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“So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes”(Daniel 9:3). There are three things I believe with all my heart. These are things for which I will never apologize. First of all, I believe Jesus is God’s final word to the world on how to be saved. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son” (1:1-2). Luke wrote in Acts 4:12, “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.” Put those two statements together and we must conclude Jesus is it. He is the final message and the only way to be forgiven of sin and given the gift of eternal life. And this gift must be received through an informed and deliberate decision. Everyone is not headed for heaven. All religions do not lead to God but to eternal separation from Him and everything that is good. It is only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that we enter into right standing with God. This is what the Bible teaches. This is what I believe. It may not be politically correct. But I do not care. I believe Jesus is God’s final word to the world on how to be saved.
Another thing I believe with all my heart is Jesus is coming again. The Bible is crystal clear on this point. It leaves no room for negotiation. He is coming again. He is coming in the air, at the Rapture, for His Bride – the Church. At least seven years later (probably longer), He is coming physically to this earth to rescue Israel at the end of the Great Tribulation and judge her enemies, after which He will set up His Millennial Kingdom where He will reign for one thousand years. The Bible is absolutely unwavering on this. The Church has not replaced Israel. God has not concluded His program for Israel. One day the Church will be removed and His program for Israel will be fulfilled, followed by His literal return to this earth. Good, solid and strong hermeneutics (how we study, interpret and understand the Bible) allows for no other position. This is what I believe. A literal reading and understanding of Scripture leaves room for no other interpretation. I believe Jesus is coming again!
Since I believe Jesus is the only way to salvation and because I’m able to observe current events in our world in light of Bible prophecy, I realize that the Rapture of the Church is very near. Furthermore, I realize some very earth shaking events are on the horizon. For example, as things heat up in the Middle East, it is clear that the Burden of Damascus (Isaiah 17) and the War of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39) are closer than ever before to being fulfilled. As we see these events unfolding and the nearness of their fulfillment, how ought we to respond? I believe the only proper response is that of Daniel the Prophet. As he observed the nearness of the fulfillment of prophecy in his day, he did not get haughty or overly optimistic. He turned to the Lord in prayer, confessing the sins of his people and seeking His forgiveness. We should certainly do the same. But I also believe we should pray for people the world over to be saved. It is amazing to me that right now, more Jews are coming to faith in Jesus as the Messiah than at any other time in history. Furthermore, more Muslims are coming to faith in Christ in these days than at any other time in history. I mention Jews and Muslims only because the prophecies of the last days deal so much with that part of the world which includes Israel and the surrounding Muslim nations. As we see prophecy unfolding, the only proper response is to pray – that many would be saved and escape the things that are coming upon this world. This is what I believe. Jesus is coming again. He is our only hope for salvation. Therefore we must pray that many would be saved!
Another thing I believe with all my heart is Jesus is coming again. The Bible is crystal clear on this point. It leaves no room for negotiation. He is coming again. He is coming in the air, at the Rapture, for His Bride – the Church. At least seven years later (probably longer), He is coming physically to this earth to rescue Israel at the end of the Great Tribulation and judge her enemies, after which He will set up His Millennial Kingdom where He will reign for one thousand years. The Bible is absolutely unwavering on this. The Church has not replaced Israel. God has not concluded His program for Israel. One day the Church will be removed and His program for Israel will be fulfilled, followed by His literal return to this earth. Good, solid and strong hermeneutics (how we study, interpret and understand the Bible) allows for no other position. This is what I believe. A literal reading and understanding of Scripture leaves room for no other interpretation. I believe Jesus is coming again!
Since I believe Jesus is the only way to salvation and because I’m able to observe current events in our world in light of Bible prophecy, I realize that the Rapture of the Church is very near. Furthermore, I realize some very earth shaking events are on the horizon. For example, as things heat up in the Middle East, it is clear that the Burden of Damascus (Isaiah 17) and the War of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39) are closer than ever before to being fulfilled. As we see these events unfolding and the nearness of their fulfillment, how ought we to respond? I believe the only proper response is that of Daniel the Prophet. As he observed the nearness of the fulfillment of prophecy in his day, he did not get haughty or overly optimistic. He turned to the Lord in prayer, confessing the sins of his people and seeking His forgiveness. We should certainly do the same. But I also believe we should pray for people the world over to be saved. It is amazing to me that right now, more Jews are coming to faith in Jesus as the Messiah than at any other time in history. Furthermore, more Muslims are coming to faith in Christ in these days than at any other time in history. I mention Jews and Muslims only because the prophecies of the last days deal so much with that part of the world which includes Israel and the surrounding Muslim nations. As we see prophecy unfolding, the only proper response is to pray – that many would be saved and escape the things that are coming upon this world. This is what I believe. Jesus is coming again. He is our only hope for salvation. Therefore we must pray that many would be saved!
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“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.
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“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.
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“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
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“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
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. You are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31, NIV). I saw a flock of sparrows today. They were in the middle of the road, scurrying about, each vying for a share in whatever food they had eyed. I slowed down, giving each an opportunity to fly away, before I drove my earth destroyer SUV through their dining facility. Sparrows—of their species, they are probably the most numerous—not to mention the most insignificant. “Yet,” Jesus said, “not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of [our heavenly] Father.”
I confess to you that most of the time I simply do not understand the ways of God. I have a list of questions to ask Him when I finally get to heaven. I added another question to that list this week. This week—it began with worship on Sunday morning. I preached on my favorite subject—the soon return of our Lord. Monday—it was a mountain top experience, having had the opportunity to minister to one of the airmen on base. Wednesday was pretty uneventful. But then came Thursday. I received an urgent call that no chaplain would ever want to receive. A military member’s five year old son had been critically injured in a freak accident and was being airlifted to the nearest children’s hospital. Long story short—it was not good. The doctors offered little hope. Five years old, and his little life was quickly coming to an end. The parents were in anguish and I was not faring much better. Why did this have happen? What good could God possibly bring out of this? After all, aren’t there plenty of old people God could call home? Even I would have been willing to go in his place. Why this child, who had just celebrated his fifth birthday the day before? This was certainly a faith-shaking event for everyone it affected.
On Friday, I woke up, still questioning God’s wisdom. “I can’t take this,” I thought to myself. Maybe I should just turn in my cross, go live in a monastery and wait for Jesus to return. Surely that would shield me from any further dealings with pain and suffering. Meditating on such verses as Romans 8:18, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to us,” or 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For momentary, light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory,” did not seem to offer much comfort. I talked to my chaplain supervisor for over an hour. That conversation helped process some of the pain, but it did not help me make any sense out of this tragedy. The why questions continued—until I saw that flock of sparrows—“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.” This is the Word of the Lord!
We are not exempt from pain and suffering in this life. Tragedy and death knows no age. Yet, we must remember, God is sovereign. Not even the insignificant sparrow falls to the ground apart from His perfect knowledge—and somehow, life goes on. Somehow, this sovereign God begins to work these kinds of tragedies into His overall plan. Indeed, the suffering and pain of our present reality will pale when the glory of eternity is finally revealed. How can this be? Because the God we serve—Who controls even the sparrows departure—controls the events and circumstances of our lives. He knows and understands our pain. He feels our suffering. And He promises us no pain is without purpose. He is in control. Nothing catches Him by surprise. The Holy Trinity has never met in emergency session. He has it all under control. We just have trust Him, even when we cannot see our way clearly enough to make sense out of life. We must trust Him and His infinite wisdom. I saw a flock of sparrows today.
- 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.