Most Americans seem to have forgotten that there is an invisible war between right and wrong and between righteousness and evil. This hidden war may be unseen in it’s behind the scene stages, but will always be visible in the end. Satan has been the master of destruction from the beginning of man’s six thousand years. The Bible describes his final end as the destroyer of nations. “They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” (Isaiah 14:16-17). For a long time, Satan has had America in his sight for destruction.

William F. Buckley, Jr., died just a few days ago on February 27, 2008. As I listened to remarks of his greatness, talk of his book, God & Man at Yale, kept surfacing. This book, along with Mr. Buckley, was credited with launching the present conservative movement in America. The following is a quote from his book that basically states what this Prophetic News Alert is about. “I believe that the duel between Christianity and atheism is the most important in the world. I further believe that the struggle between individualism and collectivism is the same struggle reproduced on another level.” (God & Man at Yale, p. xviii. The quote is penned by Mr. Buckley, but had been written by a reviewer of his book, Willmoore Kendall.) Atheism is nothing but an intellectual term for Satan’s influence.

With the church world in a spiritual comatose state, it is left up to a remnant of GodÂ’s saints to take a stand. We must learn to discern and identify the power of destruction in the political realm. Often, our choices are not clear enough or not clear at all. This is one of the presidential election years in which we are facing possible disaster. Either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama would offer us more abortions, more taxes, and more homosexual liberties at our expense, along with a lack of security from world dangers. Liberalism is nothing but hungry politicians that want to run our lives for us. They have no sense of God-given rights, values, or liberties. Every value intrinsic in the Bible is rejected and despised. It is a war for our national future and even our survival as an independent nation.

As I study ancient history in preparation for our prophecy conference on the Mediterranean Sea, I am learning more about the great nations that have fallen into the dust of ruins. The greatness and riches of past empires are unbelievable. With his rot and moral decay, Satan has destroyed one great culture after another. There are no armies big enough to save a nation of baby killers, homosexual paraders, greedy leaders, and lazy taxpayers. It takes moral men and women that are willing to take a stand at all costs to protect any nation and assure its continuing future.

Most Bible believers are not perfectly happy with the presidency of George W. Bush. But, he has turned the tide on some very important issues. Finally, the Supreme Court is not far from a clear, conservative majority. This highest court in our nation has destroyed many of the moral standards of America. One more period of eight years of having all appointments to that court being solid conservatives would change the legal standards of America.

Satan cannot destroy any culture that has a moral underpinning. If Abraham could have produced ten righteous men in Sodom and Gomorrah, those cities would have experienced an awakening and they would have survived. Abraham could save those cities from the armies that attacked them, but he could not save them from the filth that demanded their obliteration.

America barely made it through the presidency of Bill Clinton. We are still recovering from the moral decay of the Clinton White House. The recently dethroned New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer, is an echo of that decay. Even people that are basically good and decent – but without any spiritual life – cannot survive long when a nation is on the moral slide downward. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9). There is no doubt that the church world of America is simply following the liberalism that rules the media and attacks everything in its way throughout society. The Clinton years gave the media their coveted excuse to be vicious against all moral values.

I do not need to say anything more about Hillary Clinton than the above stated facts. Barack Obama is only different from her in the color of his skin and his sex. In my mind there is no doubt that Americans, as a whole, do not care about the race or sex of the person that they will choose to be president. Look for yourself at the respected persons across America. Whether they are sports figures, movie stars, singers, executive persons, or political individuals; we have a very broad love of successful fellow Americans. Only eight years ago, Colin Powell, an African-American, was viewed as a prime choice for president. He was the highest military figure in the greatest army on earth, past or present. Condoleezza Rice, a female African American, was highly encouraged to be the conservative candidate.

Barack Obama is the ultimate liberal and would spell disaster for our nation. Obama has stated that he opposes the Defense of Marriage Act. Concerning that Act of Congress, he stated the following in a publication for the Chicago homosexual community, “It should be repealed, and I will vote for its repeal on the senate floor.” He further stated, “I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying.”

Studying the voting record of Mr. Obama gives a picture of ultimate liberalism. He voted against a bill to prohibit partial birth abortions. (That’s where a child is partially delivered then brutally murdered.) He even voted against a bill entitled, “Born Alive Infant Protection.” (This would have protected the life of an aborted baby that was alive after the abortion.) On and on the record of his values, as manifested in making the laws of this nation, reveal a dangerous man to God’s laws of righteousness.

Satan wants another president in our White House that does not have any solid Biblical values. He also wants a man that has been indoctrinated against Israel and her right to the Land of Promise. For twenty years, the pastor of Mr. Obama has a proven record of denigrating our defense of Israel and constantly attacking America as being unfair to the Palestinians. If there is one position that Satan loves among all the rest, it is a position of disregard for our faithful support of the nation of Israel. To forget our position beside Israel would be paramount to inviting a thousand suicide bombers to our American cities. You must pray long and hard before you cast your ballot in this election.

Oprah Winfrey is a blasphemer against the God of Holy Scripture. How does a very intelligent lady come from a deeply Christian home of an apparent Godly grandmother to become a full-blown New Ager? It is reported that she began public speaking by reading or quoting the Bible and sermons to her grandmotherÂ’s church family at the age of three. She was actually named after Orpah, the sister of Ruth from the Bible; but the name was misspelled on her birth certificate. Being raped by a family member for years certainly had a chilling effect on her young life.

The sad story is that her incredible mind and personality has been turned into a force for occultic powers. Satan goes about as a roaring lion seeking the best and the smartest lives to use for his kingdom of defiance against the God of the Bible. The New World Order of the Antichrist is exploding and he needs teachers and devotees to spread his high-sounding deception. Oprah Winfrey has become one of his most successful tools to help lead a multitude to hell. The present day acceptance of all religions on an equal level sets the perfect stage. In this atmosphere the villains are saints of God that identify these lies. Hatred for Biblical Christianity has never been so loud.

Oprah has made numerous statements that show her devotion to New Age ideas, but the real proof is in her key radio series for 2008. The entire year has been proclaimed as a study on the book, A Course In Miracles. First, let’s document the source of this study. An atheistic psychologist received this course by demonic revelation in 1965. This same study has been a mainstay with Robert Shuller’s church for years and probably played a large part in the confused mind of Rick Warren. This study came to this psychologist by “mind dictation” and the source identifies himself as Jesus Christ. She recalled, “The voice made no sound, but seemed to be giving me a kind of rapid inner diction, which I took down in a shorthand notebook.”

Another psychologist with whom she is reported to have had a very troubled relationship agreed to participate in these dictations and serve as a kind of secretary and confidant. For several years William Thetford was often with her as she received the volume of materials that constitute this course. He believed she was receiving the original teachings of Jesus Christ to give to the world.

The Oprah Winfrey Enterprise has now become the window to the world for these satanic teachings. It is scary when you consider her entrance into the political campaign of Senator Barack Obama and the impact the media suggests this is having on his candidacy. Satan is determined to put the prettiest face with the least substance in the American White House. With all of our sins and failures, America and Israel are still the two nations hated by the unbelieving world. To think of having a president that believes in the ideas of Oprah Winfrey and A Course in Miracles should drive us to our knees.

LetÂ’s review the heart of this dubious course in miracles. You will find that every idea is totally foreign to the Holy Scripture. It is basically the language of humanism, psychology, and the occult. It has no kin to the Lord Jesus Christ and above all it hates the sacred blood of the cross. If there is one thing Satan and all his ilk love to attack, it is the blood and the very purpose of that blood, which is to cleanse sin.

A Course in Miracles states, “The atonement is the final lesson he (the human family) need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation.” (Text, p. 237.) That statement is the unfailing love of the devil. There is no such thing as sin to Lucifer. To admit sin is to admit righteousness and rebellion against righteousness. And that truth demands a Sovereign God that is an eternal being that gave His only Son to redeem man out of sin. The heart of this false system is the denial of the Holy God that rules in His universe.

The false premise of the above statement moves quickly to the next main thrust that is the heart of Pantheism or New Age teaching. Here are the author’s words, “The oneness of the creator is your wholeness, your sanity, and your limitless power.” (Text, p. 125.) This incredible statement is claiming that the universe is God, that every part is part of the whole, and that we fit in the whole as a cog in the wheel. There is no separate individual, either God or ourselves. It is all an elusion, and we move up the ladder of that elusion by our positive mindset. Of course, we move in the reverse when we are negative or harbor negative thoughts of sin, sickness, or failure.

It can only get worse when you start with such rebellion against the Heavenly Father. Here is a list of dark things in this book:

"There is no sin." (Text, p. 9.)
"A slain Christ has no meaning." (Text, p. 10.)
"The journey to the cross should be the last useless journey." (Text, p. 11.)
"The name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol … it is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray." (Text, p. 13.)

Oprah Winfrey has probably crossed the line in the sand to which there is no return. Believe me, the great Creator and His Eternal Son is beholding it all and the cup of wrath is near the top. The crash of a life like Oprah will leave a heartrending aftershock. We may not hear it here, but the sound will touch eternity.

Tell every soul that you have opportunity to tell that judgment is near at hand. Do not fail to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ as the Redeemer and Saviour of all that call on Him in surrender.

Joseph R. Chambers
jrc@pawcreek.org

The majority of earthÂ’s population is practically ready for the coming Seven Years of the Great Tribulation. Pornography, along with its vileness, is on the cutting edge of preparing for GodÂ’s final judgment of the earth. While millions are slipping under the bondage of raw sex pictures and materials, the truth of pornography is unknown to our world. It is one of the worst forms of sexual sins and in most cases the very source of all sex sins. Sex sins almost always start with pornography. The very image portrayed in its pictures and actions will degrade the viewer to subhuman and demonic emotions.

Experts that have studied the effects of pornography define the results in five steps. These steps all spiral in a downward direction and they all end in a state of mind that reflects absolute insanity. At this state the individual cannot separate action from fantasy. They are no longer in charge of what they do to fulfill the results of the images in their head.

The stages are easily understood and show the loss of oneÂ’s mental ability. By the fifth level, the person becomes practically insane.

• Curiosity
• Addiction
• Escalation
• Imitation
• Uncontrolled Imagination

After interviewing a large number of district attorneys and police attorneys through the years, it is discovered that sex-related murders, rapes, child molestations, or any criminal activity relating to sex almost never occurs without a connection to pornography. In practically every case serial rapist and killer are living in the fifth stage of pornography addiction. They are living in a state of uncontrolled imagination of the images and activities that now fill their mind. You often hear how likeable these individuals were before their perversion was discovered.

The Bible warns us of this dark perversion. The viewing of pornography is an involvement in vain imaginations that can only escalate. The following Scripture is probably the best description of this type of life found in the Bible. Apostle Paul said, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21-22). Pornography blinds the mind. It destroys the individual’s ability to think straight.

But, it goes further than just insanity. It changes one’s view of God Himself. Listen as Paul continues, “And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:23-25).

The sad truth is that few people ever escape from the long-term effects of viewing sexual insanity. Pornography usually starts with viewing normal sexual activity, but quickly escalates to the viewing of abnormal sexual activity. At that point it becomes worse than sin, it becomes demonic and as vile as hell itself. That is probably when God gives them up and withdraws all conviction and grace. Here is the Biblical description of God’s actions, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:26-28). Hope is now gone. There is no return. A multitude of Americans are slipping into this final stage of perversion.

This lifestyle of reprobate vileness will be the normal life during the coming Seven Years of the Great Tribulation. Straight people will be considered the abnormal and will be persecuted and killed during this dark period. The Antichrist will be a homosexual himself. Listen to this prophecy in Daniel, “Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces” (Daniel 11:37-38a). Note the words, “nor the desire of women.” The Antichrist will be the most depraved individual of human history and will be totally without normal passions of human nature. This deeply flawed human personality will be enabled by Satan to rule the world for him. Satan will give him his power and the paranormal abilities to deceive the masses.

Bill Clinton is an example of a person deeply flawed in his sexual perversion. To the world controlled multitudes it gives him a strange attraction that is almost irresistible. He is presently like a magnet to the liberal world of politicians and the elitist, especially the media elitist. In fact, he is probably more like the Antichrist than any man alive and it flows out of his utter perversion. No, he is not the Antichrist, but he is a type of the Antichrist.

Pornography is certainly one of SatanÂ’s most clever tools to prepare our world for his last effort to become God. Sexual perversion will so weaken the strong character of our men and women that they will be ready to follow Satan all the way to the Lake of Fire. Even when they can view God on His throne in the Heavens, they will still refuse to repent.

The Lord Jesus Christ directed every word of the Book of Revelation. He said, “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21). Our world is ready – or so close to being ready – that the time to repent is at a minimum. Men’s ability to repent is very near to the end. Christ’s Rapture will remove the last restraints to this coming worldwide upheaval.

The world – especially the church world – is preparing for the Grand Opening of the Great Tribulation. The noisy old-school church that holds to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture will be removed out of their way. Our presence empowered by the Holy Ghost holds the Wicked One, the Antichrist, at bay and restrains him from his official position as the head of the One World Order. The Antichrist is probably alive but being held in reserve and angry that his readiness to step up to the Satan-appointed task keeps getting held down and hindered. The entire world of One World advisors and promoters will call for the greatest celebration of this generation. Declaring the World of Nations as “One World Under god” will create pandemonium in every major city of this earth, even Jerusalem.

Religion is the one source of world peace and unity. Finally, there isn’t any religious entity left to deny “all religions as being equal.” With the Rapture-ready saints gone, the Jezebel church wins the day and is fully prepared to be partners with the powers of the One World Order. New revelations, new translations, and new interpretations will have prepared the world for a new view of God, of Christ, and of the Spirit. The deception will be so complete that Satan – as an angel of light – will step right up to the world church and receive the long sought after role as the Father’s replacement. He will produce his “christ” and his “spirit,” and the whole world will bow at his feet.

Five unbiblical ideas have prepared the church world for this coming dark hour.

FIRST, the false anointing and spiritual-type activities have become dominant in the spiritual world. The central place that the Bible and Jesus Christ once held has been replaced with a spirit being called the Holy Spirit. ItÂ’s like the church has entered a spirit dispensation, and the primary expectations revolve around some kind of strange spirit experience. Impartations from individual-to-individual are occurring at almost every church altar. There is no such Biblical truth as a Holy Ghost dispensation. The church life from Pentecost up until the Rapture is a Jesus Christ dispensation. He is the Lord of the Church. Yes, He fills us with His Spirit. Yes, there is joy and rejoicing. Yes, the gifts of His Spirit are available, but it is all centered in Jesus Christ alone.

SECOND, this new spirit has subjected himself to the individuals or at least convinced them that he has done so. Men and women speak in tongues at their own will as often and as much as they will. They prophesy over each other as is pleasing to them and constantly intrigue each other by promising good things. New revelations of doctrines and ideas fill their thinking with religious imaginations. They travel from city to city, binding spirits over these cities and calling down judgments of perceived darkness. Paranormal things are filling the lives of the religious world with signs, wonders, visions, and dreams, which are mostly bizarre and without any Biblical context. These are spirits willing to be used because the desired end is total control over the individual.

THIRD, prayer has moved from a relationship with the Father and His Son to a man-centered mindset. Instead of praying “Thy kingdom come,” it is proclaiming, even demanding, “Thy kingdom come.” They say that no one is supposed to pray for God’s will, but they are to command what they perceive is God’s will. The church world is being taught that they can speak things into existence and command the spirit world. One fad after another has taken the church world from a cross-centered spirituality to a man-centered spirituality and prayer life. Very few Christians are able to judge this incredible departure from truth.

FOURTH, the Bible is called the “dusty old truths of the past.” Almost everyone is looking for something new and intriguing. The evangelicals have their new translation, the charismatics have their new revelations, and many fundamentalists have their new interpretations. Any church movement that does not have a strict and unflinching devotion to the plain Word of God will be deceived. The Bible is infallible and our one and only rule for truth and life. We have a church generation where “truth has fallen in the streets” and there is no way back except for a return to “every Word of God.”

FIFTH, the theology of this deception is earth-centered instead of Heaven-centered. The environment, politics, and wealth are the heartthrob of the Jezebel church. They treat heavenly truths like some false “pie-in-the-sky” theology. They laugh at those of us who have our eyes trained on the coming of our Lord to take us out of here. The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is a hindrance to their Kingdom Dominion Theology. They think they are going to rule the world and are expecting to become “Manifest Sons of God” at any moment. They will actually call this manifestation the Rapture and use language that completely skirts the truth.

These five areas of departure from truth shows how close we are to the Antichrist religion of the Seven Years of the Great Tribulation. It’s amazing that all five of these dark teachings fit perfectly with the Catholic world. Much of the present day Catholic church has joined hand-to-hand with Paul Crouch, Benny Hinn, and other key evangelical leaders. That proves the absolute heresy of the present departure from the Word of God. I often hear people say that Jesus cannot return until the church goes back to the glory of the Book of Acts. That is a totally misleading statement. Jesus said the opposite. “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Apostle Paul stated, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (II Thessalonians 2:3). Peter stated, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

ItÂ’s getting worse, not better. We are not going to ride with the Antichrist across the land, but with the Son of God down from above to defeat the Antichrist and establish the long awaited Millennial Kingdom on earth.

Joseph R. Chambers

Every false doctrine that is attacking the truth of GodÂ’s Holy Word would be dispelled if the proponents of those doctrines would believe the Book of Revelation. This Masterpiece of GodÂ’s revelation is fundamental Christianity at its best. Every major doctrine of the Bible is on display in the Book of Revelation. The rest of the Bible teaches the doctrines, but the Book of Revelation displays the doctrines in action. Why has the church world missed this great truth? IÂ’m afraid we have allowed the enemies of truth to build straw men about the Book of Revelation, which has driven the book to our shelves instead of our hearts. It is not mystical or hard, but rather open to the hearts of the seekers and the studious. It is revealed on the knees, not in the ivory towers.

The entire Bible goes into action when you begin to study the Book of Revelation. Of all sixty-six books of the Bible, no other book even begins to reveal Christ as matchless as this book does. John the Revelator certainly displays the divine nature of Jesus Christ in the Book of Saint John; but in the Book of Revelation, he reveals or displays the glorified person of our Christ and Savior. John was the only Gospel writer that recorded Christ’s prayer for His saints as recorded in chapter seventeen. John recorded this prayer of Jesus Christ where He uttered these breathtaking words, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was” (John 17:5). In the Book of Revelation, John is allowed by Jesus Christ to prove that prayer was answered and to display the triumph of the style in which it was answered.

Anyone that doubts the eternal nature and personhood of GodÂ’s only begotten Son doesnÂ’t need to read anything but this Masterpiece. From chapter one to chapter twenty-two, He is seen crucified, glorified, possessing His FatherÂ’s kingdom, judging the world, redeeming the entire universe, and preparing an eternal New Heaven and Earth. No doctrine that misrepresents the Son of God would have seen the light of day if the misguided souls had believed the Book of Revelation. In this book, He possessed and displayed every name given to Him in all the previous sixty-five books of the Bible.

The trinity of God is on exquisite display in this book. The Father is on His throne and has the redemptive book in his hand. No one except the crucified – but glorified – Son even dares to approach to open the seven-sealed book. The Holy Spirit is present in all the responsibilities of His office to act upon the human hearts on earth while presenting the Bride to the Father to reign with Christ in Heaven. It is the omnipresent Spirit that bridges the total universe for the events that both separate the affairs in Heaven and on earth and tie it all together at the same time. Only the thrice manifested and revealed Godhead could unite the universe for its completed redemption and renewal.

Dispensational truth is never plainer than in the Book of Revelation. Even the city of New Jerusalem is revealed with twelve gates named after Israel and twelve foundations named after the apostles of the church. The twenty-four elders cannot represent anything less than the church and Israel — His two chosen but distinctive companies of saints. No one will enjoy the FatherÂ’s eternity but those that are either redeemed out of these two major dispensations or the dispensations prior to and ending with AbrahamÂ’s period.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is alluded to often in the Holy Bible but never put in a chronological setting until we come to the Book of Revelation. The Son of God left no doubt when this Rapture would occur when He revealed this book to John. No judgment of the completed and final hour could begin until the Lord called John “up hither” and showed him the saints – now elders – seated around the Father’s Throne. These saints are never called the church again after Revelation chapter four and verse one. No truth is more certain in this Masterpiece than the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

You can argue against the seven years of the Great Tribulation until you begin to read the Book of Revelation. The Battle of Armageddon cannot be documented with any finality until you read this book. The Amillennial (no Rapture) or Post-Millennial (Christ comes after the Rapture) lose their entire argument when we believe this great book of the Bible. We see references to the city that the Son of God created but no final proof or description until we read the Book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation is our LordÂ’s final covenant of the future for His saints.

No Bible truth is more wonderfully on display in Revelation than the “whosoever will” of Saint John 3:16. The rainbow around the throne of the Father sends a signal of mercy that never fades until the last soul is redeemed. One of the closing statements of chapter twenty-two of this Masterpiece states, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). There is a multitude in the Book of Revelation that cannot repent but it is because of their choices. There is a constant invitation to others to repent in this book. There are angels flying in the Heavens preaching repentance and two prophets – protected until the world hears their message — preaching repentance. This book is a book of redemption.

Last, but not least, the Book of Revelation declares the perfection of the Holy Bible and its infallibility. The foremost commandment in all Scripture says not to touch the Bible or change its great revelation. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).

The Book of Revelation is the display of truth for every church and every soul. It will bring blessings into your present life and will guarantee eternal life. Read it, obey it, believe it, and rejoice. He sent It To You.

Joseph R. Chambers

The Book of Revelation is God’s masterpiece of literature. It is literally filled with breathtaking revelations of the future, and every one of them must be accepted as truth. Those prophesied events will occur; our God has guaranteed that. His entire reputation is on the line. He forbids us to add or extract a word because this is a covenant – a contract – between Himself and His chosen people. People that ignore the Book of Revelation are placing themselves in peril. It’s just that serious. While the church is the object of this book, the Father is careful to place His nation of Israel at strategic points that are carefully set apart from the church body. Our futures intermingle at some moments but remain separate at other times so that the distinctions are never lost.

There are five basic truths about this book that make it a perfect finish to the whole Bible – both Old and New Covenants. All sixty-five previous books of the Bible fit the pattern of this final testimony. God Himself planned the Bible and retained the finished product all settled in Heaven before Genesis was written. Our Father did not plan different books as He went along by directing and thinking up episodes. It’s all a master plan of our Creator from start to finish. That’s why the whole Bible is complete with this final revelation. Remember, He said, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).

The five principles that you must follow to understand this great masterpiece are simple. Any person that will follow these instructions will soon be delighted with what they learn. First, this book is written in chronological order – nothing is out of place unless you move it. It starts with the Lord after His resurrection and progresses until He and His Father are dwelling with the eternal family in New Jerusalem. Do not try to move anything from its location or interject some historical past in the order of the book.

Second, study the types and symbols that fill this book and let the same symbols and types in the rest of the Bible interpret them for you. The four beasts of Revelation chapter four are clearly described in Ezekiel as living creatures or cherubim. They are great angelic beings that defend holiness in the earth at Christ’s direction. The number “seven” is used forty-four times in this one book, but from Genesis 1:7 on, it is always the final amount of a perfect event, idea, or even a person. The phrase, “seven spirits,” represents the complete office, action, and person of the Holy Spirit.

The whole Bible is written to interpret itself, and every book is part of the whole. In the first chapter of my book, The Masterpiece, I show the unity of the Bible with the Book of Revelation as the model. The Garden of Eden is first seen in Genesis and lastly revealed perfectly restored in the Book of Revelation. All the judgments are talked about throughout the whole book, but revealed in final fulfillment in the Book of Revelation. Trying to understand this revelation apart from the entire Bible is destined to fail. Trying to deny the Book of Revelation and its End Time development is a disaster.

Fourth, the Book of Genesis must be accepted and believed exactly as it is written if you are going to believe the Book of Revelation. Those two books are the Alpha and Omega of the Bible. The Holy Ghost did not make a mistake. Creation, as revealed in Genesis, is a perfect rendering of GodÂ’s perfect created order. The FatherÂ’s warning to Satan that the seed of woman would bruise his head (to death) is perfectly fulfilled in the Book of Revelation. GodÂ’s desire to walk with Adam and Eve in His garden finds a beautiful ending and a perfect finish in the Book of Revelation.

Lastly, but of grave importance, the Book of Revelation is an exact literal book to be interpreted literally or not at all. Any effort to spiritualize or make this book an allegory is evil and the work of Satan. The Son of God makes the most undeniable statements to establish the truth declared in these pages, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3). To John He declared, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter” (Revelation 4:1). Jesus and the book declared, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). That is not the language of an allegory neither is it a language you can spiritualize while denying the literal meaning.

These five principles are certainly planned facts that set this book apart from every book in the Bible. Every Word of Scripture is inerrant and true, but the Book of Revelation is the final book and must be read, studied, and believed, or the Bible is not complete in your life. The false doctrines that are sweeping the world would find little acceptance in a church world that had the Book of Revelation fully preached and believed. Doctrines like the denial of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, the denial of the Seven Years of Tribulation, or the thousand years of the reign of Christ on the Earth are not as plain anywhere else in the Bible as in this masterpiece of Biblical literature.

There is no question that our Heavenly Father and His Son planned the Bible perfectly. It is also clear that the Holy Spirit orchestrated it from Genesis to Revelation. It is an infallible Book, and it is complete in every detail. To live in the Bible is life, both spiritual life now and eternal life hereafter. Jesus Christ is both the living Word and the written Word revealed.

Joseph R. Chambers

There is little doubt that World War III is close at hand. To even consider that this war will begin at any location other than the Middle East would be unthinkable. Israel, the Islamic nations, Iraq, and America are center stage to almost every geo-political debate or discussion. European nations either criticize or legitimatize whatever the main forces from the center of action may plan or do. Biblical prophecy guarantees that the Middle East will remain in the focus and at the heart of world events.

The seven years of the Great Tribulation must be viewed as being closely connected to this War of Gog and Magog. They do not have to occur simultaneously but cannot be totally separated. If there is one event that will be a part of, or will prepare, for this dark seven years, it is this marching of a horde into Israel, where they will be slaughtered and destroyed. The Bible has left us with some intriguing facts about this war, but also keeps us from setting dates and absolutes. Bible prophecy is both beautiful and filled with important gaps. The church world, as well as many Bible teachers, is bullheaded about using every titillating moment or action to become fixated on dates and the next move. Our Father leaves us both certain and often uncertain about great future events to keep us living by faith and watching for the Lord to rapture His Bride.

I love prophecy because it is so filled with certain truths and also with uncertain truths. No uncertain truth is actually uncertain in regards to stating that it will happen, but rather when it will happen. The War of Gog and Magog is one of those uncertain events. It will happen, but when and how does it fit the overall end time scenario? The picture developing in the country of Lebanon cannot help but create excitement about the final days before the Rapture and the Great Tribulation. Reading Ezekiel chapter 38 gives us a list of nations to participate in this march on Israel. Gog and Magog, Meshech, and Tubal are all geographical and lineage suggestions that do not name any exact nation, but rather a picture of the Northern nations that are North or Northeast of the Promise Land. We can document connection, but we cannot name an absolute nation. But, look what we read in Ezekiel 38:5. The Holy Ghost names the first nation that is absolute and it is Iran (Persia). This suggests leadership and the stirring of the pot in preparation for action.

LetÂ’s look at the Scripture. "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet." (Ezekiel 38:1-5). There is a predominant amount of Muslims within this geographical area and literally millions of them are terrorists and extremely anti-Israel. Do not forget that there are also a host of good, decent people and thousands of Christians, and we must remember to pray for them. Iran is being equipped by Russia, Syria, and other supporting nations. The connection of every nation or lineage named by this prophecy is perfectly in Biblical order. That could not have happened without divine preparation.
This War of Gog and Magog only has one goal and that is the extermination of the nation of Israel. Iran is unashamed to have stated that this is exactly their goal. I just received this statement from the Jerusalem Post (Friday, July 27, 2006), "Iran admitted for the first time on Friday that it did indeed supply long-range Zelzal-2 missiles to Hezbollah, Secretary-general of the ‘Intifada conference’ Mohtashami Pur told an Iranian newspaper that Iran transferred the missiles so that they could be used to defend Lebanon." (www.jpost.com.)

Lebanon is clearly an appropriate staging area for the War of Gog and Magog.
Listen to this Middle East expert, a visiting fellow with the European Foundation for Democracy in Brussels. Professor Walid Phares said, "For anyone who still thinks the Israeli-Lebanon War is just a border scuffle, one Middle East expert shouts a dire warning." He further states that Hezbollah in Lebanon is the same threat level as Hitler was in his day. He called it "the mother of all threats." (www.jpost.com). No one doubts that Hezbollah is a puppet of Iran and the possibility of this being unconnected to Biblical prophecy is almost impossible.

It was reported that President Putin ordered RussiaÂ’s military to its highest alert status in five years. SyriaÂ’s president put their military on alert and appears ready to join in an attack on Israel. Coupled with this is the threat of the Iranian President Ahmadinejad. He has set August 22, 2006, as a day for a message from Iran to the world. Some have speculated that the message could be an attack on Israel, a nuclear explosion, or some so-called miracle to give credence to the Moslem religion. This War of Gog and Magog may or may not start with this crisis, but there will certainly be a future moment when it becomes unstoppable.

The one reason this war is unavoidable is that the Bible has spoken. The spirit of prophecy said, "For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel." (Ezekiel 38:19). This incredible horde of people will march, and God will act to defend Israel. He will use IsraelÂ’s friends because the Scripture says, "And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every manÂ’s sword shall be against his brother." (Ezekiel 38:21). This sword will certainly include man against man in this Northern Federation but also IsraelÂ’s supporters. In the end, God will be magnified, "Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 38:23).

Joseph R. Chambers

Everything about the tabernacle and temple in the First Testament was a shadow of the reality ordained in Christ, the only begotten Son. The most holy place of the temple was called the “Holy of Holies”. Into that inner presence of Jehovah God, one had to pass through the veil and could only do so once each year. The High Priest that entered into the very presence of God was set apart carefully in preparation. It was an awesome moment when he penetrated that great veil to offer blood on the mercy seat. The company of priest stood near and listened quietly for the bells on the hem of the garment of this mere man in God’s presence. The sounding of the bells assured the accompanying priest that the High Priest was accepted and alive.

Jesus Christ became that veil in the New Testament and we, by faith, have entrance through Him into the “Holy of Holies”. This “Holy of Holies”, where by abandonment to prayer a saint might enter, is truly the place of divine intercession. Anyone that enters regularly and abides in surrender will shake heaven and hell. The absence of saints from this inner sanctum of God is the absolute answer for the helplessness of most prayers.

Apostle Paul spoke of this great truth, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, …” (Hebrews 10:19-22a). We must read the last words of verse twenty-two to understand the state of that saint that is ushered into this Holy Place. Paul stated, “…having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22b). This is a picture of Christ’s grace that purified His saints in preparation for entering behind this veil. This cleansing is not some state of Holiness only in a preconceived sense, but rather a truly transformed purity. It is a life of spiritual reality where we are hid in God with Christ and set apart from the unclean.

There is an old song of the saints that presents the perfect picture of this powerful place of prayer. Verse one sings: “I’ve believed the true report, Hallelujah to the Lamb! I have passed the outer courts, O glory be to God! I am all on Jesus’ side, on the altar sanctified, to the world and sin I’ve died, Hallelujah to the Lamb!” Verse two states: “I’m a king and priest to God, Hallelujah to the Lamb! By the cleansing of the blood, O glory be to God! By the Spirit’s pow’r and light, I am living day and night, In the holiest place so bright, Hallelujah to the Lamb!” This kind of prayer will bring souls to the altar where Christ awaits to save. It will pull down strongholds that have erected walls of resistance. Sinners will be converted when saints are living within the veil.

Jesus Christ is seated at the Father’s right hand in this present “Holy of Holies”. “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:” (Hebrews 9:24). He is praying for His saints and has clearly stated that the Father saves us, but then gives us to Him to preserve in the kingdom. He stated “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” (John 17:9-10). We are His body and His very fellow servants and He invites us to pray until we enter into His intimate presence. The Epistle written to Ephesus promised us entrance into the fellowship of the Father and the Son. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:5-6)

A prayer life that regularly waits before God until they enter within the veil is going to move God and men. Heaven will answer and hell will tremble when saints pray until they pray through the veil. Just one time, stay before God until the soul is caught away in the Spirit and you will never be happy without it. Remember, John “…was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…” (Revelation 1:10) and Peter “…fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:10) and heard a voice from Heaven. These were not wild encounters with emotions but the very presence and glory of God. Such praying has brought revival in the past and will do it again.

Joseph R. Chambers

Babylon, Iraq, is the future location for the Lake of Fire. I’m completely overwhelmed with this simple revelation from God’s Word. Carefully read these Scriptures, which Jesus said “cannot be broken” (John 10:35). “And he (an angel) cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the HABITATION of devils, and the HOLD of every foul spirit, and a CAGE of every unclean and hateful bird.” (Revelation 18:2, emphasis added). The eternal Lake of Fire is a literal place from which smoke shall ascend forever. Babylon is the only appropriate place for that judgment of Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet, every fallen angel, and all the wicked of the earth. This great revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself cannot be disannulled or cancelled. The Book of Revelation is His Masterpiece of Literature.

The Word of God as printed above calls the destruction of Babylon a “HABITATION,” a “HOLD,” or a “CAGE.” Each of those three words clearly means a “prison-house” or “a place of imprisonment” where there is no escape. Prior to this judgment in future prophecy, Babylon will be the capital city of the Antichrist. Saddam Hussein spent millions excavating and partially rebuilding this ancient landmark. I witnessed this when I was there two years ago. It is currently the headquarters for coalition soldiers and, according to news reports, has been severely damaged. Millions of dollars are presently appropriated to rebuild and revive the historical aspects of this ancient capitol of the Babylonians. The Bible has left no doubt about this city becoming a world-renowned place in the dark years of the Great Tribulation. Its wickedness is legendary. It was the location of the Tower of Babel and has been a center of Satanism since that event.

Revelation chapter nine reveals the fact that a multitude of demon spirits led by four evil satanic princes are presently imprisoned under the Euphrates River that runs right by these partially rebuilt ruins. They will be turned loose on the earth during the Great Tribulation and will kill one-third of the earth’s population. Southern Iraq is central to satanic activity just as Jerusalem is central to Biblical truth. These two cities are the opposites of each other. This geographical area must be judged for the evil it has spawned on this earth. Every false god or goddess of human history has its origination from Babylon. The Rolling Stones named their last album “Back to Babylon.”

A great prophet named Isaiah described this future Lake of Fire as being visible to all the earth so that men will never forget the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. He (Jesus Christ) alone is the one way of escape from this insane asylum of eternity. Isaiah first spoke of the New Heavens and New Earth to set a time reference on this following scene. Then he described a heartrending picture, “And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” (Isaiah 66:24). The Bible leaves no doubt that the Lake of Fire is eternal, that it exists, that it is horrible, and that every sinner will be consigned to its imprisonment. The fire will never be quenched. Men that are consigned to its quarters will never die, but one and all can escape by turning wholly to Jesus Christ for salvation before their death.

The Lake of Fire in the Babylon region will connect to the location of Hell that is presently beneath the earth. Again Isaiah spoke of Satan himself being cast into the Lake of Fire and stated that Hell would rise to meet him. “Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.” (Isaiah 14:9). When those already in Hell at the time of judgment see the devil cast in, they will say to him, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! . . . Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12,15). At this present time Hell is the temporary holding place of all the wicked dead, but after the White Throne judgment, Hell and the Lake of Fire will be one eternal prison-house. The brimstone and fire will never cease to burn, and the wicked will have no escape.

Jeremiah penned two chapters with almost every word in them concerning the future desolation of Babylon. The prophet declared, “Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby. And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.” (Jeremiah 51:43-44). As this Day of Judgment arrives, the Heavens and the Earth will rejoice at Babylon’s judgment. “Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD. As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.” (Jeremiah 51:48-49). The present church world had almost forgotten that there ever was a Babylon until the last ten years. Yet the Bible is filled with the contest between evil and righteousness. Babylon has always been at the center of evil. Babylon is the second most named city in the Bible. Jerusalem is named 767 times and Babylon is named 261 times. The absolute hatred of the terrorists and opposition in Iraq, especially Southern Iraq, is a testimony to the spirit of evil that reigns out of Satan’s strongholds. Creating a stable Iraq is like putting a harness on the devil. Making Iraq an international country had to occur, but the effort is costly and deadly.

The future of Iraq is very complex. It will be an uneasy democracy for a short time. The Antichrist will arise out of the Assyrian population to the North. The South will become the seat of a One World Order. America will probably be out of Iraq within two years at the least. The United Nations will play a leading role in creating an international country. That may or may not happen until after the Rapture. Once the Antichrist is in power, Babylon will explode in importance and quickly become a world center. Rome will fade as the Eternal City and be utterly burned with fire by the Antichrist. He will not tolerate Rome competing with Babylon for worldwide fame.

As the seven years of Tribulation comes to an end, Babylon will be utterly destroyed. The Antichrist will be slain by the returning Lord Jesus Christ in the very gate of Nimrod or the entrance of Babylon. “And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.” (Micah 5:6). As the Antichrist is slain, the Southern part of Iraq will become a place of desolation and a place of great judgment. The Lake of Fire will develop immediately with the Antichrist and the False Prophet as the first two inhabitants of that dreadful place. It’s all in God’s Book.

Joseph R. Chambers

Often, the enemies of the great truth of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture have attacked us with the criticism of teaching "Escape Theology." I would love to accept that accusation. Yes, we teach exactly what the Lord Jesus Himself told us to teach. The Lord said, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Luke 21:36). Jesus had just finished painting a dire picture of the coming Great Tribulation. His terms were unmistakable. Then, He clearly called His disciples and all saints to "watch" and be prepared to "escape" the coming pain and horror of the AntichristÂ’s revenge and the LordÂ’s judgment of sin.

ItÂ’s impossible not to call the LordÂ’s words "Escape Theology." Words can convey very misleading ideas and those that accuse us of this in a negative way confuse many souls. ItÂ’s absolutely honorable to so live and follow Christ that we escape the worldÂ’s coming sorrows. A study of the Great Tribulation and the murder of millions of Jews and of Gentiles that repent and are converted to Christ will leave any wise person with the desire to be out of here. Our Father never intended for His family to be judged with the wicked.

This great text of truth from the LordÂ’s ministry talks about SatanÂ’s snares which are already evident. Read the way Jesus approached this idea of escape. "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." (Luke 21:34-35). Satan is set on hindering every saint of God from being ready to go in the Rapture.

Jesus has always declared that this idea of His Coming and our being "caught up" to meet Him would be sudden and without warning. Any careless person living in a backslidden or disobedient state will not be ready and "…so that day (will) come upon you unawares." Very few ministers will preach this truth because the popular theology refutes the LordÂ’s warning and words. Do you want to believe the modern apostasy or the plain Word of God? Millions in the church world will be heartsick when they wake to find Jesus has come and gone. If you are living in sin, there is no possibility of your being ready. If the world has stolen your attention and rules your life, you are going to be left unless you repent and turn wholly to God.

The snares to trap you are many. The world is casting a net to catch you and entrap you. The television, internet, radio, or newsprint is full of attention getting things to fill your time. Many wholesome pleasures can so consume you that prayer and Bible reading is out the window. Dreaming of success that takes no time for the will of God will rob your soul. Never has a generation been so lured by wealth. The joy of the Lord used to fill the church, now the church loves pleasure in equal proportion to the world. Most churches are societies of fun and games. Fellowship is grand, but Biblical fellowship is centered on church life, Bible study, and soul winning, mixed with a small amount of clean fun. Music has so filled the church life that the average believer can quote many songs, but not any Scripture. Scripture memorization has almost vanished.

"Watch therefore, and pray always." Vigilance is the watchword that GodÂ’s Word plainly requires. There is no other way to stay on course and to keep looking up for Jesus to come. Daily prayer life is the first step in watching. He is not talking about looking at the sky when He says, "Watch." He is talking about your heart condition. A person that is ready for the Rapture has his heart set on Him and being in His eternal presence. Prayer becomes something absolutely wonderful when you are watching for Him. The worldÂ’s pleasures are empty at best. We live by grace through faith and the Blood cleanses us every day from resorting to the flesh life.

The Word of God is GodÂ’s sanctifying authority and no believer can stay in that sanctifying power without the Word. We should baptize ourselves with truth with absolute longing for its life-changing power. Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17). Unsanctified living has no chance of going in the Rapture. When your soul is sanctified to Him, it means your personal life is dead, your flesh appetites have been crucified, and your heart is set to do His whole will. Being full of the Spirit is the daily delight of a Rapture-ready believer.

You might say, "IÂ’m not ready to escape anything." That is your choice. For me, I know that, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die (or be Raptured) is gain." (Phillippians 1:21). To go in the Rapture is the grand prize for the Bible champions of all generations. IÂ’m looking up in my heart, and I believe He is looking down.

Joseph R. Chambers