FAQ :: Don’t we all get the same rewards in Heaven?

The rewards that saints receive in Heaven will vary greatly. Some people think the term “eternal reward” just means that all saved people will be given the reward of eternal life.

The Bible promises several types of rewards to people who qualify for them. Here are some examples of crowns that the Word of God promises people:

THE SOUL-WINNER’S CROWN – to people who labored to save souls from the fires of hell. 1 Thessalonians 2:19: “You are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take pride in when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.”

THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – for those who look for and love Christ’s return. 2 Timothy 4:8: “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

THE CROWN OF GLORY – for those who faithfully teach and preach God’s Word.1 Peter 5:4: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN – for those who “run a good race” in the Christian life. 1 Corinthians 9:25: “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

THE CROWN OF LIFE – for people who endure suffering, knowing there is a better life in the world to come. James 1:12: “Happy is the man that keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the Crown of Life.”

FAQ :: Is it right for Christians to seek after eternal rewards?

First, we must determine what earns eternal rewards.

The answer to this is wrapped up in the words of Jesus: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).

The “things” that will be added when a Christian seeks to do what the Kingdom of God requires –absolute obedience to all commands found within His Word are blessings this side of Heaven and are rewarded for eternity.

Under this prescription found in Matthew 6:33, it is not only okay to desire and seek eternal rewards, but it is commanded of the believer.

Paul the Apostle made no apologies for saying: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

We must make sure our desires are not selfish inward-turning so that it is all about us. We, as God’s children, are to seek with all our hearts to do what He put us here to do. Then, our heavenly father will see to it we are blessed beyond our wildest imaginations in His omniscient timing.

FAQ :: What are the rewards that believers will receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ?

Believers –all of the Church Age who appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ– will receive the following rewards, depending upon how they have lived their lives while on earth. Some will lose rewards if they have lived in disobedience; others will gain rewards if they have lived in obedience.

This judgment will not be a judgment for sin. Everyone who appears at this Judgment Seat will be saved. Jesus took all sin upon Himself on the cross, past, present, and future. The Bible mentions at least five rewards:

1. The Incorruptible Crown – given to those who master the old nature (1 Cor. 9:25-27).
2. The Crown of Rejoicing – given to soul winners (Prov. 11:30, Dan. 12:3, 1 Thess. 2:19-20).
3. The Crown of Life – given to those who successfully endure temptation (Jas. 1:2-3, Rev. 2:10).
4. The Crown of Righteousness –      for those who especially love the doctrine of the rapture (2 Tim. 4:8).
5. The Crown of Glory – given to faithful preachers and teachers (Acts 20:26-28, 1 Pet. 5:2-4).

FAQ :: When will the tribulation begin?

We believe that the Tribulation will start when the Antichrist signs the seven-year peace agreement with Israel. Because there have been several major peace treaties signed between Israel and her Arab neighbors, it’s important to look for one that will allow Israel to rebuild the temple, which was destroyed in 70 A.D.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations, he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27).

FAQ :: Could the Jews begin sacrificing in the temple before the tribulation actually starts?

Yes. Nothing in Scripture precludes that from happening. In Daniel, chapter 8, we find that the Jews’ daily sacrifice will be taken away, so, from that, we can infer that it will have begun again. Basically, the Jews could build their temple at any time and re-institute their sacrifices any time between now and the rise of the Antichrist.

It makes a little more sense to me that they would re-institute full temple practices before the tribulation period begins. It seems like there would be a difficult timing issue if they had to rush it right at the beginning of the Tribulation.

FAQ :: How much time will elapse between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation?

It is a very common belief that the rapture is what triggers the tribulation. This assumption is caused by a streamlining of end-time events. The tribulation does follow the rapture, but a detailed examination of Scripture reveals a gap between these two events.

The timing of the rapture is not known. Jesus said, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Mat. 24:44).

The tribulation will start when the Antichrist signs the seven-year peace agreement with Israel. The treaty will likely be a peace agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors, one that will validate Jewish worship at a rebuilt Temple, which was destroyed in 70 A.D.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Dan. 9:27).

Because the rapture is an unknown event, it cannot occur at the same time as the start of the tribulation. It’s anyone’s guess as to how big the gap of time will be. It could span a few days or a few years.

FAQ :: Can the Mark of the Beast be accepted by mistake?

The Bible does plainly say that anyone who receives the mark of the beast will be condemned to Hell-fire forever; however, I do think that even this strongly-worded statement can allow for some exceptions. I don’t believe the mark can be forced on people. Anyone receiving the Antichrist’s number will have to choose of his own free will to take it.

If some muscular thugs dragged an individual into a voting booth and forced his hand to pull the lever for a Communist political candidate, he obviously wouldn’t be responsible for the vote. If that same person was simply told to cast a vote for a Communist candidate, and he obeyed, the responsibility would be his own.

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Rev. 13:16-18).

“And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name” (Rev. 14:11).

“And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Rev. 20:4).

FAQ :: Are Christians required to be active witnesses for Christ?

Yes. We are strongly commanded in the Bible to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we can’t ignore this call to evangelize the world. It’s not only our religious obligation; it’s also our moral duty. People are spiritually dying all around us, and it is criminal for us not to offer them the cure.

If you were caught up in a flash flood and saved by someone who pulled you to safety by a rope, it would be natural for you to act to save someone else if the circumstances were reversed.

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (1 Tim. 1:8-9).

Several Church fathers have offered strong opinions of Christians who are not active in spreading the good news: “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that.” – Charles Spurgeon

“If you do not make it a matter of study, how you may successfully act in building up the kingdom of Christ, you are acting a very wicked and absurd part as a Christian.” – Charles Finney

“Let us not deceive Jesus Christ in the testimony we owe Him, by stopping our mouths, when it is needful to maintain His honor, and the authority of His gospel.” – John Calvin

“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” – Matthew 9:37,38

FAQ :: Is hell-fire preaching, good or bad?

The belief that we need to speak very gently to people about their sinful state has become very popular. It is true that most people are repelled by an in-your-face “turn or burn” message. However, some of the most successful salvation efforts have been ones full of fire and brimstone.

Jonathan Edwards won many sinners to the kingdom of God with his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” The prophet Jonah started one of the greatest revivals recorded in the Bible by simply warning the people of Nineveh that God was going to overthrow their city.

“So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried and said yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them” (Jonah 3:3-5).

The advantage of hell-fire preaching is that it gets to the heart of the problem. People need to know that they are already under a sentence of condemnation to hell, that we are all sinners. The love option is a good way to connect with people, but at some point, they need to be confronted with the truth. This can be done in a loving, concerned, and kind way without watering down the facts

FAQ :: With all of the restrictions, how can we effectively witness in the workplace?

Many of the restrictions implied in your question are enforced illegally. It is vital that you know the law so that you can stand firm in your faith, knowing that you are legally protected.

The First Amendment is your friend! Its guarantee of free speech means that employees can talk about their personal beliefs to the same degree that other employees might talk about their favorite football teams. For example, an employer may not legally allow joke e-mails to be distributed but then restrict religious e-mails. They cannot allow family pictures to be hung on office walls but deny the right to hang a framed picture of Jesus Christ. They cannot allow one employee to hold a weight loss clinic in the conference room during the lunch hour, but then forbid another employee to have a Bible study in that same conference room before work hours.

The key is that witnessing and other religious discussions or meetings cannot be mandatory and they cannot interfere with work efficiency or productivity. Outside of those parameters, you are free to discuss your beliefs and to witness to others.

FAQ :: Can you give me a short gospel presentation?

Yes, this is effective and easy to follow, even print it out and carry it with you. Give it to those you witness to. You should put your name at the bottom and the phone number of the church you attend or any other personal ministry affiliation you have.

Memorizing all of the gospel verses may be too hard, to begin with. If so, memorize the six verses and become proficient in the Short Gospel Presentation as cited below. Once you master it, memorize the rest as presented here:

Memorize Matthew 25:46; Mark 8:36-37; John 1:12; 3: 1-7, 16, 36; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 9:9-10; 10:13; 2 Corinthians 6:2b; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:15, and learn how to share the gospel. At times you might forget to take your spiritual sword (Bible) or dagger (New Testament) with you. If you have the key salvation passages memorized you can quote them.

Short Gospel Presentation

Everyone is a sinner in need of salvation:

“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Those who die in their sins will be judged:

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men once to die, and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Yet even though all have sinned, one can escape eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire, and have eternal life through Jesus Christ:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Salvation is available to all is a sinner in need of salvation:

“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Those who die in their sins will be judged:

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men once to die, and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Belief in Jesus Christ apart from works is the only way to be saved:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

If you believe God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, call upon Jesus Christ to save you right now:

For “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED” (Romans 10:13).

 FAQ :: What are some other names for the Antichrist?

In the Bible, many names are given that allude to both Satan and the Antichrist, or the spirit of antichrist, which is working today in the world. The phrases below are distinct names given to the Antichrist himself:

• The king of fierce countenance:      (Daniel 8:23).
• The prince who is to come:      (Daniel 9.26).
• The beast: (Revelation      19:19-20).
• The son of perdition: (2      Thessalonians 2:3).
• The lawless one: (2      Thessalonians 2:8).
• The man of sin: (2      Thessalonians 2:3).
• The foolish shepherd (Zechariah      11:17).

FAQ :: What is a scoffer in biblical terms?

Scoffers and scorners are people filled with negativity. God has warned us that in the last days, self-righteous people will challenge believers about His promised return.

“Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to 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 creation'” (2 Peter 3-4).

No Christian should be a scoffer or a scorner. It is a bad testimony to the lost and it will cause believers to stumble. We must always be careful to not do anything that will tarnish our image among the lost (1 Peter 2.12), and cause brothers in the Lord to stumble (Romans 14.13, 21).

When you encounter a scoffer the best thing to do is move on and let him go his scornful way. It never pays to argue with a scoffer or scorner for they are fools (Proverbs 29.9).

FAQ :: Will Jesus ever be back on Earth?

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). In this passage, Jesus assures His followers that even though He must go away for a time, He is going to prepare a place for them and He will be back for them. Then, in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Paul said, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” The return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the Christian’s “blessed hope.”

First Jesus will remove all true born-again Christians in the Rapture, the physical removal of Christians before the beginning of the Tribulation. But, there will also be a time when Jesus will return to set up His kingdom on earth right after the seven-year Tribulation period. He will rule and reign on earth for 1,000 years. Revelation 20 describes this awesome event in detail. After the 1,000-year reign of Christ has ended, Satan will be defeated permanently, and God will create a new heaven and a new earth. Revelation 21:1-2 says, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

FAQ :: Is the Antichrist already alive on earth?

We do know that there is one who is coming to deceive and will be the antithesis of all that is good and Christ-like. The Bible indicates that this man will be sent by Satan to lead the world in a final rebellion and “will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped … proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Your question is a valid one because the events of the world, as they relate to the fulfillment of prophecy should cause every believer to keep watch. It is true that there has never been a time in history in which the world was as ready as it is now to usher in the end. Is he alive today? It is very likely he is alive right now.

The most important thing is to place your trust in Jesus Christ, alone. He will reveal to you everything that you need to know in His timing. If you are not a Christian, you will face horrible things unless you place your hope and trust in Jesus Christ. You can do that today by saying a simple prayer asking Jesus to forgive you for your sins, repent and ask Him to come into your life and be your Savior.

FAQ :: Will Christians be able to identify the Antichrist before the rapture?

It is possible that Christians will be able to identify traits of the Antichrist but we cannot be sure of his actual identity. The Word of God says that the body of Christ is removed before the Antichrist signs the covenant of death (the false peace covenant with Israel) and that his true agenda will be hidden until the middle of the Tribulation when he is literally indwelt by Satan himself. No one can really be sure who that Antichrist is until the Jews sign the false peace treaty with him after the church is removed in the Rapture.2 Thessalonians 2.7: “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let until he is taken out of the way.” It is the church that must be taken out of the way before the Antichrist can rise up.

FAQ :: What does that have to do with Bible prophecy?

Most events that occur do not have a direct correlation with prophecy, but many events play a supportive role in the fulfillment of prophecy. Adolf Hitler was an uninspiring artist and actually helped bring about the greatest fulfillment of prophecy–Israel’s rebirth.

Because Hitler was not very gifted as an artist, he was rejected by the Academy of Fine Arts. This led to him being embittered against the state, which, in turn, led to him joining an extremist political group. This led to his rise to power, which led to World War II, which led to the Holocaust, which finally led to the formation of the nation of Israel. It’s often the tiny, seemingly insignificant events that guide the major ones. It is fascinating how particular occurrences interact with each other to bring about major events.

FAQ :: When is the world going to end?

According to God’s Word, the Bible, Planet Earth will never “end” in the sense of being forever done away with. It will, however, be radically reshaped by God’s creative fire into a planet, or the world, much different than it is presently.

Jesus’ disciples asked him in the Olivet discourse to tell them when the end of the world would come. Actually, they asked: When will be the end of the age? The question involved the end of human history, as it had been known up to that point. That age about which they questioned the Lord is still going on in our time.

Jesus answered by giving a list of prophetic signs that will precede His Second Coming. Christ indicated that the world, as it was then known, and is now known, would end when He returned. Revelation tells us that Jesus’ millennial kingdom will be the next “earth age.”

It will last 1000-years, after which time the Great White Throne judgment will take place, where all lost (unsaved) people of all ages will be judged and sentenced to an eternity apart from God. The lake of fire is their final place of residence, from which there will be no escape.

Planet Earth will then be remade into something more glorious than can be imagined or described by the human mind, this side of heaven. Peter, the apostle, through the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives us just a glimpse of earth’s ultimate destiny:

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:10-13).

God’s Word promises:

“One generation passes away, and another generation comes, but the earth abides forever.” (Ecclesiastes 1:4).

Malachi prophesied that before the Tribulation begins, Elijah will return:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah comes. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” Malachi 4:5-6).

Elijah may appear during the time of “peace and safety.” He will do his work, but the nation of Israel will not respond to his ministry. Instead, they will sign the covenant with the Antichrist and suffer the consequences.

FAQ :: What are some Tribulation warning signs?

The Bible distinctly tells us that numerous warning signs will be fulfilled before the Tribulation begins. Some warning signs have already been fulfilled, and others are being fulfilled at this time. Below are the past, and present warning signs of the Tribulation.

FAQ :: What is a red heifer and why is it significant?

Based on Jewish standards recorded in Numbers 19, the Jewish people could never be purified or able to rebuild their temple without the ashes of an unblemished red heifer. Jewish tradition holds that a red heifer heralds the Messianic era.

For prophecy watchers, it is definitely something to keep your eyes on. The temple will be rebuilt in fulfillment of Bible prophecy, and temple practices will be reinstituted, so we know that there will be a spotless red heifer provided to allow that to take place. The heifer is not determined to be perfect until its third birthday.

Over the past few years, several red heifers have been born around the world. But each one has been either imperfect or not in Israel at the right time.

FAQ :: What is the Millennium?

Revelation 20:4-6: “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have a part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign for a thousand years.”

There are as many different views about the millennial reign of Christ as there are about the rapture. From the above verses, we can be sure that it comes after the tribulation period–after the Anti-Christ’s rule on earth–and we can clearly see that not all people, not even all Christians, will be present on earth for this 1,000 years.

Revelation 20:2-3: “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.”

The idea that Satan will not be on earth and will not be able to tempt and spew lies at believers helps us to imagine what life on earth during the Millennium will be like. No depression, no sickness, fear, no worry, no doubt.

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, let this be yet another reason to want to be on His side. Place your hope and trust in Him and let Him into your life.

FAQ :: Is the Book of Revelation going to be fulfilled in our time?

It is not possible for all of the prophecies in Revelation to be fulfilled in our generation. Most of Revelation will be fulfilled during the seven-year tribulation, but the millennial reign of Christ on earth will last 1,000 years. After the thousand years, Satan, who will have been bound during this time, will be set free for what is described as a “little season.”

“And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that, he must be loosed a little season” (Rev. 20:2-3).

FAQ :: Does Bible prophecy require that the Dome of the Rock be destroyed?

It is very likely that the Dome of the Rock will still be standing in Jerusalem when the Tribulation Temple is built. One of the biggest obstacles to a Jewish Temple is the unlikelihood that the Muslims would surrender their claim to the area where the Dome of the Rock now stands. Even if by some remote chance the Dome is destroyed, Islamic law requires that all damaged mosques be rebuilt.

According to some leading archaeologists, the Holy of Holies of the First and Second Temples was not located on the spot where the Dome of the Rock now stands. They believe it once stood about 70 yards to the north at a location called the Dome of the Spirits.

Paul’s prophecy of the Antichrist sitting in the Temple and claiming to be God proves that there will be a rebuilt Temple: “…so that he [the antichrist] takes his seat in the Temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

There is a strong indication that some sort of compromise will be reached between the Arabs and Jews. In Revelation 11, John the Revelator is given a rod and told to measure the Temple of God. He is told not to include the outer court because it is given to the Gentiles.

“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months” (Rev. 11:1-2).

FAQ :: Why does Ezekiel 29 say that Egypt will be uninhabitable for 40 years?

One reason Egypt will be uninhabitable (desolate) for forty years could be the result of nuclear warfare and the effects of the Tribulation. It is very likely that the forty-year period will stretch into the millennium. The curse on Egypt will be slowly lifted during the millennium.

“And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries” (Ezekiel 29:12).

FAQ :: What happens after the Millennium?

2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” After the Millennium, the world as we know it will be disintegrated by fire.

Then, Revelation 21:1, 2 says, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” At that time, it truly will be finished! You can read Revelation 21 and 22 for a clearer picture of what that will be like.

FAQ :: Who are the “two witnesses” in Revelation 11?

Moses, Elijah, and Enoch are the most likely candidates for Revelation’s two witnesses, with most scholars believing the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah. In Matthew 17, when Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the mount and was transfigured in front of them, Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. Enoch was not there. The transfiguration can be seen as a picture of the coming of the two witnesses–Moses and Elijah.

Malachi 4:5 predicts that Elijah will come as one of the two witnesses: “See I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” Elijah was taken up into heaven by a whirlwind and chariot of fire (see 2 Kings 2:9-11); he did not physically die. Likewise, Moses did not die a normal death. The Bible tells us that God preserved Moses’ body (see Deuteronomy 34:5,6; Jude 9). The accounts of their deaths further corroborate the selection of Moses and Elijah as the two witnesses.

FAQ :: How long is a generation and is this the final generation?

We are told, in Matthew, that there are 14 generations between Abraham and David, between David and captivity to Babylon, and between Babylon and Christ. This equals 42 generations between Abraham and Christ. It is suggested that there are about 2,160 years between Abraham and Christ. 2,160 divided by 42 equals 51.4 years per generation.

Other speculations about the length of a generation include 70 years, 100 years or even 40 years because that is how long the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. Some say the “final generation” began when Israel became a nation. Others contend that, while Israel becoming a nation was extremely important, it wasn’t until 1967, when it reclaimed Jerusalem, that it could be considered to have “bloomed.” It is clear that we cannot know for sure the timing of the Lord’s return. But it is obvious that we are close–close enough to count the days!

FAQ :: During the tribulation, what will make-up the one-world church?

All people who have not given their lives to Jesus Christ will be a part of the one-world church. They will be deceived into worshipping the Antichrist until it is too late to turn back. These people will think that they are worshipping the Messiah and will do so gladly and blindly because they did not know the true Messiah. Unfortunately, many of these people will have called themselves Christians.

Do you know the true Messiah as your personal Savior and Lord? Do you know Him intimately? Would you recognize a slick impostor? If you have any doubt, then your salvation is in question. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you and to draw you unto Him. Ask Him to forgive your sins, especially the pride that has kept you from surrendering to Him until now.

FAQ :: What is “Babylon” in the Book of Revelation?

The term “Babylon” is controversial among prophecy students. Babylon, as used in Revelation, refers to two things, primarily: 1) It is a religious system, and 2) it is a political and commercial system. Religious Babylon is found mainly in Revelation, Chapter 17. Commercial Babylon is found mainly in Revelation, Chapter 18.

The controversy comes when the questions arise: Will a city called Babylon to be rebuilt on the site of ancient Babylon, to become the greatest city on earth during the tribulation? Or, is Babylon symbolic of a great commercial center or another great city on earth that will be destroyed?

Many good prophecy scholars have different answers to these questions. Some hold to both sides of the controversy simultaneously. One thing is sure, God’s Word considers Babylon a humanistic, rebellious, anti-God entity on the world stage as human history draws to a conclusion.

FAQ :: What is wrong with date-setting?

After twenty-plus years Rapture Ready has heard of or received one hundred different formulations each year for the timing of the Rapture or Second Coming. Having already witnessed around 2,000 predictions come to nothing doesn’t leave any great hope for new ones that come along. Any person’s chances of being right are, at best, one in 2,000.

The Word of God makes it very clear that we will not know the timing of the Rapture. Matthew 24:44 states, “For this reason, you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

Because date setting can cause emotional harm to some people, Rapture Ready does not allow date setting on the message board. A couple of years back, one participant threatened to kill himself after he thought he’d missed the Rapture.