Rod McNair | Page 9 | Tomorrow's World

Rod McNair

Will Civilization Collapse?

The world is at a crossroads. Some predict we have only decades to go before society falls to pieces. They say environmental disasters, depletion of resources, and economic inequalities may lead to the end of civilization. Will civilization collapse? Is there really a source we can turn to really know?

The world is at a crossroads. Some predict we have only decades to go before society falls to pieces. They say environmental disasters, depletion of resources, and economic inequalities may lead to the end of civilization. In an article for the BBC website, Rachel Nuwer noted, “It should come as no surprise that humanity is currently on an unsustainable and uncertain path – but just how close are we to reaching the point of no return?”

That’s a good question. Truly, world conditions are more precarious than they’ve been for decades. Consider the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists from January 24, 2019, which assessed the world’s nearness to nuclear Armageddon as only “two minutes to midnight”.

We should be concerned about the future. And we're all in the same boat. We all live on this planet and if calamity comes, it’s going to affect all of us.

So, will civilization collapse? Is there really a source we can turn to, to really know?

And how have we gotten here in the first place? Why are we even talking about something as horrifying as societal collapse?

We’ll examine these questions today on Tomorrow’s World. And we’ll be offering a free DVD entitled, “A Culture in Crisis,” later in the program. So get ready to write down the information! You don’t want to miss this DVD.

So, will civilization collapse? I’ll be right back with the answer.

[short intro music]

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World. When it comes to daily life, everyone’s got an opinion about everything. And most are eager to share it. From what car to drive, to where to shop, to how we feel about the issues of the day. The people we’re around help form our opinions and perspectives about these things. So who do you listen to? Most likely, it’s family, friends, and co-workers. Or maybe celebrities or opinion-makers in the media. Or possibly successful people in business and government. But we all listen to people who influence how we think.

The problem is when we let others around us frame our thoughts on more important matters. On questions like, will our civilization collapse? This question is far too important to just entrust to the opinion of a best friend or a radio talk show host. 

No, we really must look elsewhere… and there's only one source that speaks with authority about the future. It’s the Bible. You can trust the Bible. It’s full of prophecies that already happened. And it speaks of things yet to occur. So, what does the Bible say about what will happen in our day? Go get a Bible, and read along with me. We make no apology on Tomorrow’s World that we uphold and we live by the Holy Bible to the best of our ability. Let others insult the Bible and tear it apart. It doesn’t change the fact it’s God’s inspired word. And it always will be.

So what does the Bible say about our day? In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus Christ said some remarkable things to His disciples. They had asked Him, “What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” [Matthew 24:3]. And then He described a number of things that would happen. Wars and rumors of wars. Famines and pestilence. Lawlessness and love growing cold. It sounds like civilization coming apart. And then He said in Matthew 24:21, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Now stop for a moment and think about this. Some people look at prophecy as rants by crazy people and religious fanatics. But who is giving this warning? The Savior of all mankind. It’s a message straight from Jesus Christ, as preserved by His faithful disciples. And notice what He said next, in verse 22: “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” [Matthew 24:22]

Jesus said humanity is going to the very brink of utter destruction. Now think again: was it ever possible for man to wipe out all mankind, before the nuclear age? No way. That’s one of the proofs that we are living in the prophesied last days today. Because total annihilation is possible. And as I said before, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists concluded we’re closer to that happening than we’ve been for decades.

Mankind will take the world to the edge of annihilation. Your Bible predicts that it will happen. But it will be stopped before all life is destroyed. Jesus Christ will come back to earth, just as He left after His resurrection. And this time He’ll return as a king. All nations will fall in line and obey Him. They'll have no choice.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves in the story. The Bible says in the mouth of two or three witnesses a matter is established. So, let’s see if there’s another reference in the Bible to an end-time collapse of society.

Turn in your Bible to Jeremiah 30:5, “For thus says the LORD: ‘We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see, whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.” 

Ok, so let’s think this through. Jesus said at the end of the age, there will be a time like no other in history. And Jeremiah said the same thing. Could there be two times that are the worst in history? Of course not. So, it has to be referring to the same event. Both Matthew 24 and Jeremiah 30 are referring to the prophesied Great Tribulation at the end of this age. These are two voices prophesying of the same upcoming event.

But notice an additional fact here that we didn’t have in Matthew. Jeremiah says it is the time of Jacob’s trouble. But who is Jacob? Jacob was one of the patriarchs in the book of Genesis, in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. He was originally called Jacob but then God changed His name to Israel. His descendants, the children of Israel, became a nation, and, over time, a number of different nations. So, what we’re reading here is that the Tribulation is going to be especially difficult for the modern descendants of Jacob, or Israel.

But who are the descendants of Jacob and Israel? The people who came out of Western Europe and the British Isles, including many English-speaking people all over the globe today. Those people who’ve had such wonderful blessings over the last two or three centuries, and have risen to incredible power. Those people who’ve enjoyed material wealth and prosperity like no others on earth.

Could America, Britain, Canada, and other Western nations collapse? Absolutely. Frankly, when we look at history, we see rise and fall is a normal pattern of every civilization. In an article for the BBC website, entitled “Are we on the road to civilisation collapse?” Luke Kemp analyzed the rise and fall of civilizations over a period of more than 3,000 years. His conclusion was that the average lifespan of a civilization or empire is about 336 years. Are any civilizations immune from decline and fall? He would argue no. He wrote this: “Collapse can be defined as a rapid and enduring loss of population, identity and socio-economic complexity. Public services crumble and disorder ensues… Virtually all past civilisations have faced this fate. Some recovered or transformed, such as the Chinese and Egyptian. Other collapses were permanent...”

We in the western world are not immune to the possibility of collapse. And when we look at Bible prophecy, what we find is we're going to bear the brunt of the tribulation. That’s what Jeremiah 30 is saying. But the whole world will also go through great difficulty. The book of Revelation speaks of warfare and plagues like the world has never known.

But why will it happen? That’s a vital question, which we’ll answer in this program. But before that, let me offer you our free DVD, “A Culture in Crisis.” It’s a compilation of three Tomorrow’s World programs, and it discusses major changes going on in our societies right now. Prophesied events are going to take many by surprise. You need to understand what’s happening and why. So give us a call, or order one by clicking the link in the description. Also, remember to click the "like" button. And if you don't want to miss another Tomorrow's World video, be sure to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell.

So we've asked the question, will civilization collapse? And we went to the only source there is to know the future, the Bible. In two different places, it referred to a global upheaval that will take place in the end-times. But why is this calamity coming?

To answer that question, let’s go back to another of the Old Testament prophets. The prophet Ezekiel was among the second wave of captives taken by the Babylonians around 597BC. Ezekiel began prophesying from Babylon in the sixth year of that captivity. Jerusalem fell in 586BC. Ezekiel foretold the fall of Jerusalem. Look at what he said, as recorded in Ezekiel 5, verse 5, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her. She has rebelled against My judgments by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against My statutes more than the countries that are all around her.’” [Ezekiel 5:5-6]

God, through Ezekiel, told the people why they were going to be overthrown. They were supposed to be a model nation. They were supposed to show the rest of the world how to keep God’s law, and how to be moral and upright. Other nations were supposed to see their example and look up to them and want to emulate them. But instead of that, by Ezekiel’s time, he said: “you are worse than the people around you.” What a tragedy. 

Are there any parallels for our day? Western civilization was built on a Judeo-Christian foundation. It’s based on principles found in this book, the Bible. Many of our laws are based on moral principles found in the Bible as well. But are we turning our backs on that foundation? Are we casting aside basic principles that preserve society and ensure a certain level of stability? Do we pass laws that directly contradict principles found in the Bible? Who gives us the right to say it’s lawful to take the life of unborn children when God created life? Who gives us the right to proclaim marriage is any arrangement whatsoever, instead of what God created between a man and a woman? And how come this is so confusing when we have it so plainly spelled out in our foundational moral book, the Bible? And what kind of example do we set to the world?

Ezekiel told the people of Jerusalem they had corrupted themselves even further than the people around them. Today, Western nations have the benefit of a foundation of principles found in the Bible. But we are casting them aside, and for what? What are we losing in the process?

This hits even closer to home than you might think. Because Ezekiel didn’t just prophesy to the people of his day in Jerusalem. He’s prophesying to us. Let me explain.

Let’s back up a little bit to Ezekiel’s time and before. Back in the 10th century BC, Israel was a unified nation. Under the reign of Rehoboam, however, it split into two: a northern house, still called Israel, and the southern house, now called Judah. In 721BC, the northern house of Israel was attacked, overcome and deported by the armies of Assyria. This northern house was taken captive and never returned. Many people today think this house of Israel just sort of disappeared.

But Ezekiel warned the house of Israel of impending destruction over 100 years after they were taken into captivity. How could he prophesy to them when they were already overtaken and gone? It must be a dual prophecy and be referring to a yet future time.

Notice what he specifically predicts about the house of Israel, in Ezekiel 6, and verse 2, “Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them, and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD!’ Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, to the hills, to the ravines, and to the valleys: ‘Indeed I, even I, will bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places… In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate....’” [Ezekiel 6:2-3, 6]

Ezekiel predicted that Israel’s cities would be destroyed. But Israel was already in captivity over 100 years earlier! And, in that captivity, Israel’s cities weren’t destroyed, they were repossessed by other groups of people brought in by the Assyrians. So Ezekiel was prophesying of a time yet future when the land of Israel will be so devastated that its cities are leveled.

Who is the modern house of Israel? Well, nations coming from the British Isles and Western Europe, and comprising much of the English-speaking people around the world. So Ezekiel was describing a shocking and horrifying collapse for these people, yet to come. When you see the writing on the wall, and the direction of our morals, it’s chilling.

And this is why we’re presenting this program today. Our anti-God, anti-Bible culture is going the wrong way. And is surely headed for disaster. Our culture is tossing aside the Biblical morality that is the strength of any people that hold to it. The principles found in the Bible regulate relationships and enable strong and stable families. They provide for a strong home life for raising healthy and happy children. It’s God’s way of life, that brings happiness, and blessings, and good things.

You need this special DVD “A Culture in Crisis.” It’s a compilation of three Tomorrow’s World telecasts. It outlines in detail where our society is going wrong, and it reveals the origins of the sea changes that are going on today. It will help you understand why things are happening as they are. You and your family need this DVD. We’ll send it to you free of charge. Just call the number on the screen or click the link below for our DVD, “A Culture in Crisis”.

We've examined why God predicts calamity to come on a people. And we've asked the question, could that be ahead for us? 

Now let’s take an even closer look. The message Ezekiel was to deliver to the house of Israel contained a very heartfelt and compassionate appeal from God. When God said He would allow the house of Israel to be militarily overthrown and taken captive, notice what else He added. We read in Ezekiel, chapter 6, “Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me…” [Ezekiel 6:8-9]

Many portray God as scary, vindictive, and monstrous. But look at God’s reaction to the disobedience and obstinance of Israel. It says He was “crushed.” He was greatly distressed. God doesn’t want our blind obedience. He wants a relationship. He showed us His love by sending His Son as a sacrifice. He wants loyalty in return. And when He does so much for a people, it hurts Him and it grieves Him to see those people reject Him and in turn self-destruct.

The point is, we as a people are coming to the point in our history, where we’re not only redefining morality and godly behavior, but are full-scale rejecting the God of the Bible Himself.

But where is God today? Have we cast Him off like an old shoe? When people, by and large, reject the idea that there is a sovereign God in Heaven who fashioned us all, and governs over all, calamity is inevitable. A godless society will not stand.

Notice what the prophet Isaiah said, in Isaiah chapter 1. “Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward… Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; strangers devour your land in your presence; and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.” [Isaiah 1:4, 7]

What was God saying? When a people reject God as their sovereign head, they're headed for trouble. And their civilization is headed for disaster. He will no longer protect their land or guard their cities. They're on their own.

Again, we want you to understand why our civilization is in decline, and yes, why it will fall. It’s not a mystery. We all need to get our house in order, and understand how God wants us to conduct our lives. So order our special DVD offer, “A Culture in Crisis.” It will open your eyes to what’s happening in the world, and why. And also don't forget to "like" this video and subscribe to our channel.

So what should we do? How should we approach the future?

The Bible reveals cataclysmic events will happen to the generation leading up to Christ’s return. But what should you and I do? What can we do? Daniel 12 provides insight. The timing is the time of the end. Notice what is says, in Daniel chapter 12, “At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book.” [Daniel 12:1]

Remember, earlier in the program we read of two Scriptures that speak of the worst time of trouble ever. Here now is a third. They can only be speaking of the same event: the worst time of trouble—The Great Tribulation in the end-times. But is there hope? Of course there is! For those who are walking with God, faithful to Him, and have their names written in the Book of Life.

Going further, there’s further proof that this is at Christ’s return because he speaks of the resurrection of the saints. Read in Daniel 12:2; “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake… Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.”

The time we’re entering isn’t all bleak and hopeless. It’s a time of great opportunity for those who catch the vision to be faithful to God and stand for His way of life. And, to get involved in backing and supporting the work of preaching the true Gospel of the Kingdom to the world. As he said, those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the sun forever. What calling could be more important than being a beacon of light to an ever-darkening world? That’s why we’re doing this Work. To preach and publish the gospel of the kingdom while we draw breath.

Thanks for joining us. Whether you watch us on network TV, YouTube, or some other platform, we are doing this because we want you to know the truth. Our hope and prayer is it changes your life. And even inspires you to take steps in your life to a closer walk with God, in every possible way.

Be sure to join us again next week, as Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Wallace Smith, and I will continue to share this Good News with you of the coming Kingdom of God, of Christ’s reign on earth, and the powerful prophecies your Bible holds.

See you next time!


A Legacy of Harmony



Most parents desire to leave a legacy to their children. They care about their children’s future. They hope their children will be successful and happy, and most parents work very hard to make that hope a reality. Some make heroic sacrifices to help their children get an education. Many sacrifice their own needs to set aside financial assets to leave to their children. What about you? Have you thought about your legacy?

Is Europe Preparing for War?

The world is an increasingly dangerous and volatile place. European leaders are taking more command of their own defense. Is that good? Is that bad? The Bible predicts the sudden and dramatic rise of an end-time superpower. It will burst on the world scene as a surprise to most of humanity. What is going on? And what will be the result of a new arms race between China, Russia, the United States and other nations? Who will dominate the rest of the 21st century? And perhaps we should ask a slightly more unexpected question: Is Europe preparing for War?

Who is the Great Harlot of Revelation?

The book of Revelation speaks of a church as a woman, symbolically. It describes a virtuous woman—made up of cleansed, forgiven, and Spirit-filled saints—marrying Christ at His return. But it also speaks of an adulterous woman—filled with blasphemy, fornication, selfishness, and even demonic activity—being punished by plagues from God. Two different women. Two different churches. Which one do you want to be a part of?

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Three Warnings About the Harlot in Revelation 17: Where Is She Today?

The Bible is a fascinating book. It’s filled with inspiration and encouragement. It gives strength to the weary and hope to the hopeless. But many are surprised to find out just how blunt the Bible is. Maybe even shocking.

Take the book of Revelation. It’s amazingly candid in talking about some delicate subjects. Have you read the book of Revelation, lately? We’re going to dive into a portion of it today, and glean what we can about a subject which has surprising connection to our life today. In today’s world of political correctness, the Bible is refreshingly honest and genuine. It tells it like it is. It doesn’t pull any punches. When you want the truth, the Bible is where you should turn.

So, join me in this edition of Tomorrow’s World. And take a moment to get a pen and paper now, because you’ll have the opportunity a little later on to request a free publication. It’s called, Who or What is the Antichrist? It’s a fascinating glimpse into a mysterious but vital subject. And one that will take on more and more relevance, as we get closer to Christ’s return. So get ready, because in a moment we’re going to launch into our topic and discover, Who is the Great Harlot of Revelation?

 

Symbols of Revelation 17

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World. A lot of people know about the Bible, but few really read it. And fewer still understand it. One vital key to understanding the Bible, especially when it comes to prophecy, is to understand symbolism. Much prophecy is written in symbolism. Now, by symbolism, I don’t mean that all meaning is just wiped away. I just mean that certain symbols represent other things. And if we let the Bible itself define those symbols, the meaning is unlocked, like the turning of a key. Take, for example, the book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation is full of symbols. Stars, we find, can represent angels. Floods are symbolic of people. Horns represent governments. And a woman—this is the key for our discussion today—a woman, represents a church.

One of the places where we find that occur is in Revelation 19. Jesus Christ gave this message to the Apostle John. John was inspired to see, in vision, a glimpse of the glorified saints entering the Kingdom of God, and marrying Jesus Christ, as His Bride. Let’s read it together: “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7). The Lamb is Christ—slain for the world. His wife is His Church. We find that in other places, as we’ll see a little bit later. And the woman who marries Christ is a virtuous, honorable, respectable, upstanding woman. What it means is that the saints who enter glory will be virtuous, clean, obedient, and forgiven of their sins, under the precious blood of Christ. Going on, it says, “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8). That’s how Jesus sees His precious church. That’s how He sees people who are sincere and faithful and obedient to Him: As a woman of integrity and character preparing to marry her husband.

But then there’s a description of a totally different woman. A woman of dubious character. That’s found in Revelation 17:1. “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication” (Revelation 17:1–2).

So, we see two different women. Two different churches. Polar opposites. Which one do you want to be a part of? It’s not a difficult choice, is it?

But John didn’t stop there. He continued, with more description of this adulterous woman. He said: “…And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication” (Revelation 17:3–4).

This woman not only was causing spiritual fornication, drunkenness, and blasphemy, but she was pulling the strings in worldly politics. Quite an unusually blunt and even shocking description.

Now, why is this important that we even talk about it? What does it matter? Is it only an academic exercise? Not at all. It has everything to do with the last generation before Christ’s return. If we can see the writing on the wall, that’s  us. Notice what John said, further, in Revelation 18:1:

“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven… saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and [it] has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!”… (4) And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues… (8) Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her” (Revelation 18:1–2, 4, 8).

Why is this important? Because whatever this was—and the Bible itself reveals that this was to be a church, a religious system—it would be around at Christ’s return. And it would be judged for its corruption and abominations. And Christ warned us, don’t be a part of her, don’t get mixed up with her. Or you’ll be tarnished and influenced by her, and you’ll be punished, too.

So again, let’s stop and think. Who would voluntarily be part of an adulterous, political, blasphemous, demonic system of worship? Nobody in their right mind, right? And yet, there’s the warning. To be wary of something that’s coming. To not be deceived. Because being deceived by a coming wave of religious deception is possible, even among the very elect. Christ said that in Matthew 24:24. And that’s why John was given the warning.

Let’s pause just for a moment, so you can order today’s offer. It’s a helpful and straightforward explanation of this subject. It’s entitled, Who or What is the Antichrist? Is it a person? Is it a system? Are there more than one? There are so many confusing ideas about this subject. And we can’t possibly explain it all in this short program. So, contact us right now—go online, write to us, or pick up the phone and call us. You’ll be fascinated by this hard-hitting booklet. Order yours now.

 

Religious Harlotry and Political Domination

Welcome back. In the last segment, we learned that the book of Revelation speaks of a church as a woman, symbolically. It describes a virtuous woman—made up of cleansed, forgiven, and Spirit-filled saints—marrying Christ at His return. But it also speaks of an adulterous woman—filled with blasphemy, fornication, selfishness, and even demonic activity—being punished by plagues from God at the end. Clearly, we don’t want any part of that woman. So, what are some things that we should watch out for? What are some signs of this woman to be wary of? So we can avoid getting entangled in her web? In the remaining portions of this program let’s identify several things to watch out for, as we identify the Great Harlot of Revelation

Number one: Beware the woman engaged in religious harlotry

God commands us to be morally and spiritually pure. But if we go back, again, into church history, we find a time when the visible, dominant church was watering down the truth of the Bible and teaching men to do so. Author William Manchester describes what this church was like during the Middle Ages, in his book A World Lit Only By Fire. He says,  “As mass baptisms swelled its congregations, the Church further indulged the converts by condoning ancient rites, or attempting to transform them, in the hope—never realized—that they would die out” (A World Lit Only By Fire, William Manchester, p. 13).

This is in total contrast to the Bible and what God intended. God instructed His people to not learn the ways of the heathen—that’s in  Jeremiah 10:2. He said, don’t compromise His laws, to the right hand or to the left (Joshua 1:7). He exhorted them, Don’t do like the nations around you, or be ensnared by their practices (Deuteronomy 12:30). Was this policy back in the Middle Ages pleasing to God? The mixing of blasphemous practices with the name of Christ? Of course not.

Going on, Manchester continues his description of the church in the Middle Ages. He said on page 13: “Statues of Horus, the Egyptian sky god, and Isis, the goddess of royalty, were rechristened Jesus and Mary. Craftsmen turned out other images and pictures to meet the demands of Christians who kissed them, prostrated themselves before them, and adorned them with flowers” (A World Lit Only By Fire, William Manchester, pp. 13–14).

God forbade idolatry—it’s that simple. And yet it was allowed and even encouraged in this large and influential church. Remember, we’re talking about two women in Revelation, two churches. One that was pleasing to God, and pure and virtuous. And another that was both spiritually compromising and politically active.

So number two: Beware the woman bent on political domination.

Let’s go back about 1,500 years, to the end of the Roman Empire. The western leg of the Roman empire fell in 476AD. In the 6th century, the Eastern emperor, named Justinian, dreamed of reuniting East and West. And he did it. But how did he do it? British author and speaker, Adrian Hilton, explains it in his book, Principality and Power of Europe: “He [that is, Justinian,] saw himself as God’s agent, destroying barbarian heretics, winning back the lost provinces of the West, and healing the divisions inflicted on Rome by barbarian invaders in 476. He acknowledged the supremacy of the Pope in the West, and effectively restored both ‘legs’ of the Empire—East and West. This became known as the ‘Imperial Restoration’” (The Principality and Power of Europe, Adrian Hilton, p. 27).

Justinian very cleverly gained the loyalty of the bishops and the pope, in order to reconquer Rome. And with that alliance, a new sort of political reality began in Europe. The union of temporal kings and religious leaders. And that became the story of Europe for a thousand years, and more.

Remember that at the beginning of this program, we read that the woman of Revelation 17 sits on a beast that has seven heads. Those seven heads represent successive governments. Justinian was the first. The second was Charlemagne—crowned by the Pope, in the year 800AD. Others followed. Otto the Great was crowned in 962AD. Charles the V in 1530AD. The French ruler, Napoleon, was about to be crowned by the pope in 1804, when, as the story goes, he grabbed the crown himself and laid it on his own head. We also can identify the Axis alliance of Italy and Germany of the late 1800s and early 1900s as the sixth head.

So, what does that mean? There are seven heads, and only six have occurred already. That means there’s one more coming, a seventh head. One more coming resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire—the unification between a military dictator and a religious leader.

What about the 10 crowns on the scarlet beast? Where do they come in? Revelation 17 shows that during the time of the last revival, the final head, there will be 10 kings in league with the Beast. “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:12–13).

We are in for some interesting times. Europe will rise again, as a world superpower. And crucial to her ascent will be the support of a religious entity that is centuries old. We need to be ready, so we’re not taken by surprise.

In this light, listen to what the Apostle Paul said, even in his time. Even back then, in the 1st century, he was greatly concerned that the little flock he’d been entrusted with could fall into licentiousness and the errors of the world! Notice in verse 1: “Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” (2 Corinthians 11:1–4).

Paul said, “Don’t ever let anyone influence you to compromise on the truth!” Even if they say nice things and profess to know Jesus. Do they uphold God’s word and keep God’s law? That’s what matters.

We want you to understand. We don’t want you to be misled and deceived and confused. God will allow these events to unfold, for His purpose. We all just need to make sure we’re not caught on the wrong side. Be sure to order your free copy of “Who or What is the Antichrist?” It’s a powerful booklet, and will open your eyes to this vital truth. You can order it online, by mail, or on the phone. Be sure to order yours right now…

 

Mother of Harlot Daughters

In this program so far, we’ve learned some pretty shocking things. That a church, which has outwardly carried the name of Christ, has not lived by the word of Christ at all. It’s been a church involved in politics at the highest level, and engaged in the deepest depths of spiritual harlotry. But there’s one more vital truth we have to uncover. And perhaps this is the most surprising truth of all. Let’s read again in Revelation 17 about this woman: “And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Revelation 17:5).

That brings us to our final point on today’s program:

Number three: Beware the mother of harlot daughters

What does this mean? Simply put, this church is not only a woman, she is a mother. There are other churches—harlot daughters—that have sprung from her. They may not look exactly like the mother, but they have the same basic DNA. What exactly does that mean, and why is it important to us?

To answer that question, we really need to go to another part of Revelation, this time in chapter 13. It’s another passage that describes this woman, from a different perspective. Verse 11 speaks of a beast coming up out of the earth, with two horns like a lamb, but speaking like a dragon. Meaning, it has the name of Christ, but is talking like Satan the Devil. Then John describes a great miracle-working false prophet that even causes fire to come down from heaven to deceive men. That’s Revelation 13:12–14.

Can you imagine the fervor and excitement this would create? A man calling fire down from heaven? We’re talking about prophesied events that are going to happen in our lifetimes. God is going to allow our generation to be tested like we’ve never been tested before. To know if we really love God, and will really submit to Him, above all else. Or if we’ll be swayed by lying wonders and deceitful signs.

What will this false prophet do next? Notice carefully: “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16–17).

What is that mark? A lot of different ideas abound. But most likely it is referring to people swearing allegiance to doctrines that are in direct contradiction to God’s laws. By their hand and by their head—what they do and what they believe and profess. Most likely what we’re talking about is something that’s causing people to disobey the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath, and instead keeping Sunday as a worship day.

Which makes us stop and think. It’s not only the rich and powerful church in that great city of Rome that keeps Sunday as a day of worship. Others who don’t identify themselves as Catholic at all, keep Sunday as well. All over the world. But why? Sunday was never observed by Jesus Christ. We challenge you to find a place where He did. And aren’t we supposed to walk in His footsteps? Sunday was never observed by His apostles. Even the Apostle Paul, who supposedly did away with the law, never kept Sunday, or taught his brethren to keep Sunday as a day of worship. In fact, Acts 13:42–44 shows definitively that He taught even the Gentiles to keep the seventh-day Sabbath.

So, who changed the Sabbath? Do your own research. Find out for yourself. Read about the “little horn” of Daniel 7 that “shall intend to change times and law” (Daniel 7:25). Who is the mother church? Who are the daughters? Millions of professing Christians are essentially following counterfeit doctrines—like Sunday worship—without really knowing it. Most of them are good people, sincere people, doing the best they can. But your Bible shows that a mark is coming, which will test hundreds of millions of people on this earth.

And believe it or not, when we really understand it, God’s Bible shows that one of the marks of His people is none other than the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath. That’s found in Ezekiel 20, verses 12 and 20.

Again, we are in for some serious times just ahead of us. We need to be ready. The mother church will influence the beast to enforce this mark of disobedience against God. And she will have true saints of God persecuted. Back in Revelation 17:6, John says, “I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement” (Revelation 17:6).

In the coming days, we will need God’s protection, like never before, when this woman begins her last ride. We will need to know where we stand. Frankly, we need to take that stand now. To be wholly and firmly obedient to the God Who made the heavens and the earth, and who gives us every breath we take. And who teaches us how He wants and doesn’t want us to worship Him. He decides—not us. Not tradition. Not what our friends do. Not what we’ve always done.

We in this Work are dedicated to conveying this wonderful truth to you with all of our might. We want to get this booklet in your hands today that we’re offering. It’s entitled, Who or What is the Antichrist? It’s free, we’re not going to ask you for money. We just don’t do that at Tomorrow’s World. You can’t pay enough for this truth—and that’s why we’re giving it away. Call or write today, don’t forget!

 

The Harlot Church Will Be Destroyed 

So what will happen to this harlot woman of Revelation 17? Well, we read the conclusion of the story at the end of the chapter. In verse 14, it reads: “[The ten kings] will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire” (Revelation 17:14–16).

This religious system will end. It will be destroyed, forever. And the resurrected saints will even have a part in bringing it to an end, forever. They will be with the returning Christ, to restore order and peace to this earth. And restore the true worship of God. For all humanity. What a fantastic future and a wonderful hope. What an opportunity to be with Him, a part of His Church, that virtuous woman, if we align our lives and thoughts and will with His. That’s our challenge. That’s our opportunity. Don’t let it slip through your fingers!

And once again, thank you for joining us on Tomorrow’s World. It’s our absolute privilege to bring God’s Truth to you out of His inspired word, each and every week. Be sure to come back next time. Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Wallace Smith and I will continue to share with you the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, and make the prophecies of the Bible come alive. We’ll see you next time!



Why Christmas?



Why Christmas?

For many, it is the most wonderful time of the year. Yet how many celebrate Christmas without really understanding why they do so? It’s time to find out.

Pages