Expert: Dennis Herman - 9/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have another question.This whole terrorism thing that is going right now,do you think that this will happen while all the Christians are still on earth,GOD protect His own,is not that right?

ANSWER: I can't really say.  The Bible does not contain the word terrorist.  There is a lot of speculation on the books of Genesis and Exodus.  Some claim the Bible names these organizations, but they do not provide reference text.  Some of the text I have seen is completely misleading.  

The fact of the matter is, Satan was here at the beginning of sin and will be here to direct it's course until God puts and end to it.  I stopped worrying about putting a name and a face on sin and stuck to living my own life.  

KJV Ephesians 6:12-13
12.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.


The best protection I know of is to know the word of God and live it.

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QUESTION: Will the Christians still be on earth when the 7 year Tribulation comes?
Someone told me that we will still be here.

ANSWER: I suspect you may be referring to a time prophecy found in Revelation.  Which one I am not sure, without having the exact text.  

The book of Revelation was not written in chronilogical order, which is why there seem to be so many different interpretations.  If you can give me the text in question, I can give you the supporting text and you can make your own interpretation.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well in the Bible,in general,is the Rapture before the tribulation period or do the Christians have to endure it as well?

Answer
I'm not sure if I am qualified to answer this question.   I have only watched the first movie in the Left Behind Series.  Because it contained only 2 lines of scripture I didn't bother to view the others.

The word rapture is not found in the Bible.  My only knowledge of the rapture is, it comes from a novel based on fiction and not from scripture.  It is a story designed to sell books and movies.

To understand prophecy in the Bible you have to understand the key words and the spiritual meaning in each key word within the text.  If you do not understand the spiritual meanings you have no chance of properly arranging the texts into chronological order.  Most people use the books of Daniel and Revelation to explain end time prophecy.  To understand the key words contained in these texts you must compare them to other texts.  There is no way any person can ever explain the spiritual meaning of a word using their own knowledge.

KJV Isaiah 55:8.  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We need a place to begin.

KJV Genesis 1:1.  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

God created the Heaven and the earth.  Follow the word earth through the Bible and you will find, the word earth shows us, God is always in control.  God always has been and always will be in control.  The very beginning of the Bible contains a spiritual word designed to give us all the assurance we need.

KJV Revelation 7:3.  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Here is an interesting point to study on your own.  Notice, God will always seal, or provide a sign.  Satan's subjects receive a mark. Study the words seal, sign and mark to find the spiritual significance of each.

KJV Revelation 13:15.  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16.  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:

The Bible never identifies the mark of the beast, although this has not stopped people from speculating.  Remember, Satan's first deception involved altering God's word.  The Bible clearly identifies God's seal and the sign between the eyes of His followers.  When we study the word mark in the Bible we are told what will happen to the people who do not receive the mark of the beast.  You can study the words sign and seal on your own.

KJV Revelation 20:4.  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: 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.

The Bible tells us, if we refuse the mark of the beast, we will reign with Christ a thousand years.  How do we get to Heaven?  Only the Bible can explain this question.

KJV Acts 1:9.  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11.  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven.

When Christ went up into Heaven, an angel informed the apostles, they will see Jesus return in the same manner.  This text gives us the key word cloud to search for additional texts relating to Jesus' return.

KJV 1 Thessalonians 4:16.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17.  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

KJV Revelation 1:7.  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Using the key word cloud we find additional texts adding greater detail to Jesus' return.  The dead in Christ will rise first.  This supports Acts chapter 1, the men of Galilee who saw Jesus go up into Heaven will see Him return.  The living will also go up into the clouds to meet Him.  Now we have a question.  Why do we go up to the clouds to meet Jesus if this is describing His return?  What happens in Heaven?  

KJV Revelation 20:6.  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Since only the dead in Christ will meet Him in the clouds to reign with Him a thousand years, what will happen to the other people?  The Bible is very clear on this subject, telling us exactly what will happen to the other dead people during this thousand years.  

KJV Revelation 20:5.  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Revelation 20 explains the first resurrection, when Christ's followers are raised.  This is explaining the same event found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and Revelation 1:7, Jesus' return.  Revelation 20 explains other events which will occur during this thousand year period.

KJV Revelation 20:1.  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  2.  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3.  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.

When the followers of Christ are in Heaven, Satan is bound within a bottomless pit.  What happens after this thousand years?

KJV Revelation 20:7.  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8.  And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Revelation 20 also describes a gathering of Satan's followers.  Satan is gathering an army together for a battle of monumental proportions.  The Bible will provide additional details by studying the key word gather.

KJV Revelation 16:13.  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14.  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15.  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16.  And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

KJV Revelation 19:19.  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

After this thousand years is expired and Satan is let out of the bottomless pit.  He and his followers gather all of Satan's followers together to the battle of Armageddon.  Who are they facing during this battle?  We are given a few key words to follow.  Satan's army will be fighting against God, "to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army."  Satan's army, "compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city."  What is the name of the beloved city?

KJV Revelation 21:1.  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2.  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

During the thousand year period of Revelation 20, Jesus' followers will be in Heaven while Satan is locked away.  After the thousand year period Satan will be let loose.  Satan and his followers will gather together all the people who have not followed Jesus, to a final battle outside the gates of the city called New Jerusalem.  What is the out come of this final battle?

KJV Revelation 20:9.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.  10.  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11.  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

KJV Revelation 20:14.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

KJV Revelation 19:20.  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

KJV Revelation 21:8
8.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

What happens to Jesus' followers?

KJV Revelation 21:4.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5.  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

KJV Revelation 21:26.  And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27.  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

KJV Revelation 22:1.  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2.  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3.  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4.  And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5.  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 6.  And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7.  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.