The American Wisdom Series

Presents
The Lord said,"Take Heed".

Do you have eyes to SEE and ears to HEAR? If so, when you read or watch the news of the day you should be able to SEE what is happening and "put two and two together" and discern the lateness of the hour and UNDERSTAND all the "things" that are happening which were foretold to us by Jesus Christ (Mk. 13:23). Here for example is an historic event that happened not too long ago:

---

 On May 5, 2000, there was an usual, highly publicized and talked about "alignment" of the planets, symbols of nations, a sign in the heavens! Four months later (the number "4" denotes earth in Biblical numerics) the following event occurred on earth, a sign in the earth. It was the largest gathering of the leaders of nations, of both the leading Free World Nations (kingdoms) and the Third World Countries (ethnos) in the HISTORY OF MANKIND. Here they all are standing (risen) against (epi) each other. Yep, they are all lined up!

The Kingdoms and the Nations at the Millennium Summit 2000
Bill Clinton, just left of center. front row.

"AP News, Sat. Aug. 19, 2000
UNITED NATIONS --- ... More than 150 world leaders to meet at the United Nations..

The Millennium Summit from Sept. 6-8 - billed as the largest gathering of heads of state and government in history - focuses on the role of the United Nations in the 21st century."

---

Peace peace, deception, globalization and a one world government are all signs of the last days given to us by Jesus, the One who long ago foretold us they would be the things happening today, in these end times. Mark 13:23 "Buttake ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."

blepo, blep'-o, Greek 991; a primary verb; to look at (literal or figurative) :- behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.Compare Greek 3700 (optanomai).

"To look, see, have the power of sight applied to mental vision or consideration, to consider, take to heart, employed to express a more intent, earnest, spiritual contemplation than horao (another Greek word translated "heed")."

Luke 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? [10] And He said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not SEE, and hearing they might not UNDERSTAND. (emphasis mine)

suniemi, soon-ee'-ay-mee, Greek 4920; from Greek 4862 (sun) and hiemi (to send); to put together, i.e. (mentally) to comprehend; by implication to act piously :- consider, understand, be wise.

Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

[12] For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

[13] Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

[14] And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

[15] For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Deut. 32:15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Mat. 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see [blepo]: and your ears, for they hear.

Mark 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Mark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say,Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mark 13:1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

[2]And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

buildings = oikodome, oy-kod-om-ay', Greek 3619; feminine (abstract) of a compound of Greek 3624 (oikos) and the base of Greek 1430 (doma); architecture, i.e. (concrete) a structure; figurative confirmation :- building, edify (-ication, -ing).

Greek 1430 doma, do'-mah, Greek 1430; from demo (to build); properly an edifice, i.e. (special) a roof :- housetop.

Mark 13:3 And as He sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

[4] Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

The question Jesus asked His disciples as He walked out of the temple (hieron -meaning "sacred place") was "have you taken to heart and carefully considered (blepo) these great buildings of the temple and what is going to happen in this sacred place, that it shall be utterly disintegrated?" If you are truly a believer and a disciple of Jesus Christ then the question is asked of you! It is not the question "Are you curious about what is going to happen in the end times" but rather "Have you seriously thought about the "reality" of what lies just ahead of us and have you carefully considered YOUR PART in it?" You see, we will document before we finish this 13th chapter of Mark that there will be Baby Boomers who shall witness all these "things" come to pass! That means the hour is truly late because many of us Baby Boomers now carry AARP cards.

We read that the disciples came to Christ as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, across from the temple, and they asked Him to explain "WHEN shall these things be" and "WHAT shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled". Jesus gave them (us) the answers! Have you carefully considered them and taken them to heart? The time to do so is NOW!

Mark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say,Take heed lest any mandeceive you:

2 Thes. 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

[2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. [3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Mark 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mark 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

rumours = akoe, ak-o-ay', Greek 189; from Greek 191 (akouo); hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard) :- audience, ear, fame, which ye heard, hearing, preached, report, rumoral

Today we have an "International Community" which President Clinton acknowledged when he rhetorically asked the question in his State of the Union address a few years ago concerning Saddam Hussein, and I quote, "Who can stand against the wishes of the International Community?" Those are the prophetic words of Rev. 13:4, "... saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?"

Before we leave verse 7, it is very important to notice that the end of "world wars" and the end of "rumours of world wars" did NOT signal "the end". Those events needed to happen before the end, which they did, and they needed to "be" part of history, which they are. Yes, the 2nd Trump has also sounded!

[7] ...for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

So what does this verse mean, "nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom?" It is really quite simple and is made clear in the Greek from which it is translated. First, the word translated "against" is the Greek word "epi" which means "upon" or "up against", as "along side of". There is NO WAY it means in "opposition to". This is important so here is the Strong's definition in its entirety:

epi, ep-ee', Greek 1909; a primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive], i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative) towards, upon, etc. :- about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, × have charge of, (be-, [where-]) fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-) on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through (-out), (un-) to (-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literal or figurative).

agora, ag-or-ah', Greek 58; from ageiro (to gather; probably akin to Greek 1453 (egeiro)); properly the town-square (as a place of public resort); by implication a market or thoroughfare :- market (-place), street.

nations = ethnos, eth'-nos, Greek 1484; probably from Greek 1486 (etho); a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan) :- Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

kingdom = basileia, bas-il-i'-ah, Greek 932; from Greek 935 (basileus); properly royalty, i.e. (abstract) rule, or (concrete) a realm (literal or figurative) :- kingdom, + reign.

What is Jesus talking about? Globalization, One Worldism.

This IS the rising of the one world political beast of Revelation 13. It is happening right before our very eyes, if you can see it. (Blepo) Have you ever heard of the World Trade Organization (WTO) or the IMF or the World Bank. The kingdoms of Europe have already risen together economically in the marketplace with the implementation of the Eurodollar and the Americas, including Canada and Mexico, are swiftly being brought under "Dollarization". Furthermore, worldwide e-commerce has arrived.

This is the Black Horse of Rev. 6:5-6, the Hidden Dynasty of the Economy*. The 3rd Trump has sounded!

* If you would like to learn about the National Debt and how money works under Satan's usurious debt-system economies with central banks, then find and read the booklet "The Hidden Dynasty of the Economy". It is a real "eye opener"!

Blepo!

The hour is late and many of God's people are in a deep slumber. Furthermore, it appears that many of God's elect need to re-open their eyes (blepo) as per Christ's instructions and look around and SEE what is happening. That is precisely why Jesus Christ asked His disciples if they had "taken heed" (blepo) to the temple buildings and the destruction thereof. In other words have you CAREFULLY CONSIDERED (blepo) the events that precede the return of the King of kings?

You say you have? Well, have you carefully considered the fact that prophecy will do you absolutely NO GOOD if you are unable to discern the times and interpret the current events that are taking place and KNOW when the prophecies have come to pass! "Take Heed" Jesus Christ says to His disciples! Pay attention! If you are one of His disciples with eyes to see and ears to hear then do not be caught napping. Have enough wisdom to know that the question and the instructions from Christ to "Take Heed" are for you and me, His disciples, His watchmen in this final generation? You see, Peter, James, John and Andrew would NOT be the disciples who would be alive in the flesh to see the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place where he ought not! But there will be Baby Boomers of this final generation of the fig tree (planted May 15, 1948) who will! In fact those Baby Boomers will hear the "Boom" from ALL 7 Trumpets! In fact, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, we are now in the 5th Trump! Did your ears HEAR (suniemi) them? Are you able to put two and two together, i.e. the "prophecies" with the "events" taking place? It is time to stop and "Take Heed".

So far we learned that there would be "wars and rumours of wars" followed by "nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom". Let's review those scriptures:

Mark 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

In Rev. 13:1 the apostle John stood upon the sand, which means he had his head out of the sand, and he watched the New World Order, the Global International Community, the Beast, rise up out of the sea, i.e. from among the peoples and nations and tongues of the world. Take heed and get your head out of the sand and watch the beast rise up with him! It is happening RIGHT NOW and it is truly an amazing sight to behold!

[8] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Are you sleeping,
Are you sleeping,
Brother John, brother John?
Morning bells are ringing,
Morning bells are ringing.
Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!

Have you not heard how many, many times the "International Community" is referred to by our President and Secretary of State? The question is asked in Rev. 13:4 concerning The Global International Community, the New World Order, the Beast, "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" Well? Who? Here again is the quote from President Clinton in his speech before the combined House and Senate of the United States concerning Saddam Hussein's vain attempt against the Security Council of the Beast, "Who is able to stand against the wishes of the International Community?" Can you put two and two together? Can you put the prophecies together with the current events?

Well, we have one more sign and one more Trump to consider before Jesus Christ tells us to "take heed" to ourselves because the woes, the sorrows, are just now beginning. Are you sleeping, brother John (gift of Yah)? Don't miss what we cover next.

Do you still read all of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 as prophecy yet to be fulfilled? Think about that question carefully! Did not Jesus Christ say that the generation of the fig tree (which was set out on May 15, 1948) would NOT PASS AWAY until all these things are FULFILLED? Well, the sand is running out of the hour glass! Take Heed is the command from the Lord! You need to do that because the words of Jesus Christ are being fulfilled before your very eyes! It is time to wake up!

In fact, you can now read the following verses, Mark 13:5-8, as history since they speak of the First Four Seals of Rev. 6, which are the Four Hidden Dynasties, the POWERS of Religion, Politics, Economics and Education used by Satan's own to bring forth and give rise to the Global Beast of Rev. 13:1. The First Four Trumpets of Rev. 8 which announce the action, the charge of those powers have all sounded because in case you haven't noticed, ALL Four Hidden Dynasties are now controlled by Satan's own and the Beast is on the rise! And guess what? When you SEE the Beast RISE from among the people THEN real trouble begins for the disciples of Christ (vs. 8)! Let's review the first three seals:

Mark 13:5-8 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

earthquakes = seismos, sice-mos', Greek 4578; from Greek 4579 (seio); a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake :- earthquake, tempest.

seio, si'-o, Greek 4579; apparently a primary verb; to rock (vibrate, properly sideways or to and fro), i.e. (genitive) to agitate (in any direction; cause to tremble); figurative to throw into a tremor (of fear or concern) :- move, quake, shake.

seismos, motion, shaking, shock, (from seio, to move to and fro with idea of shock, concussion.)

Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: [12] And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

troubles = tarache, tar-akh-ay', Greek 5016; feminine from Greek 5015 (tarasso); disturbance, i.e. (of water) roiling, or (of a mob) sedition :- trouble (-ing).

tarasso, tar-as'-so, Greek 5015; of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate (roil water) :- trouble.

pestilence = loimos, loy-mos', Greek 3061; of uncertain affinity; a plague (literal the disease, or figurative a pest) :- pestilence (-t).

We've completed the Second of the Five "Take Heeds" Jesus Christ gave us in the 13th chapter of Mark. Jesus wants us to carefully consider the deception brought about by the MANY who come in His name, which is the majority of Christian ministers and preachers, who in addition to teaching the traditions of men also teach an entirely different endtime scenario than that which Christ has foretold us.

They see the events of Revelation only in terms of the flesh for they are blinded indeed who have no eyes to see that we war not against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12) and that we put on the Gospel Armor to be able to take a STAND against the fiery darts of Satan. To that end they look for ways to escape bodily harm which is why they constantly promote the popular Flesh Escape Plan (FEP) called the Rapture theory to the congregations they frighten with their unbiblical nonsense. After all, "Who wants to starve to death or worse yet be stung by locusts the size of horses with stingers in their tails who will swoop down from the sky and zap you. And when they sting you it will hurt for five months?" (This garbage is actually being taught to the masses by very prominent so-called preachers of God's Word.) You see, the Rapture theory itself is based on the false premise that the tribulation of the spurious messiah will be a time of great flesh suffering when in fact it will be a time of peace, peace, brought about by the one who will claim he IS the Prince of Peace (2 Thes. 2), but he is not.  He desolates the souls of men in this final generation, not their flesh!

Nevertheless, are we to even be concerned about those who can harm our flesh bodies? (I speak not of the natural sense which causes us to look both ways before we cross the street.) Think about it! Do you think you are going to live in this flesh "thing" forever or something? Of course no one wants to suffer or even die but IF you trust in the Lord and really and truly believe with understanding, knowing your Father's will and His plan for you, then the fear of the first death which is of the flesh body is placed in its proper perspective. Here is what Christ told us concerning it:

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

What went through the minds of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were delivered up to Nebuchadnezzar? Was their primary concern the fear of losing their flesh? How about Daniel when he was tossed into the lion's den? Yes, some of God's servants, those with eyes to see and ears to hear, will be delivered up in these last days, in the days that lie just ahead. Blepo! Jesus Christ just said so in Mark 13:9. Should we then be fearful or anxious?  Here is what Christ says to those today who are of the Church of Smyrna, one of the only two churches Christ finds no faults with (the other is Philadelphia):

Rev. 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Mark 13:9 ... and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them.

Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

kerusso, kay-roos'-so, Greek 2784; of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel) :- preach (-er), proclaim, publish.

Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

[6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

[8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, [10] Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, [11] Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

[12] And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

[13] Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Mark 13:9 ... and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them. Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

[15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

[16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

[13]And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Have you "Taken Heed" to yourself? Are you ready to face the great tribulation of the false-christ which, as we will document, will soon befall this present generation? Contrary to that which is taught by the "many who have some in Christ's name" and have deceived most of our people, the tribulation of Satan, when he appears on earth as the spurious messiah will be a time of Peace, Peace. There is no need for a "rapture" plan to save your flesh hide! The son of perdition is soon to be kicked out of heaven (Rev. 12:7-9) and he will come to this earth claiming to be Jesus Christ. He will not be out to slay the flesh bodies of men and women, for he is not after blood. He will be slaying (desolating) their souls! Jesus will now tell us what to do when we SEE this abominable one appear!

Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

noieo, noy-eh'-o, Greek 3539; from Greek 3563 (nous); to exercise the mind (observe), i.e. (figurative) to comprehend, heed :- consider, perceive, think, understand.

Daniel 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

Daniel 11:36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

2 Thes. 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

[2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2 Thes. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

[5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

1 Cor. 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

[29] But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

[30] Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

[31] In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

[32] Remember Lot's wife.

[33] Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

[Mark 13:14... cont.] ...then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

Mark 13:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

oikodome, oy-kod-om-ay', Greek 3619; feminine (abstract) of a compound of Greek 3624 (oikos) and the base of Greek 1430 (doma); architecture, i.e. (concrete) a structure; figurative confirmation :- building, edify (-ication, -ing).

doma, do'-mah, Greek 1430; from demo (to build); properly an edifice, i.e. (special) a roof :- housetop.

Mark 13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Mark 13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Luke 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

[29] For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

Mark 13:18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

cheimon, khi-mone', Greek 5494; from a derivative of cheo (to pour; akin to the base of Greek 5490 (chasma) through the idea of a channel), meaning a storm (as pouring rain); by implication the rainy season, i.e. winter :- tempest, foul weather, winter.

Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Rev. 12:7 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.

"You better watch out, you better not cry.

You better not pout, I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town!

He knows if you've been sleeping,
He knows if you're awake.
He knows if you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!"

"You better watch out (Take Heed), you better not cry (weep not for me, Christ said).

You better not pout (no whining that you didn't know because...), I'm telling you why (because I AM has foretold you all things).
Santa (an anagram of Satan) Claus is coming to town (that would be Jerusalem and he has some goodies in his bag of tricks for YOU!)

He knows if you've been sleeping (slumbering as in Rom. 11:8),
He knows if you're awake (he hates Watchmen).
He knows if you've been bad or good (That's right. He knows who God's elect are. And to him the "good" are bad and the "bad" are good.),
So be good for goodness sake (Take Heed!)

It is written that when Michael stands up (Dan. 12:1) and casts Satan out of heaven (Rev. 12:7-9) that "in those days there shall be affliction [tribulation] such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be (Mark 13:19)." But know this, the tribulation of the false-christ will be a time of great peace as far as flesh and blood are concerned. The apostle Paul instructs us in Ephesians chapter six to put on the Gospel Armor and be ready to take a stand against the fiery darts of Satan. Why? Because the battle will be for the souls of men, a spiritual warfare of unprecedented magnitude because flesh man will have a "Close Encounter" with the beautiful charismatic archangel Satan and his host of angels who come with him. Can you begin to comprehend how the flood of lies and deception will be like the flood of Noah?

Most students of prophecy are aware that the time frame given to us in Daniel and Revelation concerning how long this abominable one should stand in the holy place and reign and prevail upon the earth is for 3 1/2 years, the last half of the 7 years of Daniel's 70th week. However, for a very special reason known to God's elect, the Lord has shortened those days!

Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom He hath chosen, He hath shortened the days.

Answer: They are the days of the false-christ's reign! In other words, Jesus has shortened the length of time that the abomination of desolation, who is Satan posing as Jesus, will actually be standing in the holy place performing miracles in the sight of men and claiming to be God. A study of Rev. 9 will reveal that those days have been shortened to the last 5 months as we shall see.

Answer: Because the spiritual tribulation will be so intense that there would be no convincing anyone that this entity is NOT JESUS CHRIST. Therefore, unless He shortened the time, no freewill souls in the flesh would be "saved" because they would all worship Satan.

Then what about God's elect, those whom He has chosen from before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4)? Did Jesus also shortened those days because He is afraid that His elect, whom He has chosen, would also be deceived? Heavens NO! And we will document that shortly. The question is "Why are God's elect here? Why has He chosen them?" Have you "Taken Heed" to yourself? Have you gone to Acts chapter 2 to learn what the "wonderful works" of the last days will be? Peter even quoted it from the Book of Joel. Before the "cloven tongue" testimonies of the delivering up when God pours His spirit out on "those whom He has chosen" there would first be a great teaching (which is the meaning of the word prophesy) by the men and woman of God, His elect, who would SEE visions, i.e. understand with "eyes to see" the visions of the prophets. They have been "chosen by Him" to bring forth the TRUTH of His Word and fulfill the "sealing" of Rev. 7.  It is for their sakes, the sake of the elect, that the days of Satan's reign are shortened.

Revelation 7:1-3 gives us a second witness to the "shortening" by showing us the counterpart which is the "lengthening" of the time given for the "sealing" before Satan is released.

Rev. 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

[2] And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

[3] Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

[4] And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Mark 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

[32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

[34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. [5] Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

pseudochristos, psyoo-dokh'-ris-tos, Greek 5580; from Greek 5571 (pseudes) and Greek 5547 (Christos); a spurious Messiah :- false Christ.

pseudoprophetes, psyoo-dop-rof-ay'-tace, Greek 5578; from Greek 5571 (pseudes) and Greek 4396 (prophetes); a spurious prophet, i.e. pretended foreteller or religious impostor :- false prophet.

Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

"Take Heed", said Jesus Christ, "lest any man deceive you"! "Take ye Heed", said Jesus Christ, "I have foretold you all things." The choice is yours, you know! You can either believe Jesus Christ's version of the sequence of events that shall happen or can you can believe the traditions of men, like the any-moment Rapture Theory whereby Christians the world over believe Jesus Christ comes and blows the retreat whistle for His troops to run from the great tribulation instead of blowing the Trumpet for the Christian Soldiers to "March Onward as to War"! Check out the Rapture Theory in church history! It is not Biblical! It is Hysterical! But unfortunately it sure fits the mentality of our Christian brothers and sisters who have allowed atheists and groups like the ACLU, and I might add, self serving so called theologians, to chase God out of our churches, institutions, and our children's schools, even turning their Christmas concerts into nothing more than Holiday concerts where "Away in Manger" cannot be sung because it mentions the little Lord Jesus who has now become a Federal Offense.

Run, run, little frightened Christian, or the scorpions will bite you! No wonder they love the concept of "Flying Away". How can they have the courage to face the Dragon when they are afraid of little locusts and scorpions? Obviously they have not read Christ's words in Luke 10:19 or if they have they don't believe Him: "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." We need more Christian soldiers who are willing to take a stand. Can't you just hear our forefather's cry?

So, have you yet seen the "abomination of desolation", the false messiah, standing in the holy place where he ought not and performing miracles in the sight of men? No, you haven't! That happens BEFORE Jesus Christ returns, at the 6th Trump, or don't you believe those words of Jesus Christ either? Jesus returns as the King of kings AFTER Satan has reigned and do not let anyone tell you Christ is going to sneak in and withdraw His elect troops from the battle. You see, His Christian Knights are donned with the impregnable Gospel Armor and highly trained to take a stand and resist the fiery darts of the enemy! His First Knights (His First Fruits) shall endure the tribulation, no problem! They are protected by that Gospel Armor and when the Holy Spirit is poured out they shall then bring forth the Sword of the Lord and give witness and they shall emerge victorious in Him who shall give them crowns of glory when He returns as follows:

Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, [25] And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. [26]And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. [27]And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Mark 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree...

Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

[11]He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. [12] For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Mark 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Mark 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

Rev. 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Rev. 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Jeremiah 24:1 The LORD shewed me, and, behold,two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.

[2] One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket hadvery naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. [3] Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

Mark 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

[29]So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

[30]Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

[31] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Take ye heed, The Day of Vengeance is soon coming upon Jerusalem at the sound of the 7th Trump and that temple wherein shall be standing, but ought not be standing, the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, shall be destroyed. In fact Christ made it very clear to His disciples that "there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down (Mark 13:2)". So take heed and do not be deceived by men whether by reading their volumes of commentaries or by listening to them live and in living color or even on Memorex that the Roman general Titus fulfilled Mark 13:2 when he marched on Jerusalem in 70 AD. How can we be so sure? Because for one thing the stones of the great wailing wall yet "stand one stone upon another".

count G5585
???????
pse?phizo?
psay-fid'-zo
From G5586; to use pebbles in enumeration, that is, (genitive case) to compute: - count.

G5586
??????
pse?phos
psay'-fos
From the same as G5584; a pebble (as worn smooth by handling), that is, (by implication of use as a counter or ballot) a verdict (of acquittal) or ticket (of admission); a vote: - stone, voice.

Do you think these pebbles are any thing like the stones in Mark 13:2? Mark 13:2  And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down

Stones/Pebbles - Just something for a watchman to think about!

"I'm sorry, haven't you read the Word of God?"

Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Note: There is nothing at all wrong with speculation and discussions considering the times and dates as possibilities for the sounds of the Trumps and the entering in of the "little horn" or the return of the King of kings, etc. In fact, you can consider it a part of "Taking Heed" even as our Father has given us in His Word many benchmarks and types and historical dates and lengths of days and months and years. He has also graciously given us the lights in the heavens as a clock and compass and calendar and for signs and seasons, etc. Genesis 1:14 "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:" So if you are a "Take Heed" type person and continue to dig for truth and knowledge with guidance from above and stay abreast of current events and observe His signs, you will have no problem discerning the closeness of the hour.

In the mean time, while we "Rest* in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him... " (Psalm 37:7), the Lord has one final careful consideration and set of instructions for us.

* We have peace of mind and can Rest in the LORD and we are able to wait patiently for Him without anxiety because we know Him and His Word and through His Word He has foretold us what tomorrow brings. You SEE, people are fearful when they are in the dark and things are traveling fast and there is no light for them to SEE what lies ahead. But we are not in darkness for we have the Light which shines in that darkness which goes before us, so we are able SEE things clearly. Therefore we are not anxious but rather we are comforted. We can Rest and we can wait patiently and we can endure unto the end. Unfortunately that is not true for many of our dear brothers and sisters because in case you haven't noticed, there is an "anxiety in society" about the quaking events that are taking place (even like today's worldwide oil shortage and shutdown of our brother Ephraim) and an unsettling concern for what the future holds.

Here is our 5th and final "Take ye Heed" (Blepo) from the Lord Jesus Christ:

Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

[34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Let's dig into verse 34 starting with some definitions. Then go read 1 Chronicles chapter 9 on your own and learn about the jobs of "porters".

authority = exousia, ex-oo-see'-ah, Greek 1849; from Greek 1832 (exesti) (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subject) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (object) mastery (concrete magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence :- authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

work = ergon, er'-gon, Greek 2041; from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act :- deed, doing, labour, work.

2 Chron. 23:16 And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD'S people.

[17] Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. [18] Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David. [19] And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.

Neh. 12:45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.

Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

To further document that the "watch" of vigilance in verse 35 is that of warning and feeding (i.e. teaching) Christ adds the following to the "gregoreuo" watch in Mat. 24:42:

Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

trophe, trof-ay', Greek 5160; from Greek 5142 (trepho); nourishment (literal or figurative); by implication rations (wages) :- food, meat.

Hey, it's hard work at times and it isn't always very popular with our brothers and sisters but it is YOUR JOB and the Master of the House LOVES YOU when you serve Him!

[46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

[47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Mark 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Here are the final words of the Lord to His disciples as recorded by Mark:

[37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

"Take Heed"!
------

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

When taken together the 5 personal "Take Heeds" (blepos) spoken by our Lord within the 7 Seals in the 13th chapter of Mark form a special letter around those seals to His disciples who have eyes to see and use them to put two and two together.

Dear Faithful Servants,

I asked you if you had stopped lately and looked around you and carefully considered the destruction of the temple? Since you inquired of me concerning those events leading up to that time and also asked what would be the sign when they would come to pass, I must first caution you to be extremely careful that no one, especially those who come in my name, deceives you concerning the order of events and when the sorrows will begin to usher in the great, unprecedented tribulation. Consider carefully yourself and the work that must be done, such as the bold witness to the ungodly given by those of you who will be delivered up to councils, and the proclamation of the gospel to the world and how you, my faithful servants, will be used mightily to bring my words to pass.

Also, when you see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place performing great miracles then make sure you distance yourself from Him and have nothing to do with the goings on in that city. Pray that you don't get caught up in the storm of deception or seduced by the false bridegroom. You'll be fine if you take my words to heart and carefully consider that I have foretold you all things.

If you want to know the sign when all these things will some to pass then learn the parable of the fig tree. And although I haven't given you the exact moment when I will return, take heed and continue watching and praying until I come. Always stay alert and keep my words pure and be a good watchman for your friends and families. Plant seeds of truth and teach my words of warning to your brothers and sisters who slumber in the night.