Understanding His Story: Humanity's Eleventh Hour

By Steven E. Sprague

Our Father tells us that if we want to know about the end-times with understanding, then ask Him. He will inundate every person who asks with this knowledge explaining His truths as recorded in His Word. All the events leading up to the end of this dispensation of time, this second world age in which humankind has inhabited the earth, have been presented by our Father in His written letter to us--the Bible.

This book explains the who, what, where, when, and why of these events as written straight from the Bible in witness to the world events of today. When necessary, copies of the original manuscripts of the earliest Hebrew and Greek languages in which the Bible was first written are utilized, preserving God's truths apart from any of man's influencing academia, religions, denominations, doctrines, tenants, traditions, interpretations, philosophies, theologies, commentaries, or fables--just the Bible.

The end of this age centers on two tribulations, Satan's originating first, followed by Christ's Second Advent, His return. To fully understand them and their purpose, one must be cognizant of the whole story fundamental to understanding the mysteries of God's master plan established from the beginning, from the very first earth and heaven age.

Sadly, most people are unlearned, therefore oblivious to God's realities as we go about our daily lives today. Knowledge of these events is brought forth in biblical teachings. This book explains these teachings and will provide a comprehensive understanding of God's whole story. Besides the subjects as indexed, you will learn of many other things, such as the simplicity in purpose of God's plan of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ; the documenting of this generation as the last; an understanding in witness to the four dynasties bringing about the establishment of globalism today--the one-world order--and how these and many other things work together in culminating the end to this earth age and more.

It is "His Story," and as His children, it is imperative that we understand our Father's final plea as we approach the end to this dispensation of time. This is "Humanity's Eleventh Hour."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888327029

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Understanding His Story

Humanity's Eleventh Hour

Steven E. Sprague

ISBN 979-8-88832-701-2 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-702-9 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Steven E. Sprague

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Resources

Chapter 1

YHVH

Chapter 2

The Three Earth and Heaven Ages

Chapter 3

The Kenites—Children of Satan

Chapter 4

Angels

Chapter 5

Christ's First Advent

Chapter 6

Parable of the Fig Tree

Chapter 7

Signs of the End

Chapter 8

The Apostasy

Chapter 9

The Locust Army

Chapter 10

Satan's Return

Chapter 11

Christ's Second Advent

Chapter 12

The Millennium

Chapter 13

Planting the Seed

Appendixes

Appendix 1

Globalism

Appendix 2

Understanding Time

Appendix 3

Financial Fallout

Appendix 4

Mark of the Beast

Appendix 5

Destruction of the Earth

Appendix 6

The Word Was

Appendix 7

The Words Translate versus Interpret

Appendix 8

A Chronology of Selected Historical Events of This Earth Age

Appendix 9

The Spiritual Significance of Numbers

Appendix 10

Armageddon

Appendix 11

Babylon

Appendix 12

Hamon-Gog

Appendix 13

The Lamb

Appendix 14

Lamb with Two Horns

Appendix 15

Chosen and Faithful

Appendix 16

The Waters

Appendix 17

The Great Whore

Appendix 18

The Woman

Appendix 19

The Four Winds

About the Author

(Humanity's Eleventh Hour)

Acknowledgments

I wish to thank our Heavenly Father for this opportunity to serve Him. Thank you Father for opening my eyes to see and ears to hear, that through these books of studies others might come to understand the simplicity of Your Letter to us—the Bible; that through Your truths, Your love, and Your Son Jesus Christ may be brought forward in our lives. Thank You, Father, for Your covenant—Your free gift of salvation for all who might come to believe upon Your Son with repentant hearts, to know and love You.

Words cannot express the appreciation I have for my wife Trisha, our family, friends; John and Mary Lachat, Noel Czygan, and Norm Boldt for their years of ongoing support, encouragement, and inspirations.

I would also express my appreciation for the untiring labors of the Shepherd's Chapel and the staff members of Christian Faith Publishing.

In His service for His glory,

Steven E. Sprague

Introduction

Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. (Zechariah. 10:1)

What our Father is telling us here is if you want to have the knowledge of what will happen (rain) in the end-times (latter rain) with understanding (bright clouds), ask Him and He will inundate every single person (every one grass) in the world (field) with a downpouring (showers of rain) explaining His truths as is written in God's Word, the Bible.

Our Father's use of symbolisms utilized throughout the Bible as in the above scripture brings together His beautiful poetic messages through His everlasting world of nature in order to bring His truths forward ensuring mankind would understand them throughout the generations. This book will ease us through these idioms, metaphors, figures of speech, and symbolisms used in the Bible with the additional support taken directly from copies of the original Hebrew and Greek language manuscripts as we engage in rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

All of the prominent events leading up to the end of this dispensation of time (earth age) in which mankind has inhabited the earth have been written by our Father to His children in His letter He wrote to us—the Bible. The materials presented in this book simply deliver the who, what, where, when, and why, obtained directly from the Bible, unbridled by academia, religion, denomination, doctrine, tenant, tradition, interpretation, philosophy, or theology of man—just the Bible.

Although the book focuses on the two tribulations, Satan's and Christ's Second Advent which consummate the end of this earth age, it also includes an overview of pertinent underlying background information central to filling in the time line from the beginning of this earth age deemed essential to building the foundation necessary in understanding the end. The fact is, if we don't understand the beginning, we'll never understand the end. These associated subjects include the three earth and heaven ages; Kenites, children of Satan; understanding angels, another dimension; Christ's first Advent, a time of salvation; parable of the fig tree; signs marking the end-times; the apostasy; and more.

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled (Luke 21:22). All the things of the end-times have been written, no more and no less, and each stand alone to be fulfilled exactly as written. Our Father holds no secrets. Jesus tells us,

But take heed; behold, I have foretold you all things. (Mark 13:23)

If any man have an ear, let him hear. (Revelation 13:9)

This particular phrase is stated eight times in the Bible. In this instance, however, which is the last time He brings it up, it is the only time that it is used in reference to the individual rather than the church. Our Father is telling each one of us individually, for the last time, that if we have any interest in our eternities at all, then listen to what He has told us. Now is the time.

All of God's prophecies (the foretelling of future events) in the Bible have either been realized or continue to be implemented today exactly as they are written. Our Father's use of prophecies establishes truth, certainty, accuracy, genuineness, integrity, and reality of fact in His Word. God's prophecies also provide us with warnings, instructions, and directives against harm, evil, and Satan himself. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). The apostle Paul reminds us of the importance in reading the Old Testament when in the New Testament he teaches, Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [examples]: and they are written for our admonition [warning] upon whom [this generation—us] the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:11).

This book will explain how our Father brings an end to His enemies and a cleansing of the earth's evil, culminating His anger once and for all eternity as He has warned us over and over in the Bible. Be assured, however, that He is not angry at His children, those who love Him, for He has promised But there shall not an hair of your head perish (Luke 21:18) during this time.

On the other hand, for those who do not believe the Bible, He will send strong delusions that they will believe a lie (paraphrased from 2 Thessalonians. 2:10–12). God states,

I will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear; but they did evil before Mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. (Isaiah 66:4)

In studying the Bible, we learn many things about man's past with histories as guiding examples for us today and in the future too. We gain a clearer understanding of the crucial opportunities availed to us now, most importantly our salvation. We even learn everyday things like living happy and productive lives here on earth.

You will learn the importance of why Christ teaches us about Satan's arrival first as he pretends to be Christ, prior to the Second Advent of the true Jesus Christ. He teaches us what to be prepared for by recognizing today's world events, the signs leading up to and during these times of tribulations. You will begin to understand Satan's deceptions, supernatural abilities, and what God expects from Christians here on earth now and during Satan's tribulation with dire warnings against worshipping and serving the antichrist at any time. Don't expect to be raptured away as some will teach today. It is not biblical. This will surely be one of Satan's messages of great deception.

All this and more will be explained from the Bible as you read this book. Even though we are all at different levels of biblical knowledge, don't be troubled or think that you won't understand its content; rest assured there is only one scholar, and that is Jesus Christ Himself. Therefore, we will take the individual knowledge that each of us does possess and move forward to the next step prayerfully, with common sense, and maturity as we embark on our journey employing this book as our study guide in the pursuit of gaining wisdom from His Word, the letter He wrote to us.

There are differences and similarities between the words translate and interpret. To translate is to express in another language, change into another language, or to explain in other words, to interpret. To interpret is to judge in a personal way, to give the meaning of, explain or construe, or to restate orally in one language what is said in another. Most importantly in either definition is our personal responsibilities to remove man's propensity to judge, explain, or construe anything in a personal way rather than God's original intent. When God uses the word interpret in the Bible, He means to open up, from the Hebrew word pithrown (#6623/6622) and to explain thoroughly and from the Greek word diermeneuo (#1329), meaning to communicate His Word and will, to expound upon them so that His scriptures are opened up to others with understanding. You will find this subject more thoroughly covered in 1 Corinthians chapter 14.

Interpretations belong to God, not man. Joseph provided an example of this in Genesis 40:8–22. On occasion we see our Father personally interpreting His words in scripture as in Daniel 2:25–30 and Revelation 17:7–17. Notwithstanding, He still expects all of His children to investigate and study the Bible that we might understand, obey, and apply His truths from knowledge gained with the prudence of wisdom applied with practice and common sense.

Our English language itself can be a problem, however, as it has changed much since the first English translation of the Bible was made in AD 1382 from the Latin language of the Vulgate, known today as the Wycliffe Bible. Even in the original English language of the King James Authorized Version Bible of AD 1611 and the later edition of the King James Authorized Version Revised English language of AD 1886, we come across occasional mistranslations from the original manuscripts as well as words, figures of speech, and other differences between eras of languages causing confusions and misunderstandings in the English language of today. To help us eliminate or reduce these issues as much as possible, the study resources used for this book are held to the King James Authorized Version Bible of 1611 Revised (KJV).

The sole intent of this book is to simply give testimony to and serve God by helping explain and guide you through His Word as it is written—period. It is without personal judgments, views, interpretation, or opinions by the author—just the Bible. Why? Jesus makes it very clear to all when He states,

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book [the Bible], If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18–19)

Resources

To help maintain the accuracy of any study of the Bible, it is imperative that we go back to the original languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic/Chaldees in which the Bible is written by God. The word etymology derives from the Greek word etumos meaning true, and from the Greek word etumolgia comes the English word etymology which is the study of the true meaning of words from their origin. Words and the way their meaning have changed throughout history isn't anything new.

Noah Webster, a lawyer and writer, best known for his American Dictionary of the English Language was keenly aware of the dangers of misinterpretations and serious errors possible when original meanings of words are ignored. About two hundred forty years ago, he stated (in part),

In the lapse of two or three centuries, changes have taken place which obscures the sense of the original languages. The effect of these changes is that some words are now used in a sense different from that which they had and thus present a wrong signification or false idea. (Noah Webster, the Holy Bible with amendments of the language; New Haven: Durrie and Peck, 1833, iii.)

My favorite example of this phenomenon is the word cool. It can mean many different things in the English language today far from its original definition simply depending on how it is used colloquially.

The Old Testament manuscripts of the Bible were written in the old Hebrew language common at the time, circa 1490 BC. The Masorah, the gathered copies of these Hebrew manuscripts, was created around 410 BC. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament from the Hebrew manuscripts, was completed in 300 BC. The manuscripts of the New Testament were written mostly in Greek beginning in about AD 60 and later compiled into the textus receptus, the Greek translation of the New Testament circa AD 390. The next translation of the Bible appeared shortly thereafter in the Latin language of the Romans, known as the Great Latin Bible or Vulgate (St. Jerome) circa AD 400. The first English translation came from the Latin Vulgate Bible in AD 1382 known as the Wycliffe Bible. The English King James Version Bible originated in AD 1611 from which our King James Authorized Version (Revised English) followed in AD 1886.

As established, the translations noted above and many more unmentioned including today's liberal texts of the Bible have been generated over the last three thousand five hundred years demonstrating our need to go back to the original manuscripts as best we can for the true meaning of words. For this express purpose, only the following resources have been utilized in the writing of this book:

The Companion Bible, King James, Authorized Version of 1611, (KJV) originally published in 1922 (Kregel Publications: Grand Rapids, Michigan).

The Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville, Tennessee) first published in 1890. Dr. Strong spent thirty-five years with the help of over one hundred linguists preparing this Bible reference tool. It allows anyone to take every word written in the English King James Version Bible back to the original Hebrew and Greek found in the Masoretic Hebrew Old Testament text and the Greek Received New Testament text with a cross-reference numbering system assigned to each and every word. These numberings apply to specific Hebrew/Chaldees or Greek words listed in their respective dictionaries to the English language words of the King James Version Bible. Dr. Strong was keenly aware that sometimes it is difficult to fill the intended meaning of the original language word as the original language word can often be translated into one of several legitimate English language words and vice versa. His work also provides for this detailed information in their definitions as well (published by James Strong [1822–1894] and in 2010 by Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville, Tennessee).

Green's Interlinear Bible by Jay P. Green Sr. consisting of the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek text preserved from the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek textus receptus original manuscripts following the order of the English King James Version Bible with the inclusion of the Strong's Concordance numbers above each word (Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC: Peabody, Massachusetts, 1976).

A reprint of the original English language Holy Bible of 1611 King James Version authorized by King James I of England in 1611 (reprinted by the Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville, Tennessee).

Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary, Unabridged Second Edition from the Noah Webster's Compendious Dictionary of the English Language (copyright through the editions of George W. Ogilvie 1904 through 1926; published by the World Publishing Company).

The definition of pertinent Hebrew words of the Old Testament or Greek words of the New Testament as noted in this book will be followed by a set of numbers in parenthesis as assigned by the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (KJV) for the purpose of ready reference to definitions for assistance in explaining the content.

Learn to Read the Bible with Understanding

Critical to learning to read and study the Bible for the purpose of gaining understanding with common sense, it is important to remember that words have meaning. Following God's instructions to Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15), we first must determine at least two things:

The subject of a text which is the noun (person, place, or thing) functioning as one of the main components of the sentence or clause, being the element about which the rest of the sentence is predicated (based).

The object or entity (thing) that is acted upon by the subject.

Using the following sentence as an illustration, Tom studies grammar, Tom is the subject, and grammar is the object.

Another truth that we must be cognitive of is that many times as humans, with our finite languages, we are often unable to find words to express infinite realities, such as another dimension, different than our flesh dimension. To do so often results in the use of metaphors, idioms, figures of speech, symbolisms, and colloquialisms to assist in expressing ourselves in today's world the same as it was in ancient times too. As an example, Jesus often taught in parables utilizing such things as farming practices, nature, celestial components, etc., knowing these principles would provide unchanging fundamentals of truths that would survive the generations of time and languages.

It is also important to recognize the dispensation of time in which a scripture is subject, for all scripture falls into one of only three possibilities: the first heaven and earth age (the past), this second heaven and earth age (the present), or the third heaven and earth age of the future. The same heaven and earth, just different periods (dispensations) of time within God's creation of all things.

Some may find it more comfortable to use of the proverbial "five W's" as a memory tool in which to work through this process in understanding scripture as originally and divinely written by our Father.

Who—usually the main person, place, or thing (noun, noun phrase, subject).

What—the main idea presented, e.g., historical event, teaching, prophesy, etc. (the object).

Where—the city, home, nation, landmark, wilderness, another dimension, etc.

When—dispensation of time, period in history, future event, etc.

Why—a warning, testimonial, promise, explanation, instruction, reporting of facts, etc.

We have the tools today necessary to help us correctly reveal and impart biblical truths with accuracy that wasn't readily available to others in days past. The Bible is God's letter to each of us, to lead, guide, and direct our daily lives to the fullest while living here on the earth in these flesh bodies as well as into our spiritual, supernatural realm of eternity to follow.

With diligence and prayer on our part, we can work toward God's approval by gaining knowledge of the Bible that we might become His workman in spreading the gospel (good news) of His Son Jesus Christ by telling others.

Our Father has given each of us an equal opportunity to acquire His free gift of salvation given solely out of His love for us. It is our only pathway out from this world of sin and evil. Our decision, an eternal paradise or hell having also been given the free will of our own choosing.

With this acquired knowledge of the Bible, we gain the wisdom of His simple truths that we need not ever be ashamed for the lack thereof. Our Heavenly Father has told us of all things in writing; we simply have to read of them from His letter.

Till I come, give attendance to reading [reading the Bible], to exhortation [Greek word paraklesis (#3874) meaning—to be of or give comfort], to doctrine [Greek word didaskalia (#1319) meaning—instruction, learning, teaching). (1 Timothy 4:13)

In other words, until I come, always make time to read and study the Bible, that its truthfulness learned will be of comfort to others, being careful to provide accuracy in instruction, that people might learn from sound teaching.

Chapter 1

YHVH

I Am That I Am

With only words as our palate and but a few pages to work with, this chapter will very briefly illustrate only a few of the otherwise infinite, supernatural characterizations and immeasurable natures of God our Father as defined by the endless meanings of His sacred name: I am that I am—Yahvah.

From the beginning to the end of the Bible, God is mentioned well over forty-three thousand times. In the Bible, our Father introduces us to such supernatural elements as timelessness (2 Peter 3:8), endless space of the heaven (Isaiah 45:12), the existence of another dimension consisting of celestial or spiritual (angelic) bodies (1 Corinthians 15:39–58), and so much more.

There is a perfect and all-inclusive existence outside of our terrestrial environment within the universe of which we know next to nothing, or, at best, very little, except for the things our Heavenly Father sees fit to share with us either through His Word or the human sciences expressed by man's finite mind. He knew when He created us in the flesh, purposefully limiting us, that we would be incapable of fully understanding His domain. We can only speculate and theorize with wild imaginations until we ourselves return to our original celestial, supernatural, spiritual existence, being united once again with our God and His Son Jesus Christ for eternity. There, time as we understand, it is irrelevant—it does not exist. It is a supernatural element, meaning the dimensional characteristics which are not natural to our knowing or appreciations.

Therefore, we will need to try to set ourselves onto a higher plane of meditation and prayer in terms of attempting to understand our Father's supernatural spiritual dimension, and only then with God's help as He sees fit. Even so, standing on our own flesh man's finite mind simply does not have the capability to fully comprehend the infinite. Infinite, meaning without boundaries, versus finite, meaning with limiting boundaries.

Someone once said, Now for the destructive critic in man, he ever assumes that what he does not know about could not have happened or can't exist because his mind is cluttered with intellectual weeds. In other words, as know-it-all human beings, we think that if mankind doesn't know or understand something, then it couldn't have happened or existed because his mind is filled with intellectual nonsense.

Herein is the importance of having faith along with knowledge, something far beyond the uninformed intellectual's capabilities. God tells us,

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

But without faith it is impossible to please Him [God]; for he that cometh to God must believe [have faith] that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek [gain knowledge of] Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

For My people is foolish, they have not known Me; they are sottish [stupid] children, and they have none understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. (Jeremiah 4:22)

If we are going to know and appreciate our Father, we must learn of Him through reading His Word with understanding, His open letter to us, the Bible: For I have told you all things (Mark 13:23). Our Father says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and