Because there is an amount of symbolism used throughout the Word of God, often times, deciphering been the literal and that which is seemingly symbolic can be difficult. Though this is true, not everything written in prophecy is indeed symbolic; some things (probably more than we realize) are literal accounts of what is to come.

If we were to take the verse above from Isaiah for example, one might read this and believe that the reference is about the past or understand it as symbolic if it were to refer to the future. As far as this world is concerned, Assyria is no longer a nation; therefore, because it is mentioned here, the thought goes that “Assyria” is either that nation from long ago or representing something else that we know or will know. Regardless of what that might be.

In the last sermon I had posted here, "Dear Ephesus," it was explained that spirits rule nations. That is not to say, however, that these by any means are in the total control of the ruler of the air; that is to say that the influence held by the spirit can be readily seen in the characteristics of that nation. As Assyria was given as an example in the last sermon, it is mentioned here as it pertains to what is to come: prophecy. This also holds true for Egypt.

Assyria, throughout the Word of God, though once a literal nation, is the kingdom of the antichrist, or man of lawlessness as it pertains to prophecy. This can be taken as symbolism, but considering the spirits, it may be taken literally as well. Egypt, on the other hand, though a literal nation then as well as now, is a lesser aggressor and more, probably, speaking of the world and its system as a whole.

Isaiah 27:13 speaks of the day that the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this earth to destroy the antichrist, the false prophet (casting them into the lake of fire) and the armies of these that God has gathered around Israel. Revelation 20 also speaks of this very day and both of these speak directly to what happens after the Lord has defeated His foes.

Revelation 20:1-3 speaks of Satan being bound for one thousand years, thus ushering in the “Thousand Year Reign of Christ” and, with Him, those that had refused the mark of the beast. While Isaiah 27:13 also speaks to this, it goes on to explain that all the Christians that are alive on the earth at the Lord’s return will be gathered to Him and will worship Him in Jerusalem. Revelation 20 explains this as well (verse 9), but mentions this as it pertains to a more distant future. All of this can and should be taken literally.

The “Rapture” that the church is waiting for will never come. In fact, before the Lord returns, the church as it is known today will not even exist. The days of gathering together, openly and without fear, will have passed away with the removal of Babylon. Once Babylon has been taken out of the way, overthrown by the king of Assyria and the kings of nations that have given their power and authority to the beast, truth will be thrown to the ground and the saints and the daily sacrifice will be given over it until that day the Lord returns.

Since we know this is the truth, the church that exists in our day has a great responsibility of preparing herself, and preparing those that will come after her (should the end tarry) for what is about to come upon the earth. As of now, the church has been “preparing” for the “rapture of the saints” which consisted of waiting and getting along well-enough until that day, or death, finally comes. Either way, there were no real preparations to be made other than making this world into a pleasant home until even better finally came. This would explain the powerless and void churches that are spread across the United States and the world. The church is asleep and the oil has run out.

Now is the time to make preparations for the coming of the bridegroom. Now is the time to fill the lamps and to fill the jars; the coming of the bridegroom will be in the dead of night and there will be no time to prepare should we wait any longer. Christianity is not a waiting game; it is a life of preparation.

KC

12-11-06