Prophecy Update
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
December 31, 1997
Introduction
As we spend our time looking at some future events, we need to take a minute to stop and consider the reliability of our main source of information, the Bible.
We are constantly inundated with "prophetic" literature today, just look at the checkout counter at the grocery store.
But the Bible is not like Jeanne Dixon's predictions. A major study was done to check the accuracy of these psychic predictions and they found that only 2% of them ever came true.
And yet the accuracy of the Bible is astonishing.
In just the coming of Jesus Christ, there were over 300 detailed predictions that were ALL fulfilled!
Other than the first and second comings of Jesus Christ, one of the most incredible fulfillments ever seen is the nation of Israel itself.
We've gotten kind of used to it, but just sixty years ago, it would have seemed impossible for there to have been a nation of Israel, in fact most Bible scholars prior to 1948 usually tried to make up excuses for the prophecies that indicated a nation of Israel in the last days.
Keep in mind, we have an incredibly accurate source of information. If the things predicted about Jesus' coming and the formation of a last days Israel have come true, what about the rest of it?
There is much happening of prophetic significance in the world today. All you have to do is be reading your Bible, and be reading the morning newspapers.
We're going to look at only a few areas of prophecy seem to be at the forefront of the news today
Regarding the upcoming temple
The Bible's take on things
There will be a rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, according to Daniel 9 and Revelation 11.
About the antichrist …
(Dan 9:27 KJV) And 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 for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
John wrote,
(Rev 11:1-2 KJV) And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. {2} But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
We have already been aware of …
The Temple Mount Institute, led by Gershon Solomon, where hundreds of priests have been trained to perform sacrifices, clothing has been made, implements have been manufactured, even a "corner stone" has been cut without the use of metal tools. Other things from this year …
Aaron's Genes
January, 1997
The priests have to be descendants of Aaron. (Num. 17-18)
(RNS - Religious News Service) -- Israeli researchers have found genetic links among contemporary members of Judaism's priestly class living on three continents, providing the first scientific evidence supporting the traditional belief that all such men are descended from the biblical high priest Aaron.
Frankincense Discovered
Frankincense is to be one of the ingredients in the incense burnt in the temple (Ex. 30:34), but until recently, nobody knew exactly what it was.
ABCNEWS.com - December, 1997
"Valuable Incense Identified for the First Time "
"British scientists, writing in Thursday’s issue of the journal Nature, report little gray clumps of burnt frankincense have been unearthed at a 1,500-year-old site in southeastern Egypt known as Qasr Ibrim." They went on to identify exactly what it was made out of.
Red Heifer
The ashes of a red heifer are used in purification, especially important in starting a new temple! (Num.19)
Date: 97-05-28 19:35:03 EDT; .c The Associated Press
"Red Heifer a Sensation in Israel"
KFAR HASIDIM, Israel (AP) - …Ten-month-old Melody, believed to be the first red heifer born in the Holy Land in two millenniums …
Israel's Jubilee
A SYMBOLIC JUBILEE
"Count off seven Sabbaths of years--seven times seven years--so that the seven Sabbaths of years amount to a period of forty-nine years. 9 Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. 10 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property ...(Leviticus 25:8-55 NIV)
Israel and the United Nations are planning a celebration in 1998 to commemorate Israel's 50th anniversary, (Israel's declaration as a nation was May, 14th 1948). This anniversary should serve as a reminder of the religious celebration that was to take place in ancient Israel every 50 years, called the Jubilee. Scripturally, the Jubilee year was to begin on the 50th year, 49 years of 360 days after entering into the land God gave Israel.
Mosaic law of the Jubilee commands cancellation of all debts, freedom for all slaves and return of property loaned or sold, to its original owner in Israel. The most coveted and contested property in all Israel is the temple mount.
Could this refer to the returning of the temple mount to it's original owner?
Gog/Magog War
The Bible's take on things
There will be a terrible war in Israel, sometime soon. Notice who is involved:
(Ezek 38:1-7 KJV) And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, {2} Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, {3} And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: {4} And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: {5} Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: {6} Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. {7} Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
Gog/Magog usually associated with Russia, along with Meshech and Tubal.
Persia is modern Iraq and Iran. Ethiopia and Libya are modern nations. Gomer, Togarmah have been variously associated either with Germany, or with the southern ex-USSR Islamic states (Turkestan, etc.)
(Ezek 38:13 KJV) Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
Sheba and Dedan are Saudi Arabia, while Tarshish might refer either to Spain, or even possibly to England, maybe even us.
(Ezek 38:21-23 KJV) And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother. {22} And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. {23} Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.
God will take care of this army.
When will this war occur, prophetically?
We believe this war will occur somewhere around the time of the rapture of the church.
There has been a special "time clock" that God set up for the nation of Israel, known as the "seventy-sevens" of Daniel 9:24-27. During those 490 years, God would be dealing specifically with the nation of Israel, bringing them to Himself. All but the last seven year period has been accounted for. There was a kind of "pause" in God's time clock when the Messiah was cut off.
During this "pause", God has turned His attention to the Gentile world, to be mainly working through the Gentile church.
But Paul records,
(Rom 11:25-26 KJV) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. {26} And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
I believe that this "fullness of the Gentiles" refers to the end of the church age, when God will again turn His attention to the nation of Israel, and begin the last seven year period, which is also known as the Great Tribulation. We see this in Ezekiel's prophecy:
(Ezek 39:28-29 KJV) Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. {29} Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
I believe that around or about this time, when God's Spirit is being poured out on Israel, that we, the Gentile church will be "raptured" off of the earth to be with the Lord (1 Thess 4:13-18), as the "one who hinders", the work of the Spirit in the church is removed from the earth, opening the way for the tribulation and the revealing of the antichrist (2Thess 2:7)
In other words, as we see the possibilities of a "Gog/Magog" war approaching, we ought to be getting pretty excited about seeing Jesus!
Congressional Report on Middle East War
THE MID-EAST DISPATCH
22th January 1997
A US Congress report last month predicts imminent war in the Middle East, in which Syria is expected to initiate a surprise attack on Israel, with Palestinian, Iraqi and Iranian support.
Jane's - war likely
News Report from Jerusalem Feb.8, 1997 (Bradley Antolovich)
JANE'S: WAR MORE LIKELY
The prestigious military journal Jane's Intelligence Review has released a report concluding that a war in the Middle East is "closer than before," but that in any event Israel will emerge victorious. Claiming that Israel has become the third-strongest world power, the British periodical writes that the Israel Air Force is seven to eight times stronger than the combined might of those of the Arab nations, and that the IDF is presently a generation ahead of its Arab counterparts.
Coming Arab/Israeli War
(From INTELLIGENCE DIGEST, a respected 60 year old international intelligence agency)
"Intelligence received in this office during the past few weeks (fall '97) points to a great reduced timeframe in the Middle East. There is now evidence to support the view that the next, and final, Arab-Israeli war could come as early as the second half of 1998. There are four main reasons why we have previously argued that the next Arab-Israeli war is unlikely to occur before 2000."
My Summary -
1) Peace negotiations.
There might be some attempts by U.S. negotiators, but it appears to all parties that there are not going to be any successful peace negotiations anytime soon. It had been hoped that all parties would be willing to wait to see if there could be peace. No longer.
2) The neutralization of Israel's nuclear deterrent
Up until recently, the threat against the Arabs of Israel's nuclear weapons was enough to keep them quiet.
"Recent intelligence has shown that Syria has far more Scud C missiles (armed with advanced-type chemical warheads) than previously thought. Most important, the latest intelligence shows that Syria has an unusually high proportion of launchers to missiles (2-to-1 instead of the usual 10-to-1). This will enable Syria to launch a barrage of missiles at Israel in one go. With such capability, Syria might legitimately think that Israel would not dare use its nuclear arsenal."
This is without the upcoming reports on Iranian capabilities.
3) "Turkey is going to war with Russia"
"Third, since Israel signed a military pact with Turkey in early 1996 we have argued that Syria cannot possibly go to war with Israel until Turkey is neutralized." (because it's sandwiched between Israel and Turkey)
Yet now Turkey is facing a threat of an internal Islamic uprising, as well as a possible war with Russia.
"There is now a distinct possibility (openly aired by Turkey's former prime minister, Tansu Ciller) that Turkey could find itself at war with Russia, over the supply of Russian S-300 missiles to Cyprus, by the end of 1998. Turkey has said delivery of the missiles would be a cause for war with Cyprus; Russia has said it intends to deliver by the end of 1998; and now respect former Turkish prime minister Tansu Ciller, who was also foreign minister in the last government, has warned that unless there is a change in policy "Turkey is going to war with Russia.""
4) Lebed's coded threat
"Former Russian security chief General Alexander Lebed has recently revealed that not all of the 100 suitcase-sized nuclear bombs with which Soviet special forces were armed have been accounted for."
"After Lebed's statement, what American president is going to call the bluff of a terrorist group that says it has one (or more) of these bombs (described by Lebed as "ideal for nuclear terror") which it is going to explode in an American city (or cities) in the event that the United States moves to protect Israel against an Arab/Iranian assault?"
Lastly …
"At Netanyahu's 11 September meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, he pointed out that Iran would have acquired enough ballistic-missile technology "with a year to 18 months" so as not to required outside assistance. And because of this, both in the meeting in private and outside the meeting in public, Netanyahu warned: "There must be an appropriate response in the time that remains." In other words, both Israel and Iran, and Turkey and Russia, are on an 18-month countdown to war. 1998 is beginning to look like a year to fear..."
Russia interested in sale of nuclear reactor to Syria
Israel Line 12-31-97
Just today, a report that the Russian government is interested in selling Syria a nuclear reactor for "medical" purposes, against American wishes. Yet the technology takes Syria one step closer to nuclear weapons.
Iraq's secret weapon
11-15-97 - from CC Jerusalem
This week, the London TIMES reported that Iraq is developing a secret project - the "Weapon of the Day of Judgement" - which entails dispatching a pilot-less aircraft to spray chemical or biological agents such as Anthrax over Israel. The unit is operated by long-distance remote control, would take an estimated two hours to cover the 900-kilometer (540-mile) flight to Israel, and can fly at very low altitudes, possibly avoiding Israeli radar.
Iraq has biological missile warheads
We're pretty familiar with this, especially within the light of the latest troubles with Iraq and weapons inspections.
Iranian president greets Saddam
Up until recently, Iraq and Iran have been bitter enemies, only together in their hatred of Israel.
REUTERS - 08:16 12-31-97
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) - Iranian President Mohammed Khatami sent a congratulatory message to Iraq's Saddam Hussein, the first such gesture in 17 years, to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Iraqi news agency INA said Wednesday.
``Your excellency Saddam Hussein, president of the Republic of Iraq ... I congratulate you and the Iraqi government and people on the blessed month of Ramadan,'' Khatami said in a telegram to Saddam carried by INA.
Iraqi and Iranian leaders and officials have not exchanged congratulatory letters since 1980 when a ruinous war erupted between the two countries. The war ended in 1988.
Iraqi newspapers Tuesday published greetings sent by Saddam to Arab and Islamic leaders, but no Iranians were mentioned.
Iran gaining Russian Missile Technology
Russia May Take Hit for Iran Deal
Date: 97-10-09 15:32:46 EDT .c The Associated Press
``Russia has already provided Iran with critical know-how and technological support. The question now facing us is whether these activities can be halted,'' said Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y., who heads the House International Relations Committee.
According to Israeli estimates, within 18 months Iran will be able to produce the Shihab 3, a liquid-fuel missile with a range of 810 miles.
Iranian Nuclear Capabilities
11-15-97 CC Jerusalem
IRAN 4 MONTHS WITHIN NUCLEAR BOMB
According to Jayne's Intelligence Review, Iran is four months away from complete nuclear capability. According to the journal, unless Western countries block the transfer of highly-enriched uranium to Iran immediately, the Ayatollahs will be capable of implementing their 'atomic revolution' in the very near future.
The report added that, in the early 1990's, Iraq was on the verge of developing its first nuclear weapon, but was set back by its loss in the Gulf War.
U.S. To Quiz Russia About Missiles
AP-NY-12-31-97 1659EST
U.S. To Quiz Russia About Missiles
WASHINGTON (AP) - A senior American diplomat will go to Moscow in January to discuss with Russian officials unsettling reports that Russian companies are providing critical help to Iran to develop a new generation of ballistic missiles.
According to a report in The Washington Post, U.S. satellite reconnaissance of the Shahid Hemat Industrial Group research facility south of Tehran picked up on Dec. 15 the heat signature of an engine test for a new generation of Iranian ballistic missiles, each capable of carrying a 2,200 warhead more than 800 miles.
ISRAEL CONSIDERS LONG-TERM DEFENSE NEEDS
Don't be worrying too much for Israel though …
from Israel Line 12-30-97
The defense establishment remains unimpressed by the moderate views which have been attributed of late to Iran's President Mohammed Khatami, and is planning its strategic policies accordingly, HA'ARETZ reported. This assessment was voiced by Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai during his visit to Washington last month, where he spoke of the need to purchase an additional 100 jet fighters, and to replace Israel's aging Skyhawk and Phantom fighters by the year 2005.
Israel Air Force officials met two weeks ago with representatives from Boeing, makers of the F-15 jet, and Lockheed Martin, makers of the F-16. The question at hand is whether to purchase more of the F-15s, which have a range capable of reaching Iran, or the F-16s, whose shorter range but heavier payload make them ideal for meeting any future Syrian threat.
Wrap up
As we see the signs of a Gog/Magog war approaching, we ought to be asking ourselves, "are we ready?"
Jesus told this story …
(Mat 25:1-13 KJV) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. {2} And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. {3} They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: {4} But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. {5} While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. {6} And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. {7} Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. {8} And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. {9} But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. {10} And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. {11} Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. {12} But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. {13} Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
There were two types of people, and both were interested in the coming of the bridegroom. But only one type was ready, the ones with the oil.
Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit, who comes to dwell inside each person who opens their heart up to Jesus Christ.
Are you truly ready to meet Jesus? Have you given your heart to Him? Or are you just one of the curious ones who's going to be left at the door?
Extra stuff
Jerusalem could be like Rome
This is just plain weird!
Date: 97-03-06 21:32:31 EST (Bradley Antolovich)
ARAFAT SUPPORTS VATICAN MODEL FOR JERUSALEM
Using Rome and Vatican City as a model, PLO chairman Yasser Arafat proposed this week that twin capitals be established in Jerusalem -- one for Israel and the other for a Palestinian state.
"We are looking for Jerusalem, the Holy City, to be the platform of the real peace in the land of peace," Arafat said in Washington. "We have a very important example: Rome. Rome is the capital of the Vatican, and it is at the same time the capital of the Italian government. Why not we can repeat the same, capital of two states, the state of Palestine and Israel?"
Palestinians building on Temple Mount
From Israel Line 10-14-97a
PALESTINIANS BUILDING UNDER TEMPLE MOUNT
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a special meeting of his advisors on Monday in response to reports of Palestinian construction under the Temple Mount, MA'ARIV reported. The meeting comes in the wake of a report by Attorney General Elyakim Rubenstein which states that the Palestinians are building in Solomon's Stables, an historic site located in the hollow interior of the Temple Mount.
Government officials defined the situation on Monday as "very dangerous and very delicate." They explained that Israel would be legally justified in opposing the construction, since the Temple Mount falls within Israeli jurisdiction. They added that, since the issue is politically sensitive, they would explore alternative solutions to the problem.
Jerusalem municipal officials visited the Temple Mount on Monday and confirmed that Palestinians are building on the site. Senior Government officials said on Monday that the Prime Minister will continue receiving counsel on the subject and emphasized that Israel will exercise the necessary sensitivity in approaching this issue.
War in the world
The Bible's take on things
(Mat 24:6 KJV) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
(1 Th 5:2-3 KJV) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. {3} For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
I've often wondered how these two can go together …
World Conflicts Increase in 1997
12-31-97
WASHINGTON (AP) - A breakdown of law and order in Albania, civil war in Republic of Congo, and a flare-up by Muslim rebels in the Philippines all helped make the world a slightly more dangerous place in 1997, a research group said today. But the U.S. was dropped from the list of ``World Conflict Areas.'' Sharply reduced crime rates eliminated the nation from the list for the first time in six years. ``We're not a world at peace, we're a world in conflict, and people have to be proactive to promote peace,'' said Andy Messing Jr. of the National Defense Council Foundation, which tallies all instances of hostilities that result in regional instability.
Interesting …
U.S. seeks clarity on Iranian position
REUTERS - 13:51 12-31-97
WASHINGTON, Dec 31 (Reuters) - The United States is looking for more clarity about the kind of U.S.-Iranian dialogue Iran will seek when the country's president gives a planned U.S. television interview next week, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.
Officials have been tantalized by conciliatory rhetoric emerging from Tehran in recent weeks, the most hopeful sign in a decade of a thaw between the two hostile countries.
Moreover, diplomatic sources told Reuters, there is fresh evidence that Iran has continued to pursue a ballistic missile program considered a major threat by the United States and Israel.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed a Washington Post report that Tehran earlier this month tested the engine for a new generation of ballistic missiles capable of carrying a 2,200-lb (1,000-kg) warhead more than 800 miles (1,280 km).
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami stirred speculation about a rapprochement with Washington recently when he voiced his respect for the ``great people of the United States.''