"The Book of Revelation, An Eschatological Study of the Endtimes" by Chad J. McCoy

PREFACE

I am writing this in the year 2000. It is a year that brings with it much uncertainty. Having just recently laid to rest fears over the Y2K Computer Bug, (which turned out to be a major non-event) we look into the future with a fresh perspective, a clean feeling, and a new attitude about the world in which we live. We face this new millennium expecting to see a change for the better, with flying cars and cities built on clouds. We feel good about the economy, and we luxuriate in the technology that has brought us even more gadgets with which to perform our work and entertain ourselves. As long as we go about our lives in this unconcerned fashion, believing that everything the government tells us is true, remaining skeptic of any and all so-called conspiracies such as the Black Helicopters, computer chip implants, and United States Concentration Camps, we can continue to believe that this new millennium has only good things in store for us. We can look into the future with the carefree attitude of a blissfully ignorant trout that swims along lightheartedly, quite unaware that the morsel it is reaching for contains a hidden danger: a hook that will put an abrupt end to the easygoing life that it leads.
The uninitiated, who bury their heads in the sand or go through life with their eyes focussed only on what is directly before them, never turning their eyes to see what is on their left or on their right, can believe that the future contains no dangers for them that are out of the ordinary.
Those who are brave enough, and opened-minded enough, those who are curious enough to probe their surroundings, to investigate to see if there is any truth to the dark, secret affairs that are whispered about in the break-rooms of workplaces, proclaimed in church prophecy seminars, and broadcast on TV and radio in the wee hours of the night by those who are considered to be of the lunatic fringe, will discover that there are sinister plots being hatched to strip of us of our rights. There are bills being passed in Congress (some openly, others secretly) that have been designed to strip us of our defenses (nationally, locally, and personally), our privacy, and our freedoms of speech and religion, among others. The family unit is under attack in our society; divorce is rampant and the families we do have are composed of gays. The economy is not at all as good as we are being led to believe, and our government is in debt to the tune of an all-time-high 5 trillion, 814 billion, 659 million, 923 thousand, 44 dollars and 22 cents. The more we search, the more we find that there are plenty of dangers to be concerned about in this new millennium.
Global weather is becoming wildly unpredictable, with storms growing more frequent and more violent. Technology is hurtling us closer and closer to the barcode labeling and scanning of all products and even individuals - pets and military personnel have been implanted with sub-dermal transmitters, allowing them to be continuously tracked. The demand for a One-World Government is getting stronger with each passing month. A cashless society could be implemented at any time. A system of satellites (called Iridium) has been put in place to track the movements of every person on earth. Morals are crumbling quicker than the proverbial cookie, and children are committing so many appalling crimes that their behavior is no longer shocking. Bible prophecy has been fulfilled, and is being fulfilled.
To the initiated, there is no question that we are living in the lasciviousness of the endtimes. As Jesus said, in Matthew 24:32-34, "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When her branch is tender, and the leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is almost here. Just so, when you see all these things beginning to happen, you can know that my return is near, even at the doors. Then at last this age will come to its close."
We know that His return is near. Not only have the religious among us agreed on this point, the secular world, while not embracing the idea of the Apocalypse, has at least acknowledged that we believe it. The Left Behind series of novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, the movie The Omega Code by the religious broadcasting station TBN, and the Hollywood movie End Of Days starring Arnold Schwarzenegger are all just several examples of this.
Some of us are simply curious as to what will take place in the near future, while others are worried, even frightened by their prospects in this new millennium. Only the unsaved need worry, however. Those that have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life are instead eagerly awaiting the coming years.
It is important, then, to make sure that you are saved, that your name has been written down in the Book of Life. While this is not the topic of this study, it is important to note that in order to be saved, 1) you must first turn from your sinful ways, recognizing that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), 2) be baptized in water for the forgiveness of those sins, by the authority of Jesus Christ who died for your sins, and 3) you need to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the evidence that God has chosen to live within you - you can be sure that you have received this Spirit when you begin praising God in a language you have never learned. You can read about these requirements in Acts 2:38. Once you have become a Born-Again Christian (a term used to describe those who are saved) it is important to continue to live your life after the example of Jesus Christ. Once-Saved, does not mean you will be Always-Saved. You must continue in the way of righteousness. The plan of salvation, however, is a topic for another study.
This particular manuscript deals with future events as foretold by the Bible, specifically as described by the book of Revelation. I believe that the Bible is the Word of God. It contains all the information we need to know about spiritual matters. Therefore, I believe that the Bible is the only book needed to interpret these future events. You will find no references to what Brother So-And-So believes, or what Such-And-Such Commentary says. I believe the Bible is to be taken literally. When the Bible speaks symbolically, it tells us so, and then most of the time proceeds to explain the symbolism itself.
With that in mind, let us proceed to explore that most fascinating aspect of the Bible that proclaims future events from over two thousand years in the past, and how its relevancy pertains to us today.

"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
- Rev. 16:15




I would like to dedicate this book to my Father,
who taught me the meaning of diligence,
and who also was strong enough
to hear the voice of the Lord and hearken to it,
preparing an ark to the saving of his household.

I love you, Dad.


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