Continued from our previous post.
The scriptures speak of a “Great” earthquake yet to come (Rev 16:18; Ezek 38:19, 20), and although this is SYMBOLIC of the “great time of trouble” soon approaching, with its eruption (earthquake) of revolution and turmoil leading to anarchy, wherein every man’s hand shall be turned against his neighbor (Zech 14:13) it may well also have a LITERAL application. The earth’s mantle has yet to have ceased its movements, and come to a complete (calm) settlement, even now one layer of the earth’s crust (tectonic plate) rides upon another, just like a piece in a jigsaw puzzle, which although it’s just about in its proper place, has not yet to be firmly pressed down flat into place (because of underlying pressures). Even the groaning creation itself still waits for the word of the Lord, “Peace, be still” (Psa 46:10; Mark 4:39).
There is still another difficulty here too which they overlooked and that is that they are only thinking in two dimensions when in fact they better be prepared to think in three dimension, or should we say “outside the box” of human mindedness, because there is yet another element here which is going to come into play during this crisis, and that is Satan and the demonic host, the fallen spirits free from their chains. All of these elements working together are what will comprise the “four winds” of destruction.
Nevertheless it is important to remember that God is at the helm, and that all things are working according to the counsel of his will, that is to say that every prophetic utterance spoken by Himself and his prophets is assured of fulfillment and nothing, no power in heaven or earth, could possibly alter his purposes. In the end he will cause the wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder of man's wrath (which would not praise him) he will restrain.
“Then I looked, and behold a white cloud, and on the cloud sat one like the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.” (Rev 14:14)
“In the scriptures “clouds” especially dark clouds, storm clouds typically represent “trouble”, but this cloud is white, righteous trouble. It is righteous because it is the Lord’s wrath undoing the unrighteousness of the age. Jesus has returned; and as is the tendency of Revelation, he is not called Jesus, but rather the Son of Man. It is interesting to note that he sits on the cloud. To “SIT” upon something is to be in a position of control over what is sat upon. Thus this impending trouble is not random trouble; this is controlled trouble. No matter how severe the time of trouble may become, we may rest assured by this verse that it never will be let out of control. On his head is a golden crown, divine authority. In his hand a sharp sickle, the device for harvesting. This verse shows so clearly that when the king returns it is not for the peaceful kingdom immediately; it is to control the trouble which will destroy Babylon, and to harvest the wheat.” (N.A.N.O.R. Page 179)
In conclusion let us note the admonishment of the Pastor:
“Dear brethren, in these coming days of trouble, which may be very near, the opportunity may come to you and to me to be either strife-breeders or peace-makers. Let us see the will of the Lord in this matter, that we are called to peace, and that the declaration of the Master is, ‘Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God.’
“Let us seek rather to subdue and calm the passions of men in the coming strife, and to do nothing to augment them or to kindle the fires of passion which we know are about to consume the present social fabric. Let us point out to those with whom we have any influence that the worst form of government in the whole world is better than no government—better than anarchy, a thousand times. Let us remind them of the fact that in God’s providence we have the best of all earthly governments.
“Let us remind them, too, that the Lord has told us to wait for Him and not to take matters into our own hands (something which many in the professing Church have disregarded). His words are,
‘Wait ye upon Me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them Mine indignation, even all My fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For THEN (or afterwards) will I turn to the people a pure language (message), that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent.’—Zeph 3:8, 9.”
