Thursday, January 18, 2024

The Prophetic Timeline

I often think about the prophetic timeline as I consider current events and my eagerness for Jesus to come and take His bride, the church, home to the Father before the start of His wrath as declared in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, an event commonly known as the rapture.


“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)


Following is the prophetic timeline as I see its flow from the pages of God’s word.


The bullet points begin after the death and resurrection of Jesus.


  • Jesus received the scroll that sets into motion events following His resurrection that will result in Satan’s destruction and the fulfillment of God’s covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and the church.  This is depicted in Revelation 5.


  • Jesus begins to open the scroll, and the birth pains He identified in the Olivet Discourse begin.  Compare Matthew 24:1-8 with Revelation 6:1-8.


We know that God reckons time differently in heaven—“a day is as a thousand years.” 2Peter 3:8. In consideration of that fact, Jesus could have begun opening the seals at any time after receiving the scroll.  The fact that we can now identify these birth pains as occurring tells me that these first four seals have already been opened.


  • Believers of the church age will be martyred for their belief in Jesus as Savior as He declared in Matthew 24:9.  “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”  Note that this is not identified as a birth pain sign. This corresponds to the opening of the 5th seal (Revelation 6:9-11).  It does, however, point to the fact that the first four seals have already been opened.  Maybe the death of Stephen (Acts 7) marks the opening of this seal.


  • The opening of the sixth seal marks the beginning of “the wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16-17). The Lamb is Jesus, God in flesh.  This tells me that the rapture has occurred before this seal is opened.  How far in advance?  We aren’t told.  I believe, however, that the intervening time is not long since the LORD continually leaves a witness to His truth and the gospel on earth, and the next thing we see in Revelation is the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses (Revelation 7:1-8).  


  • In Revelation 7:9-17 John describes a multitude of of believers around God’s throne worshiping and praising the LORD.  They include people from every “nation, kindred, people and tongues” (v9).  I believe this is a picture of the raptured body of believers.  Note that point is made that Jesus is in their midst.  Those who posit that the rapture is depicted at the beginning of Revelation 4 need to explain why Jesus is not to be found at that point.  Jesus clearly declared:  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)


Some point out that the multitude described in Revelation 7 are described as coming out of “the” great tribulation, but the text actually says “great tribulation.”  This refers to a time of great “affliction, anguish, persecution, trouble” (all from the Greek).  I believe that applies to Christians of all ages, but it will be particularly descriptive of the time before the rapture occurs.  Believers worldwide are being confronted more and more with mocking, persecution, moral depravity, the lack of reason and lawlessness.  I’m not just talking about America—I’m talking worldwide.  I’m reminded of Peter’s description of Lot.


“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”

(2 Peter 2:7-9)


Personally, I believe that God’s wrath and the 70th week of Daniel (commonly called the tribulation) are events with different purposes that run basically concurrent with one another.  God can use common events to accomplish dual purposes.  The wrath of God is a time when God is exacting vengeance on His enemies.


“God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.”

(Nahum 1:2)


The 70th week of Daniel is a time in which God is working with the Jews to draw out a body of believers among them through whom He will fulfill the covenants made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David.  


“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”  (Daniel 9:24)


In that regard, I believe the wrath of God and the 70th week of Daniel do not begin at the same time.  


Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians states that God’s wrath (“the day of Christ,” the Lamb) will not begin until after the man of sin is revealed.


“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed….”  (2Thessalonians 2:3)


This tells me that the Antichrist will be revealed before the opening of the sixth seal.


Paul also tells us that Antichrist cannot be revealed until “he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” (2:7).  Paul goes on to tell us that the Antichrist will come “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders….” (2:9).  In other words, Antichrist, the man of sin, will be an agent of Satan. The Greek for the word “letteth” in verse 7 means “to hold down…retain…withhold.”  The power that is withholding the emergence of the Antichrist has to be a power greater than Satan’s.  I am convinced this power is a reference to the Holy Spirit that indwells the body of believers.  To take “him” out of the way requires that the body of believers be removed from the scene.  I believe this necessitates that the rapture occur before Antichrist is revealed.


This tells me that the rapture and the revelation of Antichrist occur before the opening of the sixth seal.  


One other bit of pertinent information is to define what first identifies the Antichrist.  I believe it is the signing of the 7-year covenant of peace that he negotiates with Israel as described in Daniel 9:27:  “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week….”  The context in Daniel 9 is a description of events that are determined upon “thy people,” Daniel’s people, the people of Israel.  Verse 27 goes on to declare that the Antichrist will break his covenant in the middle of the 70th week and “cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease.”  Again, this affirms that the 7-year covenant is with the people of Israel.  Note that it also implies that the covenant allows for the practice of offering temple sacrifices, implying also the existence of a temple.


This timeline takes us to the middle of the 70th week of Daniel, when Antichrist breaks his covenant. 


There are a couple of other events on the prophetic horizon that need addressed—the attack of the armies of Gog on Israel and the destruction of Damascus.  Frankly, the current war in Israel against Hamas, also involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen (all as proxies of Iran I believe) has thrown a wrench in my thinking.  It  could be expected that the destruction of Damascus occurs as part of the current war scenario.  The attack of Gog, however, is supposed to occur when the people of Israel are dwelling securely or carelessly confident when the attack occurs—which was the situation when this war with Hamas started.  


“After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.”  (Ezekiel 38:8)

“safely” = confident…careless


I always thought the war with Gog and his armies would occur before the beginning of the 70th week; now I’m questioning that line of thinking.  Only time will tell.


This is just a summary of my current understanding of the prophetic timeline according to scripture.  As always, I'm open to God giving me better understanding. Much more detail is available on my website:  momsbiblejournal.com


Thursday, December 21, 2023

A CHRISTMAS MEDITATION

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”  (Isaiah 9:6-7)


“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  (John 3:16-17)


“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”  (Galatians 4:4-5)


“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1:18-21)


“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.


And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”  (Luke 2:1-17)






Monday, November 27, 2023

Wisdom from the Prophet Amos

Amos 5:4 For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: 

Amos 5:5 But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. 


Amos 5:6 Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. 


As He always does, the LORD declares that forgiveness is available; Israel just needed to seek Him in faith and repentance.  He makes the point that their sincerity will be noted by coming to Him on His terms—not at Bethel, Gilgal or Beersheba.  The implication—Jerusalem was the place where God had chosen to place His name and receive the sacrifices of His people.  These other cities had been established as worship centers in defiance of God’s instructions and had become centers of idol worship.  The coming judgment of these cities is certain. 


The warning in verse 6—If you don’t turn back to me in faith and repentance, the house of Joseph (another reference to the Northern Kingdom of Israel) will be completely devoured and no one will be able to prevent it.  I think this is again in reference to their impotent idols.  The call is for the people as individuals to repent of their sin and turn back to God in faith and obedience.


It always intrigues me how we humans think we have the right to expect our Creator, The God of the universe, to accept us on our terms instead of His.  So many today are convinced that if their good deeds outweigh their bad, they’ll get to go to heaven.  With that statement they are conceding there is a heaven and, in turn, a God in heaven who determines who is qualified to enter.  He has clearly explained in scripture that the only qualification He will accept is faith in His Son Jesus as the sacrifice for our sin and Lord of our life.  Still, many refuse to believe that He really means what He says.  What an arrogant stance to take before Almighty God; and, sadly, how many are going to suffer an eternity outside His presence because they refuse to believe Him!


Monday, November 20, 2023

HOW DO I SAY THANK YOU?

How do I say “Thank You”

For all that God has done

For all the many blessings

That are mine through His dear Son?


His love is strong and constant

No matter what I do.

He guides, protects and chastens

As I stumble my way through.


He’s always working in my life

To bring about what’s good.

Even if the things I choose

Aren’t always what I should.


His mercy and compassion

Far exceed my greatest need.

And when I come before His throne

He hears my every plea.


I may not understand His ways

When angry, hurt or grieved.

And still His patience never fails.

He’s always there to meet my need.


A Father when I need a hug.

A Refuge when I fear.

A Rock to give me strength.

A Friend when I need cheer.


“Thank You,” loving Father!

“Increase my faith,” I pray.

May others see You shine through me

In all I do and say.

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

God's Word is Sure

My heart is grieved over recent events in Israel.  I can hardly believe the evil things that people aligned with Hamas have done to fellow human beings.  It can only be described as Satanic and demonic.  Satan is gearing up for his short reign of power over the nations of the world.  Yes, he will get his one-world government—but only according to God’s ordained purpose.  That purpose—to bring forth a believing remnant of the people of Israel through whom He will fulfill His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David.   It grieves me that it will take such suffering before God’s chosen people will recognize their true Messiah—the LORD Jesus, as declared in God's word.


As one who has been privileged to become part of spiritual Israel through faith in Jesus, the prayer is ever on my lips, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.”  It is my prayer to see peace in Jerusalem and to see Jerusalem a praise throughout the earth.  But I know that will not happen until Jesus returns to establish His kingdom and rule from the throne of David.


My heart is at peace because I know that the promises and prophecies in God’s word are sure and will come to pass just as promised and foretold.  God’s word is clear about describing events and circumstances that would indicate that His return was at the door.  Those events and circumstances are in full evidence around us.  They shout that the last seven years before Jesus returns will soon commence.  As the LORD orchestrates events to bring the people of Israel to saving faith, He will also exercise His wrath against His enemies and exact vengeance upon those that have martyred His followers.


I believe that scripture is very clear in stating that His people, those who believe that Jesus died for their sins and rose victorious from the grave, will be rescued before God inflicts His wrath on planet earth.  That event is commonly known as the rapture.  It is that truth that gives me peace and fills me with great anticipation.  


Satan is the great deceiver, and is hard at work convincing the masses that God’s word is not true—and, as events evidence all around the world, he seems to be succeeding.   Don’t ignore the signs of the times.  Read God’s word with a heart to know the truth.  If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, turn to him in faith today—before it’s too late!


John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”


Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”


1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ….”


1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”


John 14:1-3  “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”