands will shift. This kind of power makes a mockery of man's infantile weapons, but will he listen? Will man repent of their vain self-glory?

(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 casts 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 (YHWH) of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. KJV
(Haggai 2:6) For thus says 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, after all our Messiah had something to say concerning this 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 is connected with these heavenly, and earthly signs, warnings of the coming of the "Day of YHWH" (Day of the LORD), the time of His Wrath.

(Joel 2:28-32) And it shall come to pass afterwards, 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 YaHWeH come.  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of YaHWeH shall be delivered:
(My Note: Acts 2:16-20 -- Peter quotes these verses same verses from the prophet Joel, but interestingly, he leaves off this last part)
for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD (YHWH) has said, and in the remnant whom the LORD (YHWH) shall call.
(My note: remnant usually means a small number, or, what is left over -- see also, Looking for the 7,000)

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 (unless you want to count the last 2000 years as the last days) and the clue is in Peter's quote, leaving the last part off. So, let’s take another look at what Peter says, quoting Joel –

(Act 2:16) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
(Act 2:17-21) And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The first thing you should notice is the similarity of the language to that of what is to happen during and after the coming "great quake" and the next thing is a type of repentance, the "calling on the Name", His Name. Now let’s take a look at the part Peter left off --

(Joel 2:32) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of YHWH shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as YHWH hath said, and in the remnant whom YHWH shall call.

I have restored the change made by the KJV translators from "the LORD" back to the original which is the Name of our Creator, YHWH. To properly read this verse His Name must be restored and then what it says is plain. Peter left the very last part off and this indicates this prophetic ruling is not finished but will be when the fulfillment of this last part is finished. Please notice, this last part, is a direct quote from YHWH Himself. There will be a "remnant" chosen to survive this punishment of men for refusing to acknowledge Him, YHWH.

While this verse could have been used by Peter to support what they were witnessing and applying the complete quoting of Joel, but the problem would have been in applying the final word to themselves as Peter and the other Apostles were witnessing a growth in believers and saw no evidence of becoming a "remnant". After all they were the first and expanding, thousands being converted in that one day. With this understood we are then looking forward to another and final "outpouring", a second outpouring to come.

Reading Joel carefully, however, we see a secondary "outpouring". When Peter quoted Joel he saw what was happening as the Holy Spirit fell on those already converted in their belief and profession of YaHshua as Savior. But when we look at the whole, we see the "servants of God" mentioned, certainly, but after the general population of the world. Peter, in quoting Joel, was only partly right, certainly the Holy Spirit was given to the believer but to everyone else too? This would mean the pagans of the world have His Spirit just as much as a believer, but we know this is not the case. This "outpouring" will not be on just the converts and servants of YaHshua, but upon "all flesh", and this is to happen just before the "great quake" of the 6th Seal. We see this in the order of events after the "outpouring" the "wonders in the heavens and signs in the earth" occur. To the Bible student this should bring to mind what our Savior said concerning the days just before the Heavenly signs –

(Luke 17:26) And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

One of the things we know about the "days of Noah" is that the Spirit of the Creator was with men. Later, before the Flood, He withdrew no longer being able to tolerate man’s refusal to accept guidance of His Spirit (Gen 6:3, to "strive with" or struggle with, indicating His Spirit was among men before the Flood). We are to see those days again, when men were very religious but refusing the true Creator, refusing the one and only Savior even though His Spirit is pour out upon them – men will be without excuse.

Remember the "strong delusion" we are told about –

(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 outpouring of this delusion could very well be this event. Look at Matthew 24:24 where we are told of "many false Christ", and "many false prophets" showing signs and wonders so convincing as to tempt the very elect, the called of God, into believing the deception.

Dreaming dreams and seeing visions as Joel states and Peter repeats, on such a worldwide 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 were already convinced they have the truth. While your faith may be strengthened by this additional reception of the Spirit so will the followers of a false truth be made stronger as they experience the Spirit. 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 reinforce 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 outpouring 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.'
(Hag 2:6) This is what the LORD (YHWH) Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
(Hag 2:7) I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD (YHWH) Almighty.
(Hag 2:8) 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD (YHWH) Almighty.
(Hag 2:9) 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD (YHWH) Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

The context found in Haggai’s prophetic words demonstrates a brief, very brief, mentioning of the future when, or just before, our Messiah comes and forces "peace" in Jerusalem. What Haggai has to report leads up to our Savior’s return – the heavens shake, the nations are brought low and He will fill the house of Israel with joy and peace, and He proclaims all of the wealth as His.

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, at this point, but what it does suggest is that there will be more than one "quake" shaking the earth and the heavens. 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 and Haggai confirms this as does our Messiah when He tells the Apostle John, by vision and word, what to write on this subject.

(Rev 6:12-14) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts 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.
(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?"

But Wait, There Is More -- Than One, That is
In that one day 7,000 will die in Jerusalem in this quake centered at Jerusalem. This earthquake differs from the Great Quake of the 6th Seal found in Revelation 6:12 and occurs at or very near the return of our Messiah. He makes war on the Nations, those having come against Jerusalem, against His people. The timing of this quake can be seen in verse 11, the same hour as the two witnesses coming back to life –

(Rev 11:11-13) And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

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 angry nations. It is the great earthquake of the 6th Seal, however, that will change everything and make way for the coming of the Beast government and the False Prophet operating in the power of Satan. I am speculating, of course, as this Great Quake could be the instrument our Heavenly Father uses to stop the "abomination" that is to happen in Jerusalem. So, is it before the Beast and False Prophet or after they are already in power? Only those living during this time period will know the answer to that. What is certain is that all of this is to happen before our Savior returns, but it does seem it is the "great quake" of Revelation 6:12 that is triggered by something happening at Jerusalem on the Temple Mount.

The Time of Distress
There is a proclamation 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 – the abomination -- pushing these events into 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, this "abomination", then the Great Quake occurs stopping it. And all of this before our Savior returns.

The Great Quake is the opening of the 6th Seal, and the "sign" of but not yet the coming of our Savior. The world will see the "sign" of His coming in the Heavens. The earth will literally be shaken 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 but most will not really see this as the "sign of His coming" but more as an act of natural events and the end of the world, just as the scientist have been predicting all along – that the earth is doomed to extinction, just like the dinosaurs of the past.

The separation of the events -

1. The Great Earthquake mentioned in Revelation 6 is of world-wide proportions occurring right after the days of Great Distress mentioned in Matthew 24, and may possibly be the persecution of Christians and Jews. This Great Quake will put a stop to the "abomination that causes desolation". In reading Mathew 24 you will notice the Temple is not 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 seen in connection with the Return or our Savior -- announcements of different events. A second earthquake (Rev 8:5) ushers in the Seven Trumpets after a period of time mentioned as "about 1/2 hour" (Rev 8:1). I have determined this 1/2 hour of silence may total about 21 years (see Part 2)
3. A third severe earthquake is mentioned in Revelation 11:13 at the time of the two prophet’s resurrection. This particular quake is centered in the region of Jerusalem, and precedes the immediate return of our Savior. The Resurrection is not a silent Rapture as is being taught today but is going to be a very noisy event preceded by an earthquake.
4. A fourth earthquake strikes in answer to the nations display of anger toward God for what is happening to them. This earthquake is accompanied by a Great Hailstorm. And men will curse the God of Heaven.
5: A fifth earthquake 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 sixth earthquake encompassing all of the surrounding territory of Israel, stopping Gog and his company of nations. This quake is 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 is 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" of the rebellion.

(Eze 38:18) This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD (YHWH). In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.
(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 6th prophetic Quake is specifically in the "land of Israel". It is this Quake we are told will be after the 1000 years and tied to the return of Satan and the last rebellion. This is proof Scripture is not finished even after YaHshua returns. The timing of this 6th Quake is specific as is the invasion of Gog and Magog find fulfillment after the 1,000 rule of YaHshua on this Earth. Our primary interest is in the first 5 Quakes as all of these appear to happen before the 1000 year rule of YaHshua.

Six 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 have prepared another article on this subject -- (see Great Quake Part 2). It is my purpose to encourage you to understand that before our Savior will come there will be a "Great Earthquake" as never before recorded in the history of mankind. Our Messiah's coming is not "imminent" as some teach. The Great Quake will happen first followed by many other things and some of these things will be experienced by the servants of YaHshua.

The teaching of the "imminent" return is building false hope in a false salvation from the "time of trouble". You must be ready for this worldwide event knowing our Father in heaven and our Savior have not abandon us, we must be spiritually tough and dependent on Him. When we see these things we are to look up, not hide in the rocks, for our "redemption draws near". With our knowing it is not the end of the World but only a new beginning. YaHshua asks a very important question concerning His return, "Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8). We certainly pray that He does.

Hopefully this article will lead some to an awakening of truth that will strengthen and dispel false hope in anything other than our Savior. We should hold up the Word as our guide, hanging the testimony of YaHshua about our necks and in our hearts and mouths. When we see the prophecy teacher's proclamations fail and a world tipped upside down 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. 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.

It is the original lie of Satan, "surely you shall not die", and true enough, Eve took a bite of the forbidden fruit 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 encourage you to take a deeper look into this subject. 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 but they do, claiming it to be revealed by the Holy Spirit.

They are beginning to teach the Rapture is an end-time teaching to be understood in our time. Yes, my friends, it is true, they are attempting to rewrite scripture. They dare to suggest this is "new revealed" knowledge from our Heavenly Father, not understood until now. Hey, if someone tells you the God of Heaven gave him certain information, even if it contradicts what is written, then how can you argue against 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 --

(Isayah 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.

The Coming of YaHshua was, and is, foretold by the Prophetic word.  The Gospels shout out the First Coming of our Lord in the Flesh.  But that projection has not been finished.  Yes, He came, but not as expected, coming in the form, the actual flesh of a man, not as the Might, All Powerful King, the one teachers of Israel were looking forward to, something they relished, the promise that they would become kings over their oppressors, becoming Kings of the World, but this did not happen, yet it was foretold, even the announcement from the Eliyah, John the Baptist proclaimed --

John the Baptist quoted from Isayah --

Mat 3:1  In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
Mat 3:2  "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!"
Mat 3:3  For this is He who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of YaHWeH. Make his paths straight."

But, John the Baptist did not quote the fullness of that prophecy, and for good reason -- it is not finished.

Isa 40:3  The voice of one who calls out, "Prepare the way of YaHWeH in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain.
Isa 40:5  The glory of YaHWeH shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of YaHWeH has spoken it."
As you can read, the Baptist quoted these prophetic words only in part.  Read it again.  This will be the fullness of this prophecy -- the coming Great Quake, that opening of the 6th Seal.  Then and only then will the literal mountains be shaken down, and the low valleys will be raised and the crooked straightened out.  The fullness of these Prophetic words are still on the horizon.  

Click here for Great Quake Part 2




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