Welcome back to the Bible Cafe™ Revelation study. We are on week six as we continue learning about future events from the Bible. Are you feeling more comfortable with the Book of Revelation since we started this study? The study book we have selected simplifies the end times. Let’s keep learning and not grow weary.

What should be our response to “prophecy experts” that seem to know the end time dates?  I find prophecy experts nauseating. They are usually pride-filled and profit-driven. And so my response is to give ZERO attention or time to their marketplace. Knowing the Bible helps me understand the end times without these deceitful “experts”

According to Revelation 16:11, during the Tribulation period, people will not repent. What is true repentance? Has our practice of repentance changed over the past 20 years?

Revelation 16:11 NKJV= They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores and did not repent of their deeds.

In this verse, the GREEK word means ” to think differently or afterward, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):—repent.” Saying I am sorry, is not the same as repenting. You need to think differently… a change of heart AND behavior.

As a child, I would repent by going into a confessional booth and telling the priest about my sins. But my heart did not change I just became more and more afraid of being damned to hell. As an adult, I have a personal relationship with Jesus and WANT to repent and change because of my love for Him. When I grieve Him, that is the opportunity to change so my relationship is loving.

Today many people blame God for their afflictions or suffering. We can be blinded if we are under the influence of Satan. When we do not know Jesus or have a relationship with Him, we project our miseries and surrender to the antichrist spirit. This is why we need to be reading our Bible daily… so we are not influenced by other daily things- like television, books, social news, family, coworkers, etc. Who is your Anchor???

Revelation refers to garments as symbols of repentance (sackcloth) or righteousness (white garments). What I like is how the Bible gives the meaning of clothing…so we will not presume its purpose. Handkerchief of healing, the hem of Jesus’ robe, the garments of praise…. such a beautiful story.

This week we are warned about apostasy. Blue Letter Bible defines it as this: “One of the terms often used of believers who have fallen away from Christ is a backslider. Though the word backslider is not found in the New Testament, the concept is still taught. A backslider is a Christian, who has fallen into sin and out of fellowship with God. It is important to note that the backslider is still a Christian. It is not a believer who has lost his salvation. Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be lost once the gift has been received.” Keep in mind that different denominations may have different interpretations.

FRAME this in terms of Revelation. Tribulation Period. In THAT time, the apostate will be confronted with life or death. He cannot eat, sell goods, or get a job…unless he has the mark of the beast. He may still be Christian yet his very survival requires a falling away from an active and professing faith.

Revelation 17:13 NKJV= These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.

Here we see a universal mindset, no indecision or division. Did you catch that? There is only one option. Not polarized and not free thinking.

In the OT and NT, God intends for affluence to help make the world better. We help widows and orphans. We sow into the needs and watch the harvest for ALL. But affluence can become stingy and selfish, as we see in our modern society.

Treasures on earth can be measured, compared, and valued (or devalued). Treasures in heaven are God-centered, limitless, and timeless!

Daymond Duck writes, “Only those who are called, chosen, and faithful will be with Jesus.”

In the end times, we can act like Christ. Love like Christ. Live like Christ. Forgive like Christ. By doing these things…we are His witness. To those who are chosen, they will see Christ in us and desire a relationship with Him too.

To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. (2 Cor 2:16)

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Christine Abraham writes for the Bible Cafe™ community. Learn about living by the Fruit of the Spirit as you enjoy her online Bible studies. Join Christine at the Bible Cafe™ University for weekly Bible teaching.