Revelation 13:7 “ . . . and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”

            The word for power in this verse means “authority” but also carries the idea of superhuman potentate; This is used also of Jesus in Matthew 28. The coming world leader (anti-Christ) will be enabled and empowered by the devil and will have superhuman capabilities.

            Previously  I mentioned the World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA) and their composing of a world constitution. They desire a world government to address the problems they think are jeopardizing the world; among which most deal with the environment, military disarmament, world hunger and the economy. The preamble to this world constitution has nineteen articles and reads like a New Age occult manual.

            The goal of this world government is total control over the world and all people. Article IV regulates weapons of mass destruction and also any lethal weapon – this will mean no gun ownership. This constitution also sets up an Executive branch that could with the stroke of a pen eliminate our God-ordained Constitution and freedoms. 

            All things are in place and the timing is the

Luke 22:53  When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

            When they cane to arrest Jesus prior to crucifying Him, Jesus made an interesting statement that is relevant to what is going on today. He made the case that they came by night away from crowds to arrest Him when they could have arrested Him in the temple or elsewhere. But they did not and then Jesus said, “but this is you hour, and the power of darkness.” The devil has been in rebellion against God since he tried to overthrow God as recorded by Isaiah (Isa 14:12-14) and he has continued his efforts to be king over this earth. In the temptation of Jesus he offered Jesus the kingdoms of this world if Jesus would bow down and worship him. The devil longs to be supreme ruler over the earth and control ALL the inhabitants having others help him in his rule. Many attempts have surfaced through the years to bring about his dream and desire, but the Holy Spirit stands in his way of total control.

(1 Sam 1:1-2)  Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: {2} And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

            This Sunday is Mother’s Day and we will look at Hannah one of many in the Bible as an example of motherhood. Booker T. Washington said, If I’ve done anything in life worth attention, I feel sure that I inherited the disposition from my mother. He recognized the great influence his mother had upon him. Mothers do not become successful by learning a 10-point lesson on raising children. Success is related to who they are more than what they accomplish. Hannah is an example of this principle.

            Hannah was a woman who desired to be a mother but was barren and she was a woman under trial.  She was grieved because she could not bear children. Too often today young girls are urged to seek a career and let motherhood be

Colossians 2:18  Let no man beguile you of your reward

Types of judgment/reward:

            Christians will be judged/rewarded in numerous areas. There are verses that speak of “full reward” and also warning not to allow someone to prevent us from receiving a full reward (2 Jn 8; Rev. 3:11; Col 2:18); Scripture also speaks of receiving our own reward (1 Cor 3:8).

            Doctrinal living – Paul speaks of our works being tried by fire (1 Cor 3:9-15)

            Faithfulness – We are to remain faithful to what, where and how we are to serve Christ (1 Cor 3:8; 4:2; 1 Pet 4:10; Lu 19:26). We will not be judged according to amount, but faithfulness to our ability  and calling(Matt 13:23; 25:15).

            Words – Jesus says we will give account for idle (vain) words that we speak Matt 12:36. This could refer to exclamations, unholy talk (Eph 4:29) or our prayer life (Matt 6:7).

            Christian ministering/service – As Christians we have opportunities to help others or minister to needs of others and we will be rewarded accordingly (Matt 10:42; Phil 4:17; Heb 6:10; Lu 14:14).

Rewards – Some of the rewards the righteous receive relate to our

Daniel 7:10  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Judgments:

             Many people think that judgment day will be one special day and all will be present standing before God and we will find out then who is saved and who is not saved and to what degree of punishment or reward will be given to each. The Bible does not give us this sense of judgment. There seems to be three separate judgments in reference to time, place and type of judgment. These represent a finality judgment; however there are judgments declared and administered upon sin and people and nations prior to the final judgments (such as Israel going into captivity, judgments upon Egypt, etc.). Sin was judged at Calvary when Christ took the sins of the world upon His body and those who place their trust in Him receive the forgiveness of their sin (1 Tim 5:24). God is presently poring our judgment upon nations today because of their sin – America is being judged because of our embracing abortion, sodomy,

Matthew 28:5-6   And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

            Years ago someone took a survey of a thousand people and asked what they thought were the most important events in history. To the shock and disappointment of many the resurrection of Jesus Christ was named as only the fifth most important event – it was blow Columbus discovering America, invention of the printing press and several others.

            If you think about what the resurrection did for mankind and its importance toand for us, you will agree with me – they are all worng.

            If Christ had not been raised from the dead we could not be justified before a Holy God -- Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.  Belief in His resurrection is key to being saved -- Romans 10:9  if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him

Revelation 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

Silence in heaven:

            Upon the opening of the seventh seal there is silence for half an hour in heaven. Most believe that this is an awe-struck silence before the sounding of trumpets and opening of the seals. The sounding of trumpets is preceded by mention of prayers of the saints and the casting of the incense onto the earth (Rev 6:10). The answers to prayers that have been kept by God are now being answered in full measure upon the earth.

Trumpets judgments:

            As the trumpets are sounded serious and frightening things occur on earth.

            First trumpet – Fire and hail mingled with blood falls onto the earth burning up a third of the trees and all green grass.

            Second trumpet – a meteor or asteroid falls into the sea (Mediterranean) and one third of it turns to blood, a third of sea creatures die and a third of the ships on the sea were destroyed. (*These were perhaps ships against Israel).

            Third trumpet – a giant meteor or asteroid comes into

Revelation 12:7-9   And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Demonic activity:

            John sees war in heaven in which the devil with his angels are cast onto the earth and then declares a woe to the inhabitants of earth because of the spiritual forces now consigned to earth. The tribulation period is not only a time when the wickedness of man is released by the withdrawn hindrance of the Holy Spirit but there will also be demonic activity probably beyond any that has happened on earth previously. There has always been demonic activity on earth after the fall of the devil but during the tribulation this will increase exponentially.

Other times of activity:

            When God sent Moses into Egypt to bring His people out of bondage there was a display of power supernatural demonic

Revelation 6:1-2  And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

2  And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Rise of anti-Christ:

            These verses tell of a coming ruler who comes riding a white horse -- white symbolizing righteousness, purity as well as peace. When any army or people approach another in order to seek peace or negotiations they do so under the banner of a white flag. Also, this rider exhibits power and might in military power by the carrying of a bow; however, there is no arrow so the deadly portion is not present indicating that he seeks peace thru a mighty presence. The Bible is clear that a time of peace will precede the horrors of the tribulation will begin. (Dan 8:25; 1 Thes 5:3). Daniel tells us that this anti-Christ will confirm the covenant with Israel for one week (7 years – Dan 9:27). Isaiah said Israel’s covenant

Romans 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Israel’s blindness:

            Paul says that the reason that Israel does not accept Christ as the Messiah is that there is blindness in part in their seeing, reading and understanding of Scripture and of Jesus. He tells us that it is only a part (portion, measure) of blindness but not a type that prevents them from ever coming to the truth. In 2 Cor 3 Paul speaks of the clarity of his presentation of the gospel and associates this with the partial blindness of Israel when these same truths are presented to them. In verses 13-16 he explains the truth of what has happened with the incident when Moses talked with God and then with the people and had to place a vail upon his face when speaking to the people because he shone with the glory of God (Ex 34:31-35). Paul says that this vail remains upon the hearts of Israel until they turn to Christ in