The Tribulation of Revelation 13.

Leading up to the solar eclipse that will be seen across the United States and the world I cannot help but wonder will this be the time Jesus make his appearance. Science has explained this event as a natural occurrence and the populace is at ease.  Hatred is at an all time high and it seems as if the prophecies of Revelation 13 is being fulfilled.  A new and ungodly nation is rising up out of a sea of confusion.  The past president established the path and proclaimed that this nation is no longer a Christian nation. 

Revelation 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Those who understand the Word of God know that a beast is a nation and a sea is representative of a multitude of confused people.  

Men and women seeking to be profound easily misled and misleading embracing a rhetoric filled with hate and designed to divide.  Ministers of God preaching and teaching messages of hate, yet proclaiming to believe in a God of love. Polarizing and confusing debates on what color is a metaphysical God, as if a color is an important entity in the kingdom of God. 

If Christ does not return with the darkening of the sun and we remain the tribulations spoken of in the Holy Scripture is upon us.  The world is groaning, yet like Nero, at the burning of Rome many are dancing and prancing and stoking the flames of hatred.  Christian values are at an all-time low as those who are easily swayed no longer believe in the immortal deity.

Never in my lifetime have I seen such a blatant attack on the Christian values of old. It seems as if for years the cauldron of hate was stoked. Now its foul and infectious contents are overflowing, and in the background, many of "God's ministers" are dancing in the flickering afterglow urging the sheep of God's pasture to keep the fire burning. There is a sad sickness engulfing the countryside, the nation, and the world. 

Revelation 13:6-9  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear.

In this volatile climate, what I find very discombobulating is ministers of God posting photo-shopped pictures that serve no purpose than to incite hatred. Posting fake messages or photo-shopped pictures is contrary to God's Word. This is bearing false witness in a high-tech society. Love is of God, hate is of the Devil and both have existed since the beginning of time. They are opposites and they complement each other, like light and day. Try as he may, man does not possess the ability to eradicate either. Hate is like a seed that lies dormant in the soil, expose it to the light and it will grow. Tend it and it will spread like a weed.

Revelation 13:9  If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Re 13:9

Observe here, 1. That this acclamation, If any man have an ear, let him hear, is added in scripture when something went before, which required a very diligent attention and close application of mind: If any man have an ear, that is, a spiritual understanding to discern the meaning of what has been foretold, let him ponder and consider what is here revealed concerning this beast, and take heed that he be not found amongst the number of the worshippers of it.

Observe, 2. The consolation here given to the saints, from the consideration of God's just retribution to his and their enemies, He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity; that is, the beast, who has brought many of the saints into captivity, shall himself at length be taken captive, and thrown into that lake of fire and brimstone, spoken of Re 19:20. With what measure antichrist metes to others, it shall be measured to him again: God has as many ways to hurt his church's enemies, as they have to hurt his people; if they lead into captivity, so can he; if they kill with the sword, so will he.

Observe, 3. The end and design of God in suffering antichrist's rage to break forth against the church: it is for the trial of his church's faith and patience, Here is the patience and faith of the saints.

Where note, 1. That none can stand under, or bear up under, sufferings like saints.

2. That under great sufferings, saints themselves will have great occasion for the exercise of faith and patience.

3. That the faith and patience of the saints will be made very conspicuous by great and sharp sufferings.

4. That faith and patience must accompany each other in suffering times. Patience is the soul's shoulder, to bear what is afflictive at present; faith is the Christian's eye, to discover a glorious deliverance to come: where no patience is, it is a token of no faith; and where no faith is, there will appear great impatience. Behold then the faith and patience of the saints.