True Identity in the End Times will be Revealed

Identity cannot be found in things or position of this temporal world. It is neither something that can be claimed or defined or even redefined. True and eternal identity is determined by the character of who or what we choose to align ourselves with. That is who we represent is determined by who or what we worship. Throughout this life journey, until our last breath, the choice of who or what we worship is there. True identity in the End Times will be revealed. As you listen be blessed, empowered and transformed in Jesus name.

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Transcript

00:00 Intro music and voice over.

Welcome to jesus loves the world podcast. For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Be blessed empowered and transformed in Jesus’ name! 

00:21 Speaker

Throughout God’s loves story the Bible, He shares His heart with humanity. Through His relationships with people groups and individuals, God reveals that He does everything because He so loves. His love is a pure love that is divine, selfless, unconditional and unending. Everything God does, He does because that is who he is. That is His identity, that is character, for God is love. 

Today as we live in this world damaged by evil, there is much debate about identity. Identity is, being oneself or the condition or character as to who a person is. Identity cannot be found in things or position of this temporal world. It is neither something that can be claimed or defined or even redefined. True and eternal identity is determined by the character of who or what we choose to align ourselves with. That is who we represent is determined by who or what we worship. Throughout this life journey, until our last breath, the choice of who or what we worship is there.  

It is God’s desire that all should come to know the truth and that none should perish. So out of His great love, God continues to wait for all who will come to Him to come, before He brings the end. The end being His judgment of evil upon the earth. 

True identity in the End Times will be revealed. Evil will be exposed. Along with the true identity of individuals, people groups and nations.

So as God waits for all who will come to Him to come, we continue to live in this world damaged by evil. As selfish desires and evil continue to be fed by humanity, conflict and imbalances of power continue to dominate relationships and cultures, people groups and nations. 

Yet in amongst it all, God continues to pursue humanity in His great love. Bringing peace and equality to those who have chosen Him.  

For it is in the daily journey of knowing and experiencing God, that we are able to stand in His love, truth and transforming power. He empowers us to be rooted in His love and see ourselves and each other through His eyes. As each day we live in surrender of our self will to His selfless will and receive more of Him, we are transformed by Him. Through God’s transforming work within, we can stand in His truth against the lies of the evil one, self and others. Living in the fullness of His victory that He gives us, even in this world damaged by evil.

In the book of the revelation of Jesus, God reveals much about His unending love, liberating truth and transforming power. Together with the writer John we are invited to come up higher, to look and listen. 

In amongst the apocalyptic style of writing of high drama, symbolism, and visions of heaven and earth transcending time itself, the importance of true identity is revealed. That is, who we choose to align ourselves with and worship, forms our identity and our eternal inheritance.

In rejecting God and His identity, is to align oneself with the beast’s image and ultimately satan. Satan being the personification of evil. He is referred to as the dragon throughout the book of the Revelation of Jesus. Satan gives authority to the beast to rule and deceive on his behalf. The beast is the personification of the empires of humanity who have rejected God and thus aligned themselves with evil.

So the people who have rejected God, choose to worship the dragon because the dragon has given power to the beast.

Another beast enters the scene. This beast is personification of the false prophet who have  aligned themselves with evil. They deceive those who have rejected God into worshipping the first beast and its image. In worshipping the first beast, they receive its mark or identity. 

Yet in amongst all this evil, the gospel continues to go to every nation, tribe, tongue and people group. As God desires that none should perish and all who will come to Him freely come, He continues to pursue in love. 

Through His messenger comes the word, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’

Through another glimpse into eternity there is a glorious sight. Those who have the name of the Father written on their foreheads. This is symbolic of their true identity. They have received God, received Jesus and worship only Him. Having received Him, they have the identity of God - that is the Father, Son and Spirit. They have His name and His inheritance. For they are redeemed of the earth and follow the Lamb. They are the first fruits who are without fault before the throne of God. 

There is also another sign in heaven. Look there is something like a sea of glass mingled with fire! How spectacular and awesome it is. Those who have given their allegiance to God have their identity in Him. As a result they have victory over the beast, the beast’s image or representation and over the number of the beast. The number of the beast is a symbolic description of the beast, who is the antichrist. 

Those who have given their allegiance to God from both the Old and New Testament together sing the song of Moses and the song of the lamb. The song of Moses as recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus, declares that the Eternal One is triumphant. He is almighty and has judged and defeated the empires of humanity. Symbolically expressed as thrown the horses and chariots into the sea. 

The song of Moses and the Lamb as recorded in the New Testament again testifies how great and marvellous are the works of the Eternal One who is the king of the saints. The king is the one referred to as the Lamb and His name is Jesus. 

The works of the Eternal One that are being testified about is the fullness of His salvation and the judgement of evil.

Then it happens. The temple of the tabernacle or habitation of the testimony of the Eternal One is opened. For it is the time of final judgement. The 4 living creatures are there. They give to the 7 angels 7 golden bowls. Each bowl is full of the wrath of God. The wrath of God being His passion, His desire for the fullness of His salvation to be received. For this to take place, His judgment of evil must come upon the earth and be totally eliminated. 

So a loud voice from the temple is heard. To the 7 angels they are told to pour out the bowls of God’s wrath upon the earth.

So the first one went out. The judgment of evil is unleashed upon the earth. It will come upon all those who had chosen to reject God. As a result they chose to worship the image or representation of the beast. In worshipping Him, they have the beast’s mark or stamp and aligned themselves with the beast’s judgment. 

This mark or stamp is a descriptor for who one belongs to. Those who have rejected God, rejected Jesus, have the identity of evil represented in the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. 

Conversely all those who choose to receive God and His right to rule and reign, are sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God testifies that we are children of the Eternal One. Having received God, received Jesus, we have His name and His identity. We belong to God and are His representatives on the earth. 

Then the 2nd angel poured out the 2nd bowl of the wrath of God. Followed by the 3rd angel,  who poured out the 3rd bowl, who declares the equitable character and work of the Eternal One. The Eternal One has judged these things and given evil its just due.  

Another voice is heard. Again from the altar saying, ‘Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.’ 

Then the 4th angel poured out the 4th bowl of the wrath of God. Even though it was revealed to those who had aligned themselves with the beast, the dragon and the false prophet, that they were also aligned with their judgement, they still refused to turn to God. As a result denying their only pathway to salvation.

The 5th and 6th bowl are poured out. 

As the climax is building, the spirits of the dragon [who is satan], the beast [who is the antichrist] and the false prophet, go out into the whole world. For the sole purpose to gather together all those who have rejected God, rejected Jesus and make a final war against the one who is called Faithful and True.

Yet in amongst it all, the Eternal One continues to reveal the truth and speaks light and life. Jesus states, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 

Those who have received God, received Jesus are blessed. Blessed with His presence within and being enjoined with Jesus and His eternal victory. Where God Himself honours them because He so loves. Those who have received Him, received God and His right to rule and reign are to watch. That is to give strict attention to continue to stand in His love, truth and power. Remaining in total allegiance to God and worshipping only Him, having our identity in Him we can stand. 

Now the 7th bowl is poured out upon the earth. Again a loud voice from the temple of heaven and the throne is heard. ‘It is done!’ 

There were noises and thundering, lightnings and the greatest earthquake ever to be experienced on earth. Yet still all those who had rejected God, rejected Jesus refused to turn to Him. Having given their allegiance to the beast, they spoke lies of evil about God.

As all who have come to Him have come, it is the time for the final judgment of evil. Behold the one who is Faithful and True riding on the clouds together with His army comes. In equity He will judge those who have rejected Him and His right to rule and reign. With His eyes like fire, to those who have rejected Him, He brings eternal damnation, darkness and death. To all those who have received Him, He brings His eternal love, light and life.

In His truth like a sharp two edged sword He strikes the nations. All those who have rejected Him, rejected God are judged. For He is the divine warrior that is clothed with a robe dripped in blood. Personally He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. He will rule them with a rod of iron. For He is the King of all kings, Lord of all lords and His name is Jesus. 

So He will rule with a rod of iron all those who have rejected Him and His right to rule and reign. They will come under the judgement of evil.

His judgment is final. The elimination of evil completed. The beast and the false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. Along with the dragon, together with all  who have rejected God, rejected Jesus. As they have rejected God, they have aligned themselves with evil. Therefore they are enjoined with the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. As a result they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 

Again one of the 7 angels invites us to look further into eternity. To the time of inheritance of the fullness of true identity for those who have received Jesus, received God. When evil will be totally eliminated and we inherit our eternal bodies. Bodies that never get sick, die or wear out. Dwelling together with the Eternal One in the fullness of His kingdom. Around the throne of God and the Lamb, we shall reign forever and ever. 

Until then, as we live in this world damaged by evil, having received Jesus, received God we stand in His love, truth and power. For it is in His identity we remain and are blessed. 

Knowing that true identity in the End Times will be revealed, together with the Spirit of God, and all who have received Him we say, ‘Come! And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts say come. For whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.’ 

For Jesus states, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Together with John who testifies of all these things we say, ‘Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!’

19:40 Outro music and voice over. 

For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Be blessed empowered and transformed in Jesus’ name!