How Many First Resurrections?

15. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and  remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 NASB 

51. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will all be changed.

2 Corinthians 25:51-52 NASB 

These passages speak of the resurrection of the righteous dead, and then the catching away or what is often referred to as the rapture of the saints who are alive at the second coming of Christ. 

A common belief is that this event occurs prior to the great tribulation, about seven years before Jesus returns in glory. But it doesn't say that in these texts.

What we do see is that this event occurs at a trumpet blast, in fact it is the last trumpet, with a shout, as Jesus descends in the clouds. I could make the argument that this is the second coming, and there are not two second comings, or a "two staged" second coming, but I want to look at this from the standpoint of the resurrection of the dead. 

4. Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

5. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 

6. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. 

Revelation 20:4-6 NASB 

Dispensationalism has a problem that they cannot adequately explain. What to do with the "tribulation saints." If the Church has already been raptured and celebrated the marriage supper of the Lamb what about those who missed out but were saved during the tribulation? I have heard it awkwardly explained that somehow they make it to heaven but do not have the same "status" there as those who had been previously raptured. The term "second class citizens" has been used in feeble attempts to reconcile this issue.

But look at this passage. These are definitely individuals who have gone through the great tribulation. They were martyrs, they refused the mark of the beast and did not worship him. They are most definitely elect from the foundation of the earth (see Rev 13:8). They do not appear to be "second class" citizens as they reign with Christ for a thousand years. And the thing that stands out is the fact that this is the first resurrection!

If this is the first resurrection then it is the same resurrection that Paul writes about as well. The dead in Christ rise followed by those who are alive and remain to meet the Lord in the air. Those who are alive and remain are alive and remain at the close of the tribulation, at the return of Jesus Christ.

Dispensationalism teaches two second comings, two first resurrections, two peoples of God, and two gospels (one of grace for this age, and one of law for the Jews during the tribulation). All this to protect the pre-trib doctrine. We must be Bereans, in the word of God, testing every teaching and doctrine that we are presented with. If not, we set ourselves up for disaster. 

Making it Make Sense

Prophecy concerning the endtimes can be overwhelming. All of the various "schools of thought" and interpretations of difficult passages can leave one confused.

There are multiple passages throughout the Bible dealing with the immediate events surrounding Christ's second coming. For this post I would like to focus on those with the goal of harmonizing them, hopefully making it a bit easier to understand. 

I will begin with the opening of the sixth seal ( Revelation 6:12-17). Part of the confusion surrounding the events of the last days comes from a wrong understanding of how the seals, trumpets, and bowls of wrath fit together. Do they occur consecutively or concurrently? 

John is given a vision of events that will transpire over the final seven year period of this age and on into the eternal state. This is what is recorded in the book of Revelation. Throughout this book you find that the same events are portrayed again in several places describing different aspects of these events. This applies to the seals, trumpets and bowls. These events are happening together not consecutively. To prove this we will look at the terminating point of each of these. 

12. I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood;

13. and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 

14. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 

16. and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;

17. for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Revelation 6:12-17 NASB 

What we have just read confirms the words of Jesus concerning His return. He describes the cosmic signs immediately preceding His second coming like this.

25. "There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,

26. men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

27. "Then they will see the SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory.

28. "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Luke 21:25-28 NASB 

29. "But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE  STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 

30. "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.

31. "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Matthew 24:29-31 NASB 

 Jesus is referencing Isaiah 13:9-11, as well as Joel 2:10-11, 30-32, 3:14-17. These passages all speak of the same heavenly signs proceeding the second coming. The Sun going dark, the moon becoming a dark blood red, the stars refusing to shine. 

As we read in Revelation at the opening of the sixth seal the sky will be rolled back like a scroll and men will hide in fear at Christ's return. Again, this is also shown in Isaiah 2:12-22, a passage describing a "day of reckoning" that the LORD will have against  the proud and lofty. A day when He arises to make the earth tremble. This is the same "day of the Lord" Peter writes of, a day when the heavens will pass away, the elements melt with fervent heat, and the earth will be laid bare (2 Peter 3:10-12). As Jesus a stated in Luke, men will faint from fear as these things begin to occur. While it is true that Christ returns to gather His elect, it is also true that He comes in judgement as well, a fact that many perhaps overlook.

We find an interlude in Revelation chapter seven where the sealing of the 144,000 is described (Rev 7:1-8) and a vast multitude of martyrs from every nation are seen, martyrs who have come out of the great tribulation (Rev 7:9-17). The opening of the seventh seal occurs in Revelation 8:1.

When this seal is opened there is silence in heaven for a half an hour. A lot of teachers believe that the opening of the seventh seal sets the seven trumpets into action. I disagree however. If we have the return of Christ in the sixth seal how can there now be seven trumpets releasing tribulation period events that transpire over the course of many months at the very least, and more than likely several years? 

The silence in heaven is more likely caused by the awesomeness of Christ's return in victory when the world systems have been overthrown, Satan has been bound, and now Christ assumes possession of the kingdoms of this world. This in fact is the announcement proclaimed when the seventh trumpet sounds.

Instead of the trumpets following the seals, John now sees the events of the last days from another perspective. It is the same final seven years of history described with additional details. 

Instead of looking at all seven trumpets,  I would like to go to the period leading up to and when the seventh trumpet is blown.

John sees an angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, with a rainbow on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire. This is similar to descriptions of the glorified Christ, like on the mount of transfiguration (Matt 27:2), in Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 1:26-28), and in His appearance to John in Revelation 1:12-15.

It can be debated whether or not who John sees here is an angel or Christ coming in a cloud, but I want to focus on what this angel says about the seventh trumpet.

5. Then the angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven,

6. and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, WHO CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE EARTH AND THE THING IN IT, AND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT, that there will be delay no longer,

7. but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.

Revelation 10:5-7 NASB 

Compare this passage with Daniel 12:6-7 where Daniel witnesses an event much the same as the one John saw in the passage above.

6. And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be until the end of these wonders?"

7. I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. 

God mystery, His plan of bringing in the Gentiles, and then the remnant of Israel will be complete at seventh trumpet. The same time that the deliverer will come to Zion and remove ungodliness from Jacob (Romans 12:25-27, Isaiah 59:20). Christ will return to a repentant nation (Israel) who will mourn for and receive the Messiah they once rejected (see Zechariah 12:10-13:1).

We see in Daniel's prophecy the tribulation will last three and one half years. The scriptures interchange the term time, times, and half a time with 42 months, and 1,260 days to refer to this three and one half year period of time. This is also shown in several passages in Revelation as well. 

Jesus warns that Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until their time is fulfilled (Luke 21:24). This is confirmed in Revelation 11:1-2,  where it states that the Gentiles or nations will trample the holy city for 42 months.  Again in Revelation 13:1-7 we read of the "beast" who is granted authority over the earth for 42 months. This is the antichrist who will make war against the saints during this time.

At this same time period God will send two witnesses who will prophecy for 1,260 days. At the end of these days the "beast" will overcome them and kill them. Three and one half days later they rise from the dead and ascend up to heaven. This is followed by a severe earthquake (Rev 11:3-14). 

This is the point where the seventh angel sounds his trumpet. This 42 month, 1,260 day, time, times, and half a time period amounting to three and one half years is at its end. Now the seventh trumpet sounds..

15. Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."

16. And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God,

17. "We give You thanks, O Lord God the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.

18. "And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth."

19. And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

Revelation 11:15-19

The seventh trumpet announces the return of Christ to reign upon the earth. It announces  the time of God's wrath is come as we have seen in the sixth seal ( Rev 6:16). It is also the call to gather the elect. Jesus states in Matthew 24:31 that His angels will be sent with the sound of a great trumpet to gather the elect from the four winds, and from one end of the sky to the other.

This was no new concept to Jesus's listeners. It had been prophesied centuries before Jesus uttered these words. There are numerous prophecies concerning Israel and the last days found in the Old Testament. 

12. In that day the LORD will start His threshing from the flowing stream of the Euphrates to the brook of Egypt, and you will be gathered up one by one, O sons of Israel. 

13. It will come about also in that day that a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were perishing in the land of Assyria and who were scattered in the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD in the holy mountain at Jerusalem. 

Isaiah 27:12-13 NASB 

 Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning; and the Lord God will blow the trumpet, and will march in the storm winds of the south. 

Zachariah 9:14 NASB 

These verses are found within the greater context of the tribulation and God's deliverance of His people. The chapter in Isaiah begins with a prophecy that foretells of the day of the Lord, when he comes to destroy the beast and his armies who have assembled at Armageddon (Isaiah 27:1). This day is also the day that the great trumpet will be blown. In Zachariah we find themes relating to The return of Christ and His deliverance of His chosen people throughout the book. This particular verse specifically mentions the trumpet being blown as Jesus returns.

There are those who will look at these verses and the words of Jesus in Matthew 24 and claim that the elect He is speaking of are the Jews. The point they are trying to make is that the Church has already been raptured prior to the tribulation, so Christ cannot be speaking of Christians being gathered at this time. But look at what the apostle Paul says here,

51. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

These are Christians, many who are Gentiles, who are pictured here. This passage is often used as a proof text by pre -tribulational advocates. But we must ask ourselves if the last trumpet is blown some seven years before Christ returns, how can there be seven more trumpets to follow?

16. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NASB 

There is only one last trumpet, and that is the seventh trumpet. This signals Christ's post- tribulational return to gather His elect, both Jew and Gentile, and to execute His wrath against those who oppose Him.

There are two other events that occur at the second coming of Jesus that we will look at as well. When Christ returns there will be a great earthquake, and a hailstorm.

At the opening of the sixth seal we read of the mountains and islands being moved from their places, and  men calling on the rocks to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb (Rev 6:14, 16). When the seventh trumpet is blown there is an earthquake and great hailstorm (Rev 11:19). 

There are several Old Testament passages that refer to an endtimes earthquake that occurs on the day of the LORD. Ezekiel 38 is a chapter describing a last days invasion of Israel by a vast army led by an individual called Gog. This individual is the endtimes anrichrist who leads a ten nation coalition against Israel. The following passage describes the overthrow of Gog and his troops like this.

19: "In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. 

20. "The fish of the sea, the birds of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.

21. "I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains," declares the Lord God. "Every man's sword will be against his brother.

22. "With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgement with him; and I will rain on him and his troops, and on many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone. 

23. "I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 38:19-23 NASB 

And likewise we read in Zachariah 14:1-10 of the LORD coming to fight against all of the nations who have gathered against Jerusalem. When He stands upon the Mount of Olives it will be split in its middle. This passage also tells us that it will be a unique day with no light, just like we have seen in the sixth seal. All of the landscape will be changed due to the severe earthquake, on the day that the LORD is king over the whole earth. 

There are also seven bowls of God's wrath which are poured out upon the earth. Just like the seals and trumpets, they describe events during the final days leading up to the return of Christ. I would like to look at the last two bowls to show that the seals, trumpets and bowls all terminate at the second coming of Jesus.

The sixth bowl is poured out on the Euphrates, causing it to dry up and allow the kings of the east to cross over. They are gathered together to a place called Armageddon (Rev 16:13-16). It must be noted that the "thief-like" coming of Jesus has not happened yet, but is about to (see Rev 16:15). This again strongly refutes the idea of a pre-trib rapture. 

17. Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, "It is done."

18. And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. 

19. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.

20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21. And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, because its plague was extremely severe.

Revelation 26:17-21.

The angel in Revelation 10:7 announced that when the seventh trumpet was about to sound the mystery of God was finished. When the seventh bowl was poured out a voice proclaimed, "It is done." The seventh trumpet and seventh bowl are the same event. We see the same devastating earthquake, and the same destructive hailstorm that both tell of, along with the other Old Testament passages that we have examined. And just like the events of the sixth seal the mountains and island are moved out of their places (Rev 6:14). This is when Christ returns.

Prophecy is not easy. It takes work to study it out, and ultimately we must have open minds and willing hearts to recieve what the Holy Spirit desires to teach us. Years ago I chose to take off my "denominational glasses", let go of my preconceived ideas, and allow the Holy Spirit to teach me.

The Bible tells of these events over and over throughout its pages. As it does with all of the doctrines it contains. A long time ago in Sunday School someone once said that the Bible interprets itself. That was some fifty years ago, and I have never forgotten it. 

I would encourage all of my readers to get into the word. Don't take my word for it, but prove it for yourselves. Someday these events will be upon us, or if not us our children. It is vital to our very souls that we are living ready and in expectation for what is to come (Luke 21:34-36).

Why the End Times (What Jesus Taught part 9)

So far I have primarily used the Old Testament to show what Moses and the prophets said about the last days. There is more that I will return to in future posts, but for this one I would like to look at the words of Jesus. What did He have to say about the time of the end?

In what has come to be known as the Olivet discourse Jesus sets down a timeline of events that give us a pretty good picture of what to look for as the events leading up to His second coming begin to unfold. This teaching can be found in Matthew 24 -25, Mark 13, and Luke 21. I encourage everyone to read and study what Jesus had to say on this topic. I will quote verses out of these chapters to show how Jesus gave a chronological order to these events; an order that closely follows what is also found in many of the prophecies found in the book of Revelation, and backed up by numerous Old Testament passages.

In response to the disciples question, "When will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matt 25:3) Jesus answers,

"See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ, and will mislead many."'

Matthew 24:4-5

Jesus first and foremost warns against deception. We live in an age where deception is prevalent, and is only going to get worse. As the events of the last days arrive they will bring with them a level deception that the world has not yet seen. Jesus warns,

"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance " 

Matthew 24:24-25 NASB

Paul warns of increased deception in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12. He states that we must not let anyone decieve us concerning the return of Christ. He then proceeds to tell of an individual who will come and sit in the temple and exalts himself as God. This individual whom we can refer to as the Antichrist will come empowered by Satan with all power, signs, and false wonders, misleading multitudes. This will be a dangerous time, and the love of truth will be vital, as God Himself will send a deluding influence on those who refuse to believe the truth.

Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, "Come."

I looked, and behold a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Revelation 6:1-2 NASB

There have always been individuals who claim to be a Messiah, and some who actually claim to be Jesus. But there is an individual who will come at some point and confirm a seven year covenant or treaty between Israel and her neighbors ( Daniel 9:26-27). This is a covenant he never intends to keep. His goal is to deceive them so that he can destroy them. His rise to power will be shrouded in deception, and tragically the world will go after him (Rev 13:3-4).

"You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not frightened, for these things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes."

Matthew 24:6-7 NASB

Jesus now states that wars and threats of war will preceed His return. As a result of these conflicts famines in various places will occur. 

In discussions over end times events many people look at the historical wars as what Jesus is talking about. They go back to the Civil war,  the World wars, Viet Nam, Desert Storm etc. and mention how it's just getting worse, Jesus must be coming soon, it's all in the Bible. But Jesus is focusing on specific actions that occur perhaps just prior to, and within the first few years of the seven year covenant that Israel has fallen for. These events are foretold in scripture.

When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creatures saying "Come." And another, a red horse, went out, and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. 

When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come"  I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of wheat for a denarius, and do not damage the oil and the wine."

Revelation 6:3-6 NASB

When Jesus speaks of "nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom", He is referencing a passage found in Isaiah 19 concerning conflicts within Egypt in the final days. Ultimately Egypt will fall to a cruel taskmaster, a mighty king who will rule over them (Isaiah 19:1-4).

Daniel prophesies that the "king of the North", another name for the Antichrist, will attack Egypt, in his attempt at unifying ten nations under his control. This will lead to three major North African nations coming under his power (Daniel 7:23-24, 11:25-31, 43). 

We also read in Daniel 8:1-27 of a conflict in the Middle East between the Persian empire (modern day Iran), and Greece. Actually the word that has been translated as "Greece" is Javan, an ancient people descended from Noah who settled in the coastal region of the Mediterranean, into what is now modern day Turkey. 

Commentators often place this battle in history, between Persia and Alexander the great. After the death of Alexander the great, his kingdom was divided up between four generals, and the  fighting over territory among them led to the eventual rise of Antiochus Epiphanes. He is actually considered to be a type or foreshadowing of the Antichrist. However, there are verses that cannot be ignored. Twice in this chapter we read that this vision pertains to the time of the end ( Daniel 8:17-19, 26). 

There are those who place this entire vision into the time of the last days, others view it as starting with the fall of the Persian empire to Greece and then telescoping into the future with the coming of the Antichrist. I have seen arguments for both viewpoints. It is best to not be too dogmatic either way, and keep our eyes open as things unfold. This vision definitely has the arrival of the Antichrist in mind.

The conflicts that take place as the Antichrist rises to power will definitely have an effect on the world from an economic standpoint. War causes hardships including food shortages, and factor in the amount of oil that comes out of the Middle East, it is not to hard to see that the world would definitely be impacted in a negative way. 

As the world rushes towards these days we will see an uptick in natural disasters as well. Here Jesus mentions earthquakes. In Luke 21:25 He mentions fear caused by "the roaring of the sea and waves."  Revelation 11:19, and 16:21 mention a devastating hailstorm accompanied by a major earthquake. However these two events coincide with the timing of Christ's second coming. Jesus, in the verses we have just been looking at, tells us that these are merely the beginnings of the "birth pains."  All of this is leading to what is referred to as the great tribulation, a three and one half year period of intense persecution and misery at the hands of the Antichrist, who will be ultimately revealed at an event known as "the abomination of desolation."

"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end shall come. Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that your flight will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath. For then there will be a great tribulation, such as not occured since the beginning of the world until now, not ever will."

Matthew 24:9-21 NASB

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."

Luke 21:20-24 NASB

The breaking of the fourth and fifth seals follow this order.

When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, Come." I looked, and behold, an ashen horse, and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.

When the Lamb broke fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained, and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will you refrain from judging and avenging our blood from those who dwell on the earth?" And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.

Revelation 6:7-11 NASB

There is a lot to unpack in these verses. Jesus gives us the sign to watch for that signals the start of the great tribulation. This event known as the abomination that causes desolation is foretold by Daniel in four places. 

In Daniel 8:9-14 we read of the "little horn" that magnifies itself to be equal with God and stops the sacrifices and tramples the sanctuary. 

Likewise in Daniel 9:27 we read of this same individual who makes a seven year covenant with many, but at the midpoint of this time period he stops the sacrifices, desecrates the temple and makes Jerusalem desolate.

The third mention is found in Daniel 11:31-37 The "king of the North" will become enraged, invade Israel and place the abomination of desolation. He will exalt himself above every god, and blaspheme against God himself. He will prosper in all of the things he does until the "indignation" is finished.

And finally in Daniel 12:11 we read that once the sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. A period of time 30 days longer than three and one half years.

It is interesting to note that Jesus mentions a great falling away in conjunction with the abomination of desolation. This is confirmed by the apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5. Paul is addressing a concern that some of the believers there had voiced. Apparently they were under the assumption that the day of the Lord had already come. It is important that we understand Paul's reply, because many get it wrong. 

Paul adresses "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him." (2 Thess 2:1)

This gathering is what is often referred to as the rapture. It is often taught that this event will occur first, then seven years later Jesus returns. But Paul refutes that teaching with his answer in these verses. If we read this section we see that two things must happen before Jesus comes and gathers us.

1. A great falling away.

2. The abomination that causes desolation.

Paul is adamant. He states,

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called God or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 NASB 

Paul is saying that there will be two unmistakable events that believers will see before Jesus returns and gathers them. Just like Jesus said, we who are alive in the time of the end will see the day when there is a great falling away; a day when brother betrays brother during a time of intense tribulation that follows the revelation of the Antichrist, who will desecrate the future temple in Jerusalem. The second coming of Christ, and our gathering to Him occur at one time, not two, at the end of the tribulation, as we will see.

Jesus gives another sign to watch for in Luke 21:20-24. The armies of the Antichrist will surround Jerusalem as he begins his invasion that starts the great tribulation. Jesus tells us that these will be days of vengeance, referring back to Leviticus 26:25 where we read of the vengeance against the broken covenant. The Gentile armies will trample the city until their time is fulfilled. 

In Revelation 11:2 we read that the Gentiles will trample the holy city for 42 months, that is three and one half years. Likewise Daniel shows us that the tribulation would be for a "time, times, and half a time." (Daniel 12:7) Again, three and one half years. This will be a time like no other in history. 

Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great, there is none like it; it is the time of Jacob's distress , but he will be saved from it.

Jeremiah 30:6-7 NASB

"Now at that time Michael, the great Prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occured since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued."

Daniel 12:1 NASB

Jeremiah's ministry as a prophet covered the time period just before, and during the Babylonian captivity. Daniel's covered the time of the captivity and into the fall of Babylon to the Medo-Persian empire. These prophets experienced the hardship and cruelty of Babylon, yet what they foretold was coming in the last days would exceed that. What Jesus tells us about these coming days is in agreement. They will be days unlike anything that the world has ever seen, and will never see again for the absolute horror and destruction that will occur.

The Antichrist will make war against the saints and overcome them for a time, times, and half a time (Daniel 7:21-25). When the power of the holy people is shattered, all of this will be over ( Daniel 12:7). 

Zechariah foretells of the day when two thirds of the people in the land will perish, but one third will remain and be refined and tested. They will be the ones who will call on the Lord their God at Christ's second coming (Zechariah 13:8-9).

"Then if any one says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or,' There He is,' do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."

Matthew 24:23-24 NASB

Along with all of its cruelty, this period of time will be filled with deception, as so called prophets and false messiahs seek to decieve. One individual is mentioned in Revelation 13:11-17. He is referred to as the false prophet (Rev 19:20). He will look like a "lamb" but speak as a "dragon". It is interesting to note that Islamic end times belief is that Isa (their version of Jesus) will return to destroy the Christians and the Jews. He will subject himself to the Mahdi ( their Messiah) to accomplish these things. It is a little uncanny to read this and compare it to what is found in Biblical prophecy.

The false prophet will cause all to worship the beast. He will perform great signs and wonders to decieve all who dwell on the earth. He will make an image of the beast, and causes it to speak. It is this individual who implements the "mark of the beast" so that it will be impossible to buy or sell without giving your allegiance to this kingdom.  

Jesus warns us however, not to be deceived by these things. His coming will be highly visible, and obvious to all (Matt 24:27).

"But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other." 

Matthew 24:28-31 NASB

"There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and in the earth dismay among the nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Luke 21:25-28 NASB

I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts it's unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Revelation 6:12-17 NASB 

Immediately preceding the second coming of Jesus there will be cosmic signs in the heavens. What Jesus is describing here is foretold by Isaiah,

Behold the day of the LORD is coming, cruel, with fury and burning anger, to make the land a desolation; and He will exterminate its sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not flash forth their light; the sun will be dark when it rises and the moon will not shed its light. Thus I will punish the world for its evil.

Isaiah 13:9-11 NASB

And Joel records this,

"I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls."

Joel 2:28-32 NASB

There will be no missing this event. When these signs begin,  men's hearts will be filled with dread, for they know that they will face the wrath of Jesus, the Lamb. Yet we also read that as these final events take place believers are encouraged to look up, because their redemption is now coming. 

It is now, as He splits the sky, that the elect are gathered from one end of the sky to the other. When he comes, Israel will call upon Him, they now recognize Him, and mourn. This repentance will result in their salvation as a nation (Zechariah 12:10-11, 13:1). It is also the day that the beast and his armies will be destroyed at Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21).

Then He told them a parable; "Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place."

Luke 21:29-32 NASB 

Jesus has given us a timeline of events that lead up to His second coming. He does this so that we can be aware of what is coming and be prepared. While He tells us that no man knows the day or hour of His return (Matthew 24:26), we still have signposts, so to speak, that let us know where we are at as these things unfold. 

Jesus wants us watching and ready. This does not mean we are to merely study these things,  and sit back and watch for these events to occur. No, Jesus goes on to exhort us to action. To be prepared for His second coming involves action on our part (Matthew 24:42-46).

Matthew 25 records two parables, followed by the separation of the "sheep and goats."  In the first parable we have ten virgins, five wise, and five foolish. They took lamps with them, and went out to meet the bridegroom. The bridegroom was delaying his coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. Suddenly they were awakened with a shout. The bridegroom was coming!  Now the five wise virgins had extra oil for their lamps, so they were able to go out and meet the bridegroom. The foolish virgins rushed back to find more oil. They were not ready, and missed out, with devastating consequences (Matthew 25:1-13). 

The lesson here is that of spiritual readiness. Always be ready and right with God. His coming may not come for a while, and the opportunity for complacency is a dangerous reality. We dare not let it set in, but we must always be "on fire" for our Lord Jesus Christ.

The second parable concerns a man who was going on a journey. He entrusted his slaves with his possessions, expecting them to use them wisely, so that when he returned he would have an increase. Each one was given a different amount, and he only  expected an increase in proportion to what they had been given. Two of the servants obeyed, and when the master returned he was overjoyed by their faithfulness. The third slave, the one who had received the smallest amount, did not use the little he had. In fact, he buried it in the ground, and just left it. Again, the consequences were fatal to this disobedient slave ( Matthew 25:14-30).

Likewise, we are expected to use the gifts and abilities that God has given us to advance His kingdom on this earth, while we are waiting for Christ's return, when His Kingdom will be consummated. 

When Jesus returns He will gather the nations and separate them according to their deeds. Did they feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison, welcome the stranger? These acts of kindness reflect our commitment to Jesus. We either love Him, and that love will express itself in loving the "least of these", or we don't. A lack of love shown to the needy around us is only a reflection of our lack of love and commitment to Christ and His cause (Matthew 25:31-46). 

Ultimately this sheep and goat judgement will be about the treatment of the Jews during their darkest night (Joel 3:1-3). If we can't love the needy and marginalized around us today, do we think that we will brave the dangers of the tribulation to reach out and love others then? Remember Jesus plainly says that the love of most will grow cold.

During the tribulation the Jews will be scattered throughout the nations. Will the Church step up and hide them, feed them, clothe them, minister to them, lead them to Jesus, their coming Messiah? I know many believe that the Church will be gone, safe in heaven, when these days come. But we have been joined at the hip with them, so to speak. We have been grafted in to the vine, enriched by the same root. (Romans 11:19-32). We were once alienated from God's covenants and chosen people, but now through Christ we have been brought in (Ephesians 2:11-20). We have one final mission during the hardest time the world will ever see. We must help our brethren come into their salvation. Yes, we will face persecution. Multitudes of believers will be martyred during these days (Revelation 7:9-17, 20:4), but this gospel of the kingdom must be procaimed in all the world, and then the end will come ( Matthew 24:14). Will we rise up and be the people that we have been called to be? 

Why the End Times (The controversy of Zion part 8)

There are several controversies that must be, and will be resolved at the return of Christ. Events that happened thousands of years ago are rushing forward on a collision course with God's own dealings with His wayward people, with whom He has a controversy as well.

Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.

Micah 6:1-2 KJV

I have devoted a lot of these posts to God's covenants with Israel. I do this, at the risk of sounding redundant, because a solid understanding of these covenants and how they play out, is vital to understanding so much of Biblical prophecy concerning the end times. 

So many theologians and teachers confuse so many Old Testament passages that pertain to Israel, with the Church. It seems, according to some, that the promises and blessings mentioned are now transferred to the Church in this age, while none of the punishments and curses apply to us. This however is poor interpretation, and is not being consistent with the text. It seems a bit selfish to say that we will take all of Israel's promises, but leave the curses to them. Other texts are symbolically explained away to the point of being meaningless. Ultimately it leaves a huge portion of Christians very confused, and in the dark about the last days. 

But God has made promises that are specific to Israel, and if God breaks these promises, or transfers them to someone else at a later time, we now have a major problem. If God, who cannot lie, never meant what He promised, breaking His covenant, is God even God then? Our very salvation is then in jeopardy.

The Bible portrays a story of mankind from start to finish. It begins with creation, the fall and ultimate curse, and continues with God choosing a nation from whom the deliverer will come to restore all things back to how it was always intended to be. So when God chose Abraham and made a covenant with him, and his descendants after him, that is part of this story. Israel was intended to be a light to the nations around them. People would see them living righteously, serving the LORD their God in holiness and sincerity. Sadly that is not what has happened, and God has to judge that sin. That is where the curses of the Mosaic covenant come into play. 

In the verse quoted above we read that God has a controversy with His people. They have turned away from Him, and are living in disobedience to His commands. The reference to the mountains in these verses is a reference to the nations. The LORD is declaring before the nations that He has a controversy with the people that He has chosen, the people who should be reflecting Him with their lives. But notice that He will plead with His people. While God's judgement is just, and it is fearful to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:30-31), He also desires to bring people to the point of repentance. 

And if you will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; then I will also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. And I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant ...

Leviticus 26:23-25 KJV

God will use other nations as His sword against His backslidden people. This was seen often in Biblical times (see Ezekiel 21:1-32). Early in Israel's existence they were oppressed by the Midianites, then the northern ten tribes were carried off by the Assyrian empire followed by Judah being conquered by Babylon. Rome crushed Israel in 70 AD leading to a nearly two thousand year absence from the land. This sword will strike one more time.

As I live, saith the LORD GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: and I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead with you, saith the LORD GOD. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and he shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 20:33-38 KJV

I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.

Ezekiel 20:41-42 KJV

God will use Israel's enemies against her to achieve His ultimate goal of restoration. The great tribulation will be a time of sifting. Zechariah tells us that only one third of the nation will remain after it is over. This one third will call upon the name of the LORD and be saved (Zechariah 13:7-9).

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her, and I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

Hosea 2:14-15 KJV

Hosea gives witness to this as well. God will use the time of tribulation to turn Israel back to Him again. The valley of Achor is a reference to Israel when they conquered Jericho. In disobedience to God's command, Achan took and hid some of the spoil of battle. Because of this sin the whole nation suffered a humiliating defeat the next time they went to battle. The LORD was not with them this time. Achan confessed his sin, and was stoned to death in this valley of Achor. Then the LORD went out with Israel once again. Likewise, after this future time of judgment, Israel will once again be reconciled with God. The curses of the Mosaic covenant will be resolved as the nation as a whole comes into the New Covenant.

That is a brief look at the controversy that the LORD has with his chosen people, Israel. The nations also have a controversy with Israel as well. It primarily has to do with God's choice of them, and the land that was given to them.

Last post I discussed the perpetual hatred of Esau. You can read it here. This hatred has persisted in the nations that surround Israel for thousands of years. It will reach it's boiling point coinciding with the final period of God's judgement against Israel, the period of time where God's controversy with His people will be resolved.

God will use these nations as His instrument of judgement. They, become His sword to avenge the broken covenant (Leviticus 26:23-25).

Yet these nations will be ultimately judged for their hatred and cruelty towards Israel. God will use them to achieve His purpose, but by no means will He allow their sin to go unpunished.

Isaiah speaks of the day when the sword of the LORD will descend upon the nations that have come against His chosen people. The language of this chapter is set in the last days, at Christ's second coming. He has a sacrifice prepared in Bozrah, a great slaughter in Idumea. These are references to the Edom, the land of Esau and his descendants, who have carried a perpetual hatred of Israel into modern times. (Isaiah 34:1-6).

And not only Isaiah, but many of the prophets spoke of this day. I will quote from three of them.

For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

Isaiah 34:8 KJV

Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you. And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; ye shall certainly drink. For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts. Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 25:27-31 KJV

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the seige both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered against it.

Zechariah 12:2-3 KJV

All of the nations that surround Israel will be judged for the controversy that they have with Israel and the land. God has a controversy with them that will be dealt with when Jesus returns.

The texts that I have quoted, as well as many more that I have left out, all point to the great tribulation, and the wrath of God poured out on the nations gathered against Israel at Christ's return. All of this culminates at the battle of Armageddon. At this same time the surviving remnant of Israel recognizes Jesus as their Messiah, and enter into the New Covenant as a nation. This is how the controversy of Zion will be resolved.

Why the End Times (A family History part 7)

"Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out My hand against you, and make you a desolation and a waste. And I will lay waste your cities and you will become a desolation. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Because you have had everlasting enmity and have delivered the sons of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of the punishment of the end..."

Ezekiel 35:3-5 NASB

We have so far examined the covenant that God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the Mosaic Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, and finally, the New Covenant. Understanding the covenants will give us a clear comprehension of the events leading up to, and including the return of Christ. These covenants are rushing to a fulfillment that will occur in those final days.

Another issue that will play big in end times events involves an ancient family. There are several things that occured among Abraham's family that created wounds that are still unresolved to this day. And they will play a major part in ushering in the great tribulation that will occur at the time of the end. I would like to look at these events that occured thousands of years ago, but have great relevance for today.

When we go back to the covenant that the LORD made with Abram we see that he was childless, yet God promised him a multitude of descendants after him ( Genesis 15:2-5). And to make things even more difficult, Sarai, Abram's wife was barren. 

Some time after God promised Abram an heir, his wife gave Hagar, her maid, to Abram, hoping that through her, God's promise would be fulfilled. So He went in to her, and Hagar conceived and bore a son, who was named Ishmael. Hagar then despised her mistress, causing Sarai to become jealous, and this became a source of contention between them ( Genesis 16:1-16).

About 14 years later Sarah gave birth to a son, and Abraham named him Isaac. Abraham is now 100 years old at this time. A few years later, when Issac was weaned, they threw a great feast to celebrate. Sarah saw Ishmael mocking, and she demanded that Abraham drive out her maid along with Ishmael. Abraham was very distressed, he no doubt loved his son Ishmael, but God told him to send them away, because it was through Isaac that the covenant would be passed down.

God provided for Hagar and Ishmael, and God blessed Ishmael and made him a mighty nation. He was given an Egyptian wife, and settled in Paran, where he became the father of the Arab people (Genesis 21:1-21). The Bible records that the 12 tribes of Ishmael's sons settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt as one goes to Assyria (Genesis 25:18). This is thought to be the area from the Sinai peninsula into what is now Saudi Arabia, perhaps down south into what is now modern day Yemen.

Abraham's son Isaac went on to father twin sons, Esau and Jacob. During her pregnancy Rebekah, Isaac's wife, inquired of the LORD about the struggle in her womb. The LORD answered her that there were two nations in her womb, two peoples would come forth from her body. One would be stronger than the other, and the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:22-23). 

Esau was the first to be born, and ordinarily the birthright would belong to him. However God saw it differently. The covenant would pass down from Isaac to Jacob and his descendants.

Later on as the boys grew older, Esau came in from hunting, and he was famished. Jacob had cooked some stew, and Esau asked him for some. Jacob demanded that Esau sell him his birthright for a bowl of stew. The Bible tells us that Esau despised his birthright. He ate his stew and went on his way.

Isaac grew old and was almost blind. The day came when he desired to pass the blessing on to his eldest son Esau. However Rebekah heard him, and quickly got Jacob, and the two of them plotted to deceive Isaac. Jacob posed as Esau, and although Isaac was suspicious at first, He gave the blessing to Jacob. Just as he finished, Esau came in, but it was too late. Esau begged with tears for a blessing, but he was the elder brother who was to serve the younger. He bore a grudge, and swore that he would kill Jacob (Genesis 27:1-41).

After Jacob fled to Rebekah's family in Paddan-aram, Esau went to Ishmael, out of spite, and married his daughter, Mahalath (Genesis 28:5-9). 

Esau eventually settled in the hill country of Seir, where he became the father of the Edomites (Genesis 36:8-9).

Genesis 25:1-6 records that after Sarah's death Abraham took another wife named Keturah. She bore him children as well. Among them are Midian, who went on to settle in what is referred to as the land of Midian in Arabia, and Jokshan, who gave birth to Sheba and Dedan who also settled in Arabia. The Midianites were enemies of Israel, and oppressed them on numerous occasions during the days of the Judges.

When Abram left Ur of the Chaldees to settle in the land the LORD would show to him, his nephew Lot came along. They had too many animals and possessions for the land to sustain them both together, so they decided to part ways. Abram let Lot choose where he wanted to settle, and he chose the valley of the Jordan, which at that time was well watered, like the garden of the LORD. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, which was the land promised him by the LORD (Genesis 13:5-18). Of course we all know the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, how they were destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven. The land which was once fertile and well watered became a destroyed wasteland (Genesis 19:24-28).

Lot fled to a cave in the mountains where he lived with his two daughters. In desperation to preserve their family line they got their father drunk and slept with him. They both conceived and bore sons. The older daughter named her son Moab. He became the father of the Moabites. The younger bore a son who she named Ben-ammi. He became the father of the Ammonites. These two nations also were bitter enemies of Israel and caused many problems for the ancient nation

If we were to take a modern map and place the territories of these ancient kingdoms over the nations that now exist there, it would look something like this. From the North going south you would have Ammon, Moab, then Edom over what is now present day Jordan heading south into Saudi Arabia with Dedan on the Northwest edge followed by the land of Midian, and Sheba where present day Yemen is located 

So what about the descendants of these ancient nations? To quote Bill Randles,

"Eventually the Edomites intermarried with the Ishmaelites, Midianites, and Moabites, and comprise much of the Middle Eastern Arabs." *

 The Bible has much to say about these nations in prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled. The perpetual hatred of Esau has persisted into this present day among his modern day descendants. This bitterness has been carried throughout the Middle East and North African nations by Islam as it conquered those lands centuries ago. 

I would like to make something clear here. Islam is a false religion that rose up in the land of Ishmael's descendants roughly 1400 years ago. It has carried this grievance at the forefront of its message. The ultimate destruction of Israel is at its very core. When one studies their end time beliefs you will find the opposite of what the Bible teaches. Their Messiah (the Mahdi) is who the Bible portrays as the antichrist, and the Biblical Jesus is portrayed as their version of the antichrist (the Dajjal). The Muslim Jesus (referred to as Issa) comes to help the Mahdi eliminate the Jewish race and establish the golden age of Islam. The book of revelation would describe this individual as the "false prophet" (Revelation 13:11-18).

That said, I love Muslims. I am acquainted with many, some whom I consider friends. They need Jesus just as we all do. Instead of fear and hate, we must love them as Jesus would, and seek to reach those that we can. 

Isaiah speaks of a beautiful day when Jesus reigns on the earth in Jerusalem. All the nations will be coming into the city to worship. This includes Abraham's other grandchildren as well.

God blessed Abraham and multiplied all of his physical descendants, not just Israel. True, the land covenant went through Isaac and Jacob; it was through Israel that Jesus came, but the covenant made with Abraham declares that all the nations will be blessed through him.

The end does not just terminate at Armageddon. An age is coming where the wolf lies down with the lamb. Isaiah specifically mentions the Arab people coming into the millennial kingdom bringing offerings and gifts to worship Jesus the Messiah.

"Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will rejoice; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you. A multitude of camels will cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah (Midian's descendants); all those from Sheba will come; they will bring gold and frankincense, and will bear good news of the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar (Ishmael's descendants) will be gathered together to you, the rams of Nebaioth (another one of Ishmael's descendants) will minister to you; they will go up with acceptance My altar, and I shall glorify My glorious house." 

Isaiah 60:5-7 emphasis mine

A glorious day is coming  when the prince of peace will bring peace and restoration, not only to the family of Abraham, but to all the nations of the earth.

* Quote taken from A sword on the Land. © 2015 Pastor Bill Randles

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Why the End Times (The New Covenant part 5)

"So shall it be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the LORD your God has banished you, and you return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons; then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you. If your outcasts are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you and from there He will bring you back. The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.

Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

Deuteronomy 30:1-6 NASB 

Israel has had a long history of departure from following the LORD God who has chosen and covenanted with them. The LORD Himself told Moses that this would indeed happen as they prospered in the land they were about to possess (Deuteronomy 31:15-22).

While the covenant God made with Abraham was an irrevocable covenant, the Mosaic covenant placed stipulations upon their ability to remain in the land. If they would depart from following the commandments of the LORD, He would scatter them as a nation. If they would then turn back to Him in repentance they would be restored back to the land promised to them. 

In the above passage we find that God would do something that would enable them to walk faithfully in obedience to Him. The law itself could not ensure their faithfulness, they needed a change of heart, just like anyone of us do. 

In a passage speaking of the return of Christ to bring Judgement upon an evil world we find this,

"A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," declares the LORD. "As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the LORD, "From now and forever." 

Isaiah 59:20-21 NASB

It is interesting to note that this passage begins with an indictment against the nation of Israel, followed by a confession of their guilt, leading to the LORD Himself coming to bring vengeance to the wicked, and restoration to the repentant. At the end of this passage, which also foretells of the millennial age to come,  we read that all of the nation will be righteous, and they will inhabit the land forever, planted by God Himself (Isaiah 59:1-60:22).

It is the "New Covenant" that provides the answer for man's rebellious tendency. All of us who have entered into this covenant through the new birth can attest to this fact. We have found that our lives have been transformed from slavery to sin, to a life of freedom to serve Christ in faithfulness.

We read of this New Covenant being made with the House of Israel and the house of Judah. Both kingdoms of the divided nation are mentioned here. 

"Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "When I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their father's in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." 

Jeremiah 31:31-34 NASB

This is the answer to the dilemma posed by the stipulations in the Mosaic Covenant. God has made an irrevocable covenant concerning Israel and the land on the one hand, but has decreed that they must faithfully obey Him to remain in it. 

Many people of Jewish descent have entered into this new covenant ever since the day of penecost two thousand years ago. And multitudes of gentile believers have been grafted in as well through their trust in Jesus Christ. However Israel as a nation has not entered as a whole. That day is yet to come, but make no mistake, it will.

"This says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar, the LORD of hosts is His name: if this fixed order departs from before Me," declares the LORD, Then the offspring of Israel will also cease from being a nation before Me forever." Thus says the LORD, "If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out below, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:35-37 NASB

I think that many Christians fail to look at this section in its entirety. We see the new heart and the law written upon it, and that is true, and vital to our salvation, yet we fail to see that in this covenant God is once again pledging that Israel will always be His chosen people. He will not cast them away. He will allow the curse of the law to bring them to the end of themselves, where they will cry out to Him in repentance. At this point as we read in Isaiah 59:20, "A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," declares the LORD.

And then in the next chapter we read again of the New Covenant.

"Behold, I will gather them out of all the lands to which I have driven them in My anger, in My wrath and in great indignation; and I will bring them back to this place and make them dwell in safety. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me 

 I will rejoice over them to do them good, and will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul. For thus says the LORD, 'Just as I brought all this disaster on this people, so I am going to bring on them all the good that I am promising them.'"

Jeremiah 32:37-42 NASB

As previously stated, Israel has faced periods of apostasy, driven out of the land, yet brought back into it years later. However, we have yet to see the day when they, as a nation, have one heart and purpose to serve the LORD their God with all their heart and soul. When that day comes we see the fulfillment of the New Covenant for them as God's chosen people. They will be regathered one final time, brought back to the land originally sworn to Abraham, and settled there never to be uprooted again. 

The New Covenant is the capstone so to speak, of the previous covenants we have looked at. It brings to pass all that God has promised Israel. It confirms the covenant with Abraham, brings resolution to the blessings and curses of the law, and ushers in the Davidic kingdom. Look at Jeremiah 33:14-17, where we read that at the time of Israel's salvation, a righteous Branch of David will set up His kingdom, the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant.

Finally I would like to look at a passage found in Ezekiel 36. A chapter where the desolation of the land of Israel is described, a desolation that occurs because of God's wrath towards His people on account of their rebellion against Him. I recommend you read the chapter in its entirety, as I will only quote part of it here. 

Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Son of man, when the house of Israel was living in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds; their way before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. Therefore I poured out My wrath on them for the blood which they had shed on the land, because they had defiled it with their idols. Also I scattered them among the nations and they were dispersed throughout the lands. According to their ways and their deeds I judged them. When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, 'These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.' 

"But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went."

Ezekiel 36:16-21 NASB 

God is a faithful and just God. He will not allow sin to go unchecked. There are consequences for sin. Sin among God's people is especially devastating, as it brings a reproach to the name of God as well. When the lost around us see sin and hypocrisy among those who profess to serve Christ it reflects upon Him. God will not tolerated that, judgement does begin in the house of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17). 

Again, a dilemma. Does God destroy the nation on account of their sin? If He does, He is not faithful to the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, yet as a holy God He must judge sin.

The context of the surrounding chapters in Ezekiel is the tribulation of the last days, culminating in the return of Christ to defeat "Gog" (the antichrist) at the Battle of Armageddon (see Ezekiel 38-39). At this point Israel has gone through an invasion that sparks the great tribulation, a time of unequaled distress that will come upon the world. Yet through this terrible event Israel will be brought to a place of repentance when their Messiah (Jesus) comes to deliver them from their enemies. The prophecy of Ezekiel 36 is set to occur at this point in time.

"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the LORD GOD, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD," declares the LORD GOD, when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God."'"

Ezekiel 36:22-28 NASB

God will be vindicated through His deliverance of Israel from her enemies in the last days. All the nations who have come against Israel, will know that He is the LORD when Israel turns back to Him, and he brings them back into their land. His faithfulness to His covenant will be obvious to all. No one will be able to question Him from this point on. Israel will now live in peace, in obedience to their God forever, as a witness to the world around them.

Why the End Times? (The Davidic Covenant part 4)

At the birth of John the Baptist, his father Zacharias, uttered this prophetic word,

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant -as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old-SALVATION FROM OUR ENEMIES, AND FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; to show mercy toward our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. And you child will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God. With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Luke 1:67-79 NASB

Around one thousand years previously, God made a covenant with a king named David. It starts with the ultimate establishment of Israel in their land, and the final overthrow of their enemies.

"I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and not be removed again; and the wicked will not waste them anymore as formerly, even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies."

1 Chronicles 17:9-10 NASB

Up to this point Israel had  experienced times of conflict with various enemies, but had yet to experience removal from the land.

By the time of Zacharias, the Assyrian captivity, followed by the Babylonian captivity, had occured, and now although they were back in their land, they were subject to the Roman empire. So this is looking to a time yet future.

"Moreover I tell you that the LORD will build a house for you. When your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up one of your descendants after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build for Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father and he shall be My son;and I will not take My loving kindness away from Him, as I took it from him who was before you. But I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever."

1 Chronicles 17:10-14 NASB

The day is coming when Israel will be delivered from all who seek to destroy them, and be established in their own land in peace and security. The LORD will be their God, and they will be His people. One is coming to set up His kingdom in Jerusalem and reign over them forever. He is the Son of David, Jesus the Messiah.

Matthew's gospel begins by tracing the genealogy from David to Jesus, establishing the fact that Jesus is indeed Israel's Messiah (Matthew 1:1-17).

At the birth of Jesus the angels announced that a savior, Christ (Messiah) the Lord had been born in the city of David (Luke 2:10-11).

Peter, in his sermon on the day of Pentecost, went back to the Psalms to show that David prophetically spoke of the day that Jesus would rise from the dead and be exalted, the fulfillment of the covenant that God had made with him (Acts 2:22-36).

As Jesus was about to ascend back into heaven His disciples asked if this was now the time that He would restore the kingdom back to Israel. I have often heard various Bible teachers pass off these disciples as ignorant, as not really understanding Jesus true mission. However their question only shows that a major prophetic theme, found in the writings of the scriptures that they would have been thoroughly steeped in, was in fact the restoration of the nation, by an individual who would be their Messiah. It's interesting that Jesus did not rebuke them, or correct their "error",  He told them that it was not for them to know the "when", they must be His witnesses in the "now" (Acts 1:6-8).

One could go on, the scriptures are filled with passages proving that Jesus Christ is the one who will put down evil and reign in righteousness forever. 

I will finish this post with a fabulous passage found in Ezekiel 37, the "dry bones" chapter. The context is the regathering of Israel back into the land after being scattered among the nations. The two kingdoms will be united as one, and the nation as a whole will be born again.

"My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them. They will live in the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they and their sons, and their son's sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant with them, and I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever. My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever."

Ezekiel 37:24-28 NASB

Why the End Times (The Blessings and Curses of the Law. part 3)

We have seen the choosing of Abraham as the one through whom the ultimate seed (Jesus) would come. God made a covenant with him, and through him, to his son Isaac, and then Jacob to multiply their descendants after them, and give them what is known as the "promised land."

 

The next covenant that needs to be looked at is the covenant God made with Israel at Sinai, the Mosaic covenant. 

'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."

Exodus 19:5-6 NASB 

This covenant unlike the Abrahamic covenant required obedience from Israel if they were to be blessed by God. What I would like to focus on in this post is how Israel's faithfulness to the LORD would affect their ability to remain in the land. All of this is spelled out in a couple sections that pertain to the blessings for obedience, and the curses for disobedience. 

According to these passages Israel's ability to remain in the land promised to them in the covenant made with Abraham was contingent upon their faithfulness to the covenant God made with them at Sinai. Here is what many perceive to be a dilemma. If the land promise was an irrevocable promise, how can Israel's obedience or disobedience effect this promise?

Is God unfaithful?

There are several passages of scripture that show how this works out. Leviticus 26:1-13, and Deuteronomy 28:1-14 contain blessings that Israel can expect if they as a nation walk in obedience to the LORD.  And the consequences for disobedience can be found in Leviticus 26:24-39, and Deuteronomy 28:15-68. 

To briefly sum it up, if Israel turns from the LORD and falls into idolatry they will face various disasters and ultimately be driven from their land and dispersed among the nations.  Their ability to remain in the land hinges upon their obedience. Yet as we read on we find that if they repent of their sin God will forgive them, and bring them back.

"If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me-I also was acting in hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies-or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land."

Leviticus 26:40-42 NASB 

"So shall it be when all these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the LORD your God has banished you, and you return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons, then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you, if your outcasts are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you and from there He will bring you back. The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it, and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers."

Deuteronomy 30:1-5 NASB

God's covenant with Abraham remains in spite of the fact that Israel turns away from Him. The giving of the Law ( the Old Covenant) does not negate the covenant with Abraham (Galatians 3:16-18). They might not be able to remain in the land, but because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the land is still theirs. His judgement is not only punitive, it is the  means to bring them to the end of themselves, to the point of repentance. Then, the LORD will restore them to their land again.

We have seen this play out through history. The Assyrian empire took away the northern ten tribes of Israel followed by the Babylonian captivity of the southern kingdom of Judah years later. Yet we read Daniel's prayer of confession in Daniel 9:1-19, and then read of their release from Babylon. Israel was dispersed by the Roman government in 70 AD and for almost two thousand years scattered among the nations where they suffered times of immense persecution. Yet in more recent times they have returned to the land where they remain today. The Bible foretells of one more time of desolation that is to come. This is time of tribulation will be the event that brings Israel as a nation to the point of repentance. Read what is prophecied in Deuteronomy 4:25-31

"When you become the father of children and children's children and have remained long in the land, and acted corruptly, and make an idol  in the form of anything, and do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD your God so as to provoke Him to anger, I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will surely perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to possess it. You shall not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed. The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD drives you. There you will serve gods the work of man's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell.

But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.

For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you not destroy you not forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them."