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“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation’” (2 Peter 3:3-4). Each and every day we are nearing the Rapture of the Church and the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th Week. Living to see these events, and to witness God’s Word fulfilled in our own lifetime, is a desire that many Christians have had throughout the history of the church. In fact, many Christians over the course of the last 2000 years fully anticipated that Christ would indeed return in their own lifetimes. However, this perpetual expectation of Christ’s return has exhausted the hope of many Christians throughout the ages. In addition, a large number of false prophets have set dates which led to initial excitement and to eventual disillusionment. It is no surprise that today, even Christians are asking the question, “Where is the promise of His coming?” The promise of His coming is found all throughout Scripture. Jesus promised He would one day return for His church, conclude His program for Israel, and establish His Kingdom on earth. We know this will happen because of the Bible’s track record concerning fulfilled prophecy. There are over 1000 predictive verses in the Bible concerning around 737 separate matters. Over half of these predictive verses have been literally fulfilled in history. This gives us tremendous confidence the rest will be fulfilled just as literally and completely as the others! The prophecies concerning the Second Coming will not occur in a vacuum. This means God will set the stage for the fulfillment of all end-times prophecy. As we review 2008, I want to share five primary trends that I believe are strong indicators that the hour of Christ’s coming for His church is near—“right at the door” (Matt. 24:33).
The first trend began well over 100 years ago. It is known as Aliyah, and refers to Jewish re-gathering to the Land of Israel. It began prior to the rebirth of Israel and has accelerated since Israel became a nation—the fulfillment of millennia-old prophecy (see Isaiah 66:8). Born on May 14, 1948, the modern nation of Israel remains an enigma to the world. The Jewish people's successful struggle for nationhood against all odds was seen as a miracle by the nations, and a fulfillment of ancient prophecies to students of the Holy Bible. Despite this, there are many today who teach the modern reality of the nation of Israel is nothing more than an accident of history and has no bearing on Bible prophecy. Many of these teachers are in the church! The amazing thing to me is that they ignore huge portions of Scripture to arrive at their position. Even more amazing is that they would continue in their foolishness even after seeing the sovereign fulfillment of Bible prophecy on May 14, 1948 and its continuation to this day as Jews return en mass to the Holy Land, thus fulfilling Aliyah! Furthermore, the re-establishment of Israel as a nation is a prerequisite to the fulfillment of end-times prophecy. Without an Israel, no end-times prophecy could be fulfilled and Jesus could not come back.
The second trend began unfolding with World War I but has accelerated in recent years. This trend is known as Alignment. It refers to the alignment of nations predicted in Scripture for the last days. World War I resulted in the collapse of the Ottoman Empire which had ruled the Middle East for centuries. World War II resulted in the realization of the nation of Israel and those nations surrounding Israel we know today to be intense enemies of Israel, denying her very right to exist as a nation. Since 1948 and especially in the last 15 to 20 years we have seen the collapse of the former Soviet Union which is giving rise to the Russia prophesied in Ezekiel as a major end-times player. We are seeing the reunification of Europe and the nations surrounding the Mediterranean rising to form a union that looks exactly like the ancient Roman Empire—a major last days prophecy! We see Russia entering into military and economic agreements with nations named in Ezekiel 38-39, a 2600 year-old prophecy that calls for an Iranian led, Russian armed confederacy of six nations that will come against Israel to try to destroy her in the last days. We have never seen anything like this in recorded history—until now. This is indeed astonishing!
The third trend is known as Anticipation. By this, I mean the anticipation for a comprehensive Middle East peace. It seems this one trend is in the news more and more these days. Even as 2008 concluded and a new year dawned, there were “wars and rumors of wars” raging in the Middle East with Israel’s offensive against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza. A recent news headline captured the world’s quest of an elusive Middle East peace: “Obama Inherits Century-old Headache in Mideast.” The problem with the quest for Middle East peace is that God has promised this land to the Jews in an everlasting covenant. Any attempts to divide God’s covenant land, especially the city of Jerusalem, will incur God’s ire (see Zech. 12). A pseudo-peace is coming and will be brokered by a world leader the Bible describes as “the prince”. He will guarantee a 7 year covenant of peace with Israel that he will break midway through (see Dan. 9:27). The quest for peace in the Middle East today indicates the lateness of the prophetic hour. Jesus is coming soon!
The fourth trend is known as Arrangements. The Jews are making arrangements for and are ready to rebuild the Temple! The Bible clearly calls for a third Temple in the last days. Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and John all prophesied a third Temple. They were looking specifically to the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th Week (see Dan. 9:24-27). Jesus, Paul, and John all looked back to Daniel’s prophecy on this as the key to understanding end-times events. Each indicated the Temple would be in full operation by the middle of Daniel’s 70th Week, also known as the Tribulation. Did you know that sixty-three of the 103 implements used in Temple worship have been completed? Furthermore, in 2005, the Israeli rabbinical council involved with the re-establishment of the Sanhedrin called upon all groups involved in Temple Mount research to prepare detailed architectural plans for the reconstruction of the Jewish Holy Temple. They are closer than ever to laying the cornerstone and initiating construction. Something major will need to happen before this becomes a reality and I am convinced God has “something major” on the horizon! The question I have is will true Christians be here to witness it?
A fifth and final trend, and probably the most frightening, is that of Apostasy. This is referring specifically to the professing Christian church. Paul wrote, “It will not come unless the apostasy comes first” (2 Thess. 2:3). This is a trend I thought I would never see in my lifetime but it has begun unfolding in recent years and 2008 saw a dramatic increase. There is a movement known as the Emerging (or Emergent) Church Movement that is clearly an apostate movement. It is a movement that questions or outright denies the very foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. It is a movement that is incorporating Medieval and New Age pagan practices that they refer to as “Vintage Christianity”. I, along with others who are watching this movement, often refer to it as “the Road to Rome.” It is so named because it is a resurgence of religion in world affairs, the growing influence of the Roman Catholic Church, and the movement of other professing Christian churches back towards Rome. This resurgence is attracting people who are primarily looking for an experience—and it is deceiving untold millions! I cannot help but think about the words of Paul: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved” (2 Thess. 2:7-10). The world has already begun experiencing what these “signs and false wonders” will be like. We see this deception in the so called “Mary Apparitions” such as the Fatima appearances in Portugal in 1917 and others of recent years—appearances that contradict Scripture in more ways than one! We saw it during the Presidential Campaign when millions of professing Christians were deceived into voting for “the one”. Furthermore, this apostasy is nothing more than a substitute for the true gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—salvation by “grace through faith” (Eph. 2:8).
As we look through the lens of Scripture back over the events of 2008, we see clearly that God is setting the stage for the final fulfillment of all prophecy. These trends, along with other world events, such as the political and financial upheaval we are witnessing, natural disasters, and the worldwide spread of the gospel, tell us the return of Christ for His church is very close. I believe He will return at any moment. The “mockers” keep asking, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Well, based upon the signs of the times and the ever increasing mocking, I would have to say that “the promise” is near—“right at the door” (Matt. 24:33). So the real question is, “Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air?” Have you been saved? Have you repented of your sins, believed and obeyed the true gospel of our Lord and on Savior, Jesus Christ: “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
The first trend began well over 100 years ago. It is known as Aliyah, and refers to Jewish re-gathering to the Land of Israel. It began prior to the rebirth of Israel and has accelerated since Israel became a nation—the fulfillment of millennia-old prophecy (see Isaiah 66:8). Born on May 14, 1948, the modern nation of Israel remains an enigma to the world. The Jewish people's successful struggle for nationhood against all odds was seen as a miracle by the nations, and a fulfillment of ancient prophecies to students of the Holy Bible. Despite this, there are many today who teach the modern reality of the nation of Israel is nothing more than an accident of history and has no bearing on Bible prophecy. Many of these teachers are in the church! The amazing thing to me is that they ignore huge portions of Scripture to arrive at their position. Even more amazing is that they would continue in their foolishness even after seeing the sovereign fulfillment of Bible prophecy on May 14, 1948 and its continuation to this day as Jews return en mass to the Holy Land, thus fulfilling Aliyah! Furthermore, the re-establishment of Israel as a nation is a prerequisite to the fulfillment of end-times prophecy. Without an Israel, no end-times prophecy could be fulfilled and Jesus could not come back.
The second trend began unfolding with World War I but has accelerated in recent years. This trend is known as Alignment. It refers to the alignment of nations predicted in Scripture for the last days. World War I resulted in the collapse of the Ottoman Empire which had ruled the Middle East for centuries. World War II resulted in the realization of the nation of Israel and those nations surrounding Israel we know today to be intense enemies of Israel, denying her very right to exist as a nation. Since 1948 and especially in the last 15 to 20 years we have seen the collapse of the former Soviet Union which is giving rise to the Russia prophesied in Ezekiel as a major end-times player. We are seeing the reunification of Europe and the nations surrounding the Mediterranean rising to form a union that looks exactly like the ancient Roman Empire—a major last days prophecy! We see Russia entering into military and economic agreements with nations named in Ezekiel 38-39, a 2600 year-old prophecy that calls for an Iranian led, Russian armed confederacy of six nations that will come against Israel to try to destroy her in the last days. We have never seen anything like this in recorded history—until now. This is indeed astonishing!
The third trend is known as Anticipation. By this, I mean the anticipation for a comprehensive Middle East peace. It seems this one trend is in the news more and more these days. Even as 2008 concluded and a new year dawned, there were “wars and rumors of wars” raging in the Middle East with Israel’s offensive against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza. A recent news headline captured the world’s quest of an elusive Middle East peace: “Obama Inherits Century-old Headache in Mideast.” The problem with the quest for Middle East peace is that God has promised this land to the Jews in an everlasting covenant. Any attempts to divide God’s covenant land, especially the city of Jerusalem, will incur God’s ire (see Zech. 12). A pseudo-peace is coming and will be brokered by a world leader the Bible describes as “the prince”. He will guarantee a 7 year covenant of peace with Israel that he will break midway through (see Dan. 9:27). The quest for peace in the Middle East today indicates the lateness of the prophetic hour. Jesus is coming soon!
The fourth trend is known as Arrangements. The Jews are making arrangements for and are ready to rebuild the Temple! The Bible clearly calls for a third Temple in the last days. Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and John all prophesied a third Temple. They were looking specifically to the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th Week (see Dan. 9:24-27). Jesus, Paul, and John all looked back to Daniel’s prophecy on this as the key to understanding end-times events. Each indicated the Temple would be in full operation by the middle of Daniel’s 70th Week, also known as the Tribulation. Did you know that sixty-three of the 103 implements used in Temple worship have been completed? Furthermore, in 2005, the Israeli rabbinical council involved with the re-establishment of the Sanhedrin called upon all groups involved in Temple Mount research to prepare detailed architectural plans for the reconstruction of the Jewish Holy Temple. They are closer than ever to laying the cornerstone and initiating construction. Something major will need to happen before this becomes a reality and I am convinced God has “something major” on the horizon! The question I have is will true Christians be here to witness it?
A fifth and final trend, and probably the most frightening, is that of Apostasy. This is referring specifically to the professing Christian church. Paul wrote, “It will not come unless the apostasy comes first” (2 Thess. 2:3). This is a trend I thought I would never see in my lifetime but it has begun unfolding in recent years and 2008 saw a dramatic increase. There is a movement known as the Emerging (or Emergent) Church Movement that is clearly an apostate movement. It is a movement that questions or outright denies the very foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. It is a movement that is incorporating Medieval and New Age pagan practices that they refer to as “Vintage Christianity”. I, along with others who are watching this movement, often refer to it as “the Road to Rome.” It is so named because it is a resurgence of religion in world affairs, the growing influence of the Roman Catholic Church, and the movement of other professing Christian churches back towards Rome. This resurgence is attracting people who are primarily looking for an experience—and it is deceiving untold millions! I cannot help but think about the words of Paul: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved” (2 Thess. 2:7-10). The world has already begun experiencing what these “signs and false wonders” will be like. We see this deception in the so called “Mary Apparitions” such as the Fatima appearances in Portugal in 1917 and others of recent years—appearances that contradict Scripture in more ways than one! We saw it during the Presidential Campaign when millions of professing Christians were deceived into voting for “the one”. Furthermore, this apostasy is nothing more than a substitute for the true gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—salvation by “grace through faith” (Eph. 2:8).
As we look through the lens of Scripture back over the events of 2008, we see clearly that God is setting the stage for the final fulfillment of all prophecy. These trends, along with other world events, such as the political and financial upheaval we are witnessing, natural disasters, and the worldwide spread of the gospel, tell us the return of Christ for His church is very close. I believe He will return at any moment. The “mockers” keep asking, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Well, based upon the signs of the times and the ever increasing mocking, I would have to say that “the promise” is near—“right at the door” (Matt. 24:33). So the real question is, “Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air?” Have you been saved? Have you repented of your sins, believed and obeyed the true gospel of our Lord and on Savior, Jesus Christ: “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
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“In the first year of Darius…ruler over the Babylonian kingdom-in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years” (Daniel 9:1-2). Is the Bible really God’s word? After all, there are numerous books in existence today that claim to be the word of God. Therefore, what’s so unique about the Bible? Why has it been the all-time best seller in all of history? The answer is simple—because it is exactly what it claims to be—the word of the Living God. It is the word of God to the exclusion of all other writings that claim to be such. These excluded writings would include the Book of Mormon, the Koran, the Hindu Vedras, the writings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the sayings of Confucius or Buddha, just to name a few. One of the primary reasons we know all these other writings are not God’s word is because they cannot prove themselves to be such. The Bible on the other hand has authenticated itself to be of divine inspiration—the very word of God. It has done this through its prophecies. Prophecy makes up at least one-third of the Bible. No other book that forms the basis of a religion contains prophecy. So whereas it would take a foolish, misguided and blind faith to believe in all these other writings, one’s faith in the Bible as God’s word is rooted in sound, historical fact.
There are many prophecies in the Bible. One scholar has indicated there are over one thousand prophecies in the Bible about half of which have already been literally fulfilled. Some of these prophecies are Messianic in nature—they speak of the person and work of Jesus Christ. There are more than 300 of these Messianic prophecies about His First Coming. Some of them appear more than once so if we gather them together, counting them only once we end up with 108 prophecies that are separate and unique. All 108 were fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ—a mathematical impossibility when one considers the probability of one person fulfilling them all. One of these prophecies tells us Jesus will be born in “Bethlehem Ephrathah” (Micah 5:2). That prophecy was given more than 700 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Often overlooked is the precision of this prophecy. It does not simply tell us Jesus will be born in Bethlehem. It says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah.” When Micah wrote this prophecy there were two Bethlehems in Israel—one in the north near the Sea of Galilee, and the other in the south near Jerusalem, in the area known as Ephrathah. How’s that for prophetic accuracy and precision?
Another amazing prophecy—one I believe to be amazing beyond compare and the greatest of all prophecies—can be found in Daniel 9 where Daniel wrote that the Messiah would present Himself publically as the Messiah of Israel on a certain day. This certain day would fall 173,880 days after a certain decree was issued to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” (Daniel 9:25). This decree was issued by Artaxerxes on March 5, 445 B.C. 173,880 days later, on April 6, 32 A.D., Jesus entered Jerusalem as the Messiah of Israel (Luke 19:28-44). There are many other prophecies found in the Bible that verify the Bible is indeed the word of God. These include prophecies about the regatherinng of the Jewish people from the four corners of the earth (Isaiah 11:11-12) which began in the 20th Century and continues to this day; the re-establishment of the nation of Israel (Isaiah 66:7-8; Ezekiel 37:21-22) which occurred on May 14, 1948; all the nations of the world coming together against Israel over the issue of the control of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1-3) which is occurring before our very eyes on the evening news! All these prophecies the Bible says would take place in the last days, right before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
As a Christian, I find the fulfillment of these prophecies very exciting and encouraging. When most people, many of whom claim to followers of Christ, are expressing fear over the things that are coming upon the world today, I am encouraged. I am encouraged because things are happening just as the Bible predicted—proof positive that the Bible, and only the Bible, is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant word of God. All geo-political trends and events in nature indicate that Jesus will return for His Church at any moment. So for believers, we need not fear. We should be ready for His soon return while telling others how to be saved. For unbelievers, the situation is grim. God’s judgment will soon fall upon this world and all those who have rejected Christ will find themselves in a predicament that could have been avoided—in fact it can be avoided—by placing your faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
There are many prophecies in the Bible. One scholar has indicated there are over one thousand prophecies in the Bible about half of which have already been literally fulfilled. Some of these prophecies are Messianic in nature—they speak of the person and work of Jesus Christ. There are more than 300 of these Messianic prophecies about His First Coming. Some of them appear more than once so if we gather them together, counting them only once we end up with 108 prophecies that are separate and unique. All 108 were fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ—a mathematical impossibility when one considers the probability of one person fulfilling them all. One of these prophecies tells us Jesus will be born in “Bethlehem Ephrathah” (Micah 5:2). That prophecy was given more than 700 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Often overlooked is the precision of this prophecy. It does not simply tell us Jesus will be born in Bethlehem. It says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah.” When Micah wrote this prophecy there were two Bethlehems in Israel—one in the north near the Sea of Galilee, and the other in the south near Jerusalem, in the area known as Ephrathah. How’s that for prophetic accuracy and precision?
Another amazing prophecy—one I believe to be amazing beyond compare and the greatest of all prophecies—can be found in Daniel 9 where Daniel wrote that the Messiah would present Himself publically as the Messiah of Israel on a certain day. This certain day would fall 173,880 days after a certain decree was issued to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” (Daniel 9:25). This decree was issued by Artaxerxes on March 5, 445 B.C. 173,880 days later, on April 6, 32 A.D., Jesus entered Jerusalem as the Messiah of Israel (Luke 19:28-44). There are many other prophecies found in the Bible that verify the Bible is indeed the word of God. These include prophecies about the regatherinng of the Jewish people from the four corners of the earth (Isaiah 11:11-12) which began in the 20th Century and continues to this day; the re-establishment of the nation of Israel (Isaiah 66:7-8; Ezekiel 37:21-22) which occurred on May 14, 1948; all the nations of the world coming together against Israel over the issue of the control of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1-3) which is occurring before our very eyes on the evening news! All these prophecies the Bible says would take place in the last days, right before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
As a Christian, I find the fulfillment of these prophecies very exciting and encouraging. When most people, many of whom claim to followers of Christ, are expressing fear over the things that are coming upon the world today, I am encouraged. I am encouraged because things are happening just as the Bible predicted—proof positive that the Bible, and only the Bible, is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant word of God. All geo-political trends and events in nature indicate that Jesus will return for His Church at any moment. So for believers, we need not fear. We should be ready for His soon return while telling others how to be saved. For unbelievers, the situation is grim. God’s judgment will soon fall upon this world and all those who have rejected Christ will find themselves in a predicament that could have been avoided—in fact it can be avoided—by placing your faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
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“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9-10). People continue to ask questions about the future as never before. It is no wonder. Even if people do not have a thorough understanding of the Bible as God’s Word, they at least suspect it to be. Furthermore, most have heard or read about certain prophetic events about which the Bible has predicted that current events cause them to wonder if we really are living near the end of the age. One of the primary proofs of the authenticity of the Bible as God’s Word is fulfilled prophecy. God has declared “the end from the beginning” in such a way that we know what to expect and know when it has come to pass. Jesus, for example, fulfilled over 300 prophecies during His First Coming. There are nearly three times as many prophecies concerning His Second Coming, and we can expect those prophecies to be fulfilled just as literally as those concerning His First Coming were. One thing we have to be careful about is avoiding newspaper exegesis. In other words, we must not be guilty of reading or watching the news and concluding a particular prophecy has been fulfilled. However, when one studies the prophecies concerning Christ’s Second Coming, it is not difficult to see prophetic trends occurring today that indicate the end of the age might very well be near. Most of the prophecy to be fulfilled prior to the Second Coming won’t occur in a vacuum. God will have, over a number of years, set the stage for the final fulfillment of all prophecy. So then, what are these prophetic trends that continued to pick up steam throughout 2007?
I believe there are five trends that occurred (or continued occurring) during 2007. Two of them occurred for the first time in history. First of all, Jewish immigration to Israel continued just as it has since the late nineteenth century. Biblical prophecy tells us that in the end-times God would bring the Jewish people back to the land and re-establish the Nation of Israel. The Bible says He will bring them back in stages and in unbelief (Ezekiel 36-37). This continues to this day and what made 2007 unique is that for the first time in over 2000 years there are more Jews living in Israel than anywhere else in the world. Secondly, there is the alignment of the nations. God’s Word clearly spells out for us what the alignment of the nations would look like in the last days (Daniel 2, 7; Ezekiel 38, 39). Everything is not in place but most of it is and the rest is getting there quickly. There is the rise of the European super-state, out of which the Antichrist will one day come (Daniel 9). We do not yet see Europe in its final prophesied form of ten kingdoms but history has taught us that change can take place quickly. Therefore, we believe the prophecies of Scripture that one day, perhaps soon, Europe will take on its final form. Other nations, Iran in particular, but including other likeminded nations are being armed by Russia and will one day participate in an all out attack on Israel to destroy her (Ezekiel 38, 39). Current events lead some to believe this battle may be on the near horizon. Thirdly, there is the anticipation of peace. It seems in the Middle East there has been one peace proposal after another in recent years. Each one of these so called peace proposal that involves Israel has been one-sided in favor of Israel’s enemies it seems. But one day, a strong man will arise from within Europe who will finally be able to enforce one of these covenants (Daniel 9:27). Prophecy will indeed be fulfilled! Fourthly, there is the addiction of world leaders concerning Jerusalem and for the first time in history the Israeli government is actually entertaining thoughts of a divided Jerusalem (Zechariah 12). Finally, there is the preparation from within Israel to rebuild the Temple (Ezekiel 40-46; Daniel 9; Matthew 24; 2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 11). You won’t hear much about these preparations on the evening news. But many of the Temple instruments have been made and many are studying for the priesthood. The Sanhedrin was recently reconvened after more than 1500 years. Clearly, God is setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy.
2007 was an exciting year. 2008 promises to be even more exciting. God’s Word is true. Its prophecies are being fulfilled and soon, perhaps today, Jesus will return for His Church. Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? If not, your time may be running out.
I believe there are five trends that occurred (or continued occurring) during 2007. Two of them occurred for the first time in history. First of all, Jewish immigration to Israel continued just as it has since the late nineteenth century. Biblical prophecy tells us that in the end-times God would bring the Jewish people back to the land and re-establish the Nation of Israel. The Bible says He will bring them back in stages and in unbelief (Ezekiel 36-37). This continues to this day and what made 2007 unique is that for the first time in over 2000 years there are more Jews living in Israel than anywhere else in the world. Secondly, there is the alignment of the nations. God’s Word clearly spells out for us what the alignment of the nations would look like in the last days (Daniel 2, 7; Ezekiel 38, 39). Everything is not in place but most of it is and the rest is getting there quickly. There is the rise of the European super-state, out of which the Antichrist will one day come (Daniel 9). We do not yet see Europe in its final prophesied form of ten kingdoms but history has taught us that change can take place quickly. Therefore, we believe the prophecies of Scripture that one day, perhaps soon, Europe will take on its final form. Other nations, Iran in particular, but including other likeminded nations are being armed by Russia and will one day participate in an all out attack on Israel to destroy her (Ezekiel 38, 39). Current events lead some to believe this battle may be on the near horizon. Thirdly, there is the anticipation of peace. It seems in the Middle East there has been one peace proposal after another in recent years. Each one of these so called peace proposal that involves Israel has been one-sided in favor of Israel’s enemies it seems. But one day, a strong man will arise from within Europe who will finally be able to enforce one of these covenants (Daniel 9:27). Prophecy will indeed be fulfilled! Fourthly, there is the addiction of world leaders concerning Jerusalem and for the first time in history the Israeli government is actually entertaining thoughts of a divided Jerusalem (Zechariah 12). Finally, there is the preparation from within Israel to rebuild the Temple (Ezekiel 40-46; Daniel 9; Matthew 24; 2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 11). You won’t hear much about these preparations on the evening news. But many of the Temple instruments have been made and many are studying for the priesthood. The Sanhedrin was recently reconvened after more than 1500 years. Clearly, God is setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy.
2007 was an exciting year. 2008 promises to be even more exciting. God’s Word is true. Its prophecies are being fulfilled and soon, perhaps today, Jesus will return for His Church. Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? If not, your time may be running out.
- Published on
“So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress” (Daniel 9:25). I cannot even begin to recount the times I have talked to people of other religions who claim their so called sacred writings are the Word of God. I have had these discussions with Mormons, Hindus, Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Gnostics and many others. Each time I have always issued the same challenge: Prove it! The Bible has proven itself over and over again to be the Word of God. It is clearly of Divine origin. It is supported by over 5000 ancient manuscripts, pieces of manuscripts and fragments of manuscripts. The sixty-six books of the Bible were written by forty different authors over a period of 1500 to 2000 years, in three different languages, on three different continents. Yet its message is unique and each book compliments the other. Furthermore, archeological discoveries have proven the cities, peoples and events chronicled in the Bible are right on target. One group (the fastest growing cult in America), for example, has searched North, South and Central America in vain to find one shred of archeological evidence to support their so called sacred writings, which they claim to be “another testament of Jesus Christ.” Give me a break! The same can be said for the writings of Hinduism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Gnostics and many others.
I could list one reason after another as to why the sixty-six books of the Bible constitute the Word of God. However, the most compelling reason I point to that proves once and for all the Divine origin of the Bible is the accuracy of fulfilled biblical prophecy. The Hebrew prophets had to meet a very stringent requirement—100 percent accuracy, 100 percent of the time—no exceptions! I could point to any number of fulfilled prophecies, but the one that always strikes me as amazing beyond compare is one found in Daniel 9:24-27. Daniel was praying, interceding on behalf of the Hebrew people and seeking God’s plan for their future when the angel Gabriel showed up and in four verses of scripture gave him the entire future of God’s chosen people. Only verse 27 awaits fulfillment. The most amazing part of this prophecy is verse 25. Without getting into all the language and word studies necessary to fully understand this verse, it basically says from the time a decree is given to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” until the Triumphal Entry and rejection of Jesus (see Luke 19:37-40) there would be 483 years, or 173,880 days. We know this decree was issued by Artaxerxes on March 14, 445 B.C. We know Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey on April 6, 32 A.D. If you do the math (using a 360 day Hebrew/prophetic calendar), adding the time between March 14 and April 6 and the leap years, you arrive at exactly 483 years to the day. How’s that for 100 percent accuracy, 100 percent of the time! No other book that claims to be the Word of God even comes close. The Bible is clearly the Word of God as it has proven itself to be of Divine origin over and over again. Why people continue to reject it is beyond me, other than they “loved the darkness rather than the Light” (John 3:19)
It has all come to pass, exactly as the Bible predicted. However, verse 27 still remains unfulfilled. But there is no cause for alarm! Verse 26 clearly says there will be an interval between the fulfillment of the first 483 years and the final seven years of this prophecy. Verse 27 deals with this final seven years. The Bible doesn’t tell us how long this interval will be. But it does tell us the events of this final seven years mentioned in verse 27. In fact, this is the most documented time in Scripture. It is dealt with in Matthew 24-25, Luke 21, Revelation 6-19, and a few other places as well. These passages outline the time period leading up to and including this seven year period, which the Bible describes as “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” and “The Tribulation,” with the final three and one half years being described as “The Great Tribulation.” Well, chew on this awhile: For the first time in 1,600 years, there exists a modern version of the ancient Roman Empire, “partly strong and partly weak,” as Daniel predicted in chapter two. There exists, for the first time since before Daniel was born, a nation called “Israel.” Neither of these existed until this generation. Israel was reborn in one day in 1948 (see Isaiah 66:7-9). The Benelux Treaty that began the modern movement for the reunification of Europe was signed in 1948. Also in 1948, Bell Laboratories introduced the transistor, an invention which marked the beginning of the computer age. Daniel further predicted the increase of knowledge—probably the best description of our modern age. All these things, the Bible says, would be a reality when the time came for the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27. Again, we have greater evidence to the Divine origin of the Bible as the Word of God, to the exclusion of all others. What is this telling you and me? First of all, God’s Word is true. Secondly, its message about salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) is true as well. Jesus is the only way (John 14) to salvation. And finally, He is coming again—first, in the air for His Church at the Rapture (see 1 Thess. 4:13-18), and then literally to this earth at the Second Coming (see Acts 1:9-11). The question is: Are you ready? If Jesus came for His Church today, would you be caught up with all the saints of all the ages or would you be left behind? That is a question everyone must answer personally.
I could list one reason after another as to why the sixty-six books of the Bible constitute the Word of God. However, the most compelling reason I point to that proves once and for all the Divine origin of the Bible is the accuracy of fulfilled biblical prophecy. The Hebrew prophets had to meet a very stringent requirement—100 percent accuracy, 100 percent of the time—no exceptions! I could point to any number of fulfilled prophecies, but the one that always strikes me as amazing beyond compare is one found in Daniel 9:24-27. Daniel was praying, interceding on behalf of the Hebrew people and seeking God’s plan for their future when the angel Gabriel showed up and in four verses of scripture gave him the entire future of God’s chosen people. Only verse 27 awaits fulfillment. The most amazing part of this prophecy is verse 25. Without getting into all the language and word studies necessary to fully understand this verse, it basically says from the time a decree is given to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” until the Triumphal Entry and rejection of Jesus (see Luke 19:37-40) there would be 483 years, or 173,880 days. We know this decree was issued by Artaxerxes on March 14, 445 B.C. We know Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey on April 6, 32 A.D. If you do the math (using a 360 day Hebrew/prophetic calendar), adding the time between March 14 and April 6 and the leap years, you arrive at exactly 483 years to the day. How’s that for 100 percent accuracy, 100 percent of the time! No other book that claims to be the Word of God even comes close. The Bible is clearly the Word of God as it has proven itself to be of Divine origin over and over again. Why people continue to reject it is beyond me, other than they “loved the darkness rather than the Light” (John 3:19)
It has all come to pass, exactly as the Bible predicted. However, verse 27 still remains unfulfilled. But there is no cause for alarm! Verse 26 clearly says there will be an interval between the fulfillment of the first 483 years and the final seven years of this prophecy. Verse 27 deals with this final seven years. The Bible doesn’t tell us how long this interval will be. But it does tell us the events of this final seven years mentioned in verse 27. In fact, this is the most documented time in Scripture. It is dealt with in Matthew 24-25, Luke 21, Revelation 6-19, and a few other places as well. These passages outline the time period leading up to and including this seven year period, which the Bible describes as “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” and “The Tribulation,” with the final three and one half years being described as “The Great Tribulation.” Well, chew on this awhile: For the first time in 1,600 years, there exists a modern version of the ancient Roman Empire, “partly strong and partly weak,” as Daniel predicted in chapter two. There exists, for the first time since before Daniel was born, a nation called “Israel.” Neither of these existed until this generation. Israel was reborn in one day in 1948 (see Isaiah 66:7-9). The Benelux Treaty that began the modern movement for the reunification of Europe was signed in 1948. Also in 1948, Bell Laboratories introduced the transistor, an invention which marked the beginning of the computer age. Daniel further predicted the increase of knowledge—probably the best description of our modern age. All these things, the Bible says, would be a reality when the time came for the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27. Again, we have greater evidence to the Divine origin of the Bible as the Word of God, to the exclusion of all others. What is this telling you and me? First of all, God’s Word is true. Secondly, its message about salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) is true as well. Jesus is the only way (John 14) to salvation. And finally, He is coming again—first, in the air for His Church at the Rapture (see 1 Thess. 4:13-18), and then literally to this earth at the Second Coming (see Acts 1:9-11). The question is: Are you ready? If Jesus came for His Church today, would you be caught up with all the saints of all the ages or would you be left behind? That is a question everyone must answer personally.
- Published on
“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention” (2 Peter 1:19). “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (Matthew 24:34). It has always amazed me what some people will believe. Some people will believe the predictions of Nostradamus, whose so called ‘prophecies’ are so vague, they can be made to fit nearly any circumstance. Not only that, one could assign any number of interpretations to his predictions. Such is not the case when it comes to the prophecies of the Bible. Unlike the prophecies of Nostradamus and other self-proclaimed prophets, the biblical prophets did not issue vague and general predictions that could be adjusted to any situation. Biblical prophecy is detailed. Furthermore, biblical prophecy is not open to a multitude of interpretations. As the Bible says, it is “sure, to which [we] do well to pay attention.” Take, for example, the predictions of the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel. His prophecies are amazing beyond compare. Written over 2500 years ago, they pinpoint a specific time, place and precise historic conditions of a future world disaster.
Ezekiel chapters 36 through 39 contain one of the most amazing series of prophecies in the entire Bible. These chapters are famous prophecies that foretell the scattering of the Jewish people and their return to the Holy Land after centuries of exile. They further tell of the rebirth of the Nation of Israel and her struggle for survival. Finally, they foretell the rise of a Russian – Arab alliance to annihilate Israel during earth’s last days. Let’s walk through this together: Ezekiel prophesied (1) The Jews would be driven from their land for a very long period of time – they were. (2) The Jews would survive as a distinct people – they have. (3) Their land would be confiscated by the surrounding nations – it was. (4) These nations would be descended from Esau and Ishmael – They are. (5) The people would have a perpetual hatred of the Jews – They have and still do! (6) The land of Israel would become an utter desolation and not respond to the agricultural efforts of the usurpers – it did and it didn’t. (7) Against all odds, the Jews would return and become a nation – They did. (8) The land would miraculously respond to them and flourish – It has. (9) The Arab nations would conduct an unending war against the Israelites – they have and continue to do so. (10) Israel would survive all assaults and prosper – You guessed it, they have and continue to do so! (11) A confederation of the Russians and Iranians will lead all the surrounding Moslem nations to attack Israel in an all out effort to annihilate her – Newsflash! This is exactly where we are today. Just turn on the news or pick up a newspaper. Russia is busy building a military alliance with Iran. Iran is busy building military alliances with other like-minded Moslem nations in the Middle East and North Africa. The most astounding part of this prophecy is when it would take place. Ezekiel carefully pinpoints the exact time – a specific generation: “After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which have been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them” (Ezekiel 38:8).
This is absolutely astounding. Everything except this final invasion is already a matter of history. It has come to pass, exactly as the Bible predicted. And now the final pieces of the puzzle seem to be moving rapidly into place. Iran is moving quickly into the leadership role of the Islamic Fundamentalist bent on Israel’s destruction. And they are doing so with a full-blown nuclear weapons development program, which Russia seems quite willing to assist in. This should be no surprise as Russia has been arming the Moslem nations for years. No matter how the world seeks to solve the Arab-Israeli problem, there is no way to satisfy the deeply ingrained religious issues that are at the very heart of both Islam and Judaism over possession of Jerusalem – the cup that causes all the surrounding Moslem nations to become intoxicated (see Zechariah 12:2-3). However, Ezekiel predicts Israel will miraculously survive all attempts to drive her into the sea. Furthermore, Ezekiel predicts God Himself will step in when this final invasion takes place. It will be obvious to all – Israel and the world – that God intervened on behalf of His chosen people – the Jews. So nothing in Ezekiel’s prophecy is out of line with what we see happening in the Middle East today. The evening news is nothing more than a foretaste of the coming fulfillment of this awesome prophecy, a prophecy which was given for a precise generation – this generation. And Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (Matt. 24:34). I believe we are living on the very threshold of the Rapture of the Church, after which the Great Tribulation will follow, leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to this earth. All of this proves the trustworthiness of Scripture. Are you ready? Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24). In other words, all who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin—all those who trust Him as Savior and Lord—pass out of judgment into eternal life, will be caught up in the Rapture of the Church, and avoid the judgment of the Great Tribulation. Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? If not, your time is running out.
Ezekiel chapters 36 through 39 contain one of the most amazing series of prophecies in the entire Bible. These chapters are famous prophecies that foretell the scattering of the Jewish people and their return to the Holy Land after centuries of exile. They further tell of the rebirth of the Nation of Israel and her struggle for survival. Finally, they foretell the rise of a Russian – Arab alliance to annihilate Israel during earth’s last days. Let’s walk through this together: Ezekiel prophesied (1) The Jews would be driven from their land for a very long period of time – they were. (2) The Jews would survive as a distinct people – they have. (3) Their land would be confiscated by the surrounding nations – it was. (4) These nations would be descended from Esau and Ishmael – They are. (5) The people would have a perpetual hatred of the Jews – They have and still do! (6) The land of Israel would become an utter desolation and not respond to the agricultural efforts of the usurpers – it did and it didn’t. (7) Against all odds, the Jews would return and become a nation – They did. (8) The land would miraculously respond to them and flourish – It has. (9) The Arab nations would conduct an unending war against the Israelites – they have and continue to do so. (10) Israel would survive all assaults and prosper – You guessed it, they have and continue to do so! (11) A confederation of the Russians and Iranians will lead all the surrounding Moslem nations to attack Israel in an all out effort to annihilate her – Newsflash! This is exactly where we are today. Just turn on the news or pick up a newspaper. Russia is busy building a military alliance with Iran. Iran is busy building military alliances with other like-minded Moslem nations in the Middle East and North Africa. The most astounding part of this prophecy is when it would take place. Ezekiel carefully pinpoints the exact time – a specific generation: “After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which have been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them” (Ezekiel 38:8).
This is absolutely astounding. Everything except this final invasion is already a matter of history. It has come to pass, exactly as the Bible predicted. And now the final pieces of the puzzle seem to be moving rapidly into place. Iran is moving quickly into the leadership role of the Islamic Fundamentalist bent on Israel’s destruction. And they are doing so with a full-blown nuclear weapons development program, which Russia seems quite willing to assist in. This should be no surprise as Russia has been arming the Moslem nations for years. No matter how the world seeks to solve the Arab-Israeli problem, there is no way to satisfy the deeply ingrained religious issues that are at the very heart of both Islam and Judaism over possession of Jerusalem – the cup that causes all the surrounding Moslem nations to become intoxicated (see Zechariah 12:2-3). However, Ezekiel predicts Israel will miraculously survive all attempts to drive her into the sea. Furthermore, Ezekiel predicts God Himself will step in when this final invasion takes place. It will be obvious to all – Israel and the world – that God intervened on behalf of His chosen people – the Jews. So nothing in Ezekiel’s prophecy is out of line with what we see happening in the Middle East today. The evening news is nothing more than a foretaste of the coming fulfillment of this awesome prophecy, a prophecy which was given for a precise generation – this generation. And Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (Matt. 24:34). I believe we are living on the very threshold of the Rapture of the Church, after which the Great Tribulation will follow, leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to this earth. All of this proves the trustworthiness of Scripture. Are you ready? Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24). In other words, all who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin—all those who trust Him as Savior and Lord—pass out of judgment into eternal life, will be caught up in the Rapture of the Church, and avoid the judgment of the Great Tribulation. Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? If not, your time is running out.
- Published on
“They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace”(Jeremiah 6:14). “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 Thessalonians 5:3). In a special address he gave recently, President Bush announced the formation of yet another Middle East peace conference to address the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict. This is just more of the same. One has to wonder when our leaders will learn that there will be no peace in that part of the world, or any part of the world for that matter, until Jesus returns. Furthermore, the pseudo-peace that is coming won’t be brokered by the United States. The Bible makes it overwhelmingly clear that it will be one of European origin that brokers a false peace between Israel and her neighbors. And on a side note—something no one seems to notice—every single time the United States has pressured Israel to give up more “land for peace”, a major disaster has struck the United States—every single time! It’s like, either we can’t learn or we won’t. But this one might be slightly different. How so? Only God knows, but it could be the beginning of a shift between the U.S. as peace broker to one of Europe as peace broker. In fact, I think that shift has already begun. Remember, the Bible says it will be a European “prince” who will “make a firm covenant with the many for [seven years]” (Daniel 9:26-27). The word make used here can be better translated make strong or cause to prevail. In other words, it’s not a new peace treaty this ‘prince’ makes but a confirmation of one already in existence. This ‘prince’, whoever he might be, will finally cause this seven year peace covenant to prevail, where other world leaders have failed.
On Monday, July 25, 2007, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair assumed his ‘limited’ duties as Special Peace Envoy for the so-called Middle East ‘Quartet’ that consists of the European Union, UN, Russia and the United States. His mandate is limited to helping the Palestinians develop and promote institutions and their economy toward their dream of an independent Palestinian State living ‘in peace’ alongside Israel. Can I smoke some of this weed too? Sorry, I get a little sarcastic at times. Anyway, this limited mandate isn’t setting too well with the leaders of the EU, who see themselves as the rightful leaders of the Middle East peace process. In fact, they are calling for Mr. Blair to take on more direct role of mediation, something generally reserved for the U.S. Furthermore, the EU is calling for the abandonment of the Road Map for peace and a return to the original plan and principles contained with the seven year (I’m not kidding) plan known as the Oslo Accords.
Why is this so amazing? As ridiculous as it sounds, this is pretty much in line with the way the Bible outlined the peace process described by the biblical prophets in the last days, or dare I say, the last of the last days. Daniel 11:39 says it will be based upon the concept of “Land for Peace”: “He will…parcel out land for a price.” Jeremiah 6:14 tells us this process will be totally one-sided in nature and leave Israel completely vulnerable: “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.” It will center on the city of Jerusalem—who will own it—and will be imposed by a global coalition: “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” Daniel 9:26-27 says it will be brokered by a European—a descendent of the people who destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the Romans—and will be based on a pre-existing seven-year agreement: “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week” (week here means seven years). There is only one seven-year plan on the books right now and that is the Oslo Accords brokered in 1993—an agreement which collapsed when Arafat went home and started his little intifada (or uprising—or better yet, cry-baby fit).
I am not saying Tony Blair is the long awaited antichrist. More than likely, he is not (see Daniel 11:37). However, his role will most likely be to set the stage for Europe to replace the United States as the primary Middle East peace broker. Such a move will put the EU in control of the process, which in turn will set the stage for the antichrist—exactly as the Bible predicted –with astonishing accuracy—over 2500 years ago. But wait, it gets better! At some point before this agreement is ‘confirmed’, the Bible tells those of us who are believers: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:15-17). With everything going on in the world of peacemaking these days, one has to wonder just how close we are to the Rapture of the Church. I believe we are mind-bogglingly close! Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? If not, your time is quickly running out
On Monday, July 25, 2007, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair assumed his ‘limited’ duties as Special Peace Envoy for the so-called Middle East ‘Quartet’ that consists of the European Union, UN, Russia and the United States. His mandate is limited to helping the Palestinians develop and promote institutions and their economy toward their dream of an independent Palestinian State living ‘in peace’ alongside Israel. Can I smoke some of this weed too? Sorry, I get a little sarcastic at times. Anyway, this limited mandate isn’t setting too well with the leaders of the EU, who see themselves as the rightful leaders of the Middle East peace process. In fact, they are calling for Mr. Blair to take on more direct role of mediation, something generally reserved for the U.S. Furthermore, the EU is calling for the abandonment of the Road Map for peace and a return to the original plan and principles contained with the seven year (I’m not kidding) plan known as the Oslo Accords.
Why is this so amazing? As ridiculous as it sounds, this is pretty much in line with the way the Bible outlined the peace process described by the biblical prophets in the last days, or dare I say, the last of the last days. Daniel 11:39 says it will be based upon the concept of “Land for Peace”: “He will…parcel out land for a price.” Jeremiah 6:14 tells us this process will be totally one-sided in nature and leave Israel completely vulnerable: “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.” It will center on the city of Jerusalem—who will own it—and will be imposed by a global coalition: “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” Daniel 9:26-27 says it will be brokered by a European—a descendent of the people who destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the Romans—and will be based on a pre-existing seven-year agreement: “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week” (week here means seven years). There is only one seven-year plan on the books right now and that is the Oslo Accords brokered in 1993—an agreement which collapsed when Arafat went home and started his little intifada (or uprising—or better yet, cry-baby fit).
I am not saying Tony Blair is the long awaited antichrist. More than likely, he is not (see Daniel 11:37). However, his role will most likely be to set the stage for Europe to replace the United States as the primary Middle East peace broker. Such a move will put the EU in control of the process, which in turn will set the stage for the antichrist—exactly as the Bible predicted –with astonishing accuracy—over 2500 years ago. But wait, it gets better! At some point before this agreement is ‘confirmed’, the Bible tells those of us who are believers: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:15-17). With everything going on in the world of peacemaking these days, one has to wonder just how close we are to the Rapture of the Church. I believe we are mind-bogglingly close! Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? If not, your time is quickly running out
- Published on
“They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace”(Jeremiah 6:14). “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 Thessalonians 5:3). In a special address he gave recently, President Bush announced the formation of yet another Middle East peace conference to address the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict. This is just more of the same. One has to wonder when our leaders will learn that there will be no peace in that part of the world, or any part of the world for that matter, until Jesus returns. Furthermore, the pseudo-peace that is coming won’t be brokered by the United States. The Bible makes it overwhelmingly clear that it will be one of European origin that brokers a false peace between Israel and her neighbors. And on a side note—something no one seems to notice—every single time the United States has pressured Israel to give up more “land for peace”, a major disaster has struck the United States—every single time! It’s like, either we can’t learn or we won’t. But this one might be slightly different. How so? Only God knows, but it could be the beginning of a shift between the U.S. as peace broker to one of Europe as peace broker. In fact, I think that shift has already begun. Remember, the Bible says it will be a European “prince” who will “make a firm covenant with the many for [seven years]” (Daniel 9:26-27). The word make used here can be better translated make strong or cause to prevail. In other words, it’s not a new peace treaty this ‘prince’ makes but a confirmation of one already in existence. This ‘prince’, whoever he might be, will finally cause this seven year peace covenant to prevail, where other world leaders have failed.
On Monday, July 25, 2007, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair assumed his ‘limited’ duties as Special Peace Envoy for the so-called Middle East ‘Quartet’ that consists of the European Union, UN, Russia and the United States. His mandate is limited to helping the Palestinians develop and promote institutions and their economy toward their dream of an independent Palestinian State living ‘in peace’ alongside Israel. Can I smoke some of this weed too? Sorry, I get a little sarcastic at times. Anyway, this limited mandate isn’t setting too well with the leaders of the EU, who see themselves as the rightful leaders of the Middle East peace process. In fact, they are calling for Mr. Blair to take on more direct role of mediation, something generally reserved for the U.S. Furthermore, the EU is calling for the abandonment of the Road Map for peace and a return to the original plan and principles contained with the seven year (I’m not kidding) plan known as the Oslo Accords.
Why is this so amazing? As ridiculous as it sounds, this is pretty much in line with the way the Bible outlined the peace process described by the biblical prophets in the last days, or dare I say, the last of the last days. Daniel 11:39 says it will be based upon the concept of “Land for Peace”: “He will…parcel out land for a price.” Jeremiah 6:14 tells us this process will be totally one-sided in nature and leave Israel completely vulnerable: “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.” It will center on the city of Jerusalem—who will own it—and will be imposed by a global coalition: “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” Daniel 9:26-27 says it will be brokered by a European—a descendent of the people who destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the Romans—and will be based on a pre-existing seven-year agreement: “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week” (week here means seven years). There is only one seven-year plan on the books right now and that is the Oslo Accords brokered in 1993—an agreement which collapsed when Arafat went home and started his little intifada (or uprising—or better yet, cry-baby fit).
I am not saying Tony Blair is the long awaited antichrist. More than likely, he is not (see Daniel 11:37). However, his role will most likely be to set the stage for Europe to replace the United States as the primary Middle East peace broker. Such a move will put the EU in control of the process, which in turn will set the stage for the antichrist—exactly as the Bible predicted –with astonishing accuracy—over 2500 years ago. But wait, it gets better! At some point before this agreement is ‘confirmed’, the Bible tells those of us who are believers: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:15-17). With everything going on in the world of peacemaking these days, one has to wonder just how close we are to the Rapture of the Church. I believe we are mind-bogglingly close! Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? If not, your time is quickly running out
On Monday, July 25, 2007, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair assumed his ‘limited’ duties as Special Peace Envoy for the so-called Middle East ‘Quartet’ that consists of the European Union, UN, Russia and the United States. His mandate is limited to helping the Palestinians develop and promote institutions and their economy toward their dream of an independent Palestinian State living ‘in peace’ alongside Israel. Can I smoke some of this weed too? Sorry, I get a little sarcastic at times. Anyway, this limited mandate isn’t setting too well with the leaders of the EU, who see themselves as the rightful leaders of the Middle East peace process. In fact, they are calling for Mr. Blair to take on more direct role of mediation, something generally reserved for the U.S. Furthermore, the EU is calling for the abandonment of the Road Map for peace and a return to the original plan and principles contained with the seven year (I’m not kidding) plan known as the Oslo Accords.
Why is this so amazing? As ridiculous as it sounds, this is pretty much in line with the way the Bible outlined the peace process described by the biblical prophets in the last days, or dare I say, the last of the last days. Daniel 11:39 says it will be based upon the concept of “Land for Peace”: “He will…parcel out land for a price.” Jeremiah 6:14 tells us this process will be totally one-sided in nature and leave Israel completely vulnerable: “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.” It will center on the city of Jerusalem—who will own it—and will be imposed by a global coalition: “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” Daniel 9:26-27 says it will be brokered by a European—a descendent of the people who destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the Romans—and will be based on a pre-existing seven-year agreement: “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week” (week here means seven years). There is only one seven-year plan on the books right now and that is the Oslo Accords brokered in 1993—an agreement which collapsed when Arafat went home and started his little intifada (or uprising—or better yet, cry-baby fit).
I am not saying Tony Blair is the long awaited antichrist. More than likely, he is not (see Daniel 11:37). However, his role will most likely be to set the stage for Europe to replace the United States as the primary Middle East peace broker. Such a move will put the EU in control of the process, which in turn will set the stage for the antichrist—exactly as the Bible predicted –with astonishing accuracy—over 2500 years ago. But wait, it gets better! At some point before this agreement is ‘confirmed’, the Bible tells those of us who are believers: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:15-17). With everything going on in the world of peacemaking these days, one has to wonder just how close we are to the Rapture of the Church. I believe we are mind-bogglingly close! Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? If not, your time is quickly running out
- Published on
"I shall magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 38:23). “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Tensions continue to climb higher and higher in the Middle East. Wars and rumors of wars continue to make the headlines. Many Middle East experts are predicting another Arab-Israeli war sometime this summer. Many people are wondering just what in the world is going on.
Thankfully, for Christians, God has already given us all the information we need to make sense out of the times in which we live. In fact, a 2500 year old prophecy found in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 provide us with real-time intelligence as to what is unfolding in that area of the world. What has come to be known by many Bible scholars as the War of Gog and Magog – A Russian military alliance with Iran and other Middle Eastern and North African countries to annihilate Israel during the earth’s last days – seems to be rapidly taking shape. In this war, Ezekiel says the world will witness a supernatural judgment of Israel’s enemies and a spiritual awakening unlike any other seen in history. Many, particularly those who don’t hold to a literal interpretation of holy scripture, believe all this is mere coincidence. However, we must remember that prophecy is “sure, to which [we] do well to pay attention” (2 Pet. 1:19). God has clearly said, through the prophet Ezekiel, “I shall magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations” (38:23).
We can be sure this prophecy will be fulfilled. Our sureness is based on the truthfulness and faithfulness of God. What He says, He does. Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37 are prime examples of this. Nearly all of the prophecies contained within these two chapters have been literally fulfilled in the 20th Century. Ezekiel 36 and 37 are famous chapters that foretell the return of the Jews to the Holy Land after centuries of exile. This began in the late 19th Century and continues to this day. It further tells of the rebirth of the Nation of Israel. This happened on May 14, 1948 – A nation in a day (see Isaiah 66:7-9). It prophecies the rebuilding of the ancient ruins of Israel and the re-blossoming of desolate desert lands to produce abundant food, fruit and foliage. It also tells of the formation of an exceedingly great army – something that Israel’s enemies began to discover shortly after Israel became a nation again in 1948. They discovered it again in 1967 and 1973. The tiny Nation of Israel has developed an exceedingly great army, probably the best in the region and perhaps the world.
The accuracy of the prophecies of Ezekiel 36 and 37 having come true in our lifetime raises an intriguing question. If these prophecies have largely come true during our lifetime, isn’t it possible that Ezekiel 38 and 39 will soon come true as well? The answer is yes! It is very possible and highly probable that the events we see unfolding in the Middle East today are setting the stage for the War of Gog and Magog. Of all the countries listed as part of this Russian-Persian alliance, three are conspicuously absent from the list – Egypt, Iraq and Syria. Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 and Iraq is now so engrossed in its own internal struggles that it would be unlikely to join such a coalition. However, the wild card here seems to be Syria. It is no secret that Syria loathes Israel and would jump at any chance to destroy her. In fact the war drums seem to be beating louder and louder for war between Israel and Syria, perhaps as early as this summer. So where is the Syrian nation in Ezekiel’s list? For the answer to that question we need only look to the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 17:1, the Bible says, “The oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.” Nothing like this has ever happened in human history. In fact, Damascus is the oldest, continually inhabited city in the world. Could it be that something happens to take Syria out of the picture? One only need follow the evening news to figure that out. Therefore, I conclude with this question: What if the end is closer than you think?
Thankfully, for Christians, God has already given us all the information we need to make sense out of the times in which we live. In fact, a 2500 year old prophecy found in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 provide us with real-time intelligence as to what is unfolding in that area of the world. What has come to be known by many Bible scholars as the War of Gog and Magog – A Russian military alliance with Iran and other Middle Eastern and North African countries to annihilate Israel during the earth’s last days – seems to be rapidly taking shape. In this war, Ezekiel says the world will witness a supernatural judgment of Israel’s enemies and a spiritual awakening unlike any other seen in history. Many, particularly those who don’t hold to a literal interpretation of holy scripture, believe all this is mere coincidence. However, we must remember that prophecy is “sure, to which [we] do well to pay attention” (2 Pet. 1:19). God has clearly said, through the prophet Ezekiel, “I shall magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations” (38:23).
We can be sure this prophecy will be fulfilled. Our sureness is based on the truthfulness and faithfulness of God. What He says, He does. Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37 are prime examples of this. Nearly all of the prophecies contained within these two chapters have been literally fulfilled in the 20th Century. Ezekiel 36 and 37 are famous chapters that foretell the return of the Jews to the Holy Land after centuries of exile. This began in the late 19th Century and continues to this day. It further tells of the rebirth of the Nation of Israel. This happened on May 14, 1948 – A nation in a day (see Isaiah 66:7-9). It prophecies the rebuilding of the ancient ruins of Israel and the re-blossoming of desolate desert lands to produce abundant food, fruit and foliage. It also tells of the formation of an exceedingly great army – something that Israel’s enemies began to discover shortly after Israel became a nation again in 1948. They discovered it again in 1967 and 1973. The tiny Nation of Israel has developed an exceedingly great army, probably the best in the region and perhaps the world.
The accuracy of the prophecies of Ezekiel 36 and 37 having come true in our lifetime raises an intriguing question. If these prophecies have largely come true during our lifetime, isn’t it possible that Ezekiel 38 and 39 will soon come true as well? The answer is yes! It is very possible and highly probable that the events we see unfolding in the Middle East today are setting the stage for the War of Gog and Magog. Of all the countries listed as part of this Russian-Persian alliance, three are conspicuously absent from the list – Egypt, Iraq and Syria. Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 and Iraq is now so engrossed in its own internal struggles that it would be unlikely to join such a coalition. However, the wild card here seems to be Syria. It is no secret that Syria loathes Israel and would jump at any chance to destroy her. In fact the war drums seem to be beating louder and louder for war between Israel and Syria, perhaps as early as this summer. So where is the Syrian nation in Ezekiel’s list? For the answer to that question we need only look to the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 17:1, the Bible says, “The oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.” Nothing like this has ever happened in human history. In fact, Damascus is the oldest, continually inhabited city in the world. Could it be that something happens to take Syria out of the picture? One only need follow the evening news to figure that out. Therefore, I conclude with this question: What if the end is closer than you think?
- Published on
"I shall magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 38:23). “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Tensions continue to climb higher and higher in the Middle East. Wars and rumors of wars continue to make the headlines. Many Middle East experts are predicting another Arab-Israeli war sometime this summer. Many people are wondering just what in the world is going on.
Thankfully, for Christians, God has already given us all the information we need to make sense out of the times in which we live. In fact, a 2500 year old prophecy found in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 provide us with real-time intelligence as to what is unfolding in that area of the world. What has come to be known by many Bible scholars as the War of Gog and Magog – A Russian military alliance with Iran and other Middle Eastern and North African countries to annihilate Israel during the earth’s last days – seems to be rapidly taking shape. In this war, Ezekiel says the world will witness a supernatural judgment of Israel’s enemies and a spiritual awakening unlike any other seen in history. Many, particularly those who don’t hold to a literal interpretation of holy scripture, believe all this is mere coincidence. However, we must remember that prophecy is “sure, to which [we] do well to pay attention” (2 Pet. 1:19). God has clearly said, through the prophet Ezekiel, “I shall magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations” (38:23).
We can be sure this prophecy will be fulfilled. Our sureness is based on the truthfulness and faithfulness of God. What He says, He does. Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37 are prime examples of this. Nearly all of the prophecies contained within these two chapters have been literally fulfilled in the 20th Century. Ezekiel 36 and 37 are famous chapters that foretell the return of the Jews to the Holy Land after centuries of exile. This began in the late 19th Century and continues to this day. It further tells of the rebirth of the Nation of Israel. This happened on May 14, 1948 – A nation in a day (see Isaiah 66:7-9). It prophecies the rebuilding of the ancient ruins of Israel and the re-blossoming of desolate desert lands to produce abundant food, fruit and foliage. It also tells of the formation of an exceedingly great army – something that Israel’s enemies began to discover shortly after Israel became a nation again in 1948. They discovered it again in 1967 and 1973. The tiny Nation of Israel has developed an exceedingly great army, probably the best in the region and perhaps the world.
The accuracy of the prophecies of Ezekiel 36 and 37 having come true in our lifetime raises an intriguing question. If these prophecies have largely come true during our lifetime, isn’t it possible that Ezekiel 38 and 39 will soon come true as well? The answer is yes! It is very possible and highly probable that the events we see unfolding in the Middle East today are setting the stage for the War of Gog and Magog. Of all the countries listed as part of this Russian-Persian alliance, three are conspicuously absent from the list – Egypt, Iraq and Syria. Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 and Iraq is now so engrossed in its own internal struggles that it would be unlikely to join such a coalition. However, the wild card here seems to be Syria. It is no secret that Syria loathes Israel and would jump at any chance to destroy her. In fact the war drums seem to be beating louder and louder for war between Israel and Syria, perhaps as early as this summer. So where is the Syrian nation in Ezekiel’s list? For the answer to that question we need only look to the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 17:1, the Bible says, “The oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.” Nothing like this has ever happened in human history. In fact, Damascus is the oldest, continually inhabited city in the world. Could it be that something happens to take Syria out of the picture? One only need follow the evening news to figure that out. Therefore, I conclude with this question: What if the end is closer than you think?
Thankfully, for Christians, God has already given us all the information we need to make sense out of the times in which we live. In fact, a 2500 year old prophecy found in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 provide us with real-time intelligence as to what is unfolding in that area of the world. What has come to be known by many Bible scholars as the War of Gog and Magog – A Russian military alliance with Iran and other Middle Eastern and North African countries to annihilate Israel during the earth’s last days – seems to be rapidly taking shape. In this war, Ezekiel says the world will witness a supernatural judgment of Israel’s enemies and a spiritual awakening unlike any other seen in history. Many, particularly those who don’t hold to a literal interpretation of holy scripture, believe all this is mere coincidence. However, we must remember that prophecy is “sure, to which [we] do well to pay attention” (2 Pet. 1:19). God has clearly said, through the prophet Ezekiel, “I shall magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations” (38:23).
We can be sure this prophecy will be fulfilled. Our sureness is based on the truthfulness and faithfulness of God. What He says, He does. Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37 are prime examples of this. Nearly all of the prophecies contained within these two chapters have been literally fulfilled in the 20th Century. Ezekiel 36 and 37 are famous chapters that foretell the return of the Jews to the Holy Land after centuries of exile. This began in the late 19th Century and continues to this day. It further tells of the rebirth of the Nation of Israel. This happened on May 14, 1948 – A nation in a day (see Isaiah 66:7-9). It prophecies the rebuilding of the ancient ruins of Israel and the re-blossoming of desolate desert lands to produce abundant food, fruit and foliage. It also tells of the formation of an exceedingly great army – something that Israel’s enemies began to discover shortly after Israel became a nation again in 1948. They discovered it again in 1967 and 1973. The tiny Nation of Israel has developed an exceedingly great army, probably the best in the region and perhaps the world.
The accuracy of the prophecies of Ezekiel 36 and 37 having come true in our lifetime raises an intriguing question. If these prophecies have largely come true during our lifetime, isn’t it possible that Ezekiel 38 and 39 will soon come true as well? The answer is yes! It is very possible and highly probable that the events we see unfolding in the Middle East today are setting the stage for the War of Gog and Magog. Of all the countries listed as part of this Russian-Persian alliance, three are conspicuously absent from the list – Egypt, Iraq and Syria. Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 and Iraq is now so engrossed in its own internal struggles that it would be unlikely to join such a coalition. However, the wild card here seems to be Syria. It is no secret that Syria loathes Israel and would jump at any chance to destroy her. In fact the war drums seem to be beating louder and louder for war between Israel and Syria, perhaps as early as this summer. So where is the Syrian nation in Ezekiel’s list? For the answer to that question we need only look to the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 17:1, the Bible says, “The oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.” Nothing like this has ever happened in human history. In fact, Damascus is the oldest, continually inhabited city in the world. Could it be that something happens to take Syria out of the picture? One only need follow the evening news to figure that out. Therefore, I conclude with this question: What if the end is closer than you think?
- Published on
A major publisher has announced a new Bible translation that is sure to be well received by many mainline protestant denominations and even in some Roman Catholic circles. The new translation will be called The Amillennial Replacement Theology Version of the Holy Bible. This new translation has been developed to better meet the needs of the many mainline denominations that hold to an Amillennial interpretation of the end-times and believe the promises of God to Israel have been reassigned to the Church. The translation committee was made up of several scholars and their work spanned several years. The first step in developing this new translation, according to one scholar, was determining once and for all that the word everlasting, used in five of the six covenants found in Scripture, did not really mean everlasting in the sense of eternal or endless. Rather, the word could be better translated as being provisional or passing. Furthermore, many of the scholars on the committee questioned whether the word everlasting actually appeared in the original documents, and if so, a more figurative interpretation was probably in order. Additionally, some on the committee suggested that these everlasting covenants, if they indeed are everlasting, ultimately applied to the Church.
Many passages, mostly from the Old Testament, were determined to be either not a part of the original manuscripts or irrelevant for today. In order to make this translation of the Bible read better and maintain its integrity to Amillennialism and Replacement Theology, the translators completely omitted these many passages. Those passages omitted are listed and categorized as follows:
(1) Those passages referring to a future re-gathering, restoration and Nationhood of Israel: Genesis 15:18; 28:10-15; 35:9-12; Deuteronomy 30:3-5; Isaiah 27:12-13; 35:1-2; 41:18-20; 43:5-6; 51:3; 66:7-8; Jeremiah 16:14-15; 23:3-6; 32:36-37, 44; Ezekiel 4:3-6; 11:17; 20:34; 34:13; 36:8-11, 24, 33-35; 37:10-22; Joel 2:22; Amos 9:11-15; Micah 7:8-11; Zechariah 8:7-8.
(2) Those passages referring to the preservation of Israel: Genesis 15:5; Leviticus 26:3, 7-8, 44; Isaiah 49:13-18; 66:22; Jeremiah 30:11; 31:10, 35-36; 32:36-37; 46:28; Zechariah 8:13.
(3) Those passages referring to the worldwide impact of the Jewish people: Genesis 12:2-3; 28:10-15; Deuteronomy 28:64; Isaiah 27:6; 42:1-9; 49:6; Matthew 24:14; Luke 21:13. It should be noted that Genesis 12:2-3 is found within the notes section suggesting this promise was possibly directed to the Church rather than Israel.
(4) Those passages referring to the Nation of Israel and the end-times were also omitted or explained in the notes section as applying to the Church. It should also be noted that a lengthy section of notes addressed the current presence of the Jewish nation in the Middle East. The conclusion reached was the modern Nation of Israel is nothing more than an “accident of history” and has no bearing on Old Testament prophecy, the Church and God’s plan for the ages.
(5) Some notable New Testament passages were either omitted or further explained in the notes section. For example, passages such as John 14:2-3; 1 Corinthians 1:51-53; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 were omitted and included an explanation in the notes section that these passages were either added by the early Church or self-proclaimed scholars in the late 1700’s or early 1800’s, who taught that all end-times prophecy should be read for its literal, plain-sense meaning.
(6) The Book of Revelation was included in its entirety. However, the introductory section as well as the notes section indicated much of the prophecy of the book has already been fulfilled, mostly in A.D. 70. The remaining parts of the book are best understood as allegorical and having no major prophetic significance for today.
The final assessment of the translation committee was that prophecy concerning the First Advent of Jesus should be interpreted as literally true. However, those prophecies dealing with the Second Coming are better interpreted in a more spiritualized symbolical understanding. In other words, Second Coming Prophecy does not literally mean what it says. Surely, this translation will help in providing the Church a better understanding of God’s plan for the ages.
Well, obviously there is no such translation in existence or in the works. My point has simply been to demonstrate what is at stake when we spiritualize scripture rather than letting it say what it means and mean what it says. God does not have a speech impediment. He has clearly revealed His plan for the ages, involving both Israel and the Church. It’s not hard to understand. It’s just hard to believe. However, if you will believe it, you will understand it. God’s Word is literally true and its prophecies will be literally fulfilled.
Many passages, mostly from the Old Testament, were determined to be either not a part of the original manuscripts or irrelevant for today. In order to make this translation of the Bible read better and maintain its integrity to Amillennialism and Replacement Theology, the translators completely omitted these many passages. Those passages omitted are listed and categorized as follows:
(1) Those passages referring to a future re-gathering, restoration and Nationhood of Israel: Genesis 15:18; 28:10-15; 35:9-12; Deuteronomy 30:3-5; Isaiah 27:12-13; 35:1-2; 41:18-20; 43:5-6; 51:3; 66:7-8; Jeremiah 16:14-15; 23:3-6; 32:36-37, 44; Ezekiel 4:3-6; 11:17; 20:34; 34:13; 36:8-11, 24, 33-35; 37:10-22; Joel 2:22; Amos 9:11-15; Micah 7:8-11; Zechariah 8:7-8.
(2) Those passages referring to the preservation of Israel: Genesis 15:5; Leviticus 26:3, 7-8, 44; Isaiah 49:13-18; 66:22; Jeremiah 30:11; 31:10, 35-36; 32:36-37; 46:28; Zechariah 8:13.
(3) Those passages referring to the worldwide impact of the Jewish people: Genesis 12:2-3; 28:10-15; Deuteronomy 28:64; Isaiah 27:6; 42:1-9; 49:6; Matthew 24:14; Luke 21:13. It should be noted that Genesis 12:2-3 is found within the notes section suggesting this promise was possibly directed to the Church rather than Israel.
(4) Those passages referring to the Nation of Israel and the end-times were also omitted or explained in the notes section as applying to the Church. It should also be noted that a lengthy section of notes addressed the current presence of the Jewish nation in the Middle East. The conclusion reached was the modern Nation of Israel is nothing more than an “accident of history” and has no bearing on Old Testament prophecy, the Church and God’s plan for the ages.
(5) Some notable New Testament passages were either omitted or further explained in the notes section. For example, passages such as John 14:2-3; 1 Corinthians 1:51-53; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 were omitted and included an explanation in the notes section that these passages were either added by the early Church or self-proclaimed scholars in the late 1700’s or early 1800’s, who taught that all end-times prophecy should be read for its literal, plain-sense meaning.
(6) The Book of Revelation was included in its entirety. However, the introductory section as well as the notes section indicated much of the prophecy of the book has already been fulfilled, mostly in A.D. 70. The remaining parts of the book are best understood as allegorical and having no major prophetic significance for today.
The final assessment of the translation committee was that prophecy concerning the First Advent of Jesus should be interpreted as literally true. However, those prophecies dealing with the Second Coming are better interpreted in a more spiritualized symbolical understanding. In other words, Second Coming Prophecy does not literally mean what it says. Surely, this translation will help in providing the Church a better understanding of God’s plan for the ages.
Well, obviously there is no such translation in existence or in the works. My point has simply been to demonstrate what is at stake when we spiritualize scripture rather than letting it say what it means and mean what it says. God does not have a speech impediment. He has clearly revealed His plan for the ages, involving both Israel and the Church. It’s not hard to understand. It’s just hard to believe. However, if you will believe it, you will understand it. God’s Word is literally true and its prophecies will be literally fulfilled.