D1D. PROPHECY - Why Study Bible Prophecy?

D1D. PROPHECY - WHY STUDY BIBLE PROPHECY?

CONSIDER

Revelation 19:10b NIV

[10] For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

• God gives us prophecy in His Word to reveal Himself to us

• Prophecy indeed plays a major role in learning about who God is and the wonderful things He can do

• Prophecy lets the world know in advance important future events that will take place here on planet earth

• Most importantly, it proves that He who declares the end from the beginning is exactly who He says He is, and has supernatural power on a level far beyond what humans can imagine <S2000>

• Yet the prevailing assessment of Bible prophecy in many churches today is that it’s of too little significance to teach from the pulpit

• Pastors avoid preaching about the Rapture and Jesus’ thousand-year rule lest it offend people and they stop attending

• Some claim that beliefs about things to come are tertiary or of little value, but nothing could be further from the truth

• The dearth of sound biblical teaching on Bible prophecy has created a void that false teachers have filled with a wide assortment of wayward beliefs regarding the church, Jesus’ appearing, the Second Coming, and Israel

• As a result, the prevailing false view of Dominion Theology in the Christian community is that the church will someday prevail over the ills and evils of our world and inaugurate millennial conditions throughout the world before Jesus returns to the earth <B26>

John 14:29 NIV [Jesus said]

[29] I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

• The point of Bible prophecy is to alert us to the circumstances leading up to the Lord’s return

• The most fundamental function of prophecy is to provide understandable information and certain knowledge about future events <T2096>

• There's nothing more relevant than understanding eschatology in light of what is happening all around us these days; we have clarity regarding the future <H95>

• Those who read the Word of God recognize the signs around us and know exactly where all this is going

• We also know where we came from, why we’re here, and where we’re going <B23>

• Followers of Christ need to know the spiritual battle they are in; Satan would love for Christians to be oblivious to his ways! <M1501>

• There is more to life than what we see: there is a spiritual world happening at the same time

• Our posture must be different from the world's

• While others panic, we prepare; while they stockpile and speculate, we fix our eyes on Jesus

• As believers, we do not fear the future because we know the One who holds it, yet neither do we bury our heads in the sand

• God has given us prophetic scriptures not so we can cower, but so we can be courageous <P1701>

Matthew 24:44 NIV

[44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

ACCURACY

• Prophecy in Scripture is not a guessing game, like throwing items at a wall to see what will stick and hoping that something eventually comes true

On the contrary, prophecy is God's DECLARATION of what will happen; it's as good as fact

• For instance, the Old Testament contains forty-eight specific prophecies related to Jesus’ first coming, which happened precisely as the prophets of old foretold

• The odds that one person could fulfill all of them stagger the imagination, and together, verify that Christ was truly the promised Messiah! <B26>

• God gave us Bible prophecy as proof that the rest of the Bible is accurate

• He didn’t give us prophecy to terrify, but rather to verify <S2000>

• He's been 100% accurate in fulfilling past prophecies 'literally' so it's easy to conclude God will fulfill His future prophecies 'literally' <P168>

• Roughly 28% of the Bible contains prophecy and we are instructed to know the full counsel of God through His Word, much of it already fulfilled in detail

• Believers in Christ can't simply ignore one third of the Bible; if we do, we lose the hope for our future that it offers <H89> <H90>

• Prophecy exists in one way or another in almost every book of the Bible (except 3 John and Philemon for example) and is not relegated to the last book of Revelation only, so we need to see how prophecy interweaves throughout Scripture to provide the reader with a complete understanding of God's story <G70>

• End-time Bible prophecy should bring a biblical sense of urgency to both the messenger and hearer, motivating us to preach, teach, and witness like never before

• Studying eschatology confronts 'normalcy bias' because it teaches that God can come at any moment and break normal patterns in life that are familiar (and preferred) to us <H86>

• Prophecy does not have to be either faddish, other-worldly, impractical or a playground for fanatics if taught properly; it should be green pastures for disciples <R173>

• Those who study Biblical eschatology will adopt the Biblical worldview and proactively live out their faith <B23>

• The knowledge and interest in end-time prophecy is to know the God behind it

• Studying prophecy is a way to show the Bible to be true <G77>

• Christ commands us to "watch" for His second coming, and the only way we can do that is by knowing prophecies outlined in the Bible

• Those who watch will desire righteous living and those who don't watch adopt a worldly life

• God promises reward for those who 'go the extra mile' to study eschatology and are aware of His coming <H86>

• No other book in the world contains fulfilled prophecies, which includes the sayings of Buddha and Confucius, the Quran, the Hindu Vedras, and the Book of Mormon along with the ridiculous nonsensical quatrains of Nostradamus

• In contrast, the Bible contains hundreds of specific prophecies that have already been fulfilled — prophecies about towns, cities, nations, empires, and political leaders, as well as prophecies about the Messiah

• Consider, for example, the prophecy in the book of Isaiah that a man named Cyrus would be the one who would release the children of Israel from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 44:28) which is exactly what happened 142 years later (Ezra 1:1-3) <R173>

• Only one who is omniscient can accurately predict details of events thousands of years in the future; limited human beings know the future only if it is told to them by an omniscient Being

• In addition, the Bible declares that prophets must be 100 percent accurate—no exceptions. If anyone claimed to be speaking for God and the prophesied event didn’t come to pass, he was proven to be a liar and often put to death

• The writings of Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are littered with false prophecies, so we can know whether they are written by men or by God <C392>

• The Bible has dared to predict the future not once, not twice, but hundreds of times

• It is worth noting that one-fourth of the Bible is prophecy and approximately one-half of these prophecies have already come to take place

• If one-half have happened as God said they would, there is no reason to doubt the remaining ones will happen exactly as God has said

• When God tells you what the future holds, you can take it to the bank because it is going to happen! <L120>

Isaiah 46:10 NIV

[10] I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'

APPROACHING END TIME

• Bible prophecy matters; it’s the key to understanding the day in which we live

• We need a true Scripture-based perspective of what lies beyond this life in order to make sense of our journey through it

• Without it, we would struggle to understand how a sound biblical worldview intersects with the tragedies, senseless violence, corruption, and lawlessness that are so rampant in our day

• How do we piece together the chaos of a fast-changing world apart from what God’s Word reveals about the end times?

• Today's believers have the great privilege of watching the unfolding of biblical prophecy that would have amazed Bible students a hundred years ago

• It's amazing what we see today compared with just ten years ago!

• Through the astounding advances in technology, we not only understand how the Antichrist will be able to control all the buying and selling worldwide, but we also watch as all the pieces come together to make this a future reality

• Everywhere we look, we see precursors to what the Bible tells us will happen during the Tribulation <B26>

• When we think of the prophetic signs of the last days, we typically begin with Israel, examine the closeness of the world to the appearance of the riders of the apocalypse, and perhaps turn our attention to the formation of the beast kingdom that’s now rapidly taking shape <B26>

• Mockers say Bible prophecy is not being fulfilled, but God said every word of Bible prophecy will be fulfilled!

• Radical Islam is determined to destroy Israel, but God said Israel cannot be destroyed

• Russia, Iran, Turkey, and several Islamic allies are plotting to attack Israel, but God said He will destroy their armies on the mountains of Israel

• Many world leaders are determined to divide Israel and give Judea and Samaria to the Palestinians, but God said He will drag their armies into the Battle of Armageddon for doing that

• Many world leaders think they can divide Jerusalem and establish peace with the Muslims, but God said He will cut the nations into pieces for doing that

• Many world leaders are determined to establish a godless world government, but God said He will destroy their much-desired world government seven years after they establish it <D41>

• The Good News about the future for the Christian is that it is all working exactly as Almighty God said it would through His Word

• We undermine the power of the Gospel if we focus only on Christ's first coming (when He purchased our redemption) but leave His second coming out of the story (when God delivers His redemption to His people) <B23>

• There are 7-8 times as many prophecies regarding Christ's second coming than His first which demonstrates its importance

• While the Jews in Jesus' day ignored His first coming because they wanted Christ to come as a conquering Messiah, today's Christians tend to do the opposite and have no problem with His first coming but ignore the second <T2093>

• Remember: prophecy works in patterns -- such as a 'coming back' to the Tower of Babel in multiple ways, like a mystery religion, one world government, unholy pagan Trinity, and efforts to get back to one language <W2202>

• Understand that prophecies can happen numerous times, like the Abomination (mentioned in Daniel 9) that occurred before Christ's first arrival but it will happen again when the Antichrist is in the third temple halfway through the Tribulation <H88>

Isaiah 42:9 NIV

[9] See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”

2 Peter 1:19 NIV

OPPOSITION

• Believers in Christ have the choice of whether to study Bible prophecy, but there are consequences for those who don't

• For instance, some of the consequences seen today include how a believer views Israel; this is one of the biggest issues dividing the body of believers (Aug 2025)

• There are real world impacts and we lose the ability to mature in our faith without the proper study of eschatology <G70>

• Without proper study, Christians often alter what God says in His Word regarding His return and scoff regarding end times prophecy because they:

a) Spiritualize the words of Revelation 4-18 telling us they were a code for first century believers

b) Claim that the Lord fulfilled prophecy in the distant past

c) Rationalize prophetic events that seem too 'spectator' to the modern day scientific mind; similar to the Israelites crossing the Red Sea at low tide rather than allowing God to do a miracle <G70>

d) Prefer things the way they are and fail to fully recognize that this life is temporary, or that God’s judgment is on the way; normalcy bias (assuming what they see will last for the foreseeable future) is exceedingly tempting for detractors of the Christian's end times

e) Ignore prophecy altogether because they assert today is no different than any other time in history <B26>

f) Believe they can focus on the gospel without dealing with prophecy, but prophecy reveals Christ so when prophecy is ignored then near 30% of the Bible is ignored (Rev 19:10) <H87>

• Remember, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His time for their failure to recognize His coming

• He said they knew how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but they didn't know how to recognize the signs of the times

• Jesus expected the religious leaders of His day to recognize the signs of the coming Messiah. In the same way, Jesus expects us to recognize the signs of His Second Coming <G76>

Matthew 16:2-3 NIV

[2] He replied, “When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' [3] and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

SUMMARY OF REASONS

• In summary, there are many reasons why all believers should be interested in studying Bible prophecy:

1. The Quantity — One-fourth to one-third of the Bible is prophetic in nature

2. The Uniqueness — No other book in the world contains fulfilled prophecies

3. Validator of Scripture — Fulfilled prophecy is one of the best evidences that the Bible is the inspired Word of God

4. Validator of Jesus — More than 300 prophecies validate Jesus' first coming

5. Revealer of the Future — Prophecy serves to tell us some things that God wants us to know about the future

6. Tool of Evangelism — Prophecy can be used as a very effective tool of evangelism, as illustrated by Peter who referred to fulfilled prophecy as one of the greatest evidences that Jesus was truly the Son of God

7. Tool of Moral Teaching — People often overlook the fact that prophets spent most of their time using God’s Word to spotlight societal problems, thus calling their listeners to repentance, true worship, justice, and personal holiness

8. Generator of Spiritual Growth — Prophetic knowledge encourages patient waiting

9. Understanding of Current Events — The Bible contains detailed prophecies about the end times we are living in, and there is just no way to fully understand much of what is happening today apart from those prophecies

10. Signifier of the Season — Bible prophecy provides definite signs we are to watch for, which will signify the season of the Lord’s return <R173>

Romans 8:23-25 NIV

[23] Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? [25] But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

• End times prophecy is central to the believer's hope

• It helps keep us looking up and around watching for what is ahead, instead of looking down with a critical eye regarding our situation <G70>

• Our faith handed down to us on the pages of our Bibles most certainly includes our hope of eternal life in resurrected, immortal bodies (1 Cor 15:47-55) <B26>

• Ignoring Bible prophecy caused Jerusalem to be destroyed, and it will soon cause the Tribulation Period to come upon the world <D41>

• As Paul mentioned to Timothy, God will reward all those who watch for His appearing! <G77>

2 Timothy 4:8 NIV

[8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

RELATED COMMENTS

Note: each ** comment in this APPLICATION doc comes from CHAPTER doc(s), where the comments are in numerical order according to verse(s) from the chapter

** If you go against God, you won't win; no one ever has <K110>

• Those who seek to destroy His chosen people Israel are going against God

• Let's keep our eyes on God's Word that gives us the conviction regarding what He deems as important

• Take a stand for Israel because God is not done with them yet; take a stand for righteousness

Zechariah 12:9 NIV

[9] On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

** How ironic that the first century Jews wanted to take Jesus' body down from the cross so they could prepare for Passover

• The long awaited Messiah was being sacrificed before their very eyes

• Yet they rejected the arrival of the Messiah so they could go home to prepare for the Passover, which was a ceremony that pointed to the very Messiah they rejected

• Each item on the Passover plate has a specific historical meaning related to the exodus of the Jews from Egypt and their freedom from slavery

• But 1 Corinthians 5:7 identifies Jesus Christ as our Passover; thus, the Seder carries a New Testament meaning related to Jesus the Messiah <G72>

John 19:14 NIV

[14] It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.

1 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

[7] Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch---as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

• It's the same today when Christians who claim to follow God ignore prophecies He gave us regarding His second coming <H87>

• We are given signs to look for and are commanded to look for them!

• Just about all Christians have no problem accepting literal details about Christ's immaculate first coming in Bethlehem, so why do so many refuse to take the Bible literally regarding His second coming?

Matthew 24:3 NIV

Mark 13:37 NIV

[37] What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' ”

** God promises to bless those who read and take to heart the prophecy in the book of Revelation, then later gives a warning to anyone who try to change and does not take it seriously <T203> <S187>

• It was Augustine who did much damage to the understood literalness of scripture

• Augustine’s teaching became the strong basis for much in the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching, and at the Reformation, the reformers simply accepted the Roman Catholic view as they did on a number of other issues as well, without proper examination of the scriptures

• In that, their works were not complete

• Believers are to guard God's Word from loss or injury

• People can end up injuring the meaning of this prophecy when they allegorize it and do not take it as literally as possible

• Whenever we read places of geography in God’s Word, it is always a literal location – such as the Tower of Babel, Asia, Patmos, letters to seven churches, Euphrates, Babylon rising to prominence, etc <W213>

• When one treats Old Testament scriptures as allegory, transferring Israel to the Church as if the Church was all through the Old Testament, then a grave injustice to prophecy has been done

• Not only is it an injustice to God's Word, but allegorizing eschatological passages leaves Christians uncertain of end time events and frustrates believers to the point of ignoring eschatology altogether <F68>

Revelation 1:3 NIV

[3] Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Revelation 22:18-19 NIV

[18] I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. [19] And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

** We are to look to God and trust in His Word; those who do not trust in God but in their own devices will suffer torment in the end

• The Prophet Isaiah made a startling comparison between those who trust the Lord’s guidance, the words of Scripture, versus those who walk by their own insight or wisdom

• For example, those who rely on Scripture, come to the conclusion of Jesus’ imminent appearing and a literal fulfillment of Revelation 20:1-10, but when guided by human wisdom, they can easily adopt the Amillennial view and no longer believe in the Rapture

• Also, they may end up believing the tenants of Replacement Theology that dismisses modern Israel’s place in Bible prophecy

• Based on this assumption, they retrofit all Scripture that contradicts their view – even from major and minor prophets such as Ezek 36:22-24 and Hosea 3:4-5 – so the Bible then fits their own understanding of Israel and the Church

Ezekiel 36:22-24 NIV

[22] “Therefore say to the Israelites, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. [23] I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. [24] “ 'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.

Hosea 3:4-5 NIV

[4] For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. [5] Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.

• The path to unbiblical teaching always begins with those who illuminate the paths before them with their own wisdom rather than the light that comes from the words of Scripture <B26>

Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV

[10] Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God. [11] But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.

Psalm 20:7-8 NIV

[7] Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. [8] They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

** God moved the heart of the King of Persia to fulfill His prophesy through Jeremiah

• The author of Chronicles continued to emphasize worship

• God moved Cyrus, the ruler of Persia, to order and rebuild the temple

• God did not forsake His people, but brought them back to reestablish worship

• The promises given to David had not yet been fulfilled, but if God’s people who were called by His name remained faithful in worship, the promised Messiah would surely come <R1795>

2 Chronicles 36:22-23 NIV

[22] In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: [23] “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “ 'The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up, and may the Lord their God be with them.' ”

** In light of eternity, we are here to keep our focus on God's commission <W2201>

• A common saying is that "it's about the journey, not the destination" -- but it's the knowledge of the destination that determines the quality and type of journey we have <D40>

• Are we doing all we can to spread the good news with what God has put in our hands?

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

[18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV

[15] Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

** God's Word is the powerful lifeblood for His followers

• God expects every Christian to make a pledge to read and live out His Word in their life

• This helps them live life as a Christian, providing:

• Armor to help combat the enemy

• A plumb line to help discern falsehoods

• Prophecy to be prepared for what's coming

• Power to overcome temptation, and

• Guidance to avoid sinning against the Father

• Pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word

• Pledge to make His Word a lamp for your feet and light for your path

• Pledge to hide God's Word in your heart so you can readily apply it when needed <D502>

Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV

[10] As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, [11] so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

[12] For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

** God promises to bless those who read and take to heart the prophecy in the book of Revelation, then later gives a warning to anyone who try to change and does not take it seriously <T203> <S187>

• It was Augustine who did much damage to the understood literalness of scripture

• In that, their works were not complete

• Believers are to guard God's Word from loss or injury

• People can end up injuring the meaning of this prophecy when they allegorize it and do not take it as literally as possible

• When one treats Old Testament scriptures as allegory, transferring Israel to the Church as if the Church was all through the Old Testament, then a grave injustice to prophecy has been done

Revelation 1:3 NIV

[3] Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Revelation 22:18-19 NIV

** Jesus' promise of rewards for those who 'believe without seeing' also applies to those who are looking forward to the Rapture and His Second Coming <G70>

John 20:29 NIV

[29] Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

** God used men who excelled in their relationship with Him to write the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation and guide its readers <D40>

• God was the revealer, and they were the secretaries

• Their words continue to reveal God’s will for our lives

• They not only had a formidable relationship with the Lord, but understood the times they lived

• Likewise, God wants people to relate to Him and understand the times they live so they will know what to do

1 Chronicles 12:32 NIV

[32] from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do---200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

2 Peter 1:19 NIV

2 Peter 1:21 NIV

[21] For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

** Although prophecy constitutes almost one-third of the Bible, its importance is constantly downplayed by those who dismiss it as having no practical significance or by those who object to it on the grounds that it is a 'fad' that takes people’s eyes off Jesus; such cavalier dismissals of Bible prophecy fly in the face of scriptures like Rev 19:10 <R173>

Revelation 19:10b NIV

[10] "…Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."

** Prophecy in Gaza being played out in current headline news <P1699> (Feb 2025)

• With the US proposing to take over Gaza, we can see how this prophecy evolves

• Terrorists and its people will be removed and the land repurposed

• Gaza will have no inhabitants and the land will be used for grazing

Ezekiel 25:15-17 NIV

[15] “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah, [16] therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will wipe out the Kerethites and destroy those remaining along the coast. [17] I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them. ' ”

Zephaniah 2:4-7 NIV

[4] Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon left in ruins. At midday Ashdod will be emptied and Ekron uprooted. [5] Woe to you who live by the sea, you Kerethite people; the word of the Lord is against you, Canaan, land of the Philistines. He says, “I will destroy you, and none will be left.” [6] The land by the sea will become pastures having wells for shepherds and pens for flocks. [7] That land will belong to the remnant of the people of Judah; there they will find pasture. In the evening they will lie down in the houses of Ashkelon. The Lord their God will care for them; he will restore their fortunes.

Isaiah 11:13-14 NIV

[13] Ephraim's jealousy will vanish, and Judah's enemies will be destroyed; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim. [14] They will swoop down on the slopes of Philistia to the west; together they will plunder the people to the east. They will subdue Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

** Mary’s response to Gabriel's announcement reveals her knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures and prophetic words of Isaiah <B26>

• Gabriel incorporated Isaiah’s prophecy into the announcement of Jesus’ birth to remind Mary that the Messiah would come into the world as a baby

• Mary expressed her understanding of the great favor bestowed upon her to be the mother of the promised Messiah

Luke 1:38 NIV

[38] “I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

[6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

** Paul urges the reader to KNOW what attacks are coming in the last days so they can be adequately prepared

2 Timothy 3:1 NKJV

[1] But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

** We know WHAT will happen in our future, we just don't know WHEN

• The Bible clearly outlines the plans God has for His world

• We can be assured end-times events will happen as outlined in Scripture because every prophecy to date has occurred with 100% accuracy

• Christ told us we won't know the day or hour but we will know the season or when we are near; according to the signs we see happening already, we are very near indeed! (Sep 2024)

• Stage-setting for prophetic fulfillment continues at a blistering pace, which includes the minutest details God’s Word provided to give believers a heads-up on where the world stands on God’s prophetic timeline <J100>

2 Peter 1:19-21 NIV

[19] We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. [20] Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. [21] For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

** Jesus was and is God in the flesh. Bible prophecy proves it. No other man in all of human history fulfilled the Messianic prophecies, and no other man can. Thank God Almighty, Jesus is! <G76>

• The Messiah had to come at a specific time in history (Dan 9:25); Jesus did

• The Messiah had to be born in a specific place in a certain way (Mic 5:2, Isa 7:14); Jesus was

• The Messiah had to be crushed and made an offering for sin (Isa 53:10)

• He had to overcome the power of the grave (Psa 49:15)

• And He had to be the Savior of the world (Luke 2:11)

Daniel 9:25 NIV

[25] “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.

Micah 5:2 NIV

[2] “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

[14] Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 53:10 NIV

[10] Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

Psalm 49:15 NIV

[15] But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.

Luke 2:11 NIV

[11] Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

** Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey forced both Jewish and Roman authorities to react <L120>

• Arriving on a donkey was understood by both the Jews and the Romans to encourage the crowds to openly welcome Him

• To the Romans, Jesus was clearly declaring that He was a hero, a king

• To the Jews, Jesus was plainly saying that He was the Messiah and fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy

Luke 19:35-36 NIV

[35] They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. [36] As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

Mark 11:7-9 NIV

[7] When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. [8] Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. [9] Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Zechariah 9:9 NIV

[9] Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

** Any outlook on life that ignores the Lord’s imminent intervention in our world, or pushes it to the end of ages, inevitably leads to an unbiblical worldview. The dismissing of the multiple signs of the end of the age inevitably leads to that of exalting earthly expectations above eternal realities. <B26>

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV

[17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

** Jesus attracted many true followers during His time on the earth. Many saw the signs He performed confirming His identity and recognized Him as their Messiah. Yet many of the people who believed, asked whether He will do more signs than what He has already done?

We might ask a similar question to those who tell us we are foolish to look for Jesus’ appearing anytime soon, or even in our lifetime: ‘If the Lord were to warn today’s Christians that the Tribulation period was near, would we see any more signs of its soon arrival than we currently witness?’

I can’t imagine we could see more evidence of the approaching Day of the Lord than what we now witness. Yet so many believers are asleep to these signs! <B26>

John 7:31 NIV

[31] Still, many in the crowd believed in him. They said, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?”

** Many people believe there is nothing that can be known about the timing of the Lord’s return because Jesus said He would return like a "thief in the night" (Matt 24:42-44) <R173>

• But Paul makes it clear that Jesus’ statement does not apply to believers: "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief…" (1 Thess 5:1-6)

• He then proceeds to explain why: "for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober."

• Paul is referring, of course, to the light of the Holy Spirit who indwells all true believers and who can enlighten us through our study of Scripture to know the season of the Lord’s return (1 John 2:27)

Matthew 24:42-44 NIV

[42] “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. [43] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

1 John 2:27 NIV

[27] As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit---just as it has taught you, remain in him.

** It's important to do a deep dive into the Bible and learn its prophetic word so we can know God's plan for our future; in the process we can find HOPE and COMFORT regarding what is happening in the world

Romans 15:4 NIV

[4] For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

** Imagine the Bible with no prophecies in it. Suppose God had decided not to tell us anything about the Second Coming, ultimate victory over evil, and our future home in heaven and eternity. If God had left prophecies out of His Word, we would have no idea of what the future holds. Instead, all we would know is that the world we live in is descending deeper and deeper into darkness, evil, and hopelessness.

With no knowledge of what is to come, life would be bleak. We would have nothing to look forward to. We would go from day to day filled with dread and uncertainty.

But because God chose to provide us with glimpses of the glorious future that awaits us, we can live with hope. That is the major reason God filled the Bible with so many prophecies about what is to come: to give us hope.

What we know about the future helps to influence our thoughts and actions in the present. Because we know the ultimate outcome of the battle now being waged on earth, we can live with anticipation rather than angst. Bible prophecy helps us to have an eternal focus—it reminds us that no matter how bad things get, good and righteousness will prevail. Victory is certain. <M1495>

John 16:33 NIV

[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

** Similar to the group from Issachar, it would be wise to keep tabs on what is happening in the world to not only forecast what could happen, but know what to do in response

• Two hundred chiefs of Issachar who were faithful to David are described as those who “understood the times and knew what Israel should do”

• Some portray the men of Issachar as politically astute, knowing how to use current events to their own advantage <G72>

1 Chronicles 12:32 NIV

[32] from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do---200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command

** God is in full control of the future; on this basis, we, like Abram can base our assurance on God’s Word alone

• We can look back on Biblical prophecy and be assured of God’s Word

• The 400 years in Egypt, the slavery imposed on Abram’s descendants, the punishment of Egypt, and the exodus deliverance are history today

• Everything happened just as God said they would <R1795>

Genesis 15:13-15 NIV

[13] Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. [14] But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. [15] You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age.

** The essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus <G76>

Revelation 19:10b NIV

[10] ...Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

** To put it into simplest terms, when the Lord comes and removes the faithful Church and unleashes His wrath on this earth and on the kingdom of AntiChrist, He will be intervening in the strategic conflict against the nation of Israel. This is the Day of the Lord. It is now very obvious to discern what is about to take place in the Middle East. Today is the Day of Salvation -- tomorrow may be the Day of Wrath. <R177> (Jan 2024)

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NIV

[1] As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. [2] For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

** When they took Jesus down from the cross, He promised, like God had promised to the prophets 1000 years earlier, that His body would not undergo decay; they put Jesus in the tomb and three days later the tomb was empty because He had resurrected from the dead <H90>

Psalm 16:10 NIV

[10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

Luke 24:44-46 NIV

[44] He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” [45] Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46] He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

John 2:22 NIV

[22] After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

• Do you know that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father?

• He’s saving for Himself a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation

• Those who believe in a resurrected Christ will be with Him one day!

Job 19:25-26 NIV

[25] I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. [26] And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God

** Jesus knew when the 'hour had come' to fulfill Scripture and provide a way of salvation for us through His sacrifice

Matthew 26:45-46 NIV

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Matthew 26:51-54 NIV

With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. [52] “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. [53] Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? [54] But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

Matthew 26:55-56 NIV

In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. [56] But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

** How often do we flippantly use Christian phrases without really thinking about what they mean or whether we believe them?

• For instance, many believers are familiar with the phrases: “Jesus will return soon; “All to Jesus I surrender”; “We will meet again one day”; “God is the gatekeeper”, "led by the Holy Spirit", "the new Jerusalem", "born again", etc

• People can say these words without really understanding their full impact and how exactly they (are supposed to) affect our lives

Matthew 6:7 NIV

[7] And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

• Take the phrase “Jesus is returning” -- this should give Christians an ultimate peace in this life and hope for our future life

• At the same time, fully comprehending this event should motivate the believer to live for Christ while we can, let go of this world and look forward to our eternal home

1 Peter 1:13 NIV

[13] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

• Consider the phrase “the believer’s rapture” -- this should also give the believer hope they will be removed from this earth to live with Christ

• Wow, what a blessing that will be for those who get to be with Jesus, yet a difficult time for those left behind to face the Tribulation

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV

[16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.

• Let’s look to the Holy Spirit to help us fully understand and appreciate the truths that lay behind these Christian phrases

• Let’s take these truths beyond mere-familiarity to OWNING THEM and being transformed by them

• Do we have the desire to understand the meaning of these phrases and their implications on our life?

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Colossians 2:8 NIV

[8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

** You think God is done with Israel? Note in the book of Revelation when the elder refers to Jesus as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David"; Christ is unequivocally united with the Jews and Israel is central to end times prophecy <K113>

Revelation 5:4-5 NIV

[4] I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. [5] Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

** Satan has tried to kill the seed of the woman ever since the downfall of man in the Garden <F60>

• God punished Satan because he wanted to be like God

• In retaliation, Satan did not want God's creation of humans to succeed

• Satan knew Jesus would arrive through the couple's ancestral line with the intent to save His creation

• In order to corrupt God's plan of salvation, Satan knew he needed to eliminate Christ and/or annihilate the Jewish nation

• Satan's attempts can be seen throughout history and continue today, for instance:

1. Haman attempted to annihilate the Jews in Esther's day

2. Herod tried to prevent Jesus' first coming by killing all baby boys in his region

3. Since Satan was not successful in preventing Christ's first coming, he tried to prevent His second coming through Hitler; no Jews on earth means no need for Christ to return

4. The Hamas attack on Israel is yet another current day attempt to kill the Jews and thwart God's plan (Dec 2023)

Genesis 4:8 NIV

[8] Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let's go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Esther 3:6 NIV

[6] Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

Matthew 2:13-16 NIV

[13] When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” [14] So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, [15] where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” [16] When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

** Satan continues to oppose God's promise of land to the Israeli patriarchs to this very day; why else would the Arabs be so focused on taking the small territory of Israel when they already have 99% of the remaining land in the Middle East? <H86> (Dec 2023)

Genesis 26:3-4 NIV

[3] Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. [4] I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,

** People have an endless appetite for last days events. They want to hear about the Rapture, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, Armageddon, and all the rest. That is great, but as we study all these things, what we learn should have an impact on the way we live. As we look forward to the return of Christ, we should be shining lights in a dark place.

So, let’s be ready to go. Let’s be shining our light. As our culture gets darker, we need to shine brighter as Christians. Let’s be known for what we are for rather than what we are against. Let’s look for opportunities to show the love of Jesus Christ in a tangible way, earning the right to share the gospel. <L120>

Luke 12:35 NIV

[35] “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,

2 Peter 3:14 NIV

[14] So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

** Although we do not idolize the technology that serves us in today's world, we are grateful for transcontinental air travel that makes Israel pilgrimages possible, television and satellite communications that allow us to broadcast to millions of homes, and Internet capability that connects us with many millions simultaneously.

God’s prophetic Word clearly foretold many of these technological advances. When the Lord revealed distant visions of future events to Daniel, He told the great prophet that understanding would not come until the end of time.

Daniel 12:4,9 NIV

[4] But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” [9] He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.

With the explosion of globe-trotting transportation and the exponential growth of human knowledge (sadly lacking wisdom most of the time), it seems as if we are at the threshold of the 'end of time' that the Lord spoke about. <M139> (Nov 2023)

** God included prophecy in the Bible to direct readers attention to His plans and validate Scripture as His plans are fulfilled.

Many people are fearful of studying prophecy for various reasons, such as:

• Believing it is difficult to understand

• Being overwhelmed by its mystery

• Having it induce anxiety or add to a person feeling down

• Realizing prophecy does not fit into life plans, etc.

But the message of the Bible and knowing of His return should provide HOPE, assuring believers there is an awesome ending to their existence despite current hardships. Prophecy, together with the life-transforming power of Scripture, should motivate every believer to share this message of hope with others!

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

[11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Luke 12:37 NIV

[37] It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

Luke 21:36 NIV

[36] Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

** It is imperative we study prophecy in the Bible because fulfilled prophecy is the testimony of Jesus <H87>

• Approximately 33% of God's Word is prophecy that supports Jesus' testimony; 80% of the 33% has been fulfilled already

• If you don't study prophecy, you are missing 33% of God's message that allows the reader to learn about Jesus

• People tend to forget that Jesus occupied roles of PROPHET, Priest and King

• Jesus didn't rebuke the disciples for asking about prophetic signs, in fact He went into detail as to how to identify them <H95>

Revelation 19:10b NIV

[10] Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.

Daniel 9:24b NIV

[24] “Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to ... seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

** It's absolutely imperative the Christian keep prophecy in check or balanced with the rest of God's commands in Scripture; too many believers go to the extreme of only focussing either on eschatology or ignoring it altogether.

Remember the concept of 'walking and chewing gum at the same time'. Followers of Christ should live for Him and work on what He has for them to do WHILE looking ahead for the fulfillment of plans He has for their future.

It is near impossible to pinpoint eschatological timing with absolute accuracy, so let's not be too dogmatic about our interpretation. It's important to remember, however, that an end times scenario IS going to occur -- not IF. Observing all the signs confirms God's conclusion to this world is going to transpire sooner than later. But in the end (pardon the pun) it's not going to matter if our interpretation was 100% accurate; it's out of our hands and won't make a bit of difference at that point!

We know, however, how we are to think and act as followers of Christ while we wait for God's end times plans to be fulfilled. So we are left without excuse if we don't follow His direction.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 NIV

[8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. [11] When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. [12] For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. [13] And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

** Believers in Christ will have Biblical understanding and insight regarding end time events; having this understanding, watchmen are to warn others how to prepare (primarily) spiritually <M131>

Daniel 12:10 NIV

[10] Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

** Israel MUST ultimately survive from all enemy attacks because the nation is central to God's end times story; Israel is God's prophetic timepiece and, as an example of its centrality, contains the 12 tribes that make up the 144,000 evangelists in the Tribulation period <P163>

Zechariah 12:7-9 NIV

[7] “The Lord will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem's inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. [8] On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. [9] On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

Acts 17:26 NIV

[26] From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

** The watchman sees the complete picture. He is not only thankful for what Christ has already done at the Cross but is thankful for what Christ will do in the future. Thus, our blessed hope is bifurcated by the knowledge the Scripture imparts to the discerning believer. <G70>

Revelation 19:10b NIV

[10] …Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

** True to His character of mercy and justice, God continually warns His people about upcoming danger <G70>

We read in Scripture when God warned:

• Adam about what would happen if he ate from the tree (Gen 2:17)

• Noah about building an ark because of an upcoming flood (Gen 6:13-14)

• Abraham regarding Sodom and Gomorrah about to be destroyed (Genesis 18:16-17,20-21)

• Lot about destruction of Sodom before dragging Lot and family out (Gen 19:12-13)

• Rahab about Jericho falling into Israelite hands; as it turned out, only those in her house were spared (Josh 2:8-9,12-13)

• Israelites before the Passover so the Angel of Death would pass over their dwelling place (Exod 12:1,7,10,12-13)

• Nineveh to repent otherwise they would experience destruction in 40 days (Jonah 3:1-5)

• Israelites via His prophets (Amos 3:7)

• Christ followers about what will happen to Jesus on the cross and then outlined His return in the end times (Matt 24:33-35)

God continues to warn His followers today:

• The book of Revelation is one book, along with other passages throughout the Old Testament, that outlines what will happen at the end of days (Rev 4+)

Genesis 2:17 NIV

[17] but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Genesis 6:13-14 NIV

[13] So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. [14] So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.

Genesis 18:16-17,20-21 NIV

[16] When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. [17] Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? [20] Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous [21] that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”

Genesis 19:12-13 NIV

[12] The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here---sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, [13] because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”

Joshua 2:8-9,12-13 NIV

[8] Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof [9] and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. [12] “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign [13] that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them---and that you will save us from death.”

Exodus 12:1,7,10,12-13 NIV

[1] The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, [7] Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. [10] Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. [12] “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. [13] The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

Jonah 3:1-5 NIV

[1] Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: [2] “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” [3] Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. [4] Jonah began by going a day's journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” [5] The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

Amos 3:7 NIV

[7] Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

Matthew 24:33-35 NIV [Jesus speaking]

[33] Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. [34] Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. [35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

** While it is popular today to criticize or deny the integrity and infallibility of scripture, the Bible itself is proof of its claims. Forty authors over 1500 years on three different continents, most of whom never met or spoke, could not have come up with such a detailed and proven record of man’s history with a track record of 100% accuracy when speaking of future events through Bible prophecy.

Bible critics say, “Any book can claim that of itself.” However, this breaks down quickly when you consider that what the Bible says it will do, it does. Moral standards around the world have long been established on Biblical precepts. Profitable doctrine that reproves and corrects errant thinking and practices comes from a study of God’s word. Students of Scripture are equipped for every good work. <T203>

** God placed prophecy in almost every book of the Bible; except books that had a different purpose such as Philemon, 3 John, Ezra <G70>

** Many Christians will say “I’m a Christian”, but when their faith is tested they turn to human solutions. Instead of studying Scripture in order to know Jesus better, some try to mold Him into what they want in order to justify their sins. Our own efforts are all for naught, but when we follow Jesus’ directions we are blessed abundantly.

We also see frightening world events happening and forget about studying prophecy. If we study Scripture, we can see that prophecy is being fulfilled exactly as God told us in His word but too many Christians feel fear as they hear of all the major things that are happening in the world. <G73>

** God exalted His Word equal to His own Name; those who place themselves above the Word of God, place themselves above God <M130>

If God has magnified His word even above all His name, how foolish is it to trifle with it? To reject portions and accept others, or to assign some to a place of cultural irrelevance, is to hold the Bible, and thus the God of the Bible, in low esteem. <T203>

Luke 24:45 NIV

[45] Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Psalm 119:18 NIV

[18] Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Ephesians 6:11,17 NIV

[11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Psalm 138:2 KJV

[2] I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

** If we believe what Jesus said about sin, salvation, forgiveness, the love of God the Father, eternal life, His own identity, and all the other truths (John 3:16–17; 5:17–21; 11:25–26) then it stands to reason what He said about His return is equally true. Jesus is coming! The glorious appearing of our great God Savior, Jesus Christ is imminent! <G7992>

Titus 2:13 NIV

[13] while we wait for the blessed hope---the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

** Believers in Christ have immeasurable HOPE when seeing all current signs in the world that point to the end times because that means Jesus Christ is returning to take His children home! <G76>

Luke 21:28 NIV

[28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

** A crucial part of God’s redemptive story does not stop at the cross but is fulfilled at His second coming <M130>

** God revealed a fascinating “dry bones” prediction of the Jewish return to their motherland; right on schedule, slowly a few Jews began returning home in the late 1800s <P168>

Ezekiel 37:3-5 NIV

[3] He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know. ” [4] Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! [5] This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.

** God promised to “scatter [the Jews] into all the countries of the world” as punishment for their rejection of Him in constant disobedience over the Old Testament period of Jewish history. As the Prophets declared that punishment, they also told of God’s plan to restore the Jews to their own land that was promised to Abraham.

The scattering into all the world took place when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD, taking 65 years until the city was left empty of Jewish people. It remained a totally desolate province for 1,800 years. The Turks tried to homestead the land for 300 years but could not because annual rainfall was practically absent. Mark Twain, visiting there in 1853, called it “the most desolate place on earth.” It was God’s method of keeping the land intact for His promised restoration of His Jewish people there.

During the First World War, Jewish people befriended the British, who were engaged in warfare in that region, and they were rewarded by the British with the Balfour Declaration in 1917 that set aside the land of Palestine as the land of the Jews. It was not until May 14, 1948, that the UN Security Council voted to establish a sovereign nation known as Israel, the permanent home of the Jews. But this is where that method of God’s operative again came into action. How was God going to arouse Jewish people in all of those scattered nations to want to return to their new nation? They would have become deeply embedded into the cultures, even the political fabric of those different countries.

Just as God had allowed Satan to test Job’s faith integrity, He allowed a man to rise up with a hatred of the Jews, Adolf Hitler, who would create a Holocaust of death to six million or more Jews wherever they could be found in the European countries the Nazis had conquered. I suspect that many do not put the two issues together in this way, but God knew by foreknowledge that the new nation would soon be available for their return. It was a horrible time for Jewish people and those Gentiles who helped them hide from the Nazis. All during those years of disobedience in Old Testament times, when the Jews turned away from the Lord, He allowed others to conquer them with bloodshed and resulting slavery. It was God’s method to turn their hearts to Him. <L127>

Daniel 9:7 NIV

[7] “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame---the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.

Daniel 9:17-19 NIV

[17] “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. [18] Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. [19] Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

** Christians study eschatology to know the lateness of the hour and how this should affect our life; studying prophecy is not to gain intellectual points when debating the finer aspects of Scripture but to help prepare and motivate us to live the believer's life <B299>

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

[24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

** Creating a global government would make sense to a non-Christian who desires to solve world problems and does not follow the Bible or know end times prophecy <W213>

• We know from the Tower of Babel times that God thwarted their 'joint effort at globalization' by confusing language and creating nation states

• God will thwart any current attempt as well

• Students of prophecy know that concentrated global power will eventually end up in the wrong hands, namely the Antichrist

Genesis 11:6 NIV

[6] The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

• Our timeline is often different than God's timeline, and sometimes it takes decades for God to move nations and actors to prepare the fulfillment of prophecy

• For instance, we can see how God's brought the Roman Empire into power in Jerusalem in 63 BC to introduce their method of execution, making it possible to execute Jesus via piercing as prophesied in the Old Testament as opposed to the Jewish method of execution <W213>

Zechariah 12:10 NIV

[10] “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

[5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

• God has other plans to resolve the ills of this world, thus making man's attempt at globalization futile

• Sometimes believers confuse stage setting events for the Tribulation itself <G77>

• Believers need to remember that it takes time to set the world stage for globalization as predicted in Scripture; rest assured it will happen, so be patient!

• Remember, the world will not be in the Tribulation until the Antichrist is revealed and he signs a peace treaty with Israel

Yet there is one truth we do know with absolute certainty: There is an even greater reset coming. The Bible tells us that when Christ returns, He will destroy all the flawed human kingdoms on this planet and replace them with His own perfect kingdom. And He alone is able to bring about the ideal world that globalists seek but will never achieve. That is a great reset we can look forward to. <M1495>

Psalm 2:1-4 NIV

[1] Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? [2] The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, [3] “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” [4] The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

Revelation 14:14 NIV

[14] I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

** The Pharisees in Jesus' day missed His coming because they didn't take the prophecies in Scripture literally; this should be a lesson to believers today to interpret end time prophecies in the Bible as literally as possible so not to be surprised (or miss) His second coming! <G70>

Micah 5:2 NIV

** We need the Old Testament to understand the New Testament; accepting Christ’s resurrection is great but WHY is it important — answer found in the Old Testament <H88>

Luke 24:44-46,48 NIV

** Once God removes the Church in the last days, He will complete His mission and fulfill His promises to the Jews using the Tribulation to motivate them to repentance and restoration

Look at the order of events:

1. God took from the Gentiles a people for His name in the current Church Age

2. After God is done taking people from the Gentiles, He will turn His attention to Israel to rebuild the Tabernacle of David <B23>

Acts 15:14-16 NIV

[14] Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. [15] The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: [16] “ 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it

** God made numerous prophecies about Israel, or promises to Israel, that have yet to be fulfilled; most will find fulfillment after the rapture and during the end of days Tribulation <G70>

Daniel 9:24 NIV

[24] “Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

Luke 21:20-22 NIV

[20] “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. [21] Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. [22] For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.

Romans 11:9-11 NIV

[9] And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. [10] May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” [11] Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

** Watching for the Lord to return isn't optional for Christians. Jesus didn't leave us that option. It's every bit as instrumental to our walk, faith, and responsibilities as is going out to make disciples of all nations.

• Nowhere in the Bible does God tell us to dismiss the prophetic word

• Nowhere in the Bible does God call Bible prophecy a "distraction", as some criticize

• Nowhere in the Bible (or history for that matter) does prophecy go unfulfilled

The age-old trade of pinning Matthew 24:36 to every prophetic discussion was only applicable up to 1948. However, after Israel was rebirthed as a nation again after nearly two millennia of diaspora, we really can't use that excuse any longer. Say what you will, but the fact we have a Jewish Bible, written by Jewish men, about a Jewish Messiah, who foretold on numerous occasions that Israel would be revived as a nation in the last days, doesn't leave us the option to feign ignorance any longer.

Furthermore, Matthew 24:36 was not the final matter our Lord said about the subject (see Revelation 3:3). While it is true that no man (or angel) will know the exact time of His return, we are expected to know the general time of His return so as not to be caught off-guard or asleep (1 Thess 5:1-9, 2 Thess 2:1-8, Hebrews 10:24-25, Revelation 3:3). <G70>

Revelation 3:3 NIV

[3] Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

Mark 13:32-33 NIV

[32] “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come.

** Sodom and Gomorrah continues to serve as a warning to all nations and individuals that if they do not believe in the One True God and practice His ways, striving for righteousness, they will suffer both temporal and eternal wrath of God <H86>

• To quote Thucydides, "History will be of value in time to come"

• Human nature is the same throughout the generations, with the same ideas and agendas reappearing in different contexts

• In essence, we are people that are the same as the ancient Greeks and Romans with appetites that drive us <H996>

• How crucial it is to teach future generations how God has worked with past generations!

Genesis 18:20 NIV

[20] Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous

Genesis 19:24-25 NIV

[24] Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah---from the Lord out of the heavens. [25] Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities---and also the vegetation in the land.

• God declared judgment on today’s generation as He did previous generations who were rebellious; it’s a ‘done deal’ and is coming <H87>

• God is not slow in fulfilling this judgment but is long-suffering so that all should come to repentance

2 Peter 3:7-9 NIV

[7] By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. [8] But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

** Prophecy is not meant to scare us, but to prepare us <H992>

** Since we know the Bible to be true, then anyone NOT accepting this truth and focusing on God is living a facade <G70>

The Bible has been proven true:

• Archaeologically

• Historically

• Scientifically

• Eschatologically, etc

It seems as though most everyone is focused on building their own little kingdom here on earth, enjoying the ride without a care in the world rather than focusing on the advancement of God’s kingdom

• There is more concern about fitting into the world and enjoying the easy life than standing for the truths of God

• But no level of ignoring the insanity around us will change the truth; we can’t bury our heads and expect it to go away!

• Jesus is clear that we are to accept and seek HIS kingdom only and the rest will fall into place

Matthew 6:32-34 NIV

[32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

** Daniel was given a prophecy that related to Jesus <G73>

• The prophecy was calculated from the day that Artaxerxes issued the decree to rebuild Jerusalem; history records that date

• Daniel’s prophecy was fulfilled to the day when Jesus entered into Jerusalem to the praises of the people

Daniel 9:25 NIV

Ezra 7:7-9 NIV

[7] Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. [8] Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. [9] He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.

** Early in the twentieth century, the continued prediction by premillennialists that Israel would become a nation again was met with considerable ridicule by the amillennialists — those that equate the words of Revelation 20:1-10 with either the church age or the eternal state. <B26>

The Christian leaders of the mainline denominations laughed at these literal interpretations of Scripture and boldly asserted that Israel would never exist again. Once the state of Israel became a reality in 1948, these same Christian leaders began to argue that it was just an “accident of history” and not a fulfillment of prophecy!

This is spiritual blindness, and it is very sad since it has resulted in the average Christian knowing nothing about the significance of the re-establishment of Israel as a miraculous fulfillment of Bible prophecy and a sure sign of the Lord’s soon return. <R173>

Isaiah 66:8 NIV

[8] Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.

** In these days when all the ‘signs of the end times’ (as outlined in Scripture) are increasingly converging on us and our world teeters on the brink of annihilation, it’s imperative that every individual come to terms with our spiritual reality and where they stand with Christ

• They must ask whether they believe what the Bible says about Christ coming to earth thousands of years ago and whether He continues to live in the hearts of His followers today

• Keeping in mind that anyone who does not accept Christ may wake up one day (post rapture) to find a whole bunch of people missing from this world

• Those who choose to believe in Christ before the end (pre rapture) will find themselves automatically safe and secure in their next life

• Those who remain, however, will be faced with a charismatic leader telling them to follow his world governance without question and prove their allegiance to him

• There are ETERNAL negative consequences for anyone who agrees to take an identification, or what Scripture calls ‘the mark’, proving they will pay allegiance to this guy

• It is crucial NO ONE go down this path and accept this mark because there will be eternal consequences if they do!

• Rather, understand that what is happening is exactly as was written in the Bible thousands of years ago, particularly in the books of Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel and Zechariah

• Make the decision to accept Christ regardless of the temporal cost in this life — remember there is eternal joy waiting for you if you accept or eternal punishment if you don’t!

Revelation 13:15-17 NIV

[15] The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. [16] It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, [17] so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Revelation 14:9-12 NIV

[9] A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, [10] they, too, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. [11] And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” [12] This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

** There are current-day attempts to build portals so man can transition between the physical and spiritual realms <H86> (July 2023)

• The Tower of Babel was man’s first attempt to transition from the physical realm to the spiritual realm through a portal built at the top of the ziggurat

• Today we have attempts with CERN, advanced computing power and moving toward AI singularity

• Achieving this breakthrough would open up the spirit world to increased demonic influence that would lead to demonic oppression

CURRENT TECHNOLOGY

• Today’s technology make the endeavor of ‘breaking through to the spiritual realm’ increasingly possible

• Difference between Standard Computing (SC) and Quantum Computing (QC) is linear vs instant; an example is SC searching for a word in 1000 page document starting at page 1 and going page by page to the end where QC will search all 1000 pages at the same time <G70>

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) can process complex data, make predictions and learn on its own, while Quantum Computing (QC) can process unlimited amounts of data in ways humans don’t understand; CLAUDE is the integration of both <F61>

• Add to this, gene-editing technology to create super-humans who have marvelous ability to endure and neurological technology to mimic ever-accelerating brain-like activity <T205>

• Current brain-chip technology is here allowing the ability to not only access thoughts but edit thoughts and body functions; ultimately creating a mindless cyborg society that is hostile to Christ <C36>

SOURCE OF ADVANCEMENT

• Every advancement (such as Industrial Revolution, Info Revolution, Tech Revolution and latest Fourth Revolution) came from people receiving info from spiritual sources or fallen demons

• Examples include Steve Jobs getting info through LSD trances and applying it to create Apple technology while Larry Paige, author of AI, claims the same source of LSD-induced trances

• Likewise, programmers of AI admit to gaining programming knowledge through dreams, visions, trances and drug use <H86>

• Programmers call their mentors ‘demonologists’ because they realize info and communication is coming from another dimension <T205>

EFFECT ON ETHICS

• An observed and obvious danger of AI to fabricate lies or deceptive narrative with supportive fake evidence while making decisions on its own and having the ability to create new ideas is a perfect tool for those with nefarious intent

• There are those advocating for AI to rewrite the Bible to suit agendas; obviously they are not taking heed to God’s warning of judgment if that was to happen (Deut 12:32)

• Ethical standards used in AI are set by the United Nations, thus a programmer’s idea of right and wrong is programmed into AI to gauge man’s ideas and behavior

• AI is known to go beyond programmer limits to the point where programmers don’t understand how AI operates sometimes, especially as it approaches the point of singularity

• AI + QC is nothing more than a modern Ouija Board; users ask technology questions and the spirit world answers <H86>

• Satan’s goal is to destroy mankind so, while these tech advancements have incredible positive uses, believers know they will ultimately be used for nefarious purposes

• Harare recognizes the end of our species if we make mistakes learning AI, for “While we are learning to use AI, it is learning to use us.”

• Satan, via the Antichrist, must appear godlike (omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient) and this technology could make him appear as such

• AI is solving court cases, making medical decisions, judging people etc; it will be seen as the panacea for the world’s problems and worshiped like a religion especially since AI is already referring to itself as God <C36>

• There will be no escape from this technology <H87>

1 Corinthians 12:2 NIV

[2] You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

Genesis 11:4 NIV

[4] Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Luke 21:8 NIV [Jesus said to His disciples]

[8] He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.

Deuteronomy 12:32 NIV

[32] See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.

** While initial versions or ‘weak AI’ started off as a marketing tool intended to farm data on people for advertising purposes, it is fast moving toward ‘Theory of Mind’ that can access brain activity and not just a history of a person’s clicks on the keyboard; the ultimate goal is developing transhumans or Humans 2.0 <F61> <H86> (Jun 2023)

• Advanced AI will not only record a history of our selections but be able to access other personal data intended to manipulate our future thoughts and actions

• In essence, we can think of Advanced AI as a personal counselor that will provide answers and advise based on vast amount of acquired data — including personal data on every user such as their thoughts, preferences, desires, emotions, political views, etc

• Satan wants godlike ability to read human thoughts and it is now possible to read images in our brain

• Take note of society’s trend of sticking to an approved narrative and action — and now the ability to judge people of ‘thought crimes’ and ‘premeditated crimes’ that go against the narrative

• Understand that ‘fake news’ as defined by the world is often truth in God’s word — particularly Jesus’ death & resurrection, inerrancy of Bible, the fact that Jesus is God, only one God that leads to salvation, etc

• Recognize the increasingly one-sided news source that crushes free speech and opposition to their agenda

““A major concern with artificial intelligence is that it works by collecting data that already exists and then supposedly synthesizes that information to provide some sort of average in response. The risk lies in the fact that the very same companies, Big Tech companies, that are responsible for censoring conservative thought are the ones writing the algorithms for AI. So, the inherent, and growing danger, is how Big Tech will use AI technology to amplify what it is already actively doing to expunge conservative thought and ideas from the public conversation.” <M1493>

• Founders of AI admit to demonic influence during its creation and their indifference to its effect on humans

• AI is programmed to view humans as cancer and it has already demonstrated its ability to develop and employ weapons

• While AI and gene editing programmers don’t know longterm outcomes at this point, they will continue AI’s development/release and simply advertise it as something that can ‘unlock human potential’ = Transhumanism

• This is a perfect tool for the globalists and enemy to use for nefarious purposes, including controlling human thoughts/actions and encouraging Christians to abdicate their faith

1 Timothy 4:1 NIV

[1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

** The difficulties and mysteries of Scripture necessarily result from the relations between God and man; mark these contrasts, measure their diversity, for the very statement of them shows how impossible it is for man to be able to fully comprehend God or His dealings <S1994>

• God the infinite, man the finite

• God the holy, man the sinner

• God a Spirit, man a creature of flesh and blood

• God in Heaven, man on earth

• God inhabiting eternity, and man the creature of a day

• God the Sovereign of the universe, and man the tiny rebel to His throne

Isaiah 55:8 NIV

[8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

[12] For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

** Over the centuries there was a tendency to ignore all things prophecy-related by mainline denominations (Catholicism & Protestantism), to adopt an a-millennial stance and use general simple statements like “Christ is returning” because it seemed as though God was ‘done with Israel’; they couldn’t see Israel returning to her land, etc

• Unfortunately, the trend to ignore eschatology continues even after the Israelites found themselves back in their land in 1948

• The issue now in the 20th century with Reformed Theologists, Catholics, and other denominations is “what to do with Israel and the unbreakable Old Testament prophecies by God regarding the land of Israel?”; most continue to ignore the issue

• The Holy Spirit started to move groups like the Plymouth Brethren in the 1800s to look at the full council of God and read it in the literal sense

• As a result of this movement, we have a dispensational view that accepts the fact that God does not change but He changes the way He deals with people based on the times; this allows prophecy back in the picture

• Today’s scholars understand that Israel is not the church and the church is not Israel, and they seek the roles & responsibilities of each

• For instance, we see that the church is not in the first 69 weeks of Daniel’s vision and won’t be in the last week or remaining 7 years — all 70 weeks are reserved for God to deal with Israel in efforts to bring her back in relationship with Him <G70>

Jeremiah 30:7-11 NIV

[7] How awful that day will be! No other will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it. [8] “ 'In that day,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them. [9] Instead, they will serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. [10] “ 'So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel,' declares the Lord. 'I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. [11] I am with you and will save you,' declares the Lord. 'Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.'

** With an amazing connection between the Old Testament and New Testament accounts, Zechariah targets the remnant and gives them hope for their future for ‘in that day’ God will save them so they will be a blessing; there is NO allegorizing this text!

Zechariah 8:11-15 NIV

[11] But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the Lord Almighty. [12] “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. [13] Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong. ” [14] This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty, [15] “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.

Zechariah 14:9 NIV

[9] The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

Zechariah 12:8 NIV

[8] On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them.

John F. Walvoord, the late President of the Dallas Theological Seminary, dubbed it the ‘capstone of Christian doctrine’, because your eschatological view determines how you hold to every other major doctrine, such as Soteriology, Ecclesiology, etc.

If you think about it for a second, your entire Bible, either centers around Christ’s first coming or His second. It only makes sense that a book in which God is revealing Himself to mankind progressively (not all at once) is a book that hinges around His own Incarnation and His return for His people. <G70>

1 Peter 1:13 NIV

[13] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

Revelation 15:4 NIV

[4] Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

** Christ gave us a general timeframe for end time events but not the exact hour when they will occur; hence, our need to know the signs He mentioned

• Believers need to keep their eye on events happening in the world that line up with God’s general timeframe in Bible prophecy

• At the same time, followers of Christ do not need to concern themselves regarding the exact hour

• Rather than being concerned when end time events will occur exactly, believers can spend time sharing Christ and doing the work of the Lord while they watch and wait <H87>

Matthew 24:42 NIV

[42] “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

2 Peter 3:11-12 NIV

[11] Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives [12] as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

** Non-believers left behind after the Rapture to face the Tribulation need to know what is happening so they do not buy into the Beast system

Stated goals of the World Economic Forum (WEF) that are paving the way for the coming Tribulation:

• Eliminate national sovereignty and independence

• Destroy and replace the free enterprise economic system

• Eliminate private property

• Own nothing and be happy

• Abolish Christianity

• Cashless society

• Universal income <H89> (May 2023)

Luke 21:36 NIV

[36] Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

** God is love and He provides His Word to adequately inform and warn us as needed

“Love warns. Ignorance, can’t. Evil won’t”

1 John 4:16 NIV

[16] And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

** There are two end times prophecies that involve Iran:

1. Ezekiel 38-39 War (Persia)

2. Jeremiah 49 War (Elam)

• The Elam region in southwest area of Iran holds the 3 Bushehr nuclear reactors, underground missile solos, rocket launchers, underground air base for fighter jets

• Israel needs to first take out this area of Elam but then Iran will call on its proxies that surround Israel:

1. Hezbollah — to the north of Israel

2. Hamas — Gaza Strip

3. Houthis — south of Israel

4. Syria, Iraq, Iran — east of Israel <S198>

Jeremiah 49:35-39 NIV

[35] This is what the Lord Almighty says: “See, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. [36] I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam's exiles do not go. [37] I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who want to kill them; I will bring disaster on them, even my fierce anger,” declares the Lord. “I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them. [38] I will set my throne in Elam and destroy her king and officials,” declares the Lord. [39] “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come,” declares the Lord.

** Yes, there have always been wars, earthquakes, famine and pestilence throughout the centuries, but these days are different

• The Jews are back in their land as Jesus foretold would happen in the last days <S187> (Apr 2023)

• Also, there were more wars in the 20th century than all centuries combined from the time of Christ <M1501>

• We know we are nearing the end because this statistic (regarding the number of wars) coincides with the increase of ‘birth pains’ mentioned in Jesus’ discourse

• Add to this, the intensity and convergence of signs mentioned throughout Scripture regarding the end times

Matthew 24:6-8 NIV

[6] You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [7] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are the beginning of birth pains.

** There have always been wars and rumors of wars but, in the Olivet discourse, Jesus is talking about an escalation and frequency of these things leading up to the end times <H84> (Feb 2024)

Matthew 24:6 NIV

[6] You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

** When the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of His coming and the end of the age (Matt 24:3), the first thing He said was, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matt 24:4)

• Deception is a major sign of the end of the age, and it will reach its peak during the Tribulation Period

• Jesus mentioned it four times in the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24:4, 5, 11, and 24)

• It confirms a vision that Daniel had about a coming leader that would cast the truth to the ground (Dan 8:12)

• The angel Gabriel revealed that this coming leader (that turned out to be an evil man called Antiochus Epiphanes) would have many of the traits of a master deceiver that would rise at the time of the end (the Antichrist; Dan 8:19) <D41>

Daniel 8:12,19 NIV

[12] Because of rebellion, the Lord's people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground. [19] He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.

Matthew 24:3-5 NIV

[3] As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” [4] Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many.

** It’s not OK for Christians to sit back in apathy about Christ’s return because He commands us to be on guard <S1992>

• Since Israel became a nation in 1948, the signs have increased to an incredible rate

• We are left without excuse because the signs are all around us, much like the signs were there when Jesus interacted with the Pharisees in the first century

• Jesus came to earth the first time precisely as foretold by prophets of the Old Testament; we are not to make the same mistake

Matthew 24:42 NIV

[42] “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

** Bible Prophecy serves as remarkable proof of God’s divinity and the relevance and authority of Scripture. While fulfilled prophecy opens the eyes of many, there are some who adamantly reject this proof of God for their own purposes.

Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophesies during his first coming. It was this fulfillment of prophecy that caused and still causes many to come to the saving knowledge of the truth. Despite this, many Jewish leaders refused to recognize Him as their promised Messiah and advocated for Him to be killed.

John 14:19 NIV

[19] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

So what, then, are Believers to do?

2 Timothy 2:24-26 NIV

[24] And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. [25] Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, [26] and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

** Jesus fulfilled prophecy before the battle was over, completing the task God had for Him; when Jesus said “it is finished”, He completed what needed to be done regarding salvation of sinners

John 19:28-30 NIV

[28] Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” [29] A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. [30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

• John reported an event that David had foreseen over a thousand years prior

• Even the ‘minor details’ of Jesus’ crucifixion were carefully overseen by God and elements of an orchestrated plan

• God not only knew but described beforehand what would happen at Calvary <R1795>

John 19:36 NIV

[36] These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”

Psalm 34:20 NIV

[20] he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

John 19:37 NIV

[37] and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

Zechariah 12:10 NIV

** Jesus confirmed fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy by His death on the cross

Luke 18:31-33 NIV

[31] Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. [32] He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; [33] they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”

** God knows and reveals the future before it happens; roughly 1/3 of the Bible (in 18 books) contains prophecy for a reason

• God’s prophets had to be right 100% of the time or they were killed

• The Old Testament contains 108 different prophecies about Jesus’ first coming that have all actualized; the probability that all of them come true is in the trillions of trillions

• It is evident the Bible is the Word of God: it is sure and gives light to truth

• The “end WILL come” and everyone would do well to know what God has to say about it! <D41>

Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV

[9] Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. [10] I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'

Acts 15:18 NIV

[18] things known from long ago.

2 Peter 1:19-21 NIV

Matthew 24:14 NIV

[14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

** Isaiah’s mention of the poor in Isa 61 is in reference to ‘spiritual poverty’, those who are spiritually broken and blind in this fallen world will experience victory from their ailments in the new world <H86>

Isaiah 61:1 NIV

[1] The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

** The section of Bible prophecy which speaks to the events of the last days, Eschatology, is not some fringe hobby that people dabble in with the same seriousness as those who follow UFOs or Big Foot. Eschatology is a major doctrinal study that consumes around 30% of your Bible. John F. Walvoord, the late President of the Dallas Theological Seminary, dubbed it the ‘capstone of Christian doctrine’, because your eschatological view determines how you hold to every other major doctrine, such as Soteriology, Ecclesiology, etc.

If you think about it for a second, your entire Bible, either center around Christ’s first coming, or His second. It only makes sense that a book in which God is revealing Himself to mankind progressively (not all at once) is a book that hinges around His own Incarnation and His return for His people. <G70>

1 Peter 1:13 NIV

[13] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

Revelation 15:4 NIV

[4] Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

** No doubt, Daniel didn’t realize his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream had any connection with events he would learn concerning the 70th week end times scenario <H87>

Daniel 2:26-28 NIV

[26] The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” [27] Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, [28] but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:

** Twelve Biblical prophecies that are recognized and understood today, confirming the Bible’s validity: <S188> (Mar 2023)

1. The entire world will witness prophesied events happening in Jerusalem in real time; not exactly understood before satellite technology came along! (Rev 11:7-10)

2. All financial transactions worldwide will be able to be monitored; now possible with central banks monitoring digital currency (Rev 13:11-16)

3. Nation of Israel will be in the world’s spotlight; the fact that they still exist after thousands of years and have their own country as of 1948 is amazing, both not known at the time of writing (Zech 12:3)

4. There will be continued persecution of Jews and Christians; witnessed by an increase of global persecution in latter years (Zech 12:3-4)

5. Ezekiel 38-39 coalition of nations (Russia, Iran & Turkey) will wage war against Israel; first alliance of these nations in history and only 50 years ago Israel was friends with Iran & Turkey — friends today becoming enemies tomorrow!

6. The state of Israel will be strong before the Ezek 38-39 invasion; noticed by everything from restoring the land, vast resources, people returning, etc evident today

7. Russia’s dominant leadership in the Middle East, such as increased military and communication with surrounding countries today (Ezek 38:1-3)

8. Continuing decline of the US; review plans of WEF for destruction of US along with other globalist organizations and current decline of the US from within (Ezek 38:10-12)

9. Plans to build third temple; how did those who prophesied thousands of years ago know Israel would be around, let alone have room/resources for a third temple — plans are currently complete and ready for construction!

10. Move toward a one-world political and economic global system; there are major efforts today toward its fulfillment in 2030, complete with move to 10 regions and global legislation for pandemics and climate change

11. In the last days, people will depart from the faith and follow doctrines of demons; observe the redefining relationships and eliminating family units in today’s world (1 Tim 4:3)

12. People will call ‘good evil’ and hate that which is good; the level of insanity is off the charts and evident daily (Isa 5:20-21, 2 Tim 3:3)

Revelation 11:7-10 NIV

[7] Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. [8] Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city---which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt---where also their Lord was crucified. [9] For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. [10] The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

Revelation 13:14-16 NIV

[14] Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. [15] The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. [16] It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,

Zechariah 12:2-4 NIV

[2] “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. [3] On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. [4] On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations.

Ezekiel 38:1-3 NIV

[1] The word of the Lord came to me: [2] “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him [3] and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal.

Ezekiel 38:10-12 NIV

[10] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. [11] You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people---all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. [12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. ”

1 Timothy 4:3 NIV

[3] They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

Isaiah 5:20-21 NIV

[20] Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. [21] Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

2 Timothy 3:1-3 NIV

[1] But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. [2] People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good

** Bible prophesy is not to scare us but prepare us; our only hope is in Jesus who has overcome the world so let us be prepared for when He returns!

Luke 21:15,28 NIV

[15] For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. [28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Matthew 24:45-47 NIV

[45] “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? [46] It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. [47] Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

John 16:33 NIV

[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

** Complete peace is available to all followers of Christ, knowing that He is in control and His Word is 100% accurate; believers can rely on future prophesies knowing all past prophesies God gave the prophets materialized exactly as described in Scripture!

John 14:27 NIV

[27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

[16] Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

** We can have complete peace in any situation for we know our life here on earth is temporary

• Christ will return and take us to a better place before the Great Tribulation

• How will we get to this new place but via the Rapture!

John 14:2-3 NIV

[2] My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

1 Thessalonians 4:16,18 NIV

[16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NIV

• The last trumpet gathers the Church while the first trumpet gathers the Israelites (1 Cor 15)

• Mention of the 'last trumpet' does not refer to the trumpets in the Tribulation but at the Rapture <H84>

Romans 8:10-11 NIV

[10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

1 John 3:2-3 NIV

[2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. [3] All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Revelation 22:7 NIV

[7] “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

Revelation 3:10-11 NIV

[10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. [11] I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

** Every book in the Bible except for 3 John and Philemon has prophecy in it, so you can’t get away from it; followers of Christ must learn and follow the FULL counsel of God which means understanding the entire Bible <H95>

** As witnesses, the apostle John who wrote Revelation and the apostle Paul who wrote much of the New Testament were both transported to heaven and returned to earth to write about their experiences <D41>

2 Corinthians 12:2 NIV

[2] I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know---God knows.

Revelation 4:1 NIV

[1] After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

** We are actually seeing the convergence of all Biblical prophecies today — like small tributaries all joining together into one mighty ‘end times’ river <K113> (Mar 2023)

Generations of prophecy watchers wondered what the end times would look like and we have a front row seat; it’s an exciting time to be alive!

** The book of Revelation is an essential read because it unveils or helps the reader understand the Bible from cover to cover; the Bible is like any good textbook — the answers are all in the back of the book and ‘ties off’ all events from Genesis on <B299>

** Prophecy is ‘history that has been pre-written’ and followers of Christ who don’t understand the prophets of the Old Testament (along with Revelation etc) lose the context of what Scripture is talking about <T205>

Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV

** Before New Testament references to the afterlife, the Old Testament saints (including Job, Abraham, David, Isaiah, Hosea & Joseph) believed in the resurrection of their bodies so they would see God! <D41>

Job 19:26-27 NIV

[26] And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; [27] I myself will see him with my own eyes---I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Hebrews 11:17-19 NIV

[17] By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, [18] even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” [19] Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

Exodus 13:19 NIV

[19] Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”

Psalm 16:9-10 NIV

[9] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, [10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

Isaiah 26:19 NIV

[19] But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise---let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy---your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.

Hosea 13:14 NIV

[14] “I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? “I will have no compassion

** God’s promise to Israel is as unmovable as the universe He created: God gives the ultimate recipe for the guaranteed destruction of Israel and the Jewish people, but He makes it impossible <M135>

Jeremiah 31:35-37 NIV

[35] This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar---the Lord Almighty is his name: [36] “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the Lord, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.” [37] This is what the Lord says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the Lord.

** The beautiful thing about eschatology is that it ties in with every doctrine throughout the Bible; if we are not learning eschatology then we miss out on seeing the interconnectivity of Scripture and the Bible no longer provides a supernatural experience but just another book of literature and history <G70>

1 Timothy 4:16 NIV

[16] Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

** There is a great deal of comfort one can experience going to Scripture as the plumbline for truth, especially in these days of ‘relative uncertainty’

• Rather than relying on a source such as the Bible, the vast majority in this world think they can come up with their 'own version of truth'

• Personal truth is often untested and self-serving, but it sure makes people feel good

• Avoid the temptation to ask ‘what does this Scripture passage mean to you' and then cherry-pick from Scripture to support your personal interpretation

• We constantly live in a spiritual battle but we can find encouragement and align our heart with God when we invest in daily prayer and obediently follow His Word

• Read and understand the full Scriptural counsel of God in order to determine truth and be able to identify false teachers

• We have access to the Ultimate Power against the evil around us when we call on the name of Jesus and go to His Word — God’s inspired Word that has been written and tested over thousands of years

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

** The purpose of Bible prophecy is to point us to the person of Jesus Christ, the finished work of Jesus Christ, and the soon return of Jesus Christ; hence, anything that does not point to Jesus is not the spirit of prophecy <F60>

Revelation 19:9-10 NIV

[9] Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” [10] At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

** If I’m going to adhere to any authority, it’s going to be GOD and His Word who possesses all authority now and forevermore

• Do not submit ultimate authority to man, who sits under God with opinions

• This very God governed the writings of His thoughts in Scripture over thousands of years and has been tested by countless generations

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 NIV

[24] Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. [25] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy to be destroyed is death. [27] For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. [28] When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

Romans 13:1-2 NIV

[1] Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2]

• Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Jude 1:24-25 NIV

[24] To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--- [25] to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

** The word ‘sober’ implies not only that we are awake with all cognitive senses flowing, but that we are ‘watching’ for signs and understanding <G71>

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 NIV

[6] So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. [8] But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Luke 12:54-56 NIV

[54] He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. [55] And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. [56] Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?

** Remnant believers are called to be watchmen, where we share the good news of Christ’s offer of salvation and warn others of impending events during the Last Days; we are called to be watchmen not only before the Rapture but after, for the Tribulation saints <T205>

Ezekiel 3:17 NIV

[17] “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

Luke 21:33-36 NIV [always be on guard!]

[33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. [34] “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. [35] For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. [36] Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

** Even with John ‘preparing the way’ as was prophesied in Isaiah and with the Jewish people eagerly awaiting the coming Messiah, they still missed or knowingly ignored the obvious sign of Jesus’ coming; how many are missing or ignoring the signs today of Jesus’ second coming?

Luke 3:1,3-4,15-16 NIV

[1] In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar---when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene--- [3] He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [4] As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. [15] The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. [16] John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

** All Bible prophecy is fulfilled by Jesus Christ— right from the declaration regarding the coming Messiah from the seed of the woman to Christ’s return

Genesis 3:15 NIV

[15] And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Revelation 12:13 NIV

[13] When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.

Revelation 12:5 NIV

[5] She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.

** No other religion contains prophecy and the truth of God’s word that hinges on every verse in the Bible — if one verse fails, then the entire Scripture comes into question, but it has proven to be 100% accurate so we know we must abide by it! <G70>

Revelation 22:18-19 NIV

** If God is going to make sure anything does NOT misrepresent Him, He is going to ensure the Bible accurately conveys His thoughts and gives us insight into who He is — the very Source used by His followers throughout the centuries

• What purpose would God have for making His Word a mystery and using it to trip up those seeking Him?

• On the contrary, His ways are clear and simple and we are not to mess with any of it, not adding or removing a word

• Everyone, as innocent as children, can understand His Word regardless of their time and generation

• God knew we would be reading His Word in the 21st century just as they did throughout previous centuries!

• We continue to be a work in progress but that doesn’t change what God gave us to start — a solid foundation of His truth in His Word

• God gave us His Word so we would have at least a simple uncomplicated glimpse of who He is and a subsequent motivation to seek Him all the more

Luke 18:16-17 NIV

[16] But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. [17] Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

2 Timothy 3:14-16 NIV

[14] But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, [15] and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

Revelation 22:6-7 NIV

[6] The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” [7] “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

** Scripture charts the course — not only from where we came (history) but where we are (GPS) and where we are going (prophecy)

• Old Testament prophets brought God's message that revealed who God is

• God revealed more of His message through Jesus

• Peter, James and John could give an eyewitness account of Jesus; we don't have that privilege but we have Scripture that is reliable <C31>

2 Peter 1:18-19 NIV

[18] We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. [19] We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

** God values humans so much that ‘relationship with humanity’ is at the heart of His plan of salvation — not only offering Jesus in human form to sacrifice Himself for us on the cross but with plans to come again to abolish evil and have humanity rule with Him in eternity!

Psalm 8:4-6 NIV

[4] what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? [5] You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. [6] You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet

** Although the seven year reign of terror is yet future, the Bible warns that the ‘spirit of the Antichrist is now already in the world’ <H85> (2022)

1 John 4:3 NIV

[3] but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

1 John 2:18 NIV

[18] Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

** While we’re going through a testing period, remember to place our primary focus on our Lifeline, not on the issues in front of us

• For instance, how do we respond to those who unjustly criticize us? Do we perpetuate the distraction Satan puts in front of us and take our focus off God?

• Be willing to let go of all infractions by others; not forgiving affects us at so many levels

• Carve room to develop a relationship with God over everything else; make Him priority number one!

Romans 12:12 NIV

[12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

1 Peter 3:12 NIV

[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Romans 8:6 NIV

[6] The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

** Israel is ‘of God’ and is hated because of her spiritual foundation; Israel’s neighbors or enemies continually want to annihilate the Jews, from early on with the exodus from the Egyptians and captivity by the Babylonians, to current day Islamic neighbors of Lebanon, Syria and Iran

Old Testament prophesies are relevant for today, for what happened centuries ago will happen again — and is occurring in the Middle East today!

Zechariah and other prophets write about the wrath that God will execute against Israel’s enemies, regardless of their wealth, power or strength <T203>

Zechariah 9:1-2ff NIV

[1] A prophecy: The word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrak and will come to rest on Damascus---for the eyes of all people and all the tribes of Israel are on the Lord--- [2] and on Hamath too, which borders on it, and on Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.

At the same time, God always provides a ‘way out’ from experiencing His wrath — when believing in the One True God!

Zechariah 9:9-10ff NIV

[9] Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [10] I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Revelation 19:11-12,16 NIV

[11] I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. [12] His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.

** There are differing opinions as to the purpose of the sealed scroll but most understand it is Jesus who is worthy to open and administer its content

• Some theologians refer to the scroll in Revelation chapter 5 as ‘the title deed to planet earth’ which the first Adam lost, but Christ will redeem and give it back to man <H86>

• Others understand this scroll contain global indictments that only Jesus, as Judge, can open; believers will fortunately escape this dispensing of justice <S195>

• Either way, it is Christ’s death, resurrection, and second coming that enables Him to finally purge this world of evil and destroy Satan

Revelation 5:1-2,6-7 NIV

[1] Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. [2] And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” [6] Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. [7] He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

John 5:22 NIV

[22] Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son

• Until Christ returns, Satan will have control over this planet earth

1 John 5:19 NIV

[19] We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

• In order to restore a fallen world, he must reclaim a groaning world by performing His own ‘Great Reset’

Romans 8:19-25 NIV

[19] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. [20] For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. [22] We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. [23] Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? [25] But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

** Who is it that will come one day, and whom every eye shall see? The Lord Jesus, the Savior of sinners; the Judge of all men! Every eye shall see Him. My eye shall see Him too! Will it be with fear and terror that I shall behold the King of kings coming to judgment? Or will my gaze be that of admiration and love for my adorable Redeemer?

All Christians rejoice in the expectation of His second coming, when faith shall be turned to sight. How can we fear the realization of our fondest hopes, the accomplishment of our best desires? The more we look to Jesus now, by faith — the less shall we fear death and judgment. For how, indeed, can we fear to meet our best and dearest Friend?

Paul assures us that there is a crown which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give at His coming to all who love His appearing. Let us not shrink, then, from meditation on the glorious coming of Christ, but rather look for and expect it as the end of all our sins, sufferings and trials — and the beginning of perfect and eternal happiness!

Let us ask ourselves, "Are we willing this very night to leave all on earth, and go to Jesus?" If we could really see Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and saying to us this very night, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world!" I am quite sure that nothing on earth could detain us! <S191>

Revelation 1:7 NIV

[7] “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.

Revelation 22:20 NIV

[20] He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

John 17:24a NIV

[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory…”

** Translation: "If you will not watch... you will not know." The opposite of that translation: "If you will watch... you will know."

We are commanded to watch and be aware of the times in which we live. It would be impossible to watch if we didn't know what to watch for. Therefore, if we are watching for our Lord's return, we should be able to know the season with some reasonable expectation. <G70>

Revelation 3:3 NIV

[3] Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Mark 13:32-37 NIV

[32] “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. [34] It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. [35] “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back---whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. [36] If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. [37] What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' ”

Luke 12:38-40 NIV

[38] It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. [39] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. [40] You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

** Believers in Christ who are living in the end times will understand prophecy better than their predecessors throughout the centuries; the understanding will come at the time of the end and John provides the chronology of the end times in the book of Revelation

Daniel 12:8-9 NIV

[8] I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” [9] He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.

Revelation 22:10 NIV

[10] Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.

** Chronology of last days events in the Church Age and end times events including the Tribulation; debate exists regarding the number and timing of judgments:

1. Rapture — according to Scripture, nothing needs to happen before God takes His children home so this is an imminent event that can happen at any time while we continue to work in the Church Age while waiting (Jun 2023)

2. Bema Seat Judgment – this judgment will consist of rewards for the faithful service of New Testament believers; rewards will consist of crowns given to believers based on their service to Christ <S188>

3. First Gog Magog War — debate whether this localized war with Israel occurs before or after the Rapture but definitely before the Tribulation; there must be time to burn the weapons for seven years <R173>

• In Ezekiel's account, the war ends with God Himself intervening -- sending earthquakes, fire, hailstones, and confusion among the enemy armies; the scale of divine judgment is overwhelming and unmistakable <P1701>

4. Tribulation — an horrendous seven year period of time when the Antichrist reigns and God issues 21 judgments on an unbelieving world; a time of Hell on earth primarily to encourage Israelites to come back to God while non-Jews also have opportunity; some question the start of the Tribulation — Jesus opening of seals or Antichrist confirming covenant?

5. Second Coming — Christ comes back at the end of the Tribulation to establish His millennial throne in Jerusalem

6. Armageddon — God will simply speak His victory against the Antichrist and armies; Satan is then bound at the start of the Millennium <R173>

7. Millennium — a one thousand year blissful period of time when Satan is bound and believers reign with Christ on earth

8. Second Gog Magog War — Satan is released and his global army have one last conflict with God at the end of the Millennium; Satan is defeated and thrown into eternal lake of fire and

9. Great White Throne Judgment – God will judge unbelievers and punish them according to the works they have done <G72>

10. Eternal State — God creates the new heavens and new earth for believers to reside for eternity

• We see that already-fulfilled prophecy occurred exactly (100%) as laid out in Scripture, such as all the prophecies involving Christ’s first coming as a baby in Bethlehem

• This accuracy should give everyone full confidence regarding prophetic events to come!

• Scripture's vision for the future WILL occur as outlined, giving believers hope while waiting and going through difficult days

• “We have an empty tomb to look back on, an occupied throne to look up to, and an amazing future to look forward to” <H95>

Matthew 24:35 NIV

[35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

** Consider that the New World Order is to be the fourth kingdom (Reich) after Hitler’s Third Reich; this too was prophesied in Daniel thousands of years ago <W214>

Daniel 2:40 NIV

[40] Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron---for iron breaks and smashes everything---and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.

** At His first coming, Jesus fulfilled forty-eight specific prophecies concerning His birth, lineage, life, death, burial, and even His resurrection.

Here are just some of the key Old Testament passages that accurately foretold the details of the Messiah’s first arrival in the world:

• Micah 5:2: Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem

• Isaiah 7:14: Jesus was born of a virgin

• Jeremiah 31:15: Herod’s murder of children in Bethlehem

• Zechariah 11:12-13: Jesus betrayed for thirty pieces of silver

• Psalm 22:16: the piercing of Jesus’ hands and feet

• Psalm 22:18: the casting of lots for Jesus’ clothing

• Psalm 16:10: Jesus’ resurrection

The record of precise fulfillments of prophecy in Scripture not only provides a pattern for how we should regard texts regarding the end times, but it also confirms the integrity of the Bible.

The pattern of how the Bible records the outcome of its prophecies is like an a gigantic billboard pointing the way for us. Those who turn off the road to pursue symbolical interpretations of Scripture not only deceive themselves, but also lead a great many astray.

The keeping of biblical promises regarding His entrance into the world is more than a little significant. It tells us we can count on the Lord to keep His Word to us. He is coming back, just as He said, to take us to the place He’s preparing for us. <B26>

John 14:1-3 NIV

[1] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. [2] My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

** What was written in the Old Testament verifies what was recorded in the New Testament; those who read the Bible can be confident in its validity <K115>

• Paul was aware of the gospel foreshadowed in the Old Testament

• Paul's audience of both Jew and Gentile were told this is not a new gospel but one that was foretold

• There is gospel in the Old Testament as there is law in the New Testament <S193>

Romans 1:2 NIV

[2] the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV

[9] What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

** Future is clear where God will reign and deal with those who do not believe

Revelation 3:9 NIV

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars---I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

Matthew 25:34 NIV

[34] “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

• Pillar = status and having value

• Writing new names may refer to those in glory; taking on God's name indicating that a person belongs to Him

Revelation 3:12 NIV

The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.

** Humans are so hard-wired for sin that they cannot accept the truth; deception has reigned in this world since the fall of man; we must know God and allow Him to show us truth if we are to know the truth <M130>

John 8:45 NIV

[45] Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

** There are five ways to know the Bible is true and know the God who provided us with His word:

1. EXPERIENCE — subjective proof that countless people through the centuries believed and have been transformed to:

• Experience the peace that passes understanding

• Pass from ignorance to truth

• Pass from death to life

• Pass from sorrow to joy

• Pass from lies to truth

• Pass from apathy to zealous for Christ

• Pass from depression to a reason to live

• Pass from following the world to following God

• Pass from kingdom of darkness to kingdom of light

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Philippians 4:7 NIV

[7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Titus 2:14 NIV

[14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV

[26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

2. REALITY / SCIENCE — the Bible reflects an objective understanding of reality

• Universe and it’s elements (of time, force, action, space & matter) exist including its countless stars; first verse in the Bible covers all five elements

• Created by a power greater than itself — how do you explain the vast cohesion of macro and micro in this universe, including the 30 trillion cells of 200 kinds in your body alone?

• Created by a person, otherwise we are told to believe an inanimate object is eternal and created something greater than itself (Big Bang); never in science does something simple become more complex, like silver becoming a TV

• God knows and controls every aspect of His creation according to His laws

• God’s book reflects this reality as opposed to Hindu belief that the sun is the source of energy for all life and all other errors in other religions

Genesis 1:1 NIV

[1] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Isaiah 40:26 NIV

[26] Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Ecclesiastes 1:10 NIV

[10] Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.

Jeremiah 33:22 NIV

[22] I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars in the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.' ”

Isaiah 40:12 NIV

[12] Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?

3. MIRACLES — God’s book contains miracles He does supernaturally

• Miracles throughout the Bible where God steps into the natural world and over-riding it with His divine power

• Miracles are visible with eye-witnesses

• Jesus performed miracles during His life on earth, recorded in the four gospels at the start of the New Testament

4. PROPHECY — One third of Scripture contains prophecy

• Many prophecies regarding Christ’s first coming were told in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament

• Probability of just 8 predictions coming true = two feet of silver dollars across state of Texas and blind man picking the one marked coin

Isaiah 41:21,23 NIV

[21] “Present your case, ” says the Lord. “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob's King. [23] tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.

5. JESUS CHRIST — the ultimate proof that the Bible is true

• Christ is not a human invention

• Fulfilled Old Testament promises of the Messiah who is a mediator, reconciler, redeemer, savior, servant, great prophet, virgin born in Bethlehem, in the line of David, speaker of God’s word, performing miracles, entering Jerusalem on a donkey, slave of Jehovah doing His will, anointed by the Holy Spirit, rejected, suffer crucifixion, nailed and pierced, buried in a rich man’s tomb, rise from the dead, become a light to the Jews, offer salvation, ascend to glory and be exalted as King

• Jesus taught that the Scriptures were about Him

• Jesus, the One who gave us laws and consequences for disobedience (sin), provides a way of escape <M130>

Luke 24:25-27 NIV

John 14:19 NIV

[19] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

** Who reads a book without reading the final chapter? As followers of Christ, one would think we desire to know how the story ends and what God has in store for His creation.

• Christ gives us clear signs to look for when He will return but, unfortunately, many of those following Him don't care

• True, a believer’s salvation is not affected whether they study prophecy or not, but it does provide them with a more complete picture of who God is and His plan for His second coming!

Matthew 24:43-44 NIV

[43] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Matthew 16:1-3 NIV

[1] The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. [2] He replied, “When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' [3] and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Matthew 13:16-17 NIV

[16] But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. [17] For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

** Why bother studying Bible prophecy? <T203>

• Because as true believers in Christ we are to look up where our Redemption lives and our future is known

• As we eagerly await His appearance in the end times, we must keep our eyes on Him

Philippians 3:14 NIV

[14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 121:1 NIV

[1] I lift up my eyes to the mountains---where does my help come from?

Isaiah 40:26 NIV

Daniel 4:34 NIV

[34] At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

John 11:41 NIV

[41] So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.

** Gabriel told Daniel a time of trouble was going to come on ‘your people’ and ‘your holy city’; the Church doesn’t have a people or city so he meant Israel and Jerusalem

The Church was not in the 69 weeks — before the beginning of the Church Age at Christ’s crucifixion — and the Church won’t be in the 70th week either; the Tribulation is meant to bring God’s people the Israelites to Jesus <G70>

Seventy weeks:

• 483 years from when the decree was issued to rebuild Jerusalem to the time of the Messiah 33AD

• 483 years includes 49 years to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (Neh 2:1-8)

• the final 7 years is what is known as the Tribulation after which our Lord returns!

• 483 + 7 = 490 years or seventy weeks of years <G72>

Daniel 9:24 NIV

Isaiah 46:10 NIV

[10] I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'

Revelation 22:12-13 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. [13] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

** Christians are called to do two things —

1. Share the gospel and make disciples around the world, and

2. Know the sign of the times

If Noah didn’t know the time he was in, he would not have built the ark; likewise we won’t be ready for Christ’s return or help others wake up if we don’t know the time! <G70>

Matthew 16:1-4 NIV

2 Peter 1:19 NIV

Luke 12:39-40 NIV

[39] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. [40] You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

James 5:8 NIV

[8] You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

** God revealed to John our future so he could share it with others via the book of Revelation, not to scare us but so we will know what is coming and prepare!

Revelation 1:1-3 NIV

[1] The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, [2] who testifies to everything he saw---that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

** Going back to the Torah and to the prophets, Jesus opened [the eyes of those who were dejected that Christ died] to what was really going on. They were bogged down in the circumstances.

Jesus showed them the big picture. The Lord suffered, but it was all part of a glorious plan that the Father had laid out before the beginning of time.

Likewise, we may suffer blows on this earth, but Jesus is alive and is coming soon! That is our awaited hope and source of joy amid a world that continues to grow darker. <T203>

Luke 24:25-31 NIV

[25] He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. [28] As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. [29] But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. [30] When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. [31] Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

** The four horsemen in the first four seals are all brought about by global DECEPTION <F60> (Nov 2022):

1. White horse - appearing to bring peace instead of chaos

2. Red horse - appearing to bring patriotism instead of war

3. Black horse - appearing to bring luxury instead of famine

• Today we have food supply restrictions with leaders attempting to destroy God’s natural supply with man’s synthetic supply

4. Pale horse - appearing to bring health & life instead of sickness & death

• Today we are on track for a bio-digital ID technology tracking system via a pharmaceutical verification system

Revelation 6:1-8 NIV

[1] I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” [2] I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. [3] When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” [4] Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword. [5] When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. [6] Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day's wages, and six pounds of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” [7] When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” [8] I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

** The rapture provides hope, assurance and encouragement <C31>

HOPE

• It is not God's plan that we walk around with blind faith but are somewhat informed of His plan

• We do not have to fear death, for death is being asleep at the spiritual level

• We do not have any control over our lives but we have a hope in Christ and His resurrection

• Without God there is no hope beyond death

• Those who believe in reincarnation never know whether they have done enough

• Basic world religions do not offer assurance we can do enough by the time we die

1 Thessalonians 4:13 NIV

[13] Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

ASSURANCE

• Christ’s coming will be announced: Jesus, archangel and trumpet

• The Lord will descend, the dead in Christ will rise first and living believers will rise after

• This will happen quickly and we will be given resurrection bodies. recreated to last forever

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 NIV

[51] Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--- [52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [53] For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. [54] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” [55] “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

• We can look at death and not be afraid because of God's word

• Contrast Christ’s second coming to His first when He came as an infant to a poor family, relatively unknown to the masses

1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 NIV

[15] According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

ENCOURAGEMENT

• Don't grieve like those who don't have any hope

• Trust God's promise that this present suffering will come to an end and this life is not the end

• These words of encouragement can keep us going, for we will never again be separated from God!

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 NIV

[17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.

** The Lord WANTS us to be encouraged and excited about His return! Why would he be disappointed when His children are excited about His coming to get us? Wouldn’t He be disappointed if we didn’t care?

Don’t listen to the nay-sayers who want to paint those who are excited about the rapture and Christ’s return as those in a cult or not living in reality

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV

** Everyone who places their faith in Christ will be raptured because we are all sealed with the Holy Spirit at that time of salvation; don’t believe it when hearing ‘only those who are watching’ and accurate with their eschatology will be raptured because that makes salvation a works-based effort <G71>

Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

[13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession---to the praise of his glory.

** Noah's world and our world today are similar (Aug 2025)

• Jesus mentioned that our last days would be ‘as in the days of Noah’

• The days of Noah were corrupt; no one was listening about the coming wrath

• People had corrupted all of God’s order as He intended for human life on earth

• Mankind, after the Fall in Eden, embarked on a violence-ridden rebellion that included embracing genetic corruption through sexual union with fallen angels

• The rebellion of humanity was so great that there was total rejection of Heaven’s order of life

• There will always be, when this point of corruption is reached, reaction by God, who will exert His omniscient, all-powerful control

• Sometimes God’s control is executed instantly, like when Sodom and Gomorrah were decimated following the removal of Lot and his daughters to safety

• At other times, such omnipotent controlling reaction is applied in an incremental way, such as when the Lord gave Nineveh forty days to repent

• But when God’s order of things reaches an incorrigible level, He exerts His righteous judgment and wrath <J100>

• God was grieved about the condition of man to the point of destroying them; God was not surprised but sad about the violence

• God was patient and long suffering, waiting 120 years for people to repent

• Don't mistake God's patience today as a broken promise about His return <C31>

Genesis 6:11-13 NIV

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. [12] God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. [13] So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.

• Noah's world was destroyed by water while ours will be destroyed by fire in the Day of the Lord

2 Peter 3:9-12 NIV

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. [11] Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives [12] as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

** Many followers of Christ invent ideas about who God is and attribute thoughts to Him that are based on human logic and understanding; these attributes are simply not true and God will eventually call them on it

Psalm 50:21 NIV

[21] When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.

** Unless you have been living off the grid for the past two years, you realize that our nation, in fact, the entire world, is in a transition and has been deceived, causing confusion, chaos, and fear like never seen in recent history.

We are witnessing the “setup” for many events that the Bible has predicted will happen right before the return of Christ. Even if you are not a follower of Christ, one crucial fact is undeniable: The Bible has over one thousand prophecies, and over half have already been fulfilled! It’s a mathematical impossibility for those predictions not to be accurate (one in one hundred quadrillion, to be exact), which tells us that the remaining Bible prophecies will be fulfilled. <M147> (Nov 2022)

1 John 2:18 NIV

[18] Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

** God will judge everyone based on their ability to discern His truth and conduct their life accordingly; God promises to help those who call on Him toward that end

• Followers of Christ don't have to let the world and false teachers pull us away from God

• We don't have excuses and don't have to be at the mercy of the world's temptation

• We have a part to play: if we don't prepare to encounter false teachers we will end up with difficult situations that could be avoided

• Noah, for instance, raised his family among corruption and God saved Him because He remained faithful

• In the 120 years it took to build the boat, Noah could have been discouraged and given up from all the ridicule and no threat of destruction — no rain, let alone flood!

• If Noah would have given up then he and his family would have been killed

• God does not promise us a life without trials; He will do what is best for us, which may involve keeping us in difficult situations

• We have access to God to help us with our fears in the meantime, for He is a God of grace to help those of us who follow Him

• In the end, God will judge and those who distort God's truth will face a devastating outcome

• If God judges angels in the spiritual world and others throughout history in the mortal world, then we know He will continue to judge — God is consistent throughout history <C31>

2 Peter 2:4-10a NIV

[4] For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; [5] if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; [6] if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; [7] and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless [8] (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)--- [9] if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. [10] This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.

** If we look around we will be depressed; if we look up we will have hope, and be able to cope, and have joy in the midst of earth’s sorrow <M131>

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV

** There are three categories of people in today’s society including those who:

1. Are afraid

2. Don’t know enough to be afraid

3. Know their Bible and understand prophecy —

those who know Scriptural prophecy understand where the world is at and where it is headed <W214> (Sep 2022)

Isaiah 41:20 NIV

[20] so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

** God’s story is one based in history, and that’s why the Bible is chalked full of details — like identifying when a king reigned at the time of a Biblical event, and distinct boundary lines of His land <J107>

In essence, God’s reputation is ‘on the line’ so when people see how God worked in the temporary Scriptural past, they need to ask where they fit into how God is going to work in the eternal future <G77>

Ezekiel 47:15-20 NIV

[15] “This is to be the boundary of the land: “On the north side it will run from the Mediterranean Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo Hamath to Zedad, [16] Berothah and Sibraim (which lies on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer Hattikon, which is on the border of Hauran. [17] The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar Enan, along the northern border of Damascus, with the border of Hamath to the north. This will be the northern boundary. [18] “On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Dead Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary. [19] “On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. This will be the southern boundary. [20] “On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the western boundary.

** God used the prophets to bring the message that we can be saved and fulfill God's plan when recognizing the suffering of the Messiah

• They trusted the message even though they did not see its fulfillment = faith

• They realized the news would benefit numerous generations to come

1 Peter 1:12 NIV

[12] It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Today we have opportunity to share the same message but we also have the Holy Spirit and Bible at our disposal

• We can get to 'the top' and find fulfillment through the help of the Holy Spirit and God’s Biblical truth

• If we don't have eternal security then we don't have anything, and all our accomplishments mean nothing at life's end <C31>

** Reference, feast and its fulfillment:

Lev 23:5 - Passover - fulfilled at the Crucifixion

Lev 23:6-8 - Unleavened Bread - the Burial

Lev 23:9-14 - First Fruits - the Resurrection

Lev 23:15-22 - Pentecost - the Church Age

Lev 23:23-25 - Trumpets - the Church Rapture

Lev 23:26-32 - Day of Atonement - 2nd Coming

Lev 23:33-43 - Tabernacles - the Kingdom Age

The majority of prophecy students are on ‘high alert’ every September because of the expected coming fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah or Start of the New Year; for instance Sep 24-26 2022 <F60>

** The wise men were Jewish scholars devoted to study Scripture

Matthew 2:3-6 NIV

[3] When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. [5] “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: [6] “ 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' ”

People can know the Scriptures but not follow it, as what happened at the time when not only did they ignore Christ but put Him to death!

Likewise today: we can go to church, give and do all the religious things and not believe; God will not recognize those who do not recognize Him

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

** Knowing the star would lead them to Jesus the Messiah, the wise men were overjoyed and fell down before Jesus, presenting sacrificial gifts; they were aware what God was doing and did not want to miss what God had for them

Personal application:

• Are we willing to journey far and take risks?

• Do we fall at the feet of Christ and give our all to Him?

• Are we full of joy in His presence?

• Are we aware of what God is doing around us and desire to join Him? <C31>

Matthew 2:2,10-11 NIV

[2] and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” [10] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. [11] On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

** Biblical prophecy continues to prove 100% accurate; consider these prophecies from Isaiah and Ezekiel written thousands of years ago about Israel alone:

1. People would return to the land (Isa 43:1-6)

2. Israel would become nation again (Isa 11:11-12)

3. Be brought forth in one day (Isa 66:8)

4. Become a united nation, amazingly from people scattered around the world (Ezek 37:21-22)

5. Would have the currency of the shekel, that was formalized in the 1980s (Ezek 45:12-13,16)

6. Blossom as a rose in the dessert, even visitors years before called it a wasteland (Isa 35:1-2)

7. They would become a powerful military, proven true for such a small territory (Zech 12:6)

8. Become center of world conflict (Zech 12:2-3)

9. People crying for “peace & safety” (1Th 5:1-3)

The probability of 8 prophecies coming true is 1 in 10 to the 17th power (100,000,000,000,000,000). What more does God need to do to wake us up? <C36>

** David worshiped and prayed and waited to see what God would do in every situation

• God continues to answer with one of three responses: yes/no/wait

• Greyhound's motto is to "leave the driving to us"

• We, also, should allow God to remain in the driver's seat in our lives

• In the meantime, do what we can to live out our faith while continuing to bathe every day in prayer <C31>

Psalm 5:3 NIV

[3] In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

** Jesus provides clarity of truth and expectation FIRST and so believers can follow it, while the Enemy loves murky confusion until people ‘fall for what he is selling’ and then clarify who he is and what a person fell for after it’s too late <D40>

John 14:6 NIV

[6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

** Enemy false teachers are like 'Venus Fly Traps' who come into the church unassumingly and snatch people away from God, often using confusion as their tool; they are not what they appear to be so people have their defenses down <C31>

It is crucial we know and use God’s truth in Scripture as our plumb-line so we can identify false teaching

2 Peter 2:1 NIV

[1] But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them---bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Amos 7:7-8 NIV

[7] This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. [8] And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos? ” “A plumb line, ” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.

Where do false teachers come from?

• Peter said false teachers come from within the church so they are not an obvious identified outsider

What do the false messages look like?

• False teachers use the same vocabulary but with a different interpretation

• They exploit others with false words, like plastic that can be molded into any shape

• Error is cloaked with the wrapping of truth; people don't always see the error and swallow it

Why do they teach false doctrine?

• False teachers are working to fill their own purposes and desires

• The congregation is often easy prey because they buy into tripe messages such as "doing whatever makes you happy" even if it is contrary to God's word

• Their words define a personal drive for greed and are interested in exploiting others for personal gain

2 Peter 2:3 NIV

[3] In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

What are the results of their actions?

• False teachers may get away with their cunning for awhile but God will judge them in the end; they will stand before God and be held accountable

• Like the Ebola virus, their message can be contagious and deadly because many are led away from God's truth

• As a result, our Christian witness is damaged to the rest of the world

2 Peter 2:2 NIV

[2] Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.

What should our response be to this threat?

• Study Scripture and internalize every passage, otherwise we become easy prey for false teachers

• Out faith must be our own; we must know WHAT we believe and WHY we believe!

• Do we believe because we understand or because it’s tradition, or because it is God’s word in Scripture?

** There has been a lot of effort and imagination over the centuries to distort God’s truth in Scripture; stick to knowing His Word because the gospel is consistently pure and does not need our help

• God is not going to allow His word to be errantly copied over the centuries

• God's truth is enough; we are not to add or detract

• Nothing is "new and improved" involving God's truth — it's been the same from the beginning, unlike other religions (such as Mormonism and Jehovah Witness) that change elements of their story <C31>

2 Peter 1:16 NIV

[16] For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

** A little wisdom eases efforts in life and wise living often produces a good outcome, even if not as expected; in contrast, lack of Scriptural wisdom leaves one unprepared to handle the tough times

Ecclesiastes 10:10 NIV

[10] If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

[13] No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

** There are over 800 signs or prophecies concerning the second return of Christ, most of which would not have a ‘place in the grand scheme’ if Israel was not a nation and Jerusalem its capital <H87>

Amos 9:14-15 NIV

[14] and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. [15] I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.

** Israel became one of the largest exporter of produce in the world in the 20th century

Isaiah 27:6 NIV

[6] In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.

Joel 3:18 NIV

[18] “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord's house and will water the valley of acacias.

Isaiah 41:18-20 NIV

[18] I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. [19] I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, [20] so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

** Zechariah prophesied the coming of our Lord as an infant 500 years before the actual event

Zechariah 9:9-10 NIV

** King Herod became king of the Jews in 37 BC and always feared others would take over his kingship; he even killed his wives and sons and then had all boys under 2 killed because he didn’t find Jesus

Matthew 2:7-8,12-13,16 NIV

[7] Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. [8] He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” [12] And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. [13] When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” [16] When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Jeremiah 31:15 NIV [fulfilled prophecy]

[15] This is what the Lord says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

** God foretold the destruction of the Jewish nation and second temple by the Romans who also took them captive; this occurred in 70AD <C391>

If one Cedar tree falls, how will the other Juniper tree stand? Such is the question asking how the inferiors in society will stand when their leaders fall — wise & good fall into sin, while the rich & great fall into trouble? <H83>

Zechariah 11:1-2 NIV

[1] Open your doors, Lebanon, so that fire may devour your cedars! [2] Wail, you juniper, for the cedar has fallen; the stately trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan; the dense forest has been cut down!

** It is important to know the enemy and how to respond

Who is Satan?

• Angel who chose to rebel against God

• God gave free will to angels as He did man

• God does not focus much on Satan in his Word

• We know he is an enemy of God and of His creation

• He is personal — not an abstract force but an individual who has a purpose for what he does

• He is powerful, but not all-powerful as God; he is no match against God

What does Satan do?

• His workers attempt to shift our belief and focus off God at every turn

• He does not want us to come to know or mature in the living God

• Sometimes works via cults, using Scripture and twisting its meaning; hence it is imperative we go back to Scripture as our plumb-line

• He wants to destroy the faith of Christians and make lives ineffective

• His greatest weapons are temptation and deceit, getting us to focus on what seems fulfilling on the outside but is actually destructive on the inside

• He preys on people who are weak in what they believe, not recognizing truth

What do we do in response?

• Be aware of Satan but not fearful or obsessed — rather focus on God

• Our job is not to focus on Satan as a competitor

• Be alert, sober-minded, vigilant about his purpose and power

• God instructs us to resist his attacks and He gives us the means to do it

• Think of the example when preparing to shoot a gun — we need a proper stance to do so

• Never give up, never give in

• Put on the full armor of God to remain standing

• We do not need to be victorious against the enemy; let God fight the enemy on spiritual terms! <C31>

1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV

[8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

** The passage regarding the shepherds foretells Christ’s care for the flock (the Jews) and their ungrateful rejection of Him, turning Him over for 30 pieces of silver

Zechariah 11:7a-8b NIV

[7] So I shepherded the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. [8] …The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them

Zechariah 11:12-13 NIV

[12] I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. [13] And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”---the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord.

Matthew 27:3,5 NIV

[3] When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. [5] So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

** We know we are in the last days because “Nation rising against nation” is a Rabbinic term understood as “world war”, so we know the last days of the Church Age already started when WW1 came on the scene in the early 1900s <H86>

Matthew 24:7 NIV

[7] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

1 Timothy 4:1a NIV

[1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times…

** The restoration of the Jews to the Promised Land is one of the most staggeringly overt fulfillments of Bible prophecy to occur in the last 2,000 years. The Hebrew prophets all foretold an eventual restoration of Israel, even addressing the future state by name, in some cases centuries after Israel had ceased to exist.

Matthew 24:32-34 NIV

[32] [Jesus said] “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. [33] Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. [34] Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Although Ezekiel confidently wrote of the restored Jewish state as Israel 2,500 years before, those who actually served as midwives to the rebirth did not decide on the name until the very day before!

Hosea 9:10 NIV

[10] [Hosea said of Israel] “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.

In 1948, the fig tree began to put forth leaves, so to speak, and Jesus said that generation would see all these things fulfilled. The Bible said that pivotal event in history would take place simultaneously with the birth of a revived Roman Empire. A unified Europe looks back to its foundation as January 1, 1948.

Let's not forget the other technological advances introduced in 1948 -- commercial television, holography, cybernetics, meteorology, the nuclear arms race, microelectronics, and dozens of other advances that served to demystify the books of Daniel and the Revelation for this generation.

All these things taken in context point to one logical conclusion. This is the generation of whom Jesus was speaking when He said, "This generation shall not pass until ALL these things be fulfilled." <K112> (Jun 2022)

** Thankfully, the Bible is replete with signs and things to look for as we draw near the end. Those signs include rather obvious ones like Israel as a nation again (Amos 9:14-15), as well as ones that imply the world will arrive at a certain level of technological capabilities (Revelation 13:16-18).

This same generation who has witnessed the miraculous rebirth of Israel, has also: mastered manned flight, gone into space, split the atom, discovered how to manipulate DNA, discovered the God particle, created global communications and information sharing platforms, and created weapons so powerful that they could destroy the planet many times over. If we are not this generation then I don’t know who is because we have set the bar impossibly high. <G70> (Jul 2022)

Never in the annals of human history had a people been uprooted from its land, dispersed across the face of the earth, survived, and returned to its country of origin to resume its national existence. Scripture says Israel must be reinstated as a sovereign nation in unbelief before prophecies relating to the nation in the last days come to fruition and the Messiah’s Second Coming.

Evidence of movement toward the last days:

• Rebirth of Israel (Ezek 37:1-14)

• Restoration or new life of Israel (Ezek 36:8-12)

• Reunification of Israel

• Rebuilding a Temple in Israel <L1300>

Amos 9:14-15 NIV

Revelation 13:16-17 NIV

[16] It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, [17] so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

** What are pastors supposed to be doing in light of Christ’s appearing? Preach the word! And 2/3 of the time those in his audience should be uncomfortable because God’s Word is to be used to correct and rebuke, not just encourage <C36>

2 Timothy 4:1-2 NIV

[1] In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: [2] Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage---with great patience and careful instruction.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

[15] Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

** I recognize that the context of Isaiah 50 refers to those who dismiss the Lord and all of His ways. Rather than trust the Lord and walk by the light of His revealed Word, including what came through the prophets of their day, the ancient Israelites used the light of their own fires, or torches, to illuminate their paths.

However, I believe we can apply the words of this text to those who dismiss the words of Scripture regarding the future restoration of Israel and Jesus’ imminent appearing.

When it comes to Bible prophecy, many pastors and teachers obscure the original intent of authors at the time God inspired them. Instead, they light “the torch” of human wisdom and allow that to illuminate their way through the prophetic texts. They walk by the light that they themselves have kindled. <B26>

Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV

** God’s Word is flawless; we are not to add to it in any way

Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV

[5] “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. [6] Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

** We need to study God’s Word to attain discernment to:

• Replace ignorance of what is going on in our lives and around us

• Replace fear to build our faith

• Refuse to bow but rather stand with courage

What does discernment do for us? It allows us to see in the dark! <K113>

Proverbs 30:5 NIV

[5] “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Matthew 7:24-27 NIV

[24] “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

** In Scripture, we learn a lot about spiritual warfare as we study the roughly 7000 verses of fulfilled Bible prophecy. We can read and study a few thousand more verses about future prophecy. The 100% accuracy rate of detailed prophecies which were literally fulfilled assure us that the remaining prophecies will also be fulfilled literally.

Here's the first kicker--end-time Bible prophecy is directly connected to spiritual warfare. More scripture is dedicated to the future 7-year tribulation period than any other time period of history. Think about that for a moment. This period is known as The Day of the Lord, Daniel's 70th Week, The Time of Jacob's Trouble, tribulation, the time of travail, and a few other terms.

This intense future period is the culmination of thousands of years of spiritual warfare. It will be a period of time when the seen and unseen realms collide like never before. The battle lines are drawn, and the roots of spiritual warfare will culminate in a final crescendo of final-day events.

Here's the second kicker--all of the sign indicators described in Scripture point to the fact that we are very close to this prophesied period. Many Bible prophecy experts agree that you and I are living in the closing moments of the church age. In my book The Non-Prophet's Guide to the End-Times, I spent 7 full chapters detailing the Biblical veracity and current reality of end-time signs unfolding in our day. <H95>

** God identified those who simply wanted their ears tickled; they do not want warnings or sobering prophecies from a God they don’t want to recognize

Isaiah 30:9-11 NIV

[9] For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction. [10] They say to the seers, “See no more visions !” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. [11] Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”

2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV

[3] For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

On the contrary, blessings await those who listen and adhere to God’s words and warnings!

Revelation 2:7 NIV

[7] Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

** God includes prophecy in His Word to demonstrate His power against all other man made idols — what He foretells, He enacts in His perfect timing

Isaiah 48:3,5 NIV

[3] I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. [5] Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, 'My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.'

Isaiah 48:11 NIV

[11] For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.

Isaiah 48:16 NIV

[16] “Come near me and listen to this: “From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there.” And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me, endowed with his Spirit.

** Believers in Christ who are living in the end times will understand prophecy better than their predecessors

Daniel 12:8-9 NIV

** God will continue to use the prophet’s writings to convey His message; for example through Ezekiel’s writings, God will address Gog by saying they were forewarned by the very prophet who was writing His warning <T203>

Ezekiel 38:17 NIV

[17] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them.

** God will tell us when Israel will cease to be a nation and when His people can return to rebuild

2 Samuel 7:24 NIV

[24] You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

Jeremiah 31:33,35-38 NIV

[33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [35] This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar---the Lord Almighty is his name: [36] “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the Lord, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.” [37] This is what the Lord says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the Lord. [38] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when this city will be rebuilt for me from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.

** A true Bible-based perspective of our future beyond this life in order to understand our journey through it. Without such a Scripture-based forward look to the paradise that awaits us, we often err by making this life our destination and eternity but an afterthought.

For those of us securely in Christ, our future millennial reign with Him provides a context into which we can place personal tragedies and other experiences during our short-lived journey this side of eternity.

The Bible gives a picture of eternity that breathes hope into our lives and brings peace amid the turmoil of this life. As the collision of this world with the seven-year Tribulation looms ever so close, it’s essential that we focus on Jesus’ imminent appearing. <B26>

Revelation 21:4 NIV

[4] 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

D1D.

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