“The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath”
Month: May 2013
The Terrorizing Wrath of God Part 4
“The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath”
6. The River Euphrates Dried Up:
“12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.” NIV
This phenomenon of the Euphrates River is very significant. This is in preparation for the Great Battle of Armageddon and very close in time for the second coming of the Lord and the beginning of the Millennium. This is indeed very near to the humiliating end of the Dragon, The Antichrist and The False Prophet. Daniel 11:40-45 illustrates for us this dramatic and historical event that marks the start of Armageddon and the end of the Dragon’s reign:
“40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.
(The Antichrist will win great battles here)
“41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon.”
(The Glorious Land is Israel; the Antichrist shall also overthrow many other countries, but he will not be able to over take them all. Edom, Moab and Ammon will be able to escape from his hands)
42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.
(Here we can see that Egypt will not be able to escape the Antichrist’s power. We can also see that Libya and the African nation of Ethiopia will follow the Antichrist)
44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.”
(Here we see an echo of what we just saw in Revelation 16 as the waters of the Euphrates River dried up. This prepared the way for the kings of the east to go after the armies of the Antichrist.)
Back to Revelation 16:13-14 / 16 we see the following:
“13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.” NIV
“16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.” NIV
This is Armageddon! Armageddon will make our World Wars look like little Civil Wars. We will see the whole word divided in two powerful and huge armies. The whole world will be participating in this war. Now, I have asked myself if everybody involved in those armies that are coming against the Antichrist will be a Christian. Does rejecting the mark of the beast necessarily mean that they embrace Jesus? I do not have the answer to these questions, but a good place to start is in the study of the Millennium, which will take place after the end of the Great Tribulation and after the Second Coming of Christ. That my friends… will be another series!
Stay with us for the next part as we deal with the Seventh and last Bowl of God’s Wrath.
To be Continued…
The Terrorizing Wrath of God Part 3
“The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath”
“5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:
“You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were;
6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.”
7 And I heard the altar respond:
“Yes, Lord God Almighty , true and just are your judgments.” NIV
We can see in these verses that God’s judgments are declared righteous; this is a reminder that even as terrible as these events may look, they are indeed the punishment that the Beast’s followers deserve. In these verses we can also see that God will make these Beast followers drink the blood of the Saints and Prophets they murdered.
In our previous article we discussed the first three Bowl of God’s Anger:
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Festering Sores
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The Sea Turns Into Blood and
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The Waters of the Rivers and Springs Turn Into Blood
As we continue, we step into the fourth Bowl of God’s Wrath:
4. The Sun Scorching People:
“8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.” NIV
I grew up in Puerto Rico where it is hot all year round. I’ve been to Yucatán, Mexico: close to the desert with temperatures reaching 110 degrees. Nevertheless, I can’t imagine this kind of heat as described in the Bible. The word Scorch in the Greek means: “Heat or the result of burning.” The word Seared means: “To bake.”
Imagine that you are filled with decomposed smelly wounds, with no food to eat, no water and a heat wave like you have never experience before? But with all the pain and death around, the Bible tells us “…they refused to repent and glorify him.” These people have un-repentant and prideful hearts; they are people that are marked with the mark of the beast, people with no hope, whose final destination will be in the Lake of Fire. Their un-repentant response is the greatest evidence that God’s judgments are true and righteous.
5. Darkness and Pain:
“10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.” NIV
Even in the midst of all these events, pain and the smell of death, they will continue to curse the God of heaven and refuse to repent. Again, with their response, they are confirming that God is right in what He is doing.
To be continued…
The Terrorizing Wrath of God Part 2
“The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath”
The wrath of God is what takes place at the end of The Great Tribulation. Many times when we hear about The Great Tribulation, we place our focus on the doings of The Antichrist during that time. The Great Tribulation indeed, is going to be a terrorizing time for the Christians that are born again during that time. The Antichrist will come after them with no mercy. I believe that many people will be saved during that time; that is what makes this The Great Tribulation. If everybody is in agreement with the Antichrist there is no need for problems.
A small study on the Great Tribulation will quickly show us that this is a time when Christians will suffer persecution like never before in the history of Christianity. However, today I want to talk to you about the most terrifying thing any of us can possibly face besides hell, and that is…The Wrath of God! Revelation Chapter sixteen gives us a good insight of the beginning of the end of The Great Tribulation and gives us specificity concerning The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath. In verse one we read:
“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” (NKJV)
The word Wrath in this verse means:
To move impetuously, particularly as the air or wind, a violent motion or passion of the mind. Anger, wrath, indignation[1] So, what is that “passion of the mind” that is reflected in these seven bowls? Lets start from the beginning:
1. Festering Sores:
“2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.” Rev. 16:2 NIV
The first bowl of God’s wrath is going to deal with those that agreed to worship the Beast and were given the mark of the beast that enables them to buy and sell. They will be punished with rotten wounds.
2. The Sea Turned into Blood:
“3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.” Rev. 16.3 NIV
This second bowl will cause the water of the sea to turn to blood. This will cause every living thing in the sea to die, which means that the food supply from the sea will be gone. This blood is the blood that will also have a rotten smell, as it is the blood of dead people.
3. The Water’s of the Rivers and Springs Will Turn to Blood:
“4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.” NIV
With this bowl of God’s wrath, drinking water is awfully damaged, but also the animals on earth will be greatly affected. So, not only that food supply is not good, but also water supply is also awfully affected.
So far, with only these first three bowls of God’s anger, you have people with decomposed wounds, seas turning to blood, all animals in the sea dead, no drinking water and the animals on the earth either dead or greatly affected. You would think that this is enough damage, but God is not done releasing His judgment yet.
To be continued…
[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
The Terrorizing Wrath of God Part 1
“The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath”
People enjoy talking and hearing about God’s love. It is so comforting to know that we serve a God that loves us that much. One of the most recognizable portions of Scripture is indeed John 3:16 “For God so love the world…”
However, because of a misunderstanding of what love really is there are many distorted false doctrines concerning God’s greatest character trait. There are even those who are teaching people the Doctrine of Inclusion. Inclusion means that everybody is going to make it to heaven no matter what, because “God is Love.”
Pope Francisco is telling the world that all good people will be redeemed. Wow! No need for Jesus, no need for the cross and no need for repentance. And don’t think for a minute that Pope Francisco is the only one generating a new Gospel; some in the Evangelical world are preaching a Gospel that is inexistence in Scripture.
This approach to God is generating a generation that has forgotten that God is worthy of all reverence. It is amazing to me that we call a mere man a Reverend, but we approach God like He is our buddy who is there to save us when we get ourselves in trouble while the rest of the time we just do as we want.
Yes! God is our Daddy! Yes! God is our friend! Yet God continues to be God! When we read the book of Revelation, we don’t have to spend too much time to find out the reverence that our God receives in Heaven. We are rapidly, as a society in general, loosing respect for everything and everybody: from our parents, our elderly, our religious leaders, our schoolteachers and our own God.
Today I want to start a series about God’s Wrath as we take a look at Revelation Sixteen and The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath.
To be continued…
What Our Summer Camp Is and What Is Not
We had a wonderful time last year in our First Gates County Summer Camp; however, we should get better every year. In our pursuit for excellence, we feel compelled to make a few points very clear to avoid misunderstandings:
1. Our summer camp is not a place where kids come JUST to have FUN:
Our summer camp is hard, challenging, and serious; not to say that we will not have fun. If your child is allergic to sweating and challenges, this may not be the camp for him/her. We will be challenged spiritually, mentally, and physically.
2. Our summer camp is not a place to hangout or a baby- sitting center:
We have a minute-by-minute schedule of activities. All students MUST participate in those activities; unless, he or she is unable to due to physical impediment. Students don’t come to do whatever they want; students come to learn what we have to teach. This is not Burger King; sorry but they can’t have it their way!
3. Our summer camp is not a place to find your next girl friend or boy friend:
Last year, we dismissed a couple of students that brought in a lot of drama over there little romantic involvement. We don’t have time for that!
4. Our summer camp is not for students that just want to come in for a week or two:
Our summer camp is for students that are willing to work hard in order to be able to test at the end of the camp. We have two students that could become black belts at the end of the camp. We have students that will try to move up to Purple Belt, Blue Belt, Brown and others that will try to come out of the lower ranks. We have a lot of work to do to get those students prepared and we would rather focus on them. We understand that our students may miss a day or two or even a week as they enjoy family summer vacation…there is flexibility for that, but unless the student has an intention to test at the end of our seven-week summer camp, it is best that he/she finds another camp.
5. As always, I will financially work with anybody:
However, if you are looking for freebies, you may want to consider other camps.
6. I am not here to follow up with the Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian or any other denominational doctrine:
We will teach directly out of God’s Word and we will be challenged to change and be more like Jesus as we learn to make HIM the Lord of our lives. For those that are not saved, they will be presented with the Gospel. We are not looking for numbers or just a mouth confession with no heart involvement; we are looking for fruit.
7. The ages for the camp are eight to seventeen years old: There may be some exceptions!
8. New students that have never taken martial arts are accepted with the same conditions as everybody else.
Seven Weeks Martial Arts Summer Camp
Second Gates County Seven Weeks Martial Arts Summer Camp
I am so excited about this summer camp. It’s going to be a great experience where our children will be challenged spiritually, physically and emotionally. Our daily schedule is as follow:
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Attendance and Prayer
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM One hour of cardio (Walking and running)
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Break
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Martial Arts Class
12 Noon – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM Devotional
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM Break
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Martial Arts Class
2:45 PM to 3:00 PM Break
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Diverse Games
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Martial Arts Class
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM Clean Up
5:00 PM – Time to go home!
*Schedule is subject to change.
Detailed Information
Ages: 8 to 17 years old
Dates: June 10th 2012 to July 25, 2012
Location: Gates County Community Center
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Days: Monday through Thursday
Prices: $60.00 a Week (No Registration Fee)
For more information please call us at 252-506-5374 or visit our Facebook Page for more detailed information regarding this very exciting camp at facebook.com/gatescountymartialarts
¿Estaremos de Seguro en los Últimos Tiempos? Parte Final
Hay tanto más que se puede decir de los últimos tiempos; espero que, por lo menos, esta serie halla despertado la curiosidad en ti. Este es un tema fascinante que, aunque es futurístico me ha ayudado grandemente a vivir mi vida Cristianan en el hoy. El tiempo que he dedicado al estudio de este tema en preparación para esta serie y para mis prédicas en la Iglesia me han servido de aliento y me han proveído un avivamiento personal.
El sistema Babilónico caerá, eso es seguro, eso es verdad y una realidad Bíblica. El sistema Babilónico ha cargado el espíritu del Anticristo desde el principio, mas ese sistema llegará a su merecido fin. Apocalipsis 18:21-24 nos dice:
“21 Un ángel poderoso tomó una piedra, como una gran piedra de molino, y la arrojó en el mar, diciendo: «Con el mismo ímpetu será derribada Babilonia, la gran ciudad, y nunca más será hallada. 22 Voz de arpistas, músicos, flautistas y trompetistas no se oirá más de ti. Ni se hallará más en ti artífice de oficio alguno, ni ruido de molinos se oirá más en ti. 23 Luz de lámpara no alumbrará más en ti, ni voz de esposo y esposa se oirá más en ti, porque tus mercaderes eran los grandes de la tierra y por tus hechicerías fueron engañadas todas las naciones. 24 En ella se halló la sangre de los profetas y de los santos y de todos los que han sido muertos en la tierra.»” (RVR 1995)
En lo que respecta al Anticristo, su merecido fin también llegará. Apocalipsis 20:7-10 nos dice:
“7 Cuando los mil años se cumplan, Satanás será suelto de su prisión 8 y saldrá a engañar a las naciones que están en los cuatro ángulos de la tierra, a Gog y a Magog, a fin de reunirlos para la batalla. Su número es como la arena del mar. 9 Subieron por la anchura de la tierra y rodearon el campamento de los santos y la ciudad amada; pero de Dios descendió fuego del cielo y los consumió. 10 Y el diablo, que los engañaba, fue lanzado en el lago de fuego y azufre donde estaban la bestia y el falso profeta; y serán atormentados día y noche por los siglos de los siglos.” (RVR 1995)
El conocimiento del día y de la hora del retorno de nuestro Señor Jesucristo no es para nosotros saberlo. Ni siquiera Jesús sabe, solo el Padre (Matthew 24:36) Lo que sí debemos reconocer son los tiempos en los cuales estamos viviendo. No tengo la menor duda de que todo está aceleradamente preparándose en el mundo para el rapto de la Iglesia. Nosotros los Cristianos somos parte del equipo ganador, aunque a veces no se sienta la victoria; aunque a veces nuestras emociones no caminen a la par con la realidad Bíblica de nuestro destino, aunque Babilonia nos robe los valores de nuestras sociedades, naciones y culturas… somos parte del equipo ganador.
¡Que Dios te bendiga!
Pastor Ángel Casiano
angelcasiano@aol.com
In Honor of our Soldiers
I want to thank you, the wives of soldiers because when they came home you were there faithfully waiting for them. I want to thank you, the sons and the daughters of soldiers because you could have grown angry at the fact that they were not there for some of your birthdays, sport events, recitals and when you were sick and lonely…You could have been angry at your dad or mom as they fought for this nation, but you honor them with your respect and admiration by doing your part, doing well at school and doing everything with excellence.
Thank you soldiers…you who are still alive and still carry the scars of war on your bodies and in your minds… because of you I am free! Thank you soldiers who came back to an empty home, whose wives did not wait for you any longer, whose children rebelled against you and your sacrifices for this nation. Thank you soldiers, who are now looking for jobs and can’t fine one, but who are still willing to go back and fight for our freedom.
And thank you soldiers, you who took the bullets that could have killed me or one of my loved ones. You took those bullets so that we may remain free from the bondages of oppressive political groups…Today, I can relax, barbecue in my back yard, and have the constitutional right to say and write what is on my heart because of you…Today, I am free because you gave your life…THANK YOU!
Estaremos de Seguro en los Últimos Tiempos? Parte 19
Detalles Sobre El Anticristo y el Final de Su Influencia en el Mundo
“13 Me paré sobre la arena del mar y vi subir del mar una bestia que tenía siete cabezas y diez cuernos: en sus cuernos tenía diez diademas, y sobre sus cabezas, nombres de blasfemia. 2 La bestia que vi era semejante a un leopardo, sus pies eran como de oso y su boca como boca de león. El dragón le dio su poder, su trono y gran autoridad. 3 Vi una de sus cabezas como herida de muerte, pero su herida mortal fue sanada. Toda la tierra se maravilló en pos de la bestia, 4 y adoraron al dragón que había dado autoridad a la bestia, y adoraron a la bestia, diciendo: «¿Quién como la bestia y quién podrá luchar contra ella?»
5 También se le dio boca que hablaba arrogancias y blasfemias, y se le dio autoridad para actuar por cuarenta y dos meses. 6 Y abrió su boca para blasfemar contra Dios, para blasfemar de su nombre, de su tabernáculo y de los que habitan en el cielo. 7 Se le permitió hacer guerra contra los santos, y vencerlos. También se le dio autoridad sobre toda tribu, pueblo, lengua y nación. 8 La adoraron todos los habitantes de la tierra cuyos nombres no estaban escritos desde el principio del mundo en el libro de la vida del Cordero que fue inmolado.” Mateo 13:1-8 (RVR 1995)
Estos versos fueron escritos exclusivamente para darnos una descripción física, moral y espiritual del Anticristo. En estos versos todo se prepara para la intensificación de La Gran Tribulación. Podemos decir que estos versos marcan el principio de los últimos tres años y medio. En Apocalipsis 13:2-3 vemos que Satanás intenta imitar a Jesús una vez más. Vemos que el Anticristo muere y resucita tal y como nuestro Señor Jesucristo murió y resucitó en la cruz. La impresión que dicha resurrección causó en el mundo fue tal, que aquí comenzó el Anticristo a recibir la alabanza del mundo. El mundo dirá: «¿Quién como la bestia y quién podrá luchar contra ella?»
El ataque en contra del Cristiano está ahora a toda fuerza; hemos entrado a los últimos tres años y medio del dominio de Satanás. A continuación quiero darte unas características específicas sobre el Anticristo:
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Parece ser que viene de Alemania, pero de acuerdo a la descripción física de esta cuarta bestia puede que salga de Rusia o Inglaterra.
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El Anticristo será un poderoso orador (Daniel 7:8)
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Hace guerra en contra de los Cristianos y los vence en términos de que matará a muchos. (Daniel 7:25)
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Cambiará las leyes y los tiempos (Daniel 7:25)
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En Daniel 11:37 aprendemos que el Anticristo no tendrá necesidad de mujer. Una ves más vemos al diablo tratando de imitar a Jesús.
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En Daniel 11:37 también parece ser que vendrá de una familia de Cristianos. Me parece que el Anticristo tendrá conocimiento basto de la fe Cristiana.
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El Anticristo será entendido en enigmas. La palabra enigma quiere decir “Secretos”, lo que quiere decir que será bien difícil el ocultarle cosas este hombre. (Daniel 8:23)
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En Daniel 8:24 vemos que:
