Reward of the Saved

Promise to Abraham

by Keith Hunt Gal. 3:29 If we are Christians we are looked upon by God as Abraham's seed - and we are HEIRS - not yet inheritors of THE PROMISE Gal. 3:16 Because to Abraham and his seed - Christ - were the promises made. We shall inherit the SAME promise that was given and promised to Abraham - that's what your NEW TESTAMENT says. Let's look to see what SPECIFIC promise Abraham was given. Gen 12:5-7. God promised the land of Palestine - Canaan. Gen. 13:14-15 God reaffirms the promise to Abraham. Gen. 17:8 the LAND OF CANAAN - Palestine - was to be given to Abraham and his seed for an EVERLASTING - ETERNAL possession. Look, try to find, search, see if you can find the verse that promised Abraham HEAVEN as his eternal possession or even for a 1000 years. You will not find it - there was no such promise ever given. Did David believe what God said and promised Abraham and his seed? Yes - see Ps. 105:8-11. Did Abraham ever receive this promise? Heb. 11:8-9; 11:13 Paul restates the promise given by God to Abraham. Abraham died in faith - NOT having received the promise - eternal life on THIS EARTH. Acts 7:1-5 Stephen also believed what God had promised Abraham - the land of Palestine - but Abraham has NOT INHERITED YET, nor his seed. Christ is Abraham's seed - if we be Christ's we are Abraham's seed and heirs with Him of the SAME promise. Christ came as a mediator of a better covenant(Heb.9:15;7:22), just as David knew - Ps. 37:11. Matthew 5:5 Christ has promised us the ENTIRE earth - not just Palestine. Abraham was never - not even for a day - promised he would go to heaven where God the Father is. Christ never promised us heaven. The word of God NOWHERE promises us heaven for ANY length of time. But it does promise us THIS EARTH for a 1,000 years with Christ in His kingdom ruling the nations. And then when Christ has put down all authority and rule and all enemies are under his feet, the last enemy to be destroyed being death (at the end of the 1,000 years) Rev.21:14,15. He shall then deliver - hand over the Kingdom to the Father. See I Cor. 15:23-26. God the Father will descend together with the new Jerusalem to this earth (Rev.22:1-2) and God shall come and dwell with them (v.3). Oh, the truth of God is available to those who live the truth - to those who fear and tremble before the word of God. Will you do as the Bereans did when Paul preached what seemed "strange things" unto them (Acts 17:11)? "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and SEARCHED the SCRIPTURES daily, whether those things were so." ................ Written 1981

Kingdom of God - Where will it be?

On Earth or in Heaven?

by Keith Hunt CHRIST SAID HE WAS BORN TO BE A KING- HE HAD BEEN APPOINTED A KINGDOM. HE TOLD HIS DISCIPLES THEY COULD HAVE A PLACE A PLACE WITH HIM IN HIS KINGDOM. IS THIS KINGDOM A LITERAL KINGDOM OR JUST SOMETHING IN THE HEARTS OF MEN? WILL IT BE SET UP ON THIS EARTH OR IN HEAVEN? WHEN WILL THIS KINGDOM COME - HAS IT ALREADY COME? WILL THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST BE IN TWO STAGES WITH THREE AND A HALF, SEVEN OR ONE THOUSAND YEARS BETWEEN EACH COMING? THE WORD OF GOD CAN ANSWER ALL THESE QUESTIONS AND OTHERS BESIDE, IF WE WILL SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO FIND WHAT GOD TELLS US. CHRISTIANS ARE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD - WE NEED TO KNOW - WE CAN KNOW WHAT THAT KINGDOM IS. HERE THEN ARE THE MAIN PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE THAT SHOW US WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD! Job 19:25,26 Job said he knew his Savior was alive and that in the latter day He (the Redeemer) shall STAND ON THE EARTH. Job said nothing about a 1,000 years after the latter day or a third return of Christ to this earth. In verse 26 he went on to show EXACTLY what time he knew his Redeemer would stand on this earth - when he (Job) is RESURRECTED - Job was to die - yet in his flesh (a resurrection) he shall see God. That resurrection of the righteous takes place at the return of Christ (I Thes. 4:16) and Job will be in it, and Job said that at that time the Redeemer would stand on the earth. Isa. 2:1-4 God gave two prophets living at different times (Micah 4:1) the same truth. (Isa. 2:2) Mountain is a symbol for kingdom (Dan. 2:35, 44). In the LAST DAYS God is going to set up His kingdom, mountain of the Lord's house - Christ is preparing us a place in it, Jn. 14:1-3. He brings it with Him on His return (Rev. 22:12) and on top of, above the other kingdoms and all nations will look to it, flow to it. v. 3 Notice! People will say after God has set up His kingdom, let us go up to it and let God teach us HIS WAYS - they will be willing to walk in His ways. Here then are people who do NOT KNOW God's ways, saying we WANT TO LEARN His ways. This cannot be the new earth for only the immortal righteous dwell on it - only those who ALREADY know God's ways and have been made eternal dwell on the new earth - sin and death have been destroyed (Rev. 20:14, 15). v. 4 He shall REBUKE many people. This cannot be on the new earth, only sinless saints are on it. Swords into ploughshares - here are people that still have weapons of war, and God makes them turn those weapons into implements of peace - they are TAUGHT not to fight anymore. NONE Or THIS WILL HAPPEN ON THE NEW EARTH - it has not happened yet - it must be for the 1,000 years after God sets up His kingdom over this earth. Micah 4:6-13. This is a continuation of Isaiah's prophecy - God gathers Israel - all the prophecies about Israel at Christ's return find them in a state of captivity - v.8, the kingdom comes to Jerusalem - v.10, Zion is delivered from enemies - v.13, Zion or Judah shall break their enemies. None of this will happen on the new earth. It is speaking of the SAME DAY (v.6) as v.1-5. Isa. 11:1-16 v. 1-3 Most Bible scholars agree that this is Christ talked about here. v.4 Smite the earth ... slay the wicked. The second advent of Christ. v. 6-9 The earth full of God's knowledge - wild animals tame - no more destruction. Notice! A little child, sucking child (months old) and weaned children (v.6,8) are playing with these animals. The NEW EARTH will not be for bearing; and rearing children - only for immortal saints - see Mt. 22:29 30 v. 10 AND IN THAT DAY - the same time as v. 1-9 - the Gentiles shall seek Christ - cannot be the new earth. v. 11-12. Again we are told about Israel being regathered at this time. v. 13-14 Israel will literally subdue some countries. v. 15-16 At this same time there will be a SECOND EXODUS for physical Israelites. None of Isaiah 11 has happened yet - it will not take place on the new earth - it must be for the 1,000 years. Isa. 24:1-6 This is a prophecy for the yet future - when God comes to punish the earth. v.6 Few men are left. v.19,20 The earth reeling to and fro. v. 23 Heavenly signs (see Mt.24:29) God reigns in JERUSALEM. Isa. 25 It is a continuation of the same prophecy. v. 7 Spiritual blindness is removed (see II Cor. 3:15) v. 8 No more tears. v. 9 People will be saved -people rejoicing in salvation. Isa. 26 IN THAT DAY - this prophecy continues - Judah will sing this song. v. 19 the resurrection!! Isa. 27 Still continuing the same prophecy - IN THAT DAY v. 1 Satan is bound (compare with Rev. 12:3,9. 13:1, 20:1-3). v. 6 Israel will blossom and be a blessing to all the world. v. 11 God will show them favour. v. 13 Notice! The great trumpet shall blow - Israel is regathered and they come to worship God AT JERUSALEM. This is the second return of Christ - the last or great trumpet - Israel gathered - the resurrection - salvation - spiritual blindness removed - the earth punished - heavenly signs. Isa. 66:15-24 Verses 15 and 18 tell us when this prophecy will be fulfilled - "...the LORD WILL COME with fire... and His rebuke ...I will gather all nations... they shall come and see my glory." This has never yet happened - it will at this second advent - he will gather all nations to fight them at the battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16,17:12-14, 19:19, 20) - see my text on "Armageddon and the Age to come" v. 19 People will be sent out to other nations, isles that have NOT HEARD of Christ's fame nor seen his glory. This cannot be on the new earth. v. 23 People will keep the Sabbath and worship God. v. 24 The stubborn wicked will be destroyed from one Sabbath to another - for a long period and the righteous shall view their carcasses. None of this can be on the new earth, There is no sin or death then (see Rev. 21:4,5, 20:14); no salvation offered then - no need - only immortal saints on the new earth. Dan. 2:31-44 Daniel's image is well known by most Bible scholars as depicting the four world-ruling empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. Rome was to have a final ten-nation resurrection at the time of Christ's return (the ten toes). See also Rev. 17:12-14. v. 35 the stone smashes the image and becomes a great mountain. v. 44 Interpreted as a kingdom. v. 35 WHEN this stone (Christ, Acts 4:10-11) smashes the image - God sets up a kingdom - THEN, not three and a half or 1,000 years later, but in the DAYS OF THESE (TEN KINGS) NATIONS v. 44. And this stone becomes a great kingdom and fills the WHOLE EARTH, not heaven. There's no mention of heaven AT ALL for THIS kingdom (Christ's kingdom). Dan. 7:9 The earthly kingdoms have been cast down. v. 11 gives us the time setting - the beast is slain, his body given to the burning flame - compare with Rev. 19:19, 20. This is the second advent of Christ. v. 13 Son of Man coming with clouds - see Acts 1:9-11. v. 14 Christ receives DOMINION - GLORY - KINGDOM - that all people, nations (plural), languages (plural - different languages) should SERVE HIM - you can not serve someone if you DO NOT EXIST. There will not be DIFFERENT nations and languages in the new earth - God will dwell with us, we all shall be HIS PEOPLE then - immortal and like him, I Jn. 3:2; one family of God. v. 27 The kingdom is UNDER the whole heaven - not in heaven - no three and a half or seven years in heaven stated here. All dominions (plural - different ones) shall SERVE and OBEY Him. The saints are IN the kingdom - all other kings and kingdoms obey the overall kingdom - God's kingdom - which is set up UNDER the whole heaven - as Daniel in chapter 2 tells us, it fills the whole earth. No mention at all in these two chapters of Christ's kingdom being in heaven for a 1,000 years. Just the opposite - in the days of these kings (last ten nations to compose the last Roman Empire) the God of heaven sets up a kingdom, and it "filled the whole earth". 2:35,44 Zech. 12:1,2,3 A prophecy directed to Israel. Zech.12:2-5 THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON - Nations are gathered at Jerusalem. God will destroy them verses 9,11. See my text on "The Battle of Armageddon." Zech. 12:10 This is at Christ's second advent - NOT 1,000 years later. Proof - When this battle takes place, the house of David (Judah), the Jews will have God's spirit and grace poured out on them. They do not have it today. They have rejected Christ and grace. "...... and the (house of Judah - Jews) shall look upon me (Christ) whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him ...... " Zech. 12:11-14 The Jews shall weep when they see that the king they have waited for, for so many centuries, is the very person they - the Jews - crucified 2,000 years earlier. Zech. 13:6 IN THAT DAY (see v.1) a person shall ask Christ about the wound scars in His hands. He shall tell them about how He was put to death by His own people 2,000 years earlier. These two chapters of Zechariah are yet to be fulfilled. They will be fulfilled at Christ's SECOND ADVENT - not a 1,000 years after or on the new earth. Zech. 14:1 The time setting is clearly given for this prophecy - DAY OF GOD - Christ's return to punish this earth. Zech. 11:2-3 The Battle of Armageddon Zech. 14:4 IN THAT DAY - the day of God - the Armageddon battle - HIS FEET SHALL STAND UPON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES - from whence he left (Acts 1:9-12). Zech. 14:5 THE LORD SHALL COME and all the saints. Yes, the resurrection has taken place (1 Cor.15). We have been caught up to meet the descending Christ in the air - the clouds (1 Thes. 4:16), and we continue to descend with him to the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem. This is at Christ's SECOND ADVENT - NOT three and a half, seven or one thousand years later. The rest of the chapter proves it will not be on the new earth nor at the end of the Millennium. Zech. 14:6 IN THAT DAY - as preceding verses. The light not clear or dark. (See Mt. 24:29). Zech. 14:7 ONE DAY - a literal twenty-four hour period. WHICH SHALL BE KNOWN TO THE LORD - Compare this with Mt. 24:36. This is the SAME DAY Christ talked about. Zech. 14:8 IN THAT DAY - a literal river going from Jerusalem representing the Holy Spirit - living water - God's word and salvation going forth. Zech. 14:9 Christ is king over the earth. Zech.14:8 Notice! This river flows to the EASTERN sea (see margin ref.) and the Hinder Sea - to the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. On the NEW EARTH there is NO SEA - Rev. 21:1. Zech: 14:10-11 Specific areas of land and what God will do to them at this time of His return and after. Zech. 14:12-15 How God will destroy the nations at the great battle. IN THAT DAY - the same day as the previous verses. Zech. 14:16. Continuing - what shall happen IN THAT DAY (v. 13) and after - the people LEFT of the nations who fought at Jerusalem will come to worship the King Christ. Zech. 14:17 If any family - families (plural - different ones) WILL NOT send representatives to Jerusalem to worship God - God shall withhold the rain from them - they will be punished. On the new earth there is no unrighteousness, rebellion, sin (Rev. 21:1-8). Zech. 14:18 Here is a specific nation mentioned - Egypt - if they rebel God will send a plague upon them - God will smite the heathen (unconverted, rebellious, sinners) if they do not do as God says. Zech. 14:19 God repeats what He just declared. None of this will happen on the new earth. Zech. 14:20,21 SACRIFICES will once again be done in Jerusalem - to remind people of sin (Heb. 10:3, 4). This is all foretold in great detail in Ezekiel, chap.40-48. This will not happen on the new earth. Rev. 14:1 A COUNTERPART OF ZECH. 14 - it is the same day and the Lamb (Christ, Jn.1:29) is standing on Mount Zion - the resurrection has taken place, v.1-5. Rev.14: 6-7 Then - AFTER v.1-5 an angel is sent out to preach to them that dwell - ARE STILL DWELLING ON THE EARTH - to every nation (different ones), kindred, tongues (different people speaking various languages) and people. The angel says to fear God and worship him - THEY ARE NOT YET DOING SO. Rev. 14:8 Another angel cries that Babylon HAS fallen (who Babylon IS I have explained in my text on "The Beasts of Daniel and Revelation" which one day shall be on this Website). Rev. 14:9-11 Another angel cries out that if anyone still wants to worship the false way, he will be in the WINE OF THE WRATH OF GOD - see v. 19,20; 16:13-16; 19:11-21 - the battle of Armageddon. Lk. 1:31-33 Christ was to be given THREE things: 1. The throne of David, 2. rulership over Israel, 3. a kingdom. He never received ANY of these the time He was here in the flesh. Did Christ believe He would receive these three things? 1. THE THRONE OF DAVID It was foretold in the prophets - see Ps. 132:11-18; Isa. 9:6-7; 16:1-5. Christ BELIEVED he would receive a throne - Mt. 19:28 - Christ has NOT YET been given that throne. Rev. 3:21. He is now sitting on the Father's throne in heaven. Christ receives that throne when He returns - Mt. 25:31. The throne of David is a LITERAL throne - it is somewhere on this earth today - God knows where. It will be given to Christ at Jerusalem on His return - Jer. 3:17. 2. RULERSHIP OVER ISRAEL It was foretold in the prophets - see Micah 4:6,7. I have already explained Micah's prophecy. Christ never denied that Israel was to be a great kingdom. Acts 1:6, the disciples ask if He would at THAT TIME in history restore the kingdom to Israel - they knew and expected Israel to have a great kingdom - they knew what was prophesied in the Old Testament. Verse 7, Christ did NOT say "oh, you misunderstand the prophets, you've got it all wrong, here is the truth, let me put you straight." He said it was not FOR THEM at that time (2,000 years ago) to be given the understanding when that (Israel to be a great kingdom) should take place. 3. A KINGDOM - It was foretold in the prophets Ps. 45:6, 7. I have given you dozens of passages that foretell Christ is to have a kingdom. Christ plainly said He was to be a king and that's why He was born - Jn. 18,37. But His kingdom was not to start at that time in history, verse 36. It starts when He returns - Lk. 19:11, 12, Mt. 25:31,32; Rev. 19:11-15. These verses depict Christ's return in power and glory - He comes to punish the nations. BUT LOOK, verse 15, He is to RULE THEM also. If there is no one left on this earth, how is He going to rule them? Rev.20:1-3 Satan is bound. Why? So he WILL NOT deceive the nations, verse 3. If there are no nations, people that could be deceived, why bother saying he is bound so he WILL NOT deceive them. Rev. 20:4,6 Christ and the saints REIGN - rule for a 1,000 years. A king or priest reigns over people or nations who are subject to him. Rev.19:15 has stated Christ will rule the nations. Rev.20:7,8. After the 1,000 years, Satan is loosed to go out to deceive the nations - notice it - which ARE - already there - already living - in the earth. The second resurrection has NOT YET happened. It does not occur until after verse 7-10 have been fulfilled. Rev. 5:10 In chap. 20 we are told that the saints shall be priests and kings with Christ - they shall reign for a 1,000 years. Where shall they reign? In heaven? On Mars? Under the sea? The Bible must tell us - not our own idea or dreams--"AND HAS MADE US UNTO OUR GOD KINGS AND PRIESTS: AND WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH." Rev. 5:10 Mt. 5:5 THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH. We have never EVER been promised in the Bible to go to where God the Father is now. You try to find it. God the Father is coming to be with us, see Rev. 21:3 Rev. 22:12 Christians are to receive REWARDS at Christ's return. Mt. 19:27 Notice the SPECIFIC reward that Christ promised each of the twelve disciples, "Jesus said to them, truly, I say to you, in the new age (the Messianic rebirth of the world ) when the Son of Man shall sit down on the throne of His glory, you (who have become my disciples, and followed me) will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel" (Amplified Bible). The literal twelve disciples are to sit on literal thrones judging the literal tribes of Israel. Christ will sit on the literal throne He was promised - the throne of David. Rev. 2:26,27 The overcomers will have rulership over nations (plural - many different ones). Lk. 19:11-27 Because some at Christ's first advent thought His kingdom should IMMEDIATELY BE SET UP, He gave them this analogy. A nobleman was to receive a kingdom but first must take a long journey. He gave his servants a job to do while he was away. Lk. 19:15. When he returned and had received the kingdom he called his servants to reward them according to their works. Lk. 19:16-19. Those who had done something with what he gave them, the nobleman (Christ) gave them rulership over CITIES. Lk. 19:20-26. The Christian who did nothing - received nothing. Lk. 19:27. The ones who rejected Christ - were slain. Christ is the nobleman - He has gone to heaven - He will return and set up his kingdom - His servants will be given RULE OVER CITIES. Mt. 25:14-30. Is the same parable given by Matthew. Mt. 13:24-30. Parable of the sown seed. Mt. 13:36-43. Christ gives us the interpretation in verse 40: the harvest is the end of THIS AGE (world - see the Greek). Compare with Rev. 14:18-1; 19:11-21; 16:13-16. See my text on "The Battle of Armageddon." Verse 41 Christ will start dividing the righteous and unrighteous. But the question is how long will this take? A day? A month? A year? In THIS PARABLE Christ does not say. We must look elsewhere in the scriptures to find the answer. Mt. 25:31-46 Parable of the sheep and goats - gives us some of the answer to the parable of the seed and how long the harvest lasts. v. 31, Christ comes and sits on HIS throne - the throne of David (Lk. 1:31-33) at Jerusalem (Jer. 3:17). V. 32 and THEN - after He is on this earth - after the battle of Armageddon - after He receives the throne of David and His kingdom - ALL NATIONS are before - under His rule - and THEN starts the dividing. Yes, this dividing - this harvest - starts at Armageddon and continues through the 1,000 years. All the prophets of old testify to this truth. Read again the whole chapters of Zech.12,13,14, and Isa. 66:15- 24. Mat. 13:31-33 Christ likened His kingdom to a small mustard seed - it will start small (at Jerusalem) spread over Israel and eventually the entire earth (the stone becomes a great mountain and fills the whole earth, Daniel 2) and then the nations will lodge in its protection, strength, and goodness. The little leaven put in the bread so all became leaven is another example Christ gave, to show how His kingdom will spread over all the earth when He comes to set it up and sit on the throne of David. THY KINGDOM COME LORD, THY KINGDOM COME! ................ Written 1980

Beginning of the 1,000 years

Some major events at the coming of Christ

by Keith Hunt There are dozens of verses and passages in the Bible that proclaim the literal Kingdom of God on earth. The book of Revelation, chapter 20, uses the phrase "one thousand years" in reference to the Messiah and the saints ruling on this earth. We shall in this study look at some of the passages that concern the coming of God's Kingdom and the time setting of the beginning of that 1,000 year reign. First, we see the Kingdom age is promised in Isaiah chapter 2, verses one to five (basically repeated in Micah chapter 4). In the last days of man's reign on earth the Kingdom of God will be established on the top of all other nations. All nations will flow to it, people will finally say that they do want to learn God's way of life and live by His laws and commandment and walk in His way. It is the time when the law of the Lord shall go forth from Zion and Jerusalem. He, the Lord will judge the people of earth, and rebuke when rebuke is needed. People will turn their swords into farming implements. Nations will no longer war against each other, neither will they have academies where war is taught and learned. When will this all take place, or begin to take place? It will be at the sound of the SEVENTH trumpet, according to Revelation 11:15-19. This seventh trumpet will sound, and a great cry will go from the beings in heaven that it is NOW the time for God to take His great power and to reign, and it is the time for the DEAD to be judged and rewards given to the saints. As we study the book of Revelation we will discover that there are ONLY SEVEN trumpets to sound, and it is when the SEVENTH trumpet sounds that God comes to destroy and punish them that are destroying the earth (and Revelation is about much of man's destruction to man and the earth) and to reward the saints, and for God to reign. This trumpet sound is mentioned by the apostle Paul in two very important passages concerning the Kingdom of God on earth. One of those passages in the famous "resurrection chapter" of 1 Corinthians 15. Paul explains many wonderful truths about the immortal resurrection of the saints and with what body they will have in that mighty resurrection. A change must come for as he states in verse 50, flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, neither does corruption inherit incorruption. He admits in verse 51, that not all saints or children of God will be asleep in death, some will be living in their flesh and blood body. Yet in a twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMP (the same trump as the seventh one in the book of Revelation), at the sound of the last trumpet, the dead shall be RAISED incorruptible and those still alive in the flesh, shall be CHANGED. This is unquestionably talking about the RESURRECTION of the saints, the FIRST resurrection as Revelation 20 informs us. It is the time when the Job knew he would be raised from the dead and CHANGED (Job 14:10-15), when the REDEEMER would COME in the latter days and STAND on the earth (Job 19:25). Paul talks about the same time in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, verses 13-18. He wants us not to be ignorant of those who have died in Christ (verse 13). If we believe Jesus died and rose again, then those who die in Christ, will come with Him, when He returns to this earth to once more stand upon it (as Job said he would). How will they come with Him? They will come with Him, not because they are up in heaven and come with Him to earth from heaven, but, or "FOR" the connecting word, Paul goes on to tell us how they will come with Jesus to earth. Those that are alive in the flesh will not precede to meet Jesus before those which are asleep in the graves. FOR, the connecting word again, verse 16, the Lord shall descend from heaven with ...a TRUMPET sound, and the dead in christ shall rise first, and those saints alive in the flesh (shall be changed as we have seen in 1 Corinthians 15), both groups of saints, will caught up into the CLOUDS, into the AIR, to meet with the Lord (nothing here about going back to heaven, nothing here about going any higher than the clouds). Then as Paul says, we shall ever be with the Lord. What Paul does not answer here, is WHERE shall we go AFTER me meet the Lord in the clouds of the air of this earth? The answer is in another part of the Bible. Ah, yes, that is why we are to read the Bible from COVER to COVER. God often does not give us the answer to a certain truth or topic in just one place. Certainly the truths of what takes place at the coming of the Lord Messiah, is not all in one place or one passage of Scripture. The answer as to where we go after we have met the Lord in the clouds is given to us in the book of Zechariah, chapter 14. The chapter opens and we are in "the day of the Lord" and specifically when all nations are gathered to fight at Jerusalem, and the Lord (Hebrew is YHVH in verse 3,5,7,9) will go forth and fight against them. This is the same as Revelation chapter 16, and 19. Notice verse 4. It is IN THAT DAY, just spoken about in verse 1-3, that the Lord's FEET will STAND on the Mount of Olives which is before Jerusalem. Notice verse 5 and the last words, "...and the Lord my God (yes Jesus the Messiah is Lord and God, but so is His Father, two beings but both are part of the Godhead. See other in-depth studies on this Website about God) shall come and all the saints (or holy ones) with thee." The CONTEXT of the chapter and verses that follow, prove this is the very day of Jesus' return to earth, and in that day His feet stand on the mount of Olives. The saints are with Him! Yes, because they have been resurrected or changed to glory as we have already seen. From the meeting with Christ in the clouds of the air, we saints will continue to descend with Him, to the mount of Olives, to fight against the nations that have come up to Jerusalem to fight, which ties in with Revelation 16 and 19. NOT ALL UNBELIEVERS WILL BE DESTROYED Not all people from all nations will come up to Jerusalem to fight against Jesus and the saints on His day of return. But the main armies of the Beast power and the main armies of the men of the east, on the east side of the river Euphrates (see Rev.16:12- 16) will comprise the overall ten kings or kingdoms to unite with the man beast and fight the Lamb (Jesus) on His coming (see Rev.17:12-14). The prophet Isaiah was given the same vision of this specific day of the Lord, when the Lord will come with fire and a sword to fight (Isa.66:15-24). Notice verse 19. There will be some nations of people who despite seeing the signs of heaven, and the glory of the coming Messiah, will NOT know what is going on. They will not know the Lord. They will not understand God's word, nor will they have been shown the fame and the glory of the Lord. God will send missionaries to these people and they shall be taught the word and ways of the Lord. Again read carefully the words of Isaiah 2:1-4. People will learn and will want to come up to Jerusalem for they will have heard that God is dwelling there. They will want to know the laws and commandments of God. There are many passages on how the blindness of the spiritual veil covering the minds of people, will be lifted, from the day forward that Jesus' feet touch the mount of Olives. see my study called "Armageddon and the Age to Come" on this Website. JUDAH WILL FIGHT AT JERUSALEM Everywhere in the prophets of old where you read about the House of Judah and the House of Israel at the coming of the Messiah, you will find BOTH Houses, both the people of Judah and Israel, are in CAPTIVITY to their enemies, out of which Jesus saves them, delivers them. Some of the Jews will still be in Judea and Jerusalem as captives from the time of the last 42 months of this age, to the time of Christ's glorious coming. We find this truth in chapters 12 and 13 of Zechariah. Jerusalem is a cup of trembling to all nations, and all nations are gathered together against it (verses 2 and 3). God will again open His eyes upon Judah, and those Jews inhabiting Jerusalem will be strong again through the Lord (verses 4,5). God will save the Jews left there, he will now defend them from their enemies, and they shall become strong, as the Lord seeks to destroy the nations that come against Jerusalem (verses 8,9). Grace, salvation will be poured upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem as they look upon Him whom they pierced, and they shall weep as they now will admit Jesus the Christ was and is indeed the Messiah (verse 10). There will be mourning and weeping of repentance and joy mingled as one (verses 11-14). Chapter 13 continues with "in that day" - it is national repentance and a time when so-called "prophets" (religious leaders) admit they should have been farmers and not teachers of God's word (verses 1-5). The time has come for God to do battle against the nations at Jerusalem as foretold in Revelation 16. It is the battle of Armageddon and the battle of Jerusalem. It is time to deliver Israel and Judah out of their enemies hands. It is time to cast the beast man with the false prophet man into the fire burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:19-21). ISRAEL AND JUDAH UNITE AND RETURN TO PALESTINE The house of Israel and the House of Judah have been scattered into the nations of their enemies (Ezekiel 34:1-8). It is for their sins that they have been punished with destruction and captivity, and in a large part that punishment for sins came upon them because the "shepherds" (leaders - especially religious leaders) did not feed them on the truth of the word of the Lord. God will now upon his coming to earth DELIVER Israel and Judah from the nations they have been scattered into (verses 11-16). It is the time of the RESURRECTION for David is raised up to be again their king under the Messiah. It is the time when Israel shall NEVER again be a prey to the heathen. They will dwell in full safety, which has never happened in all history (verses 22-28). Ezekiel 36. What a wonderful chapter. Deliverance for Israel (all 13 tribes) from their enemies. It is a time of RESTITUTION of Israel and all good physical things. It is a time when a NEW heart is given them, a heart of flesh and not stone, a heart filled with God's Spirit. Then comes the little understood chapter 37 of Ezekiel. The valley of dry bones. It is a physical resurrection of physical Israelites that have died, especially in the last 42 months of the age of man, during the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. This is clearly a physical resurrection of Israelites, the words are plain to understand. This section ties directly in with Isaiah chapter 24 through chapter 27. The Feast of Tabernacles is now a reality (chap.25:6). Blindness of the heart is removed, and death and tears are wiped away (verses 7,8). Now it truly can be said "Lo, this is our God, and we have waited for Him, and He will save us,: this is the Lord and we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation" (verse 9). Notice the song to be sung in the land of Judah in that day - chapter 26. Isaiah tells them, Israel and Judah, that when HE arises in the resurrection, their dead men will also rise (verse 19). Here is Ezekiel 37, a physical resurrection for Israelites, the time when the stick of Israel and the stick of Judah will be united as ONE stick. It is the coming of the Lord to raise the saints to immortality and to raise many physical Israelites back to physical life, at the last trumpet, when the angels shall go forth and gather the ELECT from the four winds, to CHANGE the living saints from flesh and blood to immortal spirit, to lead them to the clouds of the air of this world, so they can be united with their Savior, and come with Him to fight the nations gathered at Jerusalem, and to set foot on the mount of Olives that same day. It is the time to raise many physical Israelites to physical life, and to gather ALL living Israelites from the nations of the world where they have been scattered, as punishment for their sins, and to lead them back to Palestine, where they will be given a heart of flesh and God's Spirit, and everlasting peace and safety, as well as the spiritual salvation of the Lord God, who will now dwell in their midst. THE WONDERFUL ISAIAH ELEVEN AND TWELVE This has only been a short brief look at the many prophecies of the beginning of the 1,000 year reign of Jesus the Messiah on earth. Isaiah chapter 11 and 12 add some more in a relative nut-shell passage of inspiring truths of promises, concerning that age to come at the glorious coming of the Messiah. Most agree that verse one of chapter 11, is talking about the Branch of Jesse as Jesus the Christ, and how He will judge the world in righteousness. When He does this it is the time of miracles among the physical animals of the world, when the lion shall eat straw like the ox. In that day the Lord shall set His hand to recover the remnant of the people of Israel from certain nations. The outcasts of Israel and the dispersed of Judah shall be gathered as one people from the four corners of the earth. There will be another great Exodus as like it was when the tribes of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt under the leadership of Moses. It is a time of singing, praising the Lord. It is the time when HE will DWELL, literally in the midst of them. What a mighty and WONDERFUL day that will be!! .................. Written during the Feast of Tabernacles, 2004

Christ's Reign on Earth

All the prophecies about it

by Keith Hunt CHRIST SAID HE WOULD RETURN - COME AGAIN TO THIS EARTH. BUT WHY IS HE GOING TO RETURN? WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE WHEN HE DOES? WE CAN UNDERSTAND AND FIND THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS IF WE WILL LOOK FOR AND BELIEVE ALL THE SCRIPTURE THAT GOD GIVES US ON THIS SUBJECT. To know the truth on any doctrine we must look at ALL the scriptures pertaining to that subject. Because God has put a little here and a little there, (Isa. 28:9-13). If we don't, we shall be snared into false beliefs, (Isa. 28:13). God gives us His word to correct us and teach us His doctrines, (2 Tim. 3:16). Christ said to "search the scriptures" (Jn. 5:39). Jesus said we must hear what the prophets and Moses wrote, (Luke 16:31, Jn. 5:46,47). Not knowing the scriptures will lead us to error (Matt. 22:29). Paul said the time would come when people would not endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3). The hard to be understood scriptures must be explained by the light of the easy, plain scriptures, (2 Pet. 3:10). We must never take away any of God's Words (Rev. 22:19). Fear God is the principle part for knowledge (Prov. 1:7). Be willing to do as the Bereans did - search the scriptures (Acts 17:10-12). Jesus said the Spirit will guide us into all truth (Jn.16:13). Prophecies are sure - inspired of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21). THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHES US THAT CHRIST WAS TO COME THE FIRST TIME AS SAVIOR. THERE ARE DOZENS OF SCRIPTURES FORETELLING SPECIFIC SIGNS AND EVENTS THAT SURROUND THE BIRTH, MINISTRY, AND DEATH OF CHRIST. HERE ARE SOME! SOMEONE TO PREPARE HIS WAY - (Isa.40:3; Luke 1:76; Mt.11:7-10; Mal.3:1) BORN OF A VIRGIN - (Isa.7:14; Mat.1:18-20) BORN IN BETHLEHEM -(Mic.5:2; Luke 2:1-4) YOUNG CHILDREN KILLED - (Jer.31:15; Mat. 2:15-18) TO COME FROM EGYPT - (Hos.11:1; Mat. 2:13-15) CALLED A NAZARENE - (Mat.2:23) LIGHT TO THE LAND OF ZABULON AND NEPHTHALIM (Isa.9:1-2; Mat.4:12-16) HIS COMMISSION - (Isa.40:1-3; Mat.3:3; Isa.42:1-7) TO DO MIRACLES - (Isa.42:7; 35:4-6; Jn.9:1-7) HOW HE WOULD DIE - (Ps.22:1-17) NO BONES BROKEN - (Ex.12:43-46; Nu. 9:12; Ps.34:20; I Cor. 5:7; Jn. 19:32-36) CAST LOTS FOR HIS CLOTHES - (Ps.22:18; Jn.19:23-24) TO BE RESURRECTED - (Ps. 16:9-10; 68:18; Eph.4:8; Acts 1:9; 3:21). These prophecies were fulfilled to the letter - there was no "close encounters" of the just about fulfilled. God performed miracles, moved men's minds, worked His work just when He said He would(Dan.9:25). IF WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES FORETELLING HIS FIRST COMING - WE MUST BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES FORETELLING HIS SECOND COMING - THEY TOO WILL BE FULFILLED TO THE LETTER. You cannot believe one and disbelieve the other. God does not lie: FOR THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA(Hab.2:14). Gen.49:10 "The sceptre or leadership shall not depart from Judah, nor the rulers staff from between his feet until Shiloh (the Messiah, the Peaceful One) comes to Whom it belongs, and to Him shall be the obedience of the people." (Amplified Bible). See the Cross ref. Num.24:12-17; Isa.11:1; 60:1-5. Christ will come - the people and nations will gather to Him and obey Him. 1 Sam.2:1-10 Prophecy of Christ's second coming to judge the earth. To lift up and build and to bring down and destroy. Job 19:25-26 Christ to stand on the earth in last days. Ps.2 Christ's rule over the heathen. See Amplified Bible. Ps.18:43,44 Christ to rule the heathen. Ps. 22:27-31 Ps. 24:1-10 The earth and its habitants are Christ's - He reigns. Ps.72:1-20 Christ to rule from sea to sea, to the ends of the earth. All kings and nations to serve Him. Ps.110:1-10 Christ to sit at God's right hand until the time appointed to rule the world and heathen. Ps.132:11-18 Christ to sit on the throne of David in Zion forever. See Luke 1:67-75; 1:31-33. Ps.96:1-13 Christ's kingdom over the earth foretold. Ps.22:27-31 Christ to rule all nations. They shall worship Him and declare His righteousness to those YET TO BE BORN. Ps.47:1-9 God is king over all the earth and the heathen. Ps.66:1-7 All the earth shall worship God. Ps.85:1-13 God to restore Israel. Ps.86:9 ALL nations shall worship God alone. Ps.87:1-7 Zion is to be God's dwelling. Zion restored - heathen fear God - BIRTH TO CONTINUE. Ps.102:13-19,21-22 and they shall praise God. Ps.138:4 All kings to praise God. Ps.145:1-21 God's kingdom and works and love to be praised and PAST ON THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS. ISAIAH 2:2-4 Christ's kingdom to rule all nations - people will want to learn God's ways - swords into plowshares. Israel restored. 2:11-21 The day of the Lord - men to cast away their idols. 3:1-26; 4:1-6 Judah and Israel to be punished but the remnant purged of sin and holy to God. 9:6-7 Christ on his throne ruling with judgment and justice. 11:1-16; 12:1-6 Christ ruling with justice and power - lion dwelling with the lamb - sucking and weaned children playing with poisonous snakes - Gentiles seeking salvation - Israel restored - Christ dwelling in Zion. 13:6-22 The Lord's day - earth punished - few left. 14:1-3 Babylon destroyed - Israel regathered. 24:1-23 God comes to punish the earth - few men left. 25:1-12 Satan is bound - spiritual blindness is removed. 26:1-21 Judah is safely inhabited - the resurrection. 27:1-13 Israel regathered at the great trumpet sound. 28:5 God a crown of beauty to the residue of people. 29:18-24 God will perform miracles (physical and spiritual) when he returns to reign. 30:19-26 God's great day of slaughter - moon as the sun - sun seven times hotter - Israel restored - Israel given supernatural teachers. 31:1-7; 32:1-4 The alliance with Egypt will fail - God will deliver Jerusalem - people will destroy their idols. Christ will reign. 34:1-4,8; 35:1-10 The day of God - heavenly signs - land of Zion at peace and beauty. 40:4-11 Christ's return - His reward and works are before Him. 52:7-15 Christ reigns - all shall see God's salvation - nations and kings who have not been told shall see and hear. 59:19-21; 60:1-5 Redeemer comes to Zion - Israel repents - Gentiles come to the light. v.10-22 Israel supreme among the nations - other nations must serve Israel or be punished - no more violence. 61:2-11 God's day of vengeance - Zion to be rebuilt. 62:1-12 Gentiles will acknowledge Israel - Zion to be given a new name - salvation to come to Zion. 63:1-6; 64:9-12; 65:7-10 God's winepress of wrath - Israel who are in a state of desolation - cry to God - God will hear and save them. 66:1-24 God will bring forth a new nation of Israel - God's enemies punished - those left shall go and declare God's glory among the Gentile nations - the wicked will be destroyed during God's reign. JEREMIAH 3:12-18 Christ to have His throne in Jerusalem - Judah and Israel to reunite - all nations to worship God at Jerusalem. 16:14-21 Second exodus of Israel - Gentiles to acknowledge their false ways, at Christ's return. 25:15,26-38 God will plead with the nations - those who will not be ruled by Him He will destroy. 23:3-8 When Christ reigns Judah shall be saved. 30:1-24 ;31:1-34 The greatest day of trouble - Jacob's trouble - but to be saved out of it - David to be resurrected - Israel restored to health and prosperity - God's spirit and law to be given to all. 33:7-16 Israel and Judah reunited - Judah saved - Jerusalem to be given a new name. EZEKIEL 34:l-31 Christ will regather Israel and set David over them at His return. 36:22-38 Israel rebuilt. 37:1-14 Many Israelites to be resurrected to physical life at Christ's return. 37:15-28 Judah and Israel to be reunited and David to rule them at Christ's return. DANIEL 2:28 Christ the stone to crush the last Roman Empire v.31-45(ten nations) and to set up His government on earth. 7:1-27 Christ to destroy the last Roman Empire and beast - all people, nations and languages to serve Him (v. 14). HOSEA 2:16-23; 3:1-5 God will restore Israel to prosperity, peace, and David their king. JOEL 1:15-20; 2:1-32; 3:1-21 The day of the Lord - heavenly signs, great destruction - call to repentance - God's spirit poured out - Israel, Judah, Jerusalem delivered - battle of Jehoshaphat - harvest begun - Lord dwelling in Zion, Jerusalem. AMOS 1:2 God will speak from Jerusalem. MICAH 4:1-13 God to reign in Jerusalem - nations to learn God's law and ways - world at peace - Israel regathered. HABAKKUK 2:14 The earth to be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. ZEPHANIAH 1,2,3 The day of God and what will transpire - land of Judah and areas desolate - Assyria (ten nations of Europe) desolate - a pure language so all can call on God - Israel and Judah restored - Christ at Zion. HAGGAI 2:6-9 Christ to come to His temple and give peace. ZECHARIAH 6:12-13 Christ to build the temple and sit on this throne. 8:1-23 Israel gathered - Jerusalem at peace - nations to go up to Jerusalem to seek and worship God. 9:9-17 Christ to come to Jerusalem - dominion from sea to sea - Israel mighty and prosperous. 12:1-14; 13:1-6 Day of Armageddon and Jehoshaphat - Judah to be strong - Judah to see the one they pierced (14:1-21) salvation to come - Christ to stand on Mount Olivet - king over the earth - wicked destroyed - punishment on those nations who will not keep the feast of tabernacles at Jerusalem. NEW TESTAMENT MATTHEW 2:2,6 Christ to rule Israel (Lk. 1:33.32). 3:12 Christ to refine the world starting at the beginning of the 1,000 years (Mal.4:1-6;, Isa.66:15-24). 13:24-30 Parable of sown seed. 13:36-43 Explanation of sown seed. 13:47-50 Explanation of fish and net. The harvest starts at Christ's return and continues through the 1,000 years (Isa. 66). 13:31-33 Parable of mustard seed and leaven - kingdom of Christ will start at Jerusalem and spread over all the earth until all nations are covered (Isa. 2; Dan. 2:35). 19:28 Christ's twelve disciples to rule the twelve tribes of Israel, in the kingdom. 25:31-46 Parable of Judgment - Christ sits on His throne (at Jerusalem Jer.3:17; Lk.1:31-33) and all nations are before Him - salvation given - righteous and unrighteous are divided. LUKE 19:11-27 Parable of the pounds - authority given to rule cities. JOHN 18:33-37 Christ born to be a king - He will fight to establish it when He comes. ACTS 1:6-7 Israel shall have a kingdom. 3:20-21 Christ will come and usher in the "restitution of all things". 2:29-35 Christ will sit on David's throne. I CORINTHIANS 15 Christ is to reign till He puts down all rule, authority and power - He then turns the kingdom over to God the Father. 2 THESSALONIANS 1:1-10 Christ to come with His angels - He will destroy His enemies - resurrection of saints - others to believe in that day. REVELATION 1:6-7 Many shall repent and acknowledge God when Christ returns. 2:25-27 Those that overcome shall rule the nations with Christ. 3:21 The overcomers will sit with Christ on His throne - David's throne. 20:4-6 Saints are to be priests and reign for a 1,000 years. 5:8-10 Saints shall reign on the earth. 11:15-18 LasT trumpet - kingdoms become Christ's. 14:1-10 Christ and redeemed on Mount Zion (Olives) 7:3-17 (144,000 plus great multitude - Christ will dwell among them). 14:6 After Christ and the saints TOGETHER - (Zech.14:1-3; I Thes.4:16) angels will go forth to every nation, tongue and people telling them to worship God - Babylon IS fallen - and not to worship the beast or image or mark. 15:2-4 Saints resurrected - all nations to worship before Christ. 19:11-16 Christ's return - He will rule all nations. 20:1-10 Nations are on the earth during 1,000 years - Satan is bound so he will not deceive them - he is loosed again after 1,000 years and goes out to deceive the nations that are still on the earth - God then destroys them. THEN COMES THE SECOND RESURRECTION. MILLIONS ARE RAISED TO LIFE AND THE BIBLE IS OPENED TO THEM, SALVATION OFFERED. ALL WHO FINALLY REJECT GOD AND CHRIST AND SALVATION ARE DESTROYED IN THE SECOND DEATH. THEN COMES THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH. GOD THE FATHER COMES TO DWELL WITH HIS CHILDREN. NO MORE SIN, NO MORE DEATH. GLORIOUS PEACE, RIGHTEOUSNESS FOREVER MORE. ................ Written in 1980

Armageddon And The Age To Come

by Keith Hunt

Armageddon has become a term associated with destruction. World leaders and scientists use this term when speaking of the inevitability of nuclear warfare and World War III. The word Armageddon IS found in the Bible! Yet few really understand what Armageddon is all about. When World War I broke out, many excitedly proclaimed: "This is the war of Armageddon." Again the phrase was used at the onset of WWII, during the Korean War, after he was relieved from duty, General Douglas MacArthur in his farewell address to the United States Congress stated very clearly that if we did not solve the problems of war that OUR ARMAGEDDON is at our doorsteps. Today, over thirty years after General MacArthur's warning, the entire world is faced with certain destruction. There have been over 50 wars since WWII! People are tired of war and the cost in terms of human lives, property damage and money are absolutely staggering! There seems to be no end in sight. The daily threat of nuclear holocaust has given birth to a tremendous grass-roofs "peace" movement around the world. Yet, the Bible shows that mankind does not know the way to peace, nor is he able to attain it. If God would not intervene and send Jesus Christ back to the earth, all life on earth would be destroyed. Jesus Christ Himself prophesied that this would be the condition of the world. "For then shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened (by God's intervention) there should be NO FLESH saved:but for the elect's sake (the true Christians) those days shall be shortened" (Mat. 24:21-22). Now it is commonly taught that Armageddon will be the last battle between the Western Democracies and Communism, before the return of Christ. Is this really what Bible prophecy foretells? Who will be fighting whom at Christ's second coming, and where? World War 3 is on the way! Most world leaders agree, it is only a matter of when and not if. Right now the nations of the world are attempting to prepare their citizens for survival of a nuclearattack. Military leaders have hinted that nuclear war, that is, a "small limited nuclear war," in Europe or the Middle East could be survived! Only God has the power to stop mankind from committing suicide! How will He do this and what lies beyond? Will the earth remain a hulk of total destruction for a thousand years? Or, will there be a NEW AGE? If so, what will that age be like? The Bible, the inspired Word of God gives us the answers to these questions. In this lesson we shall see what God tells us about ARMAGEDDON and THE NEW AGE to come. THE DAY OF THE LORD Most people have heard little about the DAY OF THE LORD, yet the Day of the Lord is described in more than 30 different prophecies in the Old and New Testaments. In this lesson we will cover many important scriptures about the Day of the Lord. To add to this study, you are encouraged to use a concordance of the Bible as an aid. This will help you delve more deeply into each topic. An excellent concordance is Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (e.i. Then you will be able to look up each reference for yourself). Rev. 6:16-17 What question is asked in verse 17? Is this the day of God's wrath? Note: Jesus Christ came the first time as a meek lamb to be slain for the sins of the world. (Isa. 53:1-12; John 1:29; Rev. 13:8). But, when He comes again, He will be wrathful, angry, and against all evil! Do these scriptures also tell us about the DAY OF GOD'S WRATH? Isa. 2:10-21; Jer. 30:6-7; Joel 2:1,11; Zeph. 1:14-18; 2:2-3. The wrath of the Day of the Lord will be manifested through the seven trumpet plagues which will occur consecutively over a period of months. Rev. 8:1-13; 9:1- 21. This will culminate with the seventh trumpet. When it is sounded the dead in Christ are resurrected to eternal life. Rev.11:15-11 1. Is this the seventh trumpet sound? 2. Who is to take over the kingdoms of the world and reign and rule? 3. Is God wrathful? 4. Are the nations angry? 5. Will God destroy many people? Note: The Day of the Lord and the wrath of God will not be finished with the sounding of the seventh trumpet plague. Revelation 15:1-16:21 shows that there will be an outpouring of the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES, WHICH WILL END IN THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST! Rev.19:11-16; 17:14; John 1:29. 1. Will Jesus Christ make war? 2. What are some of His titles? 3. Is this the same one who is called the Lamb of God? Note: These verses show plainly that Christ will come with the armies of resurrected saints and will conquer the rebellious nations. Zeph. 1:17; Rev. 11:18; 9:20-21; 16:11. Why will God have to punish the rebellious? Note: God will be angry because of the sins of mankind. Jesus Christ will have to come to save the human race alive (Mat. 24:22). But, because God is love, He will punish in love! It might seem like a contradiction to some, that God, who is love, will punish so severely. But the nations and people of the world will have reached a point that they will listen to nothing else. God will have to punish this world to bring it to repentance. Rev. 11:18. When Jesus returns will the nations of the world be cooperative and accept Him as Savior, or will they be angry and determined to fight Christ? Note: The people and nations of the earth want peace. The Americans want peace, the Russians want peace, the Jews want peace, the Arabs want peace, the Chinese want peace, the Europeans want peace. But they all want peace their way! However, the history of the world has conclusively proven that mankind does not know the way to world peace - man's peace always leads to war. When Jesus Christ comes the nations will be angry and at war with each other, but on seeing Christ and His armies, they will stop fighting among themselves. They will all see the coming of Jesus Christ and convince the rest of the world that the earth is being invaded by aliens from outer space. Then they will join forces together to fight against Christ. In turn Jesus will deal with them in the only language that these rebellious nations will understand - THE POWER AND FORCE OF GOD ALMIGHTY! Rev. 15:1,6-7. In what is the wrath of God filled up? Note: The seventh or last trumpet, Rev. 11:15, completes the trumpet plagues and announces the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. THIS IS THE WRATH OF GOD! Rev.16:1-Il. I. Upon what and whom will these seven last plagues be poured out? 2. Will there be great suffering upon the rebellious? 3. Will the people repent of their sins, of their Satan worship? Or will they continue to be deceived? ARMAGEDDON Rev.16:12. 1. What will happen when the sixth vial of God's wrath is poured out? 2. From which direction do the kings come? Note: Look at any map of the world and notice what nations - kings and kingdoms - lie east of the Euphrates River. Rev.17:14. Who will the nations of the earth fight against? Note: Verse 14 shows that it is the Lamb of God. Jesus Christ, as we have seen, is the Lamb of God. Rev. 16:13-16. 1. Who incites the nations to fight against Christ? 2. Will the kingdoms that war against God only come from the east? Or, will it be all nations? 3. WHAT IS THIS GREAT BATTLE CALLED? 4. What is the place called where the armies of the world are gathered? Note: The Bible interprets for us who the dragon is. It is Satan (Rev.12:9). The spirits are Satan's angels or demons. The word devils in the KJV ought to be translated demons. There is one fallen archangel (Isa.14:12-14; Ezk. 28:12-17) called the Devil, but there are many fallen angels (Jude 6; Rev. 12:7) now called demons in the Bible. These demons are responsible for gathering the armies of all nations together to fight against the returning Jesus Christ. The proper translation of the Greek in verse 16 should be "...and they gathered them together..." See other translations such as: RSV, Living Bible, Phillips, etc. Additionally, verse 14 proves it is many evil spirits that gather these armies together. The Bible shows that these demon spirits directly control the world now by influencing the leaders of the nations. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph.6:12). Just before the final battle of the nations against the returning Christ, these demons will deceive the nations again with miracles and they will be gathered into one place. The nations will assemble their armies at a place called Armageddon. The word Armageddon is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Har Megiddo, meaning, hill or mountain of Megiddo. Megiddo was a strong fortification dating from ancient times, situated approximately 60 miles Northwest of Jerusalem. The mound that remains is a few miles south east of Haifa, a natural port which is ideal for landing troops. The Plain of Megiddo is an oval shaped valley once called the Plain of Esdraelon, but now is often called the Valley of Jezreel. It is a large flat area ideal for the gathering together of large armies. THE BATTLE OF THE GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY Rev.16:14; 19:11-21. 1. What is the name of this climactic battle? 2. Who will fight whom? 3. Will it be a battle between the Western Democracies and Communism? Will it be between the Arabs and Jews? Joel 3:1-2, 9-14; Zech. 14:2; Rev. 14:18-20. In what exact areas of Palestine does this battle take place? Note: The word Jehoshaphat means Judgment of Jehovah. The focal point of the battle will be in this valley at Jerusalem. This valley is also called in the Bible The Valley of Decision. It borders the city of Jerusalem on the east. The Pictorial Bible Dictionary states that this valley situated between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives is now called the Kidron Valley (P.408). This battle is likened to the "great winepress of the wrath of God"(Rev. 14:19) which is trodden without the city. God says in Zechariah 14 that He will fight against the nations of the world at Jerusalem. The blood of these enemies, represented by the juice of grapes being pressed out in a winepress, will flow, "without (outside) the city." There will be so much blood flowing that it will rise, in some areas, as high as the horses bridles. The river of blood will flow for 1,600 furlongs. According to E.Leslie Carlson, under money, weights, and measures in the Teachers'Heritage Edition of the Bible published by World Publishing, a furlong is 606.5 English feet. 1,600 furlongs would be approximately 183 miles. There is a land depression running from the plain of Megiddo down passed Jerusalem and continuing south to the ancient land area of Edom. The distance of this depression from Megiddo to where it ends, south of Jerusalem, is approximately 180-200 miles. Rev.16:17-21. 1. How will the battle of Armageddon end? 2. What are the "natural" forces God uses against the armies? 3. Will the surface of the earth be changed? Note: The hail stones will weigh one talent, which is approximately 180 lbs. WILL THE EARTH BE DESOLATE DURING THE MILLENNIUM? We have seen some important passages of the Bible that tell us what Jesus Christ and the saints will do after His return to the earth. As we shall see there are literally dozens of passages in God's Word which clearly show that God will restore the earth for human beings and have a glorious reign of 1,000 years here on earth. During this time all people will be blessed and prosper. There will be peace and love. But we need to stop and consider the teachings of some, who say that the earth will be completely desolate during the 1,000 year period. Christ and the saints. it is alleged, are transported to be in heaven and are not on the earth. The teaching of a desolate uninhabited earth during the 1,000 years is based on a few scriptures. We shall examine these scriptures and read their setting in the context of the meaning of the passages in which they are found. As we shall see, the Bible reveals that the earth will not be desolate and uninhabited. We are admonished by God's Word, "...To prove ALL THINGS and hold fast to that which is good!" (I Thes. 5:21). To prove means to test and try, and in this case by SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES (Acts 7:11). To help clarify the misunderstanding about the earth being desolate for 1,000 years, we will see that there are two renewals of the earth and heavens. The first one is when Jesus Christ returns to the earth and the second one is when God the Father comes to the earth. Just to review: When Jesus Christ returns, the saints will be resurrected. They will be given eternal life (1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Jn.3: l-3; Jn. 3:16-17; 6:51-58; Rom.6:23). They will reign as kings and priests under Christ, who will be king over all the earth (Rev.1:6,5:10,20:6). As we have already seen there will also be human beings, who will survive these horrible end time events. So what we find is this: There will be two types of people on earth. 1) The spirit beings, Jesus Christ and the resurrected saints, who will be those in God's government. They will rule the world. 2) Human beings, who have lived on over into the New Age and carry on as the beginning generation of people at the start of the Millennium. There will be two renewings of the earth and heaven. 1). When Christ returns it will be renewed for human life. This means that the atmosphere will have to also be cleansed - a new heaven. This is the new heaven and earth in which there are human beings, who are under the government of God. Those in the positions of the government of God will be spirit beings. 2). The renewal of the earth and heaven when human life has ceased to exist. All who have qualified for eternal life will be spirit beings. All who have rejected God's salvation will be burned up in a lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15). This is at the end of the Millennium and God's final judgment. This final lake of fire will consume the entire surface of the earth and atmosphere (II Pet. 3:10- 14). Then will come the second new heaven and earth. In this setting it is apparent that it is for spirit life only, not human life. "And I saw a new heaven and new earth: for the first heaven and first earth were passed away: and there was no more sea" (Rev. 21:1). Human life could not exist without oceans. This is where the confusion has come in the minds of some, because they could not distinguish between the renewing of the earth at the return of Jesus Christ, and the renewing of the earth in preparation for the habitation for spirit beings and the coming of God the Father to the earth. As we go through these scriptures it will become clear that where there are references to human, flesh and blood beings, it is talking about the restoration at the return of Jesus, and not the restoration at the end of the Millennium, which will be for spirit beings. Isa.24:1-6 Note: Is this a prophecy for the end time? Yes. Please read chapters 25,26 and 27, and you will see that these also talk about the end time. Does verse 1 of Isa. 24 show that the inhabitants are scattered? Does verse 6 show that the earth will be desolate? But does it also show that a curse has devoured the earth, the inhabitants are burned, and show that there will be few men (human beings) left? NOWHERE IN THE ENTIRETY OF THESE SCRIPTURES DOES IT SAY THAT all human life is destroyed and the earth is uninhabited and left desolate for 1,000 years! Isa. 26:21 Note: This verse nowhere says that every last single soul will be slain, the entire context before and after disprove any such idea. Isa. 31:1-10. Does this not show that there will be human life? Also, animal life? Isa. 11:1-12. Note: This shows a world of peaceful human and animal life, not desolation. Please study the rest of the chapter and the next chapter,12, as well. These clearly show this is a time when Christ is on the earth just after His return. Isa. 65:21,22. Note: This clearly shows that there will be human life at the restoration at the return of Jesus Christ. The new heaven and earth spoken of in verse 17 is the restoration for human flesh and blood life. There will be birth and death. The second restoration, or the new heavens and earth, for spirit beings will usher in a time when there will be no more death (Rev. 21:4-7). Jer. 4:23-26. Note: This is not a prophecy against the entire earth, but against Judah and Jerusalem. See the preceding verses: 5-6, 10, 14, 16, 22. Verse 20 says: "the whole land," yes, the land of Judah. Verse 23 where the Hebrew is translated "earth," can also be translated "land." The Amplified Bible renders it "land" as in verse 20. Verse 27 shows that there will not be total destruction, "...yet I will not make a full end." Jer. 25:33. Note: This verse nowhere says every single soul will be stain - only that there will be slain people all over the earth. Jer. 25:30-32. Note: God will plead with all nations, many will repent, (Jer. 23:3-6; 16:14-21; Isa. 25:7-9; 29:18-24). The wicked are the ones whom God will slay - verse 31. Ezk.9:1-11 Note: When this entire chapter is read it shows that it applies only to the house of Israel and Judah, including the city of Jerusalem, not the entire world. Other references are used by those who believe that the earth will be desolate and uninhabited during the Millennium such as: Mat.24:36-44; II Thes. 1:7-9; 2:8. But in everyone of these instances when the entire context of the verses and chapters are closely examined it is apparent that it is a misunderstanding of the Bible. So it is apparent from the Bible that the earth will not be a desolate wilderness and uninhabited during the Millennium, the 1,000 year reign of Christ. Let us now look at more scriptures that show us what the conditions of this earth will be like during the New Age of the Kingdom of God. Part II THE KINGDOM OF GOD on Earth The NEW AGE of the Kingdom of God will be headed by Jesus Christ who will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Bible shows that there will be survivors of this final holocaust who will live and begin the new generation of human beings under the rule and government of the Kingdom of God. What happens after this final battle of Armageddon? Zech.14:1-21. 1. After the great battle of the wrath of God, as it is popularly called the Battle of Armageddon, where will Christ go? 2. Who will come with Christ? 3. Will it be one literal day? 4. Who will be king over all the earth? 5. Will the physical land be reclaimed? 6. Will the city of Jerusalem be inhabited in safety again? See Zech.8:1-5. 7. How will God deal with those who will still be rebellious? Note: The Bible shows in Zech. 14, that He is going to require all nations to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This is one of the Feasts of God, which the true Church of God should be keeping today. (For a complete listing of the sacred feasts of God please study Lev. 23). Here God is showing how He will deal with those nations which refuse to keep the Feast of Tabernacles during the I ,000 year rule of Jesus Christ. Isa.66:15-24. 1. Is this passage referring to the battle of the great day of God's wrath and what shall occur there and afterwards? 2. Will some be sent out to tell others about God? 3. Will gifts be sent up from all nations to the Lord God at Jerusalem? 4. Will all people who live through the end time holocaust into the millennium (the 1,000 years rule), called flesh in verse 23, come to worship the Lord? 5. Will they worship God on His designated days? The New Moon days and the Sabbath days are even today, part of God's sacred calendar. If all people will worship God on those days at that time in the future, should not True Christians be worshipping God on those days now? 6. Will God continue to punish the rebellious? Micah 4:1-5; Isa. 2:1-4. 1. Will most people and nations want to learn about the True God and His laws after Christ has returned? 2. Will there be any more wars? Habakkuk 2:14; Isa. 11:9. 1. Will the glory of God eventually cover the whole world? 2. Will the knowledge of God be readily available? To what extent will it be known? Rev. 20:1-6. This setting is at the beginning of the Millennium. 1. What will happen to Satan the Devil, the author of all evil, and for how long? 2. Are the saints, now resurrected spirit beings, given thrones of authority and judgment and co-rule with Jesus Christ? 3. Does all this occur after the first resurrection? 4. How long do they reign with Christ? 5. In what capacity will they function? Note: This I ,000 year reign of Jesus Christ and the saints is commonly known as the Millennium. The word millennium does not appear in the KJV Bible. But the word millennium means "a thousand." The Bible reveals that the resurrected saints of God, who are raised to eternal spirit life at the first resurrection, have the promise of being kings and priests to reign and rule with Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:6; 5:10). True Christians today are qualifying for these positions, see Rev.2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26-29; 3:5; 3:10-13; 3:21. What does Jesus Christ promise the overcoming Christians? The rewards are tremendous! This is why God demands that Christians keep the commandments of God! The rebellious who refuse to keep the commandments of God will never inherit the Kingdom of God! Read Rev. 22:14. What does commandment keeping insure? I John 2:3-6; 5:1-3; 3:4 and 22; Mat. 19:17. Are there blessings of knowing God's love, and eternal life at the resurrection because we keep the commandments of God and do those things that are pleasing in His sight? What will happen to those who will not obey God and keep His commandments? Will they suffer the second death in a lake of fire? (Rev. 20:13-14; 21:8,27; 22:15). THE LAND RECLAIMED Isa.27:6; Ezek.36; Jer.23:1-6; 30:1-9; 31:1-14. 1. Will God gather the descendants of Israel and Judah? 2. To where will He bring them? 3. Will the land again blossom and produce? 4. Will the cities be rebuilt? Note: When this gathering and rebuilding occurs, Israel and Judah will never again practice heathen ways or go into war or captivity. This has not happened yet. Jer.33:1-13; Zech.8:1-8. Will there be peace and safety and happiness in the cities of the New Age? Jer.3:17; Zech.8:3; Isa.62:1-7. 1. Will Jerusalem be the capital city of the whole earth? 2. Will it be a fine example to the rest of the world? Isa.41:8-20; 35:1-2, 7-10. Will the desert lands become productive and forests reappear and spread during the Millennium? Isa.51:3. Will God transform Zion and the land of Palestine into a veritable garden of Eden? A TIME OF MIRACLES Isa. 11:1-9; 35:l-7. 1. Will the nature of the animals be changed so even wild flesh-eating beasts will eat grass and be household pets for children? 2. Will those who have great physical handicaps, such as blindness, deafness and lameness be healed by God? Note: There will be no need for hospitals in the New Age of God. Isa. 33:20-24; 61:1-3; Jer. 30:10-22. Will God also free mankind from sickness and disease? Note: There will be no need for health insurance in the New Age of the Kingdom of God. A PERFECT CLIMATE Ezk. 34:26; Isa. 30:23; Jer. 31:12; Amos 9:13. 1. Will God cause the rains to come at the right time? 2. Will there be rejoicing over the abundance of crops that God will bestow during the Millennium? 3. Will there be a super abundance of food? Note: Most of the land surface of the earth is unproductive, today only about 7% of the land is actually tillable. The exact opposite will be true in the utopia of the New Age of God as He begins to bless the entire world. Micah 4:l-4; Isa 2:1-5. 1. Will there be economic reform from a war based economy to a peaceful agricultural economy? 2. Will there be land reform so every one will have his own land and produce his own food? Note: Farmers will no longer have to gamble with the weather; their work will always be successful, as long as they obey God. THE GREATEST RIVERS Zech. 14:l-8; Ezk.47:1-12. 1. What happens when Christ's feet touch the Mount of Olives? 2. Will a mighty river flow through this new channel? 3. Will one half of this water flow east to the Dead Sea and the other half flow west into the Mediterranean Sea? 4. Does this living water produce life, fish and health to the barren places of the earth? 5. Does this living water proceed from the very sanctuary of God - from the spot where God's temple will stand? (Joel 3:18). Note: The Dead Sea is 1286 feet below sea level. It is the lowest spot on earth. The Jordan River constantly empties into the northern extremity of the Dead Sea. It has no natural outlet, but the level of the water remains fairly constant, because the hot weather causes the water to evaporate at about the same rate as the inflow of water. Because of this, the water is extremely salty. So much so, that no plant or marine life can live in it today. But when this new river begins to flow into it, its waters will rise until they overflow southward through the desert regions. There is an indication that the Dead Sea Valley as it is known today, will actually be raised. Then the pure healing waters from God's throne will flow out into this area and south to what is now the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea and on into the Indian Ocean and circulate towards the east. It will heal every thing as it goes. The waters which flow out towards the west will do the same thing in that direction, until the entire earth is healed. This is how God will heal the entire world from the pollution and destruction described in the book of Revelation. A PURE LANGUAGE AND PROPER EDUCATION A major barrier to mutual understanding and cooperation between peoples of the world has been the barrier of language. This was caused by God at the tower of Babel, right after the Flood, as a result of the sins of mankind. God will remove that curse and restore the entire world to one pure language. Zech. 3:9. Will God institute one pure language for the whole world? Note: As well as one common language for all people, the language of the New Age will be free from any pagan ungodly words. There are many words we use everyday that are derived from heathenistic sources - the days of the week and months of the year are mainly of pagan origin- derived from the names of false gods. EDUCATION Proper God-oriented education will be one of the top priorities during the Millennium. During the New Age of the Kingdom of God people will be taught the laws that will produce peace, happiness, safety, productivity and blessings. God will still give each person the choice of whether to obey Him or not. The majority will want to obey God's way, but mankind will have to be re-educated out of the false deceptive harmful ways as inspired by Satan the Devil. Mankind will learn that there is a way that seems right to him, which only lead to death, misery and suffering. Isa. 11:9. In this re-education, how much knowledge of the Lord will be known? Isa. 25:7. Is wrong education like a veil that hides the truth from the mind receiving it? Note: Rev. 12:9 shows that Satan the Devil is the one who has deceived the world and is the author of the false education of the world today. Rev. 20:1-3. Will the Devil be allowed to do his work during the age to come? Hosea 4:6. What knowledge and education is most lacking today? I Cor. 3:19. What does God think of the wisdom of the world? John 17:17; Ps. 119:142,151,172. What is God's truth? Note: God's truth is a way of life based on love. Jesus Christ said that all the law and prophets were based on love (Mat 22:37-41). In the Book of Acts 19:9, 23 it is called That Way. Most of the world today does not approve and rejects God's way, just as they did in the early apostolic days (Acts 24:14). God's way is based on His divinely revealed will and laws, based on love. He has given to us His foundation of right knowledge and education. It is found in His inspired Word - the Bible. Jer. 16:19. After the climax at the close of this age of mankind's rule under the sway of Satan the Devil, what will people acknowledge? Note: By the time Christ has finished His intervention to save mankind from complete annihilation, they will, for the most part, be willing to confess their false ways and ignorance of God's Truth. At that time humanity will be teachable and will be taking the first step to repentance and reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ. Isa. 55:6-9; 30:21-26. Will mankind be receptive? Will they listen to their teachers as they are shown the right way to live? Jer. 30:7-9; Ezk. 34:23-24; Luke 22:29-30; Mat 28:19-20. 1. Will the resurrected King David rule over all Israel? 2. What were the 12 apostles promised in the New Age of the Kingdom of God? 3. What will they teach? Rev. 2:26; 5:10. Who else will help teach the nations of the world in the New Age? Note: Then the resurrected immortal saints will be priests as well as kings. The function of a priest is to teach (Mal. 2:7). The glorified children of God will teach people the Word and the ways of God, His laws, commandments, statutes and judgments. They will be able to appear in visible form at will (Isa. 30:20-21). They will be ever present to teach or to stop any open crime or rebellion. Because they will be like Christ is now, they will be able to come and go as necessary, pass through walls or instantly disappear, such as Christ was able to do after His resurrection (John 20:17, 19,25-27; Luke 24:31). Eventually through God's system of proper education and true worship of the True God, the world will be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the oceans. There will be peace, joy, happiness and a truly abundant life for all people. Zech. 14:16-19; Isa. 66:19-23. Will the nations of the world keep the appointed feasts and holy days of God? Note: The world today, including most of professing Christianity are following the pagan Babylonian mystery religion customs, festivals, celebrations, which were derived from the pagan philosophies, customs and beliefs of Babylon, Egypt and Rome. In the New Age of the Kingdom of God all people will be taught the right and proper way to worship God and what are the right and proper days of worship. MANKIND'S NEW NATURE Mat 12:35. Is the heart and nature of mankind a mixture of good and evil, with the evil dominating? Note: Mark 7:21-23 shows that sin originates from within the minds of human beings. Jer. 17:9; Mat 15:19. Does the nature of man lean towards being deceitful and wicked? Rom. 8:5-7. Is the natural mind of man enmity and hostile to the law of God? Is it possible for it to be subject to it? Note: This way of mankind seems right and natural but it results in death (Pro. 14:12; 16:25). Ezk. 36:22-27; Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:10; 10:16. 1. Will God change the hearts of people during the Millennium age? 2. What will God add to the minds of people that will enable them to be at peace and reap the blessings of serving God? WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE ETERNAL FILLING THE EARTH, AS IT IS UNITED WITH THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF THE PHYSICAL PEOPLE UPON EARTH, AS JESUS AND ALL THE SAINTS RULE WITH THE POWER AND THE WORD OF THE LORD, THEN THE WORLD WILL HAVE THE UTOPIA IT HAS DREAMED ABOUT FOR CENTURIES. THEN WE SHALL HAVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD UPON THE EARTH. AS JESUS TAUGHT US, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PRAY, "THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN." .................................... Written in 1982 by Keith Hunt All articles and studies by Keith Hunt may be copied, published, e-mailed, and distributed as led by the Spirit. Mr. Hunt trusts nothing will be changed without his consent.

THE SECRET RAPTURE AND CHRIST'S COMING!

Thee topic of Christ's return has been for the past 150 years one of the major subjects of interest and debate by theologians and "fundamental" Christianity. There are many verses in the New Testament that speak of Christ to come, His coming again, His presence, His return. Do these verses show that He will bodily, literally - at one specific event - come, return to this earth? by Keith Hunt There are basically two teachings regarding the coming of Christ. 1.Christ will not bodily return but has returned already through the coming of the Holy Spirit into individual lives. 2.Christ will return literally, bodily, at one specific time in the future. Those that teach that Christ will bodily return are not in complete agreement as to whether He will stand on the earth at that time or return to heaven. Or will it be a secret return to catch away the saints for 3-1/2 or 7 years (while the great tribulation takes place) and then return visibly? By searching the scriptures line upon line, here a little, there a little (Isaiah 2:10) and putting them together and with the help of God's Spirit (John 16:13), we can come to know the truth. INSTRUCTIONS: Following you will find a scripture reference, a set of questions and a set of notes on the verses sighted. We recommend you read the scripture carefully and the context in which it is found, thinking through each of the questions listed. We recommend you mark your Bible freely and make notes in the margin. Further study helps could be Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and Nave's Topical Bible. We suggest you read over notes on the questions only after you have given some thought to them yourself. We want you to think for yourself and believe us only when you can see it supported by the Bible. CHRIST SAID "I WILL COME AGAIN" John 13:33, 14:1-2 Did Christ tell His disciples that He must leave them? Acts 3:21 Where did Christ go to? Is not verse 20 showing it is Jesus that Peter is talking about? Hebrews 4:14 Where did Paul say Christ went to? Acts 2:29-36 Did Peter say specifically where Christ is now - note verse 33. Note: Jesus said He must leave this earth, and He ascended to heaven to sit on the right hand of the Father. John 14:1-3 Did Christ promise He would "come again'? See also Mat. 24:42-414, 25:13; Luke 18:8; Acts 1:11. Were the disciples told again (at the ascension of Christ into heaven) that Jesus would return? Acts 3:12-21 Did Peter in his second recorded sermon bodily proclaim that the heavens had only received Christ until a certain time and then He would be sent back? 1Pet. 1:7, 13; 4:13, 5:4; 2Pet. 1:16 Did Peter continue to preach the "coming of Christ"? Note: The books of first and second Peter were written some 30 years after Peter gave his second sermon of Acts 3. Jam. 5:7,8 Did the apostle James write about the coming of the Lord"? 1John 2:28; 3:2 Did not John also talk about "His coming"? Who is John speaking about here? Read Chapter 2: 21-28. Jude 14 Is Jude proclaiming the coming of the Lord? Rev. 22:12,20 In the last chapter of the Bible is Christ still telling us He will come? Note: The book of Revelation was the last book of the Bible to be written (around 90-100 A.D.). If you have a red letter edition you will notice that verse 12 and "surely I come quickly" in verse 20 are in red - signifying these are the words of Christ. The Apostle Paul also preached and wrote much about the promise Jesus gave us that he would "come again," some of the passages are 1Cor. 1: '7, 4:5; 15:23; Col. 3:4; 1Thes. 1:10; 2:19; Tit. 2:12; Heb. 9:28. It does not make sense that the apostles of the New Testament would, years after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, continue to preach and write about the coming of Christ as an event that had not yet happened and that they looked forward to, if in fact Christ had returned via the Holy Spirit. FALSE TEACHING Mat. 24:26; Mark 13:21 Did Jesus warn that some would claim He had already come before His true return would take place? 2 Thes. 2:1-2. Did false teachers proclaim that very idea in the life time of the apostle Paul? Note: The King James rendering "is at hand" in verse 2 is misleading. The Greek word is in the perfect tense, which signifies an action done in the past and its effect existing in the present. The interlinear Greek-English New Testament by G.R.Berry renders this word, "is present." See also some other translations, such as the Amplified Bible or the New International Version. 2 Peter 3:1-4 Did Peter prophecy that in the last days people would scoff at the teachings of Christ's return? Note: Not only do the Bible agnostics ridicule the idea that Christ will return, that He will "come again" but a large portion of Christendom dose not preach or believe it either. THE SIGNS CHRIST GAVE Mat. 24:30; 26:64; Luke 21:27; Rev. 1:7 When Christ "comes again" will it be with clouds? Mat. 16:27; 24:30-31; 25:31; 2 Thes. 1:7 Will angels accompany Christ at His coming? Mat. 24:27. Will the coming of the Lord be like lighting? Note: Lighting comes quickly, but it comes visibly. It shines for all to see. In such a manner Jesus said His coming would be. 1 Thes. 3:13; Jude:14 Will the saints be with Christ at His return? Mat. 24:30-31; 1 Thes. 4:l-17; 1 Cor. 15:20-23. Do the saints come with Christ at His return because the resurrection takes place at that time? Mat. 24:31; 1 Thes. 4:16. Will Christ descend from heaven quietly? 1 Cor. 15:51-52 Will the raising of the dead (the resurrection) and the changing from mortal to immortality, for those living, take place at the Last Trump? Rev. 11:15-19 What happens when the 7th angel sounds? Is this a trumpet blast (see Chapter 8:1-26)? Is Christ to have great power? Are the dead to be judged and rewarded at this time? Is the heaven of God to become visible? Note: The 7th angel is the 7th trumpet. There are only seven trumpet blasts in the book of Revelation. We have seen that Paul said it was at the last trump that the resurrection would take place and Christ would return. Some would place great emphasis on the Greek words used for "come" - "presence" - "appear" as used in connection with Christ's return. The truth is these Greek words by themselves do not prove or disprove that Jesus will return bodily at some specific time, but the context in which these words are used does show us what the coming of Christ will be like. We have seen from the foregoing scriptures that the coming of Christ will be accompanied by clouds, angels, saints, lighting, fire and a trumpet sound. Can it be said that the ever presence of the Holy Spirit or the presence of Christ today via the Holy Spirit in the minds of Christians is accompanied with clouds, lightning, fire or a trumpet sound from heaven?' When a sinner repents and accepts Christ into his life, when the Holy Spirit is given to such an individual upon baptism and the laying on of' hands, do the heavens open to show God's throne? Do the nations of the earth mourn? Do they see Christ in the clouds? Are people caught up into the air to be with Christ? NO! There is only one way to understand those scriptures we have studied - they mean what they say and they say what they mean. Those scriptures will literally come to pass when Christ comes again. CHRIST WILL COME VISIBLY Acts 1:6-12 1.Were the disciples or saints with Christ at this time? 2.Was Jesus there with them bodily, in person? 3.Did the disciples see Jesus ascend into heaven? 4.Did a cloud receive Him out of their sight? 5.Were angels present also at this time? 6.Were the disciples told that Christ would return in like manner - in similar fashion, as He went? 7.Did Jesus ascend bodily from the mount called Olivet? Note: The disciples were told that Jesus would return in like manner - similar but not exactly as He left. We have already seen that on His return He will come with much more glory and power - many more angels and saints - much more noise and heavenly signs than on His ascension to heaven, but He will return with the same basic phenomena as He went - clouds, angels, disciples, bodily, visibly seen. Rev. 1:7; Mat. 24:27 Are we told again the Christ will come visibly? Will every living person see Him? Note: The Greek word "astrape" used in Mat. 24:27 may mean the lightning of thunderstorms or any brilliant illumination. Now what light comes out of the east and shines unto the west? The sun does! Can we see the sun? Yes. Christ's presence now is like the sun in full strength (Rev. 1:16). Jesus went on to say in Mat. 24:30 that all tribes or nations of the earth would see Him on His return. The expression "and they also which pierced him" in Rev. 1:7 does not necessarily mean that one Roman soldier who literally pierced Jesus' side will see Him at this time, or that the Jews who were living then will be alive at His coming. It probably refers to the whole human family, you and me. Our sins took his life. It could be possible that this refers to the last generation of Jews, the house of David, who will, upon seeing Him, acknowledge that He is their saviour (Zech. 12: 9-14). The main point of Rev. 1:7 is to show that all who are alive when He returns will be able to see Him. THE MOUNT OF OLIVES Act 1:12 Did the ascension of Christ to heaven take place on the mount called Olivet? Zech. 14:1-14; Rev. 14:1-14 1.Do both these passages show that the "Lord" - "a Lamb" will stand with His feet on the Mount of Olives? 2.Is it at this time when Christ will fight against all nations? 3.Those that are with Christ at this time, are they called Firstfruits? Note: Christians of all ages are called Firstfruits (Jam. 1:18) of God's creation. Paul has already instructed us (1 Cor. 15:20-23; 1 Thes. 14:13-17) that true Christians will be with Christ (via a resurrection or instantaneous change) at His coming. Job was a servant of God. He is one of the Firstfruits. He knew he would be in the resurrection and that his Redeemer (Christ) would at that time stand on the earth. Yes, Christ will descend to and stand on the very mount that He ascended from over 1900 years ago - the Mount of Olivet near Jerusalem. CAN WE KNOW THE EXACT TIME OF CHRIST'S COMING? Luke 21:24-35 1.Will God intervene in the affairs of this world with supernatural power before Christ's return? 2.Are we Christians told to take heed, be watchful so the day of His return does not come on us unexpectedly? 3.Will the world as a whole be expecting Christ's return? Mat. 24:37-39 1.To what period in history did Jesus compare His return? 2.Did the people of Noah's day really expect God's supernatural intervention? 3.Will people today expect God's intervention and Christ's coming? Luke 21:36; Mat. 25:13 1.What did Christ tell His disciples to do? 2.Why? Note: These utterances of Jesus have often been taken to say only the disciples of Christ's day would not know the day or the hour of His return, but we today can know. This is not true. Notice: Luke 12:40-48. Jesus had said we must be ready - watchful, for He would come when we least expect it. Peter specifically asked Jesus if what He said only applied to them, of that generation, or to all. Christ plainly went on to show it applied especially to those alive when He comes. It is plain then that those of the generation at His coming would not know the day or hour. Though we cannot know the day of His return, Jesus did give us signs to watch for, that would tell us His coming is near. These signs are mainly contained in Mat. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21 and the book of Revelation. WHEN CHRIST WILL NOT RETURN A concept on Christ's return is that He will come after a thousand years of peace and harmony on this earth has expired. That man will bring about peace among all nations, that man will by his own power, bring UTOPIA to this earth and then Christ will return. Act 3:21 What does Peter tell us about the restoration of all things? Must Christ be sent back to restore order and peace? Isa. 33:5-9 When the Lord dwells in Zion what condition will the earth be in? Rev. 19:11-21 Is Christ coming to a world that is at peace - that will welcome Him with open loving arms, or is He not coming to fight and destroy those that destroy the earth, and to rule all nations? Rev. 5:6-10; 20:1-6 1.Will the saints of God reign with Christ a thousand years? 2.Where will they reign? 3.When is Satan chained up before or after the 1,000 years? 4.Those that reign with Christ, are they in the first resurrection? Note: The first resurrection takes place at the coming of Christ, then these immortal saints reign with Christ for a 1,000 year period. It is one, two, three - Christ's coming, the resurrection, the 1,000 year reign. Christ does not come after a millennium (1,000 years) of perfect human rule. He comes before it. He comes to restore peace and harmony. THE SECRET RAPTURE There is a popular doctrine amongst so-called "fundamental religionists" called the "Rapture". The word "rapture" is nowhere to be found in the Bible. Rapture comes from the word "rapere," meaning to seize (the same word, incidentally, from which the word "rape" is taken). The term rapture has come into common usage however, and is applied to the statement of Paul that believers will be "caught up....in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air......" (I Thes. 4:17). This catching up or rapture is said to be a separate event from the second coming of Christ at the end of the age. According to this teaching, Christ will return in two separate events: (a) First, He will come in the air before the tribulation period and gather His own (the rapture) secretly (b) At the close of the tribulation period (which some say will be 3-1/2 years; others 7 years), He will come again, this time openly and in glory (the revelation). Thus, the rapture is set in contrast to the revelation and two second comings (or two phases of the second coming) are taught. THE THIEF PASSAGES The "Thief" passages of the New Testament are the most used and most heavily relied on texts to support the rapture. The first phase of Christ's coming is taught to be quietly, as "a thief in the night," whereas the second phase is taught to be with power and glory. 1 Thes. 4:16,17 1.Is there any word here that Christ will come invisibly? 2.Does He come quietly or with a great deal of noise? 3.Where are the saints transported to - heaven, or just above the earth? 4.Would tens of thousands of saints still be visible to others on the earth if they only go as high as the clouds? 2 Pet. 3:10-12 1.Does this "Day of the Lord" come as a thief? 2.Is there quietness at this time or great noise? 3.Shall we then understand "thief in the night" to mean - secretly, quietly, invisibly, or as meaning unexpectedly? Mat. 24:37-44 1.What specific day is Christ talking about? 2.Did Christ say anything about coming invisibly or quietly? 3.Are the words "secretly" - "quietly" - or "invisibly" used here? Note: Now, notice the "thief" section of Matthew 24:43. Let's read the whole context. Begin with verse 26. If some say to you, Christ has secretly come - that He is over here or He is over there - Do NOT BELIEVE IT, for (v.27) the coming of Christ will be like LIGHTNING - swift, bright and suddenly. Verse 29 - the Tribulation and then (v.30) after that the Son of man comes in clouds with great glory. He at this time (when He comes in glory, after the tribulation not before, as the rapturists teach) sends His angels with a trumpet sound (1 Thes. 4:16,17) to gather the elect (Christians) unto Him. Yes, for where the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together (v. 28). Christ has come and received His disciples unto Himself; that where He is there they may be also (John 14:3). Continue with verse 32. Christ says - be observant, just as you can observe the times of the year by physical phenomena - be observant, be ready for my return because you will not know the exact day (v.36). As people in Noah's day did not know the exact day of the flood, were not prepared for it.... even Noah did not know the precise day....but he was prepared. So watch and be ready for on that day my disciples will be resurrected to meet with me (v. 36-44). The day of Christ's return will come on the world like a thief breaks into a house, unexpectedly. Only to those watching will it not be a surprise. The whole context of this passage shows that Christ is talking about the literal day of His return. That day will be AFTER the tribulation, and THEN the saints are gathered to Him by the angels with a trumpet sound. Paul taught Christ's glorious visible return and the gathering of the Saints to Him at that time (1 Cor. 15: 17-19, 22, 23, 50-53 and 1 Thes. 4:13-17). The '"Day of the Lord" (1 Thes. 5:2-3) - Christ's return will come upon the world as a "thief in the night" but it will NOT catch the true Christian unawares (verses 4-6). Christ is pictured as coming as a "thief" (Rev. 16:15). Again we ask, does this mean He will return secretly, invisibly, in clandestine fashion? That's a fair question, but here's another question we must ponder concerning "thieves." When thieves rob a home, do they come invisibly? No, not at all. A thief usually comes at night when the household is away or sleeping. He comes unaware to them, he catches them off guard, surprises them. You never know when a thief is coming. If you did then you would be prepared for him. Christ will not come invisibly, any more than a thief comes invisibly. He will come unexpectedly though. No one will know the day or hour that He will come. Jesus said: "Watch therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord doth come, but know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be you also ready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh" (Mat.24:42-44). Jesus likened His coming to a "thief" in respect to the time of His coming - a surprise! THE GREEK LANGUAGE Another argument used to teach the "two second comings" is that the Greek language teaches it. One writer once wrote: "The two phases of Christ's second coming are clearly distinguished in the Greek. The 'parousia'.... is His coming FOR His saints.....the 'apokalupsis' (the revealing, unveiling, making manifest) is His coming WITH His saints". But is this true? Note: Such statements are either a deliberate falsehood, intended to deceive, or come from a lack of study and research. All of the various Greek words such as "Parousia" and "Apokalupsis" are used interchangeably in regard to Christ's coming. A distinction of two separate events was never intended by the writers of the New Testament. This can be easily proven by taking a Greek concordance such as Strong's and looking up all the places where the Greek words "Parousia" and "Apokalupsis" are used. In Mat.24:37 we read of the "coming (Parousia) of the son of man," while Luke's account of the same passage uses "Apokalupsis" (when the son of man is revealed - Luke 17:26,30). In 2 Thess. 1:7-10 we read: "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed (apokalupsis) from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God.... when He shall come to be glorified in His saint." If the rapture had taken place 7 or 3-1/2 years before this, the saints would have already been glorified. Christians are pictured as "waiting" for the coming (apokalupsis) of our Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 1:7) If the Apokalupsis is a separate coming - after the Parousia - how could Christians be waiting for the Apokalupsis? According to this, they should not be waiting on the Apokalupsis, for they would have already been raptured a number of years earlier at the Parousia! Notice another scripture. 2 Thes. 2:3-8. The Greek word used in v.8 for "coming" is "Parousia". What will Christ do to "that wicked (one individual) who has seated himself in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (verse 4)? Christ's coming to execute judgement on this individual is His Parousia - His powerful coming. Notice this verse not only says that that wicked one will be destroyed at the parousia of Christ, but it says His parousia will be with brightness. Plainly, Christ's parousia will not be an invisible, secret event at all. GREAT TRIBULATION AND PROTECTION There is one last element of the "rapture" teaching that needs studying. The rapturists say that a great tribulation will come on the earth in the last days, but Christians will be spared this trouble because Christ will protect them by bringing them all up to heaven. A mere recent theory - an adaptation from the rapture doctrine is that God will grant protection for His people by sending them all into a central location on this earth where they will all be housed and fed until Christ returns. Dan. 12:1-3; Jer. 30:7 Did both Daniel and Jeremiah foretell of one supreme time of trouble that would be like no other? Does Daniel show that a resurrection takes place around this same time? Will the wise shine as the sun and stars? Mat.24:21 Did Christ also mention this Great Tribulation, unequalled in all earth history? Note: The Bible does speak of a coming tribulation - let's see if we can find out approximately when this tribulation is to come. Mat. 24:29-31 Can you find three main events shown to us in these verses? Note: Christ gives us a sequence of 3 events to occur before the resurrection of the saints (v.31). These three events are: 1. tribulation 2. heavenly signs 3. Christ's return Mat.24:15-26; Luke 21:20-24 What does Christ tell His followers in Judea to do when they see a particular "abomination" standing in the holy place (Jerusalem) and the city of Jerusalem encompassed about by armies? Will some try to persuade true Christians at that time into believing Jesus has returned? Note: If there were to be a "secret rapture" to heaven, Christ's followers would not have to be physically fleeing from Jerusalem or concerned about either winter, the Sabbath day or armies. If all true Christians have been "raptured away" they would not have to be concerned about being led astray (as Jesus warned them) into believing Christ was over in some desert spot somewhere. If they had been raptured they would already be with Christ. Luke 21:11-17 Before the great signs in heaven did Jesus forecast a time of great persecution on His true followers? Will some of His followers be put to death? Note: We have seen (Mat.24) that the heavenly signs occur after the tribulation and Christ makes it very plain here in Luke that before the signs of heaven take place a persecution (even into death for some) of His servants will occur. The tribulation that comes before the heavenly signs includes persecution of true Christians. But if all Christians have been raptured away to heaven no persecution could come on them. Rev. 6:9-7 What does the fifth seal tell us must happen to some of God's servants (note v. 11)? What makes up the next seal, the sixth? Are these the same events that we have seen recorded in Mat. 24 and Luke 21? John 17:15 Did Jesus ever pray that His followers would be "raptured" out of this world? What did Jesus ask the Father to do? Luke 21:36 Will some be granted protection from this time of trouble? Rev. 3:7-11 Are the Christians represented here promised protection? Is the place of protection stated? Note: Some say this passage of scripture typifies those Christians who will be given protection during the great tribulation - who will "escape all these things that shall come to pass..." (Luke 21:36). That may be true, but there is nothing in this passage to say those Christians will be "raptured" to heaven or transported to some central hide-out location on this earth. Daniel was protected by God while in the lions den while in the empire of Babylon (Dan. 6:16-24). Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were protected while in the fiery furnace while being subjected to bondage in Babylon (Dan. 3:8-29). God is able to protect any of His servants whatever situation and place they are in. He is able to protect them right where they are, in their area of the world. Rev. 12:10-17 What is the prophetic time setting for this prophecy? Note verse 10. Did some overcomers have to die? Is the woman persecuted by the dragon? Does this passage say the woman was raptured to heaven or that she went to only one specific location on this earth? What does God use to help the woman? Does the dragon manage to make war with the woman's remnant seed? Note: A "woman" in prophecy symbolizes a church (see 2 Cor. 11:1-2; Eph. 5:23-29). The "dragon" is Satan (Rev. 12:9). "'The wings of a great eagle" represent protection from God (see Ex. 19:1-4). Water as a flood can symbolize people, multitudes, nations (Rev. 17:15). Whatever safety or protection is given here to those accounted worthy to receive it (Luke 21:36) It is NOT protection in heaven via a secret rapture, nor does it state the woman will go to some specific location in only one particular country on earth. Notice! The woman represents the church - world wide, in every nation - true followers of Christ wherever they be. So likewise the wilderness, the earth, that helps the woman represents the whole world, the earth in Australia, the earth in Argentina, the wilderness in Palestine, Switzerland, Russia. The earth in Europe, Canada, the wilderness in the United States, etc. If you are one of those accounted worthy to escape these terrible times ahead, God is able to protect you right where you are, in your particular part of the earth, in your wilderness. Some must suffer martyrdom, be put to death for following Christ, but remember, nowhere does your Bible say martyrdom is a sin. The apostles Peter, Paul, James, Stephen, and many others suffered martyrdom. John and others died a natural death. They will all be in the first resurrection. The greatest martyr of them all was the one who said "I will come again" - Jesus Christ. ............................ Written in 1983

Abomination of Desolation?

Jesus and Daniel talk about it!

It has been a common Fundamental Christian teaching for a hundred years or more, now adopted by many Church of God people, that near the end of this age, within about 7 years before the coming of Christ the Messiah, that a Jewish Temple of some type will be constructed in Jerusalem, and Jews will once more perform animal sacrifices. The teaching continues to say that a great religious leader, the false prophet of the book of Revelation, will head a mighty world power. It is said that he will come into Jerusalem, overcome the Jews, walk into the Temple they have constructed, and establish himself and his religion within its walls. This event is said by these Fundamental Protestants to be what the NT (New Testament) and Jesus were meaning to convey to us when they talk about "the abomination of desolation." I openly and frankly disagree with this theological idea of some of those who so interpret this phrase of Jesus in Matthew 24. I believe it is in total error and using the NT to interpret itself, I believe the truth of the matter is plain to see. I have not been the only one to see how the NT explains and interprets itself on this "abomination of desolation" phrase. Ralph Woodrow wrote a book on certain prophecies of the Bible, way back in 1971, called "Great Prophecies of the Bible." I do not agree with all that Woodrow has written on prophecy. But I do think he has written and come to some very good insights on parts of Bible prophecy, this being one of them. I present here, as the truth on this matter, what Ralph Woodrow has in part to say on what is the "Abomination of Desolation" (Keith Hunt). Quote: "Concerning our Lord's statement about the destruction of the Temple, the disciples asked: 'WHEN shall these things be? and WHAT SIGN will there be when these things shall come to pass?' (Luke 21: 7). As we have seen, Jesus mentioned things of a general nature that would come to pass first. Now he gives THE sign - a specific sign that would let them know that Jerusalem was about to be destroyed. He said that they would see 'the abomination of desolation' and when they saw this, they were to quickly flee, for the desolation of the city would be nigh. Matthew: 'When you shall SEE the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand), then let them that be in Judea FLEE into the mountains' (24: 15, 16). Mark: 'When you shall SEE the abomination of desolation, spoken of by daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand), then let them that be in Judea FLEE to the mountains' (13: 14). Luke: 'When you shall SEE Jerusalem compassed with ARMIES, then know that the DESOLATION thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Jerusalem FLEE to the mountains....Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the GENTILES' (21: 20, 21, 24). Now, step by step, let us notice what we are told in these parallel accounts: 1. We notice where Matthew and Mark record: 'When you shall see the abomination of DESOLATION.....then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains,' Luke, in speaking of exactly the SAME thing, says: 'When you see JERUSALEM compassed with armies, then know that the DESOLATION thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains.' We see, then, that it was JERUSALEM that would become a DESOLATION. We notice also that this 'desolation' was that 'which was spoken by Daniel the prophet.' ............(Daniel spoke about this in Daniel 12:11 in which the context is only certain number of days before Daniel would be resurrected at the end of the days, verse 13. Jesus in Matthew 24 is talking about the same time frame as the disciples asked Him what would be the signs of His coming and the end of the age, Mat.24:3. Keith Hunt). .....it is evident that what was to become a 'desolation' was JERUSALEM. There is no room for any misunderstanding here. 2. Looking again at the parallel accounts, we see that what Matthew and Mark refer to as the 'abomination' that would make Jerusalem DESOLATE, Luke (using plain language) shows that such would be ARMIES - Gentile armies: 'And when you shall see Jerusalem COMPASSED with ARMIES, then know that the DESOLATION thereof is nigh....JERUSALEM shall be TRODDEN DOWN of the Gentiles' (Luke 21:20-24). The word 'abomination' is a word that refers to anything that is especially loathsome or detestable. Certainly this fits the feelings the inhabitants of Jerusalem would have towards an idol-worshipping Gentile army advancing to destroy their city! In fact, an army (coming to destroy) is an abomination to any people or nation. And, as history has repeatedly recorded, the work of armies so often results in desolation - destruction! 3. Matthew's account says that the abomination (Gentile army) would 'stand in the holy place' and adds the words: 'Whoso reads, let him understand.' Mark's account, because it too is given in somewhat veiled language, includes the words: 'Let him that reads understand.' BUT, looking at Luke's account of the SAME passage which is given in PLAIN language, we read: 'When you see JERUSALEM compassed with armies....' And because he gives the EXPLANATION, he does not include the phrase: 'Let him that reads understand.' By letting the Bible be its own INTERPRETER, then, we see that the term 'holy place' (Mat.24:15), is a reference to JERUSALEM. Jerusalem is commonly referred to as the HOLY CITY (Mat.27:53; Dan.9:16 etc.). According to the prophecy, Gentile armies were to compass it and finally bring it to desolation. The word translated 'place' in the expression 'holy place' in Matthew's account is TOPOS (see any Greek dictionary or Bible Concordance such as Strong's, Young's, etc.). The word TOPOS means simply a locality. Such words as TOPICAL and TOPOGRAPHY are derived from it. It is used in such scriptural expressions as 'a desert place,' 'dry place,' etc. (It is NOT the same term as that which is used in describing the holy of holies in the temple). What is called the holy place is EXPLAINED by Luke as the area that would be occupied by armies surrounding Jerusalem. The MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY has well put it: 'Jerusalem was the holy city, Canaan the holy land, the Mt.Moriah which lay about Jerusalem, for its nearness to the temple was, they thought, in a particular manner holy ground; on the country lying round about Jerusalem the Roman army was encamped, THAT was the abomination that made desolate' (Henry, Commentary on the whole Bible, vol.5 p.352). " The 70 A.D. captivity of Jerusalem by the Roman armies of Titus and then the desolation and destruction of that city was a forerunner of what once more will take place in the last few years before the close of this age and the return of Christ (Keith Hunt). Continuing with Woodrow: " These pagan armies were to 'compass' the city (Luke); they would take a 'stand' there (Matthew) - the word STAND indicating rebellion or hostility. Examples of the word used in this way may be seen in the following: 'A king of fierce countenance...shall stand up' (Dan.8:23, 25). 'A mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion...and when he shall stand up...'(11:3,4). Another will 'stand up in his estate, and shall come with an army' (verse 7). 'Then shall stand up...a raiser of taxes...and in his estate shall stand up a vile person' (verses 20, 21). A king 'shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand...' (verse 25). Concerning persecution against the cause of Christ, we read in Acts 4:26: 'The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord...' We cite these references to show how the word 'stand' is used of those who assume a place of leadership or authority to rebel or fight. And in the same sense, the 'abomination' - the pagan armies - were to take a stand against Jerusalem and compass it about to destroy it!.....Any way we look at it, according to the words of Christ, Jerusalem was marked for destruction by the hands of her enemies......." From recorded history we know that in the 70 A.D. forerunner and type of what will take place at the end time, not one single Christian was killed in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies of Titus. They saw Jerusalem being compassed with armies, waited for the opportune time (which God gave them) and fled the city. They fled when they saw Jerusalem compassed about with Gentile armies, NOT when something was done inside the Temple. The prophecy has nothing to do with the a Temple in Jerusalem. It has nothing to do with a person doing anything outside or inside a physical building, that some could want to call a Temple. The prophecy has to do with Gentile ARMIES compassing about the city of Jerusalem, and getting ready to capture and desolate and destroy it (Keith Hunt). Woodrow explains correctly: " We see, then, that in the place where Matthew and Mark use the somewhat veiled expression 'abomination of desolation,' Luke (using PLAIN language) shows that such was to be Gentile armies compassing Jerusalem to bring it to desolation. All three of the Gospel accounts before mentioning this sign begin with the words: 'When you see...' and follow this with the words: 'Then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains,' etc. There can be no mistaking that these are PARALLEL accounts. By simply letting the Bible EXPLAIN ITSELF, we have seen that the 'desolation' was to be the destruction of Jerusalem.....the 'abomination of desolation' referred to the heathen armies that would bring about the desolation; and then these armies would be seen compassing Jerusalem, the disciples were to flee. This interpretation is solidly built on the Bible. With it, the Gospel accounts are COMPLIMENTARY, not CONTRADICTORY...... Having set forth what we sincerely believe to be the exact and only fulfillment of our Lord's words, we must now consider an interpretation which has become widely believed, especially in this century (20th century). We have reference to the teaching that the 'abomination of desolation' is an IDOL to be placed in the holy of holies of a REBUILT Jewish Temple - possibly an idol of the Anti-christ or the Anti-christ HIMSELF..... An example....is seen in the following: 'The Jews - who will have....restored Herod's Temple, and be in LEAGUE with the Antichrist - will have a visit by the False Prophet who shall bring an image of the Antichrist into Jerusalem and wheel it into the Temple....When this image of the Antichrist is taken into the Jewish Temple, that will be the sign Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24, the Abomination of desolation' (Roberts, how to be Personally Prepared for the Second coming of Christ, p. 38). Another futurist says: 'This image will be placed in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, and is the abomination of desolation to which the Lord made reference in his Olivet discourse' (DeHaan, The Antichrist and Armageddon, p. 13)...... The setting up of an idol in the sanctuary is something the enemy could not do UNTIL such a time as the Temple would be in the enemies' possession. Since the magnificent Temple would no doubt be the LAST thing to be yielded to the enemy in battle, by this time the city would have ALREADY BEEN CAPTURED and it would be TOO LATE for the disciples to FLEE! Obviously then, this could NOT be the SIGN to flee. In order for something to be a WARNING for the disciples to ESCAPE, it would have to come BEFORE the capture of the city - not something to take place AFTERWARDS! In view of this, an idol in the holy of holies could not be the sign Jesus referred to. But the presence of heathen armies compassing Jerusalem could be - and was the sign, such happening BEFORE (in 70 A.D. Keith Hunt) the overthrow of the city (as we have seen)...... The 'abomination' that would make desolate was to be something that could be SEEN by the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem. 'When you SEE the abomination,' that is, 'When you SEE Jerusalem compassed with ARMIES,' then, 'let them that are in Judea flee into the mountains.' It is evident that Jesus was not talking about an idol in the holy of holies, for such could NOT be SEEN by the population of Jerusalem and Judea. Only the high priest entered the holy of holies. None of the ordinary Jews would dare enter there..... On the other hand, it was pagan armies that destroyed the city....It was armies that were seen by the people, and it was the compassing of Jerusalem by the armies that warned the disciples to flee! (in the first 70 A.D. fulfillment when Jerusalem was desolated by the Roman armies of Titus - Keith Hunt)..... 'And as He (Jesus) went out of the TEMPLE, one of His disciples said unto Him: Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are HERE! And Jesus answering said unto him, See you THESE great buildings? There shall not be left ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER, that shall not be thrown down......' " With this last quote from Matthew 24 by Woodrow I leave off quoting from him and his chapter in his book on this subject, and continue with my own further expounding on this matter and topic. The context of Matthew 24 from where this quote by Jesus is taken must be read very carefully. The disciples asked Jesus when these things would be AND, "what shall be the SIGN of YOUR COMING, and of the END of the world (age, as the Greek should be understood), verse 3. Matthew 24 is clearly a prophecy for the END TIME, not for 70 A.D. There may have been a type fulfillment in 70 A.D. but the prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 24 is for the END of the age, for a time just SHORTLY BEFORE His return. This we can see from the mention of the resurrection of the saints as they are gathered by the angels to meet the returning Christ (verses 25-31). The fact is that in 70 A.D. NOT ALL the stones from the Temple and the buildings were cast down, so that there was not one left upon another. Such as that NEVER happened in 70 A.D. Nor has it happened to this very day. For the now famous WAILING WALL in Jerusalem which still stands with stones one upon another, was a PART OF THE TEMPLE of Jesus' day! In the future fulfillment of Matthew 24, when the Gentile armies of the Beast power of the book of Revelation comes to compass about Jerusalem, to take the city and to destroy it in battle (see Rev.11:2) then this prophecy of Jesus will finally be fulfilled and all the stones of the Temple of Jesus' day will come down, so not one will be left upon another. In passing, you may have questions regarding Revelation 11:1-2 as it talks about a Temple and altar (but notice it says, "temple of God" not "temple of the Jews." A Jewish Temple, built by those who have rejected the Christ and the NT, who are worshipping God not under the NT but under the OT, who do not worship God in "spirit and in truth" could hardly be said to be a "temple of God'). For the contextual truth of these verses I refer you to the excellent comments by Albert Barnes in his Bible Commentary. Animal Sacrifices by Jews at the End Time? Many have and do feel very confident that a Jewish temple will yet be built in Jerusalem, and that the Jews will once more offer animal sacrifices in that Temple before the coming of the Messiah in glory. First, it is often either not known or is forgotten by most. The State and Government of Israel is a "secular" Government. They are NOT interested in "religious matters" on the whole. The secular government of Israel could really care less about building a "religious" Temple for a certain relatively small religious sect of Judaism. Secondly, the main body of "orthodox" Judaism clearly and strongly is opposed to any Temple being built BEFORE the coming of the Messiah. They actual teach that ONLY the Messiah can build the NEXT temple in Jerusalem. This main body orthodox religious Jews would be totally AGAINST the building of a Jewish temple in which an animal sacrificial system would once more be practiced. Thirdly, of those religious Jews who do want to build a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem (and some Christian sects backing them), those Jewish groups teach that a Temple CANNOT be built just ANYWHERE in Jerusalem. They teach that a Temple can ONLY be built where the Dome of the Rock now stands. They claim and teach that the Arab Dome must GO, and that the Jewish Temple must be built where it now stands. They have their clear theology for so teaching, and nothing, no other place or area of land in the city of Jerusalem can be used to build a temple upon, in which the old Levitical priesthood and sacrifices could be reinstated. They have then limited themselves between a rock and a hard place as they say. The religious Arabs would never allow their Dome to be destroyed by the Jews, not without creating a full scale war of death unto the end. Such an attempt by the Jews or by Christians would bring sure Nuclear war between a united Arab world and the Jews of the State of Israel. But, even with all this, some still say the Bible prophecies of the OT, especially in the book of Daniel, teach that animal sacrifices will be performed in Jerusalem before the Messiah returns. Hence to them a Temple, a Jewish Temple, in Jerusalem must yet be built before the end of this age. To them this is so critical that the Messiah cannot come until such a Temple and animal sacrifices are once more functioning in Jerusalem, hence they believe the sooner all this comes about the sooner the Lord Messiah can return, and so they live and breath (some sects) and push and pull and shout and move, to bring all this to pass, thinking they are then being a part of fulfilling the Lord's prophecies of the end time. Their mistake is two fold. First, they do not read the prophecies of Daniel very carefully. They do not see that in those end time prophecies the Hebrew word for "sacrifice" is NOT THERE!! Yes, that is correct, the Hebrew word for "sacrifice" is not there in those prophecies! Oh, to be sure, something is going to be STOPPED by the end time Beast power that comes into the city of Jerusalem as foretold by Daniel and by the book of Revelation. But the word for "sacrifice" is not found in those passages of Daniel that have reference to the end time, the final world power and to the city of Jerusalem. Yes, as they say, be my guest. Look up those passages in Daniel, go to the Hebrew/English Interlinears. Many things can be stopped as to not allowed to function by a people who are taken in captivity by another army of another power. Many of their daily practices as to religious practices can be stopped by a conquering power that may differ in its religious beliefs and practices from those it has conquered. Certain religious sects within Jerusalem have certain daily religious practices today. The orthodox sect of Judaism have their daily religious devotions at the Wailing Wall. This would certainly come to a stop when the Gentile Beast power takes captive and destroys much of the city of Jerusalem at the time of the end, when not one stone of that wall (once a part of the Temple of Jesus' day) will remain upon another, but when all will be cast down. Secondly, they miss the mark by not understanding some of the principles of Bible prophecy. Bible prophecy is not all cut and dry, there are many pros and cons, many slights of the hand, and within a context it may not always be easy to pin down certain phrases and how they may be played out in actual reality. A study of all the prophecies that were fulfilled at the first coming of Christ will show this to be all so true. There are some prophecies that will only take place ONCE, and others that will take place more that once, a duality to those if you will. I have given some of the keys to understand Bible prophecy in another study. Some have seen that in the book of Daniel there are a few passages that have ALREADY been fulfilled, recorded history making this very clear. And with a few of those passages the words "daily" is used but the word in Hebrew for "sacrifice" is NOT used. Yet, it was indeed the daily sacrificial system that did come to a stop by the power of certain kings and armies of certain nations that came against Judah or the Jews. Hence, the reasoning goes because of this that those passages of like manner that are to do with end time or end of the age prophecies, must also mean animal sacrifices by be stopped. So the reasoning continues that for physical sacrifices to stop they must begin again, and to begin again a Temple will need to be built. The reasoning feeds on itself, so is one (people coming to a dogmatic, close of the mind, stance on a verse) and so must be the other. What they fail to see and understand about Bible prophecy is that just because one verse with certain words was fulfilled in a certain way, DOES NOT MEAN another verse with the same words, regarding a prophecy for much later (at the end of the age) must also be fulfilled the exact same way as the one fulfilled thousands of years earlier. Not understanding this "un-sameness" in Bible prophecy, even when the words used are identical, has led many to run off shouting as they go, on wild goose chases, which have often left all kinds of egg on people's faces, or a face full of the smashed cream pie dripping all over it. As before stated the passages in Daniel to do with end of the age prophecies that use the word "daily" but not the word "sacrifice" CAN be understood in a way that has nothing to do with daily animal sacrifices being stopped by some Beast power that captures Jerusalem and takes the Jews captive. There are many "daily" practices (some religious in nature) that the Jews would be prevented from practicing and continuing, should they be conquered by a religious force such as that mentioned in the book of Revelation, a religious force that would not be at all sympathetic to the Jews and their OT religion. I have mentioned ONE very important daily practice done by the orthodox Jews that would surely come to and end, be stopped, by the Beast power and its false Prophet, and that is the prayers and religious worship done daily by Jews at the Wailing Wall. More interesting Words and Verses=20 Now we shall look at two Hebrew words used in the OT for our English KJV translation - the words are TEMPLE and SANCTUARY. The Hebrew word translated "temple" in dozens of passages, such as in Mal.4:1 and Zech.6:12,13, is number 1964 in Strong's Concordance. It is used for the tent tabernacle built under the leadership of Moses, also called "the sanctuary" as well as the "temple" that Solomon built. The Hebrew word translated "sanctuary" in dozens of OT passages is number 4720 in Strong's Concordance. This word is used in Ex.25:8,9. Sometimes the physical structure that God dwelt in when among Israel was called "sanctuary" and sometimes it was called "temple." BOTH WORDS ARE USED TO DENOTE THE SAME PHYSICAL STRUCTURE that God dwelt in when among Israel. Now notice this! Talking about the tribes of Israel, Moses prophesied, "You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which you have made for thee to dwell in, in the SANCTUARY, O Lord, which they hands have established" (Ex. 15:17). This is BEFORE God instructed Moses to build a physical tabernacle or tent sanctuary. The Hebrew word used here in Ex.15:17 is the SAME WORD used for the physical sanctuary - #4720 in Strong's.=20 Ex.15:17 is plainly talking about the LAND OF PALESTINE or the PROMISED LAND! Now, turn to Psalm 78 and read verse 54. Talking about how God brought Israel out of Egypt, verse 53, AND, "And He brought them to the border of His SANCTUARY, even to this MOUNTAIN......" verse 54. The whole context makes it clear that the "sanctuary" here spoken about is the PROMISED LAND - PALESTINE!! So, as the words "sanctuary" and "temple" as used for the physical structure, as the literal building that God dwelt in when among the people of Israel could be called EITHER "sanctuary" or "temple," COULD IT BE POSSIBLE (without being dogmatic), could it be that when the prophet said the Messiah would "suddenly come to His temple" he had in mind the PROMISED LAND, and not a physical building at all? Again, when another prophet said that the BRANCH (Messiah) would "build the temple of the Lord" was he telling us that the Messiah would RESTORE and REPLENISH the land of PALESTINE from the destruction it had received (during the last few years of this age) prior to the Messiah's coming in power and glory to bring the Kingdom of God on earth for a thousand years? It could well be that this is what the prophet had in mind, as well as overseeing the building of the millennium Temple of Ezekiel, that will be built when the Messiah comes again. Once more we see that passages of the Bible, especially prophetic passages, can be understood in different ways. We have seen (if you have studied the Hebrew in the book of Daniel, or noticed the italic words in the KJV, which mean those words are not in the Hebrew) that the word "sacrifice" is not in the end-time passages in the book of Daniel, and something "daily" that is stopped by the end time Beast power in Jerusalem and Judea, could be something other than the sacrifice of animals on an altar in a physical temple. I have one Bible Commentary that says it seems more than just a slip of the writer to leave out the word for "sacrifice." It seemed to be a deliberate plan, as it to tell us something. And it does tell me that whatever this "daily" is that is going to be taken away, it could be something OTHER THAN ANIMAL SACRIFICES! It is interesting that in Daniel 9:27 the Hebrew words for "sacrifice" and "oblation" ARE NOT IN ITALICS! This prophecy was, as we have seen in other studies, not an end time prophecy at all, but one for the first century A.D. It was fulfilled in 70 A.D. by Titus and his armies when they took Jerusalem and destroyed most of the city, including the physical Temple. It was at that time that animal sacrifices in a Jewish temple did come to a complete and utter stop. Turn to Daniel chapter 9. Here you will find a revealing and interesting passage concerning the city of Jerusalem. Verse 16 shows God had turned away from the city of Jerusalem, His HOLY MOUNTAIN. He had desolated it and the people thereof. They had become a reproach to all people around about them. Daniel cries out to God that He would stop this reproach in verse 17. And that God's face would once more shine upon....."THY SANCTUARY that is DESOLATE...." He further goes on in verse 18 to tell us about the Jews "desolations" which includes the CITY. The context is the desolation of JERUSALEM. Yes, of course, in Daniel's day the Temple in Jerusalem was desolated also, being a part of the city. But the physical temple is not specifically THE desolation, but the whole CITY is. The Hebrew for "sanctuary" in verse 17 is number 4720 in Strong's. And some translations render it as "holy place." Jerusalem is called by God's NAME (verse 18). God is HOLY....Jerusalem is a holy location that God had chosen and will yet choose to dwell in when God the Messiah comes to reign on earth. Jerusalem and the land of Palestine is God's holy place, God's holy mountain, the Lord's "sanctuary" or "temple." What about 2 Thessalonians 2 ? Here we have this famous passage of the man of sin sitting in the Temple of God, a passage much used and I will add much mutilated by the end time "Jewish physical temple and animal sacrifice" teachers. The Greek word for "temple" here is NAOS. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words says, "a shrine or SANCTUARY....." Is used both in a literal way and also metaphorically in the NT. With all I have expounded on this, Paul could well have seen exactly what I have shown you from the OT. He was then simply telling us and the church at Thessalonia what was written in the OT. At the end time, the faith once delivered would be in decline, hard to find (as Jesus said, "When the Son of man comes, shall He find THE (definite article is in the Greek) faith on earth?"), and a false prophet, a great religious leader, would arise (John in Revelation was given the same vision and more concerning this False Prophet at the end of the age), who would plant his seat between the seas in God's holy MOUNTAIN, in the city of Jerusalem, in the holy city, in the holy sanctuary/temple LAND of Palestine and Jerusalem (see Daniel 11:40-45). This great end time false prophet will live up to the coming of the Lord in power and glory, and shall be cast into the lake of fire, shall be consumed with the spirit of God's mouth, and destroyed with the brightness of His coming (2 Thes.2:8 with Rev. 19:11-21). There is another way to understand 2 Thes. 2:1-12 which sees the office of a one man Pope church leader as coming from within and out of the very NT CHURCH TEMPLE of God, way back in the first centuries of the NT age. This one man leader office came eventually from out of the very NT true Church of God and continues today in the form of a great religious organization that will continue until the Christ Messiah comes again. Many do not realize, but it is there in the NT, that many false leaders of Christian religion came from within the very true Church of God, in the first century A.D. who eventually formed another organization with its headquarters in the city of Rome. For a few centuries there were debates and dialogue over certain theological issues with the churches of Asian Minor (founded by the apostles of Jesus) and the leader of the new Christian organization in Rome. All the details of that aspect of understanding 2 Thes.2 I will present in another full and in-depth study in the future. The "abomination of desolation" is the end time Beast power of Revelation, with the False Prophet, coming with their armies and conquering the land of Palestine, desolating the city of Jerusalem, setting up their seat in the city, destroying much of the city and the Wailing Wall (where not one stone will be left upon another that is not thrown down), and scattering the power of the holy people (Jews and Christians). Who when they see Jerusalem compassed about with the armies of the Beast, will flee to the hills. As Jesus told us, let us pray that our flight will not be on the Sabbath or in the winter. ............................. Written first in 1990 and re-written/edited in August 2000 All studies and articles by Keith Hunt may be copied, published, e-mailed, and distributed as led by the Spirit. Mr. Hunt trusts nothing will be changed (except for spelling and punctuation errors) without his consent.

Temple, in Jerusalem before Jesus returns?

Will the Jews in Jerusalem yet build a Temple and offer animal sacrifices?

by Keith Hunt Time to try to show you, but in a brief way, how all can be literally fulfilled without any physical temple building and animal sacrifices ever coming to be done in Jerusalem (as some have been and still are teaching) until after the Messiah has returned. You can start by studying Daniel 9 from the Bible Commentaries by Adam Clarke, Matthew Henry and Albert Barnes. You may want to obtain Ralph Woodrow's (Box 124, Riverside, Ca 92502) booklet on the subject also. This will put to rest the ideas by some sects of fundamental Protestantism about a 7 year treaty with the Jews by an Antichirst, a temple and sacrifices, the rapture of the church and all that they teach. All the above will prove their ideas about Daniel 9 are incorrect. Now, take some time to look up all the places where the Hebrew words, numbers 1964 and 4720 (in Strong s Con.) are used in the OT. These words are given as "temple" and "sanctuary" dozen of time in the KJV translation of the OT. The physical structure in Israel that God often dwelt in was either called a temple or sanctuary. But now read the following verses: Ex. 15:17 (number 4720 is used); Ps.78:54,55; Dan.9: 16-19(in this section of Daniel, number 4720 is used). The city of Jerusalem is the holy city - the holy mountain. It is the area of land that God has chosen, so it is known as the holy city or to put it another way holy place. The land of Palestine is also God's sanctuary that He brought the people of Israel into as we have also seen from the above verses. Palestine is the holy land. God brought Israel to His sanctuary - to the holy land of Palestine. At that time Jerusalem was not even chosen by God, but Palestine was, and was termed His sanctuary, or in other words His temple. So BOTH the holy land of Palestine and the holy city of Jerusalem are the temple and/or sanctuary of God. They are the physical place or holy place that God has chosen on this earth to call His very own, where He will one day literally dwell, and establish His Kingdom on and over all other kingdoms of the whole world. Prophecies that talk about the Messiah coming in glory to His temple or sanctuary, must include the possibility that it means no more than that He will come to the city of Jerusalem and the land of Palestine - His temple or sanctuary, which many other prophecies also proclaim over and over again. When Paul talks about a man sitting in the temple (shrine, sanctuary, temple) of God in the last days claiming he is God (2 Thes.2) it may well simply refer to the prophecies that Paul knew about from the OT, and from Daniel. Daniel 11:40 to the end of chapter 12 is for the last days, the time of the end. The king of the north is to plant his seat, his tabernacle, his self, between the seas in the glorious holy mountain. This is obviously in the holy land, the holy place, the holy city of Jerusalem, the temple and sanctuary of God. Then the Great Tribulation will take place and finally the resurrection (chapter 12 of Daniel). Jesus spoke about an abomination that makes desolate standing in the holy place (Mat.24: 15). The Greek words for "holy place" you can look up in Strong's Concordance, and see where else they are used throughout the NT. The words have nothing specifically within themselves to do with a physical building. When God was in the land that Moses stood on and was told to remove his shoes, it was a holy place. God has chosen the city of Jerusalem and the land of Palestine for Himself, it is then Holy, and it is a place, it is a holy place. But we also have the Bible interpreting for us what Mat.24:15 means, no guess work needed. The plain interpretation is given to us in Luke's account. See Luke 21:20. The holy city place of Jerusalem will be taken by the king of the north(Daniel 11:40 etc.) and will be desolated, destroyed. The Jews will have to flee, all in that city will have to flee to the mountains (Mat.24: 16; Luke 20:21-24). The abomination that makes desolate will have arrived in the holy land and in the holy place of Jerusalem, in the sanctuary of God, in the temple of God, and he will sit there and act and be as God (2 Thes.2). As for the Temple in Revelation 11. You would do well to read what Albert Barnes says in his Bible Commentary about it all. That section is symbolic not talking about a literal physical building at all. As to the idea that the Scriptures teach physical animal sacrifices will again be done in Jerusalem by the Jews. This is taken from the book of Daniel. Please take the time to look up all the verses that people use to teach this. Then look them up in the Hebrew. You will see that the word sacrifice DOES NOT appear in the Hebrew, it is just NOT there. Oh, something daily is taken away alright by the end time Beast power, but the word sacrifice is not there. Sure, it maybe was once fulfilled in Jewish history that way, Jerusalem destroyed, the temple desecrated, animal sacrifices stopped, but that was then. The fact is that for the end time prophecies in Daniel the word sacrifice is NOT there. The argument that prophecy is dual is no argument at all. SOME prophecies ONLY are dual in nature. Some are clearly not dual. And those that could be argued as dual will not be exactly fulfilled the second time in precisely 100% the same way as before. All this I could prove to you, but here is not the time. Okay, what could be the daily that is taken away when the holy place of the city of Jerusalem is desolated and the man of the king of the north Beast power sits in the holy land temple/sanctuary of God? Mat.24 Jesus said that not one stone of the then physical Temple would be left standing on another. This has never yet completely taken place, as the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem is part of that very Temple Jesus was looking at when He spoke those words. It will come crashing down at the time of the end when the king of the north beast power comes into the holy land, and desolates the city of Jerusalem (Luke 21:20; Dan. 11:40 etc.). Today, each day, the religious Jews stand before and pray before that Wailing Wall. It is a daily religious event. It will one day be stopped when the Beast power takes Jerusalem, when the Jews and Christians(not part of the Beast power religion) will have to flee the city, as Jesus said they would and should. All DAILY worship by the Jews will come to an end at that time until the Messiah comes in glory. Certainly this DAILY activity will stop. The Beast power, king of the north, will stop the Jewish daily religious worship in Jerusalem. Ah, now do you begin to see that all the prophecies you may like to interpret as thinking a literal physical temple and literal animal sacrifices will begin again BEFORE Jesus returns, do not need to happen at all, in order to fulfil in a literal way those very prophecies. MORE THOUGHTS ON THE REBUILDING OF A JEWISH TEMPLE It is the teaching of the Evangelical Protestants that before Jesus Christ returns to this earth, a Beast power will enter into a peace treaty with the Jews in Palestine. The Jews will build a TEMPLE and re-institute the Levitical Priesthood with ANIMAL sacrifices. After three and one half years the Anti-christ leader of this Beast power will enter the Temple, so desecrating it, and destroy the Jews in warfare. The Saints will be raptured away to heaven for three and one half years, while on the earth there is great tribulation. Jesus returns with the saints at the end of the three and a half years,to set up His Kingdom. This has been a very popular teaching of the Fundamental Protestants for many decades. I realize that the Protestants do have some truths of God s word. But when it comes to understanding the PROPHECIES of the word of God, I have GRAVE AND SERIOUS DOUBTS that they understand much of those scriptures. Why? The word of God says, "The fear of the Eternal is the beginning of wisdom, a GOOD UNDERSTANDING have all they that DO HIS COMMANDMENTS..." PS.111:10. As the Catholic and Protestant Churches REFUSE to do the commandments of God (certainly the 4th one) I MUST SERIOUSLY QUESTION THE VALIDITY OF THEIR TEACHING ABOUT A TEMPLE AND ANIMAL SACRIFICES to be re-instituted again by the Jews in Jerusalem before Jesus returns. I have written at some length in a special PROPHECY PAPER concerning how the word of God can be fulfilled WITHOUT THE NEED TO REBUILD A TEMPLE AND REINSTATE ANIMAL SACRIFICES. Upon more meditation I would like to present yet another thought to add more weight to my previous investigation on this subject. The message and truths of Matthew 24 - were they given by Jesus to the unconverted world or Jew or to His disciples? Notice verse 3. "And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him PRIVATELY, saying, Tell US, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?" Now notice verse 4, "And Jesus answered and said unto THEM." The famous "Olivet Prophecy" was NOT spoken to the general populace at large, but to Jesus' disciples in PRIVATE! This prophecy was not given to the Jews en mass. The signs are for His private followers - for those who are watching and understanding world events. Speaking about the abomination of desolation in verse 15, Jesus said, "When YOU therefore shall see...." When the DISCIPLES - when Jesus' followers would see. Not the Jews in Palestine, not the world at large, but when Christ's disciples would see... ......then they were to flee for their lives - verses 16-21. Now, ask yourself this question: In the way that Jesus spoke, does it sound like the abomination of desolation would come somewhat quickly and unexpectedly - that if not watching closely you may be caught off guard as to when it comes? I think from the context of what Jesus says about not coming down off your house roof to pack your bags before running, it would be safe to assume that this abomination of desolation comes suddenly - without very much warning at all. Now let s suppose the abomination of desolation is to do with a REBUILT TEMPLE in Jerusalem, a temple that the Jews have built and are now performing animal sacrifices in it, when a false religious leader of a great Beast power marches into Jerusalem and into the Temple to STOP the Jews from performing their rites. Suppose this is the sign Jesus was giving so His followers in Jerusalem could flee. If this be so - a Temple built that is desolated by the false prophet of the beast power - why would Jesus followers WAIT TO FLEE from Jerusalem? Why would they wait until the false prophet walks into the temple or even the city of Jerusalem for that matter? If this warning of Christ's is centered around a physical Temple in the city of Jerusalem, or some kind of building or altar, from which the unconverted Jews perform animal sacrifices or religious rites, then it will take TIME to lay the first stone, and them another, and then another, in order to LITERALLY BUILD such a building or altar. Such an undertaking will be first of all debated by the city officials, and most probably by the Israeli Government. Understanding the fact that MOST of the members of the Government and population of Israel are NOT RELIGIOUS people, it (the literal building of a Temple or altar) would certainly not come about easily or without much debate and Newspaper coverage. But let's argue that such an undertaking was granted by the city officials of Jerusalem - a Temple or Altar was to be built for a Jewish Priesthood. And remember those that teach such a doctrine, also say such a Temple can ONLY be built where the Dome of the Rock now stands. They teach that a Temple cannot be built in just ANY place in the city of Jerusalem. But supposing this was done, would not THIS ALONE be the sign that the Evangelical Protestant teaching was correct in how to understand the meaning of the abomination of desolation AND WOULD NOT THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST IN JERUSALEM BE WISE TO PACK THEIR BAGS AND FLEE AS SOON AS THE BUILDING PROCESS WAS STARTED? Why wait around until the Temple was desecrated by some false prophet individual from the beast power coming into it? The followers of Christ in Jerusalem would know that the desolation was not far off, so why stay around? They could have ample time to sell their homes, and furniture - pack their cases, catch the wagon train and move on out. Someone could argue that they would stay around to continue to preach the Christian gospel and warn against the coming Beast power. But that makes little sense when you consider the truth they would know about the TWO WITNESSES of Revelation 11. Jerusalem will have God's truth thundered to it during the last three and a half years, by the two witnesses dwelling in the very city of Jerusalem. No, the followers of Christ would have a number of weeks or months to leave Jerusalem in the wake of a Temple or Altar being constructed in that city. Now, let us look at the other side of the coin. I have stated in my previous writing that the Bible definition of the phrase "abomination of desolation" is interpreted for us in Luke 21:20. It is Jerusalem being compassed about with armies and then being desolated by those armies. Let's imagine the Mid-East in turmoil - nothing new to that scenario - with many nations and peoples fighting over this or that. Jerusalem is in the midst of all this conflict - armies from this nation and that nation all over the place. There arises a union of Arab nations and a political leader the Bible calls the king of the south. At the same time Europe has united to form the beast power, or as Daniel calls it the king of the north. As stated by Daniel, the king of the south pushes at the king of the north, and the king of the north comes against him like a whirl wind. The king of the south is defeated in battle. This adds a little more unrest to the whole Middle East, but what s a little more to an already war-torn zone. God's people - the followers of Christ - are still living in Jerusalem - they are watching to see if the Beast power will enter the Holy Land or not. They wonder if this is the fulfilment of Dan. 11:40-45. There are many armies - much fighting - going on around them. Then one DAY (that's all it would take for the beast power to send its armies in to surround Jerusalem, because its armies are already down in Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia) Jesus' disciples wake up, or see from their house tops, or hear on the radio in their fields or shopping malls, that the European Armies are around the city of Jerusalem, nobody knowing quite why or what is going to transpire, although Europe and the Jews have been having their differences lately, and that is also nothing new. Now Jesus' followers know for sure Daniel 11:40-45 has come to pass. The beast power will enter and desolate Jerusalem and Palestine - the HOLY PLACE and SANCTUARY of God Almighty. The Jews are about to be defeated in battle, by a sudden and somewhat unexpected source. They are taken by complete surprise. The secret commando of the European army has infiltrated the Jewish defenses and made them inoperable. So begins the start of THE GREAT TRIBULATION. Very quickly and suddenly. Just days from the time the European beast power came against the king of the south, to entering Palestine and desolating Jerusalem. So little time wise, that Christ's disciples in Jerusalem would have no long-drawn-out sign (like the building of a Temple) to prepare them to flee. Just a here it is - and a there be gone - flee for your life. The Jews would not expect it - they do not read the Bible, most of them in Palestine are not religious. The religious Jew would not look for it - they do not accept Jesus and the New Testament. Only those followers of Jesus who read, and understand, and watch, will escape the destruction to befall Jerusalem and the Jews. ................. Written in 1991

The Truth About Matthew 24:37-41

Jesus said, "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left." For some decades now many fundamental Protestant churches have claimed that these two verses in Matthew are teaching the doctrine of the "rapture." That Christ will come invisibly FOR His church just before the final GREAT Tribulation of 7 years on this earth, and take them to heaven, protecting them from the Anti-christ. Then He will return WITH them to set up the Kingdom of God on earth for a thousand years. I have a full in-depth study on the teaching called "The Secret Rapture" that can be sent to anyone via e-mail who requests it. On the other had, some branches of the Sabbath keeping Churches of God have used Matthew 24:40-41 to teach that God will supernaturally take away His people to a "place of safety" on this earth, as foretold in Revelation 12, and protect them from the end time Beast power. The truth of the matter is that Matthew 24:40-41 is NOT talking about a secret rapture or a removal to a place of safety somewhere on this earth. One of the greatest keys to understanding some of the verses in the Bible that often puzzle people is to read the CONTEXT of the passage wherein those verses are contained. Reading BEFORE and AFTER those verses can often give light and often lead you to the true meaning of those verses that seem to be difficult to understand. Reading carefully what is stated, being analytical and using common logic with the verses will also help to arrive at the truth. So, let's begin by going clear back to the beginning of this chapter in the book of Matthew. Jesus and His disciples leave the Temple, but the disciples point Him to the great buildings of the Temple. Jesus tells them that EVERY SINGLE STONE of the buildings (plural) will be thrown down which has not yet happened as the Wailing wall in Jerusalem today was part of that Temple of Jesus' day). As they sit on the mount of Olives the disciples come to Jesus and ask TWO things: 1. When shall this be that all the stones of the Temple will be cast down, and 2. What shall be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. Here lies a key to this prophecy. This prophecy is PRIMARILY and even SPECIFICALLY to do with Christ's coming in glory to set up His Kingdom on earth, the end of this present age, and the start of the age to come, as foretold by all the holy prophets since the world began. Jesus starts by telling them of many things that will happen BEFORE He comes. This is all contained in verses 4 to 25. He told them, and so tells us today, that when that GREAT Tribulations comes that none will have ever been the like before or after (verse 21), then also at that time (verse 23) some will preach that Christ has returned, that He is over in this place or that place. Some during that time will either come in Christ's name, or even claim they are the Christ, and will be able to perform great miracles. Then again He warns them and us, that some will claim Christ is over in this or that location on the earth (verse 26). Jesus told us we are not to take notice of such preaching, FOR......He then proceeds in the next verses to ZERO IN on not only HOW He will return, but He also talks about the VERY DAY, the literal 24 hour day that He will return on. And this is a major key to the whole next section of Matthew 24, in fact it is the key to the rest of the chapter. In fact it is the key all the way to chapter 25:13. Jesus will come as does LIGHTNING - brightly and suddenly - verse 27. He will come after that period of Great Tribulation and great heavenly signs - verse 29. There will be a SIGN in heaven (I guess something like lightning is a sign alright) Tribes and nations will actually SEE Jesus coming in the CLOUDS of heaven, with great power and glory - verse 30. This is most definitely talking about the VERY DAY, the very literal day that Jesus will come and once more set His feet upon the mount of Olives as foretold by the prophet Zechariah in his 14th chapter. Jesus is no longer talking about events LEADING UP to this day. He is now talking about the VERY DAY of His coming, the day in human terms when He leaves heaven and places His feet on the mount of Olives at Jerusalem. Verse 31 also proves this to be correct, for Jesus goes on to talk about the angels GATHERING TO HIMSELF at the sound of the TRUMPET, the SAINTS, the ELECT. This is, by putting what Paul was inspired to write in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the LAST trumpet of Revelations, the SEVENTH trumpet of Revelations 11, and the setting up of the Kingdom of God on earth. It is the time of the RESURRECTION of the saints of all ages to gather together on the sea of glass, in the clouds of heaven, with Jesus Christ, ON THE VERY LITERAL 24 HOUR DAY THAT HE RETURNS TO THIS EARTH! Jesus goes on to warn us to be looking, watching, to be ready for this VERY DAY of His return (verses 32-35). BUT, concerning this very day and the very hour when He will return and the saints will be gathered together to Him, when the RESURRECTION takes place, only the Father in heaven knows when that day will be, even the angels do not know. So, it was no wonder Jesus told us to be prepared, to be watching. Then Christ gives an example. The example is that of Noah. The people of the world not believing that a flood was to come to destroy them all, not believing the preaching of Noah concerning a coming flood, were going about every day life, doing their thing, continuing to live as if the world was going to go on in the same manner forever. This they did RIGHT UP TO THE VERY DAY that Noah entered the ark and shut the door. Notice it, the last words of verse 38. Noah did not take a month or a week to kind of slowly put one foot in front of the other, and after a month or so, get into the ark and then maybe take a week to slowly close the door, inch by inch. NO! There came a time, a LITERAL DAY on the calendar, a 24 hour day, and even an hour, when Noah literally entered the ark and closed the door. And right up to that very literal HOUR the people of the world were still "doing their thing." When that day arrived, when Noah entered the ark and closed the door, when that day had come that the waters came on the earth to bring to pass what Noah had been preaching to them, they still did not know it, they still did not believe it would happen, they were still going about their daily lives as IF there would be for them a tomorrow. But it was then too late. THE DAY had arrived, AND not being ready for that day, they PERISHED! Jesus, by giving that example, was and is, telling His followers to BE READY, be prepared for THE DAY when He shall come again, for like Noah it is being preached it will come, but ONLY the Father knows when that literal day will be that Jesus will be sent back to this earth. If you are not watching, if you are not prepared in your life, then that very literal day may come and you will find yourself on the outside looking in, not a part of the elect saints, in the resurrection, and being taken by the angels to meet and be with Christ in the clouds, at the last trumpet sound. THE WHOLE FOCAL POINT in this prophecy of Jesus is NOW THE RESURRECTION AND THE VERY DAY OF HIS COMING IN GLORY! A day that no man or angel can know, for only the Father in heaven knows when that day will be. So, Jesus says, make sure you are personally, in your life, prepared. Notice verse 39 and the last words. Noah entered the ark and closed the door on ONE PARTICULAR CALENDAR DAY, so the coming of the Son of man shall be on ONE particular calendar day. THEN, the thought of Jesus is continuing....THEN, at that time, on the very day of His coming......shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. YES OF COURSE, it shall indeed be so, FOR THE RESURRECTION of true saints of God will take place, just as He had been telling about in the preceding verses. Then, to prove this is the CONTEXT....the coming of Christ on one literal day and the resurrection of the saints to gather to Him, He says in verse 42, "WATCH therefore; for you KNOW NOT what HOUR your Lord does COME." The whole context of these verses is concerning the very one day and hour that Jesus is to return to this earth!! Read on. Notice it, the context is so clear and plain. Jesus warns once more about being spiritually ready for His coming, when it comes, on that specific day that only the Father knows will be. Jesus even says that that day will probably come when you do not think it will come (verse 44). So much for people trying to figure it out by their interpretations of some verses in some prophetic book of the Bible, and making charts and setting dates, as so many have done over the centuries. Jesus further goes on to expound the vital key of being ready in our life for that day of His coming. Notice verse 46....."whom his Lord WHEN HE COMES shall find so doing." Our entering the Kingdom, being given rewards according to our works, will be all done on ONE specific day, the day Christ comes and we are gathered together (see again 1 Thes.4:13-18) to be with Him in the clouds and on the sea of glass (as Revelation shows us). But if we think that day is being delayed, that day of His coming (verse 48) and we stop living as a true Christian in word, thought, and action, and become as we would say today, un-converted, then we shall be like those in Noah's time. That day of Jesus' return will come, that very HOUR will come, and those not ready in their life and mind, will be on the outside looking in, just a weeping and gnashing their teeth (verses 48-51). Jesus also went on to give further warning and instructions concerning that VERY DAY of His coming again, in chapter 25 and verses 1 to 13. This parable was given once more to highlight the importance of being PREPARED for that day. The last words in verse 13 show clearly Jesus is still talking about the very day and hour of His coming back to gather His elect who are ready, to be with Him, and shall be with Him, via a resurrection or instant change (as Paul told us), gathered by the angels to meet Christ in the air, the clouds, and so to ever be with Him. CHRISTIANS SCATTERED ON THE EARTH AT CHRIST'S COMING? One last point I need to cover. Some are not sure that some Christians will be grinding at the mill when Christ comes again in glory. That talk is like saying Christians will be living here and there, working and doing jobs and other kinds of "normal" things. This they have a hard time with because they know the Bible talks about a place of protection for some (in the wilderness Revelation 12 says, whatever that may mean) and being killed for many others (as Matthew 24 and Revelation foretell). But, working and sleeping with some who will not be "taken" in a resurrection gathering with Christ, that may puzzle many. Reading the prophetic books of the Bible with the book of Revelation should make it all come clear. During the Great Tribulation, many will come to see the truth of the word of God. Many , in fact Revelation says 12 thousand from each tribe of Israel will be brought to repentance and conversion before the great and terrible day of the Lord (Rev.7), as well as a vast multitude from other nations. Israel and Judah will be in a state of captivity and scattered through many lands of their enemies. They will be in effect slaves to their enemies, doing work for them in the towns, villages, and cities in the lands of their enemies. During the last three and one half years of this age, when the Beast power is in control of the Western world, the book of Revelations (chapter 12) tells us that God will have TWO witnesses in the city of Jerusalem proclaiming His word of truth. I'm sure most of the world will know about them and what they are preaching. The false prophet of Revelation will have deceived the world into believing he is the true one from God, and these two witnesses are from Satan. The whole situation in Jerusalem at that time will no doubt be on the daily news casts, at least around the Western world, where the Beast power will reign supreme. Many people in all nations will be brought to true understanding of God's word, and true repentance during that last number of years of this age. Many will have been given the Spirit of God as Revelation 7 plainly tells us. They will be scattered in many lands, working alongside the un-converted. Some sleeping with unconverted mates, some as in concentration camps sleeping in large rooms alongside many unconverted. When Jesus returns all those truly Spirit filled saints in the above situations, will be either working or sleeping somewhere on this earth, and the unconverted will be there also with them. The LAST TRUMPET will sound, the RESURRECTION of the dead saints from all ages will take place, the INSTANT CHANGE from mortal to immortal will transform the living saints, the angels will be ready to gather them all together and to lead them to where Christ is in the clouds, in the air, to all meet together on the sea of glass, the bride ready for the bridegroom, the marriage supper of the Lamb to finally be a reality. And rewards given to those who have made themselves ready, who have WATCHED, who are prepared for that great and wonderful DAY OF CHRIST'S RETURN, when His feet shall stand on the mount of Olives, and the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior, and He shall reign forever, and of His Kingdom there shall be no end. Let us continue to pray, "Thy Kingdom COME." All articles and studies by Keith Hunt may be copied, published, e-mailed, and distributed as led by the Spirit of God. Mr. Hunt trusts nothing will be changed without his consent.

First written in 1981 re-written November 1999
by
Keith Hunt

The Age of Mercy

Millions will see the light of God

by Keith Hunt The mercy and grace of God has always been there in every age of mankind. But there is coming an age when that mercy and grace will be ABUNDANTLY given and shown in such a way as to dumb-found the human mind. Many reading through the Bible miss the remarkable fact that many if not most people on earth, have never been given the heart and mind to REALLY understand God and His way to salvation and eternal life. Even the Lord's chosen people of Israel could never understand God in a true spiritual way that leads to salvation. Those people were BLINDED to spiritual perception. They never had the heart of mind to understand the ways, the truths, the deep things of God. They were never filled or led by God's Spirit. They could not come to the Eternal and be His spiritual children. They never had full mercy and grace shown to them. They were never SAVED and will NOT be in the resurrection to GLORY at the coming of Jesus back to this earth, as will those who were led by God's Spirit, were given spiritual understanding, under the Old Testament's ages (Adam to Noah, Noah to Abraham, Abraham to Moses, and Moses to the time of Jesus the Christ born as a human person). There are some very plain and straight-forward passages in the books of Moses (specifically Numbers and Deuteronomy), which we shall now see. Moses called Israel together and told them about the time when God made a Covenant with them 40 years earlier (Deut.5:1-5). They at that time literally heard the voice of God, and could not bear to have God talk to them. They wanted Moses to go to God, hear what He had to say and then report it to them (verses 22-28). It was then that the Eternal God said, "O THAT THERE WERE SUCH A HEART IN THEM, THAT THEY WOULD FEAR ME, AND KEEP ALL MY COMMANDMENTS ALWAYS...." (verse 29). God knew that they did not have the true spiritual heart to be close to Him and walk with Him, in all His ways. At the end of leading Israel around the desert for 40 years here are some of the words Moses spoke to them, "YET THE LORD HAS NOT GIVEN YOU A HEART TO PERCEIVE, AND EYES TO SEE, AND EARS TO HEAR, UNTO THIS DAY" (Deut.29:4). The vast majority, most in fact, of the people of Israel, did NOT have God's Spirit. This is clearly shown to us as we read the ELEVENTH chapter of Numbers. Here we find the Holy Spirit that Moses had is given to called and CHOSEN ones. Some were even jealous for Moses' sake, but notice how Moses answered them: "...enviest you for my sake? WOULD TO GOD THAT ALL THE LORD'S PEOPLE WERE PROPHETS, AND THAT THE LORD WOULD PUT HIS SPIRIT UPON THEM!" (verse 29). The truth of the matter is that under the Old Testament only a very small FEW were granted a heart and mind to PERCEIVE, to really KNOW God, to understand REPENTANCE, in its deep way that leads to SALVATION and obtaining God's Holy Spirit. GENTILE NATIONS WITHOUT SALVATION The apostle Paul said words that most people would find shocking, and most Christians find hard to comprehend or even take them for face value, thinking Paul must have meant something different from the actual words he spoke. Here are those words: "Wherefore remember, that you being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Un-circumcised by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh by hands. That at that time you were WITHOUT CHRIST, being STRANGERS from the commonwealth of Israel, and STRANGERS from the covenant of promise, having NO HOPE, and WITHOUT God in the world" (Ephesians 2:11-12). Now it is true that Paul talks about people acknowledging God via physical creation (Romans 2). But a superficial saying, "Well I believe there must be a God being who created all this marvellous world and universe" is FAR from having the heart and mind to PERCEIVE and UNDERSTAND the ways, truths, commandments, sin and righteousness, and mercy through Christ as Messiah. In that context the apostle Paul says the Gentiles had NO HOPE, NO SALVATION, they were without Christ and God in the world! Only those Gentiles who became a part of the nation of Israel and/or whom God REVEALED Himself to, and gave a heart to perceive and understand the Lord's salvation and hence be led by His Spirit, were saved. ALL others had NO HOPE, were without God in the world, without Christ (and without Christ there is no salvation, see Acts 4:12). They had NO salvation in THEIR LIFE TIME!! BUT..... Does this mean they will NEVER have a heart to perceive, to understand, to find grace and mercy and Christ as personal Savior? NO IT DOES NOT! The wonderful chapters of Romans 9 through 11, show us how great is the MERCY and GRACE of God. Please take the time to read them SLOWLY, and MEDITATE on the words you read. Yes it is addressing mainly the people of Israel, but as the Bible tells us that God is no respecter of persons, and that He loved the WORLD (not just Israel) and sent His only begotten Son, so all who believe on Him can have eternal life (John 3:16) then we can know that what Paul talks about in these chapters towards Israel's salvation, also applies to all the Gentile nations. These chapters of Romans 9 through 11 contain some of the most INSPIRING and COMFORTING words ever written on the subject of God's GRACE and MERCY. Are you concerned about loved ones, blood relatives, or just friends, and what is their fate because they did not KNOW or ACKNOWLEDGE God and Jesus as their savior? In these chapters of Romans as well as some other verses in the New Testament (also those in Deuteronomy and Numbers we have already read), we have wonderful HOPE and ASSURANCE that God is going to grant MERCY to all in due time, so all can PERCEIVE and UNDERSTAND the way to salvation. Of course God cannot force anyone to walk in the light of His salvation, but He does tell us that ALL at least will be given a heart and mind to perceive and understand. What they choose to do with that perception and understanding, will be in their power (as it has always been for anyone at any time - see Deut.30:15-20). In the first verses of Romans chapter nine Paul shows his love for his fellow countrymen. Verse 7 he draws the distinction between physical seed of Abraham and those who are children of Abraham in the spiritual sense that make them also children of God as Abraham was. The physical seed of Abraham were MAINLY going to be known through Isaac - Isaac-sons, or SAX-SONS and in wider usage ANGLO-SAXONS. Other studies on this Website go into detail of WHO and WHERE the sons of Isaac are today. But the most important message is that of becoming a CHILD of Abraham in the spiritual salvation of God through Christ. Being a child of God is quite DIFFERENT than being a physical child of some physical person (verses 8-13). Paul now goes on to demonstrate that than God does at times in this physical life CHOOSE certain individuals or a nation of people for a specific purpose as He works His plan on earth for other individuals and other peoples. God even HARDENS the heart of SOME, showing mercy to some while showing no mercy to others (verses 14-18). The natural question arises then as to why God can find fault with anyone. Paul's answer is simply, you cannot tell God what to do and when to do it with whom He wants to do it. God is the potter and we are the clay. But Paul says be assured that the Lord KNOWS exactly what He is doing and there is a purpose behind it all, especially when it comes to taking BLINDNESS and DECEPTION away from people, giving them a heart and mind to PERCEIVE and to UNDERSTAND and to be given MERCY for salvation through Christ, while others are chosen by God to be left with a heart and mind that CANNOT perceive or understand spiritual truths. Some given MERCY are Jews/Israelites and some are Gentiles. Paul continues to show that it is relatively FEW Israelites that are given MERCY and GRACE, but there are some, for it was written there would be a REMNANT who could have the heart to perceive and understand, yet it was in God's plan that while MOST Israelites would not find mercy in their life time, MANY Gentiles would. And this is all to do with God REMOVING spiritual blindness or NOT removing spiritual blindness. Israel may have had the law of Moses and the Old Testament words of God, they may have followed many of the laws of God in some form of the physical way of life, but as we have seen from Deuteronomy and Numbers, they were STILL in spiritual BLINDNESS and God had NOT given them the heart to perceive and understand as far as eternal salvation for them was concerned, only the few in Israel were granted the heart for salvation. Then on the other hand, the Gentiles who did not really try to follow God, were doing their own thing shall we say, were as we have seen Paul say, WITHOUT God in the world, without any hope for salvation, were NOW being called and chosen and given a heart to perceive and understand the spiritual ways and truths of the Eternal God. The Israelites had thought that merely following some laws of God would give them right standing with God and hence salvation. They had not the heart to perceive they had to have FAITH in a SAVIOR, the very Son of God, having to come as a human to die for their sins. And even when it was told them they sill did not have the heart to see, but stumbled with offence at the very one whom could give them mercy and grace for salvation (verses 24-33). Paul acknowledges in the first verses of chapter 10 that Israel had a zeal for God, but it was WITHOUT knowledge. Many of the Israelites under Moses had a kind of zeal for God, they said they would obey the Lord's commandments, do his will. It was words they spoke, sounded very "religious" and had an outward piety. They sure knew God existed, they even heard His voice for a while. Yes they had a kind of form of religion, but in reality it was really just so many words. They did NOT have the heart, they did not have God's Spirit leading them, they did not have real KNOWLEDGE, as Paul is here saying, the knowledge and heart that leads to true REPENTANCE of sin, and FAITH in the Savior Christ Jesus. So it is today, there are MILLIONS who have a FORM of "religion" both in the Christian world and in the none Christian world. Millions in the none Christian world believe in a GOD, but reject His Son Jesus as their Savior. Think of all the millions in the Islamic religion etc. They are BLINDED, they are DECEIVED, by the one who deceives the whole world (Rev.12:9) - Satan the Devil. God has not given them the heart to perceive and to understand the way to eternal salvation through Christ. Then you have millions in the Christian world who have a zeal for God, even acknowledging Jesus is the Savior, but as Paul said about Israel, they have a zeal but not ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE! They also have not the heart to perceive the truths and the ways of the ALMIGHTY GOD. They are just as much in spiritual DARKNESS as the Israelites were and are, who indeed had the law and the words of God (Romans 10:1-4). Paul then goes into a some long explanation of how the Jews by not believing in Christ as Savior did NOT have God's mercy and grace, were not saved, did not have salvation. Oh, they would hear the message of the words of God being taught by God's prophets, as many today may hear them in church services or on TV or by reading the Bible, but the bottom line is still the fact that they do NOT have the HEART to really listen, to really obey, to really have the zeal according to KNOWLEDGE. They STILL, despite the words of God being preached all around them, have a heart that is DISOBEDIENT and GAINSAYING (verses 5-21). People will find every reason under the sun to not serve and obey God on this point or that point, will come up with every argument as to why this law or that law does not have to be obeyed today. Some will obey the 7th day Sabbath but REFUSE with stiff hearts to observe God's seven annual Sabbaths. Some will shun the observance of the world's pagan festivals but will refuse with stony hearts to observer God's Festivals. Some will refuse with gainsaying hearts to observe God's clean and un-clean food laws. Some will just refuse coldly the observance of the FOURTH commandment period! Some can read where Abraham and Jacob tithed to God, of ALL they had, way before the Old Covenant came into existence, but will somehow read into the Old Covenant ideas that make tithing "done away with" for children of Abraham today. Some can read the Bible and be willing to observe many things of God's way, but refuse to admit that homosexuality and lesbianism is an abomination in God's sight, and so practice and teach that same sex marriage is okay with the Lord; why even some churches today have practicing "gay" ministers. On and on it goes even with those who have been given the words of God either by the Lord's true servants or with the Bible in their hands. So it has always been with even those to whom God did reveal Himself. Most of the time those people have had a form of godliness, a form of zeal, but NOT according to true knowledge. Now with all of this said, Paul answers what many by now reading his epistle so far have probably surmised, God has then cast away His people, they are doomed for eternal destruction. NO, Paul answers that is NOT so! He quotes from Elijah, where he thought he was the only one left in Israel serving God, but the Lord told him that He, the Lord, had 7 thousand others who had not bowed the knee to Baal (Romans 11:1-4). Then the apostle takes this example of old to say that God is exactly working this way to this very day. There is a REMNANT, relatively few, who are the ELECTED of GRACE or mercy, and the REST, are not damned to eternal destruction at all for the REST are BLINDED, and as SHOCKING as it may seem to many, it is GOD HIMSELF that has BLINDED the rest. "According as it is written, GOD has given them the spirit of SLUMBER, eyes that they SHOULD NOT SEE, and ears that they SHOULD NOT HEAR, unto this day" (verse 8). Paul explains they have not stumbled that they should FALL forever. But God is working out a salvation plan. Through many stumbling now, others can be called and chosen and be the election of grace and mercy. So it was then with the Jews stumbling so many Gentiles could be elected to grace. It was a wonderful plan of election and grace that God was working with the peoples of the earth, and Gentiles now coming into God's family should not boast and feel proud over the many Jews being NOT elected to grace at this time (verses 11-24). Then comes the WONDERFUL HOPE INSPIRING WORDS of Paul that shows he understood there was an OVERALL PLAN of God for ALL to be ELECTED to have GRACE and mercy shown to them in due time, in the time plan of the Lord. "For I would not brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own conceit; for BLINDNESS in part is happened to Israel, UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so ALL Israel shall be saved; (so many that the few who may reject God's saving grace through Christ, will make it be as "all" - Keith Hunt) as it is written, 'There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn ungodliness from Jacob, For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins'....For as you in times past have not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God has concluded them ALL in UN-believe, that He might have MERCY upon ALL" (verses 25-32). Ah, do you see the WONDER of it all? Do you see the INSPIRING teaching of it all? Do you see what God is working out here below? Every single person who has ever lived has been in utter spiritual BLINDNESS as far as saving grace through faith in Christ is concerned. Everyone is given a heart that CANNOT perceive or understand the ways, the truths, the true knowledge of God. It is the Lord who must REMOVE that veil of blindness (see 2 Corinthians 3:12-18) from our hearts and give us a heart of flesh, take away the heart of stone and make that heart soft and pliable, a heart that can have zeal, yes, but zeal according to knowledge. Until God grants the individual a heart to perceive Him and His ways to life and salvation, that person is neither saved or lost. As Paul showed us in Romans 11, some, even the many, will have to WAIT until the DELIVERER comes, until the Messiah comes in glory, to set up the Kingdom of God on earth, to be delivered from spiritual blindness and have their sins taken away. ALL TO BE RAISED TO LIFE Jesus knew the plan of God's salvation for every person who has ever lived. Jesus knew that the DEAD would one day hear His voice and LIVE. He told us not to marvel at it, in the sense of thinking this is incredible or something so far out that it is not worth thinking about, or even silly to think about. Christ said the day was coming when ALL in the graves would hear His voice and come forth from the dead. Some would come forth to a resurrection of glorious eternal life (called the FIRST resurrection in Revelation 20 and explained in 1 Cor.15 and 1 Thes.4:13-18 with Mat.24:29-31) at the coming of Jesus in glory, at the beginning of the 1,000 years reign of Christ and the saints on earth - see my study called "The beginning of the 1,000 year reign"). Others are to come forth to a resurrection NOT of damnation (as the KJV gives) but of JUDGMENT! (John 5:25-29). Judgment takes time. As Peter said, "The Lord is NOT SLACK concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering towards us, NOT WILLING that any should PERISH, but that ALL should come to REPENTANCE" (2 Peter 3:9). God DESIRES that not one single person should refuse salvation. He desires ALL to be elected to grace, be called to grace, to have the veil of blindness removed from their heart of stone, to be given a heart that will perceive Him and His holy way, to perceive how to be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But that heart is not given to many during their life time on this earth. It must wait for a future resurrection for most. Everyone who has ever died will be raised to life again one day. For some, the saints of God from Adam to the Messiah's coming in glory, it will be the resurrection to glorious eternal life, called the first resurrection. For the rest it will be a physical resurrection (like the Israelites in the valley of dry bones spoken about in Ezekiel 37), at the END of the 1,000 year reign mentioned in Revelation 20. This GREAT resurrection of the dead is found in Revelation 20:12-15. It is the time when the book of life is opened, a time of spiritual discerning is granted to millions upon millions of people who were never given the heart to discern God according to knowledge during their one physical life on this earth. They will rise again, they will have the blindness lifted from their eyes, they will see, they will come to know the true Jesus, and walk in the light of God's word, the books (Greek is "biblos" - from whence we get "bible"). They will be judged now (as the saints are today) according to the way they work and live with the zeal according to knowledge, that is now granted to them as the election of grace. Jesus, AFTER the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7) RETURNED the NEXT day, John 8, and preached in the Temple. This was the 8th day, or Octave. It was a Sabbath day, the Sabbath day of the 8th day after the 7 day feast of Tabernacles (Lev.23). Jesus was back in the Temple preaching. It was the day on which the BLIND man received his SIGHT, He saw Jesus not only literally but as we read, he saw Him for who He was. All this is the TYPE of the GREAT resurrection mentioned at the end of Revelation 20. SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS will be removed for millions raised to physical life during that age of grace and mercy. The truth of John 7:37 and John 8 is fully covered in my study "The Truth about John 7:37." God has indeed concluded ALL in UN-belief that He may have MERCY upon ALL. But God decides WHEN the un-belief is removed, for SOME it is NOW, for the MAJORITY it is in the time of the GREAT WHITE THRONE age of Revelation 20. Then the salvation of mankind is all finished. Then comes the time for the Almighty God the Father to come from heaven with the heavenly Jerusalem and dwell on this earth with all His sons and daughters. "Behold the tabernacle of God is with mankind, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.....And there shall be no curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him. And they shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 21:3; 22:3-5). ............... Written on the Last Great Feast 2004

The Meltdown Continues

Saturday, October 4, 2025

THE AGE TO COME-- #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10 END

Reward of the Saved

Promise to Abraham

Will the Jews in Jerusalem yet build a Temple and offer animal sacrifices?

The Age of Mercy

Millions will see the light of God

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