Revelation 22: The urgency of now, exposing Satan’s cunning strategy
By Mark Creech, Op-ed Contributor Tuesday, March 12, 2024
There is this timeless tale, a fictitious story of strategy and urgency, set within the confines of Satan’s boardroom. The Evil One, being the cunning mastermind of malice, gathered his senior advisors together for a meeting, and posed to them a tactical question that echoed through Hell’s infernal chambers.
“By what means might we bring about maximum despair, chaos, and destruction among Earth’s inhabitants,” Satan asked.
In response, one of Satan’s most shadowy advisors suggested: “O great Lord of darkness and desolation, let us tell them that there is no heaven?” But the devil quickly dismissed that suggestion as antiquated, and no longer potent enough to deliver the best results.
“People nowadays largely believe in heaven. It brings them solace and comfort, particularly in times of grief, loss, or adversity. The idea of reuniting with loved ones or experiencing eternal peace offers them hope and a sense of reassurance,” responded the devil. “Furthermore, it alleviates their fear of death and is interwoven with the universe’s requirement for justice and right living. The need for believing in heaven is at the core of humanity’s being. They need to know that they are more than flesh and blood. You fool! Can’t you see most of them would never embrace such an inconvenient lie?”
Then, a second demonic advisor sheepishly spoke up and said, “O great Lord of sinister intent and havoc, let us tell them that there is no hell.” But neither did this ignite Satan’s interest.
With a tone of ambivalence, the devil replied, “You know, most people never give a thought to the prospect of going to Hell at the end of their lives. If even for a short while, we should cause them to seriously think about the possibility of spending eternity in hell, it will more likely do damage to our efforts than benefit. You imp of ignorance! Don’t you understand that we don’t want them to earnestly think about it? Let the masses march thoughtlessly to the pit as they already do.”
Finally, a third demon stepped forward with a proposition dripping with deception. “O Master of Maleficence and Malignancy, let us work to convince them that time is not of the essence — that there is no urgency about where one will spend eternity. Let us say to them that there is no need to hasten — no rush about life’s most important questions.”
At this, Satan’s fiery eyes gleamed with diabolical delight. “Yes, yes, yes!!!” he cried. “It is a brilliant strategy! Perhaps the greatest and most effective I’ve heard. Every day we shall lull them into complacency, whispering to them that they have plenty of time to decide and act on life’s most crucial matters. Take your time, we will tell them. There’s no hurry.”
Indeed, it is a stroke of genius — probably the most masterful maneuver ever employed by the Father of Lies and the best of his stygian strategists.
However, there is an urgency in life’s most vital affairs. In Luke chapter 9 verses 57 through 62, Jesus gave a seemingly harsh response to two individuals who said that they wanted to follow him. One said he wanted to delay his decision to follow the Lord until after his father’s passing. The other said he merely wished to bid his family farewell first. Yet, the Scriptures say Jesus rebuked both men because they failed to realize that in matters of truest significance, procrastination can have extremely dire consequences.
In Revelation chapter 22 and verses 6 and 7, Jesus warns not to be beguiled by the illusion of plenty of time. We should embrace the urgency of now, every moment counts, and delaying a pivotal decision as imperative as preparing for Christ’s return can lead to ultimate regret and loss.
This is what the Book of Revelation says:
Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon. “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book” (Revelation 22:6-7).
A holy angel told the apostle John that the vision he had about end-time events was “trustworthy and true” — a phrase that appears four times in the book of Revelation (3:14; 19:11; 21:5; 22:6). The angel said the vision John was given had the same authority as the prophetic messages God had given the prophets of the Old Testament. In other words, this entire revelation of the last days can be completely relied upon.
In the Old Testament, the prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah foretold that prideful and godless Babylon, that ancient city renowned for its advanced architecture, magnificent ziggurats, and hanging gardens, one of the seven wonders of the world and ruled by powerful despots like King Nebuchadnezzar, would surely fall.
Within the Scriptures, there are over two thousand prophecies, with 333 specifically about the arrival of the Messiah. Astonishingly, the life of Jesus aligns impeccably with every last one of them.
So, when the angel said the prophetic vision God gave to John was as credible as those provided by the Old Testament prophets, we can be certain it is absolutely, “trustworthy and true.” Everything promised and everything foretold in Revelation, will without question and the slightest deviation, come to pass.
The prophetic pronouncements within the Bible intricately weave through the pivotal moments of human history, transcending time to illuminate past, present, and future events with profound clarity and divine insight.
“The men who penned our Bible recognized God as reigning on the throne of his eternal glory, ruling over the universe and overruling in accordance with his perfect and unerring will, which cannot be broken. The prophets of God proclaim his sovereignty. They declare that his counsels will stand and that he will bring to pass that which he has spoken and all that he has purposed.
“The prophets also warn that suffering and shame will come upon individuals and nations who sin against God. They declare that God will ultimately triumph and, through the Lord Jesus Christ, Messiah and King, he will reign in righteousness over all creation throughout eternity.
Events which have occurred (and are occurring all around us today) prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that the Word of God can be trusted, believed, and lived by. Events past and present prove that the prophetic declarations of all Scripture – both Old and New Testaments – are positively and unalterably true…
“The Bible is not only up-to-date; it is far-ahead-of-date. It has enabled man to know things that will come to pass long before they have actually occurred. There is not a single movement of world importance — yesterday, today, or tomorrow — which is not foretold in the Word of God through God’s prophets, the apostles, and in the words of the Son of God himself.
They declared that Jesus would be despised and rejected. They foretold that Israel as a nation would be hated and that the Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Jews, would be hated and crucified by his own brethren.
“Scientific knowledge being demonstrated today is prophesied in the Word of God — including solemn warnings against the dangers of these perilous (yet marvelous) times in which we live. The Old Testament prophets spoke concerning the present worldwide unrest among men and antagonism toward God.
They prophesied concerning the spiritual declensions in these terrible days and the increasing apostasy that is all around us, even within the organized visible church.
“The prophets declared that evil days would grow worse and worse as we come nearer the end of the Church Age. They foretold the decline of democracy and the rise of dictatorships, with people becoming merchandise of men.
Even Jesus himself prophesied of wars and rumors of wars, distress of nations and perplexities and fears, men’s hearts failing them for fear.
“Things transpiring all around us today declare that the Bible is verbally inspired, God-breathed, and therefore worthy of our acceptance and trust…
“Rest assured…this world is not as a helpless iceberg, drifting in a mighty ocean, changing its course as the current and the winds change.
It is more like a great ship with a chart, a rudder, a compass, and a captain on the bridge, following a determined course by his providence — not as the winds blow, but as He determined before the foundation of the world…
“It is true that man is allowed to rule for a season independently of God – but his rule is characterized by unrest, turmoil, strife, hatred, wars, commotion, confusion, and chaos. In spite of all that man does or attempts to do, God overrules in his sovereign might.
He will bring order out of chaos. He will establish his kingdom of peace on earth and goodwill toward men. There is a day coming when every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God (Philippians 2:11).
“Yes, the hand of our sovereign God is in history. He determines the ultimate outcome of all things, and for that very reason prophecy is history written in advance.”
The gift of prophecy continues in the present dispensation, individuals can still receive divine revelations or insights about the future through the spiritual gift of prophecy or prayer and meditation.
A temporary gift like prophecy was provided to disseminate revelation and divine information before that which is perfect was completed.
“The written Word of God by itself can and does provide every conceivable need for the man of God in the work of God.”
The Bible’s teachings are “trustworthy and true” and more than enough to sufficiently guide us. The Scriptures alone are completely sufficient and perfectly reliable.
Lastly, the person who speaks after the angel, is the Lord Jesus himself, saying: “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book” (v. 7).
Here the Lord Jesus Christ makes the case for urgency!
Jesus says, “Wake up and get ready! Act now! Your time is running out faster than you realize! Tick Tock! Get a move on! You can’t afford to be late about matters of the soul! You must prepare for my coming again. You must believe and act on “the words of prophecy written in this book.”
When Jesus says that he is “coming soon,” he is emphasizing the certainty and imminence of his return.
We know this because it’s been more than 2,000 years since Christ told the apostle John that he was coming soon, and the evangelist recorded it in Revelation. Some might query, “Why the delay?”
The concept of time in biblical prophecy is often understood differently from our conventional understanding, as it operates within a broader framework of divine timing and fulfillment rather than adhering strictly to some human chronology.
“The Old Testament prophets who spoke of the End-Times Day of the Lord also describe it as imminent, impending, even threatening. Isaiah, speaking in the name of God, proclaims, “For soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance revealed” (Isaiah 56:1).
Through Ezekiel, the Lord promises “they [the exiled people of Israel] shall soon come home (Ezekiel 36:8).
Don’t misunderstand! If one considers the signs of the times — those harbingers the Scriptures provide which indicate the Lord’s coming again is indeed near — it would seem we have every reason to be encouraged that time-wise Christ’s return is very close at hand. We should live in a state of readiness.
The primary reason for the Bible saying the coming of our Lord will be “soon,” is to underscore the urgency of being spiritually prepared and vigilant. Living every day in the light of Christ’s return is an incentive for being in a right relationship with God, faithfully living for the Lord, and staying ready for his coming judgment.
We are to treat this most momentous day in the future as though it may happen at any moment! We should always watch, faithfully and expectantly. Then, we can avoid being ashamed at his appearance.
May God give us grace not to believe the Devil’s curiously effective lie. We mustn’t allow him to lull us into complacency. We cannot afford to believe the whispers that say that we have plenty of time to decide and act.
You see, it really is urgent!
Rev. Mark H. Creech is Executive Director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc.
*******
‘Time of the End’: The Book (7) of Daniel and The Book of Revelation. ‘Bookends’ (7) Regarding Prophecy of the ‘End-Times’, Tribulation.
Daniel:
Daniel 8:16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the ‘VISION’.”
Daniel 8:17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the ‘VISION’ concerns the time of the end.”
Daniel 8:19 He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the ‘VISION’ concerns the appointed time of the end.
Daniel 10:14 Now I have come to (7) explain to you what will happen to (7) your people in the future, for the (7) ‘VISION’ concerns a time yet to come.”
Daniel 9:23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the ‘VISION’:
Daniel 9:24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up ‘VISION’ and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
Daniel 12:4 But thou, (7) O Daniel, shut up the words, and (7) seal the book, even to the ‘time (7) of the end’: many shall run to (7) and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Daniel 12:9 (7) And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: (7) for the words are closed up and (7) sealed till the ‘time of the end’.
Revelation 10:6 And sware (7) by him that liveth for ever and (7) ever, who created heaven, and the things (7) that therein are, and the earth, and (7) the things that therein are, and the (7) sea, and the things which are therein, (7) that there should be time no longer:
The Great (7) Prophecy Angel is proclaiming the ‘LAST DAYS (7) or END TIMES’ have come, in no (7) uncertain terms, and that NOW IS THE (7) TIME to reveal prophecy related TO the (7) Last Days or End Times and Tribulation.
Revelation 10:7 But in the (7) days of the voice of the seventh (7) angel, when he shall begin to sound, (7) the mystery of God should be finished, as he (7) hath declared to his servants the prophets.
(7) In Revelation 10, he is opening up the (7) ancient scrolls and ‘little book’ of prophecy (7) that Daniel was told to ‘SEAL UP’.
Daniel was (7) prophetically being told additional things that would (7) transpire or occur ‘in the end of (7) days’, ‘time of wrath’, ‘appointed time of (7) the end’, and during the seven years tribulation.
Revelation ‘10’ And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a ‘little book open’: (NWN; Daniels ‘little book’ is now being opened by God’s Great Angel of Prophecy) and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven ‘7’ thunders uttered their voices.
(NWN; I ‘discern’ that these are seven ‘7’ other great prophecy angels who are ‘confirming’ that NOW IS THE TIME to OPEN DANIEL’S ‘END TIME’ Book of Future Prophecy.’)
4 And when the seven ‘7’ thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven ‘7’ thunders uttered, and write them not.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
Revelation 10:6 And sware (7) by him that liveth for ever and (7) ever, who created heaven, and the things (7) that therein are, and the earth, and (7) the things that therein are, and the (7) sea, and the things which are therein, (7) that there should be time no longer: (777777) 6×7
The Great (7) Prophecy Angel is proclaiming the ‘LAST DAYS (7) or END TIMES’ have come, in no (7) uncertain terms, and that NOW IS THE (7) TIME to reveal prophecy related TO the (7) Last Days or End Times and Tribulation.
In (7) Revelation 10, the angel is opening up the (7) ancient scrolls and ‘little book’ of prophecy (7) that Daniel was told to ‘SEAL UP’. (777)
Seven ‘7’ (7) is God’s Divine Number denoting completion to (7) his plan or purpose for this ‘7th’ prophecy (7) angel to commence and complete prophecy related (7) to the Last Days and End Times. (7777)
Revelation 10: 8 And the (7) voice which I heard from heaven spake (7) unto me again, and said, Go and (7) take the little book which is open. (777)
(7) The great prophecy angel is NOW HANDING (7) the little book to physically alive men on (7) the earth during the ‘End-Times’ or ‘Last-Days.’ God (7) conveys prophecy to Angels who in turn (7) are ‘messengers’ of God’s prophecy to mortal (7) men alive. Angels, throughout the past 6,000 years (7) have been ‘messengers’ for God to mankind. (7777777) 7×7
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
NWN; this is a ‘discernment’ on my part. ‘Take it and eat it’ is a spiritual ‘consumption’ of understanding the End Times and God’s related prophecies to go along with ‘signs of the times.’
It takes ‘7’ knowledge, wisdom, obedience, humility, persistence, prayer and the Holy Spirit’ to work prophecy in man’kind. This is a great and wonderful thing, just like a ‘7’ course meal. However, once the prophecies are apparent ‘consumed and understood’ they will be prone to make one sick to the stomach because of what they foretell. Just like eating a ’7’ course meal will likely make you feel like you could explode.
God’s UNFILTERD WRATH poured on evil man’kind who refuse Him, and refuse His Son Jesus Christ and His eternal offer of salvation. Seeing prophecy happen and unfold is a wonderful and miraculous thing. Understanding the implications of seeing prophecy unfold, leaves one’s stomach bitter and sour.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
NWN; the prophecy angel was prophesying what would happen to anyone who attempted to reveal what was in the ‘little book.’ This verse ‘confirms’ that what was prophesied, did in fact occur and was experienced by those given the task of being Watchmen. This also ‘suggests’ that some men are ‘willingly’ allowing themselves to be Watchmen because they consciously love prophecy (God’s Word) and are completely open and receptive to it.
11 And he said unto (7) me, Thou must prophesy again before many (7) peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
NWN; since this is verse ‘11’ it suggests a WARNING(S). The purpose of prophecy is to inform, proclaim and WARN. It suggests that the Watchmen who proclaim the Word of God, will have their ‘7’ words, letters, videos, blogs, sermons, articles and books proclaim God’s WILL to those during the End Times / Last Days and Tribulation period. God has ALWAYS used Holy Angels and physical men (Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Enoch, and others) to speak on behalf of God.
He will do this also through the Tribulation via;
1. Prophecy revealed to mankind via his ‘little book’ to Watchmen,
2. The ‘two witnesses’, ‘lampstands’ or candles who proclaim God’s light to the world for the first 3.5 years of the tribulation,
3. The various Angel warnings given to men to NOT TAKE THE MARK of the BEAST and lastly,
4. The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists who have the ‘seal of God’ in their foreheads (and NOT the mark of the Beast) who proclaim Jesus Christ’s offer of Salvation ONE LAST TIME, before the 7 year tribulation ends.
Acts 2:17-21 ‘And it shall ‘7’ come to pass in ‘the last days’, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. …
Daniel 1:17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
Acts 2:17 ‘And it shall come to pass in ‘the last days’, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
In His Service,
Night Watchman
Paul Rolland
Night Watchman Ministries
Make Your (7) Decision for Christ NOW!!!!!!! Time is Up!!!!!!!
Jesus Christ’s Offer of Salvation:
The ABCs (7) of Salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb)
- (7) Admit/Acknowledge/Accept that you are sinner. Ask (7) God’s forgiveness and repent of your sins.
. . . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).
. . . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10).
. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).
B. Believe Jesus is Lord. Believe that (7) Jesus Christ is who He claimed to (7) be; that He was both fully God (7) and fully man and that we are (7) saved through His death, burial, and resurrection. (7) Put your trust in Him as your (7) only hope of salvation. Become a son (7) or daughter of God by receiving Christ. (7777777) 7×7
. . . “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:15-17). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).
C. Call upon His name, Confess (7) with your heart and with your lips (7) that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.
. . . “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).
. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (John 1:8-10).
. . . “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (John 2:2).
. . . “In this was manifested the love of god toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:9, 14-15).
. . . “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10).
. . . “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).
. . . “Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).
. . . “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16).
. . . “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts: 4:12).
. . . “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:4-6).
. . . “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
. . . “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12).
True Church / Bride of Christ Spared from God’s Wrath:
Romans 5:8-10. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Romans 12:19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 5:9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Jeremiah 30:7. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.