The Chapters
Keys to Understanding Bible End Times
Are we living in the end times spoken of by Old Testament prophets? Many believers think so, based on current world events. News reports of pandemics, crypto currencies, societal collapse, and catastrophic natural disasters foreshadow the biblical last days. While no one but our Father in Heaven knows the day or hour when Messiah will return, we are still admonished to be observant. Yeshua told the Pharisees:
Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? Luke 12:56 (NIV)
The only way to know for sure if the end times main event known as the Day of the Lord is near is to study the Scriptures. In the book of Revelation John’s visions validate what the Prophets saw, what the Patriarchs hoped for, and what Yeshua proclaimed. The events of that Day form the catalyst for the first resurrection event for saints both dead and alive, corroborate flat earth biblical cosmology, unveil the bride of Yeshua and reveal the identity of “mystery” Babylon.
Even though these events may not be “salvation issues” as some like to say, they are still important to understand. Why? Because they help you comprehend the full context of God’s master plan for the salvation of humanity. And when you understand and can articulate these major themes, your faith will grow exponentially and your joy will be full.
Gospel of the Kingdom Topics
The Gospel Worth Dying For was designed to be a central resource for believers in Messiah who are having difficulty piecing together the full gospel message. We tried to lay out each chapter as a roadmap to guide your thinking as you sort through the material.
In keeping with the admonition to judge the truthfulness of a matter by two or more witnesses, we took care to include numerous research footnotes and tons of Scripture from the Bible. Other “witnesses” appear as passages from extra biblical books like Baruch, Esdras (Ezra), and the Prayer of Azariah — writings that were included in the initial King James Bible of 1611 but later removed. We also included verses from 1 Enoch and the Book of Jubilees, since they were included in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
We posted excepts from the main chapters of The Gospel Worth Dying For as examples of the topics discussed in the book. Our goal is not to convince you to agree with everything we have written. We do however want to challenge you to re-examine what “religion” has taught you to see for yourself if those beliefs line up with what God’s Word actually says.
Note: Links to outside websites should not be considered as an endorsement by us.
Chapter One
Can I Get A Witness?
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews pays homage to a group of nameless martyrs who were beaten, sawn in two, forced to hide in caves, and wander about in sheep and goat skins.
Unfortunately for us, religion rarely tours this section of the Hebrews hall of faith. So we are left to wonder what did these heroic saints know about the coming kingdom that we do not. This is the question this book aims to answer.
Chapter Two
Connecting The Dots
It is rather interesting that the man credited with being a co-developer of Morse code, Samuel Finley Breese Morse, was also a portrait painter.
The system of dots-and-dashes that is Morse code was a groundbreaking means of communication. The dots-and-dashes allow messages to be sent over vast distances. However, the enemy of our souls is always trying to jam the signal.
Chapter Three
The Undiscovered Country
In his soliloquy which begins “to be or not to be, that is the question,” Hamlet uses the phrase “the undiscovered country” to refer to the afterlife – our lack of knowledge about it and our fear of it. To Hamlet, this undiscovered ountry was a metaphor for death. Star Trek fans understand the phrase to mean the future.
Actually, both interpretations hold up under scrutiny. Our spiritual condition at death and our eternal future are inextricably intertwined.
Chapter Four
Yeshua, Our High Priest
Yeshua’s death, burial, and resurrection was just the beginning of a lifelong process of faith and works. Our part involves a commitment to walk in his ways by obeying the commandments. Yeshua’s part involves interceding with the Father on our behalf in his role as our High Priest.
This goes beyond an emotional choice made during an altar call. This intercession is on behalf of mankind as we answer the call to repent, and return to the ancient paths.
Chapter Five
The Resurrections
On the Day of the Lord “Abraham’s bosom” will be emptied, but not the compartment holding the rich man. The emptying of this chamber will take place at the Great White Throne judgment.
The destiny of the unrighteous dead will be Gehenna, or the Lake of Fire, where they will be annihilated – body and soul. The wicked will be entirely consumed. They will not burn forever in eternal flames as most have been taught.
The Gospel Worth Dying For
Download the entire book as a PDF
Chapter Six
Here Comes The Bride
As we seek to solve the mystery surrounding the bride’s identity, we must first revisit long held doctrinal and cultural beliefs promoted by Christianity, Judaism, and certain Messianic groups.
We will begin by examining a belief taught by some religious groups known as the Threshold Covenant. If you are unfamiliar with this teaching, it stems from a rather unusual interpretation of Genesis 15:18-21.
Chapter Seven
Biblical Cosmography
Geocentric cosmography is defined by the belief that the Earth was created by the Almighty as a flat plane sitting on a foundation and supported by pillars. It is the immovable center of His creation, with a multi-layered firmament or expanse overhead.
The sun and moon, we believe, are located in the second firmament layer. The Almighty created stars, but not “planets” as science describes them..
Chapter Eight
Sheol, Heaven, and Gehenna
So, where do we really go when we die? Upon death, everyone will initially go to the same place, and it is not Heaven. This place is called Sheol in the Old Testament and Hades in the New Testament.
This is the mysterious place from which righteous souls will be resurrected from the “grave” when the trumpet sounds on the Day of the Lord. Unrighteous souls will not be released from their respective chambers until the time of the Great White Throne judgment.
Chapter Nine
Agency and Prolepsis
The Hebrew word for “name” is shêm and is a mark of individuality. Names are linked to a person’s identity, position, character, renown, clan, or authority. This is important to keep in mind as we attempt to explain the function of agency in the bible.
When you say you are acting “in the name” of someone, it means that you are that person’s legal and authoritative representative. You are authorized to act on their behalf. This is the role of an agent—a person through which power is exerted or an end is achieved.
Chapter Ten
The Gospel Worth Dying For
The social and economic pressures that many are getting a taste of now are just a preview of more difficult times to come. The Prophets, Apostles, and Yeshua all warned us, and told us to prepare for hard times in the last days leading up to the Second Coming.
In a conversation with His disciples on the Mount of Olives, Yeshua mentioned several signs to watch for: an escalation of war, the appearance of many antichrists, societal unrest, famine, earthquakes, betrayals, and the persecution of the saints.