The Third (70th Week) Temple standing upon
Mount Moriah, Jerusalem in the very near future.
28 January 2014: It won't be long until a real-world fact very close to as what the image above depicts comes into existence. How the 3rd Temple comes to exist is the subject of the many pre-70th Week prophecies you can read about in these Eschatology Today pages as well as in the many linked websites and blogs found along the right margin of this blog's main page. However, the focus of this article is the third and final installment of the original 2009 "All these thing fulfilled... Part I and Part II."
In Part III we will recapture the some key points from Parts I & II in concert with key items of Jesus' prophetic discourse to His disciples on the Mount of Olives circa the year 33 AD (Matthew 24). As a statement of eschatological belief, I convicted by the Spirit that from this point in time, January 2014, and going forward through the next 17 months or so the world literally will witness several of these major prophetic events coming to pass before our eyes and this disbelieving world will find itself landed squarely on the doorstep of the angel Gabriel's prophetic 70th Week, specifically, Daniel 9:27, as given us through the full "70 Weeks Prophecy" of Daniel 9:24-27.
The first point I would like to bring attention to in Jesus' Olivet Discourse is His prophecy in verse 2 regarding the destruction of the 2nd Temple. Let's consider that this prophecy stands like a proverbial book end on the left side of the prophecy. Our Lord then works his way through the several pre-70th Week signs:
1) Deception of many men falsely claiming to be anointed ones (false messiahs).2) Wars and rumors of other wars that must take place (i.e. the prophetic wars of Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49, Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38/39 that must take place), but the end is not yet .3) Wars on a global scale followed by global famines, infectious plagues and earthquakes around the globe.
Our Lord then wraps this up neatly for us by referring to these signs as "All these are the beginning of sorrows" in verse 8. These the pre-70th Week "birthpangs" are heralding the coming of His Kingdom, and we are very familiar with them because we are currently living in them.
Then a instantaneous transition occurs. I believe this transition has two sides or parts to it and occurs in instant of the Harpazo when the Father will have sent His Son to collect all of us, the Bride of Christ. In the Harpazo the bride will be physically caught up, snatched away from this earth and instantaneously changed into new spiritual bodies and met by the Lord Jesus Christ in the air to remain with Him ever more. This is the side of the transition that you want to be on because the other side of this transition is from the present world to the advent of the 70th Week. The Tribulation has arrived.
In this side of the transition that just occurred, back on the earth, terrible things now occur with respect to those who were left behind, who were Christian in name only; those of "Churchianity who were not truly redeemed and were not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. They suffer the consequences of their lack of decision to be covered by the redemptive Blood of the Lamb. At Matthew 24:9 Jesus tells us these people will be hated in all nations, persecuted and killed for "My name's sake."
Facing an onslaught of universal hatred some will completely lose whatever basis of faith they had. Hatred of and betrayal of those who do repent (as seen in verse 13) in the aftermath of the Harpazo will become rampant. So, the time for a decision for Jesus Christ if you have not already done so is right here, right now, because in one instant, no one knows exactly when except for God the Father, this transition will occur without any further warning.
Again, the 70th Week, the tribulation has arrived and is just getting started, as in verse 14 Jesus makes a crystal clear reference to the 144,000 Jewish evangelists will be going around the globe preaching "this Gospel of the Kingdom." The Bride of Christ has been Harpazoed into the the many mansions of His Father; the places He has prepared for the past nearly 2000 years for His Bride. On earth the fulfillment on Ezekiel 39:29 has occurred after the battle of Gog/Magog, and the redemption of Israel has begun wit the Lord pouring out His Spirit and the fulfillment of Paul's prophecy in Romans 11:22-27 has taken place.
Then, in verse 15, Jesus gives us the right side book end of this prophecy. He jumps forward 42 months into the 70th Week and to the point where the Abomination of Desolation, the man-made image of the Antichrist, the beast, the son of perdition, is standing within the Holy Place inside the 3rd Temple. These proverbial book ends capture a sequence of events that date back to their prophetic beginning.
The sequence was of the destruction of the 2nd Temple, the destruction of Jewish Jerusalem and the end of Israel with a global dispersion. This process, as noted in Part I of this article, took precisely 70 years, a Biblical generation (Psalms 90:10) to complete. On our calendar these events began in 66 AD with the first Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire and came to a final conclusion in 136 AD with the end of the third and final Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire.
In the initial Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire, also known as the "Great Revolt" and the one in which Jesus appears to have prophesied expressly in the Olivet Discourse, extended from late 66 AD to early 74 AD. This war was literally begun and ended at the fortress redoubt of Masada over a period of period of precisely 7 years. And those 7 years had a hiatus, definable first and second halves which had been brought about by first civil war among the Jews in Jerusalem, and, secondly, by a Roman civil war for control of the Empire. The result is well known world history, which can be read about here, and here, for those history buffs (like myself) who are so inclined.
As a related aside concerning the fulfilled prophecy of Daniel 9:26b "the people of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary," these links will prove beyond any doubt that two of the four key Roman Army legions (V Macedonica; XV Apollinaris and X Fretensis; XII Fulminata) which besieged and sacked Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD arrived direct from Europe via seaports on the Mediterranean coast of Roman Phoenicia (modern-day Lebanon) and Samaria (modern-day Israel). The latter two had been garrisoned in Greco-Roman Aram-Damascus under Procurator Agrippa II and the 10-city Greco-Roman Decapolis.
So, the duration of these events, the revolts of 7 and 70 years respectively, appear to be significant numbers of years when it comes to Bible prophecy, enough to make the Preterists hold to their eschatological position as they do. But all is not quite that tidy and neat, as we shall see. There are other critical factors which must be accounted for.
In the initial Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire, also known as the "Great Revolt" and the one in which Jesus appears to have prophesied expressly in the Olivet Discourse, extended from late 66 AD to early 74 AD. This war was literally begun and ended at the fortress redoubt of Masada over a period of period of precisely 7 years. And those 7 years had a hiatus, definable first and second halves which had been brought about by first civil war among the Jews in Jerusalem, and, secondly, by a Roman civil war for control of the Empire. The result is well known world history, which can be read about here, and here, for those history buffs (like myself) who are so inclined.
As a related aside concerning the fulfilled prophecy of Daniel 9:26b "the people of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary," these links will prove beyond any doubt that two of the four key Roman Army legions (V Macedonica; XV Apollinaris and X Fretensis; XII Fulminata) which besieged and sacked Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD arrived direct from Europe via seaports on the Mediterranean coast of Roman Phoenicia (modern-day Lebanon) and Samaria (modern-day Israel). The latter two had been garrisoned in Greco-Roman Aram-Damascus under Procurator Agrippa II and the 10-city Greco-Roman Decapolis.
So, the duration of these events, the revolts of 7 and 70 years respectively, appear to be significant numbers of years when it comes to Bible prophecy, enough to make the Preterists hold to their eschatological position as they do. But all is not quite that tidy and neat, as we shall see. There are other critical factors which must be accounted for.
Now, moving on to the modern era beginning in 1948, the process has reversed with the restoration of Israel (per Ezekiel 37) in 1948 and the recapture of Jerusalem in 1967. These events have maintained through the battles or mini wars of the ongoing Psalm 83 war (1973 and 2006) with the final battles yet to be joined, but entirely and glaringly imminent. The Psalm 83 war begun in late 1947/early 1948 is now in its 66th or 67th year. So what remains in the reversal of this prophetic process are the conditions permitting the building of the 3rd Jewish Temple... the 70th Week Temple... the tribulation Temple... the Abomination of Desolation Temple.
If the first, deconstructive part of this prophetic sequence occurred over a period of a literal 70 years, a single generation (as Jesus also noted), then why not consider that the restorative part of the prophetic sequence will also occur in precisely 70 literal years, or from 1948 AD to 2018 AD? This seems logical, even possible given a quick glance considering where things are to day. However, that would be akin to engaging in what is known in these modern times as 'newspaper exegesis.' There are other key factor involved which allow for more time for all of the pre-70th Week prophecies to achieve independent fulfillment.
No pun intended, but chief among those key factors is the prophecy of Ezekiel 38/39 in conjunction with the literalness of Psalm 90:10 which provides two definitions in terms of years or durations of a single generation: 70 as normal, or 80 of strength.
We must be cognizant that the prophetic Word which came to Ezekiel contains two timelines of prophetic significance. 7 years of burning, and 7 months of burying. In the text it appears as though the burning begins first and then the burying commences. The 7 years of burning the Magog Confederation's weaponry as a form of reciprocal plundering and pillaging is the critical eschatological factor to be considered as the text states this burning occurs over a literal and Biblical (360 days each year) 7-year period of time per Ezekiel 39:9.
Let me be perfectly clear about this conclusion: nothing is 100% certain or dogmatic or date-setting about the time-line interpretation I am presenting here, excepting only that "Eretz-Israel" was declared into its modern existence in a single day just as prophesied by Isaiah 66:8 and Psalm 90:10 defines the number of years in a generation. The Word of God is Supreme. And these two points must be addressed.
The first point is the date which starts the Lord's prophetic time-line with respect to Israel and the last days prophecies. That date was May 14, 1948 AD. In the declaration of "Eretz Israel" David Ben-Gurion made no mention of borders of "the land," and no mention of the Lord God and His Abrahamic Covenant in their right to re-establish "Eretz-Israel" was made either. The declaration of "Eretz-Israel" was based upon a declared "natural and historic" right based on "the strength of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly" upon which Ben-Gurion and those gathered with him in assembly in Tel Aviv simply declared the existence of the "State of Israel." They signed the very secular Proclamation and placed their "trust in the Almighty" on the 5th day of Iyar, 5708 - 14th May, 1948. Nevertheless, the prophecy of Isaiah 66:8 was precisely fulfilled at that moment, and the prophetic process of the redemption of Israel began.
The second point is that a normal generation per Psalm 90:10 was given a duration of 70 years. If one were to count forward 70 years in time the count would end in mid-2018 AD. However, if we are in a generation of strength, or 80 years per the same Psalm 90:10, that would count forward to 2028 AD.
Getting back to Ezekiel 38:9, I agree with all of my fellow students of the Lord's Word who say that Israel will have to complete this burning of the Magog Confederation's weapons prior to the middle of the 70th Week. Accordingly, IF the 70th Week should commence circa mid-2018, then the middle of the 70th Week would be circa mid-2021 AD plus and additional 6 months (to account for the full 42 months of the first halve of the 70th Week, thereby placing the time further forward to almost 2022 AD. 2022 minus 7 years is 2015, and for me that is just cutting everything a little too close. In fact, it does not work at all.
Therefore, consistent with my belief that this final generation is a Psalm 90:10 generation of strength of 80 years duration, my conclusion is that we must in sound hermeneutic exegesis push these times forward by most if not all of those additional 10 years. I realize folks are most urgently desiring the Lord's return, and pray daily for the Harpazo to occur without delay. However, in so doing in consideration of those additional ten years we allow for the literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 38/39 and the burning of the weaponry for a full 7 years as well as all of the other preceding prophetic wars (Jeremiah 49:34-39, Isaiah 17, Psalm 83 and associated prophecies) to transpire, each in their own time, and from which Ezekiel also declares that Israel will have recovered from, and be living in peace, safety and fearing no enemy when the Gog/Magog launches its attack. And, most importantly, we do nothing with respect to the timing of the Harpazo of the Bride of Christ. The Father will send His Son at a time we do not expect, Even so, Marana'tha!
If the first, deconstructive part of this prophetic sequence occurred over a period of a literal 70 years, a single generation (as Jesus also noted), then why not consider that the restorative part of the prophetic sequence will also occur in precisely 70 literal years, or from 1948 AD to 2018 AD? This seems logical, even possible given a quick glance considering where things are to day. However, that would be akin to engaging in what is known in these modern times as 'newspaper exegesis.' There are other key factor involved which allow for more time for all of the pre-70th Week prophecies to achieve independent fulfillment.
No pun intended, but chief among those key factors is the prophecy of Ezekiel 38/39 in conjunction with the literalness of Psalm 90:10 which provides two definitions in terms of years or durations of a single generation: 70 as normal, or 80 of strength.
We must be cognizant that the prophetic Word which came to Ezekiel contains two timelines of prophetic significance. 7 years of burning, and 7 months of burying. In the text it appears as though the burning begins first and then the burying commences. The 7 years of burning the Magog Confederation's weaponry as a form of reciprocal plundering and pillaging is the critical eschatological factor to be considered as the text states this burning occurs over a literal and Biblical (360 days each year) 7-year period of time per Ezekiel 39:9.
Let me be perfectly clear about this conclusion: nothing is 100% certain or dogmatic or date-setting about the time-line interpretation I am presenting here, excepting only that "Eretz-Israel" was declared into its modern existence in a single day just as prophesied by Isaiah 66:8 and Psalm 90:10 defines the number of years in a generation. The Word of God is Supreme. And these two points must be addressed.
The first point is the date which starts the Lord's prophetic time-line with respect to Israel and the last days prophecies. That date was May 14, 1948 AD. In the declaration of "Eretz Israel" David Ben-Gurion made no mention of borders of "the land," and no mention of the Lord God and His Abrahamic Covenant in their right to re-establish "Eretz-Israel" was made either. The declaration of "Eretz-Israel" was based upon a declared "natural and historic" right based on "the strength of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly" upon which Ben-Gurion and those gathered with him in assembly in Tel Aviv simply declared the existence of the "State of Israel." They signed the very secular Proclamation and placed their "trust in the Almighty" on the 5th day of Iyar, 5708 - 14th May, 1948. Nevertheless, the prophecy of Isaiah 66:8 was precisely fulfilled at that moment, and the prophetic process of the redemption of Israel began.
The second point is that a normal generation per Psalm 90:10 was given a duration of 70 years. If one were to count forward 70 years in time the count would end in mid-2018 AD. However, if we are in a generation of strength, or 80 years per the same Psalm 90:10, that would count forward to 2028 AD.
Getting back to Ezekiel 38:9, I agree with all of my fellow students of the Lord's Word who say that Israel will have to complete this burning of the Magog Confederation's weapons prior to the middle of the 70th Week. Accordingly, IF the 70th Week should commence circa mid-2018, then the middle of the 70th Week would be circa mid-2021 AD plus and additional 6 months (to account for the full 42 months of the first halve of the 70th Week, thereby placing the time further forward to almost 2022 AD. 2022 minus 7 years is 2015, and for me that is just cutting everything a little too close. In fact, it does not work at all.
Therefore, consistent with my belief that this final generation is a Psalm 90:10 generation of strength of 80 years duration, my conclusion is that we must in sound hermeneutic exegesis push these times forward by most if not all of those additional 10 years. I realize folks are most urgently desiring the Lord's return, and pray daily for the Harpazo to occur without delay. However, in so doing in consideration of those additional ten years we allow for the literal fulfillment of Ezekiel 38/39 and the burning of the weaponry for a full 7 years as well as all of the other preceding prophetic wars (Jeremiah 49:34-39, Isaiah 17, Psalm 83 and associated prophecies) to transpire, each in their own time, and from which Ezekiel also declares that Israel will have recovered from, and be living in peace, safety and fearing no enemy when the Gog/Magog launches its attack. And, most importantly, we do nothing with respect to the timing of the Harpazo of the Bride of Christ. The Father will send His Son at a time we do not expect, Even so, Marana'tha!
Couple of questions (as usual)
ReplyDelete1) there is a difference of opinion among Pre-trib scholars as to whether the fig tree in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 represents the rebirth of Israel. I think it does because so many other significant events occurred the same year. Critics say that Jesus is just comparing the signs, saying when you see this things (tribulation events) occur you know it's near. What scriptures can I use to show them that Jesus indeed had the rebirth of Israel in mind?
2) a question many watchers have (I'm not sure if it's been asked on this site) is this, can you imagine a senerio in which God pulls back the prophetic clock? If we're indeed a generation of strength, which I agree with you that we are, then the start of the 70th week can still be 7 years away. Can you see God pulling back the prophetic clock?
3) in Ezekiel 39:? It says that those who dwell in the cities will burn the weapons for fuel (a remarkable description of modern technology 2,500 years ago). Do those who dwell in the cities at that time all have to be believing Israelis, or could it be possible that some are apostates who accept the antichrist and stay and continue to burn weapons and others who dwell in the cities are those who occupy after the believing remnant ( 1/3 I believe) flees?
Thank you for the time and effort you put into this blog. I grew up in a prophecy oriented church, but now I live in an area where prophecy is very rarely taught, it's mostly seeker sensitive trash so I rely heavily on my own time in the word and sites like this one and lamb and lion and the like for prophecy teaching and updates.
hartdawg.
ReplyDeleteI am so very happy that you have presented the question about what the Son of God, Our God Incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ, Yashua HaMashiach, expressly said to His disciples in His discourse to them on the Mount of Olives.
First of all I have to say that I have a slight issue with the Spiritual well-being of those human beings who would apply a different meaning to the Words of Yeshua HaMashiach than is utterly and completely made clear in the plain text -- irregardless of whether the text has been presented to them in Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, English or any other language on the face of the earth into which this Scripture, the literal Word of God, has been translated. I find such 'alternate meaning' nonsense to be quite devoid of the Holy Spirit.
That bit out of the way, my response to this question is direct for the text of Jesus' discourse (the entire text is Matthew 24:1 through Matthew 26:2) to His disciples was conducted on the Mount of Olives directly opposite and in direct view of the 2nd Temple in Eretz Israel (the land of Israel). This land was even known to the Roman Empire at that time as the Province of Judea (Province of the Jews).
So, in what land was Jesus' earthly ministry conducted?
Eretz Isra'el!
So, why therefore would Jesus suddenly and inexplicably change the entire context by referring to any other place but Eretz Israel in His parable of the fig tree which was part and parcel of His response to His disciples question, "“Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:3)
How can the parable of the fig tree NOT be a direct reference to Eretz Israel inhabited by Jews when Jesus has just finished providing the disciples with the context of (emphasis added): “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), then let them that be in Judea flee unto the mountains." (Matthew 24:15-16)
What geographic location is Jesus referring to right here if not the Temple in Jerusalem in Eretz Israel?
So, what precisely was Jesus speaking about when He said to His disciples, "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near."???
What happens to a fig tree in summer time? The fig tree gives its ripe fruit, ripe figs! After a long winter the fig tree's branches become tender and leaves sprout. A very very months later and the fig tree is in full bloom, and in the midst of summer its fruit, the figs, are ripe and abundant.
Spiritually, what is this saying about Eretz Israel and the people living there? The leaves of the spring and the fruit of the summer figuratively represent the people who are engaged in the true faith, they are worshiping God; they must assuredly are not a secularized or apostate people devoid of His Spirit!
So, the appearance of the leaves in spring is a sure sign in these last days that His coming (in the summer) is very near.
For some time now, and right now in fact, Eretz Israel is becoming more and more filled with our brethren who are Christians and Messianic Jews. And they are even joining the IDF is tremendous increasing numbers as we speak. There is even an unstoppable drive among the Jews in Israel to rebuild the Temple and return to that form of proscribed Mosaic Covenant worship of God.
Jesus' parable of the fig tree is a direct reference to Eretz Israel, both Spiritually and Literally.
I'll get to your 2nd and 3rd questions next...
Q2: "Can God pull back the prophetic clock?"
ReplyDeleteAlmighty God can do anything He wants. He is omnipotent. He says it and it is.
However, God is true to His prophetic word and those words are fulfilled as precisely as they have already been given to us.
There are appointed times for these prophecies to come to their fulfillments, and they all occur over a specific amount of time.
So, my fervent belief is that there are a grand total of at least 70 to as many as 80 years for the generational clock that began on 14 May 1948 to come to completion. I personally do not think this world will continue as it is past the year 2028 AD.
I absolutely believe the Harpazo will occur during this period, probably closer to the 70th year than the 80th because the latter years without question constitute the 7-years of the 70th Week - the Tribulation and Great Tribulation - prior to which the Bride of Christ will have been Harpazoed off this earth.
----
Q3: "Do those who dwell in the cities at that time all have to be believing Israelis, or could it be possible that some are apostates who accept the antichrist and stay and continue to burn weapons and others who dwell in the cities are those who occupy after the believing remnant flees?
I believe the 7 years of Israel burning the Magog Confederations weapons will occur prior to the advent of the 70th Week.
I believe God will pour out His Spirit upon Israel as they recognize His hand in action miraculously saving them from certain conquest and destruction by the hand of these invaders.
The sudden appearance of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists and the Two Witnesses at the start of the 70th Week (the first 42 months or 1,260 days) who evangelize the entire planet (and the Tribulation Saints) are the eschatological specifics that I always point towards as conclusively supporting what I believe about that time.
I believe in the pouring out of His Spirit that God will reverse and eliminate completely the spiritual blindness and deafness that has been Israel's condition (for the most part) per the Covenant of Moab as given to Israel by Moses in Deuteronomy 29 and as prophesied to end by Paul in Romans 11. I believe this occurs either during or immediately after the battle of Gog/Magog, and that it is probably consistent with the same time, the 7 months, in which Israel is burying the dead.
Sean,
ReplyDeleteHow many world leaders do you think share your belief about this 2028 timeline?
I know Netanyahu has made occasional references to eschatology in speeches.
I'm always hesitant to believe these things because many "end of the world" dates have come and gone in the past.
How many world leaders do I think share in my belief about there being a 70 to 80 year long generation following the fulfillment of the Isaiah 66:8 prophecy on May 14 1948???"
ReplyDeleteIf by "world leaders" you mean presidents, kings, prime ministers or those otherwise known as heads of state, then my answer is simply not one.
I know of not one world leader who believes this as I do. But they are all secular people, so why would they believe in the literal Word of God.
Quite frankly the lack of belief of those world leaders is their problem, not mine.
Honestly, I have never given their lack of belief much thought at all, excepting only when I am reading The Revelation of Jesus Christ and envision them being the ones begging death to come upon them, or of falling over dead with heart attacks due to the abject fear that will overcome them when they see what is coming upon the earth.
Then I think that such earthly misery and suffering could all have been avoided had they accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and they would at that time still have yet to endure the their physical death followed by the spiritual judgement before the Great White Throne and eternal separation from God, the second death.
On the other-hand, if these world leaders are evangelical brethren Christians, then I do believe there are millions upon millions of them alive right now.
Belief in the 'end times' is as basic as anything for the Christian today and has been for the past 1,981 years to be precise.
If it is not, then that person is oblivious to prophecy and treats the Word of God as if it were a buffet line from which they can pick and choose to consume as they please. It doesn't work like that; the Holy Spirit doesn't work that way; the Word of God is not a religious or spiritual buffet. It is One Word and it means what it says. Period.
Again, I must return to Matthew 24:32-35 (the parable of the fig tree). It does not get any clearer than this when it comes directly from the mouth of the Son of God, Our God Incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ, Yashua HaMashiach:
(MORE EMPHASIS ADDED)
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
So you also, WHEN YOU SEE ALL THESE THINGS, know that it (He) is near — at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. "
People who deny the clear meaning of this text have bigger problems to deal with than I have time to address here.
Thank you for your direct answer. I long suspected that the fig tree represents the rebirth of Israel. Especially when I consider that just a few days prior to this prophecy Jesus cursed the fig tree and many scholars believe that represented Israel's destruction until the last days and the disciples would have still had that in mind. (Tho I'm not sure of that interpretation) anyways, now I have a response to those who challenge the interpretation of the fig tree.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Gog/Magog, here's what confuses and perhaps you can help clear up my (mis?)understanding. When I read the prophecy a few things come to mind. 1) God's focus is back on Israel, 2) God is dealing with the nations in wrath and 3) God is directly and supernaturally intervening in the affairs of man again.....all post rapture scenarios and yet we see 1) no mention of a temple, 2) 7 years of burning weapons and 3) no mention of a covenant. Whenever I bring this up with Pre-trib scholars they simply say "well, there could be a few years gap between the rapture and the 70th week. That answer simply doesn't sit well with me because when I look at the pattern and the purpose of the rapture I simply don't see a significant gap. Maybe a few weeks to a month but that's all. Please forgive me if I'm slow of learning but can you help clear this up for me? On one hand the clues point to this prophecy occurring AFTER the harpadzo, yet on the other hand the clues indicate that this prophecy occurs at least a few years BEFORE the rapture.
One more thing, I'm not trying to set dates as some have accused me of doing, I'm just trying to understand the seasons and times. Thanks again for your help.
hartdawg.
ReplyDeleteYes, I also think that the curse on the fig tree represented Jesus' cursing a spiritually dead Israel.
In Ezekiel 38/39 there not a single reference to Jerusalem or to a standing Temple or Temple worship.
And there is also no reference to Jewish men preaching the Word of God. In fact there is no reference to any religious anything in Ezekiel 38/39.
This is a picture of Israel still in unbelief as, for the most part, it is right now
I think the glaring absence of these things strongly points toward Ezekiel 38/39 being a pre-70th Week prophecy.
Only at the end of chapters 38/39 is there the past-tense reference to the pouring out of the Lord's Spirit upon the whole house of Israel. This is precisely where God again turns His direct attention upon her.
And only after Ezekiel 38/39 does Ezekiel begin to prophecy about the 3rd Temple and the next several thousand prophetic words are dedicated to the exquisite details of it all.
This is why I am of the opinion that the Harpazo occurs either just before or during Ezekiel 38/39, certainly prior to Ezekiel 39:29.
The Harpazo is not related to any other last days prophecy. Yet, it is an imminent stand-alone event that is wholly within the sovereign will of God the Father to execute. He already knows when, but He doesn't want anyone else to know when because He doesn't want Satan to know it either because he would do his utmost to mess it up. It will take one and all by very sudden total surprise. In the twinkling of an eye, or in about 1 billionth of a second. Poof, we're gone, and that's the end of that, so to speak.