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Tag Archives: Second Coming

Does Jesus Himself Say Anything About The Rapture?

01 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by garybowers in The Rapture

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Second Coming

You may be a believer in Messiah Jesus and know a lot about the Rapture or only a little.

You may be an unbeliever who knows virtually nothing about the Rapture, except for hearing about it from time to time. Wherever you are in this spectrum, the question posed in this week’s Eye of Prophecy article may be puzzling.

Some will respond incredulously to the question: Of course, Jesus spoke of the Rapture.

Others might think: I know that the Apostle Paul writes about the Rapture, because the (two) passages in which he describes it are the ones that many people cite exclusively. However, I don’t think Jesus himself spoke of the Rapture.

Still others might say: I think Jesus talked about the Rapture. But I’m not sure what words he used or where to find them. And if he was referring to the Rapture or just his second coming to the earth, or both?

And, there are those who don’t believe the Rapture will take place at all. What they do with I Thessalonians 4 and I Corinthians 15 is beyond me, but that’s okay. If they have accepted Christ as their personal Savior, they’ll know for sure when they ascend from the earth in their brand-new bodies to meet the Lord in the air! It’s likely they will exclaim, “It’s really happening?!”

For those of us who know the Rapture is for real, a shorter version: “It’s happening!”

Some think that the Rapture and the return of Messiah Jesus to the earth to end the Great Tribulation are one and the same.

You may or may not know that the term (Rapture) isn’t found in the Bible. However, the event itself is, including amazing details of what transpires and the sequence thereof. The Latin word is employed as a summary of all features of the event originally encapsulated in the Greek word, which means a catching or seizing up of believers by Messiah Jesus to heaven.

(See, Eye of Prophecy article, Biblical Terms Not in the Bible … Are They Biblical? Posted 3-10-18)

The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus will bring about the Rapture. But did Jesus, himself, say anything about this extraordinary event?

Answer: A resounding, YES!

Stay tuned and discover that, in fact, Jesus directly disclosed all the revelations concerning the Rapture, including the two passages recorded by the Apostle Paul.

But first, a brief review of:

The Spectacular Surge of Biblical Prophecy in the 20th & 21st Centuries

After Israel’s remarkable rebirth as a sovereign nation in 1948 and especially following the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem with the rest of Israel in the miraculous Israeli victory of the 1967 Six-Day War, there has been an explosion of interest in Biblical end-times prophecy unequalled since the first century A.D. Both events were part and parcel of hundreds of Biblical prophecies and both were accomplished against all (natural) odds. Not only on Israel; the world’s 20th century attention riveted on two World Wars and a host of other unprecedented events (like the formation of dozens of new nations) continuing into our 21st century that billions of people, believers and unbelievers alike, consider to be apocalyptic. A beginning of the end.

So much so that it didn’t even take another major war, or natural disaster, or ominous geopolitical or economic event to galvanize global awareness on what many believe to be the last days of the end times.

You remember the year 2000, don’t you?! The realization that it was not only a new century but a new millennium, generated an apocalyptic apprehension that swept over the planet.

Many predicted a millennial meltdown of computer chips and systems, which in turn would wreak havoc on the infrastructure of nations. Power grids would collapse; machinery would stop running; complex military, government, and economic networks would fail; and (worst of all!) the internet might self-destruct.

Most Christians were convinced that the Rapture would take place sometime during that fateful year. After all, it was the beginning of the third millennium since the birth of Messiah Jesus. And the seventh millennium of recorded time. There was nothing left in Biblical prophecy as a prelude to the Lord taking believers from the earth … to spare them from the Great Tribulation in preparation for Messiah’s second coming to this earth. Could there have been any time more prophetically pertinent than the year 2000?

I was one of what seemed to be only a few believers who were convinced that the Rapture would not take place that year. This certainly isn’t criticizing my brothers and sisters in Christ, as I, too, had the same fervent expectation that such a pivotal year in the history of mankind would be the year of Messiah’s Rapture of the true church … those who have placed their personal trust in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus and have accepted him as personal Savior. I passionately hoped they would be right about the Rapture in 2000. And I was disappointed that they were wrong.

My exclusive reason for being persuaded that the Rapture would not take place in 2000 was based on what Scripture says. Which essentially is: when least expected. The Apostle Paul compares the event of the Rapture to: a thief in the night.

Although this analogy was mostly in the context of how the Lord’s return will affect unbelievers, it also applied to the expectation level of believers. Whereas Jesus and Paul (also Peter) encouraged believers to be ready and alert, waiting patiently and watching eagerly for the Day of the Lord, they also emphasized that it would happen at a time least expected—even for believers. This certainly relates to notable days, months, and (as we now know) to the year 2,000.

For example: many believers—both Jewish and Gentile—believe that the Rapture will occur on a major Biblical festival, such as Passover, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, or Sukkot. Or perhaps Christmas or Easter or even Hanukkah! Non-Messianic observant Jews, who contend that Messiah’s arrival will be his first, also speculate that he will appear on a significant Holy Day.

Yes, it could be one of those days, but likely as not, it won’t be. Those days are too obvious!

In contrast to unbelievers who will be shocked at the Rapture and ensuing Tribulation, Paul compliments believers by saying that they: “…aren’t in the dark about these things … and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief” (I Thessalonians 5:4). However, not being surprised relates to the surety that the Lord will return. Intensified by the awesome privilege of knowing beyond doubt why the Rapture part of his return will take place. “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us” (Verse 9).

The anger referred to is none other than: “…then disaster will fall on them (unbelievers)” during the Tribulation, shortly after the Rapture takes place. (verse 3).

Believers not being surprised at the event of the Rapture is different than the Rapture occurring when least expected. Jesus said so himself: “You (talking to believers) also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected” (Matthew 24:44, parenthesis mine).

In the last 50 years, the imminent return of Messiah Jesus so enthusiastically embraced by the early Church, has once again been the “talk of the town.” What God says will happen has always happened and will continue to unfold before our 21st century eyes. However, despite the clear evidence that hundreds of Biblical prophecies have been fulfilled, most unbelievers scoff at the idea, “that Jesus is coming again” (II Peter 3:4).

And, when they see the first part of his Second Coming (the Rapture) for themselves, many of those left behind will still mock. Good riddance; we’ve got the whole world to ourselves now.

The Imminent Return of Messiah Jesus (in Two Phases)

The term that Bible scholars, teachers, and students use most often to identify the return of Messiah Jesus is: Second Coming. Or: Second Advent.

In addition to coming and appear, Jesus also uses the term, return. “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return” (Matthew 25:13).

The Second Coming of Messiah Jesus is part of what Old Testament prophets referred to as the Day of the Lord.

The Apostle Paul explains it this way:

Jesus was the first to warn that his (second) coming would catch an unsuspecting world off guard. However, he also spoke of many things that would transpire before his powerful and glorious appearance (return) to earth. These events are revealed in both general and specific detail throughout Scripture, especially in the books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, Matthew, Luke, and Revelation.

For example: Messiah’s spectacular return to earth to do battle with the combined armies of the Antichrist and Kings of the East as recorded in Revelation Chapter 19. Which clearly doesn’t take place until after the entire chronological sequence of the Great Tribulation. With the obvious conclusion that his Second Coming to earth will not be at all unexpected and will be preceded by signs and wonders for all those left behind at the Rapture to see. With multiple opportunities (depending on how long they survive) to know beyond any doubt that the same Messiah who took believers to heaven before the carnage began would be returning to judge the world. Sadly, most of them will still reject the true Messiah in favor of the one vainly parading himself before the world as God.

Yet, both Jesus and Paul tell us that the Lord’s return will (also) come like a thief in the night, unexpected and without warning. The only possible way to accurately juxtapose what seems to be a paradox between unexpected and clearly expected is to fully understand that Jesus’s return is in two parts … two distinct phases.

Please refer to Eye of Prophecy article: Messiahs’ Return and the Rapture (Same or Separate Events?) Posted 12-3-16. In which this subject was covered in detail.

In keeping with today’s article (title), we’re going to focus more on what Jesus, himself, said about his Second Coming. Identifying critical passages pertaining to the first part of his appearance (Rapture) in contrast to his second (final) physical return to the earth.

Which will help to better understand that the imminent aspect of Jesus’s Imminent Return, concerns the Rapture phase of his Second Coming … only for believers. Whereas, the return part applies to his glorious appearance to the entire world, an immediate prelude to his victorious conquest of Satan, Antichrist, the False Prophet, and rebellious humanity that had spurned the true and living God and His Messiah. This second phase comes with myriad events preceding his actual return to earth, unfolding with prophetic precision just like Scripture said they would.

Don’t be confused or even puzzled over this phenomenal two-part event; one at the beginning and the other at the end of seven years of the last days of the end times.

In fact, it is one of the four epic events of God’s interaction with humanity, all of which involve two parts or phases. Four (and its multiples … forty, four-hundred) is one of those divinely significant numbers found in both natural and supernatural conditions throughout human history.

Here is an excerpt from Eye of Prophecy article, Countdown to Armageddon … End of the Fourth 400-Year Era (Posted 7-29-17). The excerpt, in turn, was taken from a prior article, Four Locusts Kingdoms! (8-22-15). In italics:

Several numbers in the Bible bear a great deal of meaning … we are going to see how the number four relates to and explains a huge portion of Israel’s history; in the context of God’s providential direction for the Jews and their interaction with mighty Gentile nations.

The number four derives its significance from God’s creative work especially pertaining to the earth, including God’s dealings with and disposition (rise and fall destiny) of nations. It is the number of wholeness, totality, entirety, and summation. It is a number concept that would be completely incomplete if we eliminated just one of the component parts of any given foursome.

If we want to move from one place to another, we must go forward, backward, left or right. Up or down doesn’t count; if we go beneath or above the earth, we must then travel in one of four directions.

…There are four seasons, four primary lunar phases, and four sides to what is probably the most perfect geometric object we can think of … a square. And many more fours:

I went on to list fourteen more fours prominently displayed in Scripture and the universe, including one that you may not have thought about…. Which is, as quoted from Four Locusts Kingdoms:

“Each day has four component parts: Seconds, minutes, hours, and day. One day is cyclical … it begins, ends, and starts all over again. Weeks, months, and years are linear, continuous.”

In addition to the two-part Imminent Return of Messiah Jesus, the other three grand Biblical events also come in pairs—each of which is typified by and reflected in the juxtaposition between the Covenant of the Law (Old Testament) and the Covenant of Grace (New Testament).

They are:

God’s Two-Part Plan for Humanity: I’ve discussed these panoramic plans at varying lengths in prior articles. They are: (1) Selection of Abraham to father the Jewish race. With Israel as the perpetual Promised Land and Jerusalem as its eternal capital for Abraham’s descendants. Through the Jews would come the Messiah, which is part two of God’s magnificent design for humanity. (2) Messiah Jesus’s redemptive sacrificial death for the sins of all who believe and receive him as personal Savior. Followed by his astonishing resurrection that will (soon) enable believers to also be resurrected with the same glorified body in which Jesus arose.

God’s Discipline of Israel / Two Exiles and Twice Return of Jews: (1) Israel’s ten northern tribes conquered by Assyria, then the two southern tribes by Babylon; for their disobedience to and abandonment of the Lord. The southern tribes (remnant) returned to Israel after exile to Babylon, but lasted only until: (2) Rome sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the second Temple, which began a far lengthier exile of Jews to the four corners of the earth. This was a direct result of God’s people as a nation rejecting their Messiah, the one who brought the New Covenant to them and the whole world. See Eye of Prophecy article: Double Israel’s Trouble and Double Her Blessings! (8-13-16).

Messiah’s First and Second Advent: (1) Jesus of Nazareth born of a Virgin at the appointed time that changed the very keeping of time (B.C. to A.D.). He came 2,000 years ago as, “…The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). (2) He will return as, “…the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne…” (Revelation 5:5). Each advent is prophesied several times in the Scriptures. In Isaiah Chapter 9, both events are proclaimed in just two verses. Beginning with: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end…” (Verses 6-7a).

Each of these two-part plans/events correlate with the other. They prophetically and existentially validate the profound observation that:

And now to look more closely at the fourth of these (two-part) monumental milestones.

Messiah’s Rapture of Believers / Followed Seven Years Later by His Return to Earth

(1) The Rapture

This phenomenal event precedes the even more spectacular physical return of Christ; thus, it is separate from his return. The Rapture is the catalyst of, but not his actual return to rescue Israel by conquering her enemies; thereby, saving the entire world from annihilation. The Rapture is the trigger-point of the Great Tribulation, which includes God’s wrath poured out on the world, followed by Messiah’s Millennial Reign on earth from Jerusalem.

Let’s begin with Jesus’s direct disclosure to the Apostle Paul, one of the most well-known passages in the Bible.

However, to note that this wasn’t the first time Jesus had revealed something to Paul through direct communication with him. These divine encounters began when Paul saw and heard Jesus on the road to Damascus; a life-changing, destiny-altering meeting with the risen Messiah. Even changing his name from Saul (a die-hard Jewish Pharisee who persecuted Christians) to Paul—the greatest apologist for the Christian faith who has ever lived.

Another example (precedent) is found in Acts 18:9-10, when Jesus spoke to Paul in a vision. Saying, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you…”

Then later Jesus said: “…Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you much preach the Good News in Rome as well” (Acts 23:11).

Now, the famous passage which contains Paul’s first reference to the Rapture (he wrote I Thessalonians before I Corinthians). Notice that he begins by telling us this is a direct revelation from the Lord Jesus.

“We tell you this directly from the Lord. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:15-18, italics for emphasis).

Just a couple of brief comments concerning this passage:

First, “we” that begins the passage (as opposed to what would be the usual first person, “I”) refers to Paul and the Lord together. Secondly, to make the major distinction between the Rapture and the Return of Christ, Paul specifies that all believers will meet the Lord in the air. Messiah Jesus does not come down to earth. That will take place (about seven years later) when he physically returns to end the Great Tribulation.

Subsequently in I Thessalonians Chapter 5 (verses 2 & 10), Paul uses the term return … of the Lord. Return (also used by Jesus) is an all-purpose description that incorporates both phases of Jesus’s Second Coming or Imminent Return. Nonetheless, we can distinguish between the two and determine which part of Messiah’s return is being described, by whether Jesus and Paul are attaching the word (return) to that which will take place unexpectantly … imminently, meaning The Rapture. Contrasted to his physical return that will take place only after the succession of events that constitute the Tribulation.

In other words, the purpose (timing) of these two phases of return is identified and characterized by HOW Jesus will appear and to whom.

A feasible analogy could be as follows:

A press release from the United States Executive Staff announces that the President is scheduled for a breakthrough engagement with the leaders of several European countries. This sojourn in Europe will last seven days, then he will return to the White House. However, before the seven-day period begins, the President will make a stop in Great Britain to personally arrange with England’s Prime Minister the send-off of the United States ambassador to a brand-new home on an island paradise for a long-anticipated rest (retirement from the affairs of this world).

The transfer of the ambassador was imminent, but the exact day or hour would not be announced. This to accommodate the flexibility of the President’s schedule. Also, for the world at large to focus on the critical seven-day period during which time the development of ominous world events would be discussed. Though the European leaders intensely disliked not knowing when the President’s imminent trip to Great Britain would take place, the President would consent to meet with those leaders who would agree to drop what they’re doing and welcome him.

(Note: Jesus’s parables of the Ten Bridesmaids and the Master and three servants in Matthew 25:1-30, part of his Mount Olivet end-times discourse, relate primarily to the time between Messiah’s First and Second Advents. But they also pertain to the time (second-chance for those left behind) between the Rapture and physical return of Christ to earth. They’re obviously much better analogies than mine!)

My analogy is limited but you can you see that the President’s trip is distinctly divided into two parts: one unannounced, the other itinerary known to the entire world, including the fact that the President would return in seven days. So it will be between the imminent Rapture and the seven-year Tribulation, the end of which will come when the Son of Man returns to the earth (His white house will be the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem!).

The other well-known passage of the Rapture written by Paul is preceded by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration to Paul, in which the fact of the resurrection and the spiritual bodies of resurrected believers is explained. See I Corinthians 15:12-50.

Then, however, Paul abruptly shifts the narrative to precisely what will happen to cause this tremendous transformation of believer’s bodies (dead and living) to our immortal spiritual bodies. Once again, pay special attention to the beginning of this passage, as it, too, confirms that this revelation came directly from the Lord.

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It (the transformation itself, not the entire sequence of the Rapture as presented in I Thessalonians) will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown…. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies” (I Corinthians 15:51-53, italics for emphasis, parenthesis mine).

(For the detailed sequence and proposed time-lapse of the entire Rapture, please see Eye of Prophecy article: The Shout Heard Around the World (Published 4-22-17).

This secret or mystery was directly from the Lord, just like Jesus revealed a mystery to John in Revelation 1:20, and an angel of the Lord to John in Revelation 17:7-8.

This was Jesus’s second direct revelation to Paul concerning the Rapture, one that expanded on the first disclosure in I Thessalonians 4.

In the first revelation, Paul tells us, “…that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectantly, like a thief in the night” (I Thessalonians 5:2). That “day” is the day when the Rapture will take place … without warning, just like a thief would strike.

Followed soon by the onset of the Great Tribulation, with Paul graphically portraying the world’s lifestyle and condition at the time. “When people are saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure,’ then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor paints begin. And there will be no escape” (Verse 3).

Jesus uses the same kind of illustrative warning with his analogy to God’s first world-wide judgment of the Great Flood. We know that he’s referring specifically to the Rapture phase of his return as he prefaces his comparison by one of the four statements that he makes … no one knows the day or hour of his return.

One of those four is as follows:

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 24:37-39).

Noah entering the ark is a parallel to the Rapture. At that point he and his family were safe from what was about to happen.

By the time the horrific Tribulation nears an end—with all the shocking plagues, some man-made, others inflicted by God himself—no one is going to be surprised. Especially during the last half of the Tribulation, nearly everyone will have fully realized what was happening and why. Sadly, most will still not repent and turn to the Lord.

However, I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of revelry and carefree things going on. Not with millions of people dying all over the earth on a regular basis. The terrible turmoil of the Tribulation won’t end until Messiah Jesus returns to the earth to set things right. The partying referred to by Jesus is prior to the Rapture, which will precipitate the Tribulation.

The above verses are followed immediately by another startling statement from Jesus, which continues his reference to the Rapture, confirming that it will be completely unexpected. An explanation affirming that believers will be taken from the earth and unbelievers will be left behind at the Rapture. Just like Noah and his family and Lot and his family were taken out of harm’s way and saved from God’s wrath, so will believers taken at the Rapture be spared from God’s final judgment of the earth.

Said Jesus: “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left” (Matthew 24:40-41).

The context is crystal clear: This could only happen at the Rapture, as the taking is abrupt … without warning, at any time. As opposed to the ensuing Tribulation that will affect only those who are “left” (behind) to experience seven-years of calamities that will literally shake the world to its very core.

(2) Part Two: The Second Coming of Jesus Personally to the Earth

Other than the astonishingly abrupt reappearance of the Antichrist (Nero) at the outset of the Tribulation, there’s nothing unscheduled during the Tribulation itself. As thoroughly and sequentially (the twenty-one plagues) recorded in the book of Revelation, with the resulting conclusion that they come with plenty of warning (2,000 years’ worth) in contrast to the unexpected Rapture of which no one knows the day or hour. In fact, anyone left behind at the Rapture who cares to read the seven seal, seven trumpet, and seven bowl judgments of Revelation, will know exactly which one is coming next. And WHO is coming afterward!

Sometimes specific—like the moon turning to blood—but usually in more general terms (composite effect) the catastrophes of the Tribulation also are prophesied by Old Testament prophets. And, by Jesus, himself in Matthew 24:4-29, in which he is describing the Tribulation, not the Rapture. His words about the Rapture come later, some of which we’ve already covered.

[*Note: Mark’s Gospel (Chapter 13) also records Jesus’s Mount of Olives discourse. As does Luke’s Gospel, except that Luke discloses one additional feature. That of Jesus including the Roman destruction of Jerusalem (which took place in 70 A.D.) as a (parenthetical) prelude to the Great Tribulation. Specifically in the context of Gentile domination of the Jews until the last days (during the birth pains immediately preceding his return). Referring to the Roman conquest of Israel/Jerusalem, Jesus says: “They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end” (Luke 21:24). (See Eye of Prophecy article: Times of & Fullness of the Gentiles … What Do They Mean? Posted 4-21-18]

In conclusion to what he calls, “greater anguish than at any time since the world began” and later in the chapter, “the anguish of those days” (Matthew 24:21 & 29, respectively), listen to Jesus’s dramatic description of his actual return, which is accompanied by a sign in the heavens.

“And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).

Thus, there is a clear time-lapse differential between the Rapture and Messiah’s return to the earth.

See Revelation 19:11-21 for a stunning account of Jesus’s final descent to the earth. There’s more: We believers will be with him, also descending to the earth. We’re not going up, we’re coming back down—after seven years of (blissful) waiting in heaven for this glorious moment.

Here is how I summarized it in Eye of Prophecy article, Messiah’s Return & the Rapture (Same or Separate Events?)

Believers will not meet Christ going (up) and coming (down) all at once. That makes no sense at all. That would be like an elevator full of employees going up to meet their boss with the unmistakable understanding that he is waiting for them in the Penthouse Suite having prepared a great Christmas party for them. Only for the boss to change his mind after they arrive, and then take the elevator back down with all the guests to first “take care of business” below.

Praise and thanks to God … born again believers will sit out the tribulation! There will be seven years between our elevator rides.

Things to Ponder

Indeed, Jesus had much to say about the Rapture.

In fact: He is the ONLY ONE to directly reveal the unfolding of this awesome event.

Am I saying that the Apostle Paul didn’t tell us point-blank about the Rapture?

Answer: Yes, I am saying that!

With, however, the qualification that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God through the Holy Spirit as Paul and Peter tell us (II Timothy 3:16 & II Peter 1:20-21, respectively). But that applies primarily to the specific writing (recording) of the Word of God as a Biblical whole. The Holy Spirit brought to remembrance and directed the thoughts and words of the actual composition of Scripture through individual writing styles of the various authors.

God proclaimed his Word to mankind through prophets, apostles, and angels … through dreams and visions and actual appearances. With much of Scripture containing the direct spoken words of God the Father and God the Son—Messiah Jesus.

“Thus, saith the Lord,” is a frequent expression of and representation by the Lord regarding direct verbal or visionary revelations to people. This is not a superior means of disclosing God’s truth. It’s just different; a more direct way than the Holy Spirit guiding and motivating the recording of these revelations and historical facts of people, places and events. A Holy Spirit inspired synthesis of, for example, the three parts of redemption—justification, sanctification, glorification—for all those who accept God’s atoning salvation through His Son, as presented in the New Testament epistles.

All Scripture is intrinsically equal in importance and impact. But when we read words spoken directly by God and His Son, we get a first-hand, up close and personal appreciation of the Lord’s direct involvement in and concern for the eternal life or eternal death of every human being. From the beginning God gave us the freedom to choose between the two and tells us in his own words why the choice will determine our eternal destiny.

Said Jesus:

And then the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, inspired the prophets and apostles to fuse God’s (Father and Son) powerful and precious Words of light, life, and truth into sound doctrine.

The significance of the mysterious Rapture being revealed directly by Messiah Jesus himself reinforces the absolute truth that God’s plan of salvation revolves around and is found in what He did for us that we could not do for ourselves. Beginning with his First Advent to sacrificially die for our sins, the efficacy of which was validated by his resurrection from the dead.

Culminating in his Second Advent that begins with the Rapture, in which he will resurrect dead believers in Christ and transfigure the bodies of all believers—dead and alive—into a spiritual body equipped to live forever in heaven.

“We tell you this directly from the Lord…” (I Thessalonians 4:15).

“So encourage each other with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:18).

Then: The Son of Man will come on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30).

Where is Messiah … Is He Already Here?

25 Saturday Jun 2016

Posted by garybowers in Prophecy in General

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First Advent of Christ, Second Coming

Messiah’s Imminent Arrival! His First or Second Appearance?

Globally, especially in Israel, both religious and secular Jews are longing for redemption.

Yet, they do not all agree on the scope of this redemption. Will it be individual, national, or both? Will it be physical, spiritual, or both? Orthodox Jews, particularly Rabbis, contend that penitence is a prerequisite to their redemption. But they differ on what constitutes repentance … to what degree or for what exactly should they repent. Most Jews simply don’t know what’s expected of them, if anything.

Tens of thousands of Messianic Jews have embraced Jesus as Messiah; they have accepted Scripture’s claim that only he can redeem individuals and nations. They believe (along with their Gentile believer counterparts) that redemption is precisely what the Bible and Jewish tradition says it is: a purchase or buy back from slavery. Which is, Biblically, first and foremost an enslavement to sin and its consequences—eternal separation from God.

It is what Webster’s Dictionary defines as: “to free from captivity by payment of ransom.”

The Bible says: “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins, says the Lord” (Isaiah 59:20).

The major premise of this article is compressed in the verse just quoted: Isaiah is referring to the initial appearance of Messiah for individual salvation; but also his return to accomplish Israel’s national redemption.

Contrasting the Old Covenant of the Law to the New Covenant of Grace, we read:

“…For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established. So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of the created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever” (Hebrews 9:9-12, italics for emphasis).

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Many Jews see redemption almost entirely from a more secular meaning of the concept:

“To free from what distresses or harms; to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental; to change for the better; to get or win back.” (Webster’s Dictionary).

Thus, redemption to them means freedom from the constant distress and brutal harm from Palestinian terrorist attacks. They long for peace to overcome and replace the incessant detrimental threats of entire Muslim nations seeking Israel’s annihilation. They seek to exchange the relentless BDS actions against them for a better life of personal and national well-being and security. Some want to get back all of the land that has been given to them by God, himself, some 4000 years ago—the entire Promised Land of Israel, including but not limited to Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).

Messianic Fervor at a Fever Pitch

There is one common dream, one prevailing hope, one unified passion: Messiah will ultimately redeem Israel and Jews the world over. And the time is near … so very near.

As touched on often in Eye of Prophecy articles, such as Great Expectations for Messiah (posted 8-8-15) and Amazing Anticipation for Messiah (8-29-15), the level of expectancy for Messiah’s arrival has never been so intense since before the turn of the first century—when time itself was changed from B.C. to A.D.

From an article in Breaking Israel News posted by Rivkah Lambert Adler on 6-20-16, we read a quote from Orthodox Rabbi Pinchas Winston:

“Today, it is so much easier than, let’s say, 10 years ago, to want Moshiach (messiah) to come, because things are out of control… If you step back and look at all the events of history, everything is so ‘Armageddon-ish.’ It’s actually quite bad. The world is actually tremendously unstable.”

*Note: At least for me, it’s of no small interest that the Rabbi would even mention Armageddon. Why? Although reference to Megiddo Valley is found in the Old Testament (Zechariah 12:11, which will be quoted in just a moment), Armageddon (Har Megiddo … literally Mount Megiddo) is found only in the New Testament, which non-Messianic Jews do not consider on par with their Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) or consider much at all! I have been to Megiddo in Israel. It is a vast valley overlooked by a fairly steep and prominent hill.

“And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon” (Revelation 16:16, italics already in the text).

Listen to what Rabbi Winston says about the Messiah.

“And now we’re approaching the Final Redemption. Without question. Moshiach is around the corner… Without question he’s here already. I don’t know how old he is, where he’s sitting, what he’s doing, what he’s learning. But he’s here. He’s not going to be born tomorrow. We’re just too close to the end. Way too close to the end. He has to be here right now!”

Rabbi Winston is not alone in his enthusiastic expectations. Several other Rabbis have made equally strong statements that Messiah is already here … he just hasn’t shown himself yet. Such as Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky’s words to a grieving father whose son had just died. Said Rabbi Kanievsky:

“The redemption is closer than ever … Don’t be sad. The Messiah is already here. He will reveal himself very soon and your son will see his children again.”

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(Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, Lower Portion of Photo)

Just a few months ago, a group of rabbis led by Rabbi Yosef Berger—one of the rabbis with administrative charge over King David’s Tomb in Jerusalem—completed a Torah Scroll to present to Messiah upon his arrival. Before the project was completed, another prominent Rabbi, David Hai Abuhatzeira, told those working on the scroll:

“Write the Sefer Torah as fast as possible, you don’t have much time! … I hope you have a chance to finish!”

What Will Happen When Messiah Does Arrive?

Indeed, there will be great joy when Messiah appears, not just with the Jews but with all the surviving tribulation saints who are on the brink of Armageddon-ish destruction.

Sadly, before the rejoicing, there will be great sorrow and mourning throughout Israel and with Jews globally. I’ve sometimes quoted the following verses and will cite them again, because it is a passage that you seldom hear or see quoted by Jews, especially the Orthodox among them. It is one of several Messianic passages in the Old Testament that Judaism unfortunately ignores or tries to explain away. See Eye of Prophecy articles, Does God Really Have a Son, Part I & II (published 10-31-15 & 11-7-15) for some of these key passages.

When reading the following passage, pay special attention to the personal pronouns. The context is clearly the very last days just before and during Messiah’s magnificent appearance. Actually, his return; which is, as indicated, the main emphasis of today’s article … reappearance versus appearance.

“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David, and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died. The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the great mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo. All Israel will mourn…” (Zechariah 12:10-12).

Messiah is speaking, and he tells Israel that they will, “look on me whom they have pierced.” Then switches to the 2nd person and states, “…and mourn for him…”

The piercing was literally fulfilled when the Romans cruelly staked Jesus to a cross with spikes driven into his wrists and feet—a form of execution not yet invented (at least not like the Romans “perfected” it) when Zechariah made this prophecy.

Considering the anxious anticipation and eager expectation for Messiah and the wonderful things he will do to restore and redeem Israel, why on earth would Israel mourn when they first see him? If the Jews are right that this will be Messiah’s initial appearance, what then would produce such great sorrow, before their joy of being delivered from their enemies?

The text is explicitly clear: They will recognize that it was Jesus all along who was and is their Messiah. Their personal redemption had been purchased long ago, which is why they will mourn for him individually and separately (see the rest of Zechariah 12). Grief will flow from their (and their ancestor’s) rejection of Messiah and their decision to ignore the New Covenant that Isaiah and Jeremiah had promised would come.

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(Mourning and Grief Will Be Much Greater Than Portrayed in This Photo)

However, in light of the remarkable events taking place in the 20th and 21st century, the rabbis are right about the imminent appearance of Messiah. Please see, Look up, Redemption is Near, I & II, (posted 7-11 & 7-18-15) for a list of twelve of these Biblically predicted indicators.

The rabbis are also correct that Messiah is alive today!

But they are incorrect that he is now on the earth, or that he is a man born in the generation of the last days. They are mistaken that this will be Messiah’s first appearance. As clearly clarified in Isaiah Chapter 53, they are also regrettably wrong that Messiah cannot be both the suffering servant Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and also the Lion from the Tribe of Judah who will return it great glory and power to save the Jews, indeed the entire world from extinction.

Jesus is Messiah! Our Redeemer lives! But he’s in heaven waiting to return any day to the earth.

Remember King David’s amazing disclosure when he refers to The Lord (God the Father) speaking to David’s Lord (God the Son): “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet’” (Psalm 110:1). See also Psalm 2 that speaks of “God’s royal son.”

David continues, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow; ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek’” (Verse 4).

The, “you,” is the other Lord, David’s Lord, who is God’s Son spoken about in Psalm 2. When God says, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand…” the syntax and contextual meaning is crystal clear: The sitting or resting at God’s right hand is a result of something stupendous that David’s Lord had already accomplished.

Hundreds of Old Testament and New Testament passages tell us exactly what Messiah (Jesus) would achieve. He would be both High Priest and King (after the order of Melchizedek). Even more: The Son of God, himself, would be the once for all sacrificial Lamb of God.

“For God’s will was for us to be made holy (called out and set apart) by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time … But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet” (Hebrews 10:10-13).

gods right hand

Tragically, most Jews and also many (more) Gentiles either reject or ignore the indisputable historical evidence that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled dozens of specific Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. He was seen by at least five hundred people after his resurrection from the dead (I Corinthians 15). Several witnessed his physical return to heaven (Acts 1).

Many other Gentiles allow the historical record that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (his place of birth also prophesied … Micah 5:2) and even concede the fact that he arose from the dead; but they stop short of accepting the reason he was born and the reason he was crucified. They do not personally acknowledge him as God’s Messiah Savior, the Son of God who claimed to be the only way of salvation, the only way to God (John 14:6).

Thanks be to God: There are millions on this planet (including me) who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ Jesus. For one reason only: We simply believed in Jesus and received the amazing grace of God’s gift of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah Jesus as our Savior to forgive our sins and pardon the penalty of those sins. Instead of eternal separation from God, we now have a God-given guarantee of everlasting life in heaven.

Jewish (and Gentile) Denial that Messiah Arrived at the Appointed Time in History

Most of the religious Jewish leaders of Jesus’s time refused to believe the evidence in front of them. Nor did they make any effort to match the timing of Jesus’s birth and years later his triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) followed shortly by his death and resurrection, with their Scriptures.

We’re going to take another look at one of those Scriptures. One that is the most definitive prophecy in the Bible with regard to the appointed time for Messiah to arrive on earth—precisely when the prophet said he would. A passage so conclusive in its prediction and subsequent fulfillment, that to deny or ignore it would have to be an uninformed but also deliberate effort to dispute the very truth of it. I am referring to the first advent of Messiah Jesus.

In today’s Part I article we have already and will continue to emphasize that Jesus is the Messiah and that he has already arrived (the first time). Hence, the emphasis will be geared more so toward Jewish refusal or at least reluctance to believe and receive their own Scriptures.

Next week’s article will concentrate on the extraordinary evidence as presented in the second part of this passage—the ruler who would arise (Antichrist) was none other than the Roman Emperor Nero. That he, too, will return (from the Abyss … Revelation 17:8); meaning that the Antichrist cannot be born in the generation of the Rapture and Tribulation to immediately follow, which I firmly believe is our generation. Like Christ, his counterfeit imposter will not be a modern-day born man.

Here, an important distinction needs to be made: The misapplication or misunderstanding of this passage (and a few other passages on the Antichrist, but especially the one that I’m about to quote) is unfortunate. However, this mistaken interpretation doesn’t have the serious impact or consequences that failure to recognize the fact that Messiah has already arrived has had on the majority of Jews (also Gentiles) and on Judaism itself. Although the Antichrist portion of this passage is not a matter of eternal life or death right now; it is still important to get right. Because if you’re left behind at the Rapture, you won’t be nearly as amazed as the rest of world when they see a Roman Emperor return from the grave.

On the other hand, it will be a matter of their eternal destiny if those left behind choose Nero over Messiah Jesus as savior.

Whether you’ve heard or read it directly from Scripture or from a prior Eye of Prophecy article or from my book, Out of the Abyss; or from other books or articles, or not at all, here is the stunning prophecy given to the prophet Daniel by the archangel Gabriel on direct orders from God:

“Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times. After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple…” (Daniel 9:25-26).

First, a comment on the second sentence of this passage before we examine the fabulous feature of this prophecy that predicts the actual time (dates) when the Messiah would come.

That Jerusalem would be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times, took place progressively after the Jews returned from Babylonian conquest and captivity. The rebuilding included the Temple, then the walls of Jerusalem, and eventually the entire infrastructure of Jerusalem. By the time that Jesus was born, the Romans had taken control of Israel. Although the Jews were subjects in the Roman Empire, the Romans provided them with protection from other potential enemies. Some Jews were also Roman citizens, including the Apostle Paul. The fact is that Jerusalem was a well-fortified city when this prophecy came to pass.

The Actual Time Lapse of the Sixty-nine Sets of Seven (483 years)

Four Hundred, Eighty-Three years would, “pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes.”

At this point, I would like to provide some excerpts from my Eye of Prophecy article entitled, An Incredible Time-Lapse Prophecy, posted 1-18-14. That article immediately preceded and prepared the way for a trilogy of articles called Seven Times Seven (to the 4th Power), I, II, & III (published 1-25, 2-1, 2-8-14). Those articles contained a stunning disclosure from Leviticus Chapter 26; also concerning a specified prophetic time-lapse, but pertaining to Times of the Gentiles—the precise amount of time that Israel would be under Gentile domination which ended in 1967. That illumination was similar in principle to that of Sir Robert Anderson’s disclosed application of Daniel’s prophecy about the coming Messiah in his book, The Coming Prince.

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In italics from An Incredible Time-Lapse Prophecy:

At the outset it is vitally important to distinguish the command to rebuild Jerusalem (starting with the walls of the holy city) from another edict/command issued by a totally different ruler to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. It was the Persian King Cyrus who issued the decree in 538 BC for the Jews to return from their Babylonian captivity and rebuild their holy Temple. In fact restoration of the Temple began a few years later and was completed in 516 BC, 70 years after Israel was conquered and exiled to Babylon, i.e. the 70-year prophesied captivity. Some Bible scholars erroneously selected Cyrus’s edict as the beginning point of Daniel’s 483-year prophecy. They mistakenly assumed that the prophetic words of Daniel’s prophecy (rebuild Jerusalem) also applied to the Temple. But, prophetically and historically we can now clearly see that the rebuilt Temple and rebuilt walls of Jerusalem were two distinct events separated by nearly 100 hundred years.

Once again notice that Daniel’s prophecy is referring exclusively to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The specifics of his prediction came to pass generations later, through another decree; this time given by another Persian King Artaxerxes Longimanus to Nehemiah in 445 BC. The Old Testament book of Nehemiah contains the records/history of the edict and renovation of the walls.

The Anointed One is none other than the Messiah; in fact, many Bible translations actually use the term Messiah in Daniel 9:25 (Messiah means Anointed or Chosen One). Yet, Messiah Jesus was on this earth for some 33 years, so what aspect (time-frame) of his life do we select as the year/time when he would come (to the earth)? His birth, passing into Jewish adulthood (age 13), beginning of his ministry, his crucifixion, his resurrection? Answer: none of the above. The moment in time to identify the passage of 483 years can be none other than Palm Sunday, a week before his crucifixion. Why? That is the precise time when Jesus allowed others to recognize and worship him as the Messiah, which is the specific fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy. Prior to his heralded ride into Jerusalem, he had discouraged even his disciples from publicly hailing him as Messiah. Why?

It wasn’t the right time yet. The time chosen by God long before was to synchronize and confirm his very identity as Messiah (Son of God) with his ultimate mission of purchasing our redemption through his death, burial, and resurrection. As indicated, Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday occurred in consecutive weeks. Nearly all Bible scholars agree that the accolades from thousands of people given to Christ as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (historically kings would ride into a city on a donkey if the king was coming in peace … a horse if the king was coming to conquer) demonstrated public acknowledgment that he was Messiah.

In 1894, a Scotland Yard Detective, Robert Anderson, who was also an ardent student of the Bible, especially prophecy, published his book called, The Coming Prince. Through extensive study and research, he corrected and clarified previous applications of Daniel’s prophecy from such notables as Sir Isaac Newton … one of the greatest scientist of all times, but also a Christian who studied Biblical prophecies extensively. We simply can’t do justice to Sir Robert Anderson’s book in one article; therefore, we will briefly examine the two most important discoveries by him (which are really disclosures and discernment given to him by the Lord).

  • Correct Application of Biblical Years: Simply stated, every Jewish month consists of 30 days (based on the moon’s phases); therefore, every year contains 360 days, not 365 days that we use on the Julian or Roman calendar. Biblical months/years are based on the Jewish calendar. The Roman calendar came along thousands of years after the Jewish calendar. Time doesn’t permit explanation as to why we use the Roman calendar, except to say that Sir Robert Anderson fully realized the necessity of converting Julian years to Jewish years if he or anyone could accurately correlate precise dates in Biblical and secular history …. Days, months, years.
  • Pinpoint Identification of Exact Dates, via Meticulous Investigation of Historical Records: Once again, time/space prohibits extensive review of what he found, so I will highly condense his amazing discovery: Sir Robert Anderson calculated (with partial assistance from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich) the Julian date of King Artaxerxes edict to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to have been March 14th, 445 BC. Furthermore, the Julian date for Jesus’s magnificent ride into Jerusalem was April 6th, 32 AD. By employing the Hebrew calendar, Sir Robert Anderson tallied 173,880 days had elapsed which is exactly 483 Jewish years!! Absolutely astounding! I repeat for emphasis: Incredible!!

(End of excerpts)

Two Main Reasons Why Jesus Was Rejected as Messiah and therefore Crucified for claiming to be Messiah (before the Temple Was Destroyed)

Wrote the Apostle John about Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, Complete Jewish Bible).

Then, “He came to his own homeland, yet his own people did not receive him. But to as many as did receive him, to those who put their trust in his person and power, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12, Complete Jewish Bible).

First Reason: Although there was increasing awareness and fervor that Messiah’s time had come, both the Jewish religious leaders and nearly all of the common people expected (wanted) a Messiah who would arrive as a victorious king to deliver them from Roman oppression, to unify Israel, and restore the glory that began with King David and the successive dynasty of kings that ended when Babylon conquered Judah, the southern kingdom. They could not and would not recognize someone of less than noble birth—a carpenter from Nazareth, despite the power of the truth that he told and miracles that he performed.

They saw no purpose in the sacrificial death of anyone, particularly someone who claimed to be the Son of God … no matter that Jesus proved that claim by rising from the dead. After all, the Law of Moses was enough even though they didn’t and couldn’t keep it, and had been disciplined by the Lord through subjugation by Gentile nations for that very reason.

Second Reason: Some Jews like Simeon and Anna (Luke Chapter 2) and even some Gentiles—like the Magi who obviously had studied Daniel’s prophecy or they wouldn’t have traveled hundreds of miles to bear gifts to the Christ child—knew that it was time for Messiah to come. Whether the Jewish scribes and religious leaders had figured out Daniel’s prophecy and chose to ignore it, or whether they hadn’t even bothered to look more closely at the prophecy is anybody’s guess.

However, I’m convinced that at least some of them knew the prophecy, but simply dismissed out-of-hand the possibility that Jesus was the Messiah—mostly because the truth he spoke and the miracles he performed were jeopardizing their authority over the common people. I say this because of the previously quoted verse that they, “did not receive him.” In other words, this was a deliberate rejection of Jesus as Messiah and Savior despite the crystal clear evidence. As was their denial that Jesus was the prophet foretold by God through Moses who would mediate a New Covenant later announced by Jeremiah.

Moses writes: “Then the Lord said to me … ‘I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him. I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf” (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).

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(Jesus Reading from Isaiah Chapter 61, as Recorded in Luke Chapter 4. His First Announcement That He Came to Fulfill the Messianic Prophecies)

Said Jesus to the Jewish religious leaders: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24).

Then later to those same leaders, Jesus proclaimed:

“In fact you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved … But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you. You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life” (John 5:33-40).

Jesus concluded with more astonishing words: “Yet it isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes. If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. But since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?” (Verses 45-47).

Not just Moses, or Isaiah, or Jeremiah, or Ezekiel, but also Daniel. The religious leaders rejected Jesus because they refused to objectively and comparatively match these and other prophets—particularly Micah (a ruler of Israel would come, born in Bethlehem whose origin is from the distant past) and Zechariah (riding on a donkey into Jerusalem) and Daniel—to Jesus’s birth, life … to all he said and did.

A cursory math calculation of Daniel’s prophecy would have matched the prophetic dates to their time; the very time that Jesus of Nazareth was restoring the sight of the blind, healing the crippled and the terminally ill, setting aside the laws of physics (walking on water), casting out demons like no one had ever done before, and raising people from the dead!

Even more specifically: The very time that he entered Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah’s prophecy, Chapter 9) which was also the time-lapse fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy.

He was the prophet spoken of by Moses. Which is why Jesus said that Moses would condemn them (for their unbelief). Many Messianic prophecies were being fulfilled before their very eyes. Yet, Daniel’s prophecy alone takes away all excuses and arguments against Jesus as Messiah.

Even Less Excuse after Jesus Was Killed and the Temple Destroyed

After this period of 483 years, “…the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple…” (Daniel 9:26)

herod temple destruction 03

(Depiction of Roman Legions Destroying the Second Temple)

Daniel’s prophecy is unambiguously clear: The Messiah would appear before the destruction of the Temple, which took place in 70 AD. And that’s exactly what occurred … Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection some 40 years before the Romans sacked Jerusalem, which irrefutably validates the accuracy of Daniel’s prophecy.

Whereas, the religious leaders and people of Jesus’s time scorned him for the reasons given thus far—most prominent of which was ignoring the plain evidence for the time of Messiah’s appearance and marginalizing or outright rejecting his teachings and miracles—all those who deny that he is Messiah after the Temple was destroyed have no grounds whatsoever to refute the Messiahship of Jesus.

Why?

Because they have the 20/20 hindsight of history, right up to the present day. The Messiah would come at the end of 483 years, exactly when Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem … hailed by the people as the Son of David, the Messiah.

Then the Messiah would be killed BEFORE the Temple was destroyed by the armies of a ruler who would arise (shortly) AFTER Messiah arrived and was killed.

According to the time-line of Daniel’s prophecy, there is no way that the Messiah could (first advent) arrive on the scene of history AFTER the Temple was destroyed.

As Zola Levitt, a well-known Messianic Jew used to say: “And that’s all there is to that.”

Don’t miss next week’s article. Although there are other passages to show that the Roman Emperor Nero is Antichrist, we’ll concentrate on this same text in Daniel and its historical fulfilment to prove that the Antichrist has already been revealed and will also return (reappear) to the earth. Only to meet his final fate at the hands of the true Messiah, when Jesus returns!

Things to Ponder

The Lord calls Israel his special possession and the Jews his chosen people. He loves them with an everlasting love. So do I, and so should everyone who cares at all about the Jewish Messiah, Jesus.

Listen to the Jewish Apostle Paul, a devout Pharisee before the risen Christ changed his heart and his destiny.

Speaking specifically to Roman Gentile Christians, he writes: “I want you to understand this mystery … so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles come to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved…” (Romans 11:25-26).

ALL ISRAËL WILL BE SAVED

There are dozens of Old Testament prophecies and New Testament fulfillment of those predictions to conclusively confirm that Jesus is the Messiah. Yet, if I were a Jew truly seeking the truth about redemption and the Redeemer, the spectacular prophecy of Daniel 9 would be more than enough to convince me that Jesus was and is the promised One.

Jew or Gentile, what about you?

Hear the prophetic voice of Messiah:

“And now the Lord speaks—the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength. He says, ‘You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Isaiah 49:5-6).

Thousands upon thousands of Jews and millions upon millions of Gentiles down through the centuries have experienced the light of salvation directly from the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. Which is: “…Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said” (I Corinthians 15:3-4).

No other man in history has or will ever do what Messiah Jesus has done for me and for you!

He loves you. He gave his all for you. If you haven’t already, give Him your heart.

Call upon the Lord and you will be saved!

(Please take a couple more minutes to listen to this beautiful song written by Michael Card, sung by Amy Grant. With some stunning visuals from the movies, The Ten Commandments & The Passion of the Christ. El Shaddai means Almighty God. El Elyon, in the song, means Most High God)

Messiah’s Arrival … On Whose Authority?

28 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by garybowers in The Rapture

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Jewish Council, Rabbis, Second Coming

Who Determines When Messiah Will Appear?

The Time Has Come for God to Reveal the Messiah, Says Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi.

This is the headline of a November 13th article posted by columnist Rivkah Lambert Adler in the on-line news source Breaking Israel News.

Your reaction to what the author labels a “surprisingly under-reported story” might be: (1) The Chief Rabbi is simply imploring God to bring Messiah to Israel soon, because this is the passionate prospect of rabbis and Jews in Israel and the world over. (2) Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi is saying that God is obligated to reveal Messiah … the sooner the better.

If you chose option number two, you would be correct!

The author, Rivkah Alder, continues but with clarification that Rabbi Shlomo Amar, who issued the proclamation, is one of several chief rabbis who hold to the concept (teaching) that, as expressed by Ms. Adler: “…God must bring the messiah and expedite the ultimate redemption (of Israel). The ruling was delivered during an all-night spiritual gathering of rabbis from the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, and a recording of the moment was posted to YouTube (in Hebrew).”

With the clear connotation that God really has no other choice but to comply with this ruling.

The pronouncement was delivered at the conclusion of an annual conference held by the Chabad-Lubavitch society in Brooklyn, New York, in which some 6,000 Rabbis and Jewish leaders attended from over 75 countries around the world. In reporting this event and the extraordinary ultimatum that invoked/reminded God of his responsibility to respond to the virtually unanimous consensus of a large cross-section of Judaism’s religious leaders, Ms Adler writes:

“During this spontaneous gathering … Rabbi Berel Lazar, one of Russia’s two chief rabbis, reminded Amar that 25 years ago, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the last head of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, who passed away in 1994, had asked Amar to issue a psak din (a formal rabbinic ruling) on the issue of the redemption of the Jewish people. Twenty-five years later … Amar agreed that the time had come to rule that God must hasten the arrival of the messiah.”

Said Rabbi Amar: “We hereby rule according to the demand of the audience—we see the plaintiff but can’t see the defendant—that God Almighty speedily bring an end and reveal the Moshiach (messiah) in front of our eyes in actuality.”

Although it was late in the evening, Rabbi Amar’s invocation produced a chorus of “Amens” from the audience. Immediately they began singing, “We want Moshiach now! We don’t want to wait!” According to the article’s author: “These words come from a song that Lubavitch children are taught to sing from a very early age.”

Breaking Israel News is one of a few Jewish internet news and/or religious sites that have recently published several columns pertaining to the exponentially growing hope for Messiah’s arrival in Israel; thereby, to accomplish Israel’s ultimate redemption and to rescue them from their many enemies. Accordingly, BIN has quoted several Rabbis who have commented (with varying degrees of agreement, disagreement, and some prophetic inconsistency) on Messiah’s imminent appearance. Whether the religious or even secular interest in Messiah’s arrival is at least somewhat based on Scripture or not, I have identified this remarkable trend as one of the phenomenal consequences of the twelve modern-day indicators that clearly signal the last days of the end-times. Please see the Eye of Prophecy articles entitled, Look Up, Redemption is Near Part I & II, posted 7-11-15 and 7-18-15.

It Is Not Kept In Heaven!

However, even the Messianic oriented BIN site was apparently astounded by this audacious announcement, as reflected in Ms. Adler’s final probing remarks:

“How is it possible that a rabbi, even one of the chief rabbis of Jerusalem, can make a ruling in Jewish law that obligates God? Breaking Israel News posed this question to senior Chabad Rabbi Uri Kaploun who said, ‘All that comes to mind is the axiom in Chazal (the Jewish sages) that Lo BaShamayim Hi (it is not in Heaven); once the Torah was given, the earthly court makes the rulings, and the Heavenly Court is, as it were, bound by them.’”

Astonishing! Is Rabbi Kaploun’s reply correct? Is it legitimate? Is the axiom quoted by the Rabbi—obviously supported by many other Rabbis and Jewish leaders—found somewhere in the Bible; specifically in the Torah, which is the first five books of the Old Testament, considered superior even to the rest of the Jewish Bible (Old Testament) by most Orthodox Jews?

Either Breaking Israel News didn’t feel qualified to challenge this stunning verdict nor the explanation given as to its justification; or they chose not to, as it undoubtedly would result in a much longer article than intended on the subject. Most likely it was a combination of the two.

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Photo of Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Council

If there is an answer regarding the Biblical authenticity and accuracy of the rabbinical premise (axiom) that warrants such a bold edict, would you like to know what it is? If your answer is, No, then there’s really no reason for you to continue with today’s Eye of Prophecy article! But if you want to know more about Messiah and whether God is obligated to reveal him because the Heavenly Court is bound by decrees of the (Jewish) earthly court, then stay with us.

The answer is both yes and no. Yes, the axiom (one of hundreds of extra-Biblical traditions and commentaries handed down through the ages by Jewish Rabbis primarily recorded in the Talmud) is derived from a passage in the Torah. No, it is not, by any stretch of the imagination, an accurate application (interpretation) of the passage that purportedly transfers God’s authority to men, be it a rabbinical council or not … especially not the timing of Messiah’s arrival (return).

The passage is found in Deuteronomy, and contains what the Rabbi would only describe as “the axiom” which has been given precedence by Jewish sages as the traditional rendition down through the ages over the clear content and intent of the text, itself.

The Biblical setting is just a very short time before the Israelites would finally (after forty years of wandering in the wilderness because they refused to trust the Lord their God) enter the Promised Land. The entire book of Deuteronomy contains a “refresher” course of God’s laws and requirements beginning with the exodus from Egypt, in order for his people to be blessed and remain in the land. In summary of the first twenty-nine chapters filled with reminders of his people’s obligations to him, the Lord through Moses declares:

“This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach. It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commandments, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy” (Deuteronomy 30:11-16, italics for emphasis).

Moses then summarizes this magnificent message that God said was not (no longer) confined to heaven (to God alone); but a message that had, indeed, been liberally and lovingly given to his people. One that could immediately and logistically be placed in their hearts and expressed by their lips … if only, they would trust and obey the Lord their God.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

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It was faith (trust) in God’s Word (commandments) and the Levitical sacrificial system of shedding innocent blood for forgiveness of sins that would lead to obedience. This principle (message) had been clearly demonstrated by God through Abraham long before the Law was given through Moses to the people.

“And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith” (Genesis 15:6).

Who Is Obligated to Whom?

Whereas, I’m certain that the 6,000 Jewish Rabbis/leaders who attended this conference and many other Jews who share the same convictions were respectful toward God in their enthusiasm for Messiah’s (immediate) appearance; they, nevertheless, misunderstood, misapplied, and inappropriately substituted the real meaning of this stirring passage of Scripture with one of their traditional interpretations.

Read the passage again. Where do you see or how is it possible to conclude that God is obligated to send the Messiah based exclusively on their presupposition that the Lord (apparently) relinquished heavenly authority to the Jewish leaders (earthly court) when God gave them the Torah? Or, for that matter, that God must comply with any ruling—whether found in the Torah or not—of chief Rabbis that once consisted of seventy members of the ruling body known as the Sanhedrin?

The context of this passage is crystal clear. Both prosperity and continued presence (existence) in the Promised Land of Israel and life everlasting depended upon whether the people trusted and obeyed God; thereby, choosing life. Or abandon the Lord their God and go their own way; thereby, choosing the horrible alternative, death. Since it was already all too evident that everyone must die physically, the text is referring to the eternal spiritual destiny of the people, but also their continued right to live collectively as a nation in the land. For sure, the Abrahamic Covenant was unilateral … God’s promise that (invariably or inevitably) the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants was in perpetuity.

But equally evident is that the people would suffer the ultimate penalty of God’s judgment (curses rather than blessings) if they rebelled against the Lord and rejected his commandments. This was a foregone conclusion; so much so that several passages in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, warning Israel about the consequences of disobedience, are written as though they had already happened. It was not a matter of if, but when. In fact, Moses subsequently announces this (directly from the Lord) when he in the frankest of terms states: “For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are … I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and will turn from the way I have commanded you to follow. In the days to come, disaster will come down on you, for you will do what is evil in the Lord’s sight, making him very angry with your actions” (Deuteronomy 31:27-29).

The Law was given to establish God’s standard of holiness and right action expected of his people, for their own good and welfare. It was also intended to show them than no one, absolutely no one (including the most religious priests or rabbis) could or would keep God’s laws. The Lord’s incredible patience gave them hundreds of years to prove to him and themselves that they could keep God’s Word. But they couldn’t … they wouldn’t.

Thus, God exiled them to Assyria, to Babylon, and ultimately to nations the world over in the disastrous Diaspora when the Romans ransacked Jerusalem and utterly destroyed the second Temple, thus ending the Sacrificial system of atonement.

But by that time, God had initiated the New Covenant that he promised to his people (and the whole world), a covenant purchased and sealed with the innocent blood of God’s very son, Messiah Jesus. Yes, the one and only Messiah, who many refused to recognize, then and now.

Many Eye of Prophecy articles have included Biblical and historical evidence to validate the birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. As have countless other books, articles, messages, commentaries, and the testimony of millions of believers the world over—including thousands upon thousands of Messianic Jews and their life-changing, destiny-altering personal decision to believe and receive Yeshua (Jesus) as Lord and Savior.

As clearly reflected in some Eye of Prophecy articles, my love and passion for Israel—the Jewish people’s physical return to their God-given land and their soon-to-be nation-wide spiritual restoration to their Lord when they fully recognize and acknowledge Jesus as Messiah— constrains me to express this compassion by sharing the truth of the source of their salvation.

“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time” (I Timothy 2:5-6, italics for emphasis).

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Listen to the writer of Hebrews (New Testament) who quotes Jeremiah’s prophecy of this New Covenant when he contrasts the Old Covenant with the New; thus providing a reason for this more excellent Covenant:

“But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. But when God found fault with the people, he said:

‘The day is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors … They did not remain faithful to my covenant, so I turned my back on them says the Lord. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel … I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts, I will be their God, and they will be my people’” (Hebrews 8:6-10, italics for emphasis; see Jeremiah 31:31-34).

At God’s appointed time (just the right time in history) Messiah came to this earth as the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world. At just the right time, Messiah Jesus will return to this earth as the Lion from the tribe of Judah to make all things right on this weary, war-torn, terror-filled earth.

But Yeshua HaMashiach (Messiah Jesus) will come when he and God the Father chooses … when least expected, with the day and hour known by no one until it happens (Matthew 24 & 25).

Misdirected Enthusiasm

I fully realize and sincerely appreciate the fervor that many Jews have toward God, particularly the observant among them and especially concerning the Messiah. But as the Apostle Paul said to the believers in Rome, both Jew and Gentile:

“Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God” (Romans 10:1-4).

It is no different today, with millions of God’s chosen people, the Jews, still holding onto good deeds, righteous conduct, and tradition after tradition to gain favor with God, and to hopefully be accepted by the Lord into and throughout eternity. To the tragic point that their traditions, especially the Rabbinical rulings or decisions (often with disagreements among rabbis, themselves), become more dominant and decisive than Scripture, itself.

Jesus recognized this and bluntly told the Jewish religious leaders in words of what we would call, in today’s jargon, tough love. We know Jesus loved his people more than we can imagine; not only because of what he constantly said (words of love and life) and did (miracles of healing and helping) but most of all because he died for them to save them from their sins.

Said Jesus: “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition … You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own traditions” (Mark 7:6-9). Jesus then provided an example of how the Pharisees and Sadducees and teachers of the law didn’t even keep the law of honoring their father and mother.

By quoting the prophet Isaiah, Jesus was also referring to our central passage from Deuteronomy Chapter 30 regarding God’s primary message to his people—forgiveness and righteousness is graciously given if they would only choose to trust the Lord … choosing life over death. For to trust is to listen and obey. Moreover this message had been freely and generously extended to them from heaven and could be readily understood in their hearts and expressed with their lips.

Returning to Romans Chapter 10, the Apostle Paul makes the same connection when he continues:

“For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. But faith’s way of getting right with God says, ‘Don’t say in your heart, Who will go up to heaven (to bring Christ down to earth)’ … In fact, it says, ‘The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.’

“And that message is the very message about faith that we preach. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved … Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:5-13, quoting Joel 2:32).

This is what the New Covenant, the Good News of the Gospel, is all about. Faith, not works. Trust in God’s Word which is revealed in both Old and New Testaments (Covenants), not traditions. We can joyfully celebrate (remember) traditions such as Sukkot (Festival of Shelters) but we are not to trust in them for salvation … being made right with God. Any more than Abraham was made right with God hundreds of years before the Law was given, by anything other than believing and trusting in the Lord God.

Of anyone, the Apostle Paul would know. Before his amazing life-changing and destiny-altering encounter with the Risen Messiah (Jesus), Paul says about himself:

“…I want you to understand that the gospel I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I could proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles…” (Galatians 1:11-16).

Like the Apostle Paul, and hopefully as much like my Messiah and Savior Jesus as possible, I, too, have a deep concern for Israel’s physical and spiritual restoration, and share their great expectation for Messiah’s arrival. Which is why I write so much about Israel’s miraculous rebirth and other remarkable events that unmistakably point to the imminent return of Messiah.

That they would as Jesus said: “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation (redemption) is near!” (Luke 21:28). Indeed, many Jews—Orthodox, Reformed, Conservative, and Liberal—are eagerly looking for their redemption. But, adapting from the words of the song, “They’re looking in all the wrong places.” If only they would look to their own prophets (Scriptures) and to the New Covenant (Testament); they would find their Messiah, who is Yeshua … The Son of David, The Son of Man, and the Son of God.

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But there are times like today’s Eye of Prophecy post, that I’m also compelled to challenge rabbinical traditions substituting for or taking precedence over the Bible, as well as misuse of Scripture itself. We find both of these occurring in this misguided rationale for the ruling based on the equally erroneous supposition that God’s Torah message to his people was tantamount to God relinquishing (heavenly) authority to the earthly court; which, in turn, mandates God’s compliance with such rulings.

I’m sure the Rabbis have the utmost respect for God. That they did not willfully intend to usurp God’s divine authority by telling him that it is time for Messiah to appear, especially or exclusively because (they think) such authority was given them to make such a ruling. Rather, they mistakenly reverted back to an axiom that was inaccurate in the first place, much like the one the Roman Catholic Church has copied/borrowed from Judaism: that the religious hierarchy is empowered to issue decrees and rulings that directly or indirectly contradict Scripture. That traditions created and added by Jewish religious leaders (elite) and later the Roman Catholic clergy (Vatican) supersede even the Bible itself.

Neither Deuteronomy Chapter 30 nor any of the Torah conveys that kind of authority at all. It’s just the opposite. It’s everyone’s responsibility—including (especially) those in authority—to listen, to comply, to respond, to make a decision whether to trust and obey God or not … to choose life or death. To opt for blessings or curses. And this mostly certainly means replacing the Old Covenant with the New; because God, himself, as already done that through none other than the Messiah.

Bring in the New

Now that the Old Covenant has been exchanged for the New Covenant, that Grace has replaced Law, to exercise the choice of believing in a Messiah who has already arrived; thereby, choosing God’s eternal pardon for their sins and assurance of live everlasting with the Lord and the host of heaven.

Do I and millions of other believers ardently anticipate the imminent return of Messiah Jesus to establish his glorious kingdom of righteousness, justice and peace (Shalom)? Indeed, we do; but only because of what the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, tells us. Not because of an Orthodox Jewish ruling that requires God to act accordingly.

Yet out of admiration for the sincere enthusiasm expressed by Jewish Rabbis and many Jews (and Gentiles), I truly hope that they are right about Messiah’s any moment (re)appearance. On the other hand, I earnestly hope and pray that they will acknowledge Yeshua as their Savior now, before it’s too late … before he returns as both King and Judge.

With respect and love for the hearts and souls of these Jewish Rabbis and for Jews everywhere, I must caution them: Be careful what you wish for. It’s true that Messiah will bring redemption to Israel; in fact, he already has done that individually … to every Jew and Gentile who places their personal trust in his once and for all atoning sacrifice on the Cross.

The national redemption spoken of in Scripture and often mentioned by observant Jews in today’s world will come at a great price, identified in Scripture as Jacob’s troubles, during the ruler’s march against Israel (Daniel 7, 9, 11, and graphically depicted by Zechariah 11 through 14). So great a salvation will be available only to those who recognize and accept the one whom they (for they are the same as their ancestors) pierced, as prophesied by Zechariah.

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“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died” (Zechariah 12:10).

Pay special attention to the pronouns in this remarkable prophecy. Who is speaking (“then I…”)? “I” is the same “me” whom they pierced. Messiah is speaking. This is referring to none other than Jesus of Nazareth who was nailed to a cross and “pierced” for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5, NASB).

Things to Ponder

A member of the first century Jewish Sanhedrin (religious ruling body of seventy) by the name of Nicodemus came after dark one evening to learn from the greatest Rabbi of all time. He began the meeting with these words:

“Rabbi … we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you” (John 3:2).

Jesus of Nazareth replied to Nicodemus: “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (Verse 3).

When Nicodemus asked what Jesus meant by being born-again, Jesus explained it to him. Included in this enlightenment is perhaps the most well-known verse in all of Scripture, Old or New Testament:

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

This esteemed member of the powerful Sanhedrin became a believer in Jesus; because he set aside his traditions long enough to listen. He opened his eyes, ears, and heart to the written and Living Word of God, and realized that Jesus is the Messiah. This belief would be conclusively confirmed when Jesus arose from the tomb where Joseph of Arimathea, another member of the Jewish High Council, and Nicodemus had buried him.

The tomb is empty to this day!

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“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying…’” (John 11:25).

What about you?

Do you believe?

Who do you say that Jesus is?

Great Expectations for Messiah

08 Saturday Aug 2015

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

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Tags

Bible Codes, Jonathan Pollard, King Messiah, Second Coming, Talmud

Great Expectations for Messiah … Then and Now

What does Aliyah, the blood moon tetrad, the Shemitah, hidden Bible codes, the third Jewish Temple, a red heifer, and Jonathan Pollard’s release from prison have in common, one with the other? If you desire a short easy-to-remember response to that question, then the answer is: Israel’s Redemption Is Very Near. If you prefer a one-word explanation for the common-ground connection between these seemingly diverse subjects and events, we can do that too:

MESSIAH!

Jews all over the world, especially observant Jews in Israel, are becoming exponentially excited over Israel’s redemption. They see this restoration as both physical—rescue from and protection against their enemies—and spiritual … individual and national return to God through renewal of the sacrificial system lost to them when the second Temple was destroyed. No matter what form this revival takes and no matter whether a Jew is religious or secular, there is one prevailing and passionate premise: Messiah will make all these things happen upon his glorious appearance.

For most Jews this will be the first arrival of Messiah. For born-again believers, Gentiles and Messianic Jews alike, this will be the majestic return of Messiah (Jesus Christ).

Two Eye of Prophecy articles entitled Look Up, Redemption is Near (Part I & II) were recently published on 7-11-15 and 7-18-15, respectively. In these articles, we looked discerningly at twelve unmistakable signs of the 20th & 21st centuries showing that Biblical end-times prophecy has been and is being fulfilled in one generation alone. In the second article, these signs were itemized for quick reference. They are as follows:

  1. Rebirth of Israel as a Sovereign Nation, 1948
  2. Recapture of Jerusalem in the June, 1967 Six-Day War
  3. Jerusalem, a Heavy Burden to the Nations
  4. The 3rd Rebuilt Temple
  5. Israel’s Phenomenal Agricultural Accomplishments
  6. Modern-Day Alignment of Gog/Magog Nations against Israel
  7. National and Ethnic Wars in the 20th & 21st Centuries
  8. Amazing Increase of Natural Disasters
  9. Moral & Spiritual Decline & Intense Persecution of Christians
  10. False Messiahs & Prophets
  11. Unequaled Increase in Quantity and Speed of Transportation and Information
  12. Unprecedented Spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the World

In this 107th article, which is also the 3rd post in the 3rd year since this project began in late July, 2013, it’s fitting to quote the subtitle of the Eye of Prophecy website which is: “For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus” (Revelation 19:10). The very center of Biblical prophecy, Jesus Christ, is what this ministry is all about. I trust that the articles have been true to and accomplished that objective. Thus, considering that the numbers seven and three are directly related to and reflective of God’s divinity and sovereignty, it’s also fitting that this week’s article focuses on this Messianic fervor that is sweeping over Israel.

Although most of the topics listed in the first paragraph of this article are not specific Biblical prophecies as such, they are, when combined together, amazing evidence that the time of Messiah is near, so very near. Why can we say that? Because the last time that Israel and even surrounding Gentile nations were so zealous about the arrival of Messiah, that’s exactly what happened! Jesus Christ appeared on the scene of history fulfilling dozens of Biblical prophecies that he was, in fact, the Messiah … with an abundance of documentation, the greatest proof of which was his resurrection from the grave!

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Messianic Expectations at the Time of Jesus Christ

Scholars differ in opinion as to the extent of Messianic anticipation found in the first and second centuries before and after the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. But when you include Biblical historical accounts with Jewish writings, it’s hard to escape the (clear) evidence that many Jews in Israel were eagerly looking for Messiah to arrive any day. This was especially evident during the rise of the Roman Empire and certainly when Rome added Israel to its conquered territories. The more the Romans exercised control over Israel, the greater was Israel’s longing for Messiah’s coming. The vast majority of Jews believed that only the Messiah could free them from Roman subjugation and restore Israel to the glory days of King David. There were numerous examples of this increasing hope for Messiah’s imminent appearance, none more so that an entire segment of Jewish society known as the Zealots.

Evidence from Jewish Rabbinical Writings: In a well-documented and written on-line article posted in 1996 by Glenn Miller, entitled, Messianic Expectations in 1st Century Judaism, he reaches the following conclusion: “So, it is very easy to document a wide range of Messianic expectations and, judging from the explosion of messianic materials in the period 200 BCE-200 CE and the wide acceptance of popular messianic leaders, it is very easy to conclude that messianic expectations were widespread.”

The messianic materials referred to by Glenn Miller were primarily the Jewish Talmud which consists of two component parts: The Mishnah and the Gemara. The Talmud was a first and second century written compilation of thousands of rabbinical oral teachings and opinions that the Jews felt were necessary to successfully defend and maintain Judaism after the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the second Temple. Miller also included findings from the Jewish Midrash, Targums, Dead Sea Scrolls (the Essenes), Jewish Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha books such as I Enoch and 2 Esdras.

Biblical Evidence: The following examples include but are not limited to the strong evidence that some Gentiles and many Jews believed the Messiah would appear in their (1st century BC or AD) lifetime:

  • The Magi: “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is the new-born king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).

We then read that Herod was “deeply disturbed” about this news and asked the religious leaders where the Messiah was to be born. They replied by quoting Micah 5:2 … the ruler (Messiah) would be born in Bethlehem. In the context of this article, there are two distinct things going on here. First, most scholars (including me) believe these wise men had hailed from either Babylon or Persia or both. That they had read the prophecies of Daniel who was well-known to their ancestors. How else would they have known the approximate time and signs of Messiah’s arrival? The star was a supernatural means God used to guide them to Jerusalem, just a few miles from Bethlehem. What they didn’t know was exactly where the Messiah would be born. It took the Jewish religious leaders to search the Scriptures to locate the prophesied birthplace of Messiah.

Ironically or conveniently the Jewish religious leaders would later (during Christ’s ministry and when they had him crucified) decline to check carefully where Jesus was born. Instead they regarded him as simply a man from Nazareth who was impersonating the Messiah. But it stands to reason that these Magi were not the only Gentiles who realized that Messiah’s time was at hand. Undoubtedly, there were others who didn’t make the trip to Israel to find the King Messiah and worship him.

  • The Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and Priests: Although the pious leaders of Israel refused to believe the incredible miracles that Jesus performed, his amazing teaching with great authority, and his claims that he was not only Messiah but the Son of God, it’s very interesting that they didn’t refute the fact that they and many of their compatriots fully expected Messiah to appear on the scene during their time on this earth.
  • John the Baptist: John knew full well his purpose in life—to prepare the way for God’s Anointed One. He and his followers were altogether aware and eagerly embraced the evidence that Messiah would and then did arrive on the scene. In fact, John recognized Jesus as their Messiah when he said, “…Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
  • Simeon’s Expectation of and Encounter with Messiah: “At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God saying, ‘Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!’” (Luke 2:25-32, italics for emphasis).

For me this is one of the most precious and astounding accounts in the Gospels to demonstrate how God fulfills prophecy, in this case the preparation of both Jews and Gentiles for the magnificent and appointed time of his Son’s arrival on earth. Note the italicized portion of this passage: Simeon had been waiting (with obvious implication … a long time) enthusiastically for Messiah to come and rescue Israel. There is an obvious implication that Simeon was only one of many Jews who had this same expectancy, at some level or another. But Simeon’s passionate anticipation was intense and God rewarded him by letting him hold Messiah in his arms before Simeon passed from this earth.

Immediately after this scene with Simeon, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, an old woman named Anna was also rewarded for her faithfulness in believing that the time of Messiah had arrived. After seeing Jesus and also realizing who he was, she praised God and, “…talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38, italics for emphasis).

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Regarding Simeon, also note that he totally understood Messiah’s real purpose for coming (the first time), when he said, “I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.”

Not only for Israel, but Jesus would be a light to the Gentile nations. Sadly, those who denied Jesus, a rejection that led to his crucifixion, couldn’t and wouldn’t see who Messiah ought to be. They had not carefully studied their own prophets, especially Isaiah, who spoke of Messiah as the suffering servant of God, one who would be, “…pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins” (Isaiah 53:5).

Yes, Messiah would rescue Israel, but it would be a spiritual liberation. Said the angel to Joseph: “… do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).

God knows all too well what is best for us: Unless the human heart is radically changed, there can be no peace with God and between peoples.

Both Biblical and secular history is crystal clear: A vast cross-section of Jews and a few Gentiles in the first centuries BC and AD fully expected, some with ardent anticipation, the advent of Messiah. This was not a coincidence and certainly not by accident. And so: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, lived, taught, performed great miracles mostly in Galilee, and ultimately died for the sins of the whole world on a cross near Jerusalem. But then he rose from the dead, ascended back to heaven from the Mount of Olives. And from that very spot he will return in great power and glory, this time as the King of kings and Lord of lords. (See Acts 1:9-11 & Revelation 17:14).

Now let’s look at some very contemporary things taking place in Israel that once again validates the soon return of Messiah. The twelve prophetic signs previously alluded to are more than sufficient to demonstrate that the Rapture is very close at hand. However, when we see how the incredible expectancy for Messiah has captivated attention of Jews all over today’s world, we can compare that phenomenon to the same first century passionate eagerness for Messiah’s arrival to save Israel. But the question then: Save them from what?

For those of us, Jew and Gentile, who have been redeemed by Jesus’s atoning sacrifice on the Cross, it will be the glorious reappearance of our Lord. For the greater number of Jews in Israel and world-wide, they believe of course, that it will be Messiah’s first advent. But during the time of Jacob’s trouble (the Great Tribulation) they, too, will fully realize that Messiah and Jesus are one and the same.

For now, suffice to say that Jews (particularly rabbis) are seeing Messianic connections between seemingly unrelated events. With the exception of Aliyah, the following list of correlations made by mostly Jewish Rabbis is not a fulfillment of specific Biblical prophecies as such. However, I firmly believe that when Jews, especially Rabbis, begin making these associations in such large numbers and to such a level of intensity; this is God’s sovereignty in action … by planting the seed of Messianic passion within the hearts and minds of his people just as he did before Christ came the first time.

Seven Messianic Correlations Being Made by the Jews (there are more)

Aliyah:

Literally this Hebrew word means going up (to Israel) or the ingathering return of Jews all over the world to Israel. The following Bible verse is one of many that predict this phenomenal event hundreds of years before the Jews were conquered and expelled from the Promised Land by the Romans in 70 AD, labeled the Great Diaspora by Jews and Gentiles alike: “For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land” (Ezekiel 36:24).

This is the first of the twelve milestones (listed earlier in today’s article) discussed in Look Up, Redemption is Near, Part I & II, under the heading: The Rebirth of Israel…: that Messiah’s appearance is very near.

God through Ezekiel goes on to say: “…I will bring them home to their own land from the places where they have been scattered. I will unify them into one nation on the mountains of Israel. One king will rule them all; no longer will they be divided into two nations or into two kingdoms … I will cleanse them. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be their king, and they will have only one shepherd … They will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived…” (Ezekiel 37:21-25).

aliyah

Thus they completely comprehend that, when Israel was reborn as a nation in 1948 and especially when Jerusalem was recaptured in 1967, the Biblical prophecy of Jewish exiles returning, as recorded in the book of Ezekiel (and other Old Testament prophets), is being fulfilled in this generation. Both observant and secular Jews realize resolutely that they are living in a historical time of Israel’s restoration and redemption. That the heart and soul of this ingathering return to Israel will be Messiah (my servant David … only one shepherd) uniting and leading them.

Now let’s examine some more recent incidents that have made headlines in certain Jewish circles. Whether any of these happenings have any specific connection to Messiah’s actual appearance is not the point. The real consequence is that the Jews are viewing them as evidentiary signs that Messiah’s arrival is drawing ever so near. I’m sure there will undoubtedly be more events in the near future that will bear Messianic significance to the Jews.

Specifically, we’ll look at comments or views from different Jewish Rabbis on these recent signs to show the totality of what’s happening in Israel and the world over, all of which can be boiled down to one common contemporary belief and premise that is sweeping over the Jewish community: Messiah will soon appear.

Blood Moon Tetrad:

The final of the four-part Blood Moon Tetrad (cycle) that began last year will occur in a few weeks … September 28th, 2015. I devoted one entire Eye of Prophecy article to this subject, entitled Blood Moons, published 4-19-14. I would encourage you to read that article, to better put this subject in a Biblical perspective.

But for purpose of today’s article, let’s listen to a quote from a rabbinic scholar, Rabbi Mendel Kessin, in a recent message delivered on the subject of Blood Moons that have occurred on important Jewish festival dates (Passover and Sukkot … Feast of Tabernacles). Said Rabbi Kessin: “Every time a blood moon happens (on a Jewish holiday tetrad), there is a messianic advancement … we have now entered the countdown to the messiah, which is unbelievable. Based on the (verse from the Book of Joel), based on what’s happening, something awesome seems to be in the works. Fascinating!”

Although the main topic of Rabbi Kessin’s message was the blood moon phenomenon, he also referenced the Shemitah and Iran’s menace to Israel as other events that will usher in the Messianic age.

Shemitah, the Sabbatical Year:

“For six years you may plant your fields and prune your vineyards and harvest your crops, but during the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the Lord’s Sabbath. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards during that year” (Leviticus 25:3-4).

Although there were other reasons that the Lord eventually disciplined Israel that ultimately led to their 70-year Babylonian captivity, violation of the seventh year of leaving the land fallow (Shemitah) was the reason cited by God for the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple. I believe the reason for God specifically naming this violation is that Israel (at the time) fully understood that they had failed to keep this important law, one that assured God’s blessing on their land. Israel disputed the other obvious wrong things they had done, which are time and time again listed by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and other Jewish prophets. Of course God was right and his people were wrong, but the one thing they couldn’t take issue with is failure to keep the seventh Sabbatical year (Shemitah).

But now, in our time, Israel is once again keeping the Shemitah. Nearly all Israeli farmers have allowed their farmland to remain uncultivated this past Shemitah which began in the Jewish calendar year 5775 (last year) and ends in the next few weeks on September 13th. (The Jewish calendar year begins on Rosh Hashanah, which is the 1st of Tishrei … this year on September 14th, 2015.)

In the Babylonian Talmud (referenced earlier in this article), there is clear understanding that Messiah will come in the year following the Shemitah. Here is a quote from the Talmud: “As it is written, in that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen. Our Rabbis taught: in the seven-year cycle at the end of which the son of David will come—in the first year, this verse will be fulfilled.”

2014-2016-chart

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, a highly respected rabbi among Orthodox Jews recently encouraged Jews from all over the world to return to Israel (Aliyah) as soon as possible, saying: “or there won’t be enough room on the airplanes.” He made this startling statement specifically in the context of the soon to end Shemitah, as well as all of the other signs that seem to be aligning with Messiah’s arrival.

Hidden Bible Codes:

Beginning two-three decades ago, books were published and articles written on the astounding discovery of current (20th and 21st century) events unfolding based on hidden texts found mostly in the first five books of the Torah (Old Testament). Although the stir created by these hidden codes has dissipated in the past few years, once again a Jewish Rabbi has purportedly found a hidden code in the book of Daniel that, through the use of Gematria (numerical values assigned to the Hebrew alphabet, i.e. counting in Hebrew) shows that the time of Messiah is upon us.

Time and space doesn’t permit in this article, so suffice to say that Rabbi Mattityahu Glazerson ascertained a numerical (gematria) connection between events in the book of Daniel, the Messiah as the Son of David, and the current Shemitah, followed by the next Jewish year. The calculations resulted in Rabbi Glazerson suggesting that, “the time of the end” phrase in Daniel will coincide with the conclusion of the Shemitah in the Jewish year 5775 on September 13th. But mostly importantly with the beginning of the next Hebrew year of 5776. That Messiah should come sometime during this coming Hebrew year beginning September 14th, 2015.

*Note: Personally, I’m not sure what to think about these hidden codes of Scripture, except to say that there is more than enough evidence in the actual text of the Bible to narrow down the “season” of the Lord’s return. I have written about this generational time-frame of the Lord’s return in several Eye of Prophecy articles, with the most representative of these being, The Omega Generation, posted on 2-15-14.

Jesus, himself, said that no one can know (predict) the day or hour of his coming. But we can and should carefully examine the seasonal signs; meaning the approximate time-range and window of opportunity when the Rapture will occur, followed in seven-years by the glorious return of Messiah Jesus to Planet Earth.

The Third Jewish Temple:

Many Jews don’t necessarily consider the Third Temple as a prophetic phenomenon; rather, they view it as a matter-of-fact individual and national necessity, both literally and symbolically, as a precursor to Israel’s redemption. They even disagree whether rebuilding of the Temple will be launched by Messiah or by orders and initiation of observant Jews.

Recently, much as been written (including several Eye of Prophecy articles) about the incredible emphasis on and enthusiasm over the Third Jewish Temple. Nearly all, if not all, of the Temple furniture and utensils have been finished, including the menorah and sacrificial altar itself. Descendants from the tribe of Levi have been identified (that can actually be done through DNA evidence!), selected, and trained as future priests.

The intensity of observant Jews over the possibilities of their rebuilt temple has reached unprecedented and unparalleled proportions in the past few years. Even secular Jews are beginning to accept the reality of a rebuilt Temple.

The Red Heifer:

According to Jewish members of The Temple Institute, the only missing piece for resuming the Levitical sacrificial system lost when the 2nd Temple was destroyed, aside from the Temple building itself, is the breeding of the required red heifer for one of the all-important sacrifices. (See Numbers Chapter 19). Says Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute, “Our immediate goal is to produce the first kosher red heifer in 2,000 years.”

red_heifer

This breeding program began just a few weeks ago and could take three years or so to produce the perfect (red) heifer. It’s yet another example of what is taking place in Israel that is part of the end-times scenario. Biblically, however, it’s obvious that a red heifer does not actually have to exist before the Day of the Lord begins (with the Rapture).

Jonathan Pollard’s Release from Prison:

For those who may not know, Jonathan Pollard was convicted in 1985 of being an Israeli spy for disclosing US military secrets to Israel. He was sentenced to life imprisonment subject to a 30 year review for pardon. He was recently pardoned and will be released on November 20th, 2015, exactly 30 years later. It’s a well-known fact that several former CIA and FBI chiefs believed his life sentence was excessive, far exceeding Pollard’s treason in comparison to similar acts of espionage by other spies. The implication was that the sentence was so harsh because he was a Jew.

But in context of this Eye of Prophecy article, the most remarkable feature of Pollard’s recent pardon is that Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, who died in June, 2010, developed a close and supportive relationship with Pollard that lasted for some 20 years. After the rabbi’s death, Jonathan Pollard’s wife, Esther made public some intriguing messages from Rabbi Eliyahu, published by The Yeshiva World News on June 11, 2010. Among these writings, the late Rabbi predicted that Jonathan Pollard’s eventual release from prison (even though he didn’t know for sure that Pollard would ever be released) would be directly connected to the final redemption of Israel, of the Jewish people … brought about by the Messiah. Listen to these remarkable words from Rabbi Eliyahu speaking about Jonathan Pollard:

“You are a cosmic key to the redemption of the Jewish people. Your release is synonymous with the release of the Shechinah (the Divine presence) from galut (exile). Your release is tied up with the Moshiach Ben David’s (Messiah, son of David) return to the Land. Your release is bound to the redemption of the land and people of Israel.”

As already indicated in citing this and the previous listed events or signs that many rabbis have considered imminent precursors to Messiah’s arrival; none of them individually may be, in fact, directly associated with Messiah. But taken as a whole, the pattern demonstrated indisputably reflects the same kind of Messianic fervor that preceded the arrival of Jesus Christ, which resulted in a partition of time itself … from BC to AD.

Moreover, did you catch one amazingly crucial word in Rabbi Eliyahu’s statement? I don’t know if Mordecai Eliyahu was a Messianic Jew or not. Most likely he was not, as very few modern-day rabbis are; or if they do believe that Jesus is the Messiah, they’re not making it public.

Please read his statement again and see if you can find the one word that might suggest he had possibly considered that Jesus of Nazareth was/is the Messiah. Did you find it? Did you even look?!

If not, this is the word: RETURN.

That’s right. He said, “…with the Moshiach (Messiah) Ben David’s return to the Land.” With what could very well mean just what the rabbi meant to say: That Messiah had already appeared to Israel … in the Land. Messiah (Yeshua) is now ready to return, and usher in Israel’s redemption—symbolically represented by Pollard’s release from prison.

630640-des-manifestants-israeliens-reclament-la-liberation-de-l-espion-jonathan-pollard-devant-l-ambassade-

The main point: Virtually every recent significant event that involves Israel is being compared and connected directly to the end time arrival of Messiah! Just like what happened the first time that Christ came to this earth, born in Bethlehem of a virgin—the Son of God, the Son of David, and the Son of Man. The first time as the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world. And soon, very soon, to return as the Lion from the Tribe of Judah to rescue Israel from total annihilation, to prevent the world from self-destruction, and to complete Israel’s redemption so that all of Israel (the remnant left from the Great Tribulation) will be saved, physically and spiritually.

Things to Ponder

When Messiah returns in power and great glory, all Israel will know that he is Jesus of Nazareth. They will rejoice like never before; they will fight ferociously alongside him while he leads them to a resounding victory over their enemies. But first they will mourn greatly, because they will fully realize that it was they who nailed Jesus to the Cross; no different than their ancestors and no different from all of us whose separation from God compelled Christ to redeem us by paying the penalty for our transgressions.

“…They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died. The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the great mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo” (Zechariah 12:10-11).

Soon, I will turn 69 years of age (September 28th … day of the blood moon). Thanks to our Lord and Savior, my destiny in heaven is assured. My prayer and hope is that I will arrive there along with millions of believers taken in the magnificent Rapture. But if my translation to heaven is by way of death, then so be it. I will humbly say what Messiah Jesus said to God, his father, a short time before giving up his life for me (for you):

“…Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39).

ISRAEL

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  • “One Ring To Rule Them All….”
  • A Beast by Any Other Name … Part I
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  • A Deal That Will Live In Infamy
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  • A Religion of Peace? (Part I)
  • A Religion of Peace? (Part II)
  • A Revived Roman Empire … Or Not?
  • A Sleeping Giant
  • A Tale of Two (Arab) Cousins
  • A Third Jewish Temple (Part II)
  • A Third Jewish Temple?
  • A Trilogy of Terror
  • Aftermath of America’s Amazing Election
  • Age of Grace (Part I)
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  • Alliances against Israel
  • Amazing Anticipation for Messiah
  • Ambassador Nikki Haley & The Truth About Israel
  • America the Beautiful Is Getting Ugly
  • An Incredible Time-Lapse Prophecy
  • An Islamic United Nations?
  • An Unprecedented Palestinian Attack in Jerusalem
  • And Justice For All
  • Antichrist / A “Back To The Future” Prophecy
  • Antichrist … Is He Alive Today?
  • Antichrist and Anzio … What Do They Have in Common?
  • Antichrist and the Vicar of Christ … Part I
  • Antichrist and the Vicar of Christ … Part II
  • Antichrist’s Dreaded Arrival / First or Second Appearance?
  • Armageddon & Messiah’s Return … An Amazing Sequence of Events
  • Beginning of the End
  • Beware of the Bear!
  • Biblical Terms Not in the Bible … Are They Biblical?
  • Blood Moons
  • Blow the Trumpets … Messiah Will Come!
  • Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (of Israel)
  • BREXIT … What’s It All About?
  • Bring Back Our Boys
  • Build The Temple! Will Messiah Come?
  • Can A Murderer Be A Martyr?
  • Christ or Antichrist … who will it be?
  • Comparing A Phenomenal Prophecy in Leviticus With One in Zechariah
  • Conspiracy Theories … A New World Order
  • Countdown to Armageddon … End of the Fourth 400-Year Era
  • COVID-19 / Just Another Plague?
  • COVID-19 / Just Another Plague? (Part II)
  • Cunning Makeover of the Great City (Revelation 17)
  • Daniel’s 70 Prophetic Weeks & The Number Seventy!
  • Day of Infamy
  • Did God Really Appear to People? When & How?
  • Diplomacy With Israel Despite Anti-Semitism / A Puzzling Paradox
  • Divine Consequences of Iran’s Arrogance (Part I)
  • Divine Consequences of Iran’s Arrogance (Part II)
  • Does Christmas Really Need Christ?
  • Does God Really Have a Son? … Part I
  • Does God Really Have a Son? … Part II
  • Does Israel Belong To The State of Israel?
  • Does The Holy Spirit Restrain (the Man of) Lawlessness?
  • Don’t Seal The Book of Revelation!
  • Double Israel’s Trouble & Double Her Blessings!
  • End of the World Events … In Chronological Order!
  • Ethnic Cleansing of Jews … The Real Palestinian Agenda
  • Exposing Antichrist’s Identity … More Compelling Evidence (Part I)
  • Exposing Antichrist’s Identity … More Compelling Evidence (Part II)
  • Extraordinary Biblical Prophecies w/Predicted Times of Fulfillment (Part I)
  • Extraordinary Biblical Prophecies w/Predicted Times of Fulfillment (Part II)
  • Festival of Tabernacles … Part I
  • First Century Existence of Christ and Antichrist & Their 21st Century Return
  • Five Life-Changing Meals in the Bible
  • For or Against Israel?
  • For Such A Time As This
  • Fountain of Youth & Fountain of Life … Is There a Difference?
  • Four Locust Kingdoms!
  • Freedom … What Does It Really Mean?
  • Fulfilled Prophecy Proves We Can Trust The Bible
  • Gateway to the World
  • Giving Thanks … What is it all about
  • Global Obsession with Jerusalem … In Biblical Proportions!
  • Globalism or Populism … Which Will Antichrist Prefer?
  • God Is Great & Yet He’s So Good!
  • God Is in Control
  • God’s New Covenant with Israel … Minus the Temple (Part I)
  • God’s New Covenant with Israel … Minus the Temple (Part II)
  • Gog, Magog and Leviathan
  • Gog/Magog’s Prophetic Clock Is Ticking, Ticking….
  • Grace and Law … A Biblical Balance
  • Great Expectations for Messiah
  • Hanukkah & Christmas / Do They Have Anything in Common?
  • Hanukkah … The Festival Born of a Prophecy!
  • Happy New Year … Jerusalem Style!
  • Has Antichrist Already Died … How, When & Why
  • How and When Does The World End?
  • How the Rapture
  • Humiliating End of the Great City (Revelation 17)
  • Hurricane Harvey & A Year of Prophetic Milestones (2017)
  • Intriguing Comparisons Between Antiochus IV & Antichrist (Nero)
  • Israel Is Again The Head, Not the Tail (The Deal of the Century)
  • Is President Trump Wavering On “The Waiver”?
  • ISIS, Nero, and Rome
  • Israel Is Here To Stay … Forever!
  • Israel’s Annexation of Occupied Territory? We Must Define The Terms
  • Israel’s Controversial Nation-State Law
  • Israel’s Government in Limbo … Unprecedented!
  • Israeli Occupation … Fact or Myth?
  • Italy’s New Government / A Thorn in the EU’s Side
  • Jerusalem … A Capital Without a Country?
  • Jerusalem … City of Peace?
  • Jerusalem / City Above All Cities
  • Jerusalem’s Mysterious Eastern Gate … Making Headlines
  • Jesus’s Stunning Statements While on the Cross… A Summary of Salvation!
  • Jesus Is The Very Essence of Prophecy
  • Jewish Christian / Christian Jew … An Oxymoron?
  • Jewish Settlements in Judea/Samaria … Are They Illegal?
  • Jewish Sovereignty on Temple Mount (Part I)
  • Jewish Sovereignty on Temple Mount (Part II)
  • Jubilee and Messiah … They Go Together!
  • Judea/Samaria & Gaza Strip / Who Has Sovereignty?
  • Just How Imminent is Messiah’s Imminent Return?
  • King David’s Tomb
  • Kingdom of God
  • Las Vegas Massacre … A Broader Perspective
  • Lazarus and Lazarus & The Sign of Jonah
  • Let’s Celebrate … Forever!
  • Let’s Make a Deal
  • Light of The World (Sequel To: The Incomparable Power & Authority of Jesus Christ)
  • Look Up, Redemption Is Near … Part I
  • Look Up, Redemption Is Near … Part II
  • Major Earthquake in Israel … When & Where It Will Strike
  • Melchizedek … A Man of Mystery!
  • Merry Christmas … What’s It All About?
  • Messiah and the Jewish Festivals … An Extraordinary Connection!
  • Messiah’s Amazing Appearances Before He Was Born
  • Messiah’s Arrival … On Whose Authority?
  • Messiah’s Ascension & Coronation … Seen Long Before It Happened!
  • Messiah’s Millennial Reign … Incredible Changes on Earth
  • Messiah’s Number & Its Prophetic Value
  • Messiah’s Return & The Rapture (Same or Separate Events?)
  • Messianic Jews … Who Are They?
  • Modern Day Antichrist?
  • Moral Equivalency
  • More Palestinian Lies
  • More Than One Messiah?
  • Moses & Elijah vs. Antichrist & The False Prophet
  • Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem … A Broken Promise?
  • NERO & The Remarkable Revival of His Name
  • O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!
  • Old & New Testament Saints … Is There a Difference?
  • One Global Language … Coming Soon! (Part I)
  • One Global Language … Coming Soon! (Part II)
  • One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Messianic Jews … Part I
  • One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Messianic Jews … Part II
  • One Nation Under (the wrath of) God
  • One World Government?
  • One World Religion?
  • Palestine or Israel? Which Is It? / Your Answer May Be In Jeopardy!
  • Palestinian Propaganda Is Pure Poison
  • Palestinian Refugees… Are They Really Refugees?
  • Palestinian Terrorism & UN Resolutions … Neither Will Defeat Israel
  • Palestinian Terror Tunnels & Poetic Justice
  • Passover & Messiah Are Inseparable!
  • Passover … an Enduring Legacy
  • Peace Between Israel and Judah … Then World Peace!
  • Peace on Earth … Is It Really Possible?
  • Peace or a Palestinian State … Which Will It Be?
  • Powerful Proof of Messiah’s Identity & Arrival in The First Century!
  • Preach the Gospel … But Not to the Jews!
  • Prince of Peace
  • Prophecy & A Jewish Holiday
  • Prophetic Fate of Israel’s Friends and Foes
  • Prophetic Implications of the Fires in Israel (Part I)
  • Prophetic Implications of the Fires in Israel (Part II)
  • Proportional Warfare
  • Reappearance of Satan, a Roman Emperor & Two Ancient Prophets … Bodily!
  • Reappearance of the Beast (Antichrist)
  • Reexamination of Messiah’s Imminent Return & The Omega Generation
  • Remember December (Kislev) … A Hidden Gem of Prophecy!
  • Removing Christ From Christmas … What Are The Consequences?
  • Replacement Theology (Part I)
  • Replacement Theology (Part II)
  • Resurrections / How Many Will There Be? One, Two, Or Could There Be Three?
  • Rome and Jerusalem … friends or foes?
  • Russia & Iran versus Israel
  • Russia’s Shocking Invasion of Ukraine … A Preview of Gog/Magog’s Attack on Israel?
  • Salvation … “To The Jew First!”
  • Satan in Bodily Form … When & Why (Part I)
  • Satan in Bodily Form … When & Why (Part II)
  • Scripture Says Everyone Will Die / But What About the Rapture?
  • Separation of Church and State … For or Against? (Part I)
  • Separation of Church and State … For or Against? (Part II)
  • Sequel to Stunning Catastrophes & Shocking Statistics of the Great Tribulation
  • Seven Essentials of The Rapture (Part I)
  • Seven Essentials of the Rapture (Part II)
  • Seven Times Seven (to the 4th power)! Part I
  • Seven Times Seven (to the 4th power)! Part II
  • Seven Times Seven (to the 4th power)! Part III
  • Seven Wonders of The Millennium
  • Seven Wonders of The Millennium (Part II)
  • Shameful Saga of the Great City (Revelation 17)
  • Shocking Statistics of the Great Tribulation
  • Significant Sets of Twos in the Bible
  • Six Million Reasons … To Trust the Bible
  • Soon Comes the Antichrist … Straight From the Abyss (Part I)
  • Soon Comes the Antichrist … Straight From the Abyss (Part II)
  • Spiritual Bodies … A Contradiction of Terms? (Part I)
  • Spiritual Bodies … A Contradiction of Terms? (Part II)
  • Stand Still & Watch God Fight for Israel!
  • Stunning Catastrophes of the Tribulation / Their Timing & Purpose
  • Sudden Appearance of Antichrist … Why So Different?
  • Sukkot … The Forever Festival!
  • Superhuman Bodies for Believers / How & Why?
  • Tell a Big Lie Long Enough….
  • Terror, Terror, Terror (Part II)
  • Terror, Terror, Terror! (Part I)
  • The “Right of Return” … For Palestinians or Jews?
  • The Ark of the Covenant … Part I
  • The Ark of the Covenant … Part II
  • The Balfour Declaration … Beginning of the Omega Generation (Part I)
  • The Balfour Declaration … Beginning of the Omega Generation (Part II)
  • The Beast and His Name
  • The Birth of a Nation
  • The Child of Promise (Part I)
  • The Child of Promise (Part II)
  • The Cross and the Torn Curtain (Part I)
  • The Cross and the Torn Curtain (Part II)
  • The End of the Age … how close are we?
  • The False Prophet (Part I)
  • The False Prophet (Part II)
  • The Final Treaty of Rome … Part I
  • The Final Treaty of Rome … Part II
  • The Gog/Magog Countdown Has Begun!
  • The Heart & Soul of Israel
  • The Incomparable Power and Authority of Jesus Christ
  • The Jewish Dichotomy In & Outside Israel
  • The Legacy of Temple Mount
  • The Legendary Return of Nero
  • The Liberation of Jerusalem
  • The Magnificent Millennial Reign of Believers with Messiah
  • The Most Panoramic Prophecy in the Bible (Part I)
  • The Most Panoramic Prophecy in the Bible (Part II)
  • The Most Significant End-Times Sign Of All
  • The Myth of Al Aqsa Mosque
  • The Number of the Beast
  • The Omega Generation
  • The Peace Treaty That Will Guarantee War
  • The Phenomenal Thousand Years/One Day Parallel
  • The Prince and the People That Destroyed the Jewish Temple / Who Were They?
  • The Prophetic Endgame of Gog/Magog
  • The Rapture / Before or After The Great Tribulation?
  • The Real Reason for Palestinian Terrorism
  • The Reign of Terror
  • The Remarkable Rebirth of a Nation
  • The Rest of the Story … Bibi’s Speech to the United Nations
  • The Right to Life?
  • The Russians Are Coming!
  • The Seal of Approval
  • The Second Exodus
  • The Seven Year Treaty
  • The Shout Heard Around the World
  • The Shroud of Turin … Real or Fake? / A Decisive Answer
  • The Shroud of Turin … Real or Fake? / A Decisive Answer (Part II)
  • The Terrible Trio of Gog and Magog
  • The Three Greatest Trials of All Time
  • The Tremendous Transfiguration of Believers!
  • The Two Witnesses (Part I)
  • The Two Witnesses (Part II)
  • The Two Witnesses (Part III)
  • The Vatican and Islam … A Perfect Match for Antichrist
  • The Virgin Birth of Messiah … How and Why?
  • The Whole Truth
  • The Woman and the Beast
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part II)
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part III)
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part IV)
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part V)
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part VI)
  • The Wonder Of It All … Birth of the Child!
  • The World Wants a Messiah … But It Needs (The) Messiah
  • There’s No Place Like Homs
  • There’s Resurrection; And There’s Resurrection!
  • Three … A Divine Number of God!
  • Times of & Fullness of the Gentiles … What Do They Mean?
  • To Be or Not To Be … in Heaven?
  • To Be Or Not To Be … In Heaven? (A Revisit)
  • Trump, Cyrus, and the Jewish Temple
  • Turmoil, Tragedy, & Terror in Israel (Part I … Turmoil)
  • Turmoil, Tragedy, & Terror in Israel (Part II … Tragedy)
  • Turmoil, Tragedy, & Terror in Israel (Part III … Terror)
  • Two-State Solution & The Seven-Year Treaty … Impossible?
  • Two Thirds of the Jews Killed … Past or Future?
  • U.S. President Agrees with God … Jerusalem Is Israel’s Capital!
  • Under the Radar
  • UNESCO / “Theatre of the Absurd” Against Israel
  • United Nations Downsizing of Israel (Resolution 2334)
  • Value of Prophecy
  • West Bank or Judea/Samaria? What’s In A Name?
  • What Is A Saint?
  • What Is Done To Israel Will Be Done In Return / The Iran Nuclear Deal
  • What Is Done to Israel Will Be Done in Return / Dangers of a Divided Jerusalem
  • What is Palestine & Who Is A Palestinian?
  • What is the Rapture?
  • What Is The Unpardonable Sin?
  • When the Rapture?
  • Where is Messiah … Is He Already Here?
  • Where Is The Temple? Part I
  • Where Is The Temple? Part II
  • Where is the Temple? Part III
  • Who is Messiah?
  • Who Is the Antichrist & How Will He Appear (Part I)
  • Who Is The Antichrist & How Will He Appear? (Part II)
  • Who the Rapture?
  • Whom Do You Most Want To See In Heaven?
  • Why the Rapture?
  • Why the Rapture? (A Revisit)
  • Why The World Idolizes Antichrist & How It Reacts To The Tribulation
  • Wiles of the Woman
  • Will All Children Be Taken in The Rapture?
  • Will Believers Go Through the Great Tribulation? (Part I)
  • Will Believers Go Through The Great Tribulation? (Part II)
  • Will There Still Be Unbelievers Throughout Eternity?
  • Yom Kippur / With Or Without Atonement?
  • Zechariah’s Dramatic Description of Antichrist’s Fatal Wounds

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