John Baptist Henry

The Book, The Blood and The Blessed Hope!


Friday, October 27, 2006

Unmasking The Dragons


Psalm 74:12-13: "For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters."

Revelation 12:7-9: "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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."

I have been here in Nong Khai Provence since 1993 after a good friend in Texas, a Laotian refugee whose wife is from near Phon Phisai, asked me to come here to tell the people of this area about Jesus Christ. So I am well acquainted with the phenomenon that occurs here in the Mekong River every year.

There are 3 possible answers that might explain why the reddish “fire balls” shoot up out of the river for 2 or 3 nights each year in October: 1) fakery, 2) natural phenomenon, or 3) supernatural. Old timers and likewise their parents have seen the Naka fire balls since long before the 200,000 people a year began coming to view this spectacle. No, it is not fakery, and what would possibly cause the fire balls to ascend just in October. No, the phenomenon is not natural, but rather it is supernatural.

There are only 2 sources for supernatural phenomenon: 1) God Almighty and 2) Satan and his angels (i.e. demons). Yes, believe it or not, there is a good God in Heaven and there are evil spirits in the earth. The Almighty created angels before the foundation of the world (Job 38:4-7). He created them holy and with free will as He also created Adam and Eve. Before time began Lucifer, of a class of angels called cherubim, was created perfect, but because of pride and of his own free will he led in a rebellion against God (Ezekiel 28:14-15; Isaiah 14:12-15). A full 1/3 of the angels in heaven followed him. Lucifer (meaning: the shining one), therefore became Satan (meaning: the enemy).

“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." (Revelation 12:9)

It was through devious subtlety that “that old serpent” was able to gained control of the earth which was originally given by God to Adam and Eve (Gen 1:26-28, 2:16-17, 3:1-6). Adam willfully sinned when he disobeyed God by following the satanic advice of his wife. By doing so he in effect pawned the earth over to Satan (Rom 6:16). But God already had a plan to redeem us from “the great dragon” and from our sin nature inherited from Adam and Eve (Matt 25:34; John 17:24; 1 Pet 1:20; Eph 1:14; Heb 4:3).

Satan will be brought to justice! But for now God is allowing him to run his evil course in order to let him show himself up for the villain he really is. Satan will be proved to be worse than Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Saddam and all other tyrants who have ever lived rolled into one. The Word of God says that he will be “... cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, … and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)

"In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea." (Isaiah 27:1)

Here in Isaiah 27:1 “the sea” is symbolic for the masses of humanity as in Revelation 17:15: “… The waters … are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”

Likewise, the other fallen angels will eventually be punished (Psalm 74:13), but for now many of them roam the earth doing the bidding of their leader, Satan. These are the “seducing spirits” that the Bible speaks of:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

You may be skeptical about all this, but let me assure you, there is a wealth of evidence to prove that the Bible is true. If space allowed I could tell you of the prophecies of the Word of God that have already been fulfilled and about those that are being fulfilled now. I could tell you of the internal mathematical evidences of the Bible. And I could tell you of other irrefutable evidences, but for now let me give you just one evidence that will show you that the Bible is true, beyond the shadow of a doubt. It has to do with “the mark of the beast.”

Years ago a man by the name of J. R. Church in studying “the mark of the beast” in the Book of Revelation developed a gematria formula for the English alphabet based on the ancient Sumerian civilization's method of calculating. The Sumerian system was based on a root of six as opposed to ten. It is believed that the Sumerian civilization is the most ancient and that their system of counting was the very first. The Sumerian system can still be seen in our use of the foot (12 inches = 2 x 6) and yard (36 inches = 6 x 6) and in our sexagesimal measurement of time (i.e. 24 hours = 4 x 6; 60 seconds and 60 minuets = 10 x 6).

The Biblical languages of Hebrew and Koine Greek and other ancient languages used the letters of their alphabets for numbers also. For example, in the Koine Greek of 2000 years ago by adding the values of the letters of the Lord’s name, JESUS we get 888.

Applying these facts J. R. Church developed an English gematria based on increments of 6. He did this by adding 6 to each letter of our alphabet (A = 6, B = 12, C = 18, D = 24, E = 30, F = 36 and so on).

To use such a system to "count the number of the beast" is called gematria. It is a system for calculating the numerical equivalence of words and phrases and can be used to gain insight into interrelations of Biblical concepts. J. R. Church’s English gematria system is convincing evidence that backs up established Biblical doctrine. Notice his gematria’s verification showing what many already believe about this passage:

“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:14-18, cf. 14:11. 15:2, 16:2, 19:20, 20:4)

* COMPUTER = 666
* TERMINALS = 666
* BIO-IMPLANT = 666
* CALCULATION = 666
* MARK OF BEAST = 666

These are not coincidences, but verifications of the Word of God. Some 2000 years ago, even before there was an English language, God encoded this mathematical information in His Word to help us understand these last days.

God spoke to the Prophet Daniel saying, “… O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4) Knowledge and travel have never increased in the way they have in the past 70 years. There was no way the prophecy of Revelation 13 could have been fulfilled until the advent of the computer which was first crudely developed during WWII. But now everything required in order to implement the Antichrist Beast’s One World System (Government, Economy and Religion) is in place.

Another Bible doctrine that we have already referred to is also verified by Mr. Church’s gematria system:

* LUCIFER HELL = 666 (Isaiah 14:12-15)
* LUCIFER HADES = 666 (Hades is Greek for hell)
* DEVIL SHEOL = 666 (Sheol is Hebrew for hell)

Likewise the demons that are causing these lying wonders in the Mekong River are also marked:

* NAKA FIRE BALLS = 666 (Naka is Thai for dragon)
* THE DRAGONS = 666 (Psalm 74:13)

Here is verification of another well established Bible doctrine:

* PEOPLE SIN = 666 (Romans 3:23)

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: …. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Romans 3:10, 5:12)

All people are already spiritually marked for death with 666, because we are all of the house of Adam, and because we have all sinned before a holy God. But by using the same English gematria system that has given us 666 so many times (and there are many more that we don’t have room to show here) we also come up with a totally different number, that of Jesus’ name. We all need to get rid of the number we inherited from Adam (666) and receive Jesus’ number (888) and become members of the house of God:

* THE HOUSE OF GOD = 888 (1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:19-25)

There is just one prerequisite to becoming part of the house of God. Salvation by receiving the gift of God: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:8-9). It is “… the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 3:15). These Scriptures were are also called the perfect Law of Liberty.”

* SCRIPTURES = 888 (Matt 22:29; John 5:39; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
* GOD’S PERFECT BIBLE = 888 (James 1:25; 1 Corinthians 13:9-10)
* LAW OF LIBERTY = 888 (James 2:12)

This Law of Liberty is testified to by the Holy Trinity.

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7; cf. John 1:1-3, 14)

* THE TRINITY = 888 (1 John 5:7)

The Scriptures bear record that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, and that Biblical Prophet spoken of by Moses (Deut 18:15-19). His last words from the cross were, “it is finished.” Everything required for the salvation of sinners was finished on that old rugged cross. Now the Lord Jesus is risen from the dead and ascended back to Heaven. He came the first time to save sinners who would believe on Him. He is coming a second time to judge unrepentant sinners and to “brake … the heads of the dragons in the waters” (Psalm 74:13). To the lost Jesus is the Lion of Judah coming to judge. To the saved He is the King Jesus and the bright Morning Star.

* MESSIAH JESUS = 888 (Daniel 9:25-26; John 1:41, 4:25)
* BIBLICAL PROPHET = 888 (Acts 3:22-24)
* FINISHED CROSS = 888 (John 19:30)
* THE LION OF JUDAH = 888 (Rev 5:5)
* THE KING JESUS = 888 (John 18:37; 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14, 19:16)
* MORNING STAR = 888 (Rev 22:16)

Now I think that the evidence that has been presented here is sufficient to prove that the Word of God is true, and its doctrines well established. These being indisputable facts, please take a moment to review God’s Plan of Salvation. In order to change your standing from being God’s enemy (Rom 5:10) to being His child (Gal 4:5) you must understand these few things:

1. THERE IS A PENALTY TO PAY FOR YOUR SINS:

“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” (Luke 12:4-5)

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

2. YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-26)

3. ONLY JESUS CHRIST CAN SAVE YOU:

“Jesus saith…, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

“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)

4. YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN: The Bible teaches that you must receive a spiritual birth. This is done by receiving God’s Word which admonishes us to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. This is done through repentance and faith. REPENTANCE is turning from your sins in the fear of the Lord in godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10; Luke 13:1-5; Proverbs 3:7, 8:13, 14:26-27, 16:6). FAITH is turning to Christ believing that He is willing and able to save you (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 7:25; 2 Timothy 1:12). Repentance and faith are inseparable and occur simultaneously (Acts 20:21; Mark 1:14-15). That is our part. God then instantly causes us to be born again.

“Of His own will begat he us with the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18)

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23)

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4)

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1: 21)

“But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; 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. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.” (Romans 10:8-13)

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:11-13)

As best as you know how, pray to the Father in Jesus’ Name: Just humbly tell Him how sorry you are for your sins, and ask Him to save you from Hell. The Lord Jesus Christ died to save you, and He gives you these invitations and warnings:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)

“He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48)

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)

We would count it a joy to know if this tract helped you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! If it did, please let us know.

No comments: