One of my arguments against divorce and remarriage while a first spouse is alive is not only seen in the latter half of Matthew 5:32 (whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery); but is also represented in the vow made "for better or worse until death do us part" or something to that affect. Now some have a Pre-Nup that puts financial off ramps; shall we say if things go sour; but no one that I am aware of says "if my spouse commits adultery I can divorce them and marry another" as an exception clause in their vow that I am aware of.
As this is a subject of great debate and a hot topic I am merely going to use it as a building block to prove the cohesion of scripture in regard to conditional terms in relation to God's covenants. In general God is eternal in terms of covenants and binding things remain with the exception of the old covenant of laws with National Israel which the new covenant in Christ has replaced. I would recommend a study of Hebrews 9 on the subject in depth. I would also say that the great haitus as it were between Daniel 9:26-27 separating the 69 weeks from the final "week" of seven years of the Tribulation judgment and Antichrist rule. God still as I see it has plans to fulfill His plan for Israel; in short putting them through the fire in the time of Jacob's trouble ( Jeremiah 30:7); and establishing His rule fulfilling the complete expansion of their borders to originally promised areas (See Psalm 72:8; His dominion from "sea to sea".
Now in terms of this subject in particular we see lets say with a business covenant; for example man's conditions in a written contract that has terms of business transactions and provisions for any violations. There are varying "mission plans" that can be discussed but each party signs off that they understand and agree to these arrangements.
In the next post I plan to look at the church and similar concepts of responsibility of its members.
We read in Jesus's longest prayer in John 17. For the reason Jesus was sent, He says, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
There is one people of God, as stated in Ephesians 2:15-16.
Scripture does not teach that Israel and the Church are two peoples of God with two destinies. Our final destiny is Revelation 21:1-7. There is not one verse in the Bible that outright says we go or are taken to heaven. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, the entire Bible is about the Plan of God and the grace of God. From the beginning of creation. Revelation 3:14 to the end, Revelation 22:12-13.
Genesis 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The mystery is that the blessings of Abraham might come on all believers, Jew or Gentile, through Jesus Christ, Galatians 3:14. Jesus had to fulfill the covenant of the law to bring in the new covenant that was prophesied in Daniel 9:27.
The Bible has one theme, one covenant of grace, with one Church united in Christ, with Gentile salvation in view from the beginning. Jews were being saved back then, and today, in God's plan for ethnic Jews, not by giving them a separate destiny as a separate people of God, but by bringing them back to Jesus Christ through faith.
More on the "abomination of disolation"spoken by Jesus on the mount of olives ... pt 2
But if we read Matthew 24:29 it says "29IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken"
So Matthew tranfers those events to the very end of times just before Jesus' second coming.
So the most logical explanation is that the abomination of disolation was Titus but the whole thing serves as a shadow of a future event which Matthew places at the end calling that person "the abomination of disolation". Who is that person? The antichrist? The beast? There can be no other explanation than that.
So lets go back to Daniels writtings. Daniel 9:24-27,
"24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, AND UPON THE HOLY PLACE THERE SHALL BE THE ABOMINATION OF DISOLATION, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
In Matthew 24:15 Jesus says,"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (neuter gender), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, ..."
But if we read the respective verse in Daniel 9:27 in KJV it says, "27... and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, ..." which is different from what Matthew quotes.
If we read other English translations of the Hebrew text we also find variations such as
"...and at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation," (NIB) or
"...and on the wing of abominations will come the one who makes desolate" (NASB) or
"...and upon the wing of detestable things shall be that which causeth appalment;..." (Mechon-Mamre) or
"... and on the kenaf (wing) of the abominations is one making desolate, ,..." (Orthodox Jewish Bible)
Apart from the NIV all other are quite different probably depending on how they translate or interprete the Hebrew Masoretic text.
So where did Matthew quote that verse from?
The Septuagint (grk version) says, "and upon the holy (place there shall be) the abomination of desolation,
The Latin Vulgate Bible (St Jerome's Bible) says "and there shall be in the temple the abomination of desolation" which is very close to the Septuagint.
So we see that Matthew quotes that verse from the Septuagint. Evangelists almost always quote OT verses from the grk translation, since they are addressing a grk-speaking audience.
The lynchpin; as it were of Bible Prophecy is how close we are to the Daniel 9:27 covenant being fulfilled. In short; without a specific timeframe of 1 prophetic week (7 years) the current agreement with Gaza involving many participants isn't the final one initiating the 1st horse of Revelation 6:1 YET.
Zepheniah 2:4-7 states:
4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the Lord is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the Lord their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
We see here the utter destruction of this area; likely in the same time frame as the Psalm 83 war. We see Israel more or less dwelling there afterwards as verse 7 seems to indicate.
For me; the Ezekiel 38 war MAY make more sense to occur BEFORE the Tribulation even starts likely initiating the Daniel 9:27 covenant OR right after the Rapture and likewise triggering the first seal. In any case the issue here is the land of unwalled villages mentioned and it will take time; perhaps too much time for all that and the Temple construction to occur after the Rapture. To have some sense of security the immediate neighbors of hostility need to be dealt with desicively; although it seems it has begun with Iran and its proxies it seems armed attempts at rebellion are inevitable with the current setup which the international community along with our current leadership will probably once and for all annihalate. That's the way I see it anyway.
May you see this: your reply is already gone. I will keep it short in respect of others.
Much of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 focuses on the end times. If we look closer, some of what Jesus told the four was specifically for their time. First, back then, they didn't even understand that Jesus was going to be executed, as shown in Luke 9:44-45 and Luke 18:31-34. We also see how they reacted after Jesus was crucified; they did not believe Mary and the other women who had seen Jesus.
When Jesus spoke about the temple, he said that not one stone would be left on top of another, which describes what happened in AD 70. There was a church in Jerusalem led by James and other Christians in Judea during this period. History records that they escaped to a city called Pella. Many link the phrase "abomination of desolation" to the end times, the antichrist, and the false teaching of the rapture. However, Jesus isn't referring to Daniel 9:27 but to the prophecy in Daniel 11:31 and Daniel 12:11.
Wording in Daniel 9:27, "for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate," Daniel 11:31, "the abomination that maketh desolate." Daniel 12:11 "the abomination that maketh desolate set up,"
Antiochus IV Epiphanes carried out this act in 167 BC; this is the abomination of desolation Jesus is talking about. Jesus is warning them that the same event will happen before the temple's destruction in AD 70. History records this; it did happen, the warning Luke gave in Luke 21:20. If we look at Daniel 9:27, it says that for the abominations, He, who is Jesus, will make it desolate, referring to Matthew 23:36-38.
Just something you may study, I feel you and I try to study in prayer without preconceived assumptions.
An AI search on the idea of the "Two State Solution" shows that it has been a concept for Palestine since 1937. So this has been going on even before the current 1948 State of Israel existed apparently. If you had a rabbit for a pet that you baited with a carrot for 88 years it probably wouldn't pay too much attention.
The basic logic of attempting to sell such a bill of goods no doubt is assisted with endless cash incentives; land swaps; etc. but in reality neither Israel or the surrounding Muslim nations are interested in such an option; but it appears Antichrist will accomplish it as half the city is taken in the end part of the time of Jacob's trouble ( Zech. 14:2).
We certainly are delusional thinking that both parties can live "side by side in peace and security" if they didn't even BEFORE the nation of Israel was reformed in 1948. Of course the Colonialists redefined whole areas of the Middle East to control their economies and subsequently after creating this problem offered the "solution"; or as some have stated "order out of chaos".
It seems a bit hard sometimes when we are commanded in a way to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" ( Psalm 122:6) when they are described in less than favorable terms in Revelation; and also will sign a covenant with "death and hell" willingly ( Isaiah 28:18). We can possibly see a short respite for a few days or weeks; more likely the eventual fruition of the Millennium that is to come; hopefully accellerating toward that through the faithful preaching of the Gospel ( 2 Peter 3:12).
Obviously there is no peace for the wicked; or without the Prince of Peace. Men's hearts are wicked; therefore the resulting religions; ideologies or demonic entities that are motivating the world system to hurtle it to it's consummation.
In conclusion I won't express any opinion or thought as to any temporary interim of peace with today's negotiations as they seem to be nearing Daniel 9:27.
Perhaps we should start with the initial call of God.
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; ( 1 Cor. 1:27).
Flattery and coercion are two methods of the enemy to summon a victim into a cult. We are reminded of this verse in Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. This shows the Antichrist in gaining control; apparently a precursor to gaining enough support to usurp all agreements with the parties including Israel in the Daniel 9:27 covenant; the breaking of which brings him into all power of worship and economic control. This concept of Satan is seen in all manners of influence that he has managed to grab hold of in the empires of the world; it can be said of all cult leaders as well. Flattery works to bring an appearance of harmlessness by appealing ultimately to the flesh; although some of the so called prosperity preachers twist scripture and use the enticement and comforts of material wealth to blind men who want to "have their cake and eat it too"; so to speak; or as Jesus said to the Phariees who were greedy for gain "they have their reward already" ( Matthew 6:2).
Once someone is indoctrinated or trapped in a religious system then guilt and control is exercised to strip one of their freedoms and it becomes obvious to the outsider that a person is trapped by a wolf lording it over people. The consolidation of wealth of all sorts; and privileges with associations with other likeminded world influencers brings a supposed unity. What is defined as "inclusiveness" is really an exclusion of individual freedom disguised as the opposite. Thus the value of a person's calling and individual dignity is sacrificed for the man in charge who becomes a god.
How do we begin? The 7-year tribulation is taken from the 490-year prophecy in Daniel 9:25-27. The he in Daniel 9:27 is said to be the antichrist, who will make a 3.5-year peace treaty with Israel. Midway through this week, he will cause the abomination that makes desolate, leading to 3.5 years of great tribulation.
In verse 25, it states there will be 69 weeks from the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, 483 years. This was fulfilled when Jesus was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit, as seen in Matthew 3:13-17. Jesus confirms His identity as the Messiah in Luke 3:16-21, and John denies being the Christ but speaks of Jesus in John 1:33-34.
Daniel 9:26 states that after sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off. The 7 weeks, or 49 years, had already passed, a period during which the temple and part of the wall were rebuilt. Jesus' ministry was 3.5 years, so His crucifixion was 69 weeks plus 3.5 years, totaling 486.5 years of the 490-year prophecy, leaving only 3.5 years of the 490-year prophecy.
The people of the prince who shall come are those who will destroy the city and the sanctuary. This refers to Titus, the prince, and the Roman army, the people, who destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70 for their abominations and rejection.
In verse 27, it is in the middle of the 70th week, Jesus' crucifixion causes the sacrifice and oblation to cease, Hebrews 9:12. During the remaining 3.5 years, Jesus was confirming the covenant to Israel through His apostles, as seen in Matthew 15:24, to the Jew first, Romans 1:16, which ended when the leaders of Jerusalem stopped their ears, Acts 7:54-60.
It says, "for the overspreading of abominations, he shall make it desolate." The he in verse 27 refers to Jesus, not an antichrist. The leaders of Jerusalem are the ones who spread the abominations, and Jesus made it desolate, as described in Matthew 23:37-38. Read the entire chapter of Matthew 23.
In considering the end times; where we certainly are headed quickly as I see it-we see that proclamations are made beforehand as to the general state of the "last days" such as attitudes of people in 2 Timothy 3 as well as with the 144,000 and the 2 prophets in Revelation. We also see angels themselves as we get to the time the bowl judgments are about to occur as a final warning.
In reality; of course for an unregenerate person it only seals their fate and increases their judgment once their impenitent hearts are challenged. The lack of love of the truth ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10) allows the world to accept the Daniel 9:27 covenant also known as the covenant with death and hell in Isaiah 28:18 which is deliberately agreed upon despite the obvious ramifications.
People as they do now will hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest. As with the Prophets of old God says He will do nothing without first revealing the matter to the prophets ( Amos 3:7); and we see this process most clearly it seems with Jeremiah but also of course with the warnings in Deuteronomy as to blessings and cursings. Deuteronomy 30:19 says to choose life and live but of course Jeremiah 17:9 shows the human heart is desperately wicked and who can understand it?
Again a repeated concept here that I have mentioned is that the world is aware of what's coming. It is the same sort of idea when Christ came the first time with the Pharisees denying the obvious and committing the unpardonable blasphemy against the Spirit saying that it is evil; and likely the same sort of thing will be heard by the son of perdition and the world at large once judgments start to fall as we see several times during the bowl judgments ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3). He will say "unheard of" things against the Most High ( Daniel 11:36) and will come in his own name yet declare himself to be god (see John 5:43).
We need to be ready to desire seeing the Day of the Lord ( Amos 5:18
There are 3 things that seem to be happening to factor in at one time for the famine.
1) Israel and the stoppage for several months of all shipments of food
2) Hamas and other terror groups that steal food and
3) The UN decisions and lack of efforts in the matter.
I may have covered this already; but the sad truth is that those who can get food are the stronger ones; while kids often alone don't end up with much.
As to those who are being killed the fact that over 200 journalists have died in these strikes begs the question just how many of them actually were aiding and abetting terrorists. It seems all sides have some responsibility and guilt here for this stuff continuing.
To compound matters we all have to balance what is promised eventually to Israel during the Millennial period and to how just or unjust it is for them to initiate aggression. There is no doubt that there are those culpable who want to use starvation as a weapon and others who will help those in need if an invasion occurs. In my mind although it may be a minority opinion taking over the area at least will temporarily allow some to finally get what is needed. The sad truth is no other nations have wanted these people and plans to send them to South Sudan (or Somalia I forget) won't be too great either.
No doubt we are nearing the covenant with "death and hell" mentioned in Isaiah 28:15. Ultimately the situation will compel Israel to accept the Daniel 9:27 covenant; which could be soon or later once they get more control of surrounding nations; perhaps with the Psalm 83 situation involved in the nations mentioned in a soon to come conflagration.
Seeing there isn't much choice we should continue to pray for our President; and yes I'm aware that things are in motion with individuals in high places and we don't know what to believe much of the time. We all need to pray about how much or little to watch the headlines. We must warn to flee the wrath coming
Number 3, referring to those who start their theology with a doctrine they choose. I understand this as preconceived ideas in our minds that block the truth of scripture. We share the same view: the time of Jacob's trouble will not be seven years, but in Revelation 11:2, it will be; they will tread under foot forty-two months. The kingdom will be established on this earth, an unconditional promise from God, and the land of Israel will be restored.
Just like pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation doctrines. Regardless of which is believed, these are doctrines of the rapture of the Church, not about the first resurrection, which scripture says there are only two. These seven years are not explicitly in Revelation but are often associated with a doctrine derived from Daniel 9:27, which is part of the 490-year or 70-week prophecy given to Daniel. This prophecy concerns the people of Israel and Jerusalem, with 490 years allotted for six specific events, and the destruction of the city and temple in vs 26 by the prince, Titus, and the people, the Roman army in 70 AD.
Additionally, verse 25 states that from the commandment, it will be 69 weeks until the Messiah. This occurred in Matthew 3:16, Luke 3:21-22, and was confirmed by Peter in John 1:45. The seven years had already passed when verse 26 states, "after threescore and two weeks shall the Messiah be cut off/crucified. 7 + 62 = 69 weeks. Jesus was anointed, and about 3.5 years later, He was crucified, not for Himself but for us. This was in the middle of the 70th week and ended the need for sacrifice and oblations, Scripture, not doctrine.
The prophecy given to Daniel in Chapter 9 has been fulfilled; the 70 weeks ended when Stephen was killed. Blindness is in part, and the gospel went to the Gentiles until their fullness. The 7 years are only part of the doctrine of the rapture of the Church, not in Scripture.
In Daniel 9:20 we see Daniel making supplication before the LORD and confessing his sin and the sin of HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL.
"And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
In Verse 23 we see Gabriel come to give him answers according to his prayer. Daniel 9:23.
In verse 24 he says "Seventy weeks are determined upon THY PEOPLE! ISRAEL!
The great Tribulation is to drive Israel to acknowledge their Saviour.
This is prophesied in Hosea 5:15. "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
In Matthew 23:38-39 Jesus says "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Israel will be saved out of the tribulation when they call on the name of the Lord.
Jeremiah 30:7 "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
The Church will be kept from the HOUR of the tribulation!
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee FROM THE HOUR of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
FROM THE HOUR of TEMPTATION!
The Church won't be here during this time period!
If the Church is raptured after the Great tribulation and the rest of the world is annihilated who's going to populate the Millenium?
Is the rapture a resurrection? No. Some of this group is alive!
Are those who are alive, then caught up "part" of the first resurrection? Yes.
The first resurrection is better understood as a category rather than a sequence.
Those who are in Christ whether sleep or alive is part of the first Resurrection.
In the spiritual dimension; powerful principalities and powers await the timing of the Rapture in order to fully implement the Antichrist's covenant with many; the mark of the beast and eventually attempt to overthrow Christ Himself after gathering the nations together as Psalm 2 and Revelation 19 make clear. As to the details on that campaign perhaps I'll elaborate on a future post.
There are things which involve Michael in the last days. Daniel 12:1 states: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
We also read in Revelation 12:
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
In this power play we see two sides who both are contending for power; Satan of course will know that his time is short ( Rev. 12:12) as dictated by God. Michael as one of the Archangels is involved in fighting this anointed cherubim who fell and the outcome is already known. In doing this; of course Satan and his minions are cast down to earth and allowed for the brief space of 42 months to wreak havoc.
In light of these awesome and fearsome events we need to remember God's sovereignty. We also need to understand His purposes
Daniel 9:24 states: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. This summarizes of course the 69 weeks from 444 BC to the crucifixion; but especially is focused on the last 70th week.
Factors that bring in deception; no doubt are with music as I talked about before as well as world wide media influences with the internet. I mention humanism a lot because it presents an idyllic future for men if we have the mindset that we are capable of a peaceful coexistence. Surely our past history as mankind should shatter any illusion of that fact; and the most recent well known incident of someone promising 1000 years of glorious reign was Hitler under the Third Reich. Under that scenario there was much influence from mysticism and the concept of the master race; today it is considered through New Age that we are about to "evolve" to a more advanced level-no doubt borrowing the more recent concept of a more spontaneous stage when there are quick evolutionary shifts explaining the fossil record. We also need to pay attention to John 5:43 for this "self made" man who comes in his own name; who is promised in the future with the Antichrist beast that Israel for a time accepts. We see this prophecy indicated in Isaiah 10:20 (not the verse I was looking for but another prophetic reference to this individual).
We can't ignore the framework already in place (Abraham accords) to be what is eventually added on to with many nations and confirmed as Daniel 9:27 states. I won't tackle the issues currently there that are making the area a particular hotbed for controversy but will say that the Lord will purify His people in the Tribulation so that they are truly a righteous nation and justified to inherit all the territory promised to them in the original land covenant. They will not come to the Messiah until near the end of the Tribulation as stated in Zechariah and many other scriptures.
I can't dogmatically state this is or isn't the time of the Rapture (Rosh Hashanah). Perhaps it is; as when He does come there may be some warning to those alert and there are some unique time markers.
"We do not want another committee, we have too many already. What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the allegiance of all people, and to lift us out of the economic morass into which we are sinking.
Send us such a man, and be he god or devil, we will receive him."
This comment was said by the Belgian foreign minister in the 1970s I believe at the UN. (Henri Spaak).
I guess not much more needs to be said on this matter. The power vacuum that has been endemic since the end of World War 2 with European dictators in the Western World was attempted to be filled once the UN began in 1948; then NATO has had it's leadership that today is trying to cobble together a force that can fight Russia which; well to avoid a geopolitical skew here I'll just say there are a lot of issues in regard to that plan and leave it at that.
We are; to a large extent the leader of this part of the globe but as with every civilization our days are numbered at the very least if we aren't mystery Babylon at least in terms of the economic interests. Of course the ultimate goal since the 1970s and 80s has been Peace in the Middle East and the obsessive "2 State Solution". i'll jus state here that it ain't going to work out too well but of course the covenant of Daniel 9:27 must be confirmed; and likely the framework already exists. Once the Rapture happens and the restrainer removed things will happen within a very short time frame to initiate the Tribulation possibly this fall on September 23 with the planned meeting on Rosh Hashanah. Now the Rapture could be any day now before or conceivably after this event; and if it doesn't happen this year we know the way things are going even more confusion is coming to the world. The signs are all around us; volcanoes and great earthquakes along with the wars; famines and persecution. There's no going back I'm sorry to say. Again I hope I can continue to post i get no pleasure with bad news but we all need to be awake.
Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
The following verse describes the suddenness of the unexpected destruction to come. The same can be said in Thessalonians
where they "shall not escape"; we see in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 the concept of a thief and a snare in Luke 21:35.
These passages tend to dissuade many of the so called dreams and visions of a nuclear war about the time of the Rapture; at least immediately before it. What comes as sudden destruction no doubt could be a first phase of what eventually encompasses the earth in Armageddon; but generally the first seal offers a fallacious but convincing bloodless coup and no doubt mirrors the covenant with many in Daniel 9:27 already well underway for the eventual confirming with many. Is it impossible for nuclear war to accompany the Rapture? Somehow I don't see the Resurrection of the dead as being interrupted by such an event; if anything as to make clear that it wasn't bombs being dropped that left the holes in the ground in cemeteries around the world.
Also if we take literally Revelation 5:13 as to its timing it would seem that would be the main focus after the Rapture.
Who is Raptured? Clearly the easy answer is all the saints; at least of the Church Age who were God's children.
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Let's look carefully into this concept. Those who have passed on have; in their souls already been at the Bema Seat of Christ; or they couldn't be present with the Lord. Many were through persecution on earth unlike those particularly in the Western world in the last couple generations. Considering the works that God has for us since before the creation of the world ( Eph. 2:10) it seems likely that God uses the Tribulation to purify many.
My last post started referencing the New Testament. Before we get into that we need to discuss the exile and post Babylonian exile as it had a prophetic timeline of 70 years; but a longer prophetic implication in Daniel 9:24-27. This would involve a 69 week (or 69 x 7 year) period until Jesus was martyred (or cut off) which would be a parenthesis; as it were around the church age which is notably absent. Therefore; their consummation and greatest trial is in the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7).
God had warned ahead of time with the blessings and cursings of Deuteronomy 28-30 (or around there) of the state; even of the last days where there was a conditional sort of situation that would allow for repentance even in the last days and tribulation ( Deut. 4:30). But the diaspora was a state Israel spent the vast majority of its existence especially after the Babylonian invasion. We would see due to their idolotry a judgment where they would be sent in exile and suffer greatly; but God promised to establish them a second time after captivity ( Jeremiah 30:3; and Isaiah 11:11). They will finally realize who the true Messiah is but according to Zechariah not until near the end of the Tribulation (see Isaiah 10:20 also for them recognizing Antichrist isn't their true hope).
In this study in general; we have looked at those individuals who have caused; in a large part their own headaches and troubles and also the prophets who were challenged and ridiculed by their own people when they were faithfully preaching the truth rather than what people by and large wanted to hear. We certainly see the same thing today. Finally there is judgment where there are innocent victims caught up in events who either don't heed ore aren't aware of the warning signs to escape ahead of time. This today involves those who hate Israel and are allied for their destruction; much like what we see in Psalm 83. That is a sort of national persecution.
I am not one to put my faith in politics and am not going to attest to any clear evidence our Commander in Chief is a Christian.
I'll let others argue that point; nonetheless I am grateful that today as with other recent meetings he has consulted on the phone with Mr. Putin. There is apparently some sane conversation; albeit Russia is intransigent on achieving its goals which seem pretty evident to include almost complete annihilation of the country in question where they have been at war since 2022. There have been other discussions which may bring temporary peace; at least to the African nations he has brokered peace with Rwanda and Congo last week. In terms of the expanded Abraham Accords we certainly can't avoid implications that either lead toward or will ultimately broker the covenant confirmed with many in Daniel 9:27; since the 2 state solution obsession lives on after decades of failed efforts. Nonetheless; I am grateful for every day we don't have judgment on this country; but mark my words the time is coming. War; famine and pestilence in the seal judgments are coming in their fullness soon; and perhaps some other things will have partial fulfillment beforehand.
I am sorry to say that there has been things in my life regarding sin that have dragged me into a feeling of hopelessness and doom. I can probably say that all of us here need to walk consistently in the Spirit to overcome; especially today. The doom that is coming SHOULD make us motivated to warn others to flee the wrath to come; whether it be the Tribulation or hell (a sort of simultaneous thing if we read ( Revelation 6:8). I believe Satan wants us to be afraid that we will be left behind. Truly the Lord warns us in Luke 21:36 to be praying we are worthy to escape all these things to come to pass; and that same concept is shown by the overcomers in the Philadelphia church in Revelation 3:10. Let us submit our lives fully to the Spirit
'In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the line of the Medes, he was made king over all the Chaldean people.'
In Daniel 5, mighty Babylon - until then dominated by the Chaldeans - falls during the reign of Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar's grandson. In the midst of an unholy feast, a supernatural hand writes on the wall ( Daniel 5:5 and 5:25-28)
That same night, Belshazzar is killed, and the empire passes to the Medes and Persians ( Daniel 5:30-31).
That's when Darius the Mede comes on the scene. During his short reign (around 538-536 BC), Darius appoints Daniel as one of the three main administrators of the kingdom ( Daniel 6:1-3). But this provokes jealousy among the other leaders.
'O king, sign a decree forbidding anyone to pray to any god or man but to you for 30 days.' ( Daniel 6:6-7) Darius, flattered, signs it. ( Daniel 6:9)
But Daniel continues to pray. ( Daniel 6:10) And then, 'He was thrown into the den of lions' ( Daniel 6:16).
Darius repents bitterly, but he can't go back on his own law. He spends the night fasting and goes early to the den.
"Daniel, servant of the living God! Could your God, whom you serve continually, have delivered you from the lions?" ( Daniel 6:20).
Darius then writes a historic decree ( Daniel 6:26): "I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men shall tremble and fear before the God of Daniel."
My focus is what's behind Titus Empire. "The Prince mentioned in Daniel 9:26 and in Daniel 8
"Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, FOUR KINGDOMS SHALL STAND UP OUT OF THE NATION, BUT NOT IN HIS POWER.
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, AND BY PEACE SHALL DESTROY MANY: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
Daniel 8:22-25..
Gabriel tells Daniel "and by peace shall destroy many: Titus didn't do that!
This is the Prince of the people that shall come. The Antichrist.
To your second question, "If Daniel 9:25-27 has been fulfilled, how does that affect the Rapture doctrine?"
As you know, I do not agree that Daniel 9:24-27 has been fulfilled. If this prophecy has already been fulfilled, that means that transgression is finished which would mean that man's rebellion against God has come to an end. It also would mean that an end of sins has been made meaning there is no more sin in this world. This would also mean that everlasting righteousness has been brought in. It is hard to believe that everlasting righteousness is in this world with all the sin which still remains.
Plus, if this prophecy in Daniel Chapter 9 has already been fulfilled, then the rapture has already happened, the 7-year covenant with the Jews has already been made and broken at the halfway mark. If this was Christ making this covenant, would He break His own covenant?
You bring up Romans 14:12 and how each one of us is accountable. Brother, I couldn't agree with you more on that. However, I can't see how that fits into this conversation. We will all stand before God one day and give an account. Is God going to judge us and hold us accountable for believing in a rapture? I doubt that God is going to hold anyone accountable for believing or not believing in a rapture.
We both agree that there will be two resurrections. We just don't agree on what they are. My belief is that the dead in Christ will be resurrected along with believers who are still alive when Christ comes for His church. This is what I along with many others see as the rapture. This is the first resurrection. The second resurrection takes place after the millennial reign of Christ. That will be a resurrection for those who have rejected Jesus Christ.
This subject has been discussed before, and I don't reply to cause debate, but in my heart, I feel it is deception that people may be looking for something that is not coming. In Matthew 24, Jesus said, "Take heed that no man deceive you." I would like to point out a few things that may be considered for study in pursuit of the truth. The Rapture doctrine, where the Church is taken to heaven before the second coming of Jesus, does it fit scripture? If Daniel 9:25-27 has been fulfilled, how does that affect the Rapture doctrine?
Each one of us is accountable- Romans 14:12.
There are two resurrections: the first in Revelation 19:11-21 through Revelation 20:1-5. This aligns with what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-58.
When Jesus returns, it will be with the armies of heaven in Revelation 19, and in Matthew 24, Jesus sends His angels to gather His elect. We see in Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, and Luke 21:25-28.
When Jesus returns, the Battle of Armageddon occurs, Revelation 16:13-16, Ezekiel 39:11-22, Revelation 19:17-19, and the beast and false prophet are cast into the lake of fire, Revelation 19:20-21. Satan is imprisoned in the bottomless pit, Revelation 20:1-3, and judgment occurs for those in the first resurrection on earth, Revelation 20:4, not in heaven, then the 1000 years, Revelation 20:5-6.
I do not know of any Bible verses that agree with the rapture of the Church?
Titus was the Roman General that sieged and defeated Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple.
The Prince in Daniel 9:26 is the Demonic force behind the Romans Empire, just as Cyrus the Great or Cyrus II of Persia was credited for liberating the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity and the Demonic force and Prince behind that Empire is noted in Daniel 10:13 and Daniel 10:20.
Next we have Alexander the Great who conquered Persia.
We see mention the Demonic force/Prince over that Empire also in Daniel 10:20.
Satan is behind these Gentile Empires. This is why the Church is "called out" of the world.
This Dominion was taken away from Adam.
This Dominion is taken back in Revelation, this is why you see the title deeds exchange in Revelation 5.
A seven-sealed scroll that
written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
symbolizes ownership and authority over the planet.
Brother S. Spencer. Firstly, glad that you had a great time away & safely home now - back in more familiar and comfortable surroundings I'm sure.
Secondly, I remember a few years ago on KJBO, I was in discussion with someone on this matter in Daniel chapter 9. I believe we were in agreement with Daniel 9:26 concerning "the prince of the people that shall come" that this was the anti-Christ referred to and not Jesus (even as bro. Jesse also highlighted the use of the upper & lower cases of 'P' for prince). But when we get to verse 27, my correspondent was adamant that the "he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week" was Jesus. I believe he understood the grammatical position of "he" being applied to Messiah rather than to the anti-Christ of verse 26. Whereas, the accepted rule of interpretation and when noting the text for the nearest antecedent of the pronoun "he", this most closely parallels 'the prince that shall come" (i.e. not the Messiah but the anti-Christ).
But then the question, 'if we are to remain faithful to the understanding of 'week' being 'week of sevens', i.e. one week equal to seven years, then when did Jesus "confirm the covenant (or what covenant?) with many for seven years'? Or, when did He "cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease" etc, at the mid-way point (i.e. at three & one half years)? It could be understood that after Jesus died & rose from the grave in victory, that indeed the need & validity of the sacrificial system was over & done with. And of course, there was never an "overspreading of abominations" by Him either. This could only apply to the devil presenting himself in the anti-Christ at his enthronement in the Temple & the covenant of peace with Israel that he instituted which he would later break ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4). Just my thoughts on this. Blessings.
I have to agree with you that many interpret a 7-year tribulation based on Daniel 9:27 because I am one of the many. In fact, it is my understanding that all prophecies concerning the last days are based upon Daniel 9:24-27, which presents the 70th week of Daniel.
I agree that the beast is only given 42 months (3-1/2 years), not 7-years. This will be the last 3-1/2 years of the 7-year tribulation period. I do not agree that 70th week of Daniel has already been fulfilled as you probably have figured out from my previous posts over the years.
My understanding is that the antichrist is the one who confirms this covenant with Israel, not Jesus. In Daniel 9:24-27, we see the word prince twice. The first time is in Verse 25. This is Jesus. He is called Messiah the Prince. Please notice that the word Prince is in CAPS. But then in Verse 26, He is cut off (crucified).
In Verse 26 we see the word prince again. This time, in lower case because this is not Jesus but the antichrist. In Verse 27, it says he, this prince (antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.
This one week is 7-years. We don't know the time frame, but as soon as the church is removed, as soon as the tribulation period begins, there will be seven years, that is, one week, 1 seven in Jewish literature. There will be seven years of tribulation.
I don't agree that the "he" in Daniel 9:27 is Jesus. It is the prince that shall come after Jesus is crucified. Again, notice the word prince used twice in Verses 24-27. Prince has a capital "P" which refers to Jesus in Verse 25. This prince that confirms the covenant with the Jews is the antichrist.
This would make sense as to why Jesus would say in John 5:43, "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (end of Daniel 9:26).
The very next verse refers to the covenant of the Antichrist so it would seem that war will continue either throughout the Tribulation period or until it begins; based on the wars and rumors of wars Jesus mentioned before the end comes ( Matt. 24:6).
That is bolstered further with the peace; peace when there is no peace which we see in Isaiah as well as Jeremiah. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 seems to indicate either people calling for peace and safety or perhaps more likely a temporary appearance of such since it is followed by sudden destruction.
James states that we war because we want or lust after things ( James 4:1 loosely interpreted). The same principle applies with prayer in the wrong way to consume things on our own lusts or desires ( James 4:3).
As of today; in particular with the Ukrainian "special operation" if even Russia still refers to it as that there is nationalism as the prime motivator. Money talks; as they say so that as we see with the apparent Middle East attempts to continue with the Abraham Accords in further expansion everyone gets a piece of the pie and we certainly see reflections of the Prophet Daniel warning about dividing the land for gain. This "spoil" is what will finally bring down the Russians; Turkey and other northern confederate nations to attack Israel; likely after they feel they are secure and as scriptures state "without walls" with a surprise attack. Consider how surprising it would be if it was literally on horses as the prophet Ezekiel states ( Ezekiel 38:4).
Prophetically speaking the Rapture could be any day now; but it is in God's timing unknown to us; so He could delay it. I tend to think that one world government could exist for quite some time before the Antichrist takes over; in any case in final form his kingdom is for one hour ( Rev. 17:12).
I understand that many interpret a 7-year tribulation based on Daniel 9:27. In Revelation 12, when Satan is cast out of heaven onto earth, Revelation 12:12 says, "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth." He is filled with great wrath. Satan makes war, not peace. Revelation 13:1-5 explains that Satan gives the beast his power, his seat, and great authority. This beast is only given 42 months to reign. The book of Revelation does not mention seven years anywhere; instead, this beast is only granted 42 months from the time he rises.
Daniel 9: Daniel realized the 70 years of captivity were ending and prayed for himself and Israel, asking God for mercy so they could return to their homeland. Gabriel appeared to show Daniel a vision of his people, the house of Israel, and the holy city, Jerusalem. This prophecy foretold when the Messiah would come.
Seventy weeks are determined upon Daniel's people and the holy city. I will keep this short; to cover all this would take many posts. The 7 years are taken from Daniel 9:27, attributing he as being the antichrist, the beast in Revelation.
The entire prophecy is about the coming Messiah; 490 years are given to fulfill the 6 things listed in verse 24, with the judgment for their abominations and the rejection and killing of the Messiah that will be carried out on the city in verse 26.
In verse 26, it says that after 62 weeks, the Messiah will be cut off/crucified. The first 7 weeks must be added, totaling 69 weeks; this would make it during the 70th week. The 70th week has been fulfilled, and due to their rejection of the Messiah/Jesus, the city and temple were destroyed because they overspread abominations. Jesus was the he who confirmed the covenant.
Matthew 23Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Jesus caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease because it pointed to Him. Matthew 27:51, the veil of the temple rent, and Hebrews 10.
One of my arguments against divorce and remarriage while a first spouse is alive is not only seen in the latter half of Matthew 5:32 (whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery); but is also represented in the vow made "for better or worse until death do us part" or something to that affect. Now some have a Pre-Nup that puts financial off ramps; shall we say if things go sour; but no one that I am aware of says "if my spouse commits adultery I can divorce them and marry another" as an exception clause in their vow that I am aware of.
As this is a subject of great debate and a hot topic I am merely going to use it as a building block to prove the cohesion of scripture in regard to conditional terms in relation to God's covenants. In general God is eternal in terms of covenants and binding things remain with the exception of the old covenant of laws with National Israel which the new covenant in Christ has replaced. I would recommend a study of Hebrews 9 on the subject in depth. I would also say that the great haitus as it were between Daniel 9:26-27 separating the 69 weeks from the final "week" of seven years of the Tribulation judgment and Antichrist rule. God still as I see it has plans to fulfill His plan for Israel; in short putting them through the fire in the time of Jacob's trouble ( Jeremiah 30:7); and establishing His rule fulfilling the complete expansion of their borders to originally promised areas (See Psalm 72:8; His dominion from "sea to sea".
Now in terms of this subject in particular we see lets say with a business covenant; for example man's conditions in a written contract that has terms of business transactions and provisions for any violations. There are varying "mission plans" that can be discussed but each party signs off that they understand and agree to these arrangements.
In the next post I plan to look at the church and similar concepts of responsibility of its members.
We read in Jesus's longest prayer in John 17. For the reason Jesus was sent, He says, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
There is one people of God, as stated in Ephesians 2:15-16.
Scripture does not teach that Israel and the Church are two peoples of God with two destinies. Our final destiny is Revelation 21:1-7. There is not one verse in the Bible that outright says we go or are taken to heaven. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, the entire Bible is about the Plan of God and the grace of God. From the beginning of creation. Revelation 3:14 to the end, Revelation 22:12-13.
Genesis 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The mystery is that the blessings of Abraham might come on all believers, Jew or Gentile, through Jesus Christ, Galatians 3:14. Jesus had to fulfill the covenant of the law to bring in the new covenant that was prophesied in Daniel 9:27.
The Bible has one theme, one covenant of grace, with one Church united in Christ, with Gentile salvation in view from the beginning. Jews were being saved back then, and today, in God's plan for ethnic Jews, not by giving them a separate destiny as a separate people of God, but by bringing them back to Jesus Christ through faith.
See part 2.
But if we read Matthew 24:29 it says "29IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken"
So Matthew tranfers those events to the very end of times just before Jesus' second coming.
So the most logical explanation is that the abomination of disolation was Titus but the whole thing serves as a shadow of a future event which Matthew places at the end calling that person "the abomination of disolation". Who is that person? The antichrist? The beast? There can be no other explanation than that.
So lets go back to Daniels writtings. Daniel 9:24-27,
"24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, AND UPON THE HOLY PLACE THERE SHALL BE THE ABOMINATION OF DISOLATION, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
... see pt 3
In Matthew 24:15 Jesus says,"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (neuter gender), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, ..."
But if we read the respective verse in Daniel 9:27 in KJV it says, "27... and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, ..." which is different from what Matthew quotes.
If we read other English translations of the Hebrew text we also find variations such as
"...and at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation," (NIB) or
"...and on the wing of abominations will come the one who makes desolate" (NASB) or
"...and upon the wing of detestable things shall be that which causeth appalment;..." (Mechon-Mamre) or
"... and on the kenaf (wing) of the abominations is one making desolate, ,..." (Orthodox Jewish Bible)
Apart from the NIV all other are quite different probably depending on how they translate or interprete the Hebrew Masoretic text.
So where did Matthew quote that verse from?
The Septuagint (grk version) says, "and upon the holy (place there shall be) the abomination of desolation,
The Latin Vulgate Bible (St Jerome's Bible) says "and there shall be in the temple the abomination of desolation" which is very close to the Septuagint.
So we see that Matthew quotes that verse from the Septuagint. Evangelists almost always quote OT verses from the grk translation, since they are addressing a grk-speaking audience.
GBU
The lynchpin; as it were of Bible Prophecy is how close we are to the Daniel 9:27 covenant being fulfilled. In short; without a specific timeframe of 1 prophetic week (7 years) the current agreement with Gaza involving many participants isn't the final one initiating the 1st horse of Revelation 6:1 YET.
Zepheniah 2:4-7 states:
4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the Lord is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the Lord their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
We see here the utter destruction of this area; likely in the same time frame as the Psalm 83 war. We see Israel more or less dwelling there afterwards as verse 7 seems to indicate.
For me; the Ezekiel 38 war MAY make more sense to occur BEFORE the Tribulation even starts likely initiating the Daniel 9:27 covenant OR right after the Rapture and likewise triggering the first seal. In any case the issue here is the land of unwalled villages mentioned and it will take time; perhaps too much time for all that and the Temple construction to occur after the Rapture. To have some sense of security the immediate neighbors of hostility need to be dealt with desicively; although it seems it has begun with Iran and its proxies it seems armed attempts at rebellion are inevitable with the current setup which the international community along with our current leadership will probably once and for all annihalate. That's the way I see it anyway.
May you see this: your reply is already gone. I will keep it short in respect of others.
Much of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 focuses on the end times. If we look closer, some of what Jesus told the four was specifically for their time. First, back then, they didn't even understand that Jesus was going to be executed, as shown in Luke 9:44-45 and Luke 18:31-34. We also see how they reacted after Jesus was crucified; they did not believe Mary and the other women who had seen Jesus.
When Jesus spoke about the temple, he said that not one stone would be left on top of another, which describes what happened in AD 70. There was a church in Jerusalem led by James and other Christians in Judea during this period. History records that they escaped to a city called Pella. Many link the phrase "abomination of desolation" to the end times, the antichrist, and the false teaching of the rapture. However, Jesus isn't referring to Daniel 9:27 but to the prophecy in Daniel 11:31 and Daniel 12:11.
Wording in Daniel 9:27, "for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate," Daniel 11:31, "the abomination that maketh desolate." Daniel 12:11 "the abomination that maketh desolate set up,"
Antiochus IV Epiphanes carried out this act in 167 BC; this is the abomination of desolation Jesus is talking about. Jesus is warning them that the same event will happen before the temple's destruction in AD 70. History records this; it did happen, the warning Luke gave in Luke 21:20. If we look at Daniel 9:27, it says that for the abominations, He, who is Jesus, will make it desolate, referring to Matthew 23:36-38.
Just something you may study, I feel you and I try to study in prayer without preconceived assumptions.
God bless,
RLW
An AI search on the idea of the "Two State Solution" shows that it has been a concept for Palestine since 1937. So this has been going on even before the current 1948 State of Israel existed apparently. If you had a rabbit for a pet that you baited with a carrot for 88 years it probably wouldn't pay too much attention.
The basic logic of attempting to sell such a bill of goods no doubt is assisted with endless cash incentives; land swaps; etc. but in reality neither Israel or the surrounding Muslim nations are interested in such an option; but it appears Antichrist will accomplish it as half the city is taken in the end part of the time of Jacob's trouble ( Zech. 14:2).
We certainly are delusional thinking that both parties can live "side by side in peace and security" if they didn't even BEFORE the nation of Israel was reformed in 1948. Of course the Colonialists redefined whole areas of the Middle East to control their economies and subsequently after creating this problem offered the "solution"; or as some have stated "order out of chaos".
It seems a bit hard sometimes when we are commanded in a way to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" ( Psalm 122:6) when they are described in less than favorable terms in Revelation; and also will sign a covenant with "death and hell" willingly ( Isaiah 28:18). We can possibly see a short respite for a few days or weeks; more likely the eventual fruition of the Millennium that is to come; hopefully accellerating toward that through the faithful preaching of the Gospel ( 2 Peter 3:12).
Obviously there is no peace for the wicked; or without the Prince of Peace. Men's hearts are wicked; therefore the resulting religions; ideologies or demonic entities that are motivating the world system to hurtle it to it's consummation.
In conclusion I won't express any opinion or thought as to any temporary interim of peace with today's negotiations as they seem to be nearing Daniel 9:27.
Perhaps we should start with the initial call of God.
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; ( 1 Cor. 1:27).
Flattery and coercion are two methods of the enemy to summon a victim into a cult. We are reminded of this verse in Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. This shows the Antichrist in gaining control; apparently a precursor to gaining enough support to usurp all agreements with the parties including Israel in the Daniel 9:27 covenant; the breaking of which brings him into all power of worship and economic control. This concept of Satan is seen in all manners of influence that he has managed to grab hold of in the empires of the world; it can be said of all cult leaders as well. Flattery works to bring an appearance of harmlessness by appealing ultimately to the flesh; although some of the so called prosperity preachers twist scripture and use the enticement and comforts of material wealth to blind men who want to "have their cake and eat it too"; so to speak; or as Jesus said to the Phariees who were greedy for gain "they have their reward already" ( Matthew 6:2).
Once someone is indoctrinated or trapped in a religious system then guilt and control is exercised to strip one of their freedoms and it becomes obvious to the outsider that a person is trapped by a wolf lording it over people. The consolidation of wealth of all sorts; and privileges with associations with other likeminded world influencers brings a supposed unity. What is defined as "inclusiveness" is really an exclusion of individual freedom disguised as the opposite. Thus the value of a person's calling and individual dignity is sacrificed for the man in charge who becomes a god.
How do we begin? The 7-year tribulation is taken from the 490-year prophecy in Daniel 9:25-27. The he in Daniel 9:27 is said to be the antichrist, who will make a 3.5-year peace treaty with Israel. Midway through this week, he will cause the abomination that makes desolate, leading to 3.5 years of great tribulation.
In verse 25, it states there will be 69 weeks from the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, 483 years. This was fulfilled when Jesus was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit, as seen in Matthew 3:13-17. Jesus confirms His identity as the Messiah in Luke 3:16-21, and John denies being the Christ but speaks of Jesus in John 1:33-34.
Daniel 9:26 states that after sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off. The 7 weeks, or 49 years, had already passed, a period during which the temple and part of the wall were rebuilt. Jesus' ministry was 3.5 years, so His crucifixion was 69 weeks plus 3.5 years, totaling 486.5 years of the 490-year prophecy, leaving only 3.5 years of the 490-year prophecy.
The people of the prince who shall come are those who will destroy the city and the sanctuary. This refers to Titus, the prince, and the Roman army, the people, who destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70 for their abominations and rejection.
In verse 27, it is in the middle of the 70th week, Jesus' crucifixion causes the sacrifice and oblation to cease, Hebrews 9:12. During the remaining 3.5 years, Jesus was confirming the covenant to Israel through His apostles, as seen in Matthew 15:24, to the Jew first, Romans 1:16, which ended when the leaders of Jerusalem stopped their ears, Acts 7:54-60.
It says, "for the overspreading of abominations, he shall make it desolate." The he in verse 27 refers to Jesus, not an antichrist. The leaders of Jerusalem are the ones who spread the abominations, and Jesus made it desolate, as described in Matthew 23:37-38. Read the entire chapter of Matthew 23.
See part 2.
In considering the end times; where we certainly are headed quickly as I see it-we see that proclamations are made beforehand as to the general state of the "last days" such as attitudes of people in 2 Timothy 3 as well as with the 144,000 and the 2 prophets in Revelation. We also see angels themselves as we get to the time the bowl judgments are about to occur as a final warning.
In reality; of course for an unregenerate person it only seals their fate and increases their judgment once their impenitent hearts are challenged. The lack of love of the truth ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10) allows the world to accept the Daniel 9:27 covenant also known as the covenant with death and hell in Isaiah 28:18 which is deliberately agreed upon despite the obvious ramifications.
People as they do now will hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest. As with the Prophets of old God says He will do nothing without first revealing the matter to the prophets ( Amos 3:7); and we see this process most clearly it seems with Jeremiah but also of course with the warnings in Deuteronomy as to blessings and cursings. Deuteronomy 30:19 says to choose life and live but of course Jeremiah 17:9 shows the human heart is desperately wicked and who can understand it?
Again a repeated concept here that I have mentioned is that the world is aware of what's coming. It is the same sort of idea when Christ came the first time with the Pharisees denying the obvious and committing the unpardonable blasphemy against the Spirit saying that it is evil; and likely the same sort of thing will be heard by the son of perdition and the world at large once judgments start to fall as we see several times during the bowl judgments ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3). He will say "unheard of" things against the Most High ( Daniel 11:36) and will come in his own name yet declare himself to be god (see John 5:43).
We need to be ready to desire seeing the Day of the Lord ( Amos 5:18
There are 3 things that seem to be happening to factor in at one time for the famine.
1) Israel and the stoppage for several months of all shipments of food
2) Hamas and other terror groups that steal food and
3) The UN decisions and lack of efforts in the matter.
I may have covered this already; but the sad truth is that those who can get food are the stronger ones; while kids often alone don't end up with much.
As to those who are being killed the fact that over 200 journalists have died in these strikes begs the question just how many of them actually were aiding and abetting terrorists. It seems all sides have some responsibility and guilt here for this stuff continuing.
To compound matters we all have to balance what is promised eventually to Israel during the Millennial period and to how just or unjust it is for them to initiate aggression. There is no doubt that there are those culpable who want to use starvation as a weapon and others who will help those in need if an invasion occurs. In my mind although it may be a minority opinion taking over the area at least will temporarily allow some to finally get what is needed. The sad truth is no other nations have wanted these people and plans to send them to South Sudan (or Somalia I forget) won't be too great either.
No doubt we are nearing the covenant with "death and hell" mentioned in Isaiah 28:15. Ultimately the situation will compel Israel to accept the Daniel 9:27 covenant; which could be soon or later once they get more control of surrounding nations; perhaps with the Psalm 83 situation involved in the nations mentioned in a soon to come conflagration.
Seeing there isn't much choice we should continue to pray for our President; and yes I'm aware that things are in motion with individuals in high places and we don't know what to believe much of the time. We all need to pray about how much or little to watch the headlines. We must warn to flee the wrath coming
Thank you.
Number 3, referring to those who start their theology with a doctrine they choose. I understand this as preconceived ideas in our minds that block the truth of scripture. We share the same view: the time of Jacob's trouble will not be seven years, but in Revelation 11:2, it will be; they will tread under foot forty-two months. The kingdom will be established on this earth, an unconditional promise from God, and the land of Israel will be restored.
Just like pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation doctrines. Regardless of which is believed, these are doctrines of the rapture of the Church, not about the first resurrection, which scripture says there are only two. These seven years are not explicitly in Revelation but are often associated with a doctrine derived from Daniel 9:27, which is part of the 490-year or 70-week prophecy given to Daniel. This prophecy concerns the people of Israel and Jerusalem, with 490 years allotted for six specific events, and the destruction of the city and temple in vs 26 by the prince, Titus, and the people, the Roman army in 70 AD.
Additionally, verse 25 states that from the commandment, it will be 69 weeks until the Messiah. This occurred in Matthew 3:16, Luke 3:21-22, and was confirmed by Peter in John 1:45. The seven years had already passed when verse 26 states, "after threescore and two weeks shall the Messiah be cut off/crucified. 7 + 62 = 69 weeks. Jesus was anointed, and about 3.5 years later, He was crucified, not for Himself but for us. This was in the middle of the 70th week and ended the need for sacrifice and oblations, Scripture, not doctrine.
The prophecy given to Daniel in Chapter 9 has been fulfilled; the 70 weeks ended when Stephen was killed. Blindness is in part, and the gospel went to the Gentiles until their fullness. The 7 years are only part of the doctrine of the rapture of the Church, not in Scripture.
God bless,
RLW
In Daniel 9:20 we see Daniel making supplication before the LORD and confessing his sin and the sin of HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL.
"And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
In Verse 23 we see Gabriel come to give him answers according to his prayer. Daniel 9:23.
In verse 24 he says "Seventy weeks are determined upon THY PEOPLE! ISRAEL!
The great Tribulation is to drive Israel to acknowledge their Saviour.
This is prophesied in Hosea 5:15. "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
In Matthew 23:38-39 Jesus says "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Israel will be saved out of the tribulation when they call on the name of the Lord.
Jeremiah 30:7 "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
The Church will be kept from the HOUR of the tribulation!
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee FROM THE HOUR of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
FROM THE HOUR of TEMPTATION!
The Church won't be here during this time period!
If the Church is raptured after the Great tribulation and the rest of the world is annihilated who's going to populate the Millenium?
Is the rapture a resurrection? No. Some of this group is alive!
Are those who are alive, then caught up "part" of the first resurrection? Yes.
The first resurrection is better understood as a category rather than a sequence.
Those who are in Christ whether sleep or alive is part of the first Resurrection.
More perhaps later
Blessings.
In the spiritual dimension; powerful principalities and powers await the timing of the Rapture in order to fully implement the Antichrist's covenant with many; the mark of the beast and eventually attempt to overthrow Christ Himself after gathering the nations together as Psalm 2 and Revelation 19 make clear. As to the details on that campaign perhaps I'll elaborate on a future post.
There are things which involve Michael in the last days. Daniel 12:1 states: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
We also read in Revelation 12:
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
In this power play we see two sides who both are contending for power; Satan of course will know that his time is short ( Rev. 12:12) as dictated by God. Michael as one of the Archangels is involved in fighting this anointed cherubim who fell and the outcome is already known. In doing this; of course Satan and his minions are cast down to earth and allowed for the brief space of 42 months to wreak havoc.
In light of these awesome and fearsome events we need to remember God's sovereignty. We also need to understand His purposes
Daniel 9:24 states: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. This summarizes of course the 69 weeks from 444 BC to the crucifixion; but especially is focused on the last 70th week.
Factors that bring in deception; no doubt are with music as I talked about before as well as world wide media influences with the internet. I mention humanism a lot because it presents an idyllic future for men if we have the mindset that we are capable of a peaceful coexistence. Surely our past history as mankind should shatter any illusion of that fact; and the most recent well known incident of someone promising 1000 years of glorious reign was Hitler under the Third Reich. Under that scenario there was much influence from mysticism and the concept of the master race; today it is considered through New Age that we are about to "evolve" to a more advanced level-no doubt borrowing the more recent concept of a more spontaneous stage when there are quick evolutionary shifts explaining the fossil record. We also need to pay attention to John 5:43 for this "self made" man who comes in his own name; who is promised in the future with the Antichrist beast that Israel for a time accepts. We see this prophecy indicated in Isaiah 10:20 (not the verse I was looking for but another prophetic reference to this individual).
We can't ignore the framework already in place (Abraham accords) to be what is eventually added on to with many nations and confirmed as Daniel 9:27 states. I won't tackle the issues currently there that are making the area a particular hotbed for controversy but will say that the Lord will purify His people in the Tribulation so that they are truly a righteous nation and justified to inherit all the territory promised to them in the original land covenant. They will not come to the Messiah until near the end of the Tribulation as stated in Zechariah and many other scriptures.
I can't dogmatically state this is or isn't the time of the Rapture (Rosh Hashanah). Perhaps it is; as when He does come there may be some warning to those alert and there are some unique time markers.
Revised.
I didn't know you believed in the earthly millennial kingdom of Christ!
That's how much I have been paying attention to these eschatology discussions.
When is the last time you seen me put much time in one of these?
I'll tell you!
It was you and I around 2 years ago we were in Daniel 9. Specifically Daniel 9:24-27.
We were debating where the 69th week ends. I said with Jesus riding in Jerusalem on a donkey and you said at the stoning of Stephen I believe.
I haven't been interested in the topic but I saw a lot of back and forth with Lbooth and others and wanted to read in.
I'm still not interested in fully engaging in the eschatology topic but these recent debates reminded me of something I promised to do a while back.
Examine the way people fit the Millennium into their theology.
I want to use this idea to see how people interpret scripture to build their theology.
You ruined your interview when you told me you believe in the earthly millennial kingdom becauseI do too. Just kidding,
So I take that you take all the promises to Abraham and King David literal.
I know you don't believe in a rapture so let's not bog down there.
Can you tell me how you interpret the events after the tribulation period on into the Millennium when Satan is chained and when he is loosed.
Also tell me who populates the Millennium?
Thanks Brother Ronald.
God bless.
Send us such a man, and be he god or devil, we will receive him."
This comment was said by the Belgian foreign minister in the 1970s I believe at the UN. (Henri Spaak).
I guess not much more needs to be said on this matter. The power vacuum that has been endemic since the end of World War 2 with European dictators in the Western World was attempted to be filled once the UN began in 1948; then NATO has had it's leadership that today is trying to cobble together a force that can fight Russia which; well to avoid a geopolitical skew here I'll just say there are a lot of issues in regard to that plan and leave it at that.
We are; to a large extent the leader of this part of the globe but as with every civilization our days are numbered at the very least if we aren't mystery Babylon at least in terms of the economic interests. Of course the ultimate goal since the 1970s and 80s has been Peace in the Middle East and the obsessive "2 State Solution". i'll jus state here that it ain't going to work out too well but of course the covenant of Daniel 9:27 must be confirmed; and likely the framework already exists. Once the Rapture happens and the restrainer removed things will happen within a very short time frame to initiate the Tribulation possibly this fall on September 23 with the planned meeting on Rosh Hashanah. Now the Rapture could be any day now before or conceivably after this event; and if it doesn't happen this year we know the way things are going even more confusion is coming to the world. The signs are all around us; volcanoes and great earthquakes along with the wars; famines and persecution. There's no going back I'm sorry to say. Again I hope I can continue to post i get no pleasure with bad news but we all need to be awake.
Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
The following verse describes the suddenness of the unexpected destruction to come. The same can be said in Thessalonians
where they "shall not escape"; we see in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 the concept of a thief and a snare in Luke 21:35.
These passages tend to dissuade many of the so called dreams and visions of a nuclear war about the time of the Rapture; at least immediately before it. What comes as sudden destruction no doubt could be a first phase of what eventually encompasses the earth in Armageddon; but generally the first seal offers a fallacious but convincing bloodless coup and no doubt mirrors the covenant with many in Daniel 9:27 already well underway for the eventual confirming with many. Is it impossible for nuclear war to accompany the Rapture? Somehow I don't see the Resurrection of the dead as being interrupted by such an event; if anything as to make clear that it wasn't bombs being dropped that left the holes in the ground in cemeteries around the world.
Also if we take literally Revelation 5:13 as to its timing it would seem that would be the main focus after the Rapture.
Who is Raptured? Clearly the easy answer is all the saints; at least of the Church Age who were God's children.
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Let's look carefully into this concept. Those who have passed on have; in their souls already been at the Bema Seat of Christ; or they couldn't be present with the Lord. Many were through persecution on earth unlike those particularly in the Western world in the last couple generations. Considering the works that God has for us since before the creation of the world ( Eph. 2:10) it seems likely that God uses the Tribulation to purify many.
My last post started referencing the New Testament. Before we get into that we need to discuss the exile and post Babylonian exile as it had a prophetic timeline of 70 years; but a longer prophetic implication in Daniel 9:24-27. This would involve a 69 week (or 69 x 7 year) period until Jesus was martyred (or cut off) which would be a parenthesis; as it were around the church age which is notably absent. Therefore; their consummation and greatest trial is in the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7).
God had warned ahead of time with the blessings and cursings of Deuteronomy 28-30 (or around there) of the state; even of the last days where there was a conditional sort of situation that would allow for repentance even in the last days and tribulation ( Deut. 4:30). But the diaspora was a state Israel spent the vast majority of its existence especially after the Babylonian invasion. We would see due to their idolotry a judgment where they would be sent in exile and suffer greatly; but God promised to establish them a second time after captivity ( Jeremiah 30:3; and Isaiah 11:11). They will finally realize who the true Messiah is but according to Zechariah not until near the end of the Tribulation (see Isaiah 10:20 also for them recognizing Antichrist isn't their true hope).
In this study in general; we have looked at those individuals who have caused; in a large part their own headaches and troubles and also the prophets who were challenged and ridiculed by their own people when they were faithfully preaching the truth rather than what people by and large wanted to hear. We certainly see the same thing today. Finally there is judgment where there are innocent victims caught up in events who either don't heed ore aren't aware of the warning signs to escape ahead of time. This today involves those who hate Israel and are allied for their destruction; much like what we see in Psalm 83. That is a sort of national persecution.
I am not one to put my faith in politics and am not going to attest to any clear evidence our Commander in Chief is a Christian.
I'll let others argue that point; nonetheless I am grateful that today as with other recent meetings he has consulted on the phone with Mr. Putin. There is apparently some sane conversation; albeit Russia is intransigent on achieving its goals which seem pretty evident to include almost complete annihilation of the country in question where they have been at war since 2022. There have been other discussions which may bring temporary peace; at least to the African nations he has brokered peace with Rwanda and Congo last week. In terms of the expanded Abraham Accords we certainly can't avoid implications that either lead toward or will ultimately broker the covenant confirmed with many in Daniel 9:27; since the 2 state solution obsession lives on after decades of failed efforts. Nonetheless; I am grateful for every day we don't have judgment on this country; but mark my words the time is coming. War; famine and pestilence in the seal judgments are coming in their fullness soon; and perhaps some other things will have partial fulfillment beforehand.
I am sorry to say that there has been things in my life regarding sin that have dragged me into a feeling of hopelessness and doom. I can probably say that all of us here need to walk consistently in the Spirit to overcome; especially today. The doom that is coming SHOULD make us motivated to warn others to flee the wrath to come; whether it be the Tribulation or hell (a sort of simultaneous thing if we read ( Revelation 6:8). I believe Satan wants us to be afraid that we will be left behind. Truly the Lord warns us in Luke 21:36 to be praying we are worthy to escape all these things to come to pass; and that same concept is shown by the overcomers in the Philadelphia church in Revelation 3:10. Let us submit our lives fully to the Spirit
In Daniel 9:1, we read:
'In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the line of the Medes, he was made king over all the Chaldean people.'
In Daniel 5, mighty Babylon - until then dominated by the Chaldeans - falls during the reign of Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar's grandson. In the midst of an unholy feast, a supernatural hand writes on the wall ( Daniel 5:5 and 5:25-28)
That same night, Belshazzar is killed, and the empire passes to the Medes and Persians ( Daniel 5:30-31).
That's when Darius the Mede comes on the scene. During his short reign (around 538-536 BC), Darius appoints Daniel as one of the three main administrators of the kingdom ( Daniel 6:1-3). But this provokes jealousy among the other leaders.
'O king, sign a decree forbidding anyone to pray to any god or man but to you for 30 days.' ( Daniel 6:6-7) Darius, flattered, signs it. ( Daniel 6:9)
But Daniel continues to pray. ( Daniel 6:10) And then, 'He was thrown into the den of lions' ( Daniel 6:16).
Darius repents bitterly, but he can't go back on his own law. He spends the night fasting and goes early to the den.
"Daniel, servant of the living God! Could your God, whom you serve continually, have delivered you from the lions?" ( Daniel 6:20).
Darius then writes a historic decree ( Daniel 6:26): "I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men shall tremble and fear before the God of Daniel."
Good is good, all the time!
I to say Titus was not a Emperor of good!
My focus is what's behind Titus Empire. "The Prince mentioned in Daniel 9:26 and in Daniel 8
"Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, FOUR KINGDOMS SHALL STAND UP OUT OF THE NATION, BUT NOT IN HIS POWER.
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, AND BY PEACE SHALL DESTROY MANY: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
Daniel 8:22-25..
Gabriel tells Daniel "and by peace shall destroy many: Titus didn't do that!
This is the Prince of the people that shall come. The Antichrist.
It's been a pleasure Brother Carleton.
It's getting late, I'm off to bed.
God bless you.
(Part 3):
To your second question, "If Daniel 9:25-27 has been fulfilled, how does that affect the Rapture doctrine?"
As you know, I do not agree that Daniel 9:24-27 has been fulfilled. If this prophecy has already been fulfilled, that means that transgression is finished which would mean that man's rebellion against God has come to an end. It also would mean that an end of sins has been made meaning there is no more sin in this world. This would also mean that everlasting righteousness has been brought in. It is hard to believe that everlasting righteousness is in this world with all the sin which still remains.
Plus, if this prophecy in Daniel Chapter 9 has already been fulfilled, then the rapture has already happened, the 7-year covenant with the Jews has already been made and broken at the halfway mark. If this was Christ making this covenant, would He break His own covenant?
You bring up Romans 14:12 and how each one of us is accountable. Brother, I couldn't agree with you more on that. However, I can't see how that fits into this conversation. We will all stand before God one day and give an account. Is God going to judge us and hold us accountable for believing in a rapture? I doubt that God is going to hold anyone accountable for believing or not believing in a rapture.
We both agree that there will be two resurrections. We just don't agree on what they are. My belief is that the dead in Christ will be resurrected along with believers who are still alive when Christ comes for His church. This is what I along with many others see as the rapture. This is the first resurrection. The second resurrection takes place after the millennial reign of Christ. That will be a resurrection for those who have rejected Jesus Christ.
Part 1
This subject has been discussed before, and I don't reply to cause debate, but in my heart, I feel it is deception that people may be looking for something that is not coming. In Matthew 24, Jesus said, "Take heed that no man deceive you." I would like to point out a few things that may be considered for study in pursuit of the truth. The Rapture doctrine, where the Church is taken to heaven before the second coming of Jesus, does it fit scripture? If Daniel 9:25-27 has been fulfilled, how does that affect the Rapture doctrine?
Each one of us is accountable- Romans 14:12.
There are two resurrections: the first in Revelation 19:11-21 through Revelation 20:1-5. This aligns with what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-58.
When Jesus returns, it will be with the armies of heaven in Revelation 19, and in Matthew 24, Jesus sends His angels to gather His elect. We see in Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, and Luke 21:25-28.
When Jesus returns, the Battle of Armageddon occurs, Revelation 16:13-16, Ezekiel 39:11-22, Revelation 19:17-19, and the beast and false prophet are cast into the lake of fire, Revelation 19:20-21. Satan is imprisoned in the bottomless pit, Revelation 20:1-3, and judgment occurs for those in the first resurrection on earth, Revelation 20:4, not in heaven, then the 1000 years, Revelation 20:5-6.
I do not know of any Bible verses that agree with the rapture of the Church?
See part 2
Titus was the Roman General that sieged and defeated Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple.
The Prince in Daniel 9:26 is the Demonic force behind the Romans Empire, just as Cyrus the Great or Cyrus II of Persia was credited for liberating the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity and the Demonic force and Prince behind that Empire is noted in Daniel 10:13 and Daniel 10:20.
Next we have Alexander the Great who conquered Persia.
We see mention the Demonic force/Prince over that Empire also in Daniel 10:20.
Satan is behind these Gentile Empires. This is why the Church is "called out" of the world.
This Dominion was taken away from Adam.
This Dominion is taken back in Revelation, this is why you see the title deeds exchange in Revelation 5.
A seven-sealed scroll that
written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
symbolizes ownership and authority over the planet.
Blessings!
Secondly, I remember a few years ago on KJBO, I was in discussion with someone on this matter in Daniel chapter 9. I believe we were in agreement with Daniel 9:26 concerning "the prince of the people that shall come" that this was the anti-Christ referred to and not Jesus (even as bro. Jesse also highlighted the use of the upper & lower cases of 'P' for prince). But when we get to verse 27, my correspondent was adamant that the "he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week" was Jesus. I believe he understood the grammatical position of "he" being applied to Messiah rather than to the anti-Christ of verse 26. Whereas, the accepted rule of interpretation and when noting the text for the nearest antecedent of the pronoun "he", this most closely parallels 'the prince that shall come" (i.e. not the Messiah but the anti-Christ).
But then the question, 'if we are to remain faithful to the understanding of 'week' being 'week of sevens', i.e. one week equal to seven years, then when did Jesus "confirm the covenant (or what covenant?) with many for seven years'? Or, when did He "cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease" etc, at the mid-way point (i.e. at three & one half years)? It could be understood that after Jesus died & rose from the grave in victory, that indeed the need & validity of the sacrificial system was over & done with. And of course, there was never an "overspreading of abominations" by Him either. This could only apply to the devil presenting himself in the anti-Christ at his enthronement in the Temple & the covenant of peace with Israel that he instituted which he would later break ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4). Just my thoughts on this. Blessings.
Revised.
I would like to point out something in Daniel 9
In Daniel 9:26 it reads, "and THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME shall destroy the city and the sanctuary"
Who destroyed the sanctuary? The Romans Empire!
The Romans that destroyed the Sanctuary is not called Jesus people!
Jesus is not the prince of the Romans Empire!
That's the Antichrist.
I hold the view that this Empire stands today!
I believe every Kingdom mentioned in Daniel had a demonic prince behind them as we see in Daniel 10:13-21.
We see these prince appear behind the scene in chronological order in the text when studied carefully.
Daniel 10:21 reads.
"I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
The next prince is the "prince that shall come" is the Antichrist mentioned in Daniel 9:26.
The Prince of the Romans kingdom!
Blessings."
I have to agree with you that many interpret a 7-year tribulation based on Daniel 9:27 because I am one of the many. In fact, it is my understanding that all prophecies concerning the last days are based upon Daniel 9:24-27, which presents the 70th week of Daniel.
I agree that the beast is only given 42 months (3-1/2 years), not 7-years. This will be the last 3-1/2 years of the 7-year tribulation period. I do not agree that 70th week of Daniel has already been fulfilled as you probably have figured out from my previous posts over the years.
My understanding is that the antichrist is the one who confirms this covenant with Israel, not Jesus. In Daniel 9:24-27, we see the word prince twice. The first time is in Verse 25. This is Jesus. He is called Messiah the Prince. Please notice that the word Prince is in CAPS. But then in Verse 26, He is cut off (crucified).
In Verse 26 we see the word prince again. This time, in lower case because this is not Jesus but the antichrist. In Verse 27, it says he, this prince (antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.
This one week is 7-years. We don't know the time frame, but as soon as the church is removed, as soon as the tribulation period begins, there will be seven years, that is, one week, 1 seven in Jewish literature. There will be seven years of tribulation.
I don't agree that the "he" in Daniel 9:27 is Jesus. It is the prince that shall come after Jesus is crucified. Again, notice the word prince used twice in Verses 24-27. Prince has a capital "P" which refers to Jesus in Verse 25. This prince that confirms the covenant with the Jews is the antichrist.
This would make sense as to why Jesus would say in John 5:43, "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
Out of space, need to send a short part 2
and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (end of Daniel 9:26).
The very next verse refers to the covenant of the Antichrist so it would seem that war will continue either throughout the Tribulation period or until it begins; based on the wars and rumors of wars Jesus mentioned before the end comes ( Matt. 24:6).
That is bolstered further with the peace; peace when there is no peace which we see in Isaiah as well as Jeremiah. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 seems to indicate either people calling for peace and safety or perhaps more likely a temporary appearance of such since it is followed by sudden destruction.
James states that we war because we want or lust after things ( James 4:1 loosely interpreted). The same principle applies with prayer in the wrong way to consume things on our own lusts or desires ( James 4:3).
As of today; in particular with the Ukrainian "special operation" if even Russia still refers to it as that there is nationalism as the prime motivator. Money talks; as they say so that as we see with the apparent Middle East attempts to continue with the Abraham Accords in further expansion everyone gets a piece of the pie and we certainly see reflections of the Prophet Daniel warning about dividing the land for gain. This "spoil" is what will finally bring down the Russians; Turkey and other northern confederate nations to attack Israel; likely after they feel they are secure and as scriptures state "without walls" with a surprise attack. Consider how surprising it would be if it was literally on horses as the prophet Ezekiel states ( Ezekiel 38:4).
Prophetically speaking the Rapture could be any day now; but it is in God's timing unknown to us; so He could delay it. I tend to think that one world government could exist for quite some time before the Antichrist takes over; in any case in final form his kingdom is for one hour ( Rev. 17:12).
I understand that many interpret a 7-year tribulation based on Daniel 9:27. In Revelation 12, when Satan is cast out of heaven onto earth, Revelation 12:12 says, "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth." He is filled with great wrath. Satan makes war, not peace. Revelation 13:1-5 explains that Satan gives the beast his power, his seat, and great authority. This beast is only given 42 months to reign. The book of Revelation does not mention seven years anywhere; instead, this beast is only granted 42 months from the time he rises.
Daniel 9: Daniel realized the 70 years of captivity were ending and prayed for himself and Israel, asking God for mercy so they could return to their homeland. Gabriel appeared to show Daniel a vision of his people, the house of Israel, and the holy city, Jerusalem. This prophecy foretold when the Messiah would come.
Seventy weeks are determined upon Daniel's people and the holy city. I will keep this short; to cover all this would take many posts. The 7 years are taken from Daniel 9:27, attributing he as being the antichrist, the beast in Revelation.
The entire prophecy is about the coming Messiah; 490 years are given to fulfill the 6 things listed in verse 24, with the judgment for their abominations and the rejection and killing of the Messiah that will be carried out on the city in verse 26.
In verse 26, it says that after 62 weeks, the Messiah will be cut off/crucified. The first 7 weeks must be added, totaling 69 weeks; this would make it during the 70th week. The 70th week has been fulfilled, and due to their rejection of the Messiah/Jesus, the city and temple were destroyed because they overspread abominations. Jesus was the he who confirmed the covenant.
Matthew 23 Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Jesus caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease because it pointed to Him. Matthew 27:51, the veil of the temple rent, and Hebrews 10.
God bless,
RLW