False prophets and false Messiahs will appear performing great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matt. 24:24). What does that mean?

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24

There have been many false prophets and false christs who have stated they were the mouthpieces of Jesus. As Jesus foretold, “…many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ’…”

The Pope is himself one of these false prophets. The following is a quote from Pope Leo XIII in the Encyclical Letter of June 20, 1894, page 304: “We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.” No man holds the place of God! That is a false claim.

But who are “the very elect” mentioned at the end of verse 24? The elect are believers who faithfully obey God and develop the fruits of the spirit. Not all who profess Jesus will be faithful, only a little flock. 2 Peter 1:10, “…brethren (saved believers in Christ)give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fail.” As the Apostle Paul writes, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” 1 Corinthians 9:27. 

Just before Christ establishes His kingdom on earth, deceptions will increase. Some believe that God may allow materialization of the fallen angels (imprisoned in the Earth's atmosphere after the Flood). This possibility is speculative. These demons may be able to create signs and wonders so impressive, that were it not for God’s power, they could even deceive the last members of the church on earth.

To summarize, the last members of the body of Christ are allowed to go through sifting experiences, but if they stay close to His word, they will discern these manifestations as lying wonders coming from the adversary, Satan.

Please explain Jeremiah 33:10, 11. Is this referring to Babylon?

Jeremiah 33 is a beautiful chapter, full of glorious promises to Israel and to all the world! Verses 6-11 read, "Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. I will restore the fortune of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it. Thus says the LORD: in this place of which you say, 'It is a waste without man or beast,' in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD: 'Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.'"

Some of this prophecy is being to be fulfilled i.e., Israel was a desert, a wasteland without men or beasts inhabiting the land. But today, the deserts of Israel grow abundant crops, orchards, and vineyards. New cities have been constructed where there were once malaria-infested, mosquitoed marshes.  However, the best is yet to come. For when Jesus and His bride reign, sins will be forgiven, and peace, mirth, and prosperity will crown the land.

There might be a question as to whether this prophecy is linked to Rev. 18 and the judgment of Babylon. Babylon is neither Judah nor Israel. In Rev. 18:23, "the voice of the bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more," whereas in Jer. 33, the bridegroom and bride are heard along with singing, gladness and mirth! No, the two chapters are not referring to the same events.

How would it be possible for the saints to come down from heaven (Revelation 21:2) when 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says that they would only be gathered as far as the atmosphere?

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Verse 16 denotes what happened at our Lord’s return in 1874 to the saints who had been sleeping in death for centuries. They were awakened to receive new immortal spiritual bodies like that of our Lord’s glorious body. Verse 17 goes on to say that future saints now living “will be caught up [changed at the moment of death] together with them [to be also like the saints who were already raised] in the clouds [often symbolic of trouble and persecution] to meet the Lord in the air [earth’s atmosphere, not the heaven of heavens].” We believe that these scriptures refer to the harvest of the Gospel Age, a time preceding our Lord’s setting up of His kingdom on earth. Even though persecution has not been the experience of all the saints either before our Lord’s second presence or after, there are scriptures pertaining to the closing days that indicate that the very last members of the Church may suffer persecution and violence before they die. For example, their experience would be comparable to that of Elijah who was caught up in a fiery chariot and accompanying whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Since we believe the Church class is still being completed (as is the great multitude, also a heavenly class), the marriage of the Lamb cannot have occurred. (See Revelation 19.) Therefore, we conclude that the risen saints are not yet with our Heavenly Father in the highest realm of heaven, where Jesus was seated after He ascended to heaven. We believe that the risen saints are with our Lord Jesus in the lower areas of heaven tearing down this present evil system so that Christ’s earthly kingdom can be set up.

However, in Revelation 21:2, the time frame has moved forward to the actual setting up of the earthly Kingdom. The Church is now complete, the marriage has taken place in the highest realm of heaven where God abides, and all people on earth are aware of a change in government from man’s control to Jesus and His Church’s control.

“I saw the Holy City [the government of God], the New Jerusalem [the completed Church in glory and Kingdom power, now united in marriage to the Lamb], coming down out of heaven from God [coming down from the highest place in heaven as they get their directive to rule], prepared as a bride [all the saints are counted as one collectively] beautifully dressed [resplendent for her husband Jesus].” (Revelation 21:2) This verse pertains to the inauguration of the reign of Christ. “Coming down from heaven” signifies that the New Jerusalem is of divine origin.

Are the risen saints in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 being gathered only as far as the earth’s atmosphere? Perhaps they may be in this realm or some other heavenly realm. We are not dogmatic on this issue. However, these same saints in Revelation 21:2 (the New Jerusalem) now descend
from the highest echelon of heaven since that is where their marriage to the Lamb took place.

What are the end times?

The end times are what Daniel calls the “time of the end” in Daniel 12:4.  Here is Daniel 12:4 from the New Living Translation: “But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

Daniel is instructed to keep the prophecy a secret until the time of the end.  We would ask this next question: what is it the end of? The answer is that “the time of the end” refers to the end of this current age. 

God has made a plan for redeeming all of mankind from sin and death (1 Timothy 2:3-6).  Since Pentecost, God has been selecting a little flock or a bride for his son from this imperfect world (Ephesians 1:7-11).  After the completion of this little flock, a new age will come. That new age starts with Christ’s kingdom. Revelation 21:1 says there will be “a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away.” The end of the first heaven and the first earth is symbolic. It means that the current imperfect political, social, economic, and religious organization of the world will come to an end. In its place will be Christ’s kingdom established in Heaven and on Earth.

When will this happen? Daniel 12:4 gives us two important clues. The verse says the prophecy will not be revealed “until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.” First, we believe the prophecy indicates that the time of the end will be a time when man is rushing here and there. Doesn’t that describe the last 100 to 200 years? Before the 1800s man’s fastest way to travel was by horse or by boat, and most people did not travel far from home. Since the mid to late 1800s, we have seen the speed of travel increase greatly. Mankind went from the horse to putting a man on the moon.This increase in speed and ability to travel matches the description of rushing here and there from Daniel 12:4.  

Second, Daniel mentions there will be an increase of knowledge. During much of human history, knowledge increased, but over the last 100 to 200 years, the increase in knowledge has been very fast. Now, experts estimate that the amount of information in the world will double every 12 months. Knowledge is certainly increasing.

Because we see an increase in knowledge and man traveling faster and further than ever before, we believe Daniel 12:4 shows we are now in the end times. When Christ’s bride (the little flock) is complete, then this age will end, and Christ’s kingdom will begin.

What is meant by Revelation 21:21 “the great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.”?

The book of Revelation is highly symbolic. The entire 21st chapter of Revelation is about the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. We believe that the New Jerusalem represents an all-powerful religious government, composed of our Lord and his saints (the Church in glory) that will exercise a most blessed and lasting influence for good over the earth’s people. We derive this meaning from the declaration in Revelation 21:9-10, “’Come I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ . . . and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.” 

 The walls of the city are living stones, such as the Apostle Peter describes (1 Peter 2:5); the foundation stones are the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. The coming of that City to earth is the symbolic representation of the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth, for a city is a symbol representing government or control.

 The verse you called to our attention, Revelation 21:21, describes part of the city.  “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made a single pearl.  The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.” Each gate is made of one global-like pearl. The pearl represents Jesus’ costly sacrifice. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46) 

Therefore, since each gate is a pearl, no person can enter the city without first recognizing Christ as his Redeemer. The street of the city was made of “pure gold” like “transparent glass” so that one could look with deep penetration into the body of the street and observe that there were no flaws. The street was perfect and clear as crystal: it contained no specks or impediments of any kind. 

This broad avenue paved with transparent gold was the one and only main street in the city. Gold is representative of the divine nature. The fact that the city was “pure gold” like unto clear glass, is indicative, we believe, that the glorified Church who are the symbolic City, are not only partakers of the divine nature, but are resplendent in their glory.

How much time do we, Christians, have until the end of the world?

World = Heavens + Earth

The first “heavens and earth” are referred to as “the world (kosmos: orderly arrangement)  that then was.” This first world was destroyed by the flood.  2 Peter 3:5-6  When will the present heavens and earth of our “world,” or orderly arrangement, come to an end?

“…the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements (something orderly in arrangement) will be destroyed (loosened) with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up (or wholly consumed).” 2 Peter 3:10

We are certainly in this day as we see the elements of our earth-society and decent principles “melting down” before our eyes. We also see the heavens, the spiritual powers of religious organization and power “pass away” as they have less and less influence.  2 Peter 3:12

Jesus spoke about his return and “the end of the age” or the “end of the world” in Matthew 24:3  One of the signs that we are at the door of this final collapse is the fig tree, the nation of Israel, putting forth its leaves or showing signs of life as a nation.  Matthew 24:32-33  He states that “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”  So we are definitely “at the doors” of the end of the age.

The faithful Christians will receive their heavenly reward before the full ‘end of the world.’

The elect, or church of God in heavenly glory, and Christ will cut short this final “tribulation”, so that people will continue living on this earth.  “For then will be great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall.  And unless those days had been cut short, no life would  have been saved; but for the sake (the channel of an act) of the elect those days shall be cut short.”  Matthew 24:21-22   See also Revelation 19:8, 11-15 A final part of this trouble will be all nations gathering against Israel, and divine intervention on behalf of Israel.  Daniel 12:1;  Zechariah 14:1-3

So how long do we have as Christians until the end of the world?  This time is ‘near’ and ‘at the doors’ but no one knows exactly when this full end will be.  But here is what we do know.

Our Heavenly Father knows the timing.

“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure…’  Isaiah 46:9-10

Our times are in His hand and under His power.  Psalm 31:14-15; 139:16

Our redemption is near.  Luke 21:28

This climatic end brings a climatic beginning.  He will use Faithful Christians to reign with Christ and bless all the families of the earth, for this end of the world is the beginning of a new world in which the whole groaning creation will be set free from sin and death and all things will be made new.  Revelation 1:6; Romans 8:18-21; Revelation 21:1-5 ; Zechariah 14:9

Who are the beasts of Revelation 13?

To understand the book of Revelation you need to be very familiar with the books of Daniel and Ezekiel.

Daniel shows us that empires or civil powers are pictured as beasts. Daniel 7:17,  “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.” This representation is still a common practice today, as the USA pictures itself by the bald-eagle and Russia as a bear. 

Now, we must compare Revelation 13 to Daniel 7 to find the identity of the 10 horned beast in Daniel.

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.”

Daniel 7:7, “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.” Therefore, both Daniel and Revelation are describing the same beast.

Revelation 13:5, “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” (1260 days)  Revelation 13:7,  “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.

Daniel 7:21, “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;”.  Daniel 7:25, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.  (1260 days)  In both contexts, the beast blasphemes God and persecutes the saints for 1260 days.

History shows the fourth universal empire was Rome. When we look at the image, we see there is iron mixed with clay. This pictures the Pagan Roman Empire transitioning into the Holy Roman Empire—that is the Papacy.

The other beast is a little harder to identify. The 2 horned beast can do many signs and wonders in the future and will cause the world to worship the Papal beast. This beast or civil power is a lot like the Papal beast and even makes an image of the Papal Beast which it also gives power to.

Revelation is a history of the Christian church throughout the Gospel Age and though Islam is very much like the Papal beast in that it is both church and state, we don’t think Islam is pictured here in the book of Revelation.

We see the Image of the Beast as the creation of a false Christian church-civil government union. This union will exercise great power such that any who refuse to honor that system will be persecuted and killed. (However, this is another topic which requires more space to explain than provided for this question.)

Revelation 21:1. What are the new heaven and the new earth?

Revelation 21:1, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.”

References to a “new heaven and a new earth” are found elsewhere in the Bible, including Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, and 2 Peter 3:4-13. In Peter’s epistle, we read that the first earth “was formed out of water and by water.  By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed” (verses 5,6) – obviously referring to the flood.  The Apostle Peter continues to explain that “the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment” (verse 7).  The Bible uses the symbol of fire to illustrate total destruction, just as fire totally consumes the burning object. This destruction is of the entire selfish, social fabric of the world’s societies. It is not the literal earth because “the earth [itself] remains forever” (Ecclesiastes 1:4).  

The heavens are not the literal heavens with all its trillions of magnificent galaxies neither. “Heavens” is used in the scriptures to symbolize the civil, ecclesiastical and spirit powers that are ruling.  Satan is called “the ruler of the kingdom of the air”  (Ephesians 2:2). Additionally, “Our struggle is… against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”  (Ephesians 6:12).  It is the great systems and powers influenced by Satan that will be destroyed by “fire”  (great trouble).  

Back to Second Peter.  After discussing the world that was (before the flood) and the present heavens and earth, Peter declares declares, “…we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:12,13).

The new heaven and new earth are referring to Christ’s righteous reign on earth (thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth…).  Jesus secured all mankind’s redemption and resurrection when he died (1 Corinthians 15:22, 1 Timothy 2:3,4). First, our Lord Jesus Christ will supervise the destruction of this present evil order. Psalm 46:2,3,6, “…the earth be removed…the mountains (kingdoms) be carried into the midst of the sea (restless, anarchistic mankind)…and the heathen raged…he uttered his voice, the earth melted.” Then Christ will establish His peaceable kingdom: “Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth.” (verses 8, 9) Isaiah 2:2-4, “…in the last days, the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted…and all nations shall flow unto it…Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD…he will teach us of his ways…” (See also Isaiah 35.) These is the new righteous heaven and earth!

How many will make it through the last days?

“The earth abideth forever,” Ecclesiastes 1:4. From this we know that the literal earth is never going to be destroyed.  

“There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts (plans).”  II Peter 3:3  This verse informs us that there will be people on this earth in those last days.

“The Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of His holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against Him,”  Jude 15 (NIV).

“And He shall turn and reconcile the hearts of the (estranged) fathers to the (ungodly) children, and the hearts of the (rebellious) children to (the piety of) their fathers (a reconciliation produced by repentance of the ungodly).” Malachi 4:6   (Amplified Bible)

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel (and eventually all mankind) after those days (the last days), declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrew 8:10-12.  (Italicized words are added explanations.)

How many people?  There will be many, many people upon the earth–even children–in those last days.  We are not told an exact number, but enough to require thousands of holy ones to help bring them into reconciliation with God, preparing them for the Restitution blessings of His glorious Kingdom on earth. (See Acts 3:19-21.) 

Where is Jesus now physically or spiritually? What scriptures support this?

This can be a confusing subject as is evident from the following scriptures: John 14:2-3 “In my Father's house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  Compare with Matthew 28:20, “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”  The question then becomes how can he be both “with us” and gone “preparing a place for us” at the same time?

Even more confounding, Revelation 1:7 states that when Jesus returns “every eye shall see him.” Yet the angels that were present when Jesus left in the cloud told the disciples they should not stand there gazing into the sky… saying that Jesus would return in the same manner as they saw him leave. (Acts 1:11)  Since only a few saw him leave, only a few would see him return. This concept is reaffirmed in 1 Thessalonians 5:2. Our Lord would return “like a thief in the night” meaning quietly, unobserved by the masses, but known to the watchers. 

The purpose of our Lord’s second advent is that He comes to establish His kingdom. When people “see” this evil order being demolished, they will eventually recognize that it is Jesus who is destroying the old to establish His rule. “…upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:25-27.

Mankind will not see Jesus with their literal eyes: “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me,” John 14:19.  How do we see Jesus? Christians see Jesus through His directions in our hearts and lives. By faith, we come to realize, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28. In the same way, eventually “every eye will see him” not with the physical eye, but with the eyes of their understanding.

Both physically and spiritually Jesus is in heaven, and he will still be there after his return, just like he is always at the right hand of the father… Think more of his return as when he begins to do a different work than when he was away.  The different work is well stated in Acts 15:14-16, “…God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.” This makes it clear then that He has returnedbecause we see the ruins of Israel being set up. (This is a citation of Amos 9:11-15.)

What is the blood moon of Acts 2:20 and Revelation 6:12?

Consider the context of “the moon became as blood.” Revelation 6:12 (NIV), “I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red.” Removing the sixth seal symbolizes the opening and comprehending of hidden biblical truths.

"THE SUN" represents the light of the Gospel. At the cross, Jesus gave Himself as the ransom to free mankind from Adam’s death sentence. 1 Timothy 2:6, “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” The testimony and release from sin and death for the majority of mankind has obviously not yet happened. Presently, Jesus and His sacrifice are offensive to most people. “And he (Jesus) shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense…” Isaiah 8:14. Scriptural truths have been overshadowed by various human pseudoscience to reduce the value of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus as was depicted in the Cross.

“The moon became as blood.” If the truth of the Gospel of God represented by the sun was obscured, then the moon(moonlight is only a reflection of the sun’s light) represents the teachings of the Mosaic Law. The Law was a “shadow of good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1). The sacrifices of the Day of Atonement (Deuteronomy 16) depict the work of redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Some claim that the bloody sacrifices of the Jews (recorded in Exodus through Deuteronomy) were a barbaric act. Hence the moon (the Law sacrifices) seem bloody. But the Apostle Paul teaches these sacrifices were types of Jesus’ and His church’s sacrifices. They were the image of “better sacrifices,” Hebrews 9:23.

However, Acts 2:20 is referring to a literal eclipse of the moon. When Jesus was crucified on April 3, 33A.D., the sun was darkened (Matthew 27:45). Additionally, astronomical data reveals that there was a partial lunar eclipse. When the moon is eclipsed, it looks like it is a dark, blood red. Hence, the moon becoming as blood as both a literal and a symbolic fulfillment.

When there is no heaven and earth, where will God dwell?

Matthew 24:35, Mark13:31, Luke21:33, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

2 Peter 3:10, “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.” If these scriptures were literal, the question’s point would be valid.

These texts are in reference to the “passing away” or destruction of the symbolic heavens and symbolic earth. The “earth” represents the evil earthly governments and social orders. Whereas the heavens are the false church systems. In Isaiah 24:19-23, the earth in verse 19 is obviously symbolic because in verse 23, the Lord is reigning from Mt. Zion and in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 24:19-23: “The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth…Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”

The returning Lord will judge and find the present nations, religions, and their works to be unrighteous. These ecclesiastical and social orders on earth and in the spiritual heavens will be removed and eliminated. Then Christ will establish His righteous rule on earth and the Lord’s prayer will be fulfilled: “…thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  We are assured that the planet earth will not be literally destroyed because “…the earth abideth forever.” 

What is the book of Obadiah about?

Edom was the name given to Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, after he sold his birthright.  (Genesis 25:30-34)  The name was applied both to the people descended from him and to the country in which they settled.  (Genesis 36:1; Numbers 20:18-21; Jeremiah 49:17)  

The name “Edom” is frequently used by the prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) and by the Revelator as a symbol of “professed” Christians, “Christendom” (the so-called Christian World), and of “Babylon” (Revelation 14:8; 18:2, 3). These are Christians in name only. They have similarly sold their birthright as Esau did for something as trifling as the bowl of stew. These have preferred present earthly advantages above all the blessings of communion and fellowship with their Lord Jesus. True Christians faithfully follow in Jesus’ footsteps of sacrifice as Jesus taught: “If any man will come after me, let him denyhimself, and take up his cross, and follow me,” Matthew 16:24. (1 Peter 2:21; Philippians 3:8-10; Romans 12:1, 2)  Only a few Christians have made proper use of being blessed with the Word of God. These by their godly examples have been “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14) showing men the way back to God and righteousness.  

While all the land of Edom symbolized all of Christendom, so its capital city Bozrah represented “ecclesiasticism”, the chief fortress of Christendom.  Both the ecclesiastical powers of Christendom and the earth (the social organization under church and state influence – “the Mount of Esau”) are reserved unto “fire” (symbolizing trouble, judgment).  The book of Obadiah is a prophecy regarding the retributive justice upon all of Christendom. The “Christian” nations shall reap the Lord’s anger for persecuting faithful Christians and Jews (still the people of promise).  (Obadiah 1:8, 9; Ezekiel 25:13, 14)  

The Prophet represents the Lord as a victorious warrior who makes a great slaughter in Edom, especially in Bozrah.  (Isaiah 34:6, 8)  The reply to the Prophet's inquiry—“Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah?” is, “I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”  (Isaiah 63:1-4)  This is the same mighty one described in the book of Revelation, the “King of kings and Lord of lords,” Jehovah's Anointed, our highly exalted Redeemer and Lord, Jesus.  (Revelation 19:11-16; Philippians 2:9-11)

Christendom (“Edom”), after being thoroughly destroyed, will be replaced by "a new heavens”—a new spiritual government made up of Jesus and his faithful Church (Ephesians1:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 12:12), and “a new earth”—human society reorganized under God's Kingdom arrangements. Christ will reign on a basis of justice, love, obedience, and righteousness instead of selfishness. (Isaiah 26:9; Revelation 21:1-4)

What is going to happen at the end of the world?

The “…ends of the world…” (1 Corinthians 10:11) is the ending and transitional period of the world as we know it. It is called, “…the great day of Jehovah…” (Zephaniah 1:14 YLT).  The righteous Kingdom of God, under the authority of Christ, will be gradually established on earth as the unjust governments and systems of the present world pass away.  Isaiah 61:2 lists this period as, “…the day of vengeance of our God…".    Psalm 110:5 describes this as "…the day of His wrath."  Daniel 7:9, 13, & 14 (KJV) states, “…the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit…and behold, one like the Son of man came…And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people…should serve him:  his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away…shall not be destroyed.”

Various prophecies describe this ending period of the old evil world order. It overlaps with transitional events required to fulfill the promise in Acts 3:21 (NIV), “…for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”   

There is a prophecy detailing the fall of false Christian systems. These systems are Christian in name only (meaning not true at heart, not holy spirit-begotten, unfaithful).   Revelation 18:21 prophesies, “And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.”  As the literal Babylon fell to ruin, so symbolic Babylon (nominal Christianity) will fall.  It will be raised as though it were a giant stone. Then its sudden, violent fall will bring total destruction of its unjust practices. This will forever be a forceful example of why and how God will eliminate all hypocritical systems.    

The prophecy describing future mourning of those responsible for Jesus’ death is found in Zechariah 12:10. “…and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as…for his firstborn.”  When Jesus, our Lord and redeemer, awakens ALL mankind (John 5:28,29), people will be taught God’s plan and instructed in righteousness (Hebrews 10:16). They will know that Jesus is “…a ransom for all…” 1 Timothy 2:6.

The Bible describes the end of the world as a time when Christ removes all manmade, unrighteous systems.  Temporary, severe upheaval will lead to the fulfillment of God’s wonderful promise for mankind found in Revelation 21:4.  ”…God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes…death shall not be any more,  nor sorrow, nor crying,  nor…pain, because the first things did go away.” (YLT).