If we would be kept by the Lord Jesus during the period of temptation we must be careful to keep the word of His patience.

The False Prophet, the spirit of religious delusion, will become involved in world economics. We see the forerunner of this as Charismatic leaders are "prophesying" that God will give the material wealth of the world into the hands of the Christians.

And he [the False Prophet] causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:16,17)

There will be heavy persecution in the days to come. The lukewarm believers will never be able to turn their back on civilization and flee with their families to wilderness areas of the earth.

Antichrist, in his cunning, will not face the Christians with alternatives in which good and evil are clearly defined. The choice will be subtle. "All we are requiring is that you not stress that people are born evil. We believe if the child is raised with love he will be good and do good. We want you to continue to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and at the same time remember you are part of a greater society. Use your gifts to help people, not to throw gloom on them by calling them sinners and threatening them with Hell.

"If you will come along with us and join the happy family of mankind, thinking and speaking what is positive, helpful, a blessing to all men, you will have need of nothing. Of course, if you continue with your outdated idea of a God who hates people and wishes to harm them, then we cannot permit you to participate in our economic program. You will not be allowed to buy or sell in our cities."

How do you think an average American churchgoer would respond to this kind of choice?

It is imperative that now—in the present hour—we prepare for our exodus from society. We are not of the world, we are the enemy of the world system. We must turn away from the media, from participation in the culture, as much as possible, and view ourselves already as hated and rejected by the world.

We are not speaking of foolish, fanatical, mentally unstable behavior on the part of Christians—many of whom are excellent workers in positions of responsibility in the world; nor are we suggesting that Christians go to wilderness areas now and engage in elaborate survival programs.

Rather, we are speaking to the consistent, diligent believer who will pray and seek the Lord for wisdom concerning the rejection and exile that surely are on the way.

The Book of Revelation was written while the Apostle John was in exile. Are we better than he?

To be continued.