Oct 16 2014
The Book of Revelation (Prelude)

A fearsome dragon terrorizes the world while his protégé, the beast mesmerizes untold millions. A second beast assists in the deception of the world. The populace is enthralled by this unholy trinity. Meanwhile, a beautiful bride nobly battles for survival. She is overcome by the beast with seven heads. The world has fallen for his chicanery. Yet, there is hope as a valiant prince rescues His bride from certain death. The two beasts are thrown into a fiery prison, while the dragon is chained and bound to a gloomy abyss for a thousand years.

Does this sound like a Sci-Fi action adventure? As amazing as it may seem, these events will transpire within an epic battle of the ages between Jesus and Satan. Our planet, as well as the heavens themselves, are the battleground. This is The War of the Ages.

While written with beautiful symbolism, The Book of Revelation, is an unveiling of the great conflict which is to come. John, the Apostle, was told to write about what would soon take place. Our Lord, himself, is “the Revelator”. It is He who lovingly provides us with the guide on thriving during the distress of those days.

To better understand Revelation, it is good to know its genre. It is written in the literary style of an ancient Greek play. There are flashback scenes but the majority of the letter follows a chronology. Above all, we must heed every word. Blessings will follow those who take the words of this prophecy to heart (Rev. 1:3).

Not all of God’s saints will physically survive the last days (i.e. The 70th week of Daniel), but the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens (Daniel 12:3). God’s people who rightly interpret prophecy have the advantage. We must trust in the sovereign plan of Jesus no matter what the cost. Our expected-end and destinies hang in the balance. EJ

John Finkbeiner 0 Comments
May 18 2014
Believe it!

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“This is what the LORD says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6 (NIV)

Thanks to the full-fledged, long-term efforts of Answers in Genesis and ministries like theirs, Christians are slowly coming around. Where churches once refused to take Genesis 1-3 literally, Creation Science is now making converts.

“Converts to what?” you ask. Converts to actually believing what is in the Bible. There is a long way to go, but, despite a constant diet of evolution propaganda, thankfully more brothers and sisters are trusting God’s account of the beginning.

Pre-wrath rapture ministries such as ours must expend similar amounts of energy persuading Christians that Jesus is coming soon. The lie that attacked Genesis—particularly the creation account—has also infected the church’s view of the end times. It is shocking how many dismiss Bible prophecy. While foretold events appear in the news, most remain stuck in a rut. A secular-influenced or non-literal view of Scripture, coupled with a mentality of escapism, will not allow some to take God’s Word seriously.

Often, when presenting Biblical support for an imminent day of disaster followed by Great Tribulation for God’s people, I’ve heard the response “I don’t believe that!” I’m sure Ken Ham at Answers in Genesis encountered the same reaction when he took his stand on a literal Adam or Noah’s Flood. Christians who think they can pick and choose what to believe in the Bible’s first book, Genesis, or in its last book, Revelation, will be in for a rude awakening.

“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” (Revelation 22:7 NIV) “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Rev. 22:12-13 NIV)

Whose words are these? They belong to “the True and Faithful Witness”. We better believe them!

John Finkbeiner 0 Comments
Apr 30 2014
Follow the Formula

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Why don’t science professors insert their opinion when teaching natural law? Why don’t teachers tell their math students the area of a right triangle is calculated by taking 1/3, not 1/2 the base x height? Nobody would dare challenge the laws of science or mathematical formulas and theorems, but academics often question the Bible. While proclaiming that Scripture is God’s Law, many pastors and theologians continue to use their platforms to alter prophecy.

All Bible-centered Christians should affirm the six principles (below) as inviolable and unchanging law:
1) The 5 basic rules for interpreting the Bible are to be strictly adhered to. (See “Book Excerpts” category for these rules)

2) God does not lie (Numbers 23:19). His Word is truth. (John 14:6, 17:17-19, 18:37-38, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18)

3) The Lord does not change. (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17)

4) The Law and the Prophets’ words MUST stand. Everything will literally be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:17, 26:54-56, Luke 24:25-27)

5) Adding to what God has decreed brings severe judgment. (Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18)

6) Taking away from prophecy disqualifies the offender from sharing in God’s rewards. (Deuteronomy 4:2-7, Revelation 22:19)

A prime example of drawing inaccurate conclusions are the teachings of Amillennialists, those who deny, in the next age, Jesus will physically rule on earth 1000 years. This prominent “end times” Amillennialist view rejects a literal interpretation of prophecy including Revelation 20. It calls into question Isaiah 65:17-25 which supports Revelation 20. We learn from this Old Testament prophet that there will come a time when Yahweh rejoices in Jerusalem and delights in his people. No infant will die after a few years and men aged 100 will be considered youths. Humans will live extended lives similar to the days of a tree or people’s ages before the Flood. The ground will produce tremendous harvests and wolf and lamb will feed together (cf: Isaiah 11:6-9).

For those who deny a literal Millennium, yet preach from Isaiah at Christmas (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7) and during Holy Week (Isaiah 53) , there is a major problem: They deviate from the formula. “God does not change” and “What He says, WILL happen!” So beware Christian! Do not stray from Divine Law to endorse human ideas. The resulting answer will be false. The outcome for not following the formula is a guaranteed to be disastrous.EJ

John Finkbeiner 0 Comments
Mar 10 2014
Answers in Revelation

The recent debate at the Creation Museum, Petersburg, Kentucky (near Cincinnati, Ohio), was a doozy. It was popular American TV personality, Bill Nye, of the PBS “The Science Guy”, versus Ken Ham, CEO of Answers in Genesis (AIG)-U.S.  According to AIG’s March Newsletter, the debate was seen on-line by an estimated 12 million in 109 countries.

Basically, the issue was “Is Creationism and its view of origins a viable scientific option and should it be taught in schools as an alternative to evolution?” Bill Nye said “No,” while Ken Ham argued for Genesis as a scientific explanation for the beginning of life.

During the Q & A portion, Ken Ham asked Mr. Nye two questions. The questions were: “Where did the atoms come from that resulted in the Big Bang?” and, the other, “How did we get consciousness from matter?” The Science Guy’s response spoke volumes. “This is the great mystery.”

One might think the two questions would create a big bang of their own in the brains of the evolution-minded who heard it. But, the only noise coming from them has been the sound of digging in.

Ken Ham’s ministry is not just directed at educators and scientists with a secular bias; it is also for the Church. In our pulpits are teachers who have bought the lie in one or more of its various forms. Ham’s message offers a wake-up call against evolution’s deception.

The efforts of AIG and Ken Ham are heroic, but what is also needed is a ministry of “Answers in Revelation”. Exposed also to the lie is the Bible’s opposite book (i.e. prophecy). “Watch out that no one deceives you,” was Jesus’ first warning when he taught on the signs of the end of the age (Matthew 24:4).

At theprophetsofgod.com our vision is similar to that of AIG. Regarding the last days, we strive to be a voice that echoes Scripture. God willing, we’ll alert many Christians before it’s too late. jf

John Finkbeiner 0 Comments
Feb 19 2014
Confidence is Good, Sometimes

I like confidence in my mechanic, doctor or other professionals who are offering me a service. I see it as a good thing. There’s security in knowing that the person I’m seeking help from knows what they’re doing.

This does not apply across the board though, so I’m finding out. Bible prophecy is a discipline where confidence is suspect. You would think insight into a critically important topic, such as what the Bible says about the future, would interest everyone. Not so.

God has gifted my friend, Elijah, and I with tremendous revelations about the last days and beyond. If I make the statement—which I have on occasion—that I have a firm grasp on The Book of Revelation, then I might as well say I have the plague. End of conversation. In company where my obsession with prophecy is well-known, questions about it never come up.

Why can’t I have confidence? I love to discuss my passion, but I rarely have the opportunity.

Why can’t I know what I’m talking about? My theory is this: We have bought into the false notion that no one, including the scholar or world famous preacher, is supposed to know anything about tomorrow. It is a mystery that cannot be solved–or so we are told.

Recently, I heard the live radio broadcast of a sermon. The evangelical leader who delivered it is at or near the top of the heap among the celebrated preachers of our day. In his message, he said that—this is not an exact quote, but it’s close—we won’t know the meaning of prophecy until after Jesus’ comes. (Help us, Lord!) If a prominent Christian says we cannot know what the Bible teaches about the future, then what’s the use of the rest of us trying to figure it out?

If I declare that I have accurately cracked the genetic code, it is newsworthy. Fellow scientists would demand I share what I discovered. But, if I contend that God has revealed the code breaker for prophecy by focusing on Jacob’s descendants, it barely rates a ho-hum.

Here’s my feeling on why my God-given ability does not generate more interest: Prophecy is often associated with end-of-the-world, doom and gloom scenarios. It’s human nature to avoid discussing things we dread. Prophecy, also, has been plagued by quacks who loudly predict things that never happen.

Yet, I believe the major reason confidence in prophecy is not welcome is that Satan has shrouded the subject with much confusion. Most want their fragile beliefs to remain undisturbed. (“Don’t confuse me with the facts!”)

The Lord, nevertheless, wants his people to have clarity so they can prepare for coming events. He is raising up confident teachers, men and women who will be free of doubt or uncertainty. With authority and confidence, they will proclaim God’s word to this generation. My desire is to help train and prepare this next wave of prophets.

John Finkbeiner 0 Comments