Sunday, December 30, 2007

Reference Sources

On-Line Sources

Off-Line Sources

  • "Breath of the Holies: Secrets of Moses' Tabernacle" - DVD by Perry Stone

  • "Cruden's Complete Concordance" - Zondervan Publishing House
  • “Jerusalem Countdown” by John Hagee

  • “New International Biblical Commentary - Genesis” – John E. Hartley – Hendrickson Publishers

  • “New Living Translation” – Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.






Lookup a word or passage in the Bible








BibleGateway.com

posted by Oakview Bible Fellowship at 12:07 PM

Monday, January 29, 2007

Session Links

posted by Oakview Bible Fellowship at 2:11 PM

Sunday, September 17, 2006

The Olivet Discourse


   The "Olivet Discourse", which was delivered shortly before Jesus' crucifixion, is significant because it came from Jesus Himself immediately after He was rejected by His own people and because it provides the master outline of end-time events. It should be studied along with Daniel 2, 7, 8 and 9 and Revelation 2-20 to see the major events that yet await the world. It is mentioned in Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21.


   The rapture is not found here, because this passage predated the founding of the church and is, therefore, directed to Israel and the followers of Jesus as Messiah. The message predicts the events of Israel's future.



   What brought about Jesus' discourse was three questions asked by His disciples. Jesus had just foretold the destruction of the Temple (which took place in 70 A.D.). Because the disciples knew Daniel had predicted the Temple would be destroyed, they automatically assumed Jesus was talking about the end times that Daniel had mentioned. They had no idea that Jesus was foretelling a destruction that would take place in a little under 40 years. After Jesus made His statement, the disciples asked the natural questions:




  1. WHEN will these things be?

  2. What will the the SIGN of YOUR COMING?

  3. What will be the SIGN of the END OF THE AGE?





   Jesus' answer to the first question is in Luke 21:20-24 and Matthew 24:6-7:



Luke 21:20-24: And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Let those in Jerusalem escape, and those outside the city should not enter it for shelter. For those will be days of God's vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their babies. For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. They will be brutally killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be conquered and trampled down by the Gentiles until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end.

   The first sign Jesus pointed to was war - but not ordinary war. It would be a war started by two nations and joined by many others until the whole world is involved - World War I 1914-1918. The next major sign was World War II which led to the next big sign in 1948 - the recognition of Israel as a nation. These are all setting the stage for the Tribulation.

Matthew 24-25

(New Living Translation)

1 As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings.


2 But he told them, "Do you see all these buildings? I assure you, they will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another!"



3 Later, Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and asked, "When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world (or the age)?"



4 Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you.



5 For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray.



6 And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately.



7 The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.



8 But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.



9 "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.


   This occurred during Nero's reign, but Jesus is pointing to what's going to happen to those who are saved during the Tribulation. This period is detailed in Revelation 4-19 and is limited to seven years.



10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.



11 And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray.



12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.



13 But those who endure to the end will be saved.



14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come.



15 "The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about: the sacrilegious object that causes desecration* standing in the Holy Place"--reader, pay attention!



* Greek the abomination of desolation.


Daniel 9:27 - "After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end.
He will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. Then as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the end that has been decreed is poured out on this defiler."



Daniel 11:31 - His army will take over the Temple fortress, polluting the sanctuary, putting a stop to the daily sacrifices, and setting up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration.[Hebrew - the abomination of desolation].

Daniel 12:11 - "From the time the daily sacrifice is taken away and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration[Hebrew- the abomination of desolation] is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days.


16 "Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.


17 A person outside the house [Greek - on the roof] must not go inside to pack.



18 A person in the field must not return even to get a coat.



19 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their babies in those days.



20 And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath.



21 For that will be a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again.


   This is during the second half of the Tribulation period.



22 In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, the entire human race will be destroyed. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones.



23 "Then if anyone tells you, `Look, here is the Messiah,' or `There he is,' don't pay any attention.



24 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones.



25 See, I have warned you.




26 "So if someone tells you, `Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,' don't bother to go and look. Or, `Look, he is hiding here,' don't believe it!



27 For as the lightning lights up the entire sky, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.



28 Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. [Greek - Wherever the carcass is, the vultures gather.]



29 "Immediately after those horrible days end,

the sun will be darkened,

the moon will not give light,

the stars will fall from the sky,

and the powers of heaven will be shaken.



Isaiah 13:10 - The heavens will be black above them. No light will shine from stars or sun or moon.


Isaiah 34:4 - The heavens above will melt away and disappear like a rolled-up scroll. The stars will fall from the sky, just as withered leaves and fruit fall from a tree.


Joel 2:10 - The earth quakes as they advance, and the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine.


30 And then at last, the sign of the coming of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the nations of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.



Daniel 7:13 - As my vision continued that night, I saw someone who looked like a man [or like a Son of Man] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.



31 And he will send forth his angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.


Revelation 19:11-16 - Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was named Faithful and True. For he judges fairly and then goes to war. His eyes were bright like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him, and only he knew what it meant. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God. On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords.


   At this point, Jesus establishes the Millennial Kingdom and He judges the nations.



32 "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near.



33 Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.



34 I assure you, this generation [or this age or this nation] will not pass from the scene before all these things take place.



35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.



36 "However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.



37 "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day.


   It will be just like in Noah's day when people didn't believe Noah and were surprised when it started raining. In the same way, even when people are in the tribulation, experiencing the wrath of God, many are still not going to believe.


38 In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat.



39 People didn't realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.



40 "Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left.


   The one taken may be taken for judgment.



41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.



42 So be prepared, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming.



43 "Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would stay alert and not permit the house to be broken into.



44 You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected.



45 "Who is a faithful, sensible servant, to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family?



46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.



47 I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.



48 But if the servant is evil and thinks, `My master won't be back for a while,'



49 and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk--



50 well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected.

51 He will tear the servant apart (or "cut off" - excommunicated") and banish him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.




Matthew 25 - Story of the Ten Bridesmaids



1 "The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.



2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.



3 The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps,



4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.



5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all lay down and slept.



6 At midnight they were roused by the shout, `Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!'




7 "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.



8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, `Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.'



9 But the others replied, `We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.'



10 "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.



11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, `Sir, open the door for us!'



12 But he called back, `I don't know you!'


   Once the door was closed, it was too late to enter. Those who are shut out miss not simply a fine meal, but also the kingdom itself. Similar imagery to Luke 13:22–29 which talks about the narrow door, not being known by the Lord, banquet imagery and weeping and gnashing of teeth.


13 "So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.




Story of the Three Servants



14 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone.



15 He gave five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to the last--dividing it in proportion to their abilities--and then left on his trip.



16 The servant who received the five bags of gold began immediately to invest the money and soon doubled it.



17 The servant with two bags of gold also went right to work and doubled the money.

18 But the servant who received the one bag of gold dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money for safekeeping.

19 "After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.



20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said, `Sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.'



21 The master was full of praise. `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'



22 "Next came the servant who had received the two bags of gold, with the report, `Sir, you gave me two bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.'



23 The master said, `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'



24 "Then the servant with the one bag of gold came and said, `Sir, I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate.



25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth and here it is.'



26 "But the master replied, `You wicked and lazy servant! You think I'm a hard man, do you, harvesting crops I didn't plant and gathering crops I didn't cultivate?



27 Well, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest.



28 Take the money from this servant and give it to the one with the ten bags of gold.



29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away.



30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'



31 "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.



32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.



33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.



34 Then the King will say to those on the right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.



35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.



36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'



37 "Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?



38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?



39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?'



40 And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'



41 "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, `Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons!



42 For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me anything to drink.



43 I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'



44 "Then they will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?'



45 And he will answer, `I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'



46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."




On-Line Sources:



Off-Line Sources:



  • "Beginning of the End" by John Hagee - Thomas Nelson Publishers

  • "Bible Prophecy 101 - A Guide to the End Times in Plain Language" by Bruce Bickel & Stan Jantz - Harvest House Publishers

  • "Blow the Trumpet in Zion" by Richard Booker - Destiny Image Publishers

  • "Charting the End Times" by Tim LaHaye & Thomas Ice - Harvest House Publishers

  • "Daniel" by Lehman Strauss - Loizeaux Brothers Publishers

  • "Daniel - Shepherd's Notes" by Stephen Miller - Bradman & Holman Publishers

  • "Day of Deception" by John Hagee - Thomas Nelson Publishers

  • "Final Dawn over Jerusalem" by John Hagee - Thomas Nelson Publishers

  • "Jerusalem Countdown - A Warning to the World" by John Hagee - Front Line Publisher

  • "Life Application Study Bible - New Living Translation" - Tyndale House Publishers

  • "Prophecy Study Bible" by Tim LaHaye - AMG Publishers

  • "Revelation - An Expositional Commentary" by Donald Grey Barnhouse - Zondervan Publishing House

  • "Symbols of Judaism" by Marc-Alan Ouaknin - Barnes & Noble Books

  • "This Prophecy - An Exposition of the Book of the Revelation" by Charles Welch - The Berean Publishing Trust

  • "World Conditions and the End of the Age" by Stuart Allen- The Berean Publishing Trust

posted by Oakview Bible Fellowship at 11:53 AM

Monday, September 11, 2006

Session 10 - A Peaceful Religion?

"Fight and slay the pagans (infidels) wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war". - Koran, Sura 9:5


"Believers (Muslims), take neither Jews nor Christians to be your friends: they are friends with one another. Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number, and God does not guide (those Jewish and Christian) wrongdoers." - Koran, Sura 5:51-5:74


The Islamic agenda can no longer be ignored. They now have the resources, oil, and oil revenues and, now, nuclear weapons. Their "Jihad" is not against the Jews, it is directed against the entire non-Muslim world. The world of Islam divides the entire universe into only two parts: Dar Al Islam, the domain of the faithful (to Islam); and the Dar Al Harb, those with whom they are at war with until Judgment Day!


Islam commands almost 2 billion adherents, and is clearly the fastest growing religion in the world today. In this 21st century, Islam is the greatest threat to Christianity and the free world. In Britain, there are more Muslims than evangelical Christians, more than 1,000 churches have been converted into mosques. There are more Muslims than Jews in North America. There are almost 2,000 mosques in the US.


It is interesting to note that Islam did not begin with Muhammad. Before the advent of Muhammad, the Sabeans in Arabia were into astral religion, the worship of heavenly bodies. The moon was viewed as a male deity; the sun, a female deity; the stars were viewed as their offspring. It was from this background that we got our lunar calendar. Fasting was, and still is, done from crescent moon to crescent moon.


One of the names for the Moon-god was "Sin". "Sin" was elevated to the top of the Babylonian pantheon by Nabodnidus in an effort to make the Babylonian religion more acceptable to their subjects like the Arabians and the Aramaeans, who esteemed the moon god, and had difficulty identifying with Marduk, the supreme Babylonian deity associated primarily with the city of Babylon. Sin, "The Controller of the Night," had the crescent moon as its emblem, and the lunar-based calendar, which later became the primary religious symbols of Islam. The Moon-god was worshipped in Arabia as Al-llah, later simplified to Allah. Allah was the "Lord of the Ka'aba" ("cube"), the center of pagan worship, ruling over 360 idols. Due to its location along the trade routes, Mecca became the center of all pagan religions of Arabia.


It was required long before Muhammad, to bow and pray toward Mecca. Pilgrimages there were required; the Ka'aba, site of the protective black stone, was circled seven times, kissed, and then the pilgrims would run to Wadi Mina to throw stones at the Devil. These pagan rituals are still practiced in Islam today.



The nature of Islam is a legacy of hate, born of deception, weaned on violence. Islam means "Submission". Originally, it referred to that strength which made a desert warrior, who, even faced with impossible odds, would fight to the death for his tribe.


The nature of Allah, the God of Islam differs greatly from the Christian God. The Islamic Allah is unknowable, impersonal, capricious (thus, untrustworthy). The God of the Old Testament is immutable, unchanging, and makes and keeps His covenants and promises. Important contrast between Muhammad and Jesus Christ. Muhammad was not sinless: Sura 40:55. Nor did he ever perform a single miracle: Sura 17:91-95. He did not die for anyone. Unlike Jesus Christ, no personal relationship is possible: Muhammad is dead.


It is not the size of Israel that is the problem with Islam: it is the existence of Israel that is the problem. All of Islam is irrevocably committed to the total destruction of Israel. So, it does not matter how much land Israel gives up or how many concessions they make, as long as Israel is still in existence there will always be a thorn in the side of Islam. Could the battle of Ezekiel 38, be the Islamic attempt to remove this thorn from their side once and for all? Russia, has aligned themselves with most of the nations listed in Ezekiel 38, being their provider of weapons and even going as far as signing treaties with these nations to protect them in case of war. So, the hook in the jaw has been set, I believe God is already tugging on the line!


The Invasion


"Get ready, be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them." Ezekiel 38:7


Magog (Russia), is to be both the leader and provider. It is no coincidence that Russia is presently the major provider of weapons and technology to the very allies listed.


"After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety." Ezekiel 38:8




Magog (Russia) will lead the invasion against Israel. After being dispersed for almost 2,000 years. God, miraculously regathered the people back to their promised land, just as the Bible predicted.


"You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land." Ezekiel 38:9



All the allies of Magog are Islamic and are united in their hatred of Israel. They will be united by their common denial of Israel to exist as a nation and the commitment to their complete annihilation.


"'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You will say, "I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people--all of them living without walls and without gates and bars." Ezekiel 38:10-11



Israel today, is not living a peaceful lifestyle. Every Israeli has to be constantly alert and be prepared for an attack or act of terrorism. So this indicates that at the time of the Magog invasion, they will be living under some sort of peace agreement. They will be living under a false sense of security, Israel will let it's guard down.


"I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land." Ezekiel 38:12



It's only been about 50 years ago that Israel was a desert wasteland, you would have to walk miles just to see a tree. Now it's known as the "Fruit Basket of Europe. A country about the size of Rhode Island, is now the fourth largest exporter of fruit in the world.


"Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, 'Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?'" Ezekiel 38:13


Sheba and Dedan were cities in what is now Saudi Arabia. They are not part of the invasion, but they do question what the invasion is for. Saudi Arabia is fearful of an attack by Iran, Iran wants to control all of Islam. By attacking Saudi Arabia not only would they have all the oil, but they would also gain control over Mecca. Thus they would control Mecca and Medina, the two most holy sites in all of Islam. No wonder Sheba and Dedan are sitting out this invasion.


Who is Tarshish? Tarshish first appears as one of the sons of Javan, a brother of Magog, both sons of Japheth (1Chronicles 1:7). Scripture clearly identifies Tarshish as a very remote sea-trading island, as much as three years distant. Jonah, in fleeing his call to Nineveh, boarded a ship to Tarshish. While nothing is concrete, most Bible teachers believe that Britain is modern day Tarshish. Tarshish was known as a source of tin. "Britannia" means a source of tin. Wessex people enjoyed trade with the Eastern Mediterranean as early as 1500 B.C. Some even suggest that the "young lions" associated with Tarshish are the colonies Britain founded. This would include the United States. Interesting to note that scripture does not mention the United States. Israel is our ally, could something happen to the US to prevent us from rushing to Israel's side?


"Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army." Ezekiel 38:14-15


The far north is literally the "extreme or utmost" parts of the north. Any map will show you that Russia is due north of Israel. The reference to horses, comes from the Hebrew word "soos", which means "leaper". That can also be translated as "bird" or "chariot-rider". Ezekiel gave it his best when trying to describe a modern day military army. Israel's main battle tank is the Merkeva, or "Chariot."



"You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes." Ezekiel 38:16


Read carefully what God says, the Magog invasion will literally be going up against God's people and God's land. The land doesn't belong to Israel or the Palestinians, but to God alone. I don't know about you, but I'm placing my bet on God!


"Thus says the Lord GOD: "Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them? And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel," says the Lord GOD, "that My fury will show in My face." Ezekiel 38:17-18


God does not pull any surprises. He is giving everyone plenty of warning. Through His prophets, we have known about the Magog invasion for about 2,500 years. God is going to intervene, not because Israel deserves His help, it's because His reputation is on the line! Magog is throwing sand in God's face, God says enough is enough!


"For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: 'Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, 'so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground." Ezekiel 38: 19-20



We have had some bad earthquakes where I live, but nothing compares to the earthquake described above. The whole world will feel this one, and the whole world will know that God's hand is behind the shaking.


"I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains," says the Lord GOD. Every man's sword will be against his brother. And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone." Ezekiel 38:21-22


This could be God literally raining fire down on Magog or it could be nuclear. Israel has nuclear and neutron technology. If forced, they will pull out all stops to protect themselves. Or, they just might use the "Samson Option", and attempt to take everyone with them if they feel they have no other choice. A earthquake of this magnitude could clear the way for Israel to rebuild its Third Temple and the battle could usher in the reign of the Antichrist.


The Battle Belongs to the Lord


God declares through His prophet Ezekiel that He will defeat Russia and its allies in the greatest military disaster in history. According to Ezekiel 39:2, five-sixth's of the Russian led armies (85 percent) will be annihilated by God upon the mountains of Israel. The Lord will trigger the greatest earthquake experienced thus far in history, centered in the mountains of Israel, but affecting the cities around the globe. In addition, the supernatural destruction will be accompanied by God's additional judgments, including "pestilence, overflowing rain, great hailstones, fire, brimstone" (38:22). The Lord will send such confusion and chaos upon the enemy that "every man's sword shall be against his brother" (verse 21). The devastation and loss of human life will be so great that "seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them" (Ezekiel 39:12). The captured weapons and fuel supplies will provide fuel for the towns and villages of Israel for seven years. (verse 9)


It is interesting to note that new Russian weapons are being produced using a new material known as lignostone. Prepared from compressed wood-product, this material was developed in Holland to be used as fuel. However, the Soviet weapons laboratories discovered that this unique substance, called lignostone, is as strong as steel, light, pliable, and almost invisible to radar. These unique characteristics encouraged the Russian military to utilize this material in many military vehicles and weapons. One of the characteristics of lignostone is that it burns at very high temperatures and can be readily used as an alternative fuel. The use of lignostone, and the fact that mobile Russian military units can carry large amounts of fuel (in containers 100 yards across) for their tanks and helicopters, may explain the prophecy that the defeat of this army will provide ample fuel for Israel for a period of seven years.


The prophecy recorded in Ezekiel 38:21­22 indicates that God's purpose in this extraordinary intervention in history is to glorify and sanctify His Holy Name in the sight of Israel and the Gentile nations. The awesome destruction associated with this victory over the Russian led armies will not be confined solely to the invading armies. God declared, "And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 39:6). Russia (Magog) will be devastated by the wrath of God, as well as those nations "dwelling carelessly in the isles" which may refer to Europe and America.


Russia has pre-positioned enormous military supplies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Egypt in preparation for the coming Russian-Arab invasion of Israel. It is both easier and more efficient for Russia to airlift huge numbers of lightly armed men into Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon to pick up previously positioned weapons, than to airlift the military supplies for them. Military equipment often weighs five to ten times the weight of the soldier who will use that equipment. The same logic motivates the United States military to preposition enormous amounts of military supplies in Europe to be available for American and Canadian troops who would be flown into France and Germany in the event of a Russian invasion of Western Europe. The PLO, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, and Syria are themselves already so heavily armed that they have little practical use for this additional equipment.


Russia and its allies have their date with destiny, we also have a destiny "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) and "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23), but unlike Russia and it's allies, we can change our destiny!



Primary Source: www.prophecyupdate.com/swordofallah.htm

posted by Oakview Bible Fellowship at 5:17 PM

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Session 9 - Current Events in the Middle East

posted by Oakview Bible Fellowship at 3:53 PM

Monday, September 04, 2006

The Magog Invasion - Ezekiel 38 and 39


  • Judgments on Jerusalem

  • The future destinies of the nations

  • Restoration of the nation Israel


    • The Valley of Dry Bones: Chapters 36-37

    • Gog and Magog: Chapters 38-39

    • The Millennium: Chapters 40-48



Ezekiel 38-39 (New Living Translation)


Ezekiel 38

A Message for Gog


1 This is another message that came to me from the LORD:


2 "Son of man, prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog*, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech** and Tubal***.


*Magog: Genesis 10:1-2: This is the history of the families of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the three sons of Noah. Many children were born to them after the Flood. The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. So, Magog is a descendant of Japheth the son of Noah. In the 8th century B.C., about the same time as the Greek poet Homer, a poet by the name of Hesiod, referred to the people of Magog by their Greek name - the Scythians. The Greek historian Herodutus, known as the "father of history" in the 5th century B.C., wrote the history of the Scythians as did also Philo of Alexandria, a Jewish philosopher in the 1st century B.C., and the Jewish historian Josephus (37 - 101 A.D.). They referred to the Wall of China as "the ramparts of Gog and Magog, to keep them out of China. In verse 15 below, we see that Gog comes from the "distant north" (north from Israel). The Russians sometimes saw themselves as Scythians in 18th-century poetry, as some contemporary scholars sought to demonstrate their descent from the ancient warriors described by Herodotus. So, who is Gog and where is Magog - Russia!


**Meshech: The 6th son of Japheth. Turkey.


***Tubal: The 5th son of Japheth. Herodotus places them along the Black Sea - Turkey and Russia.


3 Give him this message from the Sovereign LORD: Gog, I am your enemy!


4 I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you out to your destruction. I will mobilize your troops and cavalry and make you a vast and mighty horde, all fully armed.


5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya* will join you, too, with all their weapons.


*Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya: Hebrew Paras, Cush, and Put


   Persia is Iran. Referred to as Elam, the first son of Shem, by the Bible. See Genesis 14:1-16 regarding the king of Elam and the capture and rescue of Lot by Abraham.


   Ethiopa (Cush) is black Africa lying between the 2nd and 3rd cataracts of the Nile.


   Libya (Put or Phut) is North Africa. Phut was the third son of Ham. Libya was orinally known as "the Putites". This includes Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Mauratania.


The Book of Ezekiel



6 Gomer* and all its hordes will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north and many others.


*Gomer: The Cimmerians, rendered "Germania" in the Babylonian Talmud. In the Rhine and Danube valleys.


7 "Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them.


8 A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be lying in peace after her recovery from war and after the return of her people from many lands.


9 You and all your allies--a vast and awesome horde--will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.


10 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme.


11 You will say, `Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence!


12 I will go to those once-desolate cities that are again filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder and take many slaves, for the people are rich with cattle now, and they think the whole world revolves around them!'


13 But Sheba and Dedan* and the merchants of Tarshish** will ask, `Who are you to rob them of silver and gold? Who are you to drive away their cattle and seize their goods and make them poor?'


*Sheba and Dedan: Grandsons of Abraham through his 3rd wife, Keturah. Not the sons of Ishmae, which are the Arabs.


**Tarshish: The grandson of Japhath, son of Javan (Greece). Tarshish is described as an island, with sea traffic. Possibly Britain.


14 "Therefore, son of man, prophesy against Gog. Give him this message from the Sovereign LORD: When my people are living in peace in their land, then you will rouse yourself you will rouse yourself*.


*you will rouse yourself: As in Greek version; Hebrew reads then you will know.


15 You will come from your homeland in the distant north with your vast cavalry and your mighty army,


16 and you will cover the land like a cloud. This will happen in the distant future. I will bring you against my land as everyone watches, and my holiness will be displayed by what happens to you. Then all the nations will know that I am the LORD.


17 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: You are the one I was talking about long ago, when I announced through Israel's prophets that in future days I would bring you against my people.


18 But when Gog invades the land of Israel, says the Sovereign LORD, my fury will rise!


19 For in my jealousy and blazing anger, I promise a mighty shaking in the land of Israel on that day.


20 All living things--all the fish, birds, animals, and people--will quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs will crumble; walls will fall to the earth.


21 I will summon the sword against you throughout Israel, says the Sovereign LORD. Your men will turn against each other in mortal combat.


22 I will punish you and your hordes with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur!


23 Thus will I show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the LORD!



Ezekiel 39

The Slaughter of Gog's Armies


1 "Son of man, prophesy against Gog. Give him this message from the Sovereign LORD: I am your enemy, O Gog, ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal.


2 I will turn you and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north.


3 I will knock your weapons from your hands and leave you helpless.


4 You and all your vast hordes will die on the mountains. I will give you as food to the vultures and wild animals.


5 You will fall in the open fields, for I have spoken, says the Sovereign LORD.


6 And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live safely on the coasts. Then they will know that I am the LORD.


7 "Thus, I will make known my holy name among my people of Israel. I will not let it be desecrated anymore. And the nations, too, will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.


8 That day of judgment will come, says the Sovereign LORD. Everything will happen just as I have declared it.


9 "Then the people in the towns of Israel will go out and pick up your small and large shields, bows and arrows, javelins and spears, and they will use them for fuel. There will be enough to last them seven years!


10 They will need nothing else for their fires. They won't need to cut wood from the fields or forests, for these weapons will give them all they need. They will take plunder from those who planned to plunder them, says the Sovereign LORD.


11 "And I will make a vast graveyard for Gog and his hordes in the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Dead Sea.* The path of those who travel there will be blocked by this burial ground, and they will change the name of the place to the Valley of Gog's Hordes.


*Dead Sea: Hebrew the sea


12 It will take seven months for the people of Israel to cleanse the land by burying the bodies.


13 Everyone in Israel will help, for it will be a glorious victory for Israel when I demonstrate my glory on that day, says the Sovereign LORD.


14 At the end of the seven months, special crews will be appointed to search the land for any skeletons and to bury them, so the land will be made clean again.


15 Whenever some bones are found, a marker will be set up beside them so the burial crews will see them and take them to be buried in the Valley of Gog's Hordes.


16 (There will be a town there named Hamonah--which means `horde.') And so the land will finally be cleansed.


17 "And now, son of man, call all the birds and wild animals, says the Sovereign LORD. Say to them: Gather together for my great sacrificial feast. Come from far and near to the mountains of Israel, and there eat the flesh and drink the blood!


18 Eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of princes as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and fat young bulls of Bashan!


19 Gorge yourselves with flesh until you are glutted; drink blood until you are drunk. This is the sacrificial feast I have prepared for you.


20 Feast at my banquet table--feast on horses, riders, and valiant warriors, says the Sovereign LORD.


21 "Thus, I will demonstrate my glory among the nations. Everyone will see the punishment I have inflicted on them and the power I have demonstrated.


22 And from that time on the people of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God.


23 The nations will then know why Israel was sent away to exile--it was punishment for sin, for they acted in treachery against their God. Therefore, I turned my back on them and let their enemies destroy them.


24 I turned my face away and punished them in proportion to the vileness of their sins.


Restoration for Gods People

25 "So now the Sovereign LORD says: I will end the captivity of my people*; I will have mercy on Israel, for I am jealous for my holy reputation!


*of my people: Hebrew of Jacob.


26 They will accept responsibility for their past shame and treachery against me after they come home to live in peace and safety in their own land. And then no one will bother them or make them afraid.


27 When I bring them home from the lands of their enemies, my holiness will be displayed to the nations.


28 Then my people will know that I am the LORD their God--responsible for sending them away to exile and responsible for bringing them home. I will leave none of my people behind.


29 And I will never again turn my back on them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon them, says the Sovereign LORD."



On-Line Sources:



Off-Line Sources:



  • "Beginning of the End" by John Hagee - Thomas Nelson Publishers

  • "Bible Prophecy 101 - A Guide to the End Times in Plain Language" by Bruce Bickel & Stan Jantz - Harvest House Publishers

  • "Blow the Trumpet in Zion" by Richard Booker - Destiny Image Publishers

  • "Charting the End Times" by Tim LaHaye & Thomas Ice - Harvest House Publishers

  • "Daniel" by Lehman Strauss - Loizeaux Brothers Publishers

  • "Daniel - Shepherd's Notes" by Stephen Miller - Bradman & Holman Publishers

  • "Day of Deception" by John Hagee - Thomas Nelson Publishers

  • "Final Dawn over Jerusalem" by John Hagee - Thomas Nelson Publishers

  • "Jerusalem Countdown - A Warning to the World" by John Hagee - Front Line Publisher

  • "Life Application Study Bible - New Living Translation" - Tyndale House Publishers

  • "Prophecy Study Bible" by Tim LaHaye - AMG Publishers

  • "Revelation - An Expositional Commentary" by Donald Grey Barnhouse - Zondervan Publishing House

  • "Symbols of Judaism" by Marc-Alan Ouaknin - Barnes & Noble Books

  • "This Prophecy - An Exposition of the Book of the Revelation" by Charles Welch - The Berean Publishing Trust

  • "World Conditions and the End of the Age" by Stuart Allen- The Berean Publishing Trust

posted by Oakview Bible Fellowship at 3:25 PM

Monday, July 10, 2006

Prophecy and Current Events-7

















The Tribulation - The First Half
  
  
  



RELEVANT VERSES:



  • Daniel 9:21-26: As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He explained to me, "Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. I am here to tell you what it was, for God loves you very much. Now listen, so you can understand the meaning of your vision. A period of seventy sets of seven [Hebrew - 70 sevens] has been decreed for your people and your holy city to put down rebellion, to bring an end to sin, to atone for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. [Or the Most Holy One] Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven [Hebrew - Seven sevens plus 62 sevens] will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times. After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, [Hebrew - After 62 sevens] the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end."

  • Daniel 12:11-12: From the time the daily sacrifice is taken away and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration [Hebrew - the abomination of desolation] is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days. And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 day! NOTE: 1,290 days divided by 360 days/ Biblical Year = 3.7 years or divided by 365 days/year = 3.5 years.

  • Matthew 24: As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he told them, "Do you see all these buildings? I assure you, they will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another!" Later, Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and asked, "When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world [or age]?" Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray. And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come. The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about: the sacrilegious object that causes desecration [Greek - the abomination of desolation] standing in the Holy Place"--reader, pay attention! "Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person outside the house must not go inside to pack. A person in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their babies in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For that will be a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, the entire human race will be destroyed. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones. Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or 'There he is,' don't pay any attention. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. See, I have warned you. So if someone tells you, 'Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,' don't bother to go and look. Or, 'Look, he is hiding here,' don't believe it! For as the lightning lights up the entire sky, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. Immediately after those horrible days end, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then at last, the sign of the coming of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the nations of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send forth his angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near. Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever. However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So be prepared, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would stay alert and not permit the house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected. Who is a faithful, sensible servant, to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family? If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But if the servant is evil and thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk-- well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

  • Revelation 6: As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then one of the four living beings called out with a voice that sounded like thunder, "Come!" I looked up and saw a white horse. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory. When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, "Come!" And another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to remove peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere. When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, "Come!" And I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. And a voice from among the four living beings said, "A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley for a day's pay. And don't waste [or hurt] the olive oil and wine." And when the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, "Come!" And I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green like a corpse. And Death was the name of its rider, who was followed around by the Grave [Greek - by Hades]. They were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease [Greek - death] and wild animals. And when the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their witness. They called loudly to the Lord and said, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge the people who belong to this world for what they have done to us? When will you avenge our blood against these people?" Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters--their fellow servants of Jesus--had been martyred. I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from trees shaken by mighty winds. And the sky was rolled up like a scroll and taken away. And all of the mountains and all of the islands disappeared. Then the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy people, the people with great power, and every slave and every free person--all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who will be able to survive?"

  • Revelation 11:1-11: Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, "Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers. But do not measure the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will trample the holy city for 42 months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in sackcloth and will prophesy during those 1,260 days." These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from the mouths of the prophets and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die. They have power to shut the skies so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to send every kind of plague upon the earth as often as they wish. When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them. He will conquer them and kill them. And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, [Greek - the great city.] the city which is called "Sodom" and "Egypt," the city where their Lord was crucified. And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will come to stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. All the people who belong to this world will give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them. But after three and a half days, the spirit of life from God entered them, and they stood up! And terror struck all who were staring at them. Then a loud voice shouted from heaven, "Come up here!" And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.

  • Revelation 19:11-16: Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was named Faithful and True. For he judges fairly and then goes to war. His eyes were bright like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him, and only he knew what it meant. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God. On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords.






TERMS TO UNDERSTAND




  • Tribulation--affliction, trouble, pressure, distress - John 16:33: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

  • The Tribulation--the final seven years before Christ returns to the earth. Also referred to as Daniel's 70th week. This begins after the Rapture we covered last week.

  • The Great Tribulation--the last 3½ years before Christ returns to the earth. This will be the most intense and difficult time of trouble the world has ever known - Matthew 24:21: For that will be a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again.

  • The Day of the Lord- A time when God directly intervenes in the affairs of men especially by judgment but also by way of blessing. It is often used in the Bible to describe the judgment and wrath of God poured out upon the world during the Tribulation period.

  • Daniel's 70th Week--based on Daniel 9:24-27. This refers to the final seven years before Christ returns to the earth (the "week" being a period of seven years, not seven days). "A period of seventy sets of seven [Hebrew "70 sevens"] has been decreed for your people and your holy city to put down rebellion, to bring an end to sin, to atone for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.[Or the Most Holy One] Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven [Hebrew "Seven sevens plus 62 sevens"] will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times. "After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, [Hebrew "After 62 sevens"] the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end. He will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, [Hebrew for "one seven"] but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. Then as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, [Hebrew "an abomination of desolation"] until the end that has been decreed is poured out on this defiler." The "Anointed One" is, of course, Jesus Christ. The ruler referred to is the Roman Titus. The "He" who will make a treaty is the Anti-Christ.



WHAT is the "Tribulation"?


The word "tribulation," used as a prophetic term, comes from Jesus' Olivet discourse, during which He laid out the future course of human history all the way to its climax at His Second Coming. The Lord said, in response to His disciples’ question, What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew. 24:21 - King James Version).


It is a time that will begin with Antichrist signing a seven-year covenant guaranteeing Israel's peace and security (Daniel 9:27). This era is kicked off, symbolically, beginning with the first horseman of the Apocalypse (Revelation 6:1).


The Tribulation is generally thought to occur before the Second Coming of Jesus and the end of the world. It will last seven years in all, usually divided into two periods of 3.5 years each. The time period for these beliefs is based on the phrases found several places in the book of Daniel, "time, times, and half a time," interpreted as "a year, two years, and half a year," and the book of Revelation, "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" and "forty and two months" (the prophetic month averaging 30 days, hence 1260/30 = 42 months or 3.5 years). Note: a score is 20.


The Tribulation is a future 7 year period of time where God's wrath is poured out on the earth by means of seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls, which are laid out chronologically in the Book of Revelation and follows the rapture of the Church. The first 3 1/2 witness the rise of the antichrist and the rebuilding of the Jewish temple. The Great Tribulation is simply the last 3 1/2 years. The purpose is to give the nations an opportunity to repent and to draw Israel back into God's plan. It is the seventieth week of Daniel 9:24-27. It begins with a seven year covenant signed by the Antichrist and Israel and ends with the Second Coming of our Lord to set up His kingdom on earth. - http://www.tribulationforces.com/basics/glossary.shtml#T


Why does Israel need this covenant or peace treaty? What's going on today in Israel and the Middle East? - War! What are the signs today? What's happening today that points to this time? Is the war between Israel and Hizzbolah? The conflict in Gaza? Iran's (Persia's) sword rattling? Threats from Damascus (which Isaiah 17:1 says is to be a "heap of ruins" in the end times)?



Tribulation events


All Christians then alive will be taken bodily up to Heaven (called the rapture) before the Tribulation begins. Those who become Christians after the rapture will live through (or perish during) the Tribulation. After the Tribulation, Christ will return.
The rapture and the Second Coming (or Greek, paraousia) of Christ are separate events.


The Tribulation will end when Christ returns from Heaven to defeat God's enemies and set up His Millennial Kingdom on earth (Revelation 19:11-16).


Throughout Scripture, the Tribulation is referred to by other names such as:


1) Day of the Lord (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6, 9; Joel 1:15, 2:1, 11, 31, 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2)


2) Trouble or tribulation (Deuteronomy 4:30; Zephaniah 1:1)


3) Great Tribulation which refers to the most intense second half of the 7-year period (Matthew 24:21)


4) Time or day of trouble (Daniel 12:1; Zephaniah 1:15)


5) Time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)


It is a 7 year period, but the Lord has cut it short (Mark 13:20; Romans 9:28). We are now living in that generation in which this will happen. During this horrible period of God’s wrath, Russia, Iran, and other nations will come against Israel. The USA becomes involved. One-fourth of the world’s population will die. One-third of trees are burned up. All green grass is burned up. One-third of the sea will become blood. One-third of the creatures in the sea will die. One-third of the ships are destroyed. One-third of the waters become wormwood (or poisoned, or radioactive). Massive famines, increased earthquakes, and more diseases will happen as birth pangs of a woman. Those left alive will have opportunities to receive Jesus through the preaching of 144,000 male, virgin Jews; however, death by decapitation lies ahead for most that put their trust in Jesus, unless they renounce their faith. There will also be many false Christs and false prophets. A one-world, false religion that God calls MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH will increase. This religion has existed for thousands of years and exists today (in what form?). The nations of the world have become intoxicated with her false teachings. The temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt.



The 2000 Year Gap

The clearest and most complete chronological prophecy that God has given to us is the 70 week prophecy in the book of Daniel (9:24-27). These 70 weeks involve 490 years of Jewish history (each "week" equals 7 years). The first 69 weeks (483) years have been fulfilled in history. The last week, known as Daniel's 70th week, is a seven year period which has not yet taken place in history. This is also known as the seven year Tribulation period.


After the first 69 weeks, the Messiah was cut off. Daniel's 70th week will not begin until a covenant or treaty is made between the Antichrist and Israel (Daniel 9:27).


The Church Age is nearly 2000 years in duration. How can we explain this "GAP" between the 69th week and the 70th week? It is as if God's clock for Israel has stopped, waiting to start ticking again at some future time.


Just as the Church had an abrupt beginning shortly after the conclusion of the 69th week (the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost), so we should expect the Church to have an abrupt removal shortly before the beginning of the 70th week.

Reference: http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/proph/rapture.htm





The tribulation is divided in half by the abomination of desolation, mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24:15 ("The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about: the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place"--reader, pay attention!) See Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11.


Matthew 24:4-14 refers to the first half of the tribulation and are parallel to the first five seal judgments found in Revelation 6.



Birth Pangs


Matthew 24:8 characterizes the events of verses 4-7 as " the beginning of birth-pangs." The Greek word means " the pain of childbirth, travail-pain, birth-pang." It is said to be " intolerable anguish, in reference to the dire calamities which the Jews supposed would precede the advent of the Messiah."


Most likely our Lord had in mind the Old Testament reference to birth pangs in Jeremiah 30:6-7, which says, 'Now let me ask you a question: Do men give birth to babies? Then why do they stand there, ashen-faced, hands pressed against their sides like women about to give birth? In all history there has never been such a time of terror. It will be a time of trouble for my people Israel. Yet in the end, they will be saved!

Reference: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/AnInterpretationofMatthew24_25_4.html




The Commandment to Rebuild


Daniel 9:25 sets the start point of beginning of the 70 weeks at the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem. We will look at this first by looking at the Word to find the varying commandments to rebuild while Israel was in exile.


There were three commands to rebuild the Temple and or Jerusalem given in that time period. The first command was given about 536 BC to Ezra by the Persian Cyrus (possibly the son of Esther and Ahaseurus) (Ezra 1:1) to rebuild the temple, the second command was also to Ezra by Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:1) giving Ezra authority in the temple and the finances to furnish it. The third command was given to Nehemiah by Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem and the wall (Nehemiah 2:1-8).


When compared to Daniel 9:25 it becomes apparent which decree is being referred to, it is the decree by Artaxerxes to Nehemiah to rebuild the walls and Jerusalem. For Daniel 9:25 does not call for the rebuilding of the Temple (which was to Ezra), but again it was to Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem.


This gives us the start point of the 70 weeks "in the 20th year of the reign of Artaxerxes". So the next question is when did Artaxerxes start his reign. I checked with various sources and it varies a little but it gives a range of dates around 465BC. When is 20 years into his reign? Around 445 BC.


The Timeline of Daniel's 70 Weeks


Now, let's look at the time periods Daniel lays out in Daniel 9:25.


First the 7 week period which we know is 49 years. Multiply that by 360 (since we're converting from Jewish Prophetic to Western) and divide by 365 (to get to Western years) and you get 48.3 years.


Now do the same for the 62 week period and you get 428.05 years (434 x 360 then divide by 365).


Add those together and you get the total WESTERN time for the 69 weeks which is 476.4 years. Now take 30 ( the approximate time of Christ's crucifixion) and subtract 476.4 and you get 446.4 BC. Now keep that in mind and let's compare it as follows:


Let's start with the crucifixion of Christ at AD 30 (the end of the 62 weeks portion) Daniel 9:26 -"And after 62 weeks the Messiah shall be cut off but not for Himself" and we start backing up 428.05 years (the 62 weeks) and this brings us to 397 BC. Go back now the additional 48.3 years (the 7 weeks) Daniel 9:25 that brings us back to 445.3 BC. Who was King in 445 BC? Artaxerxes was. Now look at Nehemiah 2:1-8 and what does it say? In the twentieth year of Artaxerxes reign (Nehemiah 2:1) comes the decree.


Now, there are three variables to consider in all of this that can cause these dates to flex. So instead of showing every possible outcome I picked the most common.


Variable #1: The 20th year of Artaxerxes reign (Nehemiah 2:1-8 - the command in question). I've seen 3 dates for this 446BC - 444 BC. For the purpose of this exercise I chose 445BC.


Variable #2: The age of Christ at His baptism. The Bible in Luke says he was about 30. Is that 30? 29? 32? For the purpose of this exercise I chose 30, 31 and 32.


Variable #3: Pertains to the actual day and month of those two events occurring. This exercise doesn't take the day of the year into account but rather the year as a whole. The impact of this variable could affect the time depending on when it occurred within the year.


Regardless of those three variables it clearly shows that the literal interpretation of Daniel's 70 Week Prophecy passes muster as the beginning and the end of the first 69 weeks aligns scripturally and historically. Not a coincidence!!


So in the time frame I propose Artaxerxes decreed the rebuilding of Jerusalem to Nehemiah and he went forth to build it. That is the start of the 70 weeks of Daniel.


This puts the end of the 69th week at the crucifixion of Christ.


Let's now tie all of these foundational facts together.


In Daniel 9:25, the time period is broken into two parts, the first 7 weeks (49 years) which relates to the time from the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem and it's walls to it's completion and then the second part is 62 weeks (434 years) which describes the length of time from the completion of Jerusalem until Christ is crucified in Daniel 9:26 (a further description is provided in that verse).


The second time period laid out in Daniel 9:26 continues with the events of 70 AD and the destruction of Jerusalem when the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. There is no doubt this event occurred under Titus at that time. Josephus confirms this....however...is Titus the prince that shall come? No. Are the people of the prince referring to the Jews? No. The temple was destroyed by the Romans, who left no stone upon another partly out of the fury of battle and partly to garner the inlaid gold in the walls throughout the temple.


So when combining these facts with Daniel 9:27 we now start to see a picture of "things to come". In verse 27 it says "he shall confirm the covenant". Who is the "he"? He is the same as described in verse 26, the prince to come, he is also the rider of the white horse in Revelation 6:2, John names him as the "antichrist".


Of note is the terminology used here, he shall confirm the covenant...this implies a covenant that at some point could have been already in place but he reinforces/reinstitutes it. Have we seen a 1 week (7 year) covenant with Israel and its neighbors? Sure, the Oslo accords is an example...one that was started but never reached completion.


As we continue, the covenant is confirmed with many for 1 week (7 years) of which in the midst (3 1/2 year mark) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease and the "abomination of desolation". The implications here are huge. First, the Jews, who didn't accept Christ as the Messiah, do not oblige the New Covenant that He provided for us. Therefore they still fall under the Old Covenant. By the Old Covenant they were required to conduct sacrifices (the Day of Atonement) to cover the sins of Israel. However, ever since the temple was rebuilt that is the ONLY place that they are allowed to perform those rituals. With the temple destroyed they are unable to do that. Do orthodox Jews desire the Temple to be rebuilt? Yes. Do they wish to continue the sacrifice rituals? Yes. Can they without a temple? No.


By implication of the verse, the Temple will be rebuilt, thus causing the sacrifice and oblation to start again. Now, Daniel, Christ and John refer to the abomination of desolation in the Temple and the fact that Israel will abandon Jerusalem and head for the hills so to speak. When does this occur? At the midpoint of the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, Revelation 13:5). Revelation 13:5 places the event at the midpoint of the 7 year period as it says that the antichrist will blaspheme (the abomination of desolation) and be given the power to continue 42 months (3 1/2 years). Also, simultaneously in Revelation 12:6 the Bible shows Israel fleeing and being protected by God for 1260 days (3 1/2 years) which is a result of the abomination of desolation. So now we see the time period for the second half of the Tribulation.


How long is the first "half" of the Tribulation? Revelation 11:3 is the picture of the 2 witnesses that begin their "ministry" at the beginning of the Tribulation and they work for 1260 days until they are killed at the midpoint of the Tribulation. So we now see the first half of the Tribulation being 3 1/2 years.


Conclusion


By following through with this study, it is clear that Daniel's 70 weeks started with Artaxerxes' commandment to Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem circa 445BC. It took Nehemiah about 49 years to complete the rebuilding of the city. Then at the completion of the 69th week, around 33AD the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was cut off, crucified for us, to cover our sins.


What about the 70th week? It has yet to occur yet. The natural flow of the verses shows that the destruction of the Temple occurs and later, after that, at some other time the "end would come".


Reference: http://www.tribulationforces.com/tfcdr/daniel70weeks.shtml



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posted by Oakview Bible Fellowship at 6:28 PM