By Allan Cornford
Copyright © 2022 Allan Cornford. (Standard Copyright License.) All rights reserved. Independently Published through KDP. The images which are included for informative purposes only, are Screenshots, courtesy of Ewaranon’s YouTube documentary; ‘The Lost History of the Flat Earth’. All external links to images in the public domain, are courtesy from Wikimedia Commons and where possible, credits are given to each source. This I believe, comes under the term of Fair Use.
Let me be honest.
For I would genuinely like to believe that when Jesus assured ”this generation”, that some would still be alive at his coming, he was not referring to those around him at the time, but rather to a distant and future generation.
Our generation maybe.
For if that were the case, the first resurrection, the rapture of believers in Christ, and the thousand-year reign are still to come.
However, as previously discussed, in view of the multiple verses in the Scriptures which indicate the past fulfilment of much end times prophecy, it’s more of a wishful thought, and one that is extremely hard to defend.
For when we read the New Testament with a different mindset it becomes quite evident that the generation Jesus directly addressed, witnessed him coming in the clouds as the Son of man, likely coincident with the fall of Babylon, aka Jerusalem.
Yet whether or not the millennial reign of Jesus Christ has already occurred, one thing is certain.
A day of reckoning is coming, but it will come at a cost that most can’t even imagine.
For if we are living in the ”little season”, then the final rebellion against Jesus Christ, and the war of Gog and Magog is approaching at breakneck speed.
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. Revelation 20:8
If indeed we have all been born into the time period known as the ‘Little Season’, what then, should those who genuinely believe that Jesus is Lord, expect?
The only gospel or good news, by which men are saved, is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is an Everlasting Gospel.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Revelation 14:6
The only name given under heaven among men for salvation, is the name of Jesus.
For there is no other name.
Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
The name by which those partakers of the first resurrection were saved, is exactly the same name by which you and I are saved today.
For there is no other.
When Jesus prayed to the Father for the early believers, he also prayed for every future individual, who would come to believe in Him, due to the witness of those same early believers.
The twelve disciples, the first evangelists and those who penned the four gospels.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:
that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:20-21
Whether or not there is a second rapture to come, we are not told.
A first resurrection however, demands a second at least.
We are told that
“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.
This is the first resurrection.” Revelation 20:5
This verse however can easily be misunderstood, for it is followed by a solitary interpolation;
“This is the first resurrection.”
A single sentence which does not refer to
“the rest of the dead”
but to those who reign with Christ for a thousand years.
This is/was the first resurrection.
Personally, I think
“the rest of the dead”
being raised, occurs after the final war of Gog and Magog, at the resurrection of the dead, to stand before the great white throne.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. Revelation 20:11
Here, books (plural) are opened, plus another book, which is the book of life.
And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:
and another book was opened, which is the book of life:
and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12
On the one hand, it is not possible to be saved by works.
Yet, on the other hand, salvation unto everlasting life, is not possible without first doing the works of God.
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29
We are told that the heaven and the earth fled away from the face of him who sits on the great white throne.
And no place was found for them.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. Revelation 20:11
This, I believe, corresponds with the day of the Lord, the day which comes
“as a thief in the night”
when the heavens and the earth are burned out of existence.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Peter 3:13
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:
for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Revelation 21:1
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 1 John 5:2
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1 John 3:23
What does it mean to believe on the name of Jesus Christ?
Everything!
For the difference between belief and unbelief will determine one’s eternal destiny.
All men will die, for such is inevitable.
Beyond which lies the judgement.
Some men will die in their sins and meet God, the most Terrible and Righteous Judge.
Others will meet God, the Father, who judges No Man.
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: John 5:22
Jesus said:
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
and
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47
“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:28
Those who believe that Jesus is Lord can also believe; Colossians 1:14.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20
Yet Jesus also said:
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins:
for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24
I’m not sure about you the reader, but personally, I cannot even begin to imagine the utter misery and the depth of despair experienced by those who die in their sins.
Especially if aware that the forgiveness of sin unto eternal life had always been freely available to them, in the world from which they had recently departed.
Choose your Saviour Wisely.
BOOK: Tartarian Rule? Or Millennial Kingdom? – Library of Rickandria
BOOK: EXCERPT: Tartarian Rule? Or Millennial Kingdom? – Good News