My Testimony

My Testimony - Part 10 End Time Prophecy

I was brought up with the mainstream view of End Time events, which involved a 7 year tribulation at the end, known as Daniel's 70th week.  That was until I was introduced to a different interpretation of Bible Prophecy through the many free books and studies at godskingdom.org, which showed me convincingly, that we are coming to the end of more than 2000 years in captivity to the Empire that the Bible refers to as Mystery Babylon. (Revelations 17:18)

While this is not a subject I intend to venture into at any length, being that it can stir up a lot of anxiety both in myself and in the reader, I felt my testimony would be incomplete if I didn't at least touch on this subject briefly.

Mystery Babylon is mentioned in the book of Revelations, as a woman riding the Beast as if to control it.  Which Beast we know from the book of Daniel, represents the Ruling Empire itself.  This woman is said to be riding this Empire while corrupting all of the nations under her.

While most of Christendom are confident they have identified who this woman is, I am not convinced it's as simple as they see it.  But despite this, I'm thankful to be able to say that I'm no longer concerned about people identifying Mystery Babylon correctly, or the Beast that she rides.  Because the Promise from God is that He and His servants will win out in the end, bringing peace to the world:

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.  Revelation 11:15

While some might think identification is necessary for staying out of Mystery Babylon and the Beast Empire, I am comforted by the story of Cornelius the Roman Centurion, who was miraculously converted to the Lord Jesus Christ.  And all at a time, when none of the followers of the Lord even thought it was possible.  The Apostle Peter even declaring the following about Cornelius:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him.  Acts 10:34-35

It has always been notable to me with this story, that Cornelius called all of his family and friends together to hear the words of the Apostle Peter.  And when the Lord decided to pour out His Holy Spirit on all of Cornelius's loved ones, the Lord didn't discriminate, but poured out His Spirit on all who had gathered with Cornelius:

While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 10:44-45

I have personally seen the Lord work in the same way as this story in Cornelius, that it's given me confidence to believe that He really hasn't changed from how He was all those years ago.  And that He's still calling people to His side to this very day, from every corner of the globe.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith 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:  Acts 2:16-18

This was also spoken by the Prophet Joel:

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. Joel 2:23

As I understand it, the Former Rain speaks of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which the world has experienced for the last 40 Jubilees (40x490 years) under the Feast of Pentecost (also known as the Feast Of Weeks).  We are currently awaiting the Latter Rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the world, which is to be poured out during the Feast of Tabernacles of some year.  I also feel it important to mention, that the Lord Jesus said the following while attending the Feast of Tabernacles in His day:

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:37-39

My only question here is, has Jesus been glorified yet or not?  Until recently, the only perspective I had on Jesus being glorified was in relation to His Resurrection.  In other words, I believed that His Resurrection was Him being glorified.  However, I have since come to the conclusion that this verse is referring to Jesus being glorified IN US, just like He said in his prayer to the Father:

And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. John 17:10

I am personally convinced that the Lord Jesus being glorified, has to do with us recognizing Him as the Lord God Almighty, Heavenly Father that He is, or whether we treat Him like He's second Best:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Psalms 50:15

All nations whom you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord; and shall glorify your name. Psalms 86:9

Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? for you only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before you; for your judgments are made manifest. Revelation 15:4

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  Acts 4:10-12