Artist’s conception of two lampstands and two olive trees representing the Two Witnesses
by Doug Krieger
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Yes, I know. I answered the question right out of the box, and that makes the rest commentary. However, hopefully, you should be asking why I would pose such a question. I mean, isn’t it obvious that Moses, Joshua, King David and all the apostles have died? Isn’t it given once for all men to die (with the exception of saints left alive at Christ’s return)? What relevance is this to your life?
Well, I hope that it is obvious that all of the saints up until this time eventually died, and they often died at the hands of evil men. Therefore, I hope it is obvious as well that sometimes bad things happen to good people. I also hope it is obvious that the Two Witnesses not only die, but they die at the hand of the Beast and False Prophet.
Do you think the Beast will declare it is God’s will that they die? Do you think the False Prophet will claim it is the power of light that prevails over the Two Witnesses? I mean, really, will the Beast stand up and tell the world, “Ha! I will deceive you!”?
Again, what if 3 elders die by or on 31 August? Will I go running into David C Pack’s waiting arms? How many would be deceived by it if such a lying wonder were to come to pass?
Because one day, the whole world will be deceived by powerful “signs and miracles” (2Th 2:9).
That is why I say even if it were to come to pass, that does not change the fact that David C Pack is not of God! In fact, Pack is irrelevant in every way when you realize that there are many antichrists (1Jn 2:18)!
On the other end of the spectrum, however, I am somewhat amused at the people lining up to be one of the 3 shepherds. Or, at least in the sense that they state: “If I don’t die on 31 August, then Pack is a false prophet!” You ever hear a singer warming up their voice? “Mi, mi, mi, miiiiiiiiii!” Well, these people are singing, “Me, me, me, meeeeeee!” They are using the opportunity to point to themselves.
Really? How vain is that?
You, child of God, are responsible to be discerning!
4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
~ 1Jn 4:1
Do you believe that a demon will appear to you and say, “Hi, I’m a demon. I’m going to deceive you”? Again, ludicrous, right? How do you test the spirits? Notice what almost no one seems to point out! It says “many false prophets” are in the world! Spirits like to work through human beings!
Why is this verse in the Bible? So you can know that God expects you to exercise discernment.
Yes, it’s that ‘D’ word again! It affects literally everything! Without discernment, you cannot know what is required to be saved. Without discernment, you cannot have a clear and open relationship with your Savior. Without discernment, you will follow every blowing wind of doctrine. Without discernment, you will wind up deceived.
I do not believe 3 COG leaders will die on 31 August. However, I believe that someone, somewhere is dying every day, and in order to save face, Pack will scour the papers and the Internet for any deacon or elder in any COG organization to claim his prediction came true!
And, those who lack discernment will follow him to their destruction. I pray that they are not so far gone as to be totally gone.
OTOH, I pray that those following the glory seekers who exalt themselves in their own minds and wicked imaginations wise up. Instead of the Bible, let’s end this with an even more appropriate quote for them and how they treat their followers:
You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You’re so vain, I’ll bet you think this song is about you
Don’t you? Don’t You?You had me several years ago when I was still quite naive
Well you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave
But you gave away the things you loved and one of them was me
I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and…~ Carly Simon, “You’re So Vain” (excerpt)