The Beginning of Calamity

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book: 


Quenched Like a Wick:  The End of America and the Beginning of Tribulation

"For behold, I begin to bring calamity on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth," says the LORD of hosts.'  Jeremiah 25:29

In verse 29 we find this phrase: "I begin to bring calamity."  I can't overstate how important this clue is.  This is exactly the type of phrase we need to begin to put the pieces together.  Jehovah is telling us that what's being discussed in this passage is the beginning of that calamity.  And by reading a bit further we realize that this beginning is coming to the city (or encampment, in the widest sense[1]) which is called by God's name.  In other words, the beginning of this calamity is coming to the place where God's people live, whose nation is known to largely contain the people of the one true God.  Or said even more plainly, the national religion of that country is rooted in a Judeo-Christian heritage, but yet also is deserving of punishment.  He says that particular country will be punished, and he will call for a sword on all the rest of the inhabitants of the earth as well.

"And at that day the slain of the LORD shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground.  Jeremiah 25:33

This passage, verses 29 through 33, clearly speaks of the beginning of the tribulation.  And we see within this passage several clues to indicate that what's being spoken here is the very beginning of that Day.  Verse 29 says "I will call for a sword".  The language used here is that of something being initiated.  Likewise, verse 30 says he will "roar from on high, and utter His voice...; He will roar mightily against His fold.  He will give a shout..."  Verse 31 says "a noise will come to the ends of the earth."  Verse 32 says "disaster shall go forth...and a great whirlwind shall be raised up."  Verse 33 confirms that this will be a worldwide event.  Verse 38 says God has left his lair like a lion.  It should be evident to the reader that this kind of language speaks of the initiation, or beginning, of worldwide calamity, known as the tribulation.  The great whirlwind mentioned verse 32 is a common word picture in the Bible when speaking of the start of that Day.

So while the beginning of the tribulation is clearly being discussed, I might remind the reader that the backdrop, or context, of Jeremiah 25 is the complete and utter destruction of end-time Babylon.  This is not by happenstance or coincidence, but by divine design.  Our great Jehovah is trying to show us, at least those willing to study, that the complete and utter destruction of end-time Babylon begins the tribulation.  It's the very first event.  Furthermore, we learn from this passage that that "city", or encampment, is inhabited by many of God's people and is called by his name; or as we saw, has a Judeo-Christian heritage.  But in spite of being called by his name, she is worthy of punishment.  For we know that end-time Babylon is called the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.  

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[1] Strong's H5892

The Righteous and the Wicked

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book: 


Quenched Like a Wick:  The End of America and the Beginning of Tribulation

In the previous chapter I spoke of the two references in the book of Revelation that mention how Yahshua (Jesus) will stand up in judgment "as a thief."  One was written to God's people[1], the other appeared in the context of the judgments being poured out upon unrepentant sinners.[2]   I tried to show that scripture directly links this approach as a thief with the arrival of sudden destruction.  The thief and sudden destruction go hand in hand.  And in Matthew 24 we see another reference to the thief which also is associated with the wicked.  Verses 48 through 51 speak of the evil servant who decided that the Master was taking too long to return.  So, that evil servant began to mistreat the people around him and take part in activities which are not befitting a child of God.  Now look at what we're told about that evil servant.  Verse 50 says: "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of."  Look closely.  The servant is not looking and he's not aware of the hour.  

Without question he's not looking.  But he's also not aware of that hour?!  Wait a minute.  Stop the presses!  Would it not have been sufficient to just say he's not looking?  Why tell us he's not aware of the hour?  I thought we weren't supposed to know the hour.  This is exactly what Revelation 3:3 is saying as well.  It says, "...if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you."  See that?  You won't know what hour I will come upon you, IF you don't watch.  Out of all the many hours that Day could begin, you won't know which one it will be.  Not only that, you won't know when he will come "upon" you.

If you're not ready spiritually when that Day arrives, you're going to be sorry.  Matthew 24:46 calls the wise and faithful servant "blessed" upon his arrival, much the same way Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were blessed to survive the furnace heated seven times hot.[3]  In fact, the first thing king Nebuchadnezzar did when he saw they miraculously survived was to bless their God, the only true God, Jehovah.  This is a foreshadowing of things to come.  Zephaniah 3:20 tells us that God will give his people “fame and praise among the people of the earth” during the time of his fierce anger.[4]  How so?  Because many of them will just have supernaturally survived the intense fire.  After all, we are his witnesses in the earth.[5]  The wicked servant is not so fortunate.  They will become as the dust before the wind on that Day.[6]  Many may consider this “dust” to be just so much poetry.  But the weapon exists today to fulfill this literally.  He says he will "come upon" or "come against" the evil servant.[7]  In Isaiah we find similar language when speaking of the same point in time, the beginning of the Day of the Lord.  Isaiah 3:10-11 says: "Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.  Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him."[8]  

Now, that Day will arrive as a thief, with sudden destruction, to both the righteous and the wicked.  But we see that there's a distinction in the outcome.  In that Day it will be obvious to everyone who served the Lord and who did not.[9]  When that Day begins, the righteous are found bearing good fruit by their doings.  It will be well with them, relatively speaking.  But the wicked will receive the reward of his hands, his doings.  Yahshua taught this principle in Matthew 7:19 when he said every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire.  James also confirmed this principle when he acknowledged that we are saved by grace, through faith, but there will always be outward evidence of every true heart change.[10]

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[1] Revelation 3:3
[2] Revelation 16:15  
[3] Daniel 3:28, Isaiah 43:2
[4] Zephaniah 3:8
[5] Isaiah 43:10, 43:12, 44:8, Acts 1:8
[6] Malachi 4:3, Zephaniah 1:17
[7] Revelation 3:3
[8] Jeremiah 17:10, 21:14, 32:19
[9] Malachi 3:18
[10] Ephesians 2:8, James 2:17-18

Way to Go, Kylie!

Finally, some good news to report!  I just want to say how proud I am of former Victoria Secret model Kylie Bisutti for choosing to honor our great and holy Jehovah over fame and wealth.

"I actually loved it while I was there, it was so much fun and I had a blast. But the more I was modelling lingerie - and lingerie isn’t clothing - I just started becoming more uncomfortable with it because of my faith. I’m Christian, and reading the Bible more, I was becoming more convicted about it."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/victorias-secret-model-kylie-bisutti-quits-over-religious-beliefs/story-e6frf96o-1226267656320

 Notice the progression.  She began reading her Bible more and became convicted by the Holy Spirit.  That is the Spirit of Grace working in someone's heart, discussed in Hebrews 10.  May all who are called by his name reject the pollution of this world and serve Yahshua with pure hearts and clean lives.

Grace:  G5485   charis  khar'-ece
From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

Can I talk to all the men out there for a minute?  Do you want to be free from pornography?  It's not hopeless.  Stop listening to that lie.  The same principle applies to you.  You have to spend serious time in the Word of God.  And you must shut out the temptations.  Stop putting yourself in compromising situations.  Turn off the TV.  Stop renting movies.  Cancel your internet access.  Get in the Word of God and stay there until you are free...and then continue in the Word of God daily.  As you abide in the Word of God, it will begin to abide in you.  You will begin to walk in the Spirit.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

Peace and Safety

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book: 


Quenched Like a Wick:  The End of America and the Beginning of Tribulation

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.   1 Thessalonians 5:3-4

As we progress ever closer to the start of that Day, people are beginning to develop some very interesting ideas.  I’m not exactly sure how these ideas develop and grow but I’m convinced a lot of people aren’t spending enough time reading the Bible.[1]   As I speak with people and read their books and blogs I get the impression that people are looking at everything except the Word of God.  Some people today are even saying that the tribulation has already started!  They rationalize that the first half of the tribulation will be relative peace and calm.  As I will show, this is clearly not the case.  Scripture is clear that when that Day begins, the whole world will know it.[2]   It will be unmistakable.

Paul, when writing to the church at Thessalonica, confirms what the people apparently already knew.   He reiterated that when the people of that day, which is our day, are saying Peace and Safety, then sudden destruction will come upon us like labor pains upon a pregnant woman: a common theme in the Bible regarding that Day.[3]   And in the verse prior he refers to this event as the day of the Lord which will arrive like a thief in the night.  This “thief in the night” phrase gives a picture of how that Day will approach but not what it will be like.  This is an important point and worth repeating.  The verse says the Day “so comes” as a thief in the night.  But when it actually arrives, it’ll be like a woman experiencing labor pains.  Any woman in labor will tell you that when those pains grip them, they’re unmistakable!

Peace and Safety

The Greek word used here for peace carries with it a sense of quietness and rest.[4]  And when do we feel the most at rest and the most secure?  When we’re in a deep, restful sleep; tucked away safely in our beds in the middle of the night.  We’re dreaming away the night.  We’re not consciously thinking about who may be prowling around outside.  It’s at this time that we are most vulnerable.   Now we know from other passages that the day of the Lord will come upon the entire world.[5]  Paul is saying here that when the whole world is at peace and feeling secure, that’s when the Day will begin. [6]  That Day will start when the world is reveling in a time of unprecedented peace and security. 

And just as the start of that Day will be unmistakable, so too will be that time of unprecedented peace and safety.  I believe God will use this “peace and safety” prophecy as a very clear sign to even those who have only been partially paying attention.  As I discussed at the opening of this book, the world today is experiencing an unprecedented time of upheaval.  We are today experiencing a series of wakeup calls.  God is trying to get our attention.   God’s hand of judgment is heavy upon the earth today because our wickedness and rebellion is heavy upon the earth.[7]  And those lesser judgments[8] will continue to intensify.  As these catastrophes continue to wash over the earth like waves, it’s going to seem as if nothing is stable.  But the time is coming when Jehovah will relent.  His chastisements will cease for a time.  In Isaiah 1:5 he asks, “Why should you be stricken again?”  Jehovah is saying here, It’s of no use to continue to chastise you with these lesser judgments, you’ll only continue to rebel. [9]  So out of nowhere the dark clouds of judgment will seem to dissipate.  Those severe trials will just stop.  Nations will declare peace with their enemies.  Troops will return home.[10]  Natural disasters will quiet down.  Many will also be healed of severe infirmities.  There will be a time of unprecedented peace and safety and the inhabitants of the earth will think the worst is over.  Then, seemingly out of nowhere, sudden destruction will come upon the world like birth pains upon a woman in labor.  You see, this is why the approach of that Day is likened unto a thief in the night.  At the moment we feel the most safe and secure, when we least expect trouble, that’s the very moment that Day will begin.

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[1] Jeremiah 6:10

[2] Revelation 6:17

[3] 1 Thessalonians 5:3

[4] Strong’s Concordance G1550

[5] Isaiah 13:11, 14:26, 26:21, 28:22, Zechariah 5:3, Luke 21:35, Micah 5:15, et.al.

[6] Jeremiah 14:19

[7] Isaiah 24:20

[8] Amos 4:6-10, Jeremiah 12:4, 14:1-6, Hosea 4:3, Matthew 24:7

[9] Jeremiah 2:30, 5:3, 6:29, Zephaniah 3:2, 3:7

[10] Isaiah 33:1