End Time Insights

In popular usage, the English term ‘Christendom’ refers to “that part of the world in which Christianity prevails,” either because most of a nation’s citizens claim to be Christian, or because a specific church or denomination is recognized by the State as the country’s official religion. Thus, the nation becomes identified as “Christian,” it is one of the “Christian nations” as opposed to the less enlightened non-Christian peoples and cultures of the planet.

Repeatedly, Satan and his forces ascend from the deep pit to attack the men and women who belong to the Lamb .  T he “ Abyss ” first appears when the “ fifth trumpet ” is sounded, releasing a horde of hideous beings that  ascend  from the pit and swarm over the earth tormenting men. This force is ruled by the “ a ngel of the Abyss named Abaddon and Apollyon .” Both names mean “destruction.” Thus, the “ Abyss ” is the source of satanic forces that deceive men and a ttack the church.

Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb who redeems men, but both the Beast and the False Prophet mimic him to deceive humanity .  In  Revelation , several names are applied to Jesus, but by far the most frequent and important is the designation “ Lamb .” And in his war against him, the “ Dragon ” employs two entities that imitate the “ Lamb ,” namely, the beasts from the sea and the earth.

The men spreading false rumors in Thessalonica about the future were raising false expectations about the imminence of the “ Day of the Lord ” and the “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ of Jesus. Paul warned the Assembly not to be alarmed by such rumors, especially reports of this kind claiming to be from him or his coworkers.

The “Dragon” and his earthly vassals wage war against the saints, the followers of the Lamb, and not against other nation-states .  The book of Revelation  portrays the cosmic conflict between Satan and Jesus, one that plays out in the daily struggles of the church. On the earth, the agents of the “ Dragon ” execute his attacks on the Church, especially the “ beast from the sea ,” the “ false prophet ,” and “ Babylon .” This “ war ” is waged by the Devil with deception, compromise, and persecution.