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END GAME

CHAPTER FIVE
PART I - SO...NOW WHAT ?

 

PERSONAL COMMITMENT

 

So...now that we know the timing of the rapture (its place in the sequence of events, not the day and the hour)...and now that we know the prophetic events between now and the rapture...what should we do -- in our churches and in our homes ?

Here is where the rubber meets the road. We set out to be modern "men of Issachar", who understand the times in which we live, to know what the church and Christian families should do in these last days. The very first question that must be answered has to do with whether we have the courage to make a commitment adequate to the task.

Before ever we contemplate the program of the church and the strategy of Christian families, there is a preliminary event to be experienced in the personal life of individual Christians...both pastors and people. Indeed, bringing people to understand and make this commitment is the FIRST order of business for Christian leadership. Once Christian leaders have educated their people about the information in the previous chapters of this book, they are obligated to ask their listeners for a response to this truth.

To bring this required commitment into focus, let us engage in a little Bible study -- a study that will bring us to solemnly address the facts that are staring us in the face and that demand a response...a response by those Christians who belong to "this generation that will not pass until all things are fulfilled", who are called upon to participate in the church's finest hour -- the END GAME of the church !

ELIJAH, THE LAST DAYS, AND THE
SPIRIT OF THE SEVEN THOUSAND

The Bible study contained in this section is not for the faint of heart ! It is intensely Biblical, concludes with "pure Scripture", and is AWESOME in its content ! When we first followed this line of Biblical study, we were literally taken aback by the severity of its message. We asked ourselves, "Can this really be ?" That was answered with a resounding "yes" as we simply re-read the verses we had studied. Join us now in that study.

We will begin with a brief review of past Biblical days that mirror this last days scenario...so that we will arrive at today's required commitment with the benefit of the example and encouragement of those who have gone before and shown us the way.

We begin with Elijah and his courage in the face of the persecution of Ahab and Jezebel.

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah has just seen great miracles performed in his ministry, even the slaying of all the priests of Baal. But the government of the day (King Ahab and Queen Jezebel), declared Elijah to be the nation's "most wanted man", with execution as the only logical outcome.

Elijah fled to Mount Horeb where he took refuge in a cave. A conversation then took place between Elijah and the Lord, and it went like this:

Now, think on this carefully. There were 7000 who had not bowed to Baal, nor kissed his image...and, (1) God knew how many there were, (2) God (therefore) knew who they were, (3) he numbered the faithful according to their refusal to bow or to kiss the image of Baal, and, (4) it was important to God that they had not done so. In the words "I have left me..." we have the declaration that this is "God's group" ...and they numbered 7000.

Perhaps some pragmatic, "enlightened" Israelites of that day said to themselves, "Well, we Jews all know that this idol is nothing but a piece of stone and amounts to nothing. In our hearts we do not worship this thing, but if it saves my life to bow and to kiss it, then I'll do it; God knows that in my heart I don't believe in this heathen religion". These "pragmatic Israelites" were NOT numbered in God's 7000 !

Now let us move to another part of Old Testament history, and find there others who belong in the company of Elijah's 7000. The three Hebrew children who did not bow to Nebuchadnezzar's idol were dear to the heart of God. They, too, could have "pragmatized" their way into bowing to the idol without meaning anything by it, but the commandment of their God was written in their hearts:

God's ABSOLUTE command should never be "pragmatized".

Did God see their courage ? Did He know that they were about to be thrown into the furnace ? Did it matter to God? YES, YES, YES ! He met them in the midst of the fire and delivered them; the heathen king himself saw the fourth person, "like the son of God". God knows; God appreciates; it DOES matter !

Now to the last days, the antichrist, the abomination in the temple, the image of the beast, and the mark that is placed on the hand or forehead. Remember the sequence of events. The abomination is raised in the temple, those who are in Judea and who heed the advice of Jesus flee immediately, not even returning home for supplies. There follows immediately a persecution of the Christians that is more severe than any in history. When one reads Foxe's Book of Martyrs, one is led to say, "How can anything ever be worse than this ?" Yet there is one more persecution that will outrank any before it. The duration of this persecution is not long...for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened...but it will be intense.

The pressure is on...really on ! "Bow ! Take the name or number on hand or fore-head...or you won't be able to buy or to sell. Do as we say or we'll decapitate you !"

There will be, around the world, many courageous and principled Christians who will NOT bow, who will NOT accept the mark of the beast...whatever the cost ! They belong in the company of Elijah and the 7000, and with the three Hebrew children of Daniel's day. They are members of God's "END GAME 7000".

We are convinced this mark will not be subtle, not of the sort that will lead someone to accept it without knowing the consequence. It will not be a Social Security Number or Social Insurance Number assigned by government without the voluntary acceptance of the individual. There will be some action needed on the part of the individual citizen to cooperate with this event.

Many martyrs of the past were told, "Deny Christ or die"; some were ordered to spit on the cross or die; some were told to worship Caesar or die. Likewise, this last days test will involve a clear act of the will with full knowledge of its import.

One would think that any modern ruler would avoid the forehead or the right hand as the location chosen for his mark, in order to avoid the accusation of his being the evil final ruler predicted in the Bible. To the contrary, this evil king will not believe prophetic Scripture's description of his defeat; he will be deceived by Satan into thinking he is invincible. He will DEFY the power of God by deliberately choosing the forehead and the right hand for the very purpose of forcing the followers of God into identifying themselves by refusing to take the mark. If he allowed people to take the mark on their ankle, millions of Christians might accept, correctly assuming this is not the prophesied event. The antichrist does not want compromise...he wants CONFRONTATION, to expose those who have an unbending loyalty to his arch-rival, Jesus Christ.

Just as the 7000 clearly chose NOT to bow to Baal nor to kiss his image, regardless of the consequences, so this will be a matter of clear choice. It will become clear why we believe this as we review the following Scriptures.

There are VERY IMPORTANT SCRIPTURES in this regard. We are now going to travel, time-wise, beyond that greatest persecution, past the appearance of the Lord in the skies, past the rapture, and see the raptured church around the throne, and the description of this great gathering:

At this point we note they have come out of great persecution; the privations of the past (hunger, thirst, tears) exist no more for them. They are comforted, privileged and secure.

We go now to another view of this same raptured church:

God knows who they are, these courageous and faithful believers of the end times who refused to worship the beast and the image, who refused to accept his mark...and it MATTERS to Him !

IT MATTERS TO GOD !

The question begs to be asked: Are there none there who DID accept the mark of the beast and who DID worship his image ? Did no one who cooperated with the antichrist make it to heaven ? Apparently not.

Now let's look at another view of the raptured church:

GOD KNOWS those who are faithful unto death, who have NOT worshipped the beast or his image, who have NOT received his mark. Let us say it again:

IT DOES MATTER TO GOD !

Again we ask the question: Are there none there who DID accept the mark of the beast and who did worship his image? Apparently not. Again.

Well, what about those who do not resist, who bow, who are marked ? What happens to them ? We found a verse that answers that question:

Here is an unmistakable look into the depths of eternal hell, and "any man" who received the mark or worships the beast or his image is destined to be there FOREVER.

Could it be that in the days of this greatest of all persecutions, that eternal life and eternal death will rest upon the decision to receive or not to receive the mark of the beast? Is it possible, in that coming day, a true believer will be called upon to PROVE HIS FAITH by being true to his Lord? Is it really possible that all who receive the mark and worship the beast will be damned to hell ? Does it really mean those who believe will DEMONSTRATE their saving faith by their willingness to say no, and to suffer the consequences ? The Scriptures we have just quoted have already answered that question !

Let us look at one more portion from Revelation:

The fearful and the unbelieving are residents of eternal hell. The overcomers are residents of eternal heaven. (Note the promises to the overcomers in the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3).

Now, with great care, we come to a summary in the first section of this closing chapter. We are forced to this conclusion by the Scripture itself. It is the sombre truth, and we encourage the reader to think on it, and think on it well.

WE are heading into the events leading up to the raising of the abomination in the temple, and the revealing of the true identity of the antichrist. WE are the generation that will see all things fulfilled. Many of those who are alive today will live to see the greatest of all persecutions; when it happens, there will be a clear choice to make -- worship the beast and his image, and take his mark...or be willing to suffer economic hardship and to die...with eternal consequences resting on your decision.

Just prior to this time, Satan and his angels will have been cast out of the sky region; they will be here on the surface of the earth, and they will be fierce, for they know their time is short. The two witnesses will be resisting the antichrist and doing mighty miracles, as did Elijah of old in the days of Ahab and Jezebel. Michael and his archangels have taken over the sky region, from which Satan and his angels have ruled in the past...so the strategic "high ground" is now held by God's armies. There is both revival, the preaching of the truth and miracles...and persecution more intense than ever before. THE FOCAL POINT becomes the image, the beast, the mark. The call goes out around the world, "Identify yourselves ! Who is on our side ? Who is opposed ? CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE !!! Cooperate or die !"

So clear will be the choice, so clear-cut will be the issue, that none will mistake it.

Choose the earthly kingdom and continue your physical life a little longer...and in so doing choose eternal hell forever... or risk today's persecution and physical death in order to obtain a better resurrection.

So, in this run-up to the last days, there IS something we must meditate upon NOW and a decision we must clearly make TODAY. In our heart of hearts, we must make our commitment to Christ and declare our commitment...NOW.

Counting on God's help, we CAN determine to be faithful to our Lord whatever the cost! We must say with Joshua of old..."As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" -- whatever the cost !

A soft, selfish life style...an entertainment-centred church program...an undisciplined spiritual life...a compromising accommodation with evil on the job or in the school...NONE OF THESE are the characteristics of God's heroes of the last days. This is not the attitude of God's 7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal.

The story is told of a French artillery soldier forced to flee to England by the advancing Nazi troops. He returned to France in the Normandy invasion as part of an American unit; together they would reclaim France from the invaders.

In the midst of a heavy battle, Nazi soldiers were shooting from the cover of a farm house, the deadly fire stopping the Allied advance. The American commander said to the French artillery man, "Hit that house." The man aimed his cannon and scored a direct hit, totally destroying the house. The American commander turned to congratulate him on his accuracy, and saw a tear running down the Frenchman's cheek. "Is there something wrong, gunner ?" he asked. The French gunner replied, "Sir, that was my home."

That is the commitment of heroes...of Elijah's 7000...of the three Hebrew children...and of the saints of the END GAME of the church.

We close this chapter-section with a portion from Hebrews 11, and the words of a great hymn of the past -- no longer fashionable in our day of pleasant choruses, but very timely for the days that are coming:

Think on this well, my brother and my sister! Be worthy of your heritage !