Poetry With A Mission



...a thought provoking poetical exercise.

“While they are saying, “Peace and Safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape” (1 Thess 5:3, NASB).

“ ‘And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man [the state of the world at the time of Christ’s appearing]…’ ” (Luke 17:26, NKJV) ——— “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth [pre–Flood], and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence [hence the flood]” (Gen 6:5,11, NKJV).

“You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness [the external characteristics of religion] but denying its power. Avoid them!” (2 Tim 3:1-5). Note also 2 Tim 3:13.

“ ‘For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short’ ” (Matt 24:21,22).

“ ‘And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and on the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring [destructive forces of nature]. Men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory’ ” (Luke 21:25-27, NKJV).

“ ‘And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars...For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes’ ” (Matt 24:6,7, NASB).

“ ‘And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold’ ” (Matt 24:12, NKJV). Note 2 Tim 4:3,4.

“First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!’ ” (2 Peter 3:3,4).

“ ‘For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect’ ” (Matt 24:24, NASB).

“...For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness...” (2 Cor 11:14,15, NKJV).

“The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false” (2 Thess 2:9-11).

“Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day [Christ’s return] will not come unless the rebellion [apostasy] comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God” (2 Thess 2:3,4).

“Then the dragon [Satan] was wroth with the woman [the Christian church], and went to make war [persecute] with the remnant of her seed, which keep [all] the commandments of God...” (Rev 12:17, KJV).

Then I saw another beast [persecuting power] that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb [young, innocent, peaceful] and it spoke like a dragon [deceptive in appearance because it later changes character, becomes Satanic, oppressive, aggressive]. It exercises all the authority of the first beast [previous persecuting power (Dan 7:8,19-27; Rev chap 13:1-10)] on its behalf, and it makes [enforces religious dogma via its church-state, religious-political power and enactment’s] the earth and its inhabitants [that it’s gained control over] worship the first beast [effectively fulfills the previous powers historic thrust, desires], whose mortal would had been healed [a revival of the first persecuting power and its acceptance/influence/involvement on the world stage prior to Christ’s Second Coming]. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of all; and by the signs that it is allowed to perform on behalf of the beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived; and it [the new worldwide political-religious system] was allowed to give breath [begins to function] to the image [new church-state power] of the beast [previous power] so that the image of the beast could even speak [through its laws and enactment’s] and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed [the beast and image are united in their aims, policies and demands]. Also it [the new political-religious power] causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave [everyone is affected by the legislation], to be marked on the right hand or the forehead [this symbolizes that the one so marked serves with his consent or actions, whether by conviction (forehead) or expediency (right hand)], so that no one can buy or sell [efforts taken to secure compliance] who does not have the mark [affiliation – a sign of allegiance to the power represented by the beast], that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let anyone with understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a person. Its number is six hundred sixty-six [the number alone cannot identify the beast since numerous names can add up to ‘666.’ However, the number 666 must have a relationship to this power, otherwise there would be no valid reason for the angel giving John this information at this point in the prophetic narrative]” (Rev 13:11-18). 

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon [Satan], out of the mouth of the beast [historic power], and out of the mouth of the false prophet [new/second power]. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs [supernatural manifestations], which go out to the kings [political powers] of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle [the religious conflict] on that great day of God Almighty” (Rev 16:13,14, NKJV).

“...and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast [except for God’s faithful]” (Rev 13:3, ESV).

“And he [the angel] cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great [Satan’s beast power. Babylon means confusion] is fallen, is fallen! ...For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication [a religious-political alliance]...” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues [Rev chap16]’ ” (Rev 18:2-4, NKJV).

“Then another angel...followed them, crying with a loud voice, “Those who worship the beast [the previous persecuting power (Dan 7:8,25)] and its image [the new religious-political power controlling the whole of earth], and receive a mark on their foreheads [symbolic of consent] or on their hands [symbolic of expediency (Rev 13:16,17)], they will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of His anger…” Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep [are loyal to] the commandments of God [the full Ten Commandments (Rom 13:8-10; Matt 22:36-40)] and hold fast to the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:9-12). Note Rev chap 13,14,17,18 and 19.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” (Matt 7:21-23, NKJV).

“Blessed are those who do His commandments [all ten], that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Rev 22:14, NKJV).

We've Been Warned

Prior to the Lord’s return, (when with angels He’ll appear),
Peace and harmony won't reign, and hearts will fail for fear.
The earth will be in turmoil, there’ll be trouble everywhere,
Increasing and accelerating, showing that His coming’s near.

There’ll be famines, earthquakes, pestilences, nations at war,
Disaster after disaster, suffering like never before.
Love in the hearts of many will grow cold, (who'll duty ignore),
And lawlessness will increase, along with contempt for law.

Yes, it will be like it was in Noah’s day, undoubtedly,
For just evil and corruption throughout the earth we’ll see.
And there’ll be many scoffers who’ll dispute Christ’s soon return,
But like those left outside the Ark, their folly they’ll soon learn.

There’ll be universal calls, (of course), for people to unite
In an effort to resolve earth’s escalating plight.
Many steps will be taken to implement great plans,
Which may seem to be working, but are doomed, because they’re man's.

A “beast” power that persecutes, and control of earth soon gains,
A concern for earth’s inhabitants, and their well-being, feigns.
For in God’s Word we’re told that this “beast” will seek to kill
Those who won’t do as it says -- that is, those truly doing God’s will.

The “beast” power’s religious, we learn in Revelation,
As we’re told it’s guilty of committing fornication.
 A worldly power it’s not, for by nature, they’re corrupt already,
No, this one’s very pious, and success has made it heady.

What’s seen here is a fusion, a wrongful combination;
Religion wielding power via secular legislation.
Power that resorts to force to achieve what it thinks right;
A man-made edifice, a modern Babel that God will soon smite.

It’s effectively a cult, as cult’s use force and abuse,
They add to and subtract from Scripture, won’t abide other views.
They claim Divine authority for the wrong they propagate,
And put their trust in leaders whom they allow to dictate.

It’s possible -- that Satan as Christ -- will try to appear,
Setting foot upon this earth, seemingly out of nowhere.
And perhaps he’ll then endorse this End-time power reigning,
While at the same time, a Holy, righteous presence feigning.

Is Satan using terrorism to achieve an End-time plan?
For rights are being curtailed, (we’re being told), in the interests of man.
Will fear and uncertainty see that Church and State unite,
Giving the “beast” the opening Satan’s sought with all his might?

Yes, terrorism’s wicked, but there’re other evils too,
Like this “beast” in Revelation that Satan will work through.
Satan’s cleverly packaged his deceptions throughout time,
And sadly, many Christians have unwittingly partnered him in crime.

Scripture says that false prophets, (who mingle truth and error),
Will cleverly, but tragically, mislead many a hearer.
And Satan will surround such with his miracles and signs,
For he, via these charlatans, seeks control of hearts and minds.

Some are seen on television, making the eroneous claim
That they have power to heal or deliver in God’s name.
They tell of their successes, but seldom, if ever, reveal
Any solid evidence that their miracles are real.

So, Christians should be careful, lest they fall into the hands
Of anyone’s agenda, be it Satan’s or fallen mans.
And hence the need for Christians to examine all they’re told,
In case it may be contrary to what Christians should uphold.

Satan’s using every trick in the hope he’ll Christians fool,
Because, as we’ve been warned, he hopes us and earth to rule.
So, watch this crafty devil who works miracles and signs 
 To authenticate his “beast”, and thus capture hearts and minds.

This power we’ve been warned of, will come about somehow,
And it could be we’re witnessing Satan’s “beast” arising now.
Most of earth’s inhabitants, (we’re told), Satan’s “beast” will follow,
Whether through expediency, or falsehood that they swallow.

Could we see Christians jumping from the pot into the pan,
Even though we’ve been warned don’t trust the plans of man?
Sadly, this world-wide power reigning prior to Christ’s return,
Will persecute God’s faithful, who, its apostasy spurn.

Yes, we’ve been very clearly warned via Divine revelation,
That only Christ has the answer -- He who rules creation.
And that only His kingdom, peace and harmony will bring;
A kingdom ruled by Christ, not a devil or a man -- no, just The King.

Hence Satan’s Babylonian power that we’ve been warned to flee,
As Christian’s shouldn’t be found supporting its apostasy.
’Though they may have prophesized, cast out devils in Christ’s name,
Or done wondrous works -- He's said He’ll destroy them just the same.

The followers of the “beast” suffer “plagues” that God will “pour”,
As they’ve supported evil, which God’s wrath will not ignore.
That’s why we’ve been warned to correctly, faithfully, keep His Law,
As only the obedient live with Christ forever more.

In the meantime, present suffering and trouble that lies ahead
Every Christian won’t be spared, like many have wrongly said.
For we’ve been warned that Christians waiting for their Lord
Such things will have to endure before getting their reward.

However, all this shouldn’t stop us doing what we can
To make this world a better place, so long as false hope we don’t fan.
For after all, we’ve been warned that despite all efforts made,
All these things that God has said will happen -- will -- just like He's relayed.

All the warnings we encounter in the book of Revelation,
And all throughout the Scriptures, are cause for jubilation.
They show how much God loves us, that His coming’s very near,
Give us time and opportunity to repent, respond, prepare.

They’re God’s attempt to try and save the End-time generation,
And are an open invitation to the Bridegroom’s celebration.
They show God’s love is greater than His condemnation,
And give us hope for the future, hope in our current situation.

Aren’t you glad WE'VE BEEN WARNED?

By Lance Landall