Luke 21:16-22 And you shall be betrayed also by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends. And they will cause some of you to be put to death. (17) And you shall be hated by all for My name's sake. (18) But there shall not a hair of your head perish. (19) By your patience you will gain your souls. (20) And when you see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that its destruction has come. (21) And let those in Judea flee to the mountains. And those in its midst, let them go out. And those in the open spaces, let them not go into her. (22) For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Reading a passage like this gets my attention. Jesus was speaking prophetically of Jerusalem, but as in so many cases He wasn't giving away much information. Looking at this passage, we might think this has already happened. After all, in 70AD Jerusalem was sacked and burned by the Romans and many Jews died. If I had to guess, I would say that was a direct fulfillment of verse 20. However, we then get to verse 27:
Luke 21:27 And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Somewhere in the passage... we took a time leap. Confusing. But not totally out of place within scripture. Very often the prophetic message had a early and latter fulfillment. Daniel spoke of the abomination of desolation which did occur by Antiochus Epiphenes. But the real fulfillment he spoke of will be done - again - by the antichrist. Duel fulfillment. Still confusing.
Reading again verse 27, we see that this is a reference to the 2nd coming of Jesus. Why is it the second coming and not the rapture? Because the rapture is a secretive gathering of the saints in the clouds. People will not 'see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory' during the rapture event. However, the second coming will be just this way - public and spectacular.
But to me, this might imply a 'hint' somewhere in the text. If the rapture is a hidden event, is there a hint of it in this text?
Jesus is specific about circumstances. When you have to run for it, and you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that these are Days of Vengeance. See, that is an odd description. It's a title...
Is it used anywhere else? I looked.
Hosea 9:5-7 What will you do in the day of meeting, and in the day of the feast of Jehovah? (6) For lo, they have left because of destruction. Egypt shall gather them up; Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess the desirable things of their silver; thorns shall be in their tents. (7) The days of her judgment have come; the days of vengeance have come; Israel shall know it. The prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and the great hatred.
This is the only other place I found the phrase "Days of Vengeance" used. If I look at this passage as a divine link to Luke 21 (oh... and I do!) then this makes an interesting statement.
What will I be doing during the Great Tribulation - Jacob's time of trouble? According to Revelation, I will be at a Marriage Supper of the Lamb. What does Hosea ask? "What will I do in the day of meeting, and in the day of the feast of Jehovah?" "For lo, they have left because of destruction." Who has left? Well... me... for one. "Nettles shall possess the desirable things of their silver." What else happens when millions of people disappear? They leave their riches behind. Why? Because the days of vengeance have come.
It's an interesting cross-reference. Can we be dogmatic about any of it? Probably not, but it's worth discussing.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Great Tribulation
The end times present some scary scenarios. If taken out of context, the scriptures can be desparaging. If the Tribulation period is right around the corner (or have we turned that corner already?) what does that mean for Christians? Will Christians have to go through that horrific time?
Just to clarify, what is the Tribulation? The Tribulation is another word for Daniel's 70th week. In Daniel chapter 9, the angel Gabriel gives Daniel a prophetic timeline for just how the end-time scenario is laid out.
Dan 9:24-27 MKJV
(24) Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people and as to your holy city, to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
(25) Know therefore and understand, that from the going out of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in times of affliction.
(26) And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of the ruler who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end of it shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, until the end shall be war.
(27) And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and on a corner of the altar desolating abominations, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall be poured on the desolator.
Seventy weeks are decreed that Israel owes God. That's right. Israel. It's all about Israel. That's why this time is also known as the time of Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). These aren't just weeks of days... they are weeks of years. This 490 year period is divided up into 62 weeks (434 years) and 7 weeks (49 years) and finally in verse 27 comes the last week (7 years). From the information Gabriel gave, we know, historically, exactly when the edict was signed to restore and rebuild Jerusalem and what to add to that date in order to find out when the streets and walls were rebuilt, and then when Jesus was crucified 434 years later. Messiah 'was' cut off (crucified), but not for Himself (then for whom?). He was killed for 'us'.
Verse 27 talks about the final week which begins with a 7-year 'covenant' with Israel. Mid-way through this 7-year period this leader (the antichrist) violates his covenant and causes the sacrifice and offering to cease in the Jewish temple. This is his effort to change the Jewish customs.
Dan 7:25 MKJV
(25) And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and plot to change times and laws. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and one-half time.
Notice, they shall be given unto the hand of the antichrist for 3.5 years. This is the last half of the Tribulation period known as the Great Tribulation. Regarding the Great Tribulation (last 3.5 years of the Tribulation) Jesus said this:
Mat 24:20-21 MKJV
(20) But pray that your flight is not in the winter, nor on the sabbath day;
(21) for then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be.
Lets start with what we know. There will be saved people during the Great Tribulation. That seems obvious from the above verses. The antichrist will 'wear out the saints of the Most High'. Also, the book of Revelation mentions the tribulation saints:
Rev 7:14 MKJV
(14) And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and have whitened them in the blood of the Lamb.
Dan 7:21 MKJV
(21) I watched, and that horn made war with the saints and overcame them
Rev 13:7 MKJV
(7) And it was given to it to war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given to it over every tribe and tongue and nation.
Ahh it seems hopeless! We are destined to endure horrible things! Indeed... many of us are enduring horrible things every day. Followers of Jesus are imprisoned, tortured, and killed daily because of their testomonies. These are our brothers and sisters. But this is not the Tribulation, for even in the day of Jesus, men such as Steven were stoned because of his witness. Jesus, again, said "then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be."
It will be worse. But there is good news for the church.
1Th 1:10 MKJV
(10) and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:9-10 MKJV
(9) For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him.
The church is not appointed unto wrath. Or perhaps we should ask this: at what point does anyone or anything - antichrist included - prevail over the church? At NO point!
Mat 16:18 MKJV
(18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Isa 54:17 MKJV
(17) No weapon that is formed against you shall be blessed; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from Me, says Jehovah.
So these saints spoken of in Daniel and Revelation are those truly blessed individuals who take advantage of their last chance to receive Jesus. Are they a part of the bride of Christ, the Church? No. The bride makes herself spotless and without blemish 'now', not later.
For those of us who are God-hungry Jesus-followers, we have a duty regarding the time of the end. We must be about the Father's business of winning souls and showing the love of Jesus. But we have a prayer duty as well:
Luk 21:36 MKJV
(36) Watch therefore, praying in every season that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of Man.
Zep 2:3 DRB
(3) Seek the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, you that have wrought his judgment: seek the just, seek the meek: if by any means you may be hid in the day of the Lord's indignation.
Just to clarify, what is the Tribulation? The Tribulation is another word for Daniel's 70th week. In Daniel chapter 9, the angel Gabriel gives Daniel a prophetic timeline for just how the end-time scenario is laid out.
Dan 9:24-27 MKJV
(24) Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people and as to your holy city, to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
(25) Know therefore and understand, that from the going out of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in times of affliction.
(26) And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of the ruler who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end of it shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, until the end shall be war.
(27) And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and on a corner of the altar desolating abominations, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall be poured on the desolator.
Seventy weeks are decreed that Israel owes God. That's right. Israel. It's all about Israel. That's why this time is also known as the time of Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). These aren't just weeks of days... they are weeks of years. This 490 year period is divided up into 62 weeks (434 years) and 7 weeks (49 years) and finally in verse 27 comes the last week (7 years). From the information Gabriel gave, we know, historically, exactly when the edict was signed to restore and rebuild Jerusalem and what to add to that date in order to find out when the streets and walls were rebuilt, and then when Jesus was crucified 434 years later. Messiah 'was' cut off (crucified), but not for Himself (then for whom?). He was killed for 'us'.
Verse 27 talks about the final week which begins with a 7-year 'covenant' with Israel. Mid-way through this 7-year period this leader (the antichrist) violates his covenant and causes the sacrifice and offering to cease in the Jewish temple. This is his effort to change the Jewish customs.
Dan 7:25 MKJV
(25) And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and plot to change times and laws. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and one-half time.
Notice, they shall be given unto the hand of the antichrist for 3.5 years. This is the last half of the Tribulation period known as the Great Tribulation. Regarding the Great Tribulation (last 3.5 years of the Tribulation) Jesus said this:
Mat 24:20-21 MKJV
(20) But pray that your flight is not in the winter, nor on the sabbath day;
(21) for then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be.
Lets start with what we know. There will be saved people during the Great Tribulation. That seems obvious from the above verses. The antichrist will 'wear out the saints of the Most High'. Also, the book of Revelation mentions the tribulation saints:
Rev 7:14 MKJV
(14) And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and have whitened them in the blood of the Lamb.
Dan 7:21 MKJV
(21) I watched, and that horn made war with the saints and overcame them
Rev 13:7 MKJV
(7) And it was given to it to war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given to it over every tribe and tongue and nation.
Ahh it seems hopeless! We are destined to endure horrible things! Indeed... many of us are enduring horrible things every day. Followers of Jesus are imprisoned, tortured, and killed daily because of their testomonies. These are our brothers and sisters. But this is not the Tribulation, for even in the day of Jesus, men such as Steven were stoned because of his witness. Jesus, again, said "then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be."
It will be worse. But there is good news for the church.
1Th 1:10 MKJV
(10) and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:9-10 MKJV
(9) For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him.
The church is not appointed unto wrath. Or perhaps we should ask this: at what point does anyone or anything - antichrist included - prevail over the church? At NO point!
Mat 16:18 MKJV
(18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Isa 54:17 MKJV
(17) No weapon that is formed against you shall be blessed; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from Me, says Jehovah.
So these saints spoken of in Daniel and Revelation are those truly blessed individuals who take advantage of their last chance to receive Jesus. Are they a part of the bride of Christ, the Church? No. The bride makes herself spotless and without blemish 'now', not later.
For those of us who are God-hungry Jesus-followers, we have a duty regarding the time of the end. We must be about the Father's business of winning souls and showing the love of Jesus. But we have a prayer duty as well:
Luk 21:36 MKJV
(36) Watch therefore, praying in every season that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of Man.
Zep 2:3 DRB
(3) Seek the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, you that have wrought his judgment: seek the just, seek the meek: if by any means you may be hid in the day of the Lord's indignation.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sharing Glory with Idols
Have you ever wondered why some people experience the miraculous more than others? Does it seem as though some people have a hotline to Heaven, while others can't get a prayer through?
I'd like to address some possibilities to consider. It is very interesting to compare cultures and their response to the gospel of Jesus. Those who are poor are nearly always more apt to receive the news of Jesus than those who are rich. That appears to be an unfair statement, but in this case, experience agrees with scripture.
Mat 19:23 MKJV
(23) Then Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you that a rich man will with great difficulty enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Why is this the case? Jesus answers this as well:
Rev 3:17 MKJV
(17) Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
Rich people are just not needy people. The flesh tells a lie. It says, "All is well. Relax." And the spirit goes to sleep, not realizing the peril it is in.
But back to our question. Why does it seem as though God responds to some and ignores others?
We cannot deny that our nation has been immensely blessed. Most of this blessing has come 'after' the formation of the nation of Israel, for once it formed in 1948 we blessed their existence as a nation. As a result, God has blessed us - as He promised to do in Genesis 12:3. And He did not bless us 'just a little'. We have for decades consumed the majority of what the world has produced.
But now we turn our backs - publicly - on God and on Israel. What happens now? Hardship. Famine. Terror. Drought. Disaster. Pandemic.
Our reliance upon God is ending - as a culture. That means we rely upon other things. Idols. If we get sick, we rely upon medicines... or doctors... or science (please please please find a cure!). If we are impoverished, we rely up charity organizations or government programs. If we are lonely we look to church (ouch... that can be an idol?). If we are bored we look to sports. I'm not just pointing fingers outwardly, either. How many football games kept me up so late I didn't want to read my bible? I plead the 5th, but God knows.
Shift the focus to Ethiopia. An aids victim may get healed by a prayer of healing. A blind man might receive his sight. This stuff happens daily. Why? They have no faith that medicine will arrive, or that doctors will come, or that they could afford help if it were there. If you tell them God can heal, they believe. God doesn't like sharing His glory with idols.
This is not to say that medicine is bad. Idolizing it is. Putting it before God is.
Also notice that some nations are in continual drought or war or famine. WHY? Because if the 1% of Christians in those nations do pray for relief, 99% of the people give credit to idol gods. We are heading in this direction as a nation.
Then what should we do? Scripture says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if God's people who are called by His name will humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, He will heal their land. But He never says He will heal 'all' the land. Just their land. It's like living in the bubble of the Lord's protection. Put your faith in the One who is in control, first. Next, look at what He might be using for your provision - be it medicine, government, or science.
I'd like to address some possibilities to consider. It is very interesting to compare cultures and their response to the gospel of Jesus. Those who are poor are nearly always more apt to receive the news of Jesus than those who are rich. That appears to be an unfair statement, but in this case, experience agrees with scripture.
Mat 19:23 MKJV
(23) Then Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you that a rich man will with great difficulty enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Why is this the case? Jesus answers this as well:
Rev 3:17 MKJV
(17) Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
Rich people are just not needy people. The flesh tells a lie. It says, "All is well. Relax." And the spirit goes to sleep, not realizing the peril it is in.
But back to our question. Why does it seem as though God responds to some and ignores others?
We cannot deny that our nation has been immensely blessed. Most of this blessing has come 'after' the formation of the nation of Israel, for once it formed in 1948 we blessed their existence as a nation. As a result, God has blessed us - as He promised to do in Genesis 12:3. And He did not bless us 'just a little'. We have for decades consumed the majority of what the world has produced.
But now we turn our backs - publicly - on God and on Israel. What happens now? Hardship. Famine. Terror. Drought. Disaster. Pandemic.
Our reliance upon God is ending - as a culture. That means we rely upon other things. Idols. If we get sick, we rely upon medicines... or doctors... or science (please please please find a cure!). If we are impoverished, we rely up charity organizations or government programs. If we are lonely we look to church (ouch... that can be an idol?). If we are bored we look to sports. I'm not just pointing fingers outwardly, either. How many football games kept me up so late I didn't want to read my bible? I plead the 5th, but God knows.
Shift the focus to Ethiopia. An aids victim may get healed by a prayer of healing. A blind man might receive his sight. This stuff happens daily. Why? They have no faith that medicine will arrive, or that doctors will come, or that they could afford help if it were there. If you tell them God can heal, they believe. God doesn't like sharing His glory with idols.
This is not to say that medicine is bad. Idolizing it is. Putting it before God is.
Also notice that some nations are in continual drought or war or famine. WHY? Because if the 1% of Christians in those nations do pray for relief, 99% of the people give credit to idol gods. We are heading in this direction as a nation.
Then what should we do? Scripture says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if God's people who are called by His name will humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, He will heal their land. But He never says He will heal 'all' the land. Just their land. It's like living in the bubble of the Lord's protection. Put your faith in the One who is in control, first. Next, look at what He might be using for your provision - be it medicine, government, or science.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Who Was That Guy?
It was the first recorded miracle that Jesus did. He turned water into wine at a wedding. His mother was there. Most-likely, His entire family was there. After all, feasts were celebrations that didn't occur every day. People didn't just pass on feast invitations - normally.
Being a wedding, there was much wine to be served, only on this occasion the host ran out. Here is what John wrote:
John 2:3-8
(3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
(4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
(5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
(6) And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
(7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
(8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
Jesus created the wine, and the servants took it away. What many do not know is that an ancient prayer would have been said before the wine was consumed. The Jewish people still cite this prayer today before wine is tasted. It goes something like this:
Being a wedding, there was much wine to be served, only on this occasion the host ran out. Here is what John wrote:
John 2:3-8
(3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
(4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
(5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
(6) And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
(7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
(8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
Jesus created the wine, and the servants took it away. What many do not know is that an ancient prayer would have been said before the wine was consumed. The Jewish people still cite this prayer today before wine is tasted. It goes something like this:
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha‑olam, bo're p'ri ha‑gafen.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine."
But what the servants did not know was that the man in the next room was the Lord God, King of the Universe, who had just created the fruit of the vine.Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Not-So-Famous Last Words
Some people today put great stock in Mary, Mother of Jesus. Some have even gone so far as to deify her. Mary was a great woman. She was truly a blessed girl at the time the angel visited upon her the news of her destiny. She was a virgin. She was pure of heart. She loved God.
Mary, as blessed as she was, would have also lived a cursed existence in the eyes of some. She experienced a face-to-face meeting with an angel, which could have cause many of us a heart attack. The 'good news' she was given was that she was going to be pregnant - supernaturally (how will 'that' work?) - before marriage (what will Joseph think?) and at a time when being pregnant probably wasn't on her to-do list. Stress-free?
But not only that... she was to give birth to the Son of God. That responsibility might have had some weight to it. What if she fed Him bad meat? What if He gets hit by a chariot? What if...
Herod.
What if the president gives orders to kill all the male babies that are the age of MY baby? Stress free?
And... what does it mean that He will be the Lamb of God? All that lambs are good for is sacrifice. I... don't... like... the... sound... of... that...
What a blessed existence! Not. But what a wonderful woman - Mary. What a strong, strong woman she must have been! But should she be deified?
No, scripture indicates no more about this wonderful woman than she was pure - a virgin before the birth of Jesus - a caring mother and an obedient wife. But perhaps the most interesting thing I know about Mary was the last thing - chronologically - that she said:
(Joh 2:5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
If you are paying too much attention to Mary, then pay attention to her last instruction! Whatever HE says, do it! Whatever Jesus says.... DO IT!
Mary, as blessed as she was, would have also lived a cursed existence in the eyes of some. She experienced a face-to-face meeting with an angel, which could have cause many of us a heart attack. The 'good news' she was given was that she was going to be pregnant - supernaturally (how will 'that' work?) - before marriage (what will Joseph think?) and at a time when being pregnant probably wasn't on her to-do list. Stress-free?
But not only that... she was to give birth to the Son of God. That responsibility might have had some weight to it. What if she fed Him bad meat? What if He gets hit by a chariot? What if...
Herod.
What if the president gives orders to kill all the male babies that are the age of MY baby? Stress free?
And... what does it mean that He will be the Lamb of God? All that lambs are good for is sacrifice. I... don't... like... the... sound... of... that...
What a blessed existence! Not. But what a wonderful woman - Mary. What a strong, strong woman she must have been! But should she be deified?
No, scripture indicates no more about this wonderful woman than she was pure - a virgin before the birth of Jesus - a caring mother and an obedient wife. But perhaps the most interesting thing I know about Mary was the last thing - chronologically - that she said:
(Joh 2:5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
If you are paying too much attention to Mary, then pay attention to her last instruction! Whatever HE says, do it! Whatever Jesus says.... DO IT!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Rock of Ages
Dan 2:31-35 MKJV
(31) You, O king, were seeing. And, behold! A great image! That great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before you. And its form was dreadful.
(32) This image's head was of fine gold; his breast and his arms were of silver; his belly and his thighs were of bronze;
(33) his legs were of iron; his feet were part of iron and part of clay.
(34) You watched until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image upon its feet which were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
(35) Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken to pieces together. And they became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors. And the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
What a dream! Have you ever had a dream such as this? At face value, it doesn't seem to be such a horrible dream. Certainly it's nothing like Freddie chasing you down a dark alleyway. But there was something about this dream. In verse 1, it said "Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, with which his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. "
The explanation of the dream revealed a prophecy of the entirety of the last days, beginning with the very time of Daniel. It was a visual timeline. As Daniel described, the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian Empire, followed by the Meado-Persian Empire (breast/arms of silver), followed by Alexander's Greek Empire (stomach/thighs of bronze), the Roman Empire (legs of iron), and the final empire of man, the feet of iron and clay. The statue was that of a man to represent the best man could bring.
Notice, however, that a single solitary stone strikes the statue upon its feet. The final world empire of man will be destroyed by a single stone - the Stone the Builders rejected (Matt 21:42). The destruction by this single event will be so definite, so final, that Daniel saw it as chaff being blown away by the wind. Have you ever taken a hand full of hay and thrown it up into the wind? It is perhaps one of the most inconsequential things that can be done. Chaff in the wind cannot harm even the smallest of flying insects.
Where are we now? I'd say right about the ankles. There will be no other great world empires until the empire of iron and clay comes to power.
Then this Stone, which destroyed the last great empire of man, grows until it becomes a mountain so large it fills the entire earth.
Isa 9:7 There is no end of the increase of His government and peace on the throne of David, and on His kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on, even forever. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will do this.
During a time when our representatives are not representing the will of those who elected them, and during a time when the highest of offices are not only pushing unpatriotic ideals but flat-out traitorous ideals, there is something that comes into my mind. There is a Stone coming your way. It's bigger than you think, and the astronomers aren't going to pick this one up in time. Get ready.
(31) You, O king, were seeing. And, behold! A great image! That great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before you. And its form was dreadful.
(32) This image's head was of fine gold; his breast and his arms were of silver; his belly and his thighs were of bronze;
(33) his legs were of iron; his feet were part of iron and part of clay.
(34) You watched until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image upon its feet which were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
(35) Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken to pieces together. And they became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors. And the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
What a dream! Have you ever had a dream such as this? At face value, it doesn't seem to be such a horrible dream. Certainly it's nothing like Freddie chasing you down a dark alleyway. But there was something about this dream. In verse 1, it said "Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, with which his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. "
The explanation of the dream revealed a prophecy of the entirety of the last days, beginning with the very time of Daniel. It was a visual timeline. As Daniel described, the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian Empire, followed by the Meado-Persian Empire (breast/arms of silver), followed by Alexander's Greek Empire (stomach/thighs of bronze), the Roman Empire (legs of iron), and the final empire of man, the feet of iron and clay. The statue was that of a man to represent the best man could bring.
Notice, however, that a single solitary stone strikes the statue upon its feet. The final world empire of man will be destroyed by a single stone - the Stone the Builders rejected (Matt 21:42). The destruction by this single event will be so definite, so final, that Daniel saw it as chaff being blown away by the wind. Have you ever taken a hand full of hay and thrown it up into the wind? It is perhaps one of the most inconsequential things that can be done. Chaff in the wind cannot harm even the smallest of flying insects.
Where are we now? I'd say right about the ankles. There will be no other great world empires until the empire of iron and clay comes to power.
Then this Stone, which destroyed the last great empire of man, grows until it becomes a mountain so large it fills the entire earth.
Isa 9:7 There is no end of the increase of His government and peace on the throne of David, and on His kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on, even forever. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will do this.
During a time when our representatives are not representing the will of those who elected them, and during a time when the highest of offices are not only pushing unpatriotic ideals but flat-out traitorous ideals, there is something that comes into my mind. There is a Stone coming your way. It's bigger than you think, and the astronomers aren't going to pick this one up in time. Get ready.
Monday, November 09, 2009
The War of Ezekiel 38-39
Have you ever read Ezekiel 38-39? It is an interesting passage. Basically Ezekiel is given a description of a last-days surprise attack upon Israel that sees God's hand move and Israel's enemies miraculously destroyed. Who will be involved?
Iran, Turkey, Russia, Libya, and Sudan (Ethiopia region) are the closest modern representations of the ancient names given. But oddly enough, these are all currently coalesced against Israel.
Eze 38:18-23 MKJV
(18) And it shall be on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah, My fury shall come up in My face.
(19) For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great quaking in the land of Israel,
(20) so that the fish of the sea, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men on the face of the earth, shall quake at My presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
(21) And I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains, says the Lord Jehovah. Each man's sword shall be against his brother.
(22) And I will judge him with a plague and with blood. And I will rain on him, and on his bands, and on the many peoples with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.
(23) So I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself. And I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am Jehovah.
If you have ever seen the beginning of the movie Left Behind, you might remember the scene where all of the aircraft are mysteriously falling out of the air. That seems to be an accurate and reasonable recreation of what a futile 'modern' attack on Israel might look like if God intervened. But what would it mean for the rest of us?
First of all, such a war would be instantly covered by the world media. Although most outlets would only get the aftermath of the war, it would all be about the same news: A Massive Military Operation Against the Nation of Israel Has Failed.
What would that do to Christians who have been expecting this type of conflict for a few years now? What would it do to your faith if you knew that Bible prophecy had just been fulfilled in your sight? What would that do to the faith of millions of Muslims who believe it's their destiny to occupy the land of Israel?
What about life as we know it? Gasoline prices would immediately triple. Those who could barely afford the drive to work would have to find a different option. Carpooling? Biking? Working from home? Companies would have to institute work-from-home or 4-day work weeks in order to keep their workers. Others would have to make cutbacks because of the nose-dive our economy would take. A war like this would change things.
Would church services be any more full on Sunday mornings? Perhaps. They were after 9-11... for a few weeks. We should consider these things. In the past couple of weeks, Turkey has signed agreements with Iran that make them strategic partners. This was the last missing link in the coalition of nations described by Ezekiel. Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear sites still seems eminent. Israel cannot afford a nuclear Iran. What will be the spark that sets off the war of Ezekiel 38?
When this happens, will you be prepared to witness like you have never witnessed before? Assuming we get this opportunity, we may never have a better one before the Lord's return.
Iran, Turkey, Russia, Libya, and Sudan (Ethiopia region) are the closest modern representations of the ancient names given. But oddly enough, these are all currently coalesced against Israel.
Eze 38:18-23 MKJV
(18) And it shall be on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah, My fury shall come up in My face.
(19) For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great quaking in the land of Israel,
(20) so that the fish of the sea, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men on the face of the earth, shall quake at My presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
(21) And I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains, says the Lord Jehovah. Each man's sword shall be against his brother.
(22) And I will judge him with a plague and with blood. And I will rain on him, and on his bands, and on the many peoples with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.
(23) So I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself. And I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am Jehovah.
If you have ever seen the beginning of the movie Left Behind, you might remember the scene where all of the aircraft are mysteriously falling out of the air. That seems to be an accurate and reasonable recreation of what a futile 'modern' attack on Israel might look like if God intervened. But what would it mean for the rest of us?
First of all, such a war would be instantly covered by the world media. Although most outlets would only get the aftermath of the war, it would all be about the same news: A Massive Military Operation Against the Nation of Israel Has Failed.
What would that do to Christians who have been expecting this type of conflict for a few years now? What would it do to your faith if you knew that Bible prophecy had just been fulfilled in your sight? What would that do to the faith of millions of Muslims who believe it's their destiny to occupy the land of Israel?
What about life as we know it? Gasoline prices would immediately triple. Those who could barely afford the drive to work would have to find a different option. Carpooling? Biking? Working from home? Companies would have to institute work-from-home or 4-day work weeks in order to keep their workers. Others would have to make cutbacks because of the nose-dive our economy would take. A war like this would change things.
Would church services be any more full on Sunday mornings? Perhaps. They were after 9-11... for a few weeks. We should consider these things. In the past couple of weeks, Turkey has signed agreements with Iran that make them strategic partners. This was the last missing link in the coalition of nations described by Ezekiel. Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear sites still seems eminent. Israel cannot afford a nuclear Iran. What will be the spark that sets off the war of Ezekiel 38?
When this happens, will you be prepared to witness like you have never witnessed before? Assuming we get this opportunity, we may never have a better one before the Lord's return.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Keep It Simple
Mat 11:28-30 MKJV
(28) Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
(30) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
I've been wrestling with my posting - of late. The reasons are many. For one, I have been over-inspired. Since my last posting, the prophetic time clock has moved forward. More pieces have fallen into place that have added resolution to the picture of Jesus' eminent return. There is more news screaming that it's here.... folks... it's literally time. Look up.
So, for no lack of writing material, I've written nothing because I've just been overwhelmed. Today's post is a passage that should help us in these stressful times. However, I'd like to speak about one part of the above passage.
(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
Learn from Me, for (because) I am meek and lowly in heart. Stop. WHY is that a reason to learn from a teacher? How many teachers that you've been drawn to because they were meek? How many teachers sell their teaching because of the opposite? They are brash, they are arrogant, they are cocky, they are loud, they are ________?
Truly, in American English is it easy to read this passage incorrectly. Jesus says this: "Look at me. Do I look stressed out? Do I look afraid? Learn this from me and you will find REST." Wow! How can I do that when the economy is tanking? How can I do that if Israel attacks Iran and gasoline goes to $8/gallon?
The yoke of Jesus is simple.
Mat 22:37-39 MKJV
(37) Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
When everything is done out of love, the load gets so much lighter, doesn't it? That's why fishing is rarely considered 'work'! If we can simplify our lives, and just get back to the basic - Love - with the love the Lord gives us - then we will find rest even in these perilous times.
(28) Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
(30) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
I've been wrestling with my posting - of late. The reasons are many. For one, I have been over-inspired. Since my last posting, the prophetic time clock has moved forward. More pieces have fallen into place that have added resolution to the picture of Jesus' eminent return. There is more news screaming that it's here.... folks... it's literally time. Look up.
So, for no lack of writing material, I've written nothing because I've just been overwhelmed. Today's post is a passage that should help us in these stressful times. However, I'd like to speak about one part of the above passage.
(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
Learn from Me, for (because) I am meek and lowly in heart. Stop. WHY is that a reason to learn from a teacher? How many teachers that you've been drawn to because they were meek? How many teachers sell their teaching because of the opposite? They are brash, they are arrogant, they are cocky, they are loud, they are ________?
Truly, in American English is it easy to read this passage incorrectly. Jesus says this: "Look at me. Do I look stressed out? Do I look afraid? Learn this from me and you will find REST." Wow! How can I do that when the economy is tanking? How can I do that if Israel attacks Iran and gasoline goes to $8/gallon?
The yoke of Jesus is simple.
Mat 22:37-39 MKJV
(37) Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
When everything is done out of love, the load gets so much lighter, doesn't it? That's why fishing is rarely considered 'work'! If we can simplify our lives, and just get back to the basic - Love - with the love the Lord gives us - then we will find rest even in these perilous times.
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