Expert: Rev Philip Dacre - 5/8/2011

Question
Rev Dacre:
As you well know, so much being said of end times today.
My knowledge of the Revelation is very limited.
Is there a place in this book that describes a time of
the believers/the saints being "taken out" or "put down" from out of the world?  I notice how the times change, and I watch quit readily.  Also going along with this thought - The rise of the antichrist?  Does it take over the world, or just war with the saints?  Revelation is a bit difficult to read. Can you point me to some chapters?  thank you.

Answer
Dear Leah,



Actually it is not in the book of revelations that you find reference to the saints being "taken off"the world, but in 1 Corinthians 15 and the book of Thessolians.  It is losely referred to as "The Rapture". This where most plausible scholars of the bible believe that the church, or believing saints are taken off the world before the judgement process of the end times, begins. There are saints left in the world at this time( perhaps those who become saints after believing during this time). They pay the penalty of death by beheading, according to revalations. ( Revalations 20:4)

The antiChrist is a real man who leads the governemnt of this world. It is the equivalent to the Christ, but on the dark side. Of course he will not easily be spotted. Even the undiscerning saints may not recognise him at first, as he comes as a man of peace. But , after 3 and a half years he becomes revealed as a man of war and saints recognise him.

He is satan's response to Jesus Christ, coming as the saviour of the world according to the flesh but not being able to hold his true natureas a psychopathic murderer in. This true nature is revealed after this period of time, about mid-way through the tribulation period. He then reeks vengence upon the bodies of the saints, but all this whilst ruling the leading countries of this world.

Obviously it will be shrouded and hidden within his governmental leadership. Nothing obvious and open about him, for he is satan in man, as Jesus Christ was God in man.

He has been given power over the flesh of mankind. Not over the spirits of the saints. Revelations 12 and 19 are worth studying. A tip and helpful hint is that this book is not all it seems. Some of these events listed are not in timeline order. Some may take eons to happen whilst the other may happen in quick order right at the end of time. This kind of prophecy is meant to help those going through the actual trials at the end of time, not for us to get to know the date and time of it all. God hides some things He shows John for this very reason. We are not meant to guess at it. Largely it is irrelevant for us now as we are already locked in a fight with the spirit of the antiChrist now, whether the embodiment of him comes now or not.

Hope this helps you Leah?

God bless