Perseverance of the Saints

By Mary Rountree

The world had fallen under a dark spell of evil that crushed the freedom of nations through war, starvation, and foreign control. But the land of Israel prospered during this time, having been rescued by the hand of God from the enemies that surrounded them. Many Israelis realized the miraculous defeat of their enemies came from the Lord of hosts, the Son of God, Yeshua. They acknowledged Him through the Spirit of grace, and they trusted in Him.

Through the chaos and upheaval of the times, a new world leader emerged. This powerful charismatic leader captured the hearts of the people around the world. He was anxious to prove his might and establish his rule. He acted promptly by offering Israel peace in exchange for land.

Christians around the world recognized this agreement as a sign of the end-times. The churches filled to capacity with those wanting to get right with God. They anticipated a quick deliverance, but would they hold fast and persevere if their Savior delayed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638746614

Book preview

Chapter 1

And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?

—Revelation 6:16–17

This scene of fear and chaos was a result of the world watching the great gathering of the saints, the rapture. The two witnesses, who were prophets of God, had preached the gospel before they were killed and warned of judgment, the wrath of God.

Now, with their own eyes, the world had seen the Son of Man appear on the clouds in the sky with unbelievable power and great glory (Matthew 24:30, Mark 13:26, Luke 23:27).

First, there was a shout that drew all eyes to the heavens (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The sky was illuminated and split apart (Revelation 6:14). The trumpet of God sounded (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and it resonated around the world. Great celestial beings were seen everywhere (Matthew 24:31, Mark 13:27). The ground began to shake. Every mountain and island was moved out of its place (Revelation 6:14) as the bodies of the dead saints came out of their graves (Isaiah 26:19).

Those who were dead, even long dead, were being gathered from every corner of the earth, sea, and sky by these frightening yet magnificent angels (Matthew 24: 31). Everyone saw the bodies of these dead change (1 Corinthians 15:51). They lit up like stars when they reunited with their waiting spirits in the sky. Just as this happened, the living believers were taken, men, women, and children (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

In full view of the world, all at once (Matthew 24:30), they saw them leave the earth with shouts of joy (Isaiah 24:14). Yet it all happened so fast after the shout and the trumpet sounded in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52). From the ends of the earth, singing could be heard, Glory to the Righteous One (Isaiah 24:16).

Those who were not taken knew full well what lay ahead because the two prophets in Jerusalem had made it clear in their testimony. Fear overcame everyone. They cried, Woe is me! Woe is me! (Isaiah 24:16).

The world hated the two witnesses because of the message they preached. They had the power to shut up the sky so rain would not fall during the days of their prophesying. They had power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every plague as often as they desired (Revelation 11:6). Anyone who dared to attack them became engulfed with fire that appeared to come straight from their mouths (Revelation 11:5).

The world rejoiced at the death of these two prophets. They were killed by a young Roman general (Daniel 9:26) who had risen to power during the chaos in the world. He made a seven-year treaty with Israel, but shockingly, he was assassinated halfway through the seven years. His dead body had been forcefully taken to a mysterious underground shaft, where strange aircraft had been seen entering (Revelation 9:1). The occupants of this abyss were deemed unearthly foreigners. Rumors spread of great and mighty people. There had never been anything like it, nor would there be again (Joel 2:2). The place was a fortress, and absolutely no one could go anywhere near.

The Roman conqueror astonished the world when he came up out of the abyss, very much alive, healed of his deadly wound (Revelation 13:3), and more alluring than ever. From then on, he greatly honored the foreign leader of the abyss, calling him a god. He continually honored him with gold, silver, costly stones, and treasures (Daniel 11:38). His return from the dead marked a significant change in him. He was no longer the same man. He glowed with a lust for power, inducing the world to worship him.

He broke the peace treaty with Israel unexpectedly (Daniel 9:27) and ferociously attacked and killed the two witnesses (Revelation 11:7). He then entered the Jewish temple, exalted and magnified himself above every god, and spoke monstrous things against God and His Son, the Messiah (Daniel 11:36). He promptly took his seat in the temple and proclaimed himself god (2 Thessalonians 2:4). The dragon, Satan, gave him his authority, power, and throne (Revelation 13:2). Nothing could stop him! He amazed the whole earth, and they followed after him. They lovingly called him the Beast (Revelation 13:3–4) because of the ferocious manner in which he killed the prophets. The world looked to him as their champion, defeating their most annoying enemies who tormented them, those two prophets of Israel. They chanted, Who is like the Beast? Who is able to wage war with him? (Revelation 13:4).

Chapter 2

In a time before the Roman general signed the treaty with Israel and before the Beast came to power, Israel experienced continual hostility from the surrounding nations. The Golan Heights near the Syrian border remained a contested area, especially after oil had been discovered. To further complicate matters, Syria allowed other nations access to the region. Iran, an ally of Syria, brought in forces and secretly placed missiles near Damascus, making preparations for a surprise attack on Israel. Israel warned the Syrian government it would be held responsible for any attacks against their nation launched by Iran on Syrian lands. Syria did not heed the warnings and allowed Iran to proceed with their plan of attacking Israel. Israel struck back with a vengeance, demolishing the Iranian strongholds, ending their aggression, and forcing them out of Syria.

After the conflict, having secured their oil-rich border, Israel felt confident enough to make an announcement. They intended to start construction on their temple, but due to the great controversy that would ensue, it would not be built on the Temple Mount. The Israeli government insisted the status quo of the Temple Mount would not be disturbed. New evidence, confirmed by scripture, pointed to the area on the northern edge of the ancient City of David as being the original location of Solomon’s Temple. After considerable argument and bitter disagreement, the decision came down in favor of building on the ancient site.

The government assumed the change in location for the building site of the temple would curb the world’s reaction to this bold announcement. They carefully stayed within the rules and agreements of the Islamic Waqf and the oversight of Jordan. When protests began, Israel held their ground, stating they had complied with policy and compromised by staying away from the Temple Mount. Even so, this declaration, along with the occupation of the Golan Heights and the humiliating defeat of Iran, caused an uproar and infuriated the leaders of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Gaza, who were united in anger. They would never allow Israel to build a temple on the mount or anywhere else for that matter. They vowed they would die before allowing it to happen. They met in Damascus and organized a shrewd plan against Israel. They intended to annihilate the Jewish nation, to wipe them out (Psalm 83:2–5).

A New World Order was now in power and had no interest in helping Israel. They had their own troubles working to crush and control the nations.

When the surrounding nations put their horrific plan into motion, their motive became clear to Israel.

Christians living in Jerusalem at the time joined together with the Jews in fervent prayer. The attack began south of Jerusalem in Judah (Zechariah 12:7). That day, the men of Judah saw the hand of God work in their favor. The horses of their attackers went blind, and madness struck the riders