A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR JACK VAN IMPE

Revelation 13: 1 – 3

This chapter introduces us to two beasts. The first one, commonly known as the Antichrist, is unveiled in verses 1 through 10, while the second beast, known as the false prophet, is revealed in verses 11 through 18. The first beast is political; the second is religious. Both, however, are energized by the power of Satan, and thus constitute an unholy trinity-the devil, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. Remember, Satan is the great imitator. The incarnation of himself in these two villains is his final attempt to wreak havoc upon earth. Knowing that he has but a short time left, he makes an all-out move to usurp God’s position and authority through his two allies- the beasts of this chapter.

Verse 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.

As stated earlier in our study, Bible chapters and verses came into existence in the 1500s. They are very helpful in locating passages, but they are not inspired. At times they even cloud the information being presented. Actually, verse 1 of chapter 13 should have been part of chapter 12, for the subject is Satan and his persecution of earth dwellers. Therefore, according to the original Greek manuscript, the personal pronoun should be he instead of I, because he pictures Satan standing upon the sand of the sea. Accordingly, this portion of Scripture should read, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman…and Satan stood upon the sand of the sea.”

Satan standing upon the sand of the sea pictures his control over earth’s teeming millions at an appointed time (chapter 17, verse 5, and chapter 20, verse 8). This control is established through the two satanically-inspired beasts who come out of the sea and the earth. The first beast (the Antichrist) rises out of the sea and has seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns. He is a literal man, but demon-possessed, for he (or his power) comes out of the abyss, for the beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit (chapter 17, verse 8).

The seven heads, loaded with blasphemy, also portray the five kings who had ruled up to John’s day; the sixth king who was in power at that time; and the seventh king who will reign as the Antichrist during the Tribulation hour.

Chapter 17, verse 10 confirms this: And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. Likewise, the ten horns also picture ten nations over whom the beast or Antichrist rules. The scene before us pictures the final, or seventh, world leader ruling over a confederation of ten nations during the end time.

In order to understand that the ten horns are actually ten Western nations-each of which was part of the old Roman Empire-one must study the prophecy of Daniel in chapters 2 and 7 of the book bearing his name. Let’s digress for a moment and investigate.

Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon in Daniel’s day, had a dream. When he awakened, however, he could not recall the dream. Therefore, he called his magicians, astrologers, and soothsayers together, requesting that they both recall the dream and explain its meaning. Not one of them was able to do so, even under the sentence of death: And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven (Daniel 2:13, 16, 19).

Next we find Daniel in the presence of the king, explaining God’s vision to him in verses 27 through 36. This is one of the most important texts in the entire Bible because it reveals the history of the world from that time to our present day. Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream.

Nebuchadnezzar was astonished as his dream was revealed, and shocked as its interpretation was given. Daniel told the king that he (Nebuchadnezzar) as the leader of the Babylonian empire was the head of gold and that the two arms of silver (representing the Medes and the Persians) would soon overthrow him. Next the stomach and thighs of brass (Greece) would defeat the Medes and the Persians.

Eventually the two legs of iron (the Roman Empire headquartered at Rome and Constantinople) would conquer the Greco Empire. These events occurred exactly as God had revealed them to Daniel and as he, in turn, told Nebuchadnezzar.

Now notice something extremely important. The ten toes of iron and clay never destroyed the legs of iron-the Roman Empire! Why? Rome fell through internal corruption.

This historical fact is the subject of Edward Gibbon’s great book, The History of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. Therefore, we see that the final world power is a union of ten Western nations represented by the ten toes of the great image. The iron tells us these nations were part of the old Roman Empire, whereas the clay speaks of a deterioration as the empire weakened over the centuries. Thus, the final world power will not be communism but a confederation of ten Western nations under the first beast, or the Antichrist.

The ten toes also coincide with the ten horns of the beast in the verse under consideration. In the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:36-44), Daniel described the toes as kingdoms, concluding with the statement, And in the days of these kings [ten of them, as pictured by the ten toes] shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

For centuries Christians have prayed Matthew 6:10: Thy kingdom come. During the Tribulation hour, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists of Revelation 7:3-8 will preach the gospel of the kingdom-the good news that the King is about to return. Can you hear them shouting this exciting information in the streets? “The King is coming! The King is coming!” Finally the King is seen returning in chapter 11, verse 15, and chapter 19, verse 16, and this event of the ages takes place when a final confederation of ten Western nations has been established upon earth. Could the present European Union be a part of this picture? I believe it could be! Oh, Jesus is coming soon!

At this point we need to consider another extremely important fact. Ireland and Denmark-present Common Market members-were never part of the old Roman Empire. This apparent problem, however, is quickly resolved when one considers the information presented in Daniel, chapter 7. Here we discover that, following the establishment of a ten-nation confederacy, another world leader arises. He takes control, ousts three nations, and replaces them with two others and his own. Specifically, Daniel says, I considered the horns [ten of them], and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns [original members] plucked up by the roots (7:8). This coincides perfectly with Revelation 13:5.

Daniel continues in verses 24 and 25: And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High. Here we not only see the world leader overpowering three kings and replacing them with original members of the old Roman Empire-we also observe him fulfilling the prediction of blasphemy described in our text.

There is no doubt about it. A confederacy of ten Western nations will be formed. Then another leader will appear, remove three nations, replace them, and rule as the Antichrist until the King of kings returns to earth and destroys his evil empire. Thus, the Common Market will grow to thirteen nations, and these thirteen could eventually control all nations and finally be reduced to ten at the end when this ten-toed, ten-horned confederacy is destroyed. This is the event described by Daniel as a stone cut out without hands [breaking] in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold.

Then Daniel 2:44,45 occurs: And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Yes, King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream has come to pass throughout hundreds of years of history, and the present alignment of Western nations in the form of the European Union may well be the final piece in the puzzle. Prepare to meet thy God (Amos 4:12).

Verse 2: And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

We have already discovered that (1) Babylon, (2) Medo-Persia, (3) Greece, and (4) Rome constitute the last four empires of world history. We have also learned that the revived Roman Empire, originating in 1948 in the form of a final ten-nation confederation, becomes the end-time power block. Daniel 7 pictures these four empires as (1) a lion, (2) a bear, (3) a leopard, and (4) a beast who is a combination of the previous world powers he has conquered. The beast’s empire contains a portion of each preceding empire. Actually, the only difference between the descriptions of John and Daniel is that the order is reversed in the Book of Revelation. The reason for this is simple: John is looking back to the beginning while Daniel is looking forward to the conclusion. Putting it all together, the message of the ten horns, the ten toes, and the four beasts is one and the same from different vantage points and all picture a world dictator governing ten nations at the time of the end! This ten-nation confederacy constitutes the revival of the fourth power- the old Roman Empire-as typified by the fourth monstrous animal or beast.

Verse 3: And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

The wounding of the beast is mentioned three times in this chapter-verse 3, 12, and 14. The wound produces death, but restoration to life follows. Some commentators think that this statement represents the fall of the old Roman Empire and its restoration through the ten-nation confederacy. Others believe that it speaks of the resurrection of Judas Iscariot, for he and the Antichrist are the only ones ever called the son of perdition (John 17:12 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3). God alone knows.

A third possibility would be that the Antichrist is assassinated or killed midway through the Tribulation hour (See Daniel 11:45). Such an event would give the great counterfeiter, Satan, the opportunity to perform a resurrection. This would prove invaluable to the prestige of the Antichrist, since the deity of the Lord Jesus was affirmed by His resurrection 2,000 years before (see Matthew 12:39, 40). Remember that the Antichrist proclaims himself God and even sits in the Temple in Jerusalem during the Tribulation (see 2 Thessalonians 2:4 and Matthew 24:15). Thus, a counterfeit resurrection would assure the world that he is all he claims to be. I personally believe this to be the correct solution, because when it happens, all the world [wonders] after [him]. Mankind is literally overwhelmed by the Antichrist’s power and authority.

FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

He Spoke Her Name –John 20:16

Springtime has finally arrived in Michigan, blossoming forth in beauty and majesty. The earth is rising from her cold, barren slumber, exclaiming to anyone who will hear: “Look at me – I’m alive!” Everywhere you look, it is so shockingly spectacular.

The month of April is said to derive its name from the Latin verb aperio, which means “to open.” As I look at the sights and sounds breaking forth around me, I can’t help but feel the month is aptly named. There is the budding of the foliage. The grass has become a soft carpet of green once again. Even the robins have returned home to nest, chirping happily above me in the trees.

Deep inside, I feel my own state of mind coming alive with the countryside. There is a new sense of joy and expectation with each decision that I face!

That is why I always look forward to this exciting, flowery season of the year. To me, the experience of life bursting forth from a wintry grave is the perfect setting in which to celebrate the Resurrection. As a matter of fact, I feel spring is almost as beautiful as the Easter holiday itself – for both typify life, hope and love.

Think about that first, remarkable Resurrection morning with me…

For three dark days, the cold bite of death had filled the air as our Savior’s body lay lifeless in a tomb.

The cost was immense. Only His crimson blood was sufficient to take away the sins of the world. Only His shed blood could make our spirits safe and ready for heaven. On the morning of the third day, the sacrifice was accepted. The price of our salvation was paid in full.

Just two days before, several women had stood nearby the hill of Golgotha, witnessing the painful events of the cross. They had left their homes several months earlier to journey with Jesus as He shared His teachings throughout the Judean countryside. At the foot of the blood-stained cross stood Mary the mother of Jesus, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophs, and Mary Magdalene out of whom Jesus had cast seven devils. (Mark 15:40,41; John 19:25, Mark 16:9)

But where did these women go? On the miraculous morning of the Resurrection, only Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, would come forward to minister to the entombed body of Jesus. (Mark 16:1)

Mary Magdalene receives a blessing

The painful memories of the cross must have run time and time again in Mary’s mind. If ever she loved her Lord, it must have been at this special moment in history – as she realized the cost of salvation being purchased for her through the life of God’s Son. I am sure the image of her bleeding Savior continued to melt her already tender heart with love and grace.

How strikingly beautiful to recognize that the one who had been forgiven of so much would be the first to see our Lord after His resurrection. (Mark 16:9)

Perhaps one reason our sovereign Lord provided Mary with this distinction is because she was in the right place. Her arrival at the tomb was a selfless act of servanthood. She came before the morning light to care lovingly for the dead body of Jesus and anoint it with the proper spices of embalming. (Mark 16:1)

With the stone rolled away, Mary frantically ran to tell Peter and John. (John 20:2) “They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre,” she cried, “and we know not where they have laid him!”

Later, Mary would return to the site of the tomb, where she would weep in agony for the lost body of her Master. As she cried, she stooped down to take a look inside the cold, empty sepulchre. There she saw the linen wrappings, with the face cloth, in a place by itself. She saw two angels in white, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying. They said to her, “Woman, why weepest thou?”

“Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have taken Him.” she replied.

Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing before her. But she didn’t know it was He. (John 20:11-14) Jesus said to her, “Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?” (John 20:15)

Perhaps her eyes were so flooded with tears – the agony and distress of the past three days – that she did not recognize the Lord. (Of course, the fact that Jesus was also in a glorified body also could have changed His perspective to her.) Mary thought He was the gardener.

Mary Magdalene recognized His voice

Then Jesus said to her, “Mary.” That’s all it took. He quietly spoke her name. She turned herself and said unto Him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Master.” (John 20:16)

After all that she had been through … after witnessing the grueling death on the cross … after believing the body of her Lord had been stolen … I can hardly begin to imagine how wonderful it must have felt to recognize His voice.

It must have been an incredible moment, as she realized “He is alive!”

Faith must have welled up within her. Peace flooded her soul. “Everything is going to be all right,” she must have thought. “My Lord is alive … and He has everything under control.”

Mary had listened to Him on many occasions, sharing the truth and comfort of God’s Word throughout the Judean countryside. Nothing could comfort Her soul like the matchless voice of the Master. And now, He stood miraculously before her!

By faith, you and I accept His teaching as His voice in our lives today.

I have experienced His voice as He speaks to me through His Word – through the sense of peace in regard to a decision I am making through prayer – and through the direction of circumstances I have faced. But I have never personally heard an audible voice, speaking my name.

Yet one day we will! One incredible, glorious day He will say to you and me, “Come up hither.” (Revelation 4:1) When He does, on that great and glorious day, we will recognize His familiar voice! (John 10:27)

Mary Magdalene rejoiced in His promise

Seeing the risen Lord standing before her, I am confident Mary was reminded of the many times Jesus predicted and promised His Resurrection. (Matthew 16:21; John 10:17,18; John 2:19-21)

At the time these words were spoken, they probably seemed confusing, meaningless and without hope to her. But now, as she looked into the compassionate eyes of her risen Savior, she couldn’t help but rejoice in the promises He had spoken. Her weeping ceased and her emotions instantaneously turned to joy.

As you and I receive the Lord, we experience this same sense of excitement and comfort in our soul, as we realize the truth that is found in the promises of God’s Word. We rejoice in the salvation purchased for us at Calvary (John 3:16; Romans 3:24,25), and in the fact that we are new creatures in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), and that we are not saved by the works of the law, but totally as a gift of faith. (Galatians 3:13) These promises comfort our soul.

In the same way, we should also receive tremendous joy in the promises Jesus has spoken in His Word that have yet to be fulfilled. He is coming again, friend, and He is preparing a place for you and me. (John 14:1-6)

Mary Magdalene shared the Good News

Look at all the events that transpired in the life of Mary Magdalene: She experienced the joy of receiving forgiveness from Jesus Christ. She was set free from the bondage of demons that controlled her life. She witnessed the precious redemption of men’s souls at the cross of Calvary. Now, she is seeing the resurrected Lord standing before her, in one of the most historical events in history – an event around which the entire universe revolves.

After witnessing and experiencing all these amazing things in her life, Mary must have been overwhelmed with a sense of excitement!

I can’t imagine any other reaction, except running out and telling others about the Good News of what she had seen … and that is precisely what she did! (John 20:18)

This is the same excitement that should reside inside of us, after we encounter the salvation of the Lord in our lives.

Jesus is alive. Jesus is alive in us! (Galatians 2:20) May our hearts bud and bloom with a holy desire to share the Good News of the Lord during this wonderful time of the year!

CHANGED LIVES-one at a time

I am blessed,encouraged,uplifted,motivated and more every time I watch your program!

I want to thank you both for your faithfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and in the ministry he has entrusted to you.

I first became aware of you both in the early to mid-1970’s when you ministered in Huntington, WV. I was a college student at Marshall University. I am now soon to be 60 years old (ouch!) on April 16th.

I praise and thank God for your wonderful singing voice Mrs.-Dr. Van Impe, for your memorization abilities Mr.-Dr. Van Impe but most importantly for your knowledge of and dedication to the truth of God’s Word.

Please give a special shout-out to your wonderful announcer Mr. Ohman whose “announcing voice" is absolute premium!

I will continue to lift all you up in prayer.

Thank you again.

JESUS IS LORD!

Until we meet Him face to face,

S. M.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jack Van Impe

I just want to thank you for all that you are doing for me and my family you keep us up with the news around the world. And I also want to thank you for bringing me closer to Jesus ever since I lost my best friend which was my papa I went into a depression long story short ever since I started watching your TV show it made me realize that I need to let go I was in ninth grade when I accepted The Lord into my life thank you so so much for all you have done for our country God is very proud of you both!!!

Thanks and God Bless

C. A.

HIGHLIGHTED PRODUCT OFFERS

Enemies of the Cross

Drs. Jack and Rexella Van Impe have prepared this powerful new video teaching to show you the Enemies of the Cross and how to defeat them. You will discover the answers to critical questions such as:

• Who is calling the cross ‘useless’, and why?
• How can we know if Jesus is the only way to Heaven?
• How do contemporary church services fit into the great "falling away" predicted in the Bible?
• How are new Bible translations destroying the Christian faith?
• How does Pope Francis signal Christ’s soon return?
• What will the final one world religion look like?
• Where will the False Prophet come from?
• Who has been lured into the New Age Movement
• And many more!

Do not allow your family and church to be deceived.

Revelation Rumblings

Discover 15 amazing biblical signs that prove this generation is the one that will see the Lord Jesus returning in the clouds! Drs. Jack and Rexella Van Impe use current events, Bible prophecy, scientific facts, and more to show you the answers to critical questions such as:

• Is Mark of the Beast technology going to be globally deployed by the year 2017?
• Why are Russia and China conducting joint military maneuvers; and why is Iran cozying up to China?
• Who is deceiving President Obama right now, and how does his role as ‘peacemaker’ for Muslim nations signal the rise of the Antichrist?
• What world leaders are calling for global Islamic law, and where is it actually predicted in Bible prophecy?
• Will our enemies attack North America with nuclear bombs?
• And much more!

This is a powerful teaching for believers and will show non-believers the truth of the soon return of Jesus!